To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 27 September 2018.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 27 September 2018 be approved as a correct record.

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 Part 4G of the Constitution.

The Chairman invited the public speakers to make their statements in accordance with the Public Participation Scheme.

Fluoridation

Ms Sowter advised Council that she had written a report on the effects of fluoride in drinking water.

The Executive Member for Health explained that Bedford Borough Council was carrying out a review into fluoridation and the results from this review would be considered by Central Bedfordshire Council. He confirmed that the water in Central Bedfordshire was safe.

Local Plan

Mr Baker commented on the proposal by Milton Keynes Council to expand and build additional homes by 2020 and set up a development cooperation.

He enquired whether Central Bedfordshire Council was aware of this proposal and whether there any agreement which would allow Milton Keynes to expand into Central Bedfordshire.  He also enquired whether the Council would reconsider the proposed development at Marston Vale.

The Leader of the Council was aware that Milton Keynes Council was exploring a growth deal.  He confirmed that Central Bedfordshire Council’s Local Plan sought to ensure that there would be no coalescence.

The Executive Member for Regeneration explained that Central Bedfordshire Council had a duty to cooperate with neighbouring authorities.  Milton Keynes Council would not be able to build in Central Bedfordshire unless there was a cross boundary agreement. 

Central Bedfordshire’s Local Plan had been submitted to the Inspector and it was in the Inspector’s remit to withdraw sites allocated for development following the public examination.

CCTV in Villages

Mr Spicer enquired whether the Council would be prepared to install CCTV, linked to the Police, in a small village where there were gypsy and traveller sites, on a trial basis.  

The Executive Member for Community Safety explained that this was not possible due to rights to privacy.

To receive and discuss petitions if any, in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Part 4G of the Constitution.

No petitions were received.

The Chairman to announce any matters of communication.

The Chairman’s activities had included:

·         attending civic services;

·         laying a wreath at the Remembrance Service in Dunstable;

·         attending the lighting of the beacon in Flitwick to mark the ending of the First World War;

·         a visit to Home Start, Leighton Buzzard; and

·         tree planting in the grounds of Maple Tree Lower School, Sandy.

The Chairman congratulated Councillor Susan Goodchild who had received The Mayor’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the Dunstable and Houghton Regis Business and Community Awards in recognition of her service to the local community.

The Chairman’s Civic Service would take place on 10 March 2019 at 3pm at St Mary’s Parish Church, Woburn.

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

The Leader commented on the budget planning for 2019/20.  The Council was in a robust position compared to other local authorities due to its approach to financial management.  During 2018/19, the Council had invested in household waste recycling centres, a new leisure centre for Dunstable, Houghton Regis Central and many other schemes.

Local authorities had benefited from the Chancellor’s Budget through investment in highways, adult and children social care and the Council would be able to bid for funds to invest in the town centres.  The Housing Revenue Account borrowing cap had been removed and the Council would be looking to build affordable housing.

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:

·         Councillor Spurr, Executive Member for Health

·         Councillor Dalgarno, Executive Member for Community Services

Councillor Spurr, Executive Member for Health highlighted some of the functions undertaken by Public Health:

·         preventing the public from becoming ill and promoting wellbeing to improve quality of life;

·         providing help to those that had been affected by addiction;

·         the link with Community Led Initiatives to help people move forward with their lives; and

·         the Executive would be asked to endorse the Health and Wellbeing Strategy at their meeting on 9 January 2019. 

Councillor Dalgarno, Executive Member for Community Services highlighted some of the services undertaken by the Public Protection team:

·         food standards and food safety;

·         health and safety in the work place;

·         prevention of the sale of alcohol to those underage and the prevention of selling fake alcohol sales;

·         trading standards;

·         licenses for selling alcohol, gambling, taxis, street collections and traders; and

·         specialist officers to deal with zoos, as Central Bedfordshire had more zoos than any other county.

