Prayers were taken by the Reverend Janet Humphries, Assistant Priest for Northill with Caldecote and Old Warden.

The Chairman indicated that, due to public interest in Agenda item 9(d) Amended Draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan, she would be varying the order of business to take this item after consideration of item 6.

Questions, Statements and Deputations relating to any matter other than the Amended Draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan would be considered at Agenda item 4.

Questions, Statements and Deputations relating to the Amended Draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan would be considered at Agenda item 9(ii)(d) once the item had been moved and seconded.

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on  28 November 2013     

(Attached pages 7 to 15)

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 2013 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to the addition of Councillor Mrs B Coleman being recorded as present.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

Members were advised that those who served on the Development Management Committee should avoid prejudicing their ability to take part in the determination of any planning applications at a later date.  Any planning applications would be determined based on relevant planning considerations, on their own merits.

Members who lived in or near wards where Gypsy and Traveller sites were proposed were also advised that they could participate in debate and voting and did not have to declare an interest.

No petitions were received.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

·           The planning service at Central Bedfordshire Council had been mentioned in a national best practice guide for its approach to working with the development industry.

·           8 residents of Central Bedfordshire had been honoured by the Queen in the New Years Honours List.

·           The Chairman’s Civic Service would be held on 2 March 2014 at Northill, St Mary’s Virgin Church.

The Chairman would be hosting an event at the Grove Theatre, Dunstable on 27 April 2014 called ‘Wow! Here Come the Girls’.

Council then stood in silent tribute to the memory of former South Beds District Councillor and Bedfordshire County Councillor Jack Goodchild, late husband of Cllr Susan Goodchild.

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.

The Chairman advised that no member of the public had registered to speak on any matter other than the Draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan.

9(ii)(d) Amended Draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan

Following the introduction of Agenda Item 9(ii)d – Amended Draft Gypsy & Traveller Local Plan the motion being duly moved and seconded, the Chairman invited twelve members of the public who had registered to speak to address the Council.  

Members of the public raised comments and concerns which in summary included the following:

·           site 16 – there was concern about the increase in the number of pitches proposed to be delivered at this site. The site was within Green Belt and it was suggested that the Council would need to indicate the special circumstances for development in this area;

·           residents at site 16 would have to cross the A6 dual carriageway to access services and facilities which could put the gypsies’ and travellers at risk;

·           residents of Faldo Road, Barton would be dominated by the scale and proximity of sites 16 and 116;

·           site 26 – this site was located in an isolated part of Dunton without footpaths or street lighting.  The site had poor access to facilities and amenities. The amended site assessment had scored only 15/50;

·           if site 26 was expanded this might lead to unrest due to the possibility of having different groups  of gypsies and travellers on the same site;

·           local residents had recommended an alternative site to site 26 which would have improved screening, access to facilities and less environmental impact;

·           site 116 – there was concern regarding the site assessment.  The site was perceived as being located on agricultural land next to a busy ‘A’ road and not on brownfield land as the assessment suggested.

·           concerns about the need to ensure proof of eligibility for accessing sites.

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

·           the Council had a statutory obligation to assess the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers alongside the settled population under the Housing Act 2004.

·            if the Council did not have a Gypsy and Traveller Plan, Central Bedfordshire would be at risk of unauthorised encampments;

·           the recommended changes to the plan were based on the adoption of a 2% compound growth rate, but the extent of the proposed allocation of sites would be sufficient to deliver against the first 5 years of the Plan, should the Local Plan Inspector then recommend that a 2.5% growth rate was appropriate;

·           the significance of the Mile Tree Farm appeal within Central Bedfordshire and the action being taken in response, together with the risks associated with proceeding with an approach to gypsy and traveller site provision based on an annual growth rate of 2%, which was below the growth rate previously considered sound by the Planning Inspectorate elsewhere;

·           the reasons why alternative sites along the A6 between Barton and Luton had not been included in the final proposals;

·           issues such as access to sites adjacent to busy roads would be dealt with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

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

The Leader reported that the Council had been advised that the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government had concluded that the planning application in respect of Land North of Houghton Regis should not be called in but should be determined locally.   

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:

·         Executive Member for Sustainable Communities - Services.

·         Executive Member for External Affairs.

