Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Priory House, Monks Walk, Shefford

Contact: Sandra Hobbs  0300 300 5257

Items
No. Item

12.

Prayers

Minutes:

 

Prayers were taken by The Reverend Lucy Davis.

 

 

13.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 71 KB

 

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 18 May 2017.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

 

RESOLVED

 

that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 18 May 2017 were approved by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

 

 

14.

Members' Interests

 

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

 

 

Minutes:

 

No declarations of interest were received.

 

 

15.

Questions, Statements and Deputations

 

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. 

Minutes:

 

The Chairman advised that four members of the public had registered to speak on the draft Local Plan and one member of the public wished to speak on fluoridation.

 

The Chairman invited the members of the public who had registered to speak to address the Council.

 

1.    Mr Denchfield raised concerns about the draft Local Plan which he considered to contain vague and inaccurate details of the proposed number of homes and exact locations and asked if government models had been used to determine the proposals.   Mr Denchfield felt that it was  inappropriate at this time to ask residents to  comment on the draft Plan.  He raised concerns about the focus that there appeared to be  on the East of Central Bedfordshire because of its infrastructure links rather than other large conurbations such as Ampthill and Flitwick. Mr Denchfield spoke about how he felt Biggleswade had been unfairly targeted with significant developments already having taken place and as a result how the existing infrastructure was struggling to cope.

 

2.    Mr Lasham spoke about his concerns on the draft Local Plan proposals, particularly for Bigglewade.  Mr Lasham spoke about how he felt Biggleswade has been adversely effected by significant developments that had taken place already. He raised concerns about the impact on wildlife and on agriculture land.

 

3.    Mr Crockart, a Biggleswade resident, spoke about his concerns  and the impact of the proposals on the town, in particular the roads and  infrastructure in Biggleswade.

 

4.    Mr Rix raised concerns about the road infrastructure and car parks in Biggleswade and how the proposals in the Local Plan would exacerbate existing problems.  He asked if there was a plan in place to alleviate the problems and urged the Council to reconsider their proposals.

 

5.     Mrs Williams spoke about the fluoridation of water in Central Bedfordshire and the extent to which those residents affected had been made aware that there water had been flouridated.

 

Councillor Young, Executive Member for Regeneration thanked the speakers and responded to concerns about the draft Local Plan as follows:

 

The public consultation had been extended from six to eight weeks and so far four public drop-in sessions had taken place.  He explained why it was important to have a Local Plan as quickly as possible and emphasised that  no decisions had been made at this stage. The plan was proposing options for growth over the next 20 years, including homes which were needed.

 

Councillor Young addressed concerns about the draft plan being unbalanced and focusing on the eastern area of Central Bedfordshire.  He advised that development was balanced and gave an example of the 23,000 new homes with planning permission in the southern half of Central Bedfordshire, including 7,000 in Houghton Regis.

 

Councillor Young responded to concerns about the need for more detail about specific sites and the number of homes.  He advised that at this stage the plan set out broad locations for growth and numbers and that the next stage of the plan would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

16.

Petitions

 

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.

Minutes:

 

No petitions were received.

 

 

17.

Chairman's Announcements and Communications

 

The Chairman to announce any matters of communication.

Minutes:

The Chairman advised of events that she had attended  since the last meeting of Council, including:

 

·         the Sunset Ceremony, Chicksands to mark the armed forces day parade;

·         the Topping Out Ceremony and planting of a time capsule at Houghton Park Hall;

·          the High Sheriff’s Garden Party;

·         official opening of the M1/A5 Link Road;

·          the funeral of  Late Chief Constable, Alfred Hitchcock;

·         presentation of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise to Peli Bio Thermal based in  Leighton Buzzard.

 

The Chairman spoke about the facilities at the Safety Centre Hazard Alley, Milton Keynes and that she would be planning a visit for all Members to attend.

 

The Chairman advised that her Civic service would be held on 21 January 2018, 3.00p.m at St Mary’s Church, Woburn.  The function would be attended by the Bishop of Bedford.

 

The Chairman advised that she and Vice Chairman would like to meet  Members of Central Bedfordshire staff and would be making plans to visit all offices throughout the year.

 

18.

Leader of the Council's Announcements and Communications

 

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

Minutes:

 

The Leader thanked members of the public who had spoken under agenda item 4, Questions, Statements and Deputations.

 

The Leader referred to the official opening of the M1/A5 Link Road and the importance of this infrastructure , particularly, the positive impact that this was having on Houghton Regis and Dunstable. The new link would also underpin significant development.

 

The expansion of homes in Central Bedfordshire had been accompanied by the creation of 925 additional school places. This had contributed to 97% of pupils being allocated to their first choice school.

 

 

 

 

19.

Executive Member Presentations

 

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:

 

·         Councillor Wenham, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources; and

·         Councillor Dalgarno, Executive Member for Community Services.

