Prayers were taken by Reverend Paul Niemiec, Community Minister for Leighton Buzzard.

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 22 September 2016.

(attached pages 7 to 11)

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 22 September 2016 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

Councillor Bowater declared a personal interest in item 10. ‘Recommendations from the General Purposes Committee’, as one of the Independent Persons to be appointed for a further term was an acquaintance.

Councillor Hollick declared a personal interest in item 9(i) ‘Recommendations from the Executive, Passenger Transport Strategy’, as a trustee of South Beds Dial-a-Ride.

CouncillorMrs Chapman declared a personal interest in item 9(i) ‘Recommendations from the Executive, Passenger Transport Strategy’, as she represented the Council on the Mid Beds Link-a-Ride Community Transport.

Councillor Duckett declared a personal interest in item 9 (i)’Recommendations from the Executive, Passenger Transport Strategy’ as he was a Member of the Link a Ride Board.

Councillor Matthews declared a personal interest in item 9(i)’Recommendations from the Executive, Passenger Transport Strategy’  as he had met and spoken With Link a Ride operators.

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 a member of the public, Mr Hamilton, had indicated a wish to speak to express his concerns about a CQC report on the residential care home  Rosewood Court, Dunstable.  Mr Hamilton was invited to make his representations.

The Executive Member for Social Care and Housing responded to the question and statements made by Mr Hamilton.

The Council noted that two members of the public had indicated a wish to speak on  item 9, Recommendations from the Executive, (i)Passenger Transport Strategy.  The speakers, Mr Givertz and Mrs Dixon, were invited to make their representations.

The Executive Member for Community Services responded to concerns expressed by Mr Givertz and Mrs Dixon.

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 made the following announcements:

·         he reported on his attendance at a Remembrance Day ceremony in Leighton Buzzard and Bedfordshire Girl Guides Awards ceremony

·         an invitation from the High Sheriff to put forward nominations for the Crime Beat Awards

·         Leighton Linslade had won the Anglia In Bloom Competition in the town and small city category and would be competing at national level.

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

The Leader made the following announcements:

·         he reported on the gas outage in Ampthill, Maulden and Clophill, which had effected 6,000 homes, who were without gas, following the rupture of a high pressure pipe.  The recovery operation was being led by National Grid involving other agencies, including the Council.  The Leader expressed his gratitude to all involved in rectifying the problem.

·         On England’s Economic Heartland, the  National Infrastructure interim report on the Cambridge, Milton Keynes and Oxford Corridor, the East of England LGA and continued work with SEMLEP.

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 Wenham.

Councillor Wenham, Executive Member for Corporate Services reported on recent developments within his portfolio including:

·         transformation of IT systems, including, improving the robustness of the infrastructure, continued monitoring of security, enhancing the user experience, improving the services available, simplifying and improving  residents’ access.

·         investment in IT infrastructure to maintain compliance with the Public Sector Network requirements

·         modification of the systems to facilitate new working arrangements

·         transfer of applications to the Cloud

·         changes to internal systems, including Citrix

·         benefits to users arising from the planned changes

·         upgrades to telephony.

Councillor Young, Executive Member for Regeneration reported on developments within his portfolio area including:

·         transport and logistics

·         numbers employed in transport and logistics in Central Bedfordshire and associated salaries

·         details of major logistic employers in Central Bedfordshire, including, Amazon, Prologis and Gazeley

·         details of skilled workers in the transport and logistics sector in Central Bedfordshire

·         development and investment at Stratton Park Biggleswade

·         a members seminar on logistics to be held on 9 January 2017.

To consider recommendations from the meeting of the Executive, held on 11 October 2016and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

(i)            Passenger Transport Strategy

(attached pages 13 to 14)

(ii)          Fees and Charges 2017

(attached page 15)

(iii)         Traded Services to Schools and Academies- Proposed Charges for 2017/18

(attached page 17)

(iv)         Stratton Street Railway Bridge

(attached page 19)

(i)            Passenger Transport Strategy

The Council considered a recommendation of the Executive arising from its meeting held on 11 October 2016 concerning the Passenger Transport strategy.

