To approve the Minutes of the Annual meeting of Council held on 18 June 2009 (enclosed pages 1 to 22) and the Special meetings of the Council held on 16 July (enclosed pages 23 to 26) and on 10 September 2009 (to follow).

The minutes of the Annual meeting of the Council held on 18 June 2009 and of the Extraordinary meetings held on 16 July 2009 and on 10 September 2009, were submitted.

Members were advised of an amendment to minute no. C/09/24 of 10 September 2009 whereby the revised paragraph 12.6 should have stated that consideration was given to a range of Council sizes from “60 to 70” and not “62 to 70” as referred to in the minutes.

RESOLVED

·              that the minutes of the Annual meeting of the Council held on 10 September 2009 be confirmed as a correct record;

·              that the minutes of the Extraordinary meeting of the Council held on 16 July 2009 be confirmed as a correct record;

·              that the minutes of the Extraordinary meeting of the Council held on 10 September 2009 be confirmed as a correct record, subject to the  amendment set out in the preamble above.

The Chairman to make any announcements or communications.

The Chairman highlighted some of the events he had attended over recent months including:-

·        the inauguration of the tenth Bishop of St Albans

·        the High Sheriff’s Civic Service

·        the Battle of Britain Service in Dunstable, with the Vice-Chairman attending the Battle of Britain Service in Leighton Buzzard.

The Chairman informed Members of the activities underway in support of the Macmillan Cancer Support’s World's Biggest Coffee Morning on 25 September 2009.

The Chairman reminded Members that his Civic Reception would be held on 2 October 2009 at Priory House and hoped that as many Members as possible would be able to attend.

To receive any questions, statements or 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.

No questions, statements or deputations had been received under Annex 1 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

To receive and discuss petitions in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out at Annex 2 of part A4 of the Constitution.

In accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution, the Council received a petition requesting that Central Bedfordshire Council do not give planning permission for a potential housing development on green belt land between Frenchs Avenue, Hillcroft, Green Lanes and Maiden Bower Fort in Dunstable.

The lead petitioner made representations in support of the petition.

RESOLVED

that the petition be noted and referred to the appropriate meeting of the Development Management Committee as and when an application is received.

To consider the recommendations from the meetings of the Executive held on 18 August and 15 September 2009 and answer questions asked under Rule No. 12.1.

(Attached pages  27 to 136.  Recommendation from meeting held on 15 September 2009 to follow.)

Executive - 18 August 2009

(a)       Central Bedfordshire Community Safety Partnership Community Safety Plan 2009 - 2011

The Council received and considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 18 August 2009 seeking endorsement of the draft Community Safety Plan and the associated strategies that had been recommended for Central Bedfordshire by the Central Bedfordshire Community Safety Partnership.  Members were advised that the Central Bedfordshire Local Strategic Partnership Board had considered the Plan and strategies at its meeting on 22 September 2009 where it had resolved to agree these documents for adoption by all of the statutory responsible authorities.

RESOLVED

that the draft Community Safety Plan and associated strategies be endorsed.

(b)       Executive – 15 September 2009

Central Bedfordshire Children and Young People’s Plan 2009 – 2010

The Council received and considered a recommendation from the Executive held on 15 September 2009 with regard to adopting the Central Bedfordshire Children and Young People’s Plan.  Members were advised that the Central Bedfordshire Local Strategic Partnership Board had considered the Plan at its meeting on 22 September 2009 where it had resolved to adopt the plan.

RESOLVED

that the Central Bedfordshire Children and Young People’s Plan be adopted.

To consider the recommendations from the meetings of the Constitution Advisory Group held on 21 July and 25 August 2009 and answer questions asked under Rule No. 12.1.

(Attached pages 137 to 172)

Constitution Advisory Group – 21 July 2009 and 25 August 2009

(a)    Overview and Scrutiny Constitutional Changes

         The Council received and considered a recommendation from the Constitution Advisory Group recommending that changes be made to the Constitution to accommodate Councillor Call for Action Guidance, Crime & Disorder Regulations and a change of name of the Overview & Scrutiny Management Panel.

