Agenda, decisions and minutes

Agenda, decisions and minutes

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

Contact: Sandra Hobbs  0300 300 5257

Items
No. Item

65.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 36 KB

To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 11 October 2016.

Minutes:

 

RESOLVED

 

that the minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2016 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

 

 

66.

Members' Interests

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

Minutes:

 

None were declared.

 

 

 

67.

Chairman's Announcements

To receive any matters of communication from the Chairman.

Minutes:

 

The Chairman thanked all those involved in helping the community in Ampthill and the neighbouring villages during the recent gas-outage.

 

The Government had announced in its Autumn Statement that funding would be available for an east-west rail link between Oxford and Cambridge, including a link between Milton Keynes and Aylesbury.  The announcement indicated that the case for improvements to the A1 in the East of England would continue to be examined.

 

The Chairman announced the sad death of the Council’s former Monitoring Officer, Melanie Clay.

 

 

 

68.

Petitions

To consider petitions received in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

Minutes:

 

No petitions were received.

 

 

 

69.

Public Participation

To respond to general questions and statements from members of the public in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Appendix A of Part A4 of the Constitution.

Minutes:

 

The Chairman invited the public speaker to make his statement in accordance with the Public Participation Scheme. 

 

Traffic Management Issues, Millbrook

 

Mr Shrimpton, Chairman of Millbrook Parish Meeting, expressed concern over the number of vehicles using Millbrook village as a short cut, especially HGV vehicles ignoring width restrictions.  He also raised concern that the footpath link between Millbrook Station and Millbrook Proving Ground had not been developed as set out in a previous planning application.

 

The Executive Member for Community Services confirmed that he would look into the history of the planning application with regard to the footpath and would provide a written response.  He was aware of the problems caused by HGV vehicles in Millbrook, different options had been considered and improved signage had been put in place. It was the responsibility of the Police to enforce the HGV restriction. 

 

The Leader confirmed that discussions were taking place with the police over the transfer of some enforcement powers.  He had also spoken with the Chief Executive of Millbrook Proving Ground and if there was any evidence of an HGV using a restricted route then this would be taken up with the supplier concerned.  The Council would formally write to Millbrook Proving Ground setting out residents’ concerns.

 

 

 

70.

Forward Plan of Key Decisions pdf icon PDF 67 KB

To receive the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 January 2017 – 31 December 2017.

Decision:

That the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017 be noted.

Minutes:

 

RESOLVED

 

that the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017 be noted.

 

 

 

71.

Council Tax Support Scheme 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 64 KB

 

To review the Council’s Local Council Tax Support Scheme and to recommend to Council the approach to Local Council Tax Support for 2017/18. 

Decision:

RECOMMENDED to Council

that the current Council Tax Support Scheme be extended for a further year for 2017/18 with no changes.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the proposed Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2017/18.  It was proposed that the current scheme be readopted with no changes.

 

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to endorse the Central Bedfordshire Council Local Council Tax Support Scheme.  If the Scheme was not approved by 31 January 2017, the Council would have to award Local Council Tax Support in accordance with the Government’s default Scheme which would result in the cost of the Scheme significantly exceeding that of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme.

 

RECOMMENDED to Council

 

that the current Council Tax Support Scheme be extended for a further year for 2017/18 with no changes.

 

 

 

72.

Using Compulsory Purchase Orders to Bring Empty Homes back into Occupation pdf icon PDF 40 KB

 

The report presents a case to use compulsory purchase order (CPO) powers to bring a long term empty home back into occupation.

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the principle of acquiring empty property A, either voluntarily or through the use of a compulsory purchase order (CPO) and the subsequent disposal of the property, be approved.

2.      That the principle of the disposal of empty property A following a successful acquisition and renovation to a habitable standard, regardless of the resulting value be approved.

3.      To authorise the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Assistant Director Legal Services (Monitoring Officer), to make a compulsory purchase order to be known as “The Central Bedfordshire (Property A) Compulsory Purchase Order” under section 17 of the Housing Act 1985 or any other relevant legal powers, in respect of land and property indicated on a map marked with the name of the Compulsory Purchase Order, where the words Property A will be replaced with the full address of the property.  For the avoidance of doubt this authorisation extends to a Key Decision should that be necessary.