RESOLVED

that the Passenger Transport Strategy for Central Bedfordshire, as set out at Appendix 1 to the Executive report, be adopted.

(ii)          Fees and Charges 2017

The Council considered recommendations arising from a meeting of the Executive held on 11 October 2016, concerning the proposed fees and charges for 2017.

RESOLVED

1.    that the prices for the fees and charges for 2017, as set out in Appendix A to the Executive report, be approved;

2.    that the new fees and charges to be introduced for 2017, as set out in Appendix B to the Executive report, be approved;

3.    that the fees and charges for Social Care, Health and Housing (including HRA) be considered by the Executive on 7 February 2017 and Council on 23 February 2017;

4.    that whilst some statutory charges had been left at the 2016 rate currently, these would be amended to the new charges once the Council had been advised of the rates applicable to 2017;

5.    that the progress of the fees and charges cyclical review process, as set out in Appendix C to the Executive report, be noted;

6.    that the fees and charges that deliver the most income for the highest volume usage, as set out in Appendix D to the Executive report, be noted; and

7.    that the comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Committees, as set out in Appendix F to the Executive report, be noted.

(iii)         Traded Services to Schools and Academies – Proposed Charges for 2017/18

The Council considered recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 11 October 2016 that set out the proposed revised charges for 2017/18 for traded services to schools and academies for non statutory services.

RESOLVED

(1)  that the charges for 2017/18 for non statutory services to Schools and Academies, as set out in the Executive report, be approved; and

(2)  that the comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Committees, as set out in Appendix C to the Executive report, be noted.

(iv)         Stratton Street Railway Bridge

The Council considered recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 11 October 2016 concerning Stratton Street Railway Bridge.

RESOLVED

(1)  that the allocation of an additional £800k in 2016/17 of capital funding for the Stratton Street Railway Bridge be approved, to complete the works; and

(2)  that an additional allocation of £50k be approved,     as a risk pot for 2016/17.

To consider recommendations from the meeting of the General Purposes Committee, held on 27 October 2016and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

(attached pages 21 to 28)

The Council considered recommendations from the General Purposes Committee held on 27 October 2016 seeking an amendment to the Constitution.

The Chairman of the Committee reminded Council that a revised report and appendix had been circulated.

Council was advised that four Independent Persons had agreed to serve for the next 4-year period, namely Mr John Jones, Mr Chris Fogden, Dr Vasco Fernandez and Mrs Maureen Briggs.

RESOLVED

To consider a report of Councillor Wenham, Executive Member for Corporate Resources on Monitoring Treasury Management.

(attached pages 29 to 50)

The Council considered a report from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources that provided a review of Treasury Management activities for the six month period ending 30 September 2016.

RESOLVED

that the Treasury Management activities report and the prudential indicators for the 6 month period ending 30 September 2016 be noted.

To receive the Overview and Scrutiny Committees Annual report.

(attached pages 51 to 62)

The Council received the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2015/16 which summarised the activities of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees during the last twelve months and anticipated activity in 2016/17.

RESOLVED

that the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2015/16 be noted.

To consider a report of Councillor Wenham, Executive Member for Corporate Resources on the scheme of allowances for Members.

(attached pages 63 to 82)

The Council considered a report of the Executive Member for Corporate Resources, setting out the recommendations of the Independent remuneration Panel (IRP) about the scheme of allowances for Members and membership of the IRP.

RESOLVED

1.    that the Scheme of Members’ Allowances be approved as recommended by the IRP set out at Appendix A to the report, and that Part K of the Council’s Constitution be amended accordingly;

2.    that Mr Geoff Lambert and Mr Chris Bell be re-appointed to the IRP for the periods to 31 March 2021 and 31 March 2022 respectively, and the term of office for the IRP vacancy be approved for the period to 31 March 2020;

3.    to increase the size of the IRP membership from four to five members and that the new appointment be until 31 March 2021;

4.    that the delegated authority for the appointment process to fill vacancies on the IRP be amended from the Assistant Director Legal service (Monitoring Officer) to the Head of Governance.

To receive and consider a report of the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority and ask questions under Rule No. 13.1.

