Prayers were taken by Major Chris Davidson, Salvation Army.

To receive announcements from the Chairman of the Council in 2009/10.

The Chairman congratulated Members and Officers on their hard work during the first year of Central Bedfordshire Council which had been a challenging one in view of the economic climate and financial pressures on public services.  The Chairman advised that during his term of office he had been proud to accept many awards and certificates on behalf of the Council.

The Chairman reported that he had been raising funds for his chosen charities, RNIB (Royal National Institute for the Blind), East Anglian Air Ambulance – Bedfordshire and “Help for Heroes” (support for wounded service personnel).  These monies were still being collected and the final sum would be reported on a future occasion.

The Chairman thanked his wife Barbara and also Barbara Morris, Assistant Director of Legal and Democratic, Kathrin John, Head of Democratic Services, Sandra Hobbs, Democratic Services Officer and Ingrid Male, Personal Assistant to the Chairman for their support to him during his year as Chairman.

The Deputy Leader thanked the out-going Chairman, Councillor Spurr, for the exemplary way in which he had conducted his year in office as Chairman of Central Bedfordshire Council.

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

to place on record the Council’s sincere thanks to Councillor David McVicar for the services rendered by him in the discharge of the important and exacting duties of the office of Chairman of the Shadow Council and also of Central Bedfordshire Council for the period from 1 April 2009 to 18 June 2009 and to thank Mrs Cynthia Gresham for her invaluable support to Councillor McVicar during this period.

Councillor McVicar was presented with a certificate.

Councillor McVicar thanked the Councillors who had served on the Shadow Council.

To elect the Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2010/11.  The retiring Chairman will call for nominations for Chairman and each nomination must be seconded.  Members may speak in support of the nominations.

(Note:  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 20.7, if more than one nomination is received, a vote by show of hands will be conducted).

The appointed Chairman to sign and read out the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The Chairman invited nominations for the office of Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2010/11.  Councillor Peter Hollick was duly proposed and seconded.  There were no other nominations.

RESOLVED

that Councillor Peter Hollick be appointed to the office of Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2010/11.

Councillor Hollick then signed and read out the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Thereafter the newly-elected Chairman thanked Members for their support and indicated that it would be his privilege and honour to represent Central Bedfordshire Council as Chairman. 

It was moved, seconded and

RESOLVED

to place on record the Council’s sincere thanks for the services rendered by Councillor Brian Spurr, the out-going Chairman, in the discharge of the important and exacting duties of the office over the period from 18 June 2009 to 22 April 2010 and to thank Mrs Barbara Spurr for her invaluable support to Councillor Spurr during this period. 

Councillor Spurr was then presented with a certificate.

To elect the Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2010/11.  The Chairman will call for nominations for Vice-Chairman and each nomination must be seconded.  Members may speak in support of the nominations.

(Note:  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 20.7, if more than one nomination is received, a vote by show of hands will be conducted).

The appointed Vice-Chairman to sign and read out the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

The Chairman invited nominations for the office of Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2010/11.  Councillor Mrs Fiona Chapman MBE was duly proposed and seconded and there were no other nominations.

RESOLVED

that Councillor Mrs Fiona Chapman MBE be appointed to the office of Vice-Chairman of the Council for the Municipal Year 2010/11.

Councillor Mrs Chapman MBE then signed and read out the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and thanked Members for their support.

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 25 February 2010.

(Attached – pages 7 - 29)

RESOLVED

that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 25 February 2010 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive from Members any declarations and the nature thereof in relation to:-

(a)    personal interests in any agenda item

(b)    personal and prejudicial interests in any agenda item.

(a)    Personal Interests:-

         None.

(b)    Personal and Prejudicial Interests:-

         None.

The Chairman to make any announcements or communications.

The Chairman announced the death of Pauline Dunnington who had been a Councillor for Luton Council and Bedfordshire County Council for 20 years.

The Chairman announced that for his nominated charities, he intended to look at ways of being able to support smaller, local groups within Central Bedfordshire, perhaps working through a co-ordinating body.  He indicated that he would bring details of his plans for his charitable activities to the next Council meeting. 

The Leader of the Council to make any announcements or communications.

The Deputy Leader acknowledged the Leader of the Council’s absence due to illness and placed on record the Council’s best wishes for her swift recovery.

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.)

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

To consider the recommendations from the meeting of the Executive and answer questions asked under Rule No. 12.1.

                                                                  Date of Meeting                    Page No.

