Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor E. J. Murray.

The following declarations of interest were made:

Item 6 – Medium Term Financial Plan

Councillor S. J. Dudley declared a disclosable pecuniary interest as a local Planning Consultant and agent. Councillor Dudley left the room during the consideration of this item.

Item 6 – Housing Growth Consultation 

Councillor Mrs. J. M. L. A. Griffiths declared an other disclosable interest as she had relatives who owned land in the vicinity. Councillor Mrs. Griffiths left the room during the consideration of this item and the Chair was taken by the Vice Chairman, Councillor R. J. Laight. 

Item 10 – Appointment of Joint Chief Executive

Mr. K. Dicks declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in this item and left the room during during consideration of this item.  

The minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 21^st November 2012 and 16th January 2013 were submitted.

RESOLVED  that the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 21^st November 2012 and 16^th January 2013 be approved as a correct record.

The Civic Head informed Members that the Civic Dinner would be taking place on 26^th April 2013 at Hagley Hall and invited all Members to attend.

There were no announcements from the Leader.

(i)            Crown Close Open Space – Repairs to Surrounding Roads and Footpaths

The recommendation from the Cabinet was proposed by Councillor M. J. A. Webb and seconded by Councillor Dr. D. W. P. Booth.

RESOLVED that the Capital Programme 2012/2013 be increased by £40,000 to enable the resurfacing of footpaths and the road at Crown Close Open Space, Bromsgrove to be undertaken and that this be funded by way of Section 106 monies.

(ii)          Finance Monitoring – Quarter 2 2012/2013

The recommendations from the Cabinet were proposed by Councillor R. Hollingworth and seconded by Councillor Mrs. M. A. Sherrey.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the 2012/2013 Capital Programme be increased by £108,000 to reflect additional funding received from the Football Foundation and Stoke Parish Council in respect of the following sports and play schemes:

·         Braces Lane (Football Foundation) - £50,000

·         Barnsley Hall