The Council stood in silent tribute in memory of Councillor Lewis Birt who had passed away on 2 February 2017.

 

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

 

 

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 19 January 2017.

 

(attached pages 7 to 13)

 

 

RESOLVED

 

That the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2017 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

 

 

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

 

 

No interests 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.  (This session will be held at the Chairman’s discretion and will normally last no longer than 15 minutes.)

 

 

No members of the public had registered to speak under the Public Participation Provisions set out at Annex 1 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

 

There were several members of the public in attendance who expressed their wish to speak about the distribution of Section 106 monies in Potton.

 

The Chairman, at his discretion, permitted Mr Savage to outline his question/statement.  The Executive Member for Regeneration explained that he would need to respond to the specific issues raised by way of a written reply.

 

Further to some disorderly conduct which ensued, the Chairman adjourned the meeting for a short period.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 6.55pm and resumed at 7.15pm.

 

Councillors Ferguson, Gurney, McVicar, J Saunders and Walker did not return to the meeting.

 

 

 

1.    The Chairman explained that in accordance with Local Authorities (Standing Order) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 there would be a recorded vote for agenda items 7 (a), (b), (c) and (f).

2.    The Chairman advised on the events that he had attended since the last meeting of the Council, including a Girl Guides Thinking Day Ceremony, the opening of a new hall at the Greek Orthodox Church in East Hyde.

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

The Leader paid tribute to Councillor Lewis Birt who had been a member of this Council since its inception in 2009 and previously a member of Mid Beds District Council prior to 2009.

 

The Leader updated the Council on:

 

·         the completion of the SEMLEP merger with NEP to form a single Local Enterprise Council

·         discussions associated with England’s Economic Heartland

·         the Area Based Review.

 

 

To consider recommendations from the meeting of the Executive, 7 February 2017and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

 

(a) Budget 2017/18 and Medium Term Financial Plan

 

(attached pages 15 to 16)

 

 

(b) Capital Programme 2017/18 - 2020/21

 

(attached page 17)

 

 

(c) Budget for the Housing Revenue Account (Landlord Business Plan)

 

(attached page 19)

 

 

(d) Social Care, Health & Housing Fees & Charges 2017/18

 

(attached page 21)

 

 

(e) Treasury Management Strategy and Treasury Policy

                                                                                               

(attached page 23)

 

 

(f)and to present the Council Tax resolution

 

(attached pages 25-40)

 

 

Please note: The papers for (a) to (e) above may be seen at the following link:

 

http://centralbeds.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=577&MId=5135&Ver=4

 

 

 

The Council considered recommendations from the meeting of the  Executive held on 7 February 2017 seeking approval of the proposed Medium Term Financial Plan and Revenue Budget for 2017/18.

 

In his introduction, the Executive Member for Corporate Resources drew attention to external factors which had influenced the proposed budget and the financial pressures faced by local authorities.  In particular the reduction in funding from Government and other pressures. He referred to the significant social and economic factors which influenced change within Central Bedfordshire across the medium term and beyond.  He commented that the budget had to be sustainable, affordable and support the Council’s priorities.  He highlighted that the budget now included a 3% increase in the social care precept.

 

The Executive Member for Corporate Resources referred to the outcome of the consultation on the draft budget proposals and commented on the impact of Council tax rises particularly for those on low or fixed incomes. In view of this, the Executive had decided to recommend to Council a lower rate of Council tax increase than envisaged originally.

 

The other Group Leaders commented on the proposed budget.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         that the Revenue Budget for 2017/18 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2017/18 to 2020/21, be approved;

 

2.         that in line with Government guidance, the following increases in Council tax (CBC element) for residents of Central Bedfordshire be adopted:

 

(a)       a Band D increase of £21.07, representing a 1.549% increase on the charge for 2016/17; and

 

(b)       a Band D increase of £40.80, representing a 3.0% increase on the charge for 2016/17, reflecting a precept of this amount to help fund adult social care costs.

 

In total the Band D increase would be £61.87, representing a 4.549% increase on the charge for 2016/17.  The CBC element of Band D Council tax for 2017/18 would therefore be £1,421.88.

