Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors’ Dillon, Eagles, Fox-Hewitt, Shenton, Snell, Turner, Walklate, Wilkes and Wing.

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 5 December, 2017 be agreed as a correct record.

Councillor Tony Kearon informed Members that Councillor Elizabeth Shenton and Councillor Terry Turner had stepped down from their roles of Labour Group Leader and Deputy Group Leader respectively.  Councillor Kearon was now the Labour Group Leader and Councillor Kyle Robinson was his Deputy.

Councillor Kearon thanked Councillors’ Shenton and Turner for all of their hard work.

The Mayor had no announcements to make.

Mr John Tradewell left the room during consideration of the next item.

The Leader introduced a report seeking Council’s agreement to appoint an Acting Chief Executive/Head of Paid Service.

Members raised concerns that the appointment could send out signals that this could be a long-term proposal and also concerns were raised about the financial implications.

The Leader agreed that the situation needed to be resolved as soon as possible and thanked the County Council for allowing the shared time of Mr John Tradewell –which would keep costs down.

Resolved:     That Mr John Tradewell be appointed as Acting Chief Executive/Head of Paid Service until such time as the council decides that this is no longer necessary.

The Leader introduced a report regarding the setting up of an Employment Committee, to agree the Terms of Reference and to appoint Members onto it.

The Members appointed to serve on this Committee would be Councillors’ Beech, Huckfield, Kearon, Loades, Rout, Sweeney and Simon Tagg.

Resolved:     (i)         That the terms of reference for the Employment

Committee be amended by the addition of the following provision in relation to membership:

The Employment Committee will consist of the seven members nominated by Group Leaders in accordance with the “Rules to ensure political balance” set out in Annex 1 to Appendix 7 of Part 4 of the Council’s constitution.

(ii)          That the fourth bullet point of the terms of reference for the Employment Committee is amended to read as follows:

To establish and appoint members to a sub-Committee as an Investigation and Disciplinary Panel (IDP), comprising three members (and such relevant independent persons as may be required by The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015), to hear disciplinary and conduct issues relating to a Statutory Officer in accordance with relevant HR Procedures.  The Chairman of the IDP shall have authority to issue a notice of dismissal in the event of a decision by full Council to dismiss the Statutory Officer*

(iii)         That the action taken to call an Employment Committee to take place after full Council be endorsed.

(iv)         Where any staffing matters have been started, and have been following, the procedures in place prior to the Council’s decision to establish the Employment Committee and new arrangements, those matters will now continue under the new procedures, and the Employment Committee and/or the IDP will have full authority to determine how those matters are brought within the new procedures.

To receive a statement by the Leader of the Council on the activities and decisions of Cabinet and items included on the Forward Plan.

The Leader submitted a report which provided an update to Members on the activities and decisions of the Cabinet together with the Forward Plan.

Councillor Robinson enquired about the start time of 2pm for future Cabinet meetings as some people may have difficulty attending if they were at work.

The Leader confirmed that the change had been made to reduce costs but if any big issues were to be discussed the meeting would be moved to the evening to accommodate people.

The Leader was asked for an update on the elections and stated that meetings were taking place with other Authorities to ensure full support for the May elections.  It was hoped that Newcastle would have its own elections staff in place by May who would then take full control following the elections. 

Members were informed that out of date software was being used so the Council would move towards new software and gain the relevant training.  This matter would be a regular item at informal Cabinet meetings.

Councillor Paul Waring asked the Leader about the timescales for the Joint Local Plan Preferred Options.   

The consultation had ended on 22 August, 2017  and results would be known later in the year.

Councillor Fear asked the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources for an update on the overspend of £102,000 at 30 November, 2017.

Councillor Sweeney stated that factors such as people parking on supermarket car parks and walking into town had had an impact and that the waste saving would also have an impact.

Certain posts which had not been filled and had now been taken out of the establishment would also go towards the overspend.

Councillor Hambleton asked about the position of Castle House and the Ryecroft development.

The Leader advised Members that, following the email sent in January to staff and Members regarding the rear fascia, the sub-contractor would have to source new panelling.

With regard to the Ryecroft development, HDD want possession of the Civic Offices by the end of May.  If Castle House was not ready by then, staff may need to work from the other locations which have been outlined for agile working.

Councillor Beech enquired about the problems encountered with bin collections over the Christmas period and whether a plan had been put in place.

The Leader stated that the inclement weather over the Christmas period had impacted upon collections.  However, regarding collections in general these would be reviewed and improved upon.

Members were advised that a Cabinet Panel had been set up to look at waste and recycling.  Councillor Naylon stated that some work on this before Christmas and was assured that the information gained from that piece of work would be taken into account by the Cabinet Panel.

Councillor Olszewski asked a question regarding the travellers on Wolstanton Marsh and how many residents around the Marsh had been consulted.

The Leader stated that hundreds of letters had been sent out and that a public meeting had been held.

With regard to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Leader introduced a report asking Members to note changes of membership to various committees as a result of a change in the political balance and a new administration.  In addition, Members were asked to note the Chair to the Employment Committee as being the Portfolio Holder for  Corporate and Service Improvement, People and Partnerships.

A Vice Chair was also required for the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee.

Two nominations were received:

Councillor Dillon – proposed by Councillor Kearon and seconded by Councillor Wright.

Councillor Loades – proposed by Councillor Simon Tagg and seconded by Councillor Sweeney.

Resolved:         (i)    That the changes to the committees and the Chair to the

Employment Committee be noted.

(ii)    That Councillor Loades be appointed as Vice-Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee for 2017/18.

A notice of motion, under Appendix 7 – paragraph 12 other than those listed in Appendix 7 – paragraph 10 of the Constitution must reach the Chief Executive at least ten clear days before the relevant Meeting of the Council.

There were no Motions.

Councillor Gardner asked the Leader what actions had been taken to address the motion of Universal Credit which had been agreed at Council.

The Leader informed Members that a letter had been sent to the Secretary of state in early January, 2018.

Councillor Gardner asked the Leader to inform Council on actions that had been taken so far on the Mental Health Challenge.

The Leader stated that the Acting Chief Executive had been contacted to see how it could be implemented and assured Members that it would be taken forward.

Councillor Gardner suggested that a champion Member and officer needed to be appointed .  The Leader would ask the Acting Chief Executive to produce a report to be brought back to Council identifying member and officer champions.    

To receive from Members any petitions which they wish to present to the Council.

No petitions were received.

To consider any communications which pursuant to Appendix 7 – paragraph 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.

There was no urgent business.