(attached pages 83 to 87)

The Council received a report of the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority following its meeting held on 19 October 2016.

RESOLVED

that the report of the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority be noted.

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

Notice of Motion received from Councillor Collins:

Mobile Phone Use Whilst Driving

This Council notes the recent conviction of Tomasz Kroker on four counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.   The tragic consequences of this crime have particular resonance in Central Bedfordshire as the four victims were resident in one of our towns and, more personally, one of those victims was a long-serving and well respected member of staff within this authority.

This Council resolves:

(a)        to formally acknowledge and support the public statement, made on behalf of the family following the court case, condemning the use of mobile phones whilst driving under any circumstances and

(b)        to call upon the Police and Home Office respectively to ensure that this dangerous and irresponsible crime is eliminated as far as possible through rigorous enforcement of the law and appropriate sentencing for those convicted.

Councillor Collins proposed and Councillor Zerny seconded the following motion:

This Council notes the recent conviction of Tomasz Kroker on four counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.   The tragic consequences of this crime have particular resonance in Central Bedfordshire as the four victims were resident in one of our towns and, more personally, one of those victims was a long-serving and well respected member of staff within this authority.

This Council resolves:

(a)        to formally acknowledge and support the public statement, made on behalf of the family following the court case, condemning the use of mobile phones whilst driving under any circumstances and

(b)        to call upon the Police and Home Office respectively to ensure that this dangerous and irresponsible crime is eliminated as far as possible through rigorous enforcement of the law and appropriate sentencing for those convicted.

In introducing the motion, Councillor Collins spoke about the devastating affects caused by the use of mobile phone whilst driving.

In seconding the motion Councillor Zerny sought the insertion of the words “hand held devices” in place of the words “mobile phones”.   The adjustment was accepted by Councillor Collins who had moved the motion.

RESOLVED

This Council notes the recent conviction of Tomasz Kroker on four counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.   The tragic consequences of this crime have particular resonance in Central Bedfordshire as the four victims were resident in one of our towns and, more personally, one of those victims was a long-serving and well respected member of staff within this authority.

(a)  to formally acknowledge and support the public statement, made on behalf of the family following the court case, condemning the use of hand held devices whilst driving under any circumstances, and;

(b)  to call upon the Police and Home Office respectively to ensure that this dangerous and irresponsible crime is eliminated as far as possible through rigorous enforcement of the law and appropriate sentencing for those convicted.

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 Questions receptacle.

1.         Councillor Zerny asked a question about the number of care homes in Central Bedfordshire that had ben rated as inadequate and require improvement by CQC.

            The Executive Member for Social Care and Housing indicated that she would provide a written response, having provided some contextual information at the meeting.

2.         Councillor Downing asked a question about the  disruption to rail services, including cancellations on the Thameslink Bedford to Brighton route, in particular the provision used by commuters between London and Flitwick and Harlington stations, and the lack of access for people with mobility problems at stations in Central Bedfordshire.

The Leader of the Council advised that he would write to the Minister for Transport on this issue.

3.         Councillor Goodchild referred to the rising numbers of homeless people and sought assurance that support and training was provided to the volunteers who assisted  those vulnerable people through church-related schemes..

The Executive Member for Social Care and Housing advised that she would fully support voluntary initiatives to help homeless people.

4.         Councillor Blair referred to the gas outage in Ampthill, Clophill  and Maulden and sought assurance that the Council would encourage National Grid  to allocate sufficient resources to restore the gas supply as soon as possible.

            The Leader referred to the complexity of restoring the gas supply and provided reassurance that National Grid was dedicating appropriate resources into rectifying the problem.

5.         Councillor Duckett asked a question about how the most vulnerable people were being supported during the gas outage in Ampthill, Clophill and Maulden.

The Leader advised that a number of agencies,  additional to the Council, were involved in the operation and were supporting vulnerable people.

6.         Councillor Maudlin asked a question about Community Plans and how the Council would take account of the views of local communities.

            The Executive Member for Regeneration advised that Community Plans were progressing well and that views of the communities would be taken into account.