Prayers were taken by Reverend Martin Hathaway.

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 20 January 2011.

(Attached pages 7 to 16)

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2011 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Chairman to make any announcements or communications.

The Chairman reported the death of Bob Firman, a previous member of a legacy authority.

The Chairman also commented on the success of various recent functions, including the Civic Service on 23 January and the Elizabeth Cross presentations, and on preparations for a forthcoming dinner at Stotfold Mill.

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

The Leader commented on a presentation by the Chief Executives’ Forum to Leaders and Board Members which she had attended recently,  on the opportunities identified for cost savings through inter agency collaboration building on the Total Place initiative.

The Leader also reported on a card she had received thanking the Council for the steps taken to support  school crossing patrols for a further year, to allow time for alternative arrangements to be made.

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.

The following questions and statements were put by members of the public under the Public Participation provisions at Annex 1 of Part A4 of the Constitution:-

1.      Mr Clarke commented on item 16 of the Council agenda, Members’ Allowances, where he felt the proposals were inappropriate in the current financial climate. He quoted figures for staff sickness absence and pension fund contributions and contended that the Council wasted money.

2.      As already detailed at the meeting of the Executive on 15 February 2011, Mr Konstantinidis explained that he was concerned with the accuracy of the Council’s financial information and the implications of this for budget setting.

3.      Linda Jack, previously responsible for various youth centres in the area, registered concern with the impact of the proposed changes to youth services. She sought assurance that  impact and equality assessments had been carried out, and asked whether consultation had been carried out with young people.

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

The Monitoring Officer has been notified that a petition will be presented to the Chairman by Cllr P N Aldis concerning a request to review the system for the collection of garden waste in Spring Grove area of Sandy. 

In accordance with the Public Participation Scheme set out in Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution, the Council received the following petition:

Garden Waste collection method in the Spring Grove area of Sandy.

Councillor Aldis presented the petition which contained 13 signatures. He advised that currently biodegradable bags were used for garden waste collection in the particular area and that re-usable bags would be preferred by the petitioners.

The Assistant Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities and Healthier Lifestyles thanked Councillor Aldis and commented that plans were in place for a smaller vehicle to be used for the collection of green waste in this area of narrow roads with rear loading instead of side loading. He commented that when this was introduced, re-usable bags would be issued to the residents. He advised that Cllr Aldis would be kept informed about developments.

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

Note 1: It is anticipated that the Chairman will exercise his authority to take the report on the Council Tax (at item 15)  in conjunction with the recommendations of the Executive in relation to the Medium Term Financial Plan and Revenue Budget for 2011/12 and the Capital Programme 2011/12.

Note 2: The papers may be seen at the following links:

·        Treasury Management Strategy http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=3371&T=10

·        Local Transport Plan 3 http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=3671&T=10

·        Draft Medium Term Financial Plan and Revenue Budget for 2011/12  and Capital Programme

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=577&MId=3646&Ver=4

(a)       Treasury Management Strategy

The Council considered the recommendation from the meeting of the Executive held on 15 February 2011 seeking approval of the proposed Treasury Management Policy and Treasury Management Strategy.

            RESOLVED

            that the Treasury Management Policy and Treasury Management          Strategy, as attached to the report submitted to the Executive, be   approved.

(b)              Capital Programme 2011/12

            The Council considered the recommendations from the meeting of the            Executive held on 15 February 2011 in respect of the proposed Capital           Programme for 2011/12.

            RESOLVED:-

(i)                 that the 2011/12 to 2014/15 Capital Programme, as attached to Appendix A to the report submitted to the Executive, be approved;

(ii)               that the 2011/12 to 2014/15 Capital Programme – Housing Revenue Account, as attached at Appendix B to the report submitted to the Executive, be approved.

(c)               Draft Medium Term  Financial Plan and Revenue Budget for 2011/12 and item 15 Council Tax Resolution

            In advance of consideration of this matter, the Chairman advised that under Rule 5 of the Council Procedure Rules he would vary the order of business to enable item 15 on the agenda, Council Tax Resolution,     to be taken in conjunction with this matter.