Community Safety                                   6 April 2010                           31 - 32     

Partnership Plan 2010 – 2012

Communications Strategy                     6 April 2010                           32 - 33

(a)    Community Safety Partnership Plan 2010 - 2012

         The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 6 April 2010 which sought approval of the Community Safety Partnership Plan and strategic assessment priorities identified for 2010 – 2012.

         RESOLVED

         that the Community Safety Partnership Plan and strategic assessment priorities identified for 2010 – 2012, as set out in Appendix A to the Executive report at its meeting on 6 April 2010, be adopted.

(b)    The Central Bedfordshire Communications Strategy

         The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 6 April 2010 which sought approval and implementation of the Communications Strategy.

         RESOLVED

         that the Communications Strategy, attached as Appendix A to the Executive report at its meeting on 6 April 2010, be approved for implementation.

To consider the recommendation from the meeting of the Regulation Committee and answer questions asked under Rule No. 12.1.

                                                                  Date of Meeting                    Page No.

Prohibiting the Consumption of             24 February 2010                 35 - 45

Alcohol in Designated Public

Places  - Arlesey & Shefford                

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Regulation Committee held on 24 February 2010 which sought approval of the Alcohol Designation Order to restrict anti-social drinking in public places in Arlesey and Stotfold, subject to there being no adverse responses from the public to the public consultation. 

Members were advised that two letters had been received during the public consultation.  Each letter reiterated adverse comments which had already been made during the initial round of consultation.  The initial letters had been considered and further evidence had been gathered from the Police.  The position therefore was that no new adverse responses had been received arising from the public consultation.

Corrections were reported by a Member to two of the designated public places listed in the Schedule for Shefford in that Bloomfield Road should read Bloomfield Drive and Somerfield Car Park should read Morrisons Car Park.

RESOLVED

that the Alcohol Designation Order to restrict anti-social drinking in public places in Arlesey and Stotfold, be adopted, subject to the above corrections.

To consider the recommendation from the meeting of the Standards Committee and answer questions asked under Rule No. 12.1.

                                                                  Date of Meeting                    Page No.

Revision of Members' Planning             26 February 2010                 47 - 69

Code of Good Practice

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 26 February 2010 which sought adoption of the amended Members’ Planning Code of Good Practice.

A query was raised about the procedure followed by members of the public as there was no provision for them to provide evidence using audio or DVD equipment at meetings of the Development Management Committee.  The Monitoring Officer advised Members that this issue was not covered by the Planning Code of Good Practice and confirmed that the issue could be looked at when the procedure at Development Management Committee was next discussed.

RESOLVED

that the Members’ Planning Code of Good Practice of the Constitution as set out in Appendix A to the report, be adopted.

To consider the recommendations from the meeting of the Constitution Advisory Group and answer questions asked under Rule No. 12.1.

                                                                  Date of Meeting                    Page No.

Review of Policy Framework                 1 April 2010                           71 - 73

Variations to the Constitution                1 April 2010                           74 - 77

(a)    Revised Policy Framework

         The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Constitution Advisory Group held on 1 April 2010 which sought the approval of the amended Policy Framework in Part B2 of the Constitution.

         Members were advised that the Housing Investment Programme was proposed for removal from the Policy Framework and not the Housing Strategy.

         RESOLVED

         that the Policy Framework in Part B2 of the Constitution be amended by:-

1.      the inclusion of the budgetary plans listed in paragraph 1.1.3.2 under the Budget definition in paragraph 2.1, in order that all elements relating to the budget are listed in one place;

2.      deleting the “Housing Investment Programme” in paragraph 1.1.3.6, given that authorities are no longer required to produce Housing Investment Programmes;

3.      amending the “Sustainability Policy Suite” in paragraph 1.1.3.7 to “Climate Change Strategy” to reflect the correct title for the Strategy; and

4.      amending the headings of “Statutory” in paragraph 1.1.2 to “Required” and “Other” in paragraph 1.1.3 to “Recommended/Discretionary” to reflect that the Government specifies certain plans and strategies which authorities are required to include in their Policy Frameworks, others which are recommended for inclusion and that the Council may also add plans at its discretion. 

(b)    Leader’s Announcements at Council

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Constitution Advisory Group held on 1 April 2010 which sought the approval of the variation to Part B5 of the Council Procedure Rules to provide for Leader’s Announcements and Communications to be an agenda item at meetings of Council.

RESOLVED

that the variation of Part B5 of the Council Procedure Rules to provide for Leader’s Announcements and Communications to be an item at meetings of Council, be approved.

The report outlines the requirements for appointments to committees and other Council bodies, including political proportionality.  Nominations from Group Leaders will be circulated separately.

(Attached – pages 79 to 93)

The Council received and considered a report of the Monitoring Officer outlining the requirements for Member appointments to Committees and other Council bodies, including taking account of political proportionality.

