Prayers were taken by the Chairman’s Chaplain, Reverend Dean Henley, Rector for Campton, Clophill and Haynes and Assistant Rural Dean for Ampthill and Shefford Deanery.

As the Chairman of the Council was present, this item was withdrawn.

To elect the Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2013/14.  The retiring Chairman will call for nominations for Chairman and each nomination must be seconded.  Members may speak in support of the nominations.

(Note:  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 21.7, if more than one nomination is received, a vote by show of hands will be conducted).

The appointed Chairman to sign and read out the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The Chairman invited nominations for the office of Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2013/14.  Councillor Caroline Maudlin was duly proposed and seconded.  There were no other nominations.

RESOLVED

that Councillor Maudlin be elected to the office of Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2013/14.

Councillor Maudlin then read out and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The newly-elected Chairman thanked Councillor Mrs Barker, the out-going Chairman, for her work during 2012/13, especially in support of the East Anglian Air Ambulance Service which had been her nominated Chairman’s Charity.  Councillor Mrs Barker was presented with a certificate in recognition of her year in office.  Councillor Mrs Barker then placed on record her thanks to the Chairman’s Personal Assistant and also to the new Chairman, Councillor Maudlin, who had supported her as the Vice-Chairman of the Council in 2012/13.

To elect the Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2013/14.  The Chairman will call for nominations for Vice-Chairman and each nomination must be seconded.  Members may speak in support of the nominations.

(Note:  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 21.7, if more than one nomination is received, a vote by show of hands will be conducted).

The appointed Vice-Chairman to sign and read out the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The Chairman invited nominations for the office of Vice-Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2013/14.  Councillor David Bowater was duly proposed and seconded.  There were no other nominations.

RESOLVED

that Councillor Bowater be elected to the office of Vice-Chairman of the Council for the municipal year 2013/14.

Councillor Bowater then read out and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 21 February 2013.

(Attached pages 7 to 12)

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 21 February 2013 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

None were declared.

The Chairman to announce any matters of communication.

Council stood in silent tribute to the memory of Jim Tomlin, an employee in the Revenues and Benefits Team, who had died suddenly on 21 February.

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

The Leader thanked the out-going Chairman, Councillor Mrs Barker, for her services in the role of Chairman in 2012/13.  He also congratulated Councillors Maudlin and Bowater on their election to the roles of Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively.

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 (subject to the discretion of the Chairman). 

The Chairman indicated that, due to the public interest in Agenda item 10 (a) Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan, she was willing to take questions and statements regarding this item only.  The Chairman invited 18 speakers in turn to address the Council.  Members of the public raised comments and concerns, which in summary included the following:-

• site 58 – this site would pose a health and safety risk for the gypsies and travellers living there and would dominate the villages of Gamlingay and Potton.  There was concern that there would be only one field between the existing site and the new proposed site which could possibly lead to an unauthorised encampment between the two   
• site 76 – there was concern that the vehicle access to the site was inadequate.  In this context, reference was made to fast-moving traffic on Stotfold Road as confirmed by a traffic survey commissioned by the Fairfield Park Residents Association and to the Department for Transport’s guidance on setting local speed limits
• site 78 – four pitches should be allocated at this site
• site 92 – this was an existing site within the Green Belt and directly adjacent to the A5.  This site was well run and the proposed extension was welcomed
• site 16 – there was concern that residents at this proposed site would need to cross the A6 dual carriageway to access services and facilities.  Heavy traffic used Faldo Road as it was the only access to Barton Industrial Estate, Faldo Farm and Water Mill Shopping Village.  The proposed site was within the Green Belt and the Council would need to indicate the special circumstances for development in this area.  The site was currently being used for crops and was good agricultural land.  There had been occasions when the field had flooded which could possibly put the gypsies’ and travellers’ health at risk.  Residents in the area had commissioned their own noise and ecological surveys.  The site was very close to site 116 at Pulloxhill, suggesting that both sites would dominate the area
• sites 55 and 82 – it was highlighted that English Heritage had objected to this proposed site.  There was concern that the movement of fairground equipment generated a high volume of noise from the site, which could be problematic as it was next to a mobile home park. 
• concerns about aspects of the process by which the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee had concluded that seven sites should be put forward for final consideration
• concerns that residents adjacent to the proposed sites had not been consulted

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development thanked the speakers and responded to the concerns about the sites in the order they had been raised, and including the following points:

·        councils were required by the Housing Act 2004 to assess the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers alongside the settled population. The Council was also required by the Act to develop a strategy that addressed any unmet need  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To consider recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on      18 March 2013 and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

(a)         Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan

Note:  The final Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan will be published on the web site in advance of the meeting and can be viewed via the following link:

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=576&MId=4063&Ver=4

A hard copy can be requested from Sandra Hobbs, Committee Services Officer.