            The Council considered recommendations from the meeting of the      Executive on 15 February 2011 seeking approval of the proposed Medium Term Financial Plan and Revenue Budget for 2011/12 .

In his introduction, the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and  People drew attention to the financial challenge facing the country as a whole and the Government’s plan for responding to this. This included a significant reduction in financial support to local authorities, particularly in the early part of the four year term covered by the Comprehensive Spending Review.

The Portfolio Holder referred to the extensive consultation on the budget proposals which had been adjusted to take account of the comments and petitions. The proposals included additional investment in Children’s Services and Adult Social Care, and a freezing of Council Tax.

The Leader of the Council added that approximately 300 posts had been deleted since 2009 with more yet to come, and that new ways of working with partners were being sought to find alternative methods of delivering some services.

            The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group moved an amendment to   the budget proposal which was duly seconded, as follows:-

.           2. to vary the Revenue Budget for 2011/12 by the following:                 £k

a) to delay the announced closure of Houghton Regis leisure

centre and instruct officers to bring forward alternative               42

funding to enable the centre to remain open                                                                                                      

(b) to delay the closure of the Mobile Library service until the full

 review of the Library Service had been completed                                55

(c) Partnership funding to be made available to help facilitate

 Youth Service providers                                                                          218

(d) reducue all councillors’ basic allowance by 2%                                 -14

(e) reduce all Special Responsibility allowances by 10%                     -35

(f) Remove all Special Responsibilities allowances for

Vice-Chairman                                                                                             -16

(g) reduce the contribution to balances                                                 -200

(h) estimated improvements in investment interest receipts                 -50

NET CHANGE  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

The papers may be seen at the following links:-

Street Trading:-

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=21497

Prohibiting the consumption of alcohol:-

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/mgConvert2Pdf.aspx?ID=2398&T=9

(a)                  Adoption of Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982

            The Council considered a recommendation from the Regulation           Committee at its meeting on 16 February 2011 on the regulation of             street trading.

            It was noted that a notification process had been undertaken to comply           with the legal requirements of adopting the Schedule to regulate street           trading. No outstanding, negative or unresolved representations had      been received.

            RESOLVED

            to adopt the relevant provisions of Schedule 4 of the Local          Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 to enable the        regulation of street trading, as set out in the report to the             Regulation Committee on 16 February 2001.

(b)                  Prohibition of the Consumption of Alcohol in designated public place – Sandy

            The Council considered a recommendation from the Licensing                         Committee held on 16 February 2011 seeking approval of a        Designation Order for the prohibition of the consumption of alcohol in a      designated area.

It was noted that no objections had been received to the proposed restriction on alcohol consumption in response to an advertisement     in a newspaper inviting comments.

            The Designation Order was tabled at the meeting.

            RESOLVED

1.                  to approve the Designation Order as detailed in the report to Licensing Committee on 16 February 2011 and tabled at the meeting;

2.                  that the Designation Order come into force on 24 March 2011.

To receive an oral report of Councillor Hollick as the Council’s representative  on the Bedfordshire Police Authority’s budget-setting meeting on 18 February 2011, and answer questions asked under Rule No. 12.1.

Councillor Hollick, reporting back from the Bedfordshire Police Authority, gave an oral report on the proceedings of the Authority’s meeting which had been held on 18 February 2011. His report included details of:-

• the Police Authority’s budget
• performance in crime detection
• the risk assessment process for the issuing of Firearms Certificates
• policing of a recent public demonstration in Luton.

Councillor Hollick responded to questions. He indicated that the proposal to merge aspects of traffic management between Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Police would achieve financial savings.

Additional comments were made on the new arrangements covering firearms licensing and information supplied by the police on these was requested.

RESOLVED

that the oral report of the meeting of Bedfordshire Police Authority’s meeting on 18 February 2011 be noted.

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

(Attached pages 29 to 32)

A report from the meeting of the Bedfordshire and Luton Combined Fire Authority held on 10 December 2010 was submitted.

