Prayers were taken by the Reverend Bernard Minton, Team Vicar of Linslade.

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 23 February 2017.

(Attached pages 5 to 12)

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 23 February 2017 be confirmed and signed as a true and correct record.

Councillor Nicols expressed concern about the corporate style of minutes.  This issue would be referred to the General Purposes Committee.

Cllr Chapman declared a personal interest as Chairman of the Police and Crime Panel  in the item relating to allowances for Police and Crime Panel Members (minute C/16/90 refers).

It was noted that in respect of this interest, a dispensation under S.33 of the Localism Act 2012 had been issued by the Monitoring Officer.

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. 

The Council noted that the following Members of the public had indicated their wish to speak under the public participation provisions set out at Annex 1 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

Miss Rita Egan spoke about the cost of holding a meeting of the Council and how this was justified when there were few items on the agenda.

The Leader indicated that he would provide a written reply and advised Miss Egan that consideration was being given to including presentations on strategic issues at future meetings.

Mr Hobbs indicated a wish to speak about fluoridation of water in Central Bedfordshire.  Mr Hobbs raised concerns about fluoridation and the extent to which related issues had been considered by the Council.

The Executive Member for Health indicated that he would provide a written reply.

Mrs Bagchi spoke on behalf of Bedford Allergy Support Group about its concerns relating to fluoridation and asked that the Council informs households where fluoride was present.

The Executive Member for Health would provide a written reply.

No petitions were received.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

·         HRH The Queen had officially opened Priory View Independent Living Scheme.  The Chairman commented on how special the occasion was and thanked all officers involved in the visit

·         the Chairman’s civic service that would be held on Sunday 23 April and conducted by the Reverend Minton, at Linslade Church

·         the retirement of Mel Peaston, Committee Services Manager.  The Chairman presented a gift and recorded his gratitude for her work.

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

The Leader made the following announcements:

·         the success of the Priory View Independent Living Scheme attended by the HRH The Queen

·         an update on SEMLEP, England’s Economic Heartland and discussions about the Oxford- Cambridge Corridor

·         the opportunity for future Council meetings to consider strategic presentations and discussions.

·         the Leader recorded his thanks to Mel Peaston, Committee Services Manager and wished her all the best for her retirement.

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 Young and Dixon.

Councillor Young Executive Member for Regeneration reported on developments within his portfolio.

·         an update on the Five Year Land Supply and the delivery of housing to date

·         Market town regeneration and High Street improvement projects, including 36 improvement projects with an investment of £7 million

·         the Executive decision to explore a mixed use regeneration of the station area in Flitwick to look into the finance of the regeneration of Flitwick

·         an update on inward investment to Central Bedfordshire.

Councillor Young responded to questions.

Councillor Dixon Executive Member for Education and Skills reported on developments within his portfolio.

·         work being undertaken to improve education attainment in schools throughout Central Bedfordshire, including work on communication, supporting schools, redefining data and funding

·         Basic Needs Grant.

·         work underway with The Diocese of St Albans to improve the outcome of education.

Councillor Dixon responded to questions.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council concerning changes in membership of the Executive and the Health and Wellbeing Board and associated changes in Executive Member and Deputy Executive Member responsibilities.

(Attached pages 13 to 15)

The Council received a report of the Leader which advised of the changes to the membership of the Executive and the Health and Wellbeing Board, following the resignation from the Council of Councillor Jones, Executive Member for Health.

NOTED

1.    the appointment by the Leader of the Council of the following:

·         Cllr Brian Spur as Executive Member for Health

·         Cllr Brian Spurr to the Health and Wellbeing Board

·         Cllr Ian Dalgarno as Executive Member for Community Services (in place of Cllr Brian Spurr)

·         Cllr Richard Wenham as Deputy Leader

·         Cllr Tracey Stock as Deputy  executive Member for Health

2.    a change in portfolio responsibilities of the Executive Member for Education and Skills, Cllr Steven Dixon, so that while that portfolio maintains responsibility for Property and Asset Management , it will no longer be in association with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources, and the delegated powers for decision making purposes which were previously held by the Executive Member for Corporate Resources pass to the Executive Member for Education and Skills;

3.    a change in portfolio responsibilities of the Deputy Executive Member for Health, now held by Cllr Tracey Stock, to include all those set out in the Community Services portfolio, as well as matters within the corporate Resources portfolio, namely Town and Parish Council matters, Community Resilience, Community Engagement and Stronger Communities.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Corporate Resourcesproposing an increase in allowance for Police and Crime Panel Members by 1%.

(Attached pages 17 to 25)

The Council considered a report of the Executive Member for Corporate Resources detailing a request from Bedford Borough Council, as the administering authority for the Police and Crime Panel, to increase the allowance paid to Police and Crime Panel Members by 1% for the financial year 2017/18.

RESOLVED

that the proposed increase in allowance for Police and Crime Panel Members by 1% as set out in paragraph 4 of the report now submitted be approved.

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 minority groups’ leaders to ask a question each prior to the consideration of questions that had been placed in the Open questions receptacle.

1.    Councillor Zerny asked a question about the Sustainability and Transformation Plan for Bedfordshire, Luton & Dunstable and Milton Keynes and how this would include residents of Central Bedfordshire who lived closer to Addenbrooks or Lister hospitals.

The Executive Member for Social Care and Housing and Executive Member for Health advised that the consultation on the Sustainability and Transformation Plan had highlighted the need to include all  residents in Central Bedfordshire and the hospitals wherever their needs were met. He would provide a written reply.

2.    Councillor Ryan asked a question about the allocation of funding formula in schools throughout Central Bedfordshire.

The Executive Member for Education and Skills advised how the allocation of funding for schools would be distributed

3.    Councillor Downing asked a question about Section 106 monies and highway safety issues in his ward.

The Executive Member for Community Services advised how Section 106 monies were allocated for highways and how specific danger spots were addressed based on police data.

4.    Councillor Gomm asked a question about plans to improve the condition of roads in Central Bedfordshire.

The Executive Member for Community Services advised that funding had been secured for the purchase of a Velocity Patcher which would target pot holes.

5.    Councillor Barker asked a question about plans for summer grass cutting.

The Deputy Member for Community Services advised that a new grass cutting contractor had been assigned from April 2017.