Prayers were taken by Councillor Blair.

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 16 November 2017.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 16 November 2017 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

Councillor Mrs Gurney declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 9 ‘Recommendations from the Executive – Central Bedfordshire Local Plan’ due to her being a tenant of Manor Farm, Everton.  She was absent from the Chamber during the item.

Councillor Maudlin declared a personal interest in Item 9 ‘Recommendations from the Executive – Central Bedfordshire Local Plan’ due to her family owning a plot of land in the Northill Ward.  She was present during the item.

To receive any questions, statements and deputations from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Part 4G of the Constitution. 

The Chairman invited the public speakers to make their statements in accordance with the Public Participation Scheme.

Central Bedfordshire Local Plan

Mr Booth spoke on behalf of the Lidlington Residents Group.  He explained that the Group had conducted a survey of all residents in the village which suggested that 98% opposed the proposed development for Marston Vale.  Lidlington was a small rural village and the Plan proposed a new settlement of 5,000 homes in Marston Vale.  He was concerned that the infrastructure would not be in place to support the additional housing.  This included improvements to junction 13 of the M1 and the upgrade of passenger services on the East West rail line.  Aspley Guise had been excluded from the Plan although the site could accommodate development more readily.  He proposed that the Council should allocate half of the proposed development for Marston Vale to the Aspley Guise area and in doing this it would improve the deliverability of the Plan.

Mr Baker, resident of Aspley Guise, spoke about the proposed allocation of 5,000 homes for Marston Vale.  He acknowledged the work in developing the Plan against the timeline set by Government.  He commented on the increasing growth in Milton Keynes and the impact of increased traffic that the proposed 5,000 homes in Marston Vale would have on the area.  He raised concerns that residents in Central Bedfordshire were not aware of the Plan.  He urged the Council to reconsider the distribution of the 5,000 homes proposed for Marston Vale and address the increase in traffic.  A partial review of the Plan was proposed and Mr Baker requested further details on this. 

Councillor Mr Bint, Milton Keynes Council, spoke in an individual capacity and commended the Council in reaching this point with the Plan.  Slowing down the process would put local development at risk as there would be more regional or national input.  He was pleased that the journey between Central Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes had been acknowledged and that both authorities were working together.  He believed it would be good for residents of both authorities to have new Local Plans and wished the Council every success for the rest of the process.

Mrs Lawrence, was pleased that the Council had listened to residents with regard to the village of Tempsford.  However, she raised concern that it was still included as an area identified for future growth and consideration would be given to it in the partial review envisaged.  She was concerned at the suggestion that the area had the potential for 10,000 plus homes in the area.  Land East of Biggleswade, east of the allocated village, south of Sutton and west of Dunton had also been identified for future development of up to 5,000 homes.  She requested that Tempsford be removed completely from the Plan.  She commented on the Government’s plans for the Cambridge – Milton Keynes – Oxford Corridor, including the target to build one million new homes along the Corridor and felt that the process  ...  view the full minutes text for item 58.

To consider recommendations from the meetings of the Executive, 5   December 2017 and 9 January 2018 and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

1)        Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2018/19.

2)        Central Bedfordshire Local Plan.

[A copy of the draft Central Bedfordshire Local Plan can be viewed at the Executive meeting of 9 January 2018:

http://centralbeds.moderngov.co.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=577&MId=5348&Ver=4]

1)         Central Bedfordshire Local Plan

The Council considered a recommendation from the Executive meeting held on 9 January 2018 that the draft Pre-Submission Local Plan be approved for public consultation.

In response to questions, the Executive Member for Regeneration explained:

·           that Highways England and Network Rail were statutory consultees;

·           developments of over 300 houses required a development brief and the function of the brief was to improve the planning development process and the quality of development, including sustainable drainage, sustainable transport and green infrastructure;

·           the Council would continue to negotiate Section 106 Agreements to secure investment in necessary infrastructure;

·           developers would be holding consultation events to help develop the master plans;

·           failure to submit a Plan before the deadline would lead to a loss of control of the process and speculative development, with little prospect of maintaining a five year housing land supply;

·           the Council would have regard to affordable housing, shared ownership, specialist accommodation for the elderly and residents with learning difficulties;

·           the Council would look into building its own properties;

·           the duty to cooperate with neighbouring authorities was ongoing and Councillors Clarke, Collins, Dixon and Matthews were taking a leading role in liaising with the Council’s neighbouring authorities to ensure that the Plan took account of cross-border issues;

·           all Members had been given the opportunity to be briefed on the draft Plan before consideration of it at the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Executive;

·           there were areas that that had been identified for future growth and an early review of the Plan would be undertaken once the Government’s proposals for infrastructure were known;

·           green space was important to prevent coalescence; and

·           neighbouring authorities were unable to cross the border and build in Central Bedfordshire.

The Leader of the Council explained the need for a planned approach to growth and for the Council to have control of the allocated sites and infrastructure. 

Councillor Shingler requested that his vote against the recommendation be recorded in the minutes.

RESOLVED

1.    that the draft Pre-Submission Local Plan be approved for the purposes of publication; and

2.    to authorise the Director of Regeneration and Business, in consultation with the Executive Member for Regeneration, to make any minor amendments to the Local Plan prior to publication.