RESOLVED

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

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

The following question has been received from Councillor Murray:

1. How much in cash terms is being sliced from Central Bedfordshire Council’s education resources for 2011/12, including funds from Government, to help funding of Academies?

2. How much is this in percentage terms?

A written question had been submitted under Rule 12.2 by Councillor Murray, as follows:-

(a)                  How much in cash terms is being sliced fromCcentral Bedfordshire Council’s education resources for 2011/12, including funds from Government, to help the funding of Academies?

(b)                  How much is that in percentage terms?

The following reply was received:

The current estimate for recoupment of Central Bedfordshire Council grants in relation to Academies in 2011/12 is £600,000 from Revenue Support Grant and £332,000 from Direct Support Grant, total £932,000.

This is based on six known Academies out of 136 schools across the Authority and will increase as more are confirmed. (Source: Schools Forum papers March 2011)

This represents 0.6% of the Direct Schools Grant, £152.0m and 6.0% of centrally retained funds, £15.6m.

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

The Chairman presided over Open Questions asked of Portfolio Holders and Assistant Portfolio Holders under Council Procedure Rule 12.7.

1.                  Councillor Mrs Chapman asked whether the relevant Government Minister should be advised of the Highways Agency’s decision to cease consultation with Parish Councils and local people, contrary to the spirit of the “Localism” agenda.

The Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities and Healthier Lifestyles indicated that consultation was carried out through the Highways Agency website and that it was unlikely that wider consultation would be reinstated.

2.                  Councillor Fahn asked whether Section 215 Notices (requiring an owner to repair a property) could be issued to prompt improvements in Leighton Buzzard.

The Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development undertook to look into this matter.

3.                  Councillor Aldis asked about progress with increasing the extent of recycling, including when a kerbside glass collection would be introduced in the rural south of the area.

The Assistant Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities and Healthier Lifestyles indicated that there were continuing improvements in recycling and that residents were disposing of less waste. He also advised that there were no current plans to introduce a kerbside glass collection service.

4.                  Councillor Duckett asked a question in relation to the recent Government announcement of additional funding to repair potholes following the adverse weather conditions in December 2010, and whether any of the funding could be used to reinstate certain yellow lines  in Ampthill.

The Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities and Healthier Lifestyles advised that Central Bedfordshire Council expected to receive some of the £100m which the Government was making available to local authorities. The same amount had been made available last year and Central Bedfordshire Council had received £300,000. He would check on the position with the reinstatement of yellow lines.

5.                  Councillor Green asked why access to circle seats at the Grove Theatre was restricted for many shows.

The Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities and Healthier Lifestyles advised that the hirer of the Grove Theatre could dictate the terms on which tickets were sold, and that circle seats were sometimes available.

6.                  Councillor Blaine asked a question about the necessity for a survey of streetlighting in Sandy being undertaken by Amey given that Sandy Town Council had recently undertaken its own survey.

The Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities and Healthier Lifestyles indicated that he would look into the matter and respond directly to Councillor Blaine.

7.                  Councillor Dr Egan asked a question about whether funding would be made available to enable LuDun employees to undertake training to assist them in the job market.

The Portfolio Holder for Social Care and Health was unaware whether there was dedicated funding for this purpose but indicated that the issues relating to LuDun were being appropriately addressed.

8.                  Councillor Ms Graham asked how many Special Educational Needs pupils within Central Bedfordshire, who were subject to phase transfer in this year, had received their final statements, and how many had not.

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services indicated that she would provide  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

To consider the following Notice of Motion submitted by Cllr Tom Nicols under  Council Procedure Rule No. 16:

“The Council notes, with indignation, that whilst Central Bedfordshire is facing a massive reduction in its financial settlement in 2011/12, the UK ‘s contribution to the European Union (EU) is set to rise by 60% over two years.

This Council notes that, despite the opposition of some MPs and  MEPs,  that  it is likely that the government will agree to a further 2.9% increase in the overall EU budget.