         The Chairman of the Constitution Advisory Group advised Members that in the light of a conflict between the terms of reference of the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee and paragraph 13 of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules as to how matters falling within the remit of more than one overview and scrutiny committee should be dealt with, a third recommendation was proposed the effect of which would be to delete the following from the end of the terms of reference of the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee in Paragraph 1.1 of Part D1:

         “or is not within the remit of any other overview and scrutiny committee”.

RESOLVED

1.            that the Constitutional changes as set out in Appendices A and B in the Council Agenda, to accommodate Government Guidance pertaining to the Councillor Call for Action and the Crime and Disorder Regulations, be approved.

2.      that all references to the “Overview & Scrutiny Management Panel” contained within the Council’s Constitution be amended to read the “Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordination Panel”.

3.            that the following be deleted from the end of the terms of reference of the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee in Paragraph 1.1 of Part D1:-

“or is not within the remit of any other overview and scrutiny committee”.            

(b)    Scheme of Delegation to Officers

         The Council received and considered a recommendation from the Constitution Advisory Group recommending revisions to the scheme of delegation to officers on Tax and VAT matters and property matters.  Members were advised that the Leader of the Council had approved the proposed revisions.

         RESOLVED

         that the proposed revisions to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers detailed below be approved:

(c)    Composition of the Audit Committee

The Council received and considered a recommendation from the Constitution Advisory Group with regard to a proposed amendment to the Constitution after reviewing the current restriction on members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee serving upon the Audit Committee.

Members were advised that if this recommendation was approved, the Monitoring Officer, after consultation with the relevant Group Leader, had delegated powers to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

To receive and consider the report of the Bedfordshire Police Authority and answer questions asked under Rule No. 12.1.

(Attached pages 173 to 176)

A report from the meetings of the Bedfordshire Police Authority held on 26 June and 17 July was submitted.  The report also contained an update on current performance which was considered by the Authority’s performance Committee on 11 August.

Councillor Hollick, representative of the Police Authority, elaborated on some of the issues in the submitted report.  In particular he commented on the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Joint Collaboration Programme that was established in 2008.  This was now acknowledged as one of the most successful collaboration initiatives in England and Wales.  He advised Members that any decisions on a potential merger would be made by Bedfordshire Police Authority based upon what would achieve the best policing for residents and communities across Bedfordshire and Luton, after a full consultation programme had been carried out with the public and partner organisations, as well as staff.

Councillor Hollick responded to questions put to him by Members.

RESOLVED

that the report be received.

To receive and consider the reports of the Bedfordshire and Luton Combined Fire Authority and answer questions asked under Rule No. 12.1.

(Attached pages 177 to 180)

The reports from the meetings of the Bedfordshire and Luton Combined Fire Authority held on 30 June 2009 and 4 September 2009 were submitted.

Councillor Street, representative of the Bedfordshire and Luton Combined Fire Authority expanded upon some of the issues in the submitted reports.  In particular it was highlighted that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Authority were members of Luton Borough Council. 

He also commented that Chief Fire Officer Smith was taking up his appointment as Chief Fire Officer of Warwickshire in the autumn.  Chief Fire Officer Fuller had been seconded to Warwickshire, but would be returning to his post as Chief Fire Officer of Bedfordshire and Luton.

RESOLVED

1.      that the report be received.

2.      that a letter be sent, on behalf of the Council, by the Chairman thanking Chief Fire Officer Smith for his significant contribution to the development of the Fire and Rescue Service in Bedfordshire and Luton.

To answer written questions from members of the Council under Rule No. 12.2.

No written questions had been received from Members of the Council under Rule No. 12.2.

To answer oral questions asked by members of the Council under Rule No. 12.7.

The Chairman presided over oral questions asked of the Leader, Deputy Leader, Portfolio Holders, the Chairman of a Committee or a member representing the Bedfordshire Police Authority or the Bedfordshire and Luton Combined Fire Authority under Council Procedure Rule 12.7.

