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 24 January 2013.

(Attached pages 5 to 14)

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2013 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

Councillor Dr Egan declared a personal interest in Agenda item 8 ‘Recommendations from the Executive’ as she was a member of the management board of Dunstable Citizen Advice Bureau.  She was present during the item.

The Chairman to announce any matters of communication.

Council stood in silent tribute to the memory of Louise Miller, a member of staff in the Human Resources Team who had died tragically in a road traffic accident.

The Chairman advised that she was hosting a fund raising event, ‘Lets Face the Music’ on 3 March 2013, the proceeds from which would go to the East Anglian Air Ambulance Service.

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

In the absence of the Leader, the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources made no announcements or communications.

To receive any questions, statements or 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)

No members of the public had registered to speak.

To consider recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 5 February 2013 and answer questions asked under Rule No. 13.1.

(a)         Budget 2013/14 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2013 to 2017

(b)         Capital Programme 2013/14 to 2013/17

(c)         Budget report for the Housing Revenue Account (Landlord Service Business Plan.)

(papers to follow)

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=4055&Ver=4

(a)    Budget 2013/14 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2013 to 2017

The Council considered recommendations from the meeting of the Executive held on 5 February 2013 seeking approval of the proposed Medium Term Financial Plan and Revenue Budget for 2013/14.  It also considered the Council Tax Resolution in conjunction with this item.

In his introduction, the Deputy Leader drew attention to the external factors which had influenced the proposed budget and the financial challenges faced by local authorities.  He referred to the significant social and economic drivers of change within Central Bedfordshire across the medium term and beyond.  He commented that the proposed budget had to be sustainable, affordable and support the Council’s priorities.  He was pleased that the proposed budget entailed no increase in the Council’s element of the Council Tax. 

The Deputy Leader referred to the proposed Capital Programme 2013/14 to 2016/17 which included funding for significant capital works associated with the Bedfordshire Energy and Recycling (BEaR) Project and the Woodside Link.  The financial position of the Housing Revenue Account was positive and would enable the Council to achieve the ambitions proposed in the emerging Housing Asset Management Strategy.

In accordance with the Constitution, the Leaders of the Liberal Democrat and Independent Groups spoke to the item.  The Leader of the Independent Group moved an additional recommendation, which was duly seconded:-

“(i)    that cut CSE 08 on page 90 of the Executive Committee agenda of 5 February be deleted, included as a growth item and the amounts mentioned be doubled.  That the amount budgeted for 2013-2014 be increased by the same percentage.”

Upon being put to the vote, the amendment was lost.

RESOLVED

1.         that the response to consultation with Overview and Scrutiny as set out in paragraph 38 and the response to consultation with the public stakeholders as set out in Appendix A to the Executive report, be noted;

2.         that the Revenue Budget for 2013/14 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2013/14 to 2016/17 be approved;

3.         that the adjustments to the draft Budget as described in paragraph 24 of the Executive report be noted;

4.         that the Council Tax Base as set out in Appendix G to the Executive report be noted;

5.         that the allocation of £0.8m to Parish Councils as set out in paragraph 24 in the Executive report be noted;

6.         that a Band D Council Tax of £1,308.33 for residents of Central Bedfordshire be approved;

7.         that the fees and charges set out in Appendix J to the Executive report be approved; and

8.         that certain efficiency proposals identified in Appendix I to the Executive report would be subject to formal consultation and Equality Impact Assessment in the coming months and instructs the Corporate Management Team to propose alternative compensatory savings if it appears, following a review of the outcome of the consultation and Equality Impact Assessment, that any specific proposal cannot be delivered.

9.            that the resolution set out in the separate report on the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

Councillor Zerny will make a Ward Presentation.

The Council received a ward presentation from Councillor Zerny highlighting his concerns over the funding of small rural schools across Central Bedfordshire and the use of the Council’s ‘growth fund’ to protect smaller schools.  He requested that the Executive Member for Children’s Services engage with Central Bedfordshire Schools Forum to consider relaxing the relevant funding criteria. 

Councillor Gurney, in view of her position as another Potton ward member, commented on the presentation and indicated that she would discuss the position with Councillor Zerny and the Executive Member for Children’s Services.