 

In accordance with The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England)(Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was taken.

 

Those in favour of the resolutions were:

 

Councillors: Berry, Blair, Bowater, Brown, chapman, Chatterley, Clark, Collins, Dalgarno, Dixon, Dodwell, Duckett, Firth, Freeman, Ghent, Gomm, Goodchild, Graham, Hegley, Jamieson, Johnstone, Jones, Kane, D Lawrence, J Lawrence, Matthews, Maudlin, Morris, Nicols, Shelvey, Smith, Spurr, Stay, Stock, Tubb, Turner, Versallion, Warren, Wells, Wenham, Woodward and Young.

 

Those who voted against the resolutions were:

 

Councillors: Ryan, Swain and Zerny.

 

Councillor Shingler abstained from voting.

 

(Councillor Johnstone left the meeting at this point)

 

(b) Capital Programme

 

The Council considered the recommendations from a meeting of the Executive held on 7 February 2017 in respect of the proposed Capital Programme for 2017/18 – 2020/21.

 

RESOLVED

 

That the Capital Programme for 2017/18 – 2020/21 be approved.

 

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was taken.

 

Those in favour of the resolution were:

 

Councillors: Berry, Blair, Bowater, Brown, Chapman, Chatterley, Clark, Collins, Dalgarno, Dixon, Dodwell, Duckett, Firth, Freeman, Ghent, Gomm, Goodchild, Graham, Hegley, Jamieson, Janes, Jones, Kane, D Lawrence, J Lawrence, Matthews, Maudlin, Morris, Nicols, Ryan, B Saunders,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

To consider a motion received from Councillor Stay under Rule No. 17.

 

Future provision of services for older people in Central Bedfordshire

 

Central Bedfordshire Council is a provider and commissioner of services to older people. It also has an enabling role as a democratically elected local authority. We recognise that the future provision of quality care services for older people in Central Bedfordshire is the most significant challenge that we face.

 

This Council has taken an innovative approach towards significantly improved services to older people; it has invested and is continually looking to make the most effective use of existing resources whilst managing increased demand. However it recognises that these strategies alone will not meet the future needs and aspirations of an ageing population.

 

A different approach towards the future funding and provision of social care is needed, the opportunity for councils to introduce a social care precept will assist in the short term, but demand is projected to significantly increase.

 

There is an unresolved national interest in this agenda, therefore this Council calls on the Government to redouble its efforts and address the funding gap, improve cross-sector working and refocus its priorities towards meeting the critical care needs of the UK’s own ageing population.

 

Proposed by:     Councillor Richard Stay

 

Seconded by:    Councillor Carole Hegley

 

 

 

Notice of a motion had been received from Councillor Stay as follows:

 

Central Bedfordshire Council is a provider and commissioner of services to older people. It also has an enabling role as a democratically elected local authority. We recognise that the future provision of quality care services for older people in Central Bedfordshire is the most significant challenge that we face.

 

This Council has taken an innovative approach towards significantly improved services to older people; it has invested and is continually looking to make the most effective use of existing resources whilst managing increased demand. However it recognises that these strategies alone will not meet the future needs and aspirations of an ageing population.

 

A different approach towards the future funding and provision of social care is needed, the opportunity for councils to introduce a social care precept will assist in the short term, but demand is projected to significantly increase.

 

There is an unresolved national interest in this agenda, therefore this Council calls on the Government to redouble its efforts and address the funding gap, improve cross-sector working and refocus its priorities towards meeting the critical care needs of the UK’s own ageing population.

 

In presenting the motion, Councillor Stay emphasised the importance of prioritising the UK’s ageing population.

 

Councillor Hegley seconded the motion.

 

Councillor Zerny proposed an amendment to the motion, which was to remove the word “own” prior to the word “ageing” and this was duly seconded.

 

Upon being put to the vote, the substantive motion was carried.

 

RESOLVED

 

this Council calls on the Government to redouble its efforts and address the funding gap, improve cross-sector working and refocus its priorities towards meeting the critical care needs of the UK’s ageing population.