To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 19 January 2012.

(Attached pages 5 to 12)

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2012 be confirmed and signed 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 announce any matters of communication.

The Chairman reported on a number of matters:

·              the retirement of the Lord Lieutenant.

·              a visit of the High Sheriff to the Council offices.

·              a charity concert ‘Lets Face the Music’ that had been held on Sunday 29 January, and had raised £1880.

·              that he had taken part in the BBC 3 Counties radio Politics Show.

The Chairman also reported on the exemplary work of Public Protection and Legal Services in relation to the metal theft issue debated at the last Council meeting and acknowledged the work that had led to the adoption of the Warren Farm Development Brief.

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

The Leader congratulated Councillor Mrs Turner on being selected as a finalist in the ‘Contributions to Local Government 2012’ award and wished her well in the final process.

The Leader advised that the Council was a finalist in the ‘Best Customer Engagement Initiative of the Year Award’.  The awards ceremony would be held on 13 March 2012.

To receive any questions, statements and deputations from members of the public relating to budgetary matters, and presentation and discussion of petitions relating to budgetary matters in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Annex 1 of part A4 of the Constitution.  (This session will last no longer than 30 minutes.)

There were no questions and statements put by members of the public under the Public Participation provisions at Annex 1 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

To consider recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 14 February 2012 and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

(a) Budget 2012/13 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2012 to 2016

     (attached pages 13 to 14)

(b) Capital Programme 2012/13 to 2015/16 (attached page 15)

(c) Budget report for the Landlord Services Business Plan 2012/13 under the new Self Financing Regime (attached pages 16 to 17)

and to present the Council Tax Resolution (papers to follow)

Note:  The papers for (a) (b) and (c) above may be seen at the following link:-

http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=577&MId=3721&Ver=4

(a) Budget 2012/13 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2012 to 2016 and Council Tax Resolution

In advance of the consideration of this matter, the Chairman advised that the Council Tax Resolution would be considered in conjunction with this item.

The Council considered recommendations from the meeting of the Executive on 14 February 2012 seeking approval of the proposed Medium Term Financial Plan and Revenue Budget for 2012/13.

In his introduction, the Leader drew attention to the financial challenge facing the country as a whole and in particular the significant reduction in financial support to local authorities.

The Leader referred to the extensive consultation undertaken on the budget proposals which the Executive had taken into account in developing its proposals.  The proposals included the freezing of Council Tax, protecting frontline services, new ways of delivering services, supporting vulnerable people, investment in roads and cost effective street lighting.

The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources presented the Budget 2012/13 and Medium Term Financial Term Plan 2012 to 2016 and the Council Tax Resolution. In doing so, the Deputy Leader proposed the withdrawal of the proposed charge for advertising boards. 

In accordance with Paragraph 19.5.1.2 of the Constitution the Leader of the Liberal Democrat and Independent Groups spoke to the item.

Councillors Smith, Shingler, Murray and Zerny requested that their names be recorded as having voted against the proposals.

RESOLVED

1.         that the response to consultation with Overview & Scrutiny Committees as set out in Paragraph 35 of the report and the response to consultation with the public and stakeholders as set out in Appendix A to the report submitted to Executive, be noted;

2.         that the Revenue Budget for 2012/13 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2012/13 to 2015/16, as attached to the report submitted to the Executive, be approved subject to the deletion of the fee for ‘Advertising Frames’ as set out on Page 148 of the Executive report;

3.         that the following adjustments to the draft budget be noted:

            (a) additional pressures of £1.5 million in 2012-13;

            (b) additional efficiencies of £0.77 million in 2012-13; and

            (c) reduction in estimated 2012-13 inflation provision of

     £ 1 million;

4.         that the Council Tax Base, attached at Appendix G to the report submitted to the Executive, be noted;

5.         that the Council Tax Resolution set out in Appendix A to the report attached to the agenda at item 7, Council Tax Resolution be approved;

6.         to note that this sets a Band D Council Tax of:

·              £1,308.33 for residents in the North of Central Bedfordshire

·              £1,326.24 for residents in the South of Central Bedfordshire;

7.         that the fees and charges set out in Appendix J to the report

submitted to the Executive, be approved, subject to the withdrawal of the proposed charges for advertising boards;

8.         that the budget is predicted on an assumption that non statutory Human Resources, payroll and bursary services to schools would generally cease from September 2012, with full costs recovery where schools have been unable  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

To consider recommendations from the meeting of General Purposes Committee on 9 February 2012 relating to the Pay Policy Statement 2012/13 and answer questions asked under Rule No 13.1.

(Attached page 19)

The Council considered recommendations from the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held 9 February 2012 seeking approval of the draft Pay Policy Statement 2012/13.

RESOLVED

(1)       that the Pay Policy Statement 2012/13, as set out at Appendix A to the report submitted to General Purposes Committee be approved and adopted;

(2)       that the Pay Policy Statement 2012/13 be published on the Council’s website.