Upon being put to the vote 46 Members voted in favour of the recommendation, 4 voted against the recommendation and 1 abstained from voting.

2)        Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2018/19

The Council considered a recommendation from the Executive meeting held on 5 December 2017 that the Local Council Tax Support Scheme be extended for a further year, with no changes being proposed.

RESOLVED

that the current Local Council Tax Support Scheme be extended for a further year (2018/19) with no changes being proposed.

The decision was unanimous.

To receive and discuss petitions if any, in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Part 4G of the Constitution.

No petitions were received.

The Chairman to announce any matters of communication.

Children’s Services had won a national award for being the best employer of social workers in the country in a highly competitive field.  Jason Sedgman, a Central Bedfordshire Social Worker was runner up for the award of best Social Worker of the year in recognition of his outstanding work with disabled children.

The Chairman had attended Award Ceremonies within some of the Directorates where she had an opportunity to meet employees.

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

The Leader acknowledged the work that had gone into producing the Local Plan and thanked all those involved.

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.

This item was withdrawn.

To consider recommendations from the meeting of the General Purposes Committee, 7 December 2017and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

1)     Pay Policy Statement 2018/19.

2)     Report on the proposed Amendments to Procedures for Motions.

The Council considered recommendations from the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 7 December 2017 which sought approval of:

·         the Pay Policy Statement 2018/19; and

·         amendments to the procedures for dealing with motions at Council.

1)            Pay Policy Statement

RESOLVED

1.      that the Pay Policy Statement 2018/19 be approved as set out at Appendix A to the report; and

2.    that the Pay Policy Statement 2018/19 be published on the Council’s website.

The decision was unanimous.

2)            Proposed Amendments for Procedures for Motions

RESOLVED

that the proposed amendments to the procedures for dealing with motions at Council in that Rule 17 of Part 4A of the Constitution, as set out at Appendix A to the report, be approved to require proposals for amendments to motions to be provided in writing to the Monitoring Officer prior to a meeting of the Council for authorisation and that, on receiving such authorisation, the proposed amendment be circulated in writing to the meeting.

The decision was unanimous.

To consider the proposed Calendar of Meetings for the municipal year 2018/19.

The Council considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the proposed Calendar of Meetings for 2018/19.

The Traffic Management Meeting scheduled for the 11 September 2018 had been moved to 19 September 2018 at 10.00 a.m.

RESOLVED

that the Calendar of Meetings for 2018/19, as set out at Appendix A to the report, be approved as amended.

The decision was unanimous.

Notification is given under Part 4A (2.6.2) of the Council’s Constitution that since the last meeting, the following change to the membership of Committees has been made:

Councillor Dalgarno has been appointed as a member of the Health and Wellbeing Board.

This item was withdrawn.

To consider motions by Members of the Council under Part 4A, Rule No. 17 of the Council’s Procedure Rules in the order received.

A notice of motion was received from Councillor Stay and seconded by Councillor Collins:

“Fly-tipping blights the countryside of Central Bedfordshire; this illegal activity is not only an issue of significant concern to our residents, but a significant pressure on the resources of this Council.

Within the Ward of Caddington alone there were over 400 reports of fly-tipping in just one year.

Gathering the evidence to bring successful prosecutions against offenders is not an easy task & this Council wishes to congratulate the Environmental Protection Team within the Community Safety Directorate for their recent successes in gathering evidence which led to the conviction of Simon Wittle of Fletcher Way, Hemel Hempstead and Maxine Alborough of Regents St, Dunstable for fly-tipping in Caddington & Kensworth. A total of £6,420.00 was levied in fines along with the seizure of a vehicle

It is through the continued vigilance of residents in reporting incidents and the persistence of our Officers that successful prosecutions are made possible.”

RESOLVED

Fly-tipping blights the countryside of Central Bedfordshire; this illegal activity is not only an issue of significant concern to our residents, but a significant pressure on the resources of this Council.

Within the Ward of Caddington alone there were over 400 reports of fly-tipping in just one year.

Gathering the evidence to bring successful prosecutions against offenders is not an easy task & this Council wishes to congratulate the Environmental Protection Team within the Community Safety Directorate for their recent successes in gathering evidence which led to the conviction of Simon Wittle of Fletcher Way, Hemel Hempstead and Maxine Alborough of Regents St, Dunstable for fly-tipping in Caddington & Kensworth. A total of £6,420.00 was levied in fines along with the seizure of a vehicle

It is through the continued vigilance of residents in reporting incidents and the persistence of our Officers that successful prosecutions are made possible.

The decision was unanimous.

To answer written questions from Members of the Council under Part 4A, Rule No. 13.2 of the Council’s Procedure Rules.

No written questions were received.

To answer Open Questions asked by Members of the Council under Part 4A, Rule No. 13.7 of the Council’s Procedure Rules.

The Chairman invited the Minority Group Leaders to ask a question, prior to the consideration of questions that had been placed in the Open Question receptacle.  The Minority Group Leaders did not ask a question.

(1)      Councillor Mrs Goodchild asked if there would be Member engagement on the recommissioning of support services for children.

The Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing confirmed that a Members Reference Group was being formed and that she would be sending out meeting invitations to the relevant Members.  Members would be able to follow the work of the Members Reference Group and if there was not sufficient information being provided she would look into other ways of keeping Members updated.