Prayers were taken by Reverend Dean Henley, Rector for Campton, Clophill and Haynes and Assistant Dean for Ampthill & Shefford Deanery.

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 13 September 2012.     

(attached pages 5 to 18)

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 13 September 2012 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record subject to :

·              the recording of Councillors Murray, Mustoe and Wenham as being present

·              an amendment to Minute No C/12/15, Question 5, to read: “Music service tuition fees were initially raised by 69% in April 2011.  Upon Councillor Versallion’s appointment as Portfolio Holder in May 2011, this was reviewed and the increase was reduced to a 23% rise.”  If Members required details of the actual cost per lesson instrument type, Councillor Versallion would provide this in writing.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

There were none.

The Chairman to announce any matters of communication.

The Chairman indicated that in view of public interest in item 5(2), the order of business would be varied to move Item 5 (2), prior to consideration of Item 5 (1).

Council stood in silent tribute to the memory of former Councillor Tony Northwood.

The Chairman advised that a petition had been received in relation to Planning Application CB/12/03433/FULL, which sought permission to provide a care home for children with emotional and behavioural difficulties, aged 0-18, at the Bungalow, 21 Potton Road, Everton. The Constitution provided that petitions relating to planning applications or development plan documents could not be considered by Council and would be passed to the Development Management Team as part of the correspondence relating to the Planning Application.

The Chairman welcomed Councillor Alison Graham and Councillor Tim Woodward, who had been elected on 15 November 2012 to represent the wards of Silsoe and Shillington and Biggleswade South respectively.

The Chairman thanked Members who had attended her civic reception on Friday 5 October 2012 and recorded her thanks to Officers who had helped in  making the event a success.

The Chairman commented on her recent engagements including the laying of wreaths at the Remembrance Services in Leighton Buzzard and Linslade.

The Chairman reminded Members that her Civic Service would be held on Sunday, 27 January 2013.

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

The Leader of the Council reported on:

·        a recent Ofsted report which had placed primary schools in Central Bedfordshire in the top 10% nationally

·        awards to the Council for Road Safety, Digital Communications and Race Equalities

·        award of a £2.8 million heritage grant for the Swiss Gardens; restoration work to the gardens would commence in 2013

·        the success of a recent Town and Parish conference which had received positive feedback from attendees.

To receive reports from Executive Members on recent matters of interest and ask questions on matters contained in the reports from:

• Executive Member for External Affairs

• Executive Member for Corporate Resources

Councillor Stay, Executive Member for External Affairs reported recent developments and successes including:

·        ongoing work to ensure the regulation of scrap metal merchants.  The Bill had now passed all stages in The House of Commons and was now being considered by The House of Lords

·        his membership of the Board of Experience Bedfordshire, a community interest group which was committed to maximising the potential for tourism

·        working closely with Ministers in order to support Service Directors and Executive Members.

Councillor Stay responded to questions.

Councillor M Jones, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources reported on recent activities within his portfolio area including:

·        the successful delivery of the Police and Crime Commissioner election and Council by-elections held on 15 November 2012.  Councillor Jones recorded his thanks to the Democratic Services team for this work

·        the Boundary Review and the Community Governance Review of Stotfold area  which would see the creation of a new parish council in 2013

·        the completion prior to the deadline of the Final Accounts for the second successive year

·        the progress of the Customer First Programme

·        work in preparation for Council Tax Support.

Councillor M Jones responded to questions.

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. 

A member of the public made a statement under the Public Participation provisions set out at Annex 1 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

Mr Stonnell spoke on behalf of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and raised concern about the loss of Green Belt in the context of the Council’s proposed Development Strategy.

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Strategic Planning and Economic Development explained the approach being taken through the proposed Strategy.

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

(1)   Petition to have traffic lights installed on the Twin Bridges on the Tempsford Road between Tempsford and Blunham.

(2)   Petition to oppose the opening and existence of a Sexual Entertainment   Venue in Ampthill Town Centre, and deplore Central Bedfordshire Council’s granting of an SEV licence in ignorance of its own Policy on the matter.

In accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out at Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution, the Council received notification of two petitions.

In view of public interest the Chairman varied the order of business so that petition number 2 would be considered prior to petition number 1.

Petition to oppose the opening and existence of a Sexual Entertainment Venue in Ampthill Town Centre, and deplore Central Bedfordshire Council’s granting of an SEV in ignorance of its own policy on the matter.

Councillor Duckett, Ampthill Ward Member presented the petition which contained approximately 2,261 signatures.  He asked the Council to use any influence available to it to review the decision taken and for stringent enforcement of the licence and conditions attached to the licence.

The Chairman permitted members of the public who had indicated their intention to speak under the provisions of Annex 1 of Part A4 of the Constitution in respect of the Sexual Entertainment Venue in Ampthill to speak upon this item of business 5(2).

Councillor Smith and Councillor Blair, ward representatives for Ampthill, made representations in support of the petition, particularly emphasising the need for the monitoring and enforcement of the licence conditions.

