Council stood in silent tribute to the memory of the people who had lost their lives in the recent terrorist attacks in Paris.

Prayers were taken by Reverend Paul Niemiec, Community Minister, Leighton Buzzard.

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 17 September 2015.

(attached pages 7 to14)

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2015 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to recording Charles Warboys in the list of officers in attendance. 

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

None were declared.

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. 

Mrs Gloria Martin, Dunstable Town Council made a statement about the possible effects that the proposal to increase parking fees from 50p for two hours to £1.00 would have upon the economy in Dunstable and asked Council to reconsider the proposed increase.

No petitions were received.

The Chairman announced that he had attended The Young Person of the Year awards.

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

The Leader reported upon:

·         the redevelopment of Flitwick Leisure Centre which was now near completion

·         the progress being made on the M1/A5 Link Road

·         a meeting with the Minister at the Department of Business to discuss how improvements to the local economy could be made.

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 Spurr.

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

·         progress being made on the developments of Independent Living schemes

·         29 sites had been allocated for parking schemes throughout Central Bedfordshire

·         work underway on the Empty Homes initiative

·         attendance at the Foster Care Celebration event and Children in Care awards.

Councillor Hegley responded to questions.

Councillor Spurr, Executive Member for Stronger Communities reported on work within his portfolio area including:

·         remedial work that had been undertaken on vandalised play equipment and fencing

·         the Biggleswade tidy tip was due to re open in January 2016 and work was planned for the Ampthill tidy tip

·         work in progress on the Safer Routes to School initiative

·         the success of the reporting pot holes dedicated telephone hotline

·         the success of the Building Control Team at a recent national awards ceremony and associated fund raising.

Councillor Spurr responded to questions.

To consider recommendations from the meeting of the Executive, 6 October 2015and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

(1)  Central Bedfordshire’s Five Year Plan 2015 – 2020.

(2)  Fees and Charges 2016.

(3)  Appointment of Proper Officer under Public Health Legislation.

(4)  Plan-making Programme for Central Bedfordshire.

(attached pages 15 to 23)

The Leader announced that item (2) fees and Charges 2016 would be considered prior to item (1)

(2) Fees and Charges                     2016

The Council considered recommendations from the Executive that proposed the fees and charges for 2016.

Additional recommendations were tabled at the meeting as follows:

5.      that for car parks where the current charge for up to two hours car parking is 50p, the charge is increased to £1.

6.      that until pay on exit technology is introduced, a trial of two hours free parking is implemented once a week in Ashton Square (Dunstable) and Duncombe Drive (Leighton Buzzard) during low footfall periods to support footfall increases in the towns. The timing of free parking in these car parks will be discussed with stakeholders through the Partnership Committee.

7.      that an evaluation of the effectiveness of the free parking trial is completed once pay on exit technology is installed, the results of which will inform further discussions on continuation of free parking subject to stakeholder funding.

RESOLVED

1.         that the Fees and Charges prices for 2016/17 be agreed and introduced with the exception of charges for the Music Service which should be brought back to Council with the 2016/17 Medium Term Financial Plan;

2.         that Fairer Charging be brought in line with Residential Care charging, and that charging commence from the point when the care started with effect from 1 January 2016, as set out in paragraphs 11 and 12 in the Executive report;

3.         that whilst some statutory charges have been left at the 2015 rate currently, these would be amended to the new charges once the Council had been advised of the rates applicable to 20116;

4.         the progress of the Fees and Charges cyclical review process, as set out at Appendix D to the Executive report, be noted;

5.         that for car parks where the current charge for up to two hours car parking is 50p, the charge is increased to £1;

6.         that until pay on exit technology is introduced, a trial of two hours free parking is implemented once a week in Ashton Square (Dunstable) and Duncombe Drive (Leighton Buzzard) during low footfall periods to support footfall increases in the towns. The timing of free parking in these car parks will be discussed with stakeholders through the Partnership Committee;

7.         that an evaluation of the effectiveness of the free parking trial is completed once pay on exit technology is installed, the results of which will inform further discussions on continuation of free parking subject to stakeholder funding.

With regard to the Sustainable Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee recommendation 2.

Charges proposed to be held at zero increase are largely where:

·                They are statutory and the Council has not yet been notified of the charges for 2016.  Once notification is received, the charges will be amended accordingly;

·                The value of the charge is low, and once rounded a 1% increase would still result in the same charge; and

·                The volume of transactions is so low that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

To consider recommendations from a meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 5 November 2015 and ask questions under Rule No 13.1.

(1)  The Gambling Act ‘2005’ Policy.

(attached page 25)

The Council considered recommendations from the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 5 November 2015 which sought  adoption of The Gambling Act 2005 Policy.

RESOLVED

(1)  that the Gambling Act 2005 Policy as set out at Appendix A to the report be adopted;

(2)  that the Head of Public Protection & Interim Head of Passenger Transport, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Services, be given delegated authority to make any necessary minor amendments to the policy prior to publication.

To consider a report of the Leader seeking the appointment of a Deputy Executive Member – Social Care and Housing.

(attached pages 27 to 29)

The Council received and considered a report of the Leader advising of the appointment of a Deputy Executive Member for Adult Social Care.

RESOLVED

1.    that Councillor Eugene Ghent be appointed to the vacancy of Deputy Executive Member for Adult Social Care

2.    that in view of Councillor Ghent’s appointment to the vacancy of Deputy Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Councillor Paul Downing be appointed as Vice Chairman of the Social Care, Health and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

3.    that in view of  recommendation 2 above, Councillor Berry be appointed as a member of the Social Care, Health and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

To consider a report of Councillor Wenham, Executive Member for Corporate Resources on Monitoring Treasury Management.

(attached pages 31to 48)

The Council considered a report from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources that provided a review of Treasury Management activities for the six month period ending 30 September 2015.

RESOLVED

that the Treasury Management and the prudential indicators for the 6 month period ending 30 September 2015 be noted.

To receive the annual Overview & Scrutiny Committees report.

(attached pages 49 to 61)

The Council received the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2014/15 which summarised the activities of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees during the last twelve months.

RESOLVED

that the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2014/15 be noted.

To receive and consider a report of the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority and ask questions under Rule No 13.1.

(attached pages 63 to 69)

The Council received and considered a report of the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority following its meeting held on 21 October 2015.

RESOLVED

that the report of the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority be noted.

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

No motions were received.

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

No written questions were received.

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

The Chairman invited the 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 Zerny asked a question of the Leader of the Council about devolution and Central Bedfordshire’s plans for strengthening working with neighbouring authorities.

The Leader of the Council advised of discussions that were underway with neighbouring authorities.

2.            Councillor Goodchild asked a question about what steps Central Bedfordshire Council was taking to ensure that low cost homes would be built to meet the needs of the most vulnerable members of the community.

The Executive Member for Regeneration advised that The Housing Bill was currently going through Parliament and that he would keep Members closely informed on schemes throughout Central Bedfordshire.