This Council believes the EU should be treated the same as the other tiers of government and in these austere times should share responsibility, along with central and local government, for public spending reductions.  Sharing the burden would result in less severe cuts for local authorities, and give more assistance to councils to protect front line services.

This Council therefore urges our  three MPs not to support an increase in the EU budget.”

Notice had been received from Councillor Nicols of a Motion under Procedure Rule 16 as follows:

“The Council notes, with indignation, that whilst Central Bedfordshire is facing a massive reduction in its financial settlement in 2011/12, the UK’s contribution to the European Union (EU) is set to rise by 60% over two years.

This Council notes that, despite the opposition of some MPs and MEPs, it is likely that the Government will agree to a further 2.9% increase in the overall EU budget.

This Council believes the EU should be treated the same as other tiers of government and in these austere times should share responsibility, along with central and local government, for public spending reductions. Sharing the burden would result in less severe cuts for local authorities, and give more assistance to councils to protect front line services.

This Council therefore urges our three MPs not to support an increase in the EU budget.”

The motion was moved by Councillor Nicols and seconded by Councillor Stay.

RESOLVED

to approve the motion set out above.

To present the Formal Council Tax Resolution.

(Attached pages 33 to 49)

This matter was resolved earlier in the meeting (minute C/10/85 (c) above refers).

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

(Attached pages 51 to 64)

The Council considered a report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and People and noted a change to the recommendations by the Portfolio Holder, tabled at the meeting.

The recommendations set out in the report were replaced by  recommendations as follows:-

1.                  that, subject to paragraphs 2 and 3 below, the Members’ Allowances Scheme attached as Appendix A to the report be adopted by the Council for the financial year 2011/12;

2.                  that the Basic and Special Responsibility Allowances contained in paragraph 3 and Schedule 1 to the Scheme be reduced by 2%;

3.                  that the mileage rate payable to Councillors who use their own vehicles on Council business be set at the HMRC rate (currently 40p per mile) and that Schedule 3 of the Scheme be amended accordingly;

4.                  that in accordance with Regulation 19 of the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003, the Independent Remuneration Panel be consulted about this proposed amendment to the Scheme and that the proposed reductions be implemented with effect from 1 April 2011, unless the Independent Remuneration Panel recommends otherwise;

5.                  that a meeting of the Independent Remuneration Panel be convened in the summer of 2011 to review the Scheme and submit a report to Council.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor M Jones and seconded by Councillor Stay.

Clarification was provided that the proposed review by the Independent Remuneration Panel in the summer of 2011 would be to prepare for the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2012/13. Consultation would be undertaken with the Panel immediately regarding the proposed 2% reduction in Basic and Special Responsibility Allowances.

Councillor Graham moved an amendment to the motion, which was duly seconded by Councillor D Jones. The amendment was:

·        at recommendation 2 set out  above, add after “2%”  the words “and Special Responsibility Allowances by 10%”;

·        at recommendation 5 set out above delete the words “in the summer of 2011 to review the Scheme and submit a report to the Council” with “as soon as possible to review the Scheme.”

A vote on the amendment was taken by show of hands, which was declared to be lost.

RESOLVED

1.                  that, subject to paragraphs 2 and 3 below, the Members’ Allowances Scheme attached as Appendix A to the report be adopted for the financial year 2011/12;

2.                  that the Basic and Special Responsibility Allowances contained in paragraph 3 and Schedule 1 to the Scheme be reduced by 2%;

3.                  that the mileage rate payable to Councillors who use their own vehicles on Council business be set at the HMRC rate (currently 40p per mile) and that Schedule 3 of the Scheme be amended accordingly;

4.                  that in accordance with Regulation 19 of the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003, the Independent Remuneration Panel be consulted about this proposed amendment to the Scheme and that the proposed reductions be implemented with effect from 1 April 2011, unless the Independent Remuneration Panel recommends otherwise;

5.                  that a meeting of the Independent Remuneration Panel be convened in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93.