In response to a question from Councillor Mrs Chapman regarding when a petition for Aspley Guise Primary School would be dealt with, the Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities reminded Members that earlier in the meeting, the  Council had approved the referral of petitions relating to Traffic Regulation Orders and highway-related matters to meetings of the Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities for consideration.  Accordingly he anticipated that the petition would be considered at a meeting to be held on 20 October at 10.00 a.m. in Priory House.  

In a response to a question from Councillor Aldis regarding recycling in Central Bedfordshire and the possibility of installing chips in wheelie bins to measure the amount of waste, the Assistant to the Safer and Stronger Communities Portfolio Holder advised of the current level of recycling in Central Bedfordshire and explained that it was not the Council’s policy to install chips in wheelie bins as the data obtained from them was unreliable.  He was not aware of any authority recycling 80% of its waste, the highest figure he was aware of was in Finland where nearly 70% of waste was recycled.

In a response to a question from Councillor Aldis regarding the apparent ban on petitions being placed in libraries in Central Bedfordshire, the Portfolio Holder for Culture and Skills advised that the Council supported public engagement, but it was not practical for libraries to display petitions as there were issues around impartiality, how staff would control and manage the process and how many petitions libraries could display etc.

To consider motions by members of the Council under Rule No. 16 in the order received.

No motions had been received from Members of the Council under Rule No. 16.

To receive a report from the Independent Remuneration Panel with proposed amendments to the 2009/10 Scheme of Members’ Allowances.

(Attached pages 181 to 184)

The Council received a report proposing the adoption of two amendments to the current Scheme of Members’ Allowances.  The first being to enable Members required to stay away from home, whilst on official business, to claim for the cost of overnight accommodation, where such costs are not included within any other charges for the event attended.  The second amendment being the inclusion within the Scheme of a clause to enable all Councillors to be able to claim travelling allowances for the purpose of meeting with Officers, up to an average of four visits per month.

Members voted on the recommendations individually.

RESOLVED

The report proposes the appointment of a new Member to the Independent Remuneration Panel and fixing terms of office for the remaining Panel Members.

(Attached pages 185 to 187)

The Council received a report which proposed the appointment of a new Member to the Independent Remuneration Panel and fixing terms of office for the remaining Panel Members.

RESOLVED

1.      that Mrs B Heley be offered an appointment to the Independent Remuneration Panel for the period ending 31 March 2012

2.      that Mr C Bell and Mr G Lambert each be offered a further appointment to the Independent Remuneration Panel for the periods indicated below:-

Name of Member                               Period of Appointment

Mr C Bell                                              Five Years expiring 31 March 2014

         Mr G Lambert                                      Four Years expiring 31 March 2013

Cllr P N Aldis has advised of his intention to give a ward presentation on Sandy Town Council’s wish to provide additional allotment land to meet growing demand and a request to be made to Central Bedfordshire Council for the release of land in Beeston for that purpose.

The presentation is for the information of Members.

The Council received a ward presentation from Councillor Aldis on Sandy Town Council’s wish to provide additional allotment land to meet growing demand and a request to be made to Central Bedfordshire Council for the release of land in Beeston for that purpose.

The Leader of the Council commented upon the presentation given that the land in Beeston fell within her ward and she was able to answer a question and advised that a formal request should be submitted by the Town Council.

Leader to make a presentation to Jaki Salisbury, Interim Chief Executive.

The Leader of the Council noted that this would be the final Council meeting attended by Jaki Salisbury, Interim Chief Executive, who would be leaving the Council on 2 October 2009.  The Leader highlighted her many years of working with Jaki, both during her time with Mid Bedfordshire District Council (MBDC) and more latterly with Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC).  The Leader thanked Jaki for her support, hard work and friendship.  A presentation was than made to Jaki.

Individual Members praised Jaki for her work and wished her all the best for the future.  Jaki thanked Members for their kind words and reflected upon her time working for MBDC and CBC. 

The Chairman of the Council then presented Jaki with a bouquet of flowers.