Prayers were taken by Michael Campbell, Senior Chaplain, Luton Town Centre Chaplaincy.

The Chairman explained that the meeting was being filmed by a member of the public in line with the newly published regulations.

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 12 June 2014.       .

(Attached pages    to )

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting held on the 12 June 2014 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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.)

Two members of the public made a statement under the Public Participation Provisions set out at Annex 1 of Part A4 of the Constitution in relation to the proposals to withdraw the Gypsy and Traveller Plan.

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Strategic Planning and Economic Development thanked the speakers and responded to their points.

Restoration of Bus Shelter on Luton road, Dunstable outside Nos 165 and 167.

Mr Gresham the lead petitioner, presented a petition, which contained approximately 150 signatures.

Mr Gresham requested that the bus shelter on Luton Road Dunstable, outside numbers 165 and 167, be restored as soon as possible.  Since it was destroyed by a motor vehicle some two years ago, local residents, some elderly and infirm, had had no shelter from inclement weather whilst waiting for a bus into Dunstable town centre.  He asked that Central Bedfordshire Council accept the urgent need for this replacement and find the resources for its provision.

Council received the petition.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

·           Central Bedfordshire staff attended a Memory walk in aid of the Alzheimers Society on Saturday 6 September 2014

·           Members were invited to attend a ‘Memory Walk’ to be held on Sunday 14 September at Willen Lake, Milton Keynes

·           The Chairman’s would be hosting the “Forget me not” Awards evening on 4 November 2014

·           The next Civic Reception would be held on 8 March 2014.

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

The Leader reported upon:

·           The successful GCSE results across Central Bedfordshire.  There had been an improvement in all subjects set against a national decline in GCSE grades

·           Economic activity in Central Bedfordshire.  Center Parcs had created 1500 jobs, with 95% of employees living within 15 miles of their workplace

·           The Millbrook Low Carbon Conference and the preliminary works for the M1/A5 Link Road.

The Leader advised that this was Edwina Grant’s, Director of Children’s Services last Council meeting as she would be leaving Central Bedfordshire Council.  He paid tribute to her contribution to the Council.

Councillors Versallion, as the Executive Member for Children’s Services and Councillors, Murray and Aldis as the Minority Group Leaders paid their own tributes to Edwina Grant, thanked her for her services as Director of Children’s Services and expressed best wishes on behalf of the Council.

The Chairman also added her thanks to Edwina Grant on behalf of the Council.

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 Hegley and Young.

Councillor Hegley, Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing reported on work within her portfolio including:

·                investments in housing including sheltered accommodation

·                work on the Empty Homes Initiative

·                regeneration of garage sites

·                an Adult Social Care Workshop which encompassed presentations on dementia and reports from The Alzheimer Society.  Central Bedfordshire staff were being invited to become a “dementia friend”.

Councillor Hegley responded to questions.

Councillor Young, Executive Member for Regeneration reported on work within his portfolio including:

·                the employment skills service

·                examples of employment and skills

·                examples of courses delivered to support people into work

·                meeting the skills needs of employers- supporting local recruitment and business growth

·                funding achievements over the past 6 months for employment, skills and business.

Councillor Young responded to questions.

To consider recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 19 August 2014and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

(i)           Superfast Broadband Extension Programme     (Attached Page 15)

(ii)          Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan                            (Attached page 17 )

(i)           Superfast Broadband Extension  Programme

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 19 August 2014 which proposed that the Council funds an additional £350,000 capital, in addition to the £1.5 million already approved to further extend superfast broadband coverage as part of the Council’s participation with the Broadband Delivery UK Superfast Extension Programme. This would be matched by £300,000 Broadband Delivery UK to allow approximately an additional 1,200 premises to be supported.

RESOLVED                                  

that an additional £350,000 capital funding to secure additional external funding, and to extend coverage of superfast broadband infrastructure, be approved.

(ii)          Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 19 August 2014 proposing the withdrawal of the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan from the Examination process, in light of the matters raised by the Planning Inspector.

RESOLVED

that the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan be withdrawn from the Examination process.

To consider recommendations from the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 17 July 2014 and answer questions asked under Rule No 13.1.

(i)           Constitution Update – Monitoring the Constitution (Attached page 19)

(ii)          Constitution Update in respect of Capital Project Management and Asset related Delegations                           (Attached pages 21  to 31 )

(i)        Constitution Update – Maintaining the Constitution

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 17 July 2014 concerning maintenance of the Constitution.