Mrs Woodward, a member of the public, spoke about the granting of the Sexual Entertainment Licence in Ampthill and concerns about its existence, its locality and effects upon the community.  She asked how any breaches of conditions would be dealt with and how members of the public would be appraised about the outcome of inspections.

Mr Dear, a member of the public, spoke about the decision made to grant the Sexual Entertainment Venue Licence and suggested that the decision was contrary to the Council’s Licensing Policy.  Mr Dear emphasised strong feelings of opposition from residents of Ampthill in terms of the existence and opening of the club.

Councillor Bowater, Chairman of the meeting of the Licensing Sub-Committee held on 30 July 2012, explained the process followed by the Sub Committee and alluded to the evidence available to it when considering the licensing application.

Cllr Brian Spurr, Executive Member for Sustainable Communities - Services emphasised that the premises would be rigorously monitored and the terms of the licence enforced.  He thanked members of the public for attending the meeting.

Petition in respect of Traffic Lights to be installed on the Twin Bridges on the Tempsford Road between Tempsford and Blunham.

Mr Summers, the lead petitioner, presented a petition which contained approximately 500 signatures.  Mr Summers advised of accidents that had occurred on the Twin Bridges, Tempsford Road despite road improvements already being made.  He spoke about the need for the installation of traffic lights.

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities - Services advised that the petition would be referred to the Traffic Management Committee to be held on 7 January 2013, to which AMEY, the Council’s Highways contractor / agency, could contribute.

To consider recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 6 November 2012and answer questions asked under Rule No. 12.1.

(i)                 Capital Programme Review  (attached pages 19 to 26)

An amendment will be proposed, also set out on page 20. The basis for this is set out in the report attached at pages 21 to 26.

(ii)               Development Strategy for Central Bedfordshire

 (attached pages to 27 to 28)

(i)           Capital Programme Review

The Council considered recommendations from Executive held on 6 November 2012 concerning the Capital Programme Review.

A report of the Executive Member for Children’s Services was attached which provided the background to a proposed amendment to include an additional proposal concerning the Central Bedfordshire alternative provision free school (APFS) development procurement.

RESOLVED

1.      that the changes to the Capital Programme 2012/13 to 2015/16, as outlined in the report submitted to Executive on 6 November 2012 at paragraphs 33 to 37, tables 3 and 4, be approved;

2.      that a maximum of £35m to support the Bedfordshire Energy and Recycling (BEaR) Project from 2013/14 to 2015/16 as outlined in the exempt Appendix B to the report submitted to Executive on 6 November 2012, be included in the Capital Programme.  It is anticipated this would be funded by Prudential Borrowing, with its associated revenue implications as set out in the report;

3.      that the estimated receipts for the periods 2016/17 and 2017/18, be earmarked to repay any Prudential Borrowing undertaken in respect of the BEaR project;

4.            that the Woodside Link scheme be included in the Capital Programme from 2012/13 to 2017/18 with the consequential impact for prudential borrowing and associated revenue implications as set out in the report, whilst noting that officers continue working to confirm the extent of external contributions to the scheme;

5.            that the addition of the Central Bedfordshire Alternative Provision Free School Scheme within the Capital Programme in 2013/14 at a cost of £3 Million be confirmed on the basis that this was being externally funded.

(ii)         Development Strategy

The Council considered recommendations from the Executive held on 6 November 2012 concerning the Development Strategy for Central Bedfordshire.

RESOLVED

1.            that the draft Pre-Submission Development Strategy, attached at Appendix A to the report of the Executive 6 November 2012, be approved for the purposes of Publication and Submission to the Secretary of State;and

2.            that the Director of Sustainable Communities, in consultation with the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities-Strategic Planning and Economic Development be authorised to make minor amendments to the Development Strategy, including any saved policies from the adopted North Core Strategy;

(i) prior to publication;

(ii) after publication but before submission; and

(iii) during the examination process.

To consider the recommendations from a meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 13 November 2012 and answer questions under Rule No 13.1.

The 2013 review of Parliamentary Constituencies – Eastern Region

(attached pages 29 to 32)

The Council considered recommendations from the General Purposes Committee held on 13 November 2012 concerning the review of Parliamentary Constituencies – Eastern Region.

An amendment was proposed, duly seconded, to add the words highlighted below:-

“the Council supports the introduction of a Bedford North constituency and a Bedford South constituency to replace the proposed North Bedfordshire and Bedford Parliamentary constituencies (Bedford North taking in that part of the town of Bedford and other communities north of the river Ouse whilst Bedford South would take in that part of Bedford, Kempston and those communities to the south of the river Ouse together with Turvey and Great Barford) subject to the outcome of an analysis of the electoral impact of the two constituencies by the Democratic Services Manager which confirms that their creation would comply with all statutory requirements.”

The amendment, upon being put to the vote, was carried.

Whilst supporting recommendation (a) the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Strategic Planning and Economic Development, together with  Dunstable Ward representatives, expressed concern at the outcome of the boundary changes and its affect on Dunstable. 