4.      To authorise the Assistant Director Legal Services (Monitoring Officer), in respect of Property A:

(a)     to take all necessary steps in connection therewith including making and serving of the Other, the signing publication, and serving of all notices, the submission of the Order to the appropriate Secretary of State (and if any objections are received) the making of arrangements for a Public Enquiry, including the appointment of Counsel; and

(b)     to either serve a Notice to Treat under the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 or make a general vesting declaration under the Compulsory Purchase (vesting declarations) Act 1981 so as to acquire all necessary interests in the land and property included in the confirmed Compulsory Purchase Order.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Social Care and Housing proposing a compulsory purchase order (CPO) to acquire a long term empty home with a view to bringing it back into occupation.

 

Reason for decision:  To enable Housing Services to progress a CPO in respect of property A and enable the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing to take all necessary steps to complete the process, in consultation with the Assistant Director Legal Services (Monitoring Officer).

 

RESOLVED

 

1.      that the principle of acquiring empty property A, either voluntarily or through the use of a compulsory purchase order (CPO) and the subsequent disposal of the property, be approved;

 

2.      that the principle of the disposal of empty property A following a successful acquisition and renovation to a habitable standard, regardless of the resulting value be approved;

 

3.      to authorise the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing, in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Assistant Director Legal Services (Monitoring Officer), to make a compulsory purchase order to be known as “The Central Bedfordshire (Property A) Compulsory Purchase Order” under section 17 of the Housing Act 1985 or any other relevant legal powers, in respect of land and property indicated on a map marked with the name of the Compulsory Purchase Order, where the words Property A would be replaced with the full address of the property.  For the avoidance of doubt this authorisation extended to a Key Decision should that be necessary; and

 

4.      to authorise the Assistant Director Legal Services (Monitoring Officer), in respect of Property A:

 

(a)       to take all necessary steps in connection therewith including making and serving of the Other, the signing publication, and serving of all notices, the submission of the Order to the appropriate Secretary of State (and if any objections were received) the making of arrangements for a Public Enquiry, including the appointment of Counsel; and

 

(b)     to either serve a Notice to Treat under the Compulsory Purchase Act 1965 or make a general vesting declaration under the Compulsory Purchase (vesting declarations) Act 1981 so as to acquire all necessary interests in the land and property included in the confirmed Compulsory Purchase Order.

 

 

 

73.

Commissioning of New School Places in Barton-Le-Clay and Marston Moretaine for September 2018 pdf icon PDF 32 KB

 

To seek support for the consultation by Arnold Academy, Barton-Le-Clay and Church End Lower School, Marston Moretaine to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each year group) by September 2018.

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the proposed commencement of consultation by Arnold Academy (middle), Barton Le Clay to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each year group) by September 2018 be supported.

2.      That the publication of the statutory proposal for the proposed expansion of Church End Lower School (Forest End campus), Marston Moretaine to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each year group) by September 2018 be supported.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that sought support:

 

·         for the proposed consultation by Arnold Academy, Barton-Le-Clay, to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each middle school year group) by September 2018; and

·         for the publication of the official proposal for the proposed expansion of Church End Lower School (Forest End campus) Marston Moretaine, to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each lower school year group) by September 2018.

 

The Executive Member explained that recommendation 3 within the report had been withdrawn at this stage, following information received from the Department for Education on free school bids.

 

In response to a question, the Executive Member recognised the limitations of the current pupil yield from new housing development.  The current pupil yield was 0.4 children per property, but this measure might merit review.

 

Reason for decision:  To ensure that the Council continued to meets its statutory obligations to provide sufficient school places.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.      that the proposed commencement of consultation by Arnold Academy (middle), Barton Le Clay to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each year group) by September 2018 be supported; and

 

2.      that the publication of the statutory proposal for the proposed expansion of Church End Lower School (Forest End campus), Marston Moretaine to expand by one form of entry (30 places in each year group) by September 2018 be supported.

 

 

 

74.

Proposal to Change the Age Range of Everton Lower School from 3 - 9 years of age (Lower School) to 3 - 11 years of age (Primary School) pdf icon PDF 34 KB

 

To set out the responses to the preliminary consultation of the proposal to change the age range of Everton Lower School, Sandy and seek approval to commence stage 2, publication of the statutory notice.

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the commencement of stage 2 of the consultation process be approved, to publish statutory notice, for the proposal to change the age range of Everton Lower School from 3–9 years to 3-11 years from September 2017.

2.      To authorise the Executive Member for Education and Skills, in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services, to determine the proposal if the responses to the statutory notice are favourable.

3.      To determine the proposal, following the representation period of the statutory notice at Executive on the 4 April 2017 if there are any new objections.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that set out the responses to the preliminary consultation on the proposal to change the age range of Everton Lower School, Sandy.  The majority of the respondents were in favour of the proposal.

