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BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON TUESDAY 19 OCTOBER 2010
PRESENT: Mr D L Wood – Chairman
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Mrs J Antill
Mr C W Arthey
Mr A C Bavington
Mr P K Beer
Mr M P Booth
Mr D M Busby
Mr J R B Cave
Mr P G Gibson
Mr D G Grutchfield
Mr A J Hinton
Mr B D Hurren
Ms J A Jenkins
Mr P Jones
Mr D H Keane
Mr B L Lazenby |
Mr J A B Long
Mr M Newman
Mr N A Ridley
Mr B Riley
Mr A C Roberts
Mr D C Rose
Mr J R A Sayers
Mr R C Smith
Mr A J Ward
Mr G S White
Mr R Whiting
Mrs S M Wigglesworth
Mr D L Wood
Mr L H Young |
The following Members were unable to be present:-
Mr N A Bennett, Mr J C Brand, Mrs S Carpendale, Mrs S P Clarke, Mr P J Holbrook, Mr L S Johnson, Mr R E Kemp, Dr M R Miller, Mrs M O Munson, Mr A F D W Osborne, Mr C M Spence, Mr R W Thake, Mr H N Todd and Mr D M Walton.
The proceedings were opened with a short prayer for those Members who had chosen to participate.
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66 Minutes
67 Declaration of Interests
68 Chairman's Announcements
69 Petitions
70 Recommendations and Reports from Committees
71 Recommendations and Reports from Task Groups/Panels etc.
72 Questions from the Public
73 Questions from Members
74 The State of the District Report 2010/11
75 Exclusion of the Public (which term includes the press)
76 Municipal Mutual Insurance -v- Babergh District Council and Others - Court of Apepal Decision (Exempt information by virtue of paragraphs 2 and 5 of Part 1)
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 28 September 2010 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
None declared.
The Chairman referred to Paper K122 outlining events attended by the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council since the last meeting.
None received.
Notice of Motion – Variation to Existing Refuse Collection Arrangements (Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee Minute No 32).
Members had before them Paper K112, a report by the Head of Natural and Built Environment referring to the Notice of Motion submitted to Council on 31 August 2010. The wording of the motion is set out below:-
“1 – during the hot summer months black bin household waste be collected weekly and
2 – Babergh plan to introduce weekly collection of food waste (separate from other residual waste) for compost”
In accordance with the Council’s normal practice the matter had been referred to the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee for consideration and an appropriate recommendation for reporting back to the Council.
Mr J A B Long, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee referred to the thorough debate which had taken place at the Committee leading to the conclusion that the Notice of Motion should not be accepted. During the course of the debate at the Council meeting there was general acceptance of the desirability of having a weekly kitchen waste collection. Members noted that the possibility of a scheme being introduced in due course is being addressed through the Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy and that preliminary negotiations are already underway.
Mr A C Bavington, the mover of the Notice of Motion, confirmed that he supported Item 2 of the motion being progressed through the Countywide Strategy and had accepted the position that the black bin waste would continue to be collected on alternate weeks.
Reference was also made to the usefulness of the visit to the Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) at Great Blakenham, which had helped to increase understanding of the process involved in waste recycling.
RESOLVED
That the Notice of Motion set out above be not accepted and that the current arrangements for the collection of waste remain.
Collective Agreement on Variation to Employment Terms and Conditions of Service (Staff Joint Consultative Committee (SJCC) 5 October 2010)
Members had before them Paper K123 which set out the Report and recommendations of the SJCC together with Appendix 1 – Collective Agreement and Appendix 2 – Subsistence Allowances. Members also had before them the information requested by the Councillor representatives on the SJCC showing the financial effect of the proposed measures as a percentage of the total budget.
Mrs J Antill, Chairman of the SJCC introduced the recommendations and outlined the process followed in reaching the Collective Agreement. She acknowledged the contribution of the UNISON and Council representatives on the SJCC, together with the work of the Human Resources Panel, in reaching the Agreement, which was recommended to Members as a package of measures showing a saving for 2011/12 of £270,000. The Human Resources and Organisational Development Manager responded to Members’ questions on various details of the agreement including clarification on the current pay award and in relation to practice certificates.
Members were aware of the issues which remain to be addressed in future negotiations including those specifically referred to in Paper K123.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Collective Agreement negotiated and agreed by UNISON and Management Representatives as set out in Paper K123 – Appendix 1 be approved to be effective from April 2011.
(2) That the Subsistence Allowances Policy as set out in Paper K123 – Appendix 2 and referred to in the Collective Agreement be adopted.
None received.
None received.
Members had before them Paper K124, the report of the Director of Corporate Services, asking Members to identify issues and outcomes which should be considered and developed further through the Strategic and Financial Planning process.
Mr N A Ridley, Chairman of the Strategic and Financial Planning Task Group introduced the report. He referred to the continuing need to take into account the effect of the downturn in the economy and made reference to the additional areas of concern which had been included (paragraph 6.49) together with a number of the key factors identified in the 2009/10 debate and which remain of key importance.
The Chairman of the Council advised Members that to achieve a comprehensive discussion he proposed to allow Members to speak more than once during the debate, with individual speeches not exceeding three minutes. Members were then invited to identify issues and outcomes for further consideration, which were as shown below:-
Key Issues to be considered by the SFP Task Group
Supporting the development and provision of affordable housing across the District.
Promoting efficient and effective use of information management and ICT.
Effective partnership working and contract management
Ensuring that the needs of vulnerable people in the community are considered when reviewing and revising services and policies.
Continuing to support small businesses and the development of the knowledge economy.
RESOLVED
That the key issues identified by Members in the course of the Debate, as set out above, be considered and developed further by the Strategic and Financial Planning Task Group as part of the Strategic and Financial Planning process and used to inform the refresh and review of the Council’s Medium Action Term Plans and Delivery Plan for 2011/12
RESOLVED
That pursuant to Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the business specified below on the grounds that if the public were present during this item there would be the disclosure to them of exempt information as indicated against the item. The Committee was satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption out weighed the public interest in disclosing the information.
Mr B D Hurren left the meeting at this point having stated that he would not be present during the discussion because of his knowledge of certain aspects of the case.
The Minute relating to the above mentioned item is excluded from the public record. The summary of the Minute made by the Proper Officer in accordance with Sub Section 2 of Section 100(c) of the Local Government Act 1972 is set out below.
The Solicitor to the Council introduced Paper K125 together with updated information in Paper K125A which was circulated at the meeting. She explained in some detail the background to the Court of Appeal process together with an update on the current situation. She also responded to Members’ questions on various aspects of the report. The Council, having taken into account the information contained in Paper K125A, accepted the recommendations set out in Paper K125.
Note: The meeting adjourned between 10.30 a.m. and 10.50 a.m. for refreshments.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 12.05 p.m.
Chairman
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