RESOLVED

that whilst the revised proposals for the new Parliamentary constituency boundaries in England are noted, the Council makes the following observations to the Boundary Commission for England:

a)         the Council remains fully supportive of the proposal put forward by the Leader of the Council in the first consultation to retain the wards in Dunstable in the Parliamentary constituency of South West Bedfordshire.  It therefore regrets the outcome of the proposed revised boundary changes, as such affect the town of Dunstable to be joined with the present constituency of Luton North, for the following reasons:

·              Dunstable is a market town with its own traditions and customs and Luton is an aspiring city with a very different set of traditions and customs;

·              A market town has more in common with the rural areas of South West Bedfordshire than with Luton.  A continuous urban area is itself not a valid argument for joining two disparate communities;

·              There is minimal support from the constituents of Dunstable to join with Luton North;

b)        the Council welcomes the revised proposals in that the administrative area of Central Bedfordshire will be served by four Members of Parliament and not six as was originally proposed by the Boundary Commission for England, that there is only one cross-county boundary constituency and that the constituency of Mid Bedfordshire has been retained;

c)         the Council supports the introduction of a Bedford North constituency and a Bedford South constituency to replace the proposed North Bedfordshire and Bedford Parliamentary constituencies (Bedford North taking in that part of the town of Bedford and other communities north of the river Ouse whilst Bedford South would take in that part of Bedford, Kempston and those communities to the south of the river Ouse together with Turvey and Great Barford) subject to the outcome of an analysis of the electoral impact of the two constituencies by the Democratic Services Manager which confirms that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

To receive the report of the Bedfordshire and Luton Combined Fire Authority.

(attached pages 33 to 36)

A report of the Bedfordshire and Luton Fire Authority held on 25 September 2012 was submitted.

RESOLVED

that the report of the Bedfordshire and Luton Fire Authority be noted.

No motions under Rule 16 have been received.

There were none.

No written questions under Rule 12.2 have been received.

There were none.

To answer Open Questions asked by Members of the Council under Rule No. 12.7.

1.            Councillor Goodchild asked a question about when Councillors would receive training on current Welfare Reform.

The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources indicated that he would undertake to seek appropriate training for Members.

2.            Councillor Pepworth asked a question about the outcome of meetings held between the Executive Member for Children’s Services, Officers and Head Teachers in south Dunstable.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services indicated that meetings had been helpful and the role of the Council in encouraging schools to adopt approaches was designed to secure improvement, where this was necessary.

3.            Councillor Murray referred to two collisions between vehicles that had occurred in his ward at the same location on a particular day and sought reassurance about the safety of children walking to and from school.

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Services undertook to look into the traffic movements at the particular location and confirmed the commitment to safe routes to school.

4.            Councillor Egan asked about the Council’s policy for the replacement and funding of vandalised bus shelters in her ward.

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Services explained the approach to replacing vandalised facilities and confirmed that the cost involved would have to be met by Council taxpayers.

5.            Councillor Matthews asked a question about the Government’s recent proposals to extend and relax Permitted Development Rights and its effects on planning policies and the Council’s response to the proposals.

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities Strategic Planning and Economic Development advised that he had written to the Secretary of State outlining concerns with the proposals. 

6.      Councillor Zerny asked a question about the recent staff survey.

The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources advised that all questions in the survey were optional.

7.      Councillor Smith asked a question about the new Council Tax Support Scheme and sought assurance that the introduction of future reforms such as Universal Credit would be taken into account. 

The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources confirmed that this would be considered alongside the results of the consultation into the proposed Council Tax Support Scheme.

8.            Councillor Aldis asked a question about guidelines covering advertising posters in local libraries.

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities indicated that he would provide a written response.

9.            Councillor Maudlin asked for an update on the BEaR Project.

Councillors Matthews, Young, Mrs Hegley and Stay declared an interest in this item and withdrew from the meeting.

The Deputy Executive Member for Sustainable Communities - Services advised that the project was at the final tender stage.

Those Members who had withdrawn from the meeting, returned.

10.       Councillor Mrs Turner asked a question about the sustainability of the progress in primary schools in Central Bedfordshire. Councillor Mrs Turner congratulated pupils and staff on the results reflected in the recent Ofsted report. 

The Executive Member for Children’s Services explained the emphasis being placed upon Governor training, early intervention and sharing best practice in order to achieve continuing high standards.

To consider a report of Cllr Maurice Jones, Executive Member for Corporate Resources, on Managing Treasury Management Outturn.

(attached pages 37 to 62)

The Council considered a report of the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources, providing a review of Treasury Management activities for the year ending 31 March 2012 and the six months to 30 September 2012.

RESOLVED

1.      that the CIPFA Prudential Code and the Code of Practice and Cross- Sectoral Guidance Notes for Treasury Management in the Public Services be adopted;

2.      that the satisfactory performance in the Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators for 2011/12 and the six months ended 30 September 2012 be acknowledged.

To consider a report of Cllr Maurice Jones, Executive Member for Corporate Resources, on Membership of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

(attached pages 63 to 64)

The Council considered a report of the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources recommending the appointment of Ms Helen Orme to the Independent Remuneration Panel until 31 March 2015.

RESOLVED

that Ms Helen Orme of Cranfield be appointed to fill the current vacancy on the Independent Remuneration Panel for the period ending 31 March 2015.