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BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON THURSDAY 28 JANUARY 2010
PRESENT: Ms J A Jenkins – Chairman
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Mrs J Antill
Mr C W Arthey
Mr P K Beer
Mr N A Bennett
Mr M P Booth
Mr J C Brand
Mr D M Busby
Mrs S Carpendale
Mr J R B Cave
Mrs S P Clarke
Mr P G Gibson
Mr D G Grutchfield
Mr A J Hinton
Mr P J Holbrook
Mr B D Hurren
Mr L S Johnson
Mr P Jones
Mr D H Keane
Mr R E Kemp |
Mr B L Lazenby
Mr J A B Long
Dr M R Miller
Mrs M O Munson
Mr M Newman
Mr A F D W Osborne
Mr B Riley
Mr C A Roberts
Mr R C Smith
Mr C M Spence
Mr R W Thake
Mrs C A Todd
Mr H N Todd
Mr A J Ward
Mr G S White
Mr R Whiting
Mrs S M Wigglesworth
Mr L H Young |
The following Members were unable to be present:-
Mr N A Ridley, Mr D C Rose, Mr J R A Sayers, Mr D M Walton and Mr D L Wood.
The proceedings were opened with a short prayer for those Members who had chosen to participate.
55 - Minutes
56 - Declaration of Interests
57 - Chairmans Announcement
58 - To Receive Notification of Petitions in Accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13
59 - Recommendations and Reports from Committees
60 - Presentation - Scenario Planning for the Future Local Government Review and its Alternatives
61 - Recommendations and Reports from Committees (Continued)
62 - Local Government Review - Possible Transitional Arrangments and Draft Structural Change Orders
63 - Questions from the Public
64 - Questions from Members
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2010 be confirmed and signed as a correct record subject to the addition of the following:-
43 (A) MINUTES
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meetings held on 20 and 29 October 2009 be confirmed and signed as correct records.
Mrs J Antill declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Director of the Sudbury Citizens Advice Bureau and a Trustee of the Gainsborough House Society but indicated that her interests were such that she was able to speak and vote on the item in question.
Mr G S White declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Council Representative on the South Suffolk Leisure Trust Board and Ipswich and District Citizens Advice Bureau but indicated that his interests were such that he was able to speak and vote on the item in question.
Mr B L Lazenby declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Council Representative on the South Suffolk Leisure Trust Board but indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the item in question.
Mr R E Kemp declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Trustee of the Sudbury and District Citizens Advice Bureau, President of the Long Melford Cricket Club and President of the Long Melford Football Club but indicated that his interests were such that he was able to speak and vote on the item in question.
Mr P J Holbrook declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Council representative on the Dedham Vale Area and Stour Valley Joint Advisory Committee but indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the item in question.
Mr P G Gibson declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Council representative on the Dedham Vale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Committee but indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the item in question.
Mr B Riley declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Council Representative on the Hadleigh High School Dual Use Sports Centre but indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the item in question.
Mr N A Bennett declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Member of Sudbury Town Council and a prejudicial interest in that part of Minute No. 59 concerning the reduction of community grants to the sports facilities at Great Cornard School (Sports Centre and Swimming Pool), at which he is employed and he would leave the Chamber if specifically discussed.
Mrs M O Munson declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Governor of the Hadleigh High School but indicated that her interest was such that she was able to speak and vote on the item in question.
Mr B D Hurren declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Director of Sudbury Quay Theatre but indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the item in question.
Mr M Newman declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Member of the Great Cornard Sports Centre Management Team but indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the item in question.
Dr M R Miller declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Council Representative on the East Bergholt High School Dual Use Sports Centre but indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the item in question.
Mr C W Arthey declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Trustee of Lindsey Village Hall Committee and Kersey Village Hall Committee but indicated that his interests were such that he was able to speak and vote on the item in question.
Ms J A Jenkins declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Member of Leavenheath Village Hall Committee but indicated that her interest was such that she was able to speak and vote on the item in question.
Mr P Jones declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Trustee of Copdock Village Hall, SALC and the Council Representative on the Greenways Countryside Project but indicated that his interests were such that he was able to speak and vote on the item in question.
Mr A C Roberts declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Council Representative on the Suffolk Coast and Heath Joint Advisory Committee but indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the item in question.
Mrs S M Wigglesworth declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 below by virtue of being a Trustee of Polstead Village Hall and the Suffolk Cinema Network but indicated that her interests were such that she was able to speak and vote on the item in question.