To consider a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive, 9 October 2018and answer questions asked under Part 4A, Rule No. 13.1 of the Council’s Procedure Rules.

a)    Fees and Charges 2019

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 9 October 2018 that proposed that the pricing schedule for fees and charges for 2019 be approved.

RESOLVED

1.      that the pricing schedule and the inflationary rate to be applied (where applicable) for January 2019 fees and charges, set out in Appendices C to K to the Executive report, be approved; and

2.      that the fees and charges analysis, set out at Appendix A and B to the Executive report, be noted.

The decision was unanimous.

To consider recommendations from the meeting of the Licensing Committee, held on 5 October 2018 and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

a)    Review of the Gambling Act Policy

b)    Review of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver and Private Hire Operator Conditions

c)    Review of Street Trading Policy

Council considered recommendations from the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 5 October 2018.

a)        Review of the Gambling Act Policy

To seek approval of the revised Gambling Act Policy.

RESOLVED 

that the revised Gambling Act Policy, as set out in Appendix A to the Licensing Committee minutes, be adopted.

The decision was unanimous.

b)        Review of Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Driver and Private Hire Operator Conditions

To seek approval of the revised conditions for hackney carriage and private hire driver and private hire operator conditions.

RESOLVED

that the hackney carriage and private hire driver and private hire operator conditions, as set out in Appendix B to the Licensing Committee minutes, be adopted including the additional recommendation:

·           that all existing drivers complete the Child Sexual Exploitation training at the earliest opportunity and in any case no later than 12 months form adoption of the conditions.

The decision was unanimous.

c)      Review of Street Trading Policy

To seek approval of the revised Street Trading Policy.

In response to a question, the Chairman of the Licensing Committee advised that he would respond with a written response to the relevant Councillor regarding the prevention of traders moving away from a Consent Street to another location and how a street becomes prohibited.

RESOLVED

that the revised Street Trading Policy, as set out at Appendix C to the Licensing Committee minutes, be adopted.

The decision was unanimous.

To consider recommendations from the meeting of the General Purposes Committee, held on 30 October 2018 and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

a)    Proposed Changes to the Constitution on the Monitoring Officer Function

b)    Election of Parent Governor Co-opted representatives for the Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Council considered recommendations from the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 30 October 2018.

a)      Proposed Changes to the Constitution on the Monitoring Officer Function

To seek approval of the proposed changes to the Constitution in relation to the Monitoring Officer’s functions.

RESOLVED

that the proposed amendments, set out in Appendices A-D to the report and the additional amendment be approved:

·         Parts 3B and 4K of the Constitution be amended to permit the Chief Executive to appoint Members to the Appointments Sub-Committee in the event the appointment or dismissal was in respect of the Monitoring Officer.

The decision was unanimous.

b)      Election of Parent Governor Co-opted Representatives for the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee

To seek approval of the proposed changes to the Constitution to allow for the appointment of parent governor representatives from Central Bedfordshire academies to the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committees from May 2019 onwards.

RESOLVED

1.         that the proposed amendments to Part 3C of the Constitution, as set out in Appendix a to the General Purposes Committee report, be approved; and

2.         that, in addition to the proposed amendments outlined in the report, an additional parent governor representative be appointed to the Committee as a representative of Special Schools in Central Bedfordshire.

Upon being put to the vote 48 Members voted in favour, no Members voted against and 1 Member abstained.

The purpose of this report is to provide a review of the performance of the Treasury Management activities for the six month period ending 30 September 2018 in compliance with relevant codes of practice adopted by Central Bedfordshire Council.

Council considered a report that reviewed the performance of the Treasury Management activities for the period ending 30 September 2018.

RESOLVED

that the performance on treasury management and prudential indicators for the period ending 30 September 2018 be noted.

To approve a request for a leave of absence for Councillor Mrs Barker.

Council considered a report that sought approval of the leave of absence for Councillor Mrs Barker.

RESOLVED

that the reason for Councillor Mrs Angela Barker’s absence from any meetings since 26 July 2018, as set out in the report, be approved for the period until 6 May 2019.