 

 

Minutes:

Councillor Wenham, Executive Member for Corporate Resources, reported on recent developments in the Revenues and Benefits area of his portfolio including:

 

·         continued improvement in the performance of Council Tax collection and  NNDR;

·         a new streamlined debt management process, ;

·         monthly monitoring of housing and council tax benefit claims;

·         fraud investigation successes, including £60,000 of housing fraud prevention, blue badge fraud and school admissions cases;

·         digitisation of a new benefits claims form; since its introduction, 2700 claims had been made on line;

·         the soft launch of a revenues and benefits portal allowing customers to have access to information about council tax and NNDR accounts.  Future developments would include automatic email alerts when new letters and bills are generated;

·         plans to automate data transfer to the Valuation Office and e form processing;

 

The Executive Member for Corporate Resources placed on record his gratitude to the Revenues and Benefits team.

 

Councillor Dalgarno, Executive Member for Community Services updated Council on Culture and Arts and the ways in which these were delivered by  libraries throughout Central Bedfordshire:

 

·         completion of a refresh of a consultation undertaken in 2012 called the ‘Big Listen’, which would see changes to the service being rolled out soon;

·         an increase of online usage, including the substantial uplift in visits to the virtual library;;

·         £2 million had been invested in the 12 libraries across Central Bedfordshire libraries, including in refurbishments, improved infrastructure and upgraded  data lines;

·         an increase in the satisfaction  user satisfaction from 93% in 2012 to 97% in 2017;

·         an increase in people attending activities in libraries;

·         an extension of library opening hours in September 2017;

·         the presence of library services throughout Central Bedfordshire in 148 settings;

·         increases in ticket sales at the library theatre in Leighton Buzzard since the introduction of on line bookings;

·         work that was underway with the Arts Council to conduct a review of cultural  offer at the library theatre, Leighton Buzzard and Grove theatre Dunstable;

·         work with local and national partners, including an Arts Council grant in conjunction with the Royal Opera House Bridge, linking leisure, libraries and countryside projects to provide vulnerable learners with an opportunity to experience music and arts.

 

Councillor Dalgarno responded to questions.

20.

Recommendations from the Executive pdf icon PDF 14 KB

 

To consider a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive, 20 June 2017and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

 

(i)        March 2017 Capital Budget Monitoring Provisional Outturn Report

Minutes:

The Council considered recommendations from a meeting of the Executive held on 20 June 2017 that’s et out the provisional capital outturn for 2016/17 as at the end of March 2017.

 

RESOLVED

 

that the net overspend on the following items be approved:

 

·                Woodside Link £8.01M (see paragraph 55 in Appendix A to the report);

·                New Schools Places £2.32M (see paragraph 21 in Appendix A to the report); and

·                Stratton Park Infrastructure Works £0.70M (see paragraph 37 in Appendix A to the report).

 

Upon being put to the vote all 42 Members voted in favour of the resolution.

 

 

21.

Audit Committee Activity - 2016/17 Annual Report pdf icon PDF 14 KB

 

To receive a report from the Chairman of the Audit Committee on the Committee’s activities.

Minutes:

 

The Council considered a report which summarised the work of the Audit Committee during the 2016/17 financial year.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the work of the Audit Committee during 2016/17 financial year be noted.

 

Upon being put to the vote all 42 Members present voted in favour of the resolution.

 

 

22.

Report of the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority pdf icon PDF 22 KB

 

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

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council received a report of the Bedfordshire and Luton Fire and Rescue Authority, following its meeting held on 27 April 2017.

 

Councillor Downing updated Council on the work undertaken by fire fighters throughout Bedfordshire.

 

In addition to fire fighting, officers attended road traffic collisions, flooding incidents, special incidents including animal rescue, aircraft and railway rescues. 1900 household safety audits had been undertaken for vulnerable and elderly people.  The Fire Authority had been increasing its road safety awareness campaign, particularly working closely with young people for accident prevention. 

 

Following on from the Grenfell Towers fire, a full audit of high rise buildings had been carried out. There were 3 high rise buildings in Central Bedfordshire.

 

RESOLVED

 

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

23.

Motions

 

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

Minutes:

 

No motions were received.

 

 

24.

Written Questions

 

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

Minutes:

No written questions were received.

 

 

25.

Open Questions

 

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

Minutes:

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 attendance of the Leader at a recent function in Cannes on the Kingsland Legacy project.

 

The Leader explained his attendance which he had funded at his own expense.

 

2.    Councillor Maudlin asked a question about the future of Sandy railway station once the East West Rail station is sited north of Sandy, near Tempsford and about the case for residents to petition for the retention of the station.

 

The Executive Member for Regeneration advised that the Local Plan identified the need to fully support the infrastructure and transport links in Central Bedfordshire, that there were no plans to close station in Sandy and therefore no requirement for a petition.