As a supplement to the report, Members had received the nominations for membership of Committees and for Chairmanships and Vice-Chairmanship of Committees for 2010/11 from the Group Leaders, an update on the overall number of seats to which the Groups were making appointments, particularly relating to the General Purposes Committee, and amendments to the intended size and membership of the Corporate Parenting Panel for 2010/11.

The revised recommendations 1 – 4 relating to the appointments as set out in the supplementary paper dated 20 April 2010 were moved en bloc and were duly seconded.

During debate Councillor Peter Snelling indicated that he considered as a matter of principle, that at least one chairman of an overview and scrutiny committee should be drawn from an opposition political Group.  Given that this was not the case, he felt it appropriate to resign his position as Chairman of the Development Strategy Task Force.  Members urged him to reconsider his position.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Council confirms for the municipal year 2010/11:-

(a)    the structure, size and terms of reference of the committees, sub-committees and joint committees set out in sections D1 of the Constitution (the Overview and Scrutiny Committees as amended, set out in Appendix D to the report), E2 and J2;

(b)    the allocation of seats and substitutes to these and other bodies as listed in Appendix A to the submitted report, in accordance with the political balance rules where they apply, subject to:-

(i)              the revised allocation of seats on General Purposes Committee as show below:-

(ii)               the adjustment of the “Total” line (“Ordinary Committees”) (Proportional) to read:-

(iii)             The correction of the number of seats for Corporate Parenting Panel to read:-

2.      that the appointment of individual Members and substitutes to committees and other bodies in accordance with nominations submitted by the political groups, as set out in Appendix B to the supplementary report, be approved;

3.      that the appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of committees for the municipal year 2010/11  as set out in Appendix C to the supplementary report, be approved;

4.      that it be noted that the following persons have been appointed to the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee as co-opted members with voting rights on education matters until 31 March 2013:-

(a)         Mr Doug Landman, Parent Governor Representative;

(b)        Ms Heather Copley, Parent Governor Representative;

(c)         Mr Ben Sear, Parent Governor Representative;

(d)        Mrs Frances Image, Roman Catholic Diocesan Representative;

and

(e)         Jon Reynolds, Anglican Diocesan Representative.

[Note:  A comprehensive list of appointments is attached at Appendix A  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

The Leader of the Council to report regarding any changes to the composition and responsibilities of the Executive for the coming year.

(Attached – pages 95 to 102)

The Council received a report from the Leader of the Council setting out the composition of the Executive for the coming year, including the names of the Councillors appointed to the Executive.  It was noted that no amendments were proposed to the Scheme of Delegation of Executive Functions beyond those previously approved by the Leader of the Council (Executive procedure Rule no 1.2) (Part C4 and H3 of the Constitution refers).  The Deputy Leader presented the report in the absence of the Leader of the Council.

A query was raised about the impact of the composition of the Executive for the coming year on the payment of Members’ allowances and an undertaking was given that a written answer would be provided.

A question was put seeking confirmation from the Leader of the Council that if a Member of the Executive did not deliver the responsibilities of their office they would cease to be a Portfolio Holder.  In the absence of the Leader the Deputy Leader responded that he believed that this would be the case.

RESOLVED

To note:-

1.            the composition of the Executive and allocation of portfolios, as set out at Appendix B to these minutes;

2.            the scheme of delegations of Executive functions, set out at Parts C3 and H3 of the Constitution; and

3.            that Councillor Mrs Anita Lewis will continue to be the lead member for Children’s Services.

To agree the scheme of delegation as set out at parts E2 and H3 of the Constitution.

Note: The Scheme of Delegation is subject to change following the conclusion of the Senior Management Review. The Monitoring Officer has been authorised by Council at the meeting on 25 February 2010 (minute C/09/76 (e) resolution (3) refers) to make the consequential changes to the Constitution in consultation with the Constitution Advisory Working Group.

Members noted the Scheme of Delegation set out in Part H3 of the Constitution and also noted that it was subject to change following the conclusion of the Senior Management Review.  Members recalled that the Monitoring Offer had been authorised by Council at the meeting on 25 February 2010 (minute C/09/76 (e) resolution (3) refers) to make the consequential changes to the Constitution in consultation with the Constitution Advisory Working Group.

RESOLVED

to agree the Scheme of Delegation.

To receive an Annual Report from the Leader of the Council outlining policy priorities for the forthcoming year.

(Report to follow)

In the absence of the Leader, the Deputy Leader presented the Leader’s report outlining policy priorities for the forthcoming year.

The report was noted.