RESOLVED

that the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make urgent amendments to the Constitution to give effect to any decision of Council or changes in the law, minor amendments such as to correct errors or to ensure that the Constitution is up to date, by amending the Constitution at Part A5, paragraph 2.3 through the deletion of the words “after consultation with the General Purposes Committee”

(ii)       Constitution Update in respect of Capital Programme Management and Asset related Delegations

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the General Purposes Committee seeking amendments to Parts I2 and H3 of the Constitution.

RESOLVED

that Parts I2 and H3 of the Constitution be amended, as set out at Appendices A and B to the submitted report.

To consider a report of Councillor Maurice Jones, Executive Member for Corporate Resources on Managing Treasury Management Outturn.

                                                                                    (Attached pages 53 to 33)

The Council received and considered a report from the Deputy Leader, Executive Member for Corporate Resources which provided a review of the Treasury Management activities for the year ended 31 March 2014.

An amended version of Appendix C was tabled at the meeting.

RESOLVED

that the Treasury Management and the Prudential Indicators performance for the year ended 31 March 2014 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 Zerny:-

What is the true financial cost to Central Bedfordshire Council to date, of preparing the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan?

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

“What is the true financial cost to Central Bedfordshire Council to date, of preparing the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan?”

The Executive Member for Regeneration responded to the question and summarised the costs of preparing the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan.

To consider a report of  Councillor Maurice Jones, Executive Member for Corporate Resources to establish an approach for implementing webcasting and draft protocols on filming, recording and use of social media in Council meetings.                                                                       (Attached pages 55 to 63)

The Council received and considered a report from the Deputy Leader, Executive Member for Corporate Resources proposing an approach for implementing webcasting in key Council meetings and new draft protocols on filming, recording and use of social media in meetings.

RESOLVED

1.         that the proposed approach for implementing webcasting as set out in the report be agreed;

2.         that the provisions suggested to prepare Members and Officers for the implementation of webcasting be approved;

3.         that the approach to the review the new system, to assess the extent to which the equipment, procedures and Officer support are meeting operational requirements be approved;

4.         that the new draft protocol for webcasting, recording and using social media in council meetings be approved.

To consider a report of Councillor Maurice Jones, Executive Member for Corporate Resources proposing the re-appointment of two existing members of the Panel.                                                                  (Attached Pages 65 to 67)

The Council received and considered a report of the Deputy Leader, Executive Member for Corporate Resources seeking re- appointment of two existing members to the Independent Remuneration Panel.

RESOLVED

that Dr R Tipping and Mr C Bell be offered further appointments to the Independent Remuneration Panel for the periods ending 31 March 2019 and 31 March 2018 respectively.

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 Murray sought assurance about the Council’s strategies for assisting residents who were in place for residents who were in arrears with their Council Tax.

The Deputy Leader, Executive Member for Corporate Resources explained the help in place in special circumstances.

2.     Councillor Aldis asked a question about then impact of public consultation  on the budget setting process.

The Deputy Leader, Executive Member for Corporate Resources advised that resident’s views helped determine priorities in the budget setting process.

3.     Councillor Matthews invited the Executive Member for Regeneration to comment on the success of the Luton Bus Way now that it had nearly been operational for nearly a year.

The Executive Member for Regeneration commented on the popularity and success of the Bus Way and advised that it was a welcome asset to businesses looking to locate to the area.

4.     Councillor Murray asked the Deputy Leader, Executive Member for Corporate Resources to comment on the time  taken to organise training for Licensing Committee Members.

The Deputy Leader, Executive Member for Corporate Resources undertook to look into this.

5.     Councillor Aldis asked a question about the number of schools in Central Bedfordshire that had converted to academy status and if he was aware of the time taken for the completion of the associated asset transfer

The Executive Member for Children’s Services advised of the number of children in Central Bedfordshire attending Academies and undertook to look into the issue of asset transfer.

6.     Councillor Aldis asked about absence rates in schools and the fines imposed on parents who take their children out of school for holidays.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services summarised the action taken when children were absent from school in these circumstances.

7.     Councillor Zerny asked about promoting renewable energy in schools against the background of a procurement process.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services explained why he felt the promotion had been appropriate.

8.     Councillor Murray asked a question about why Central Bedfordshire staff were not being encouraged to use a newly refurbished car park located at Brewers Hill Road, Dunstable.

       The Deputy Leader, Executive Member for Corporate Resources indicated that he would look into this issue.