Prayers were taken by Reverend Canon Michael Bradley.

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 24 February 2011.

(Attached pages 5  to  18)

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2011 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

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

(a)    personal interests in any agenda item

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

The Chairman to make any announcements or communications.

The Chairman reported the recent death of Malcolm Smith, a previous Member of a legacy authority.

He also reported the recent death of Councillor Tony Green, who represented Dunstable Downs on the Council.

The Council stood in silent tribute to the memory of both Malcolm Smith and Councillor Tony Green.

The Chairman commented on the success of recent functions, including a dinner at Stotfold Mill, a musical entertainment at the Grove Theatre and a golf tournament and he also advised on preparations for a forthcoming meal at the Spice Lounge in Dunstable.

The Chairman also commented that this was the last Council meeting prior to the elections to be held on 5 May 2011 and expressed particular gratitude to Councillor Mrs P E Turner who would be standing down from her position  as Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council. Thanks were echoed by the Deputy Leader, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and others.

The Deputy Leader proposed a motion of thanks to Councillor Mrs P E Turner The motion was seconded, voted upon and duly carried.

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

The Leader expressed her gratitude to the Council for their kind wishes.

The Leader advised the Council of the recent installation of the new High Sheriff, Andrew Slack, which she had attended.

The Leader reviewed some of the successes of the Council since it came into being in April 2009, including strong performance compared with other authorities particularly in the areas of recycling targets and significant improvement in adult care provision

The Leader recorded her thanks to her Deputy Leader, her Cabinet team and her ward colleague Councillor Mrs Maudlin.  The Leader also expressed appreciation to Councillors P A Blaine and P Snelling, the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Opposition and commented that it had been a privilege to lead Central Bedfordshire in its first two years.  She wished her successor all the very best.

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.

Questions and statements were put by members of the public under the Public Participation provisions at Annex 1 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

Mr J Ander, Mrs R Haves and Mrs E Lammie all expressed  concerns about provisions in the proposed Local Development Framework (North) Site Allocations Development Plan Document which was before the Council for approval later in the meeting. Comments covered:

• Impact of development on the character of the town of Ampthill
• pressure on school places in Ampthill
• support for farmers in maintaining land to produce food locally and thereby reduce transport requirements and emissions.

Mr R Smith expressed his concerns about the risk of flooding in Campton, Chicksands and Shefford arising from the HA25 site in Meppershall.

Mr B Collier began to comment on an election matter which the Chairman ruled inadmissible under Part A4 Annex 3 paragraph 11 of the Council’s 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 Public Participation scheme set out in Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution, the Council received the following petition:

Proposed Imposition of substantial development in Ampthill through the Local Development Framework.

The Chairman reminded Members that the Constitution provided that petitions relating to any planning decision or development plan document could not be considered  by Council but indicated that he was prepared to allow the petition to be presented and passed to the appropriate body. This would be the Executive, when matters relating to development within the LDF were considered there.

Councillor Duckett presented the petition containing over 1600  signatures.

In presenting the petition, Councillor Duckett registered concern about the proposed LDF allocation in Ampthill.         

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

                                                                           Date of Meeting           Page No.

Children and Young People’s Plan             15.03.11                     19                   

LDF (North) Site Allocations Development            15.03.11                     20 - 21

Plan Document

Community Safety Partnership Priorities    15.03.11                    22

and the Community Safety Partnership     

Plan for 2011/12                              

(a)         Children and Young People’s Plan

The Council considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 15 March 2011 seeking approval of the Central Bedfordshire Children and Young People’s Plan.

RESOLVED

that the Central Bedfordshire Children and Young People’s Plan 2011-2014 be  approved.

(b)        LDF (North): Site Allocations Development Plan Document

Following endorsement by the Executive the Council needed to adopt the Site allocations plan document. Therefore, the Council now considered a recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 15 March 2011 in respect of the LDF (North) Site Allocations Development Plan.

         RESOLVED

         that in view of the Executive’s endorsement of the Inspector’s conclusion that the Site Allocations Development Plan Document is sound, the Plan be endorsed.

(C)   Community Safety Partnership Priorities and the Community Safety

        Partnership Plan for 2011-2012

The Council considered a recommendation of the Executive from its meeting held on 15 March 2011 seeking approval of the Community Safety Partnership Plan for 2011-2012.

RESOLVED

that the Community Safety Partnership Plan 2011-2012 be adopted.

            Date of Meeting        Page No.