Councillor Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services reported on recent developments within his portfolio area including:

·           an ISO9001 award for Building Control;

·           contracts had been awarded to Stevenage Leisure for the management of both Saxon Pool and Sandy Leisure Centre;

·           Houghton Regis swimming pool would now be reopened;

·           the method of pot hole remediation was proving to be successful.  It was anticipated that further funding would be allocated in the Council’s budget for 2014/15 for road maintenance. 

Councillor Spurr responded to questions.

Councillor Stay, Executive Member for External Affairs reported on work within his portfolio area including:

·           a significant reduction in theft since the introduction of the Metal Theft Act;

·           progress with Troubled Families Initiative;

·           a new body ‘Local Nature Partnership’ which focused on the protection and enhancement of the countryside.

Councillor Stay responded to questions.

To consider recommendations from:

(i)            the meeting of the Executive held on 10 December 2013

 and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

(a)  Disposal of land at the Biggleswade A1 South roundabout.

(Attached page 17)

(b)  Council Tax Support Scheme.

(Attached page 19)

(c)  Minerals and Waste Local Plan Strategic Sites and Policies – Plan for Adoption.

(Attached page 21)

(ii)          the special meeting of the Executive held on 21 January 2014

and answer questions asked under Rule No 13.1.

(d)  Amended draft Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan including the site list

(To follow)

(a)   Disposal of Land at the Biggleswade A1 South roundabout

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 10 December 2013, concerning the disposal of land for a trunk road service area at the Biggleswade A1 south roundabout.

RESOLVED

that the land at the Biggleswade A1 south roundabout be disposed of for use as a trunk road service area.

(b)   Council Tax Support Scheme

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 10 December 2013  concerning the Council’s Local Council Tax Support Scheme.

RESOLVED

that the review of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme be confirmed and that the current scheme be extended for a further year (2014/15) with a full review during 2014/15 to inform the approach from April 2015.

(c)   Minerals and Waste Local Plan Strategic Sites and Policies

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 10 January 2013, proposing adoption of the Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Strategic Sites and Policies – Plan for Adoption.

RESOLVED

that the Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Strategic Sites and Policies incorporating the modifications proposed by the Inspector in his report, be adopted.

To consider recommendations from:

(i)        the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 3 December 2013 and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

(a)       Code of Procurement Governance

(Attached pages 23 to 32)

(b)       Protocol on Member/Officer Relations

(Attached pages 33 to 54)

(ii)       the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 20 January 2014 and answer questions asked under Rule No 13.1.

(c)       Proposed amendments to the Constitution – Planning Matters

                                                                   (To follow)

(d)       Pay Policy Statement 2014/15

 (To follow)

(i)(a) Code of Procurement Governance

The Council considered recommendations from a meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 3 December 2013 seeking approval of proposed amendments to Part I3 of the Council’s Constitution (the Code of Procurement Governance)

RESOLVED

that the proposed amendments to Part 13 of the Council’s Constitution (the Code of Procurement Governance)as set out in Appendix B as submitted, be approved.

(i)(b)Protocol on Member/Officer Relations

The Council considered recommendations from a meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 3 December 2013 seeking amendments to the Protocol for Member/Officer Relations as set out at Appendix A to the report.  Concerns were expressed about paragraph 6.1.6 (b) Use of IT Systems and clarification sought on the wording of this Protocol.

RESOLVED

that the amendments to the Protocol for Member/Officer Relations,

as set out at Appendix A to the submitted report, be approved and included in the Council’s Constitution subject to the Executive Member for Corporate Resources providing clarification on the wording of paragraph 6.1.6 (b) Use of IT Systems.

(ii)(c) Proposed amendments to the Constitution – Planning Matters

The Council considered recommendations from a meeting of the GeneralPurposes Committee held on 20 January 2014, seeking approval of proposed amendments to the Constitution at Parts E2, H3 and the Ethical Handbook as set out at Appendices A, B and C to the submitted report.

RESOLVED

that amendments to Parts E2, H3 and the Ethical Handbook section of the Constitution, as set out at Appendicies A, B and C to the  submitted report, be approved.

(ii)(d) Pay Policy Statement

The Council considered recommendations from a meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 20 January 2014, seeking approval of the Pay Policy Statement 2014/15 as set out at Appendix A to the report and subsequent publication on the Council’s website.  It was noted that reference to the ratio of pay for the Chief Executive relative to other staff, as set out at Appendix A paragraph 5, had been set out in reverse order and would be amended prior to publication.