None Advised.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13, it was noted that the following petitions had been received:-
Planning Application No. B/09/00757/FUL – Erection of 18m Radio Monopole at Telephone Exchange, The Street, Capel St Mary
Petition signed by more than 20 residents of the District objecting to the application.
The receipt of the petition was reported to Development Committee at its meeting on 20 January 2010 and will be taken into account when the Planning Application is determined at a future meeting of the Development Committee.
Proposed National Grid Pylons
Petition signed by more than 300 residents of the District positively supporting the undergrounding of the proposed new National Grid power lines and rejecting the current proposals on which National Grid is consulting.
The petition would be reported to Strategy Committee at its meeting on 11 February 2010 when a report by the Head of Natural and Built Environment on the consultation response to the proposals would be considered.
59 RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
Financial Strategy and 2010/11 Budget (Strategy Committee Minute No. 85)
Mr A J Hinton, Vice Chairman of the Strategy Committee, introduced this item and referred to Papers J150 (Discretionary Rate Relief) and J151 (Financial Strategy and 2010/11 Budget). He explained the process for this year which included the Strategic Financial Planning Budget Task Group meeting on a number of occasions.
The Director of Finance referred to a letter received from the Sudbury Market Town Partnership Steering Group objecting to the introduction of car parking charges for Sudbury.
A revised Appendix E to Paper J151 detailing updated proposed level of grant awards for the various charitable organisations and local community groups was circulated prior to the meeting.
The recommendations of the Strategy Committee were proposed and seconded subject to the following amendments being incorporated:-
(1)(e) The addition of the following words “subject to the total reduction in grants and the individual amounts for each organisation being adjusted and reported back to Strategy Committee and Council in February 2010”.
(4) The addition of the words “, and that the proposals to review the arrangements for Member and Staff contributions towards the value of parking at the Council’s HQ as set out in paragraph 5.6 of Paper J151, together with consideration at the same time of the possibility of some form of discount scheme for workers in the town centres, be noted.”
There then ensued a lengthy debate on this issue. Following the discussion a recorded vote was requested in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 22.5. The result of the recorded vote was as follows:-
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For the Proposal:- |
Against the Proposal:- |
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Mrs J Antill
Mr N A Bennett
Mr M P Booth
Mr J C Brand
Mr D M Busby
Mrs S Carpendale
Mr J R B Cave
Mrs S P Clarke
Mr P G Gibson
Mr A J Hinton
Mr P J Holbrook
Mr B D Hurren
Ms J A Jenkins
Mr L S Johnson
Mr P Jones
Mr D H Keane
Mr J A B Long
Dr M R Miller
Mrs M O Munson
Mr B Riley
Mr C M Spence
Mr R W Thake
Mrs C A Todd
Mr H N Todd
Mr A J Ward
Mr G S White
Mr R Whiting
Mrs S M Wigglesworth |
Mr C W Arthey
Mr P K Beer
Mr D G Grutchfield
Mr R E Kemp
Mr B L Lazenby
Mr M Newman
Mr A F D W Osborne
Mr C A Roberts
Mr R C Smith
Mr L H Young |
The motion was declared carried.
RESOLVED
(1) That the draft budget for 2010/11, as summarised at paragraph 5.23 of Paper J151, be based on the following:
(a) The estimated savings, efficiencies and additional income of £1.443m set out in paragraph 5.27 and further detailed in Appendix A, it being noted that an estimated £208,000 of further savings and/or income generation have yet to be identified to achieve the latest forecast overall savings target of £1.634m and a balanced budget.
(b) The proposed changes in fees and charges effective from April 2010, as outlined in Appendix B, subject to minor amendments to reflect the adjustments to the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Fees as recommended by the Licensing and Appeals Committee.
(c) The 3-year Capital Programme set out in Appendix C.
(d) The additional cost pressures listed in Appendix D.
(e) The total savings set out in Appendix E arising from reduction in the payment of discretionary grants subject to the total reduction in grants and the individual amounts for each organisation being adjusted and reported back to Strategy Committee and Council in February 2010.
(f) A Council Tax increase of 3%.
(2) That the estimated savings, efficiencies and additional income set out in Appendix A to Paper J151 be incorporated in the draft budget proposals that are presented to Council on 28 January 2010, it being noted that these include:
(a) Items that involve a significant impact on service provision such as grants to various organisations and reductions in discretionary rate relief
(b) An estimated overall reduction of approximately 17 full time equivalent staffing posts as a result of vacant and temporary posts not being filled through natural wastage and voluntary and compulsory redundancies.