(b)         Commissioning New School Places for Implementation from September 2014

(c)         Options for Resolving Current Delays in Academy Conversions caused by Disputed Liabilities for Pension Payments

(Attached at pages 13 to 20)

Note:  The papers from the Executive meeting for items (a), (b) and (c) above can be viewed via the following link:

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=577&MId=4056&Ver=4

(a)    Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan

         The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 18 March 2013 seeking approval of the draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan for publication and submission to the Secretary of State.

Councillor Mrs D Gurney moved an amendment to recommendation 1, which was duly seconded by Councillor A Zerny:-

“that the draft Pre-Submission Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan, be approved for the purposes of Publication and Submission to the Secretary of State, subject to the removal of site 58 from the Plan on the grounds that it is not fit for purpose.”

On a vote by show of hands, this amendment was lost.

Councillor I Shingler moved an amendment to recommendation 1, which was duly seconded by Councillor J Murray:-

“that the draft Pre-Submission Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan, be approved for the purposes of Publication and Submission to the Secretary of State, subject to the removal of site 16 from the Plan on the grounds that it is not fit for purpose.”

On a vote by show of hands, this amendment was lost.

         In response to questions from Members the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development commented that many of the questions had been answered during the previous agenda item ‘Questions, Statements and Deputations’.  He reiterated that if the Council did not have a Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan, Central Bedfordshire would be at risk of unauthorised gypsy and traveller encampments.  The Council had a statutory obligation to address the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers alongside the settled population.  The Planning Inspector would investigate the soundness of each proposed site and indicate whether the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan was ‘sound’.  The Statutory Consultation would take place in May – June 2013, during which interested parties would have the opportunity to submit representations. 

In accordance with paragraph 21.5 of Part B5 of the Council’s Constitution ‘Full Council Procedure Rules’, a recorded vote was requested.

Those in favour of the recommendation from the Executive were:  Councillors Bastable, Berry, Blair, Bowater, Brown, Mrs Chapman MBE, Mrs S Clark, Costin, Dalgarno, Dodwell, Mrs Drinkwater, Duckett, Mrs Gammons, Gomm, Mrs Green, Mrs Hegley, Hollick, Hopkin, Jamieson, M Jones, Matthews, Maudlin, McVicar, Mrs Mustoe, Nicols, Sheppard, Miss Sparrow, Spurr, Stay, A Turner, Mrs P Turner MBE, Versallion, Warren, Wells, Wenham, Williams and Young.

Those against the recommendation from the Executive were:  Councillors Birt, Dr Egan, Ms Graham, Mrs Gurney, D Lawrence, Mrs Lawrence, Murray, Pepworth, Shingler, Smith and Zerny.

Councillors Aldis, Mrs G Clarke, Mrs Goodchild, D Jones and B Saunders abstained from voting.

The vote was carried and the recommendation was approved, as set out below.

RESOLVED

1.            that the draft Pre-Submission Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan be approved for the purposes of Publication and Submission to the Secretary of State; and

2.            the Director of Sustainable Communities, in consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development, be authorised to make  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To consider recommendations from the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 28 January 2013 and 14 March 2013 and answer questions under Rule No. 13.1.

(a)    Open Questions at Council – Special Provision for Leaders of Minority Groups (28 January 2013)

(b)    Houghton Regis Town Centre Management Committee:  Amended Terms of Reference (14 March 2013)

(c)     Business at Council Meetings (14 March 2013)

(Attached at pages 21 to 34)

Note:  The papers from the General Purposes Committee meeting for items (a), (b) and (c) can be viewed via the following link:

28 January 2013

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=617&MId=4069&Ver=4

14 March 2013

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=617&MId=4346&Ver=4

(a)    Open Questions at Council – Special Provision for Leaders of Minority Groups

         The Council considered a recommendation from the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 28 January 2013 that the Chairman of the Council be requested to provide an opportunity for Minority Group Leaders to ask one Open Question each before other Council Members put their Open Questions at meetings of Council.

         RESOLVED

         that the Chairman of the Council be requested to henceforth provide for the Minority Group Leaders to ask one Open Question each before other Council Members put Open Questions at meetings of Council.

(b)    Houghton Regis Town Centre Management Committee:  Amended Terms of Reference

         The Council considered a recommendation from the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 14 March 2013 that set out revised terms of reference for the Houghton Regis Town Centre Management Committee and for the Committee to become the Houghton Regis Partnership Committee.

         RESOLVED

         that the revised Terms of Reference for the Houghton Regis Town Centre Management Committee, as set out in Appendix A in the Council Agenda, be approved and adopted and the Committee become the Houghton Regis Partnership Committee.

(c)    Business at Council Meetings

         The Council considered a recommendation from the General Purposes Committee meeting held on 14 March 2013 to amend the Constitution to include the provision for up to two motions on notice at the budget setting meeting of the Council and up to two motions on notice at the annual meeting of the Council.

