Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Fear, Frankish, Mancey, Northcott, Peers and Simpson

To receive declarations of interest from Members on items contained within this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting(s)

Resolved:              That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July, 2015 be agreed as a correct record subject to the following amendments:

(i)              Item 12.  Motions of Members  - Amendment to Motion on Hearing Aids.  Councillor Kearon did not abstain but voted against, therefore the figures would be:

In Favour: 17

Against: 32

Abstain: 7

(ii)             Item 12.  Substantive Motion.  Councillor Kearon voted against, therefore the figures would be:

In Favour: 33

Against: 8

Abstain: 15

Also, the first paragraph at the top of page 8 should read Cllr Loades not Cllr Loaded.

The Mayor paid tribute to The Queen for becoming the longest reigning  UK Monarch and requested Council’s permission to send a letter of congratulations on Her Majesty’s achievement.

The Mayor informed Members of forthcoming events .

Resolved:    (i)       That the information be received.

(ii)      That a letter of congratulations be sent to the Queen, from the Mayor, on behalf of the Council.

A report was submitted regarding the revised Financial Regulations.  The proposed changes were listed in the agenda report under paragraph 2 – Issues.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, IT and Customer presented the item and informed Members that he would respond to any Members’ questions in writing, if required.

Resolved:              That the revised Financial Regulations and Procedures be approved.  

A report was submitted to update Members on the work undertaken by the Governance Review Sub-Committee.

The publication of the electoral register in March, 2015 had triggered a review by the Boundary Commission.

The Governance Review Sub Committee requested an increase in the timescales in order for a final report to be presented to the 25 November Council meeting as there will certainly now be a review of the current boundaries.

Councillor Loades requested that Members’ receive an update on this item before the meeting of 25 November.  The Leader agreed to this request and also stated that any feedback would be passed to the Conservative Group.

Resolved:                (i)      That the timescales for the Sub-Committee

be extended until 30 November, 2015.

(ii)     That Members’ receive an update on this item prior to the 25 November Council meeting.

(iii)    That a final report containing recommendations on ward boundaries, council size and the electoral cycle be submitted to the Council meeting on 25 November, 2015.

A report was submitted to provide an update to Members’ on the activities and decisions of Cabinet together with the Forward Plan.

The Leader had no further comments in respect of the submitted report.

Councillor Stubbs commented on the current refugee crisis and asked the Leader what actions the Council would be taking on the situation.

The Leader agreed that the crisis was a terrible situation and stated that the Cabinet had asked officers to prepare a report to be taken as an urgent item to the Cabinet meeting to be held on 16 September to see what support could be given.

Resolved:              That the statement of the Leader of the Council be received and noted.

Chairs are requested to submit written reports to the Democratic Services Manager at least 48 hours before the meeting.

a)         Finance, Resources and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee

b)         Active and Cohesive Communities Scrutiny Committee

c)         Cleaner, Greener and Safer Communities Scrutiny Committee

d)         Economic Development and Enterprise Scrutiny Committee

e)         Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee

Resolved:               That the reports be noted

Chairs are requested to submit written reports to the Democratic Services Manager at least 48 hours before the meeting.

a)         Audit and Risk Committee

b)         Planning Committee

c)         Licensing Committee

d)         Public Protection Committee

The Chair of the Planning Committee, Councillor Baker thanked the Vice-Chair, Councillor Reddish for her support during the last month, standing in for meetings.

Resolved:              That the reports be noted.

In accordance with Procedure Rule 11, questions must be submitted at least 24 hours before the meeting. Any questions considered urgent will only be accepted with the agreement of the Mayor prior to the meeting.

Councillor Sweeney asked the Leader about the Community Centre Review.

The Leader responded, stating that there was a need for Community Centre’s to be fit for purpose and there would be a Cabinet Panel held on this on 1 October, 2015.  A report would then be brought back to the Cabinet.

Five of the fifteen Community Centre’s have or were looking to take out a lease, which in turn would enable them access funding.

Councillor Sweeney asked the Leader if the review had a start and finish date and was informed that the process would continue until it was completed.

Resolved:    That the comments be noted.

A notice of motion other than those listed in Appendix 7 Section 10 of the Constitution must reach the Chief Executive ten clear days before the relevant Meeting of the Council.

No motions had been submitted.

A petition has been received in relation to land at Sheldon Grove, Chesterton also known as ‘The Grumbles’.

The Petition Organiser will be given 5 minutes to present the petition following which Council will have 15 minutes to discuss the petition and decide how to respond.

The petition is available for Members to view in the Democratic Services Office.

A Petition was received for Land at Sheldon Grove, Chesterton, known as ‘The Grumbles’.

A local resident, Mr Carpenter spoke on this item and presented the petition stating that this was the only open space left in the Holditch area and as such was an important site for children and adults alike.

Several Members spoke in support of the petition.  Councillor Williams thanked the residents for the petition and Mr Carpenter for presenting it and stated that a full report would be brought to the Cabinet.

Resolved:              That the petition be received.

Members were informed that, in respect of the petition for the Butts, Thistleberry Parkway and Howard Place Green, steps were being taken to establish an all-party working group as resolved at the last Council meeting.

Resolved:           That the information be received.

To consider any communications which pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 7 in Appendix 7 of the Constitution are, in the opinion of the Mayor, of an urgent nature and to pass thereon such resolutions as may be deemed necessary.