RESOLVED

that the Pay Policy Statement 2014/15 as set out at Appendix A to the report be approved and published on the Council’s website subject to the amendment of the ratio of pay of the Chief Executive relative to other staff.

To consider the proposed Calendar of Meetings for the municipal year 2014-2015.

(Attached pages 55 to 58)

The Council considered a report of the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources seeking approval of Committee meetings for the municipal year 2014 – 2015.

RESOLVED

that the draft Calendar of Council and Committee meetings for the period May 2014 to June 2015 as set out at Appendix A to the submitted report be approved.

To note the position on Police and Crime Panel Member -  Allowances.

(Attached pages 59 to 61)

The Council received and considered a report of the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources setting out the advice of the  Independent Remuneration Panel to Bedford Borough Council on  allowances for Bedfordshire Police and Crime Panel members.

RESOLVED

that the advice of the Independent Remuneration Panel to Bedford Borough Council on allowances for Bedfordshire Police and Crime Panel Members as set out at Appendix A to the submitted report, be noted.

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

No motions were received.

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

The following written question has been received from Councillor Aldis:-

Can the Executive Member with responsibility for Safer Communities please explain the process by which the Police and Crime Commissioner installs vehicle recognition cameras on Council owned property (like street light columns) without any consultation or notification to local parish and town councils or CBC ward members?

Can the Executive Member explain what the purpose is of these cameras?

What safeguards do Members of the community have that the information gathered by these cameras is only used for properly authorised activities?

A written question had been submitted under Rule No 13.2 by Councillor Aldis as follows:

“Can the Executive Member with responsibility for Safer Communities please explain the process by which the Police Authority installs Vehicle Recognition cameras on Council owned property without any consultation or notification to local parish and town councils or CBC ward members?

What safeguards do the members of the community have that the information gathered by these cameras is only used for properly authorised activities?

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services advised that site identification for the installation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) was carried out through Crime Pattern Analysis and research to identify key areas within Bedfordshire where ANPR would support the Police to prevent and detect crime, and safeguard the public. Once sites were identified as being potential ANPR camera locations, the Police liaised with the Highways Agency and local authority to discuss plans to install the cameras including, whether it was feasible and whether this would be agreed by all partner agencies concerned. Once an agreement was concluded, then a Public Impact Assessment (PIA) was carried out and completed by the Police to ensure that the installations were proportionate, legal and necessary.

He added that the use of ANPR was heavily governed through legislation, Association of Chief Police Officer (ACPO) guidance and Independent Police Complaints Commission recommendations, all of which were audited by Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary.

The use of ANPR data was also regulated by the Information Commissioners, and the handling of data handled in forces through their Chief Information Officers, local guidance and policies, and national guidance. Only certain authorised personnel could access the data itself and carry out searches, all of which were logged and audited. All requests to search through ANPR data for investigations could only be completed with the appropriate authority by an officer of the appropriate rank. These were dictated through ACPO guidelines and were recognised as a national standard for Police Forces. There were recognised “Golden Rules” published by ACPO around the use and management of ANPR, and each force must demonstrate and evidence compliance with these for HMIC.

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

The Chairman invited 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 Aldis asked a question about the Council Tax mitigation grant.

The Leader outlined the pressures faced in setting the budget.

2.         Councillor Murray asked a question about the number of E C Harris staff working in the Assets team at Central Bedfordshire Council and the level of their decision making powers

The Executive Member for Corporate Resources indicated that he would provide a written response.

3.         Councillor Murray asked a question about a statement made by the Secretary of State concerning the use of camera cars.

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities- Services advised that camera cars were proving to be a successful means of traffic enforcement in Central Bedfordshire.

4.         Councillor Murray asked a question regarding the prospects for the three Middle Schools in Dunstable, which were under threat of closure, as to possible alternative uses, either as another school or an alternative activity.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services advised that currently a consultation process was proposed regarding these schools.  The future use of the buildings was uncertain at present and it was inappropriate to prejudge the outcome of the consultation proposed.

5.         Councillor Aldis asked the Executive Member for Minerals and Waste about the  potential for fracking in Central Bedfordshire.

The Executive Member for Minerals and Waste advised that there were no plans for fracking in Central Bedfordshire.