To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 29 January 2015.

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RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting held on 29 January 2015 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Councillor Dr R Egan declared an interest in agenda item 7 (c) Budget Report for the Housing Revenue Account (Landlord Business Plan), as a Council tenant, - and withdrew from the meeting when the specifics of the proposed rent increase were discussed.

1.         The Chairman explained that in accordance with Local Authorities (Standing Order) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 there would be a recorded vote for agenda items 7 (a), (b), (c) and (e).

2.         The Chairman advised that the order of business would be varied.  Item 7(e) would be considered prior to 7 (d).

3.         The Chairman announced that there were no exempt items of business and therefore items 9 & 10 had been withdrawn from the agenda.

4.         The Chairman reminded Members that she would be hosting an event at the Grove Theatre Dunstable on 10 May 2015 called ‘Lets hear it for the Boys’, The West End’s Leading Men, live at The Grove Theatre, Dunstable.

5.         The Chairman along with the Leader and Deputy Leader had attended a ceremony to mark the laying of a foundation stone at Priory View, Dunstable.

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

The Leader made the following announcements:

·                the construction of the Priory View, independent living scheme in Dunstable was progressing

·                progress was being made on major projects throughout Central Bedfordshire including the redevelopment of Flitwick Leisure Centre

·                the commitment to build and deliver 100 Council homes in Central Bedfordshire every year, which would be the first Council houses built in 30 years

·                work being undertaken to deliver the Better Design Guide.

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.

A member of the public made a statement under the Public Participation Provisions set out at Annex 1 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

Mrs Walsh asked about the costs associated with the Development Strategy and the Gypsy & Traveller Plan and also Luton Borough Council’s application for Judicial Review on the HRN1 development.

The Executive Member for Regeneration thanked the speaker and responded to concerns about the issues raised, with an indication of the associated costs.

To consider recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 10 February 2015and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1

(a)  Budget 2015/16 and Medium Term Financial Plan.

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(b)  Capital Programme 2015/16 to 2018/19.

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(c)  Budget for the Housing Revenue Account (Landlord Business Plan)

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(d)  Treasury Management Strategy and Treasury Policy

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and to present the Council Tax Resolution                                (to follow)

(this information will be provided following receipt of the Police Precept, which will be known on 19 February 2015.)

Note: The papers for (a) (b) (c) and (d) above may be seen at the following link:

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=577&MId=4621&Ver=4

The Council considered recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 10 February 2015 seeking approval of the proposed Medium Term Financial Plan and Revenue Budget for 2015/16.

In his introduction, the Deputy Leader drew attention to external factors which influenced the proposed budget and the financial challenges faced by local authorities.  He referred to the significant social and economic drivers of change within Central Bedfordshire across the medium term and beyond. .He commented that the budget had to be sustainable, affordable and support the Council’s priorities.  He was pleased to confirm that the proposed budget entailed no increase in the Council’s element of the Council Tax.  He also commented that the financial position of the Housing Revenue Account was positive and would enable the Council to achieve the ambitions contained in its Housing Management Strategy.

The Deputy Leader referred to the proposed Capital Programme 2015/16 to 2018/19, which included significant projects across all services, including new school places, constructing dual carriageways on the A421 between junction 13 of the M1 and Magna Park, Milton Keynes and the Woodside Link.

The Leaders of the Independent and the Liberal Democrat Groups commented on the proposed budget.

Councillor Dr Egan proposed an amendment to recommendation 1 as follows:

“That the Revenue Budget for 2015/16 and the Medium Financial Plan for 2015/16 to 2018/19 be approved, subject to the addition of a provision to take £5000 out of reserves to fund the removal of the concrete play area in Kirton Way, Houghton Regis.”

Upon being put to the vote the amendment was lost.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Revenue Budget for 2015/16 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2015/16 to 2018/19 be approved;

2.      that the Fees and Charges relating to the Care Act Deferred Payment Scheme, as detailed at paragraphs 90-92 in the Executive report, be approved; and

3.      that a Band D Council Tax (CBC element) of £1,308.33 for residents of Central Bedfordshire, representing a 0% increase on the charge for 2014/2015 be approved.

In accordance with The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England)(Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was taken.

Those in favour of the resolutions were:

Councillors Aldis, Barker, Bastable, Berry, Blair, Bowater, Brown, Chapman, Clark, Clarke, Coleman, Collins, Costin, Dalgarno, Dodwell, Drinkwater, Duckett, Gomm, Goodchild, Graham, Gurney, Hegley, Hollick, Hopkin, Jamieson, Janes, M Jones, Maudlin, McVicar, Mustoe, Pepworth, B Saunders, Sparrow, Spurr, Stay, A Turner, P Turner, Versallion, Warren, Wells, Wenham, Williams and Young.

Those against the Resolutions were:

Councillors D Jones, Egan, Murray, Smith and Zerny

Those who abstained from voting were:

Councillor Shingler.

(Councillors Johnstone and Nicols left the meeting prior to the vote being taken)

(b) Capital Programme 2015/16 to 2018/19

The Council considered the recommendations from a meeting of the Executive held on 10 February 2015 in respect of the proposed Capital Programme for 2015/16 to 2018/19.

RESOLVED

that the Capital Programme for 2015/16 to 2018/19  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

To consider Judicial Review proceedings with regard to the Development Strategy.                                (to follow)

The Council considered a report of the Executive Member for Regeneration about the conclusion reached by the Planning Inspector that Central Bedfordshire had not discharged its Duty to Co-operate over its Development Strategy.

The Council was now invited to consider whether a judicial challenge should be lodged against the secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in respect of this conclusion.

Council noted that the advice of Counsel had been sought which had indicated that a case could be made that the Planning Inspector’s conclusion was flawed. 

RESOLVED

1.            That the Planning Inspectorate be notified that Central Bedfordshire Council does not intend to withdraw its Development Strategy and that the Planning Inspector should not issue his final report as the Council intends to challenge his decision.

2.               That Judicial Review proceedings be instigated against the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government against the Inspector’s decision.