 

Reason for decision:  To ensure the Council continued to meet its statutory obligation ensuring there were adequate school places and to meet the legal requirements placed on the Council by the Education and Inspections Act 2006.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.      that the commencement of stage 2 of the consultation process be approved, to publish statutory notice, for the proposal to change the age range of Everton Lower School from 3–9 years to 3-11 years from September 2017;

 

2.      to authorise the Executive Member for Education and Skills, in consultation with the Director of Children’s Services, to determine the proposal if the responses to the statutory notice were favourable; and

 

3.      to determine the proposal, following the representation period of the statutory notice at Executive on the 4 April 2017 if there were any new objections.

 

[Councillor Stock was not present in the meeting during this item as she was a Governor at Everton Lower School.]

 

 

 

75.

Corporate Accommodation Plan pdf icon PDF 9 KB

 

To present the draft Corporate Accommodation Plan which articulates the Council’s approach to its corporate accommodation.

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the Corporate Accommodation Plan and the conclusions reached within it, be approved.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources that presented the draft Corporate Accommodation Plan setting out the Council’s approach to its corporate accommodation.

 

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to manage its corporate accommodation to ensure best value in terms of use, maintenance and financial return, whilst still ensuring quality in service delivery.

 

RESOLVED

 

that the Corporate Accommodation Plan and the conclusions reached within it, be approved.

 

 

 

76.

Highways Grass Cutting Contract and Food Waste Disposal Contract pdf icon PDF 26 KB

 

Report seeks delegated authority to award the Highways Grass Cutting Contract and Food Waste Disposal Contract. Both contracts are required to be in place and operational by 1 April 2017.

Decision:

1.      To authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Services, to award a contract for highways grass cutting as detailed within the report and enter into the appropriate legal agreements in order to meet the required timescales allowing the contract to be operational by April 2017.

2.      To authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Services, to award  a contract for food waste disposal as detailed within the report and enter into the appropriate legal agreements in order to meet the required timescales allowing the contract to be operational by April 2017.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Community Services that set out proposals leading to the award of contracts for highways grass cutting and food waste disposal.  The food waste disposal contract would only operate in the north of Central Bedfordshire.

 

Reason for decision:  To ensure that the Council had contractors in place to commence the highways grass cutting and food waste disposal contracts from 1 April 2017.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.      to authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Services, to award a contract for highways grass cutting as detailed within the report and enter into the appropriate legal agreements in order to meet the required timescales allowing the contract to be operational by April 2017; and

 

2.      to authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Services, to award  a contract for food waste disposal as detailed within the report and enter into the appropriate legal agreements in order to meet the required timescales allowing the contract to be operational by April 2017.

 

 

 

77.

Disposal Sites pdf icon PDF 7 KB

 

The report addresses matters in connection with the disposal of land at Thorn Turn, Haynes, and Caddington.

Decision:

1.      To authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources, to dispose of land at Thorn Turn, Haynes and Caddington Hall.

2.      To authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Assistant Director Legal Services (Monitoring Officer) and the Executive Member for Corporate Resources, to negotiate the relevant contractual terms and to enter into the relevant contracts to enable these disposals to take place on best available terms.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out proposals for the disposal of land at:

 

·         Thorn Turn, Houghton Regis

·         Haynes

·         Caddington Hall, Luton Road, Markyate.

 

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to progress with the disposal of the above land.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.      to authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources, to dispose of land at Thorn Turn, Haynes and Caddington Hall; and

 

2.      to authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Assistant Director Legal Services (Monitoring Officer) and the Executive Member for Corporate Resources, to negotiate the relevant contractual terms and to enter into the relevant contracts to enable these disposals to take place on best available terms.

 

 

 

78.

Period 6 (Quarter 2) – 2016/17 Revenue Budget Monitoring pdf icon PDF 51 KB

 

The report sets out the financial position for 2016/17 as at the end of September 2016.

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the revenue forecast position which is currently to overspend budget by £0.6M be noted.

2.      That officers continue to look for compensatory savings in order to deliver a balanced budget.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the provisional outturn position for 2016/17 as at September 2016.  The revenue forecast outturn position was £0.6M over budget.  The year to date spend was £1.1M under budget.

 

Reason for decision:  To maintain rigour and transparency through the Executive’s regular public monitoring of the revenue budget.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.            that the revenue forecast position which was currently to overspend budget by £0.6M be noted; and

 

2.         that officers continue to look for compensatory savings in order to deliver a balanced budget.

