To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on  19 November 2015.       

(attached pages 7 to 14)

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2015 be confirmed and signed as a true and correct record subject to a correction in Minute No C/15/51 of Cllr Spurr’s title, which should be shown as Executive Member for Community Services.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

None were declared.

To receive any questions, statements and deputations from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Annex 1 of part A4 of the Constitution. 

No questions, statements or deputations were received.

To receive and discuss petitions if any, in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Annex 2 of part A4 of the Constitution.

No petitions were received.

The Chairman to announce any matters of communication.

The Chairman announced the recent death of former Councillor Julian Murray.

Following a tribute from Councillor Zerny, the Council then stood in silent tribute to the memory of former Councillor Julian Murray.

The Leader of the Council to announce any matters of communication.

The Leader reported upon the Local Government Financial Settlement and its implications for Central Bedfordshire and the representations he had made as a result, including via the LGA, CCN and MP’s.  He reported too on discussions with Network Rail with a view to progressing the East West Rail project and with neighbouring partners on potential devolution proposals.

The Leader explained the delegated action he had authorised to change the date of closure of the following two schools and amalgamation with other provision as set out in Minute 62 of the Executive held on 1 December 2015. 

Arlesey Nursey School and Childcare Centre with Gothic Mede Academy; and The Lawns Nursery School and Children’s Centre Biggleswade with the Biggleswade Academy Trust.

Authority had been delegated to the Director of Children’s Services in consultation with Executive Member for Education and Skills to determine the closure dates.

To receive reports from up to three Executive Members on recent matters of interest and ask questions on matters contained within the reports.

Reports are anticipated from Councillors Versallion and Jones.

Councillor Versallion, Executive Member for Education and Skills reported on work within his portfolio area including:

·         a new ‘Partnership Vision’ for Education

·         improvements in GCSE performance

·         improvements in the last four years in Ofsted rankings of schools from 75% to 86%

·         a peer review of school improvement, which will include consultation, feedback from school leaders would inform the action plans for the Education Vision Workstreams

·         the ongoing work of the Partnership Vision Board

·         introduction of a data sharing agreement with schools.

Councillor Versallion responded to questions.

Councillor Jones, Executive Member for Health reported on work within his portfolio area including:

·         work of the Health and Wellbeing Board and the four priorities of the Health and wellbeing Strategy

·         a significant improved performance in the care of looked after children, including, annual health assessments. Performance is strong compared to national and regional data sets

·         transfer of the commissioning responsibilities for community health services for children under the age of five to the Council

·         funds accessed for the development of mental health services locally

·         work to reduce premature deaths

·         pilot of an intelligence led project to manage the risks to the wellbeing of frail and elderly residents.

·         Data sharing with health colleagues.

To consider recommendations from the meetings of the Executive and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

(i)            the meeting of the Executive held on 1 December 2015 and answer questions asked under Rule no. 13.1.

(a)  Council Tax Support Scheme.

(b)  Shared Legal Services.

(attached pages15 to 18)

(ii)          12 January 2016

(a)  Proposed Drainage Byelaws for Flood Risk Management.

(To follow)

(1)       Council Tax Support Scheme

The Council considered a recommendation from the Executive held on 1 December 2015 concerning the Council Tax Support Scheme.

RESOLVED

that the extension of the current Council Tax support Scheme for a further year (2016/17), with no changes, be approved.

(2)          Shared Legal Services

The Council considered recommendations from the Executive held on 1 December 2015 concerning the existing provision of legal services and a proposed move to a shared services partnership.

RESOLVED

that the delegation of Central Bedfordshire Council legal services functions to a shared services provider in order to facilitate a shared legal service arrangement be authorised.

(Note: Mr Quentin Baker, Assistant Director, Legal and Democratic Services withdrew from the Chamber prior to consideration of this item.)

(3)          Proposal to make Drainage Bylaws

The Council considered a recommendation of the Executive held on 12 January 2016 seeking adoption of the Drainage Bylaws following completion of the stakeholder consultation.

RESOLVED

that following completion of the stakeholder consultation the Drainage Bylaws be adopted.

To consider recommendations from the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 17 December 2015 and ask questions under rule no 13.1.

(i)            Pay Policy Statement 2016/17.

(attached pages 19 to 26)

The Pay Policy Statement

The Council considered recommendations from a meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 17 December 2015 seeking approval of the draft Pay Policy Statement 2016/17 as set out at Appendix A to the report and that the document be published on the Council’s website.

RESOLVED

That the draft Pay Policy Statement 2016/17 be approved and published on the Council’s website.

To consider the proposed Calendar of Meetings for the municipal year 2016/17.

(attached pages 27 to 32)

The Council considered a report of the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources seeking approval of the proposed Calendar of Committee meetings for the municipal year 2016- 2017.

The Executive Member for Corporate Resources drew attention to a formatting error on Appendix A relating to 19 May and 24 October 2016.

RESOLVED

That subject to a correction to a formatting error, the draft Calendar of Council and Committee meetings for the period May 2016 to May 2017 as set out at Appendix A to the submitted report, be approved.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Corporate Services on a review of Webcasting.

(attached pages 33 to 38)

The Council received and considered a report of the Executive Member for Corporate Resources which summarised a review of webcasting and sought to extend webcasting to include all Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings.

RESOLVED

(1)          that feedback form a range of stakeholders on the initial phase of central Bedfordshire Council’s webcasting be noted;

(2)          that webcasting be extended to include all Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings with appropriate additional Member and Officer support and training.

To consider motions by Members of the Council under Rule No. 17 in the order received.

No motions were received.

To answer written questions from Members of the Council under Rule No. 13.2.

No written questions were received.

To answer Open Questions asked by Members of the Council under Rule No. 13.7.

The Chairman invited the Minority Group Leaders to ask a question each prior to the consideration of questions that had been placed in the Open Question receptacle.

1.            Councillor Zerny asked a question about land that had previously been allocated for the NIRAH project.

The Executive Member for Regeneration would provide a written answer.

2.            Councillor Lawrence asked a question about the help being received from Network Rail in relation to a bridge in Biggleswade.

The Executive Member for Community Services advised of the assistance being received from Network Rail.

3.            Councillor Matthews asked a question concerning recently announced proposals which would affect planning regulations and policies and the value of discussions with the DCLG.

The Executive Member for Regeneration outlined how effective close links to the DCLG were working.

4.            Councillor Matthews asked a question about how Members would be informed of arrangements for the impending transfer of the highways contract.

The Executive Member for Community Services advised that information would be issued to all Members.