Upon being put to the vote 47 Members voted in favour, no Members voted against and 2 Member abstained.

To receive and consider a report from the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority.

The Council received a report from the Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Authority, following its meeting held on 18 October 2018.

RESOLVED

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

To consider motions by Members of the Council under Part 4A, Rule No. 17 of the Council’s Procedure Rules in the order received:

a)        Proposed by Councillor Mrs Gurney:

Everton Ward Tempsford Level Crossing

There has been six fatality’s in the last year.  It is totally unacceptable that this is allowed to continue. 

The Executive Member for Community Services is therefore requested to use his office to pursue an upgrade to the crossing with Network Rail helping to prevent further loss of life. 

b)      Proposed by Councillor Stay:

This council believes that Bedfordshire police, whilst providing a service for the residents of Central Bedfordshire, is under resourced and lacks the capacity to deal with all aspects of community policing and serious crime.

This council respects the commitment and dedication of individual officers and the force as a whole, but expresses serious concern about the viability of the force in its current form.

The Executive Member for Community Services is therefore requested to enter into a dialogue with all relevant stakeholders to discuss the right outcomes for the residents of Bedfordshire.

Two notices of motions had been received.

a)        Councillor Mrs Gurney

“Everton Ward Tempsford Level Crossing

There has been six fatality’s in the last year.  It is totally unacceptable that this is allowed to continue. 

The Executive Member for Community Services is therefore requested to use his office to pursue an upgrade to the crossing with Network Rail helping to prevent further loss of life.”

In presenting the motion Councillor Mrs Gurney referred to a recent incident that had taken place on the railway line that had led to a loss of life.

The motion was duly seconded by Councillor Maudlin.

In responding to the motion, the Executive Member for Community Services advised that he would take the motion forward, with the typographical errors amended, and would urge Network Rail to improve safety in this area.

The decision to support the motion was unanimous.

b)      Proposed by Councillor Stay:

“This council believes that Bedfordshire police, whilst providing a service for the residents of Central Bedfordshire, is under resourced and lacks the capacity to deal with all aspects of community policing and serious crime.

This council respects the commitment and dedication of individual officers and the force as a whole, but expresses serious concern about the viability of the force in its current form.

The Executive Member for Community Services is therefore requested to enter into a dialogue with all relevant stakeholders to discuss the right outcomes for the residents of Bedfordshire.”

In presenting the motion Councillor Stay welcomed the work of Bedfordshire police, but stressed that they were underfunded.

The motion was duly seconded by Councillor Downing.

In responding to the motion, the Executive Member for Community Services confirmed that he would take the issue forward.

The decision to support the motion was unanimous.

To answer written questions from Members of the Council under Part 4A, Rule No. 13.2 of the Council’s Procedure Rules.

No written questions were received.

To answer Open Questions asked by Members of the Council under Part 4A, Rule No. 13.7 of the Council’s Procedure Rules.

The Chairman invited the Minority Group Leaders to ask a question, prior to the consideration of questions that had been placed in the Open Question receptacle.

(1)     Councillor Zerny commented on a Councillor in Devon living 150 miles from his ward.

          The Leader agreed that it was important for councillors to represent their residents.

          Councillor Zerny asked a supplementary question regarding Councillor Walker’s attendance.

          The Leader confirmed that Councillor Walker was present at the meeting and reiterated that it was important for councillors to represent their residents.

(2)     Councillor Ryan confirmed that the Labour Group did not have any questions.

(3)     Councillor Mrs Goodchild requested an update on the funding allocated to Family United Network.

          In the absence of the Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, the Leader would ensure that a written response was provided.  He confirmed that the Council was providing financial support via personal budgets.  The Family Unit Network’s rent had been increased by the relevant landlord.

(4)     Councillor Smith enquired whether the Council needed to review its Home to School Transport Policy in light of the changes in age range and school closures.

          The Executive Member for Community Services explained that the Policy was aligned to the Admissions Policy and explained the allocation of transport in the Sandy area.  A full written response would be provided to Councillor Smith.