         RESOLVED

1.            that the Constitution be amended, as set out in Appendix A in the Council Agenda, to include provision for up to two motions on notice at the budget setting meeting of the Council and up to two motions on notice at the annual meeting of the Council subject in both cases to the matter being significant or time critical and to the Chairman’s agreement, after consultation with the Monitoring Officer, being secured at least 7 clear working days in advance of the meeting to include the motions in the business of the meeting; and

2.            that paragraph 15.1 of Part B5 of the Constitution be amended, as set out in Appendix B in the Council Agenda, to remove the provision for ward presentations at the budget setting meeting of the Council.

The report outlines the requirements for appointments to committees and other Council bodies, including political proportionality.

(Attached at pages 35 to 40)

The Council considered a report from the Leader of the Council outlining the requirements for Member appointments to committees and other Council bodies, including taking account of political proportionality.

As a supplement to the report, Members received the nominations for membership of Committees and for Chairmanships and Vice-Chairmanships of Committees for 2013/14 from the Group Leaders.  These were proposed en bloc and were duly seconded, subject to:

·        Individual consideration being given to the chairmanship of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee as there were two nominations for this position.  Councillors Mrs Barker and Pepworth were nominated.  Both nominations were put to the vote and Councillor Mrs Barker was elected to be the Chairman of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2013/14; and

·        Councillor N Costin was elected Vice-Chairman of Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2013/14.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Council confirms for the municipal year 2013/14:

(a)    the structure, size and terms of reference of the committees, sub-committees and joint committees set out in sections D1, E2 and J2 of the Council’s constitution; and

(b)    the allocation of seats and substitutes to these and other bodies, as listed in Appendix A in the revised report, in accordance with the political balance rules where they apply.

2.      that the appointment of individual Members and substitutes to committees and other bodies be approved in accordance with nominations to be submitted by the political groups, as set out in Appendix B to the revised report and attached as Appendix A to these minutes;

3.      that the appointment of the Members to the Central Bedfordshire Health and Wellbeing Board, including at least one member of the Council nominated by the Leader, be approved, as set out in Appendix C to the revised report and attached at Appendix B to these minutes;

4.      that the appointment of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of committees for the municipal year 2013/14 be approved in accordance with nominations as set out in Appendix D to the revised report, subject to the Chairman of Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee being Councillor Mrs Barker, and set out at Appendix C to these minutes;

5.      to note that the following persons have been appointed to the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee as co-opted members with voting rights on education matters for the period June 2011 to the Annual Meeting in May 2015:

(a)         Mrs Frances Image, Roman Catholic Diocesan representative

(b)        Mr Jon Reynolds, Church of England Diocesan representative

(c)         Stephen Court, School Parent Governor representative

(d)        Heather Copley, School Parent Governor representative

(e)         Douglas Landman, School Parent Governor representative.

The Leader of the Council to report any changes to the composition and responsibilities of the Executive for the coming year.

(To follow)

The Council received a report from the Leader of the Council setting out the composition of the Executive for 2013/14, including the names of the Councillors appointed to the Executive.  The report also confirmed that no amendments were proposed to the Scheme of Delegation of Executive Functions beyond those previously approved by the Leader of the Council.

The Leader advised the Council that Councillors Mrs Hegley and A Turner would together lead on Public Health issues.

RESOLVED

(a)    the composition of the Executive and allocation of portfolios, as set out at Appendix A to the report, be noted;

(b)    the scheme of delegation of Executive functions, set out at Part C3 of the Constitution, be noted;

(c)    that Councillor M Versallion continue to be the Lead Member for Children’s Services.

The report outlines the position in relation to appointments to the Bedfordshire Police and Crime Panel and the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service 2013/14.

(Attached at pages 41 to 44)

The Council considered a report from the Monitoring Officer on appointments to the Police and Crime Panel and the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

RESOLVED

1.      to note that appointments were made for the first time to the police and Crime Panel at the annual meeting of Council on 14 June 2012;

2.            that the membership of the Police and Crime Panel was currently:

·        Councillor Mrs F Chapman, MBE

·        Councillor Ms A Graham

·        Councillor P Hollick

·        Councillor B Spurr

3.      that the appointments would be made to the Police and Crime Panel next at the Council’s Annual Meeting in 2015, and every four years thereafter;

4.      to note that at the Council’s meeting on 19 May 2011 five Members were appointed to serve on the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority for a period of four years until May 2015 as set out below:

·        Councillor Mrs R Drinkwater

·        Councillor D McVicar

·        Councillor J Saunders

·        Councillor A Shadbolt

·        Councillor P Williams.

To receive and consider an annual report from the Leader of the Council, outlining policy priorities for the forthcoming year.

The Leader presented his annual report looking back over the previous year and the outlining policy priorities for the forthcoming year.