 Co-optees on Children’s Services             21.03.11           23 to 25

 Overview & Scrutiny Committee

             Replacement of Dunstable Town               21.03.11            27 to 31

 Centre Management Committee by

 Dunstable Joint Committee

(a)         Co-optees on Children’s Services Overview & Scrutiny Committee

         The Council considered recommendations from the Constitution Advisory Group held on 21 March 2011 in relation to Co-optees on the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

         The Council noted a revised report and appendix that was tabled at the meeting. These contained revised recommendations to provide for delegated authority for the appointment of the Parent Govenor representatives in June 2011.

         RESOLVED

(b)        Replacement of Dunstable Town Centre Management Committee by Dunstable Joint Committee

The Council considered recommendations from the Constitution Advisory Group held on 21 March 2011 which sought approval for  the replacement of Dunstable Town Centre Management Committee with Dunstable Joint Committee.

RESOLVED

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

(Attached pages  33  to 36)

The Council received the report from the meeting of the Bedfordshire Police Authority held on 14 April 2011.

 .

Councillor Hollick, representative on the Police Authority, commented that he had given an oral report at the last Council meeting on the budgetary matters arising from the Police Authority’s meeting, but that the written report was now before the Council.  He advised that the recent demonstration in Luton had attracted commendations for the successful policing strategy. He indicated that an application had been made for the costs of policing the demonstration to be repaid in full centrally and that this had been successful.

Councillor Hollick responded to questions from Members.  It was noted that A19 (a method for releasing Officers from the Police Force) was only relevant to those holding a Chief Officer rank with over 30 years service.

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 37  to 39)

A report from the meeting of the Bedfordshire and Luton Combined Fire Authority  held on 10 February 2011 was submitted.

Councillor Street commented that Councillor Green had been Chairman at meetings of the Bedfordshire and Luton Combined Fire Authority and would be sadly missed.

RESOLVED

that the report of the meeting of the Bedfordshire and Luton Combined Fire Authority held on 10 February 2011 be noted.

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 Open Questions asked by members of the Council under Rule No. 12.7.

The Chairman presided over open questions asked of the Leader, Deputy Leader, Portfolio Holders and the Chairman of a Committee under Council Procedure Rule 12.7

1)     Councillor Murray asked a question about the current employment issues at LuDun.

      The Portfolio Holder for  Social Care and Health  advised that two employees had opted to take redundancy, four had been offered future similar employment and that discussions were ongoing about future employment opportunities for others.

2)     Councillor Murray asked for the specific times when CCTV cameras in Dunstable were in record mode and not monitored.

The Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities and Healthier lifestyles indicated that he would not disclose this information publicly as doing so would compromise community safety.

3)     Councillor Jamieson requested data on the reduction in the number of  Council employees and sought confirmation on the efficiencies delivered.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance & People advised that since immediately before the creation of Central Bedfordshire Council, staff numbers had been reduced by approximately 600 employees.

4)     Councillor Duckett referred to a question he had asked at the last Council meeting regarding extra funding for minor road improvements and yellow lines in Bedford Street, Ampthill and recorded his thanks to the Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities and Healthier Lifestyles for works both completed and under way.

5)     Councillor Aldis asked the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services to join him in congratulating Joe Kier, the Youth Parliament Member for Sandy, on a recent award.

      The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Service’s recorded her congratulations to Joe Kier and assured Councillor Aldis that measures were in place to ensure that the Youth Parliament would continue.

6)     Councillor Aldis reiterated a question further to a petition at the last meeting on the delivery of re-usable bags for garden waste to a particular area where biodegradeable bags were currently in use.

The Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities and Healthier lifestyles indicated  that a vehicle which would enable local residents to use these bags had been ordered and was due to be in use in three to four months.

7)     Councillor Maudlin sought confirmation that Sandy Leisure Centre was to remain open this year and that work was ongoing to ensure its long term future.

The Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities and Healthier Lifestyles confirmed that Sandy Leisure Centre would remain open in 2011/12 and that work was ongoing regarding its future.

8)     Councillor Rogers was granted the opportunity by the Chairman to express his thanks to Officers and Members for their help and kindness during his time as a Councillor, particularly during his period of ill health.

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 consider the attached report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and People.

(attached pages  41  to 43)

The Council received and considered a report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and People, proposing that the terms of office for existing Independent Members and Town and Parish Council representatives on the Standards Committee be extended indefinitely to ensure that the Council could comply with its statutory obligations until the Localism Bill was enacted.

RESOLVED

To consider the attached report of the Portfolio Holder for Social Care Health and Housing and the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and People.

(attached pages 45  to 47).

The Council considered a report of the Portfolio Holder for Social Care, Health and Housing and the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and People seeking approval of an increase in the NHS Campus Closure Programme budget from £10.031m to £11.308m.  Members noted that the budget would be fully funded by capital grants from the NHS.

RESOLVED

that the Campus Closure Programme budget of £11.308m be approved and fully funded by capital grants from the NHS.