(3) That the Reserves Strategy outlined in paragraph 5.33 of Paper J151 be approved.
(4) That a long stay car parking charge of £1.50, with the first three hours being free, be introduced in the following car parks:-
· Station Road Car Park (Kingfisher Leisure Centre) and The Station Car Park Sudbury
· Magdalen Road and Stonehouse Car Parks Hadleigh
as referred to in paragraph 5.6 of Paper J151. Further, that the effect of the charges referred to above be incorporated into the draft budget for 2010/11 accordingly, and that the proposals to review the arrangements for Member and Staff contributions towards the value of parking at the Council’s HQ as set out in paragraph 5.6 of Paper J151, together with consideration at the same time of the possibility of some form of discount scheme for workers in the town centres, be noted.
(5) That the latest position relating to on-going discussions with staff and Unison in respect of possible reductions in staff terms and conditions, also referred to in paragraph 5.6 of Paper J151, be noted.
(6) That, in relation to finding the remaining estimated shortfall of £208,000 in achieving a balanced budget for 2010/11 and consideration of any subsequent difficulties in achieving the potential savings already identified, the SFP Task Group consider the 2010/11 Budget position further and report direct to Council on 28 January 2010 if appropriate or otherwise to the next meeting of the Strategy Committee.
The Chief Executive made a PowerPoint presentation (subsequently numbered Paper J192) to the meeting which provided a basis for debate in the items referred to in Minute Nos. 61 and 62 below.
Following the presentation, the Chief Executive responded to a number of questions and points made by Members.
RESOLVED
That the presentation referred to in Paper J192 be noted.
Future Savings and Efficiencies: Scenario Planning for the Outcome of Local Government Review and Alternative Models of Partnership Working (Strategy Committee Minute No. 87)
Mr A J Hinton, Vice Chairman of the Strategy Committee, introduced this item and referred to Paper J153 suggesting an alternative model of partnership working with Mid Suffolk District Council in the event that Local Government Review does not proceed.
RESOLVED
(1) That Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils commit to preferred partner status and to undertake a comprehensive joint review that seeks to develop fully integrated systems of service delivery at managerial and operational level by April 2011 or earlier if it is possible to do so, in the event that the current local government review does not lead to structural change in Suffolk from April 2011.
(2) That the two councils set up a joint board at Member level to:
(a) Provide good political governance and leadership to the review process.
(b) Consider the desirability of seeking to achieve common constitutional arrangements by May 2011 in order to achieve common decision making processes.
(c) Consider whether and when to assess the desirability, practicality and possible timing of full constitutional merger i.e. to create a single “Central Suffolk” Council, noting that such a merger would require primary legislation.
(3) That the Members of the Political Leaders’ Group together with a second Liberal Democrat Member be appointed as members of the Joint Member Board.
(4) That David Wood be appointed as the Liberal Democrat Member referred to in (3) above.
(5) That reserve Members be appointed from the Strategy Committee as follows:-
Conservative Reserve Members – Jennie Jenkins and Colin Spence
Lib Dem Reserve Members – Sue Carpendale and Michael Miller
Independent Reserve Member – Richard Kemp.
Pat Rockall referred to Paper J173, a letter from the Department of Communities and Local Government, enclosing a discussion document on possible transitional arrangements for the proposals for Unitary Local Government in Suffolk. The Council has been asked to submit, by 3 February 2010, written views on the possible transitional arrangements in the event that the Secretary of State decides to implement any unitary proposal.
The Chief Executive also referred to Paper J176, which had been circulated since the dispatch of the Agenda, which attempted to merge the key points in the CLG’s letter (Paper J173) and the two documents referred to which Members have been provided electronic links. Paper J176 sought to set out possible transitional arrangements during 2010 in the various permutations of new unitary arrangements, with elections in either 2010 or 2011. It also refers to a number of financial and HR matters as covered in the initial CLG paper in 2007.
In view of the short timescale Council were requested to authorise the Chief Executive to make a final response, in consultation with appropriate Members, taking into account any views expressed at the meeting.
RESOLVED
That the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chairmen of the Council and of Strategy Committee be authorised to incorporate in a letter the Councils formal response to the consultation referred to above.
Note: A copy of the final version of the letter to the Department for Communities and Local Government is appended to these Minutes.
None received.
None received.
Note: The meeting was adjourned between 11.20 a.m. and 11.45 a.m. for refreshments.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 1.45 p.m.
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Chairman
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