 

 

 

79.

September 2016 Quarter 2 Capital Budget Monitoring Provisional Outturn Report pdf icon PDF 121 KB

 

The report sets out the Capital financial position for 2016/17 as at the end of September 2016. It excludes the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) which is subject to a separate report.

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the approved budget excluding HRA but including deferred spend from 2015/16 is £132.6M (gross) be noted.  The gross forecast is below budget by £17.6M, an increase of £1.2M on August (£30.20M below last year against a higher budget of £139.2M).  The net forecast is £1.3M below budget (£21.5M below last year).

2.      That the budget virement as set out in the report be approved, as there has been a change in the scope of the Thorn Turn Waste Park in that the waste transfer element is not being pursued, so the full original budget is no longer required.  However, additional costs have resulted from post contract design changes on all three Household Waste Recycling centres and construction costs for the South Highways Depot project.  The proposed budget re-alignment nets off to zero, being transfers between the schemes for the reasons set out above.

 

           

 

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the capital projected outturn for 2016/17 as at September 2016. 

 

Reason for decision:  To maintain rigour and transparency through the Executive’s regular public monitoring of the capital budget.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         that the approved budget excluding HRA but including deferred spend from 2015/16 was £132.6M (gross) be noted.  The gross forecast was below budget by £17.6M, an increase of £1.2M on August (£30.20M below last year against a higher budget of £139.2M).  The net forecast was £1.3M below budget (£21.5M below last year); and

 

2.      that the budget virement as set out in the report be approved, as there had been a change in the scope of the Thorn Turn Waste Park in that the waste transfer element was not being pursued, so the full original budget was no longer required.  However, additional costs have resulted from post contract design changes on all three Household Waste Recycling Centres and construction costs for the South Highways Depot project.  The proposed budget re-alignment nets off to zero, being transfers between the schemes for the reasons set out above.

 

           

 

80.

September Quarter 2 Housing Revenue Account Budget Monitoring pdf icon PDF 24 KB

 

The report sets out the financial position for 2016/17 as at the end of September 2016.

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the Revenue forecast position to achieve a balanced budget with a contribution to HRA Reserves of £6.075M, thus strengthening the Council’s ability to invest and improve its stock of Council Houses, be noted.

2.      That the Capital forecast position which indicates a net outturn of £11.620M, against a budget of £15.589M be noted.  It is proposed that £2.184M of future investment works are deferred to 2017/18.

3.      To approve the virement of £1.2M of the budget allocated to the Croft Green project in 2016/17 to enable the purchase of further properties throughout the Council area, in order to avoid temporary accommodation costs.

4.      That RtB sales be monitored for the possible impact on predicted surpluses in the medium to longer term.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Members for Corporate Resources and Social Care and Housing that provided details on the 2016/17 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) projected outturn revenue and capital position as at September 2016.

 

Reason for decision:  To maintain rigour and transparency through the Executive’s regular public monitoring of the HRA.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.      that the Revenue forecast position to achieve a balanced budget with a contribution to HRA Reserves of £6.075M, thus strengthening the Council’s ability to invest and improve its stock of Council Houses, be noted;

 

2.      that the Capital forecast position which indicates a net outturn of £11.620M, against a budget of £15.589M be noted.  It was proposed that £2.184M of future investment works be deferred to 2017/18;

 

3.      to approve the virement of £1.2M of the budget allocated to the Croft Green project in 2016/17 to enable the purchase of further properties throughout the Council area, in order to avoid temporary accommodation costs; and

 

4.      that Right to Buy sales be monitored for the possible impact on predicted surpluses in the medium to longer term.

 

 

 

81.

Quarter 2 Performance Monitoring pdf icon PDF 556 KB

 

To receive the quarter 2 (July - September 2016) performance monitoring report.

Decision:

1.         That performance against the indicators currently being used to help support the monitoring of progress against the Medium Term Plan priorities be noted.

2.         That officers be requested to further investigate and resolve underperforming indicators as appropriate.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the quarter 2 performance for the Council’s Medium Term Plan indicator set.

 

Reason for decision:  To ensure a rigorous approach to performance management across Central Bedfordshire Council.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         that performance against the indicators currently being used to help support the monitoring of progress against the Medium Term Plan priorities be noted; and

 

2.         that officers be requested to further investigate and resolve underperforming indicators as appropriate.

 

 

 

82.

Disposal Sites

 

To receive the exempt Appendix.

Minutes:

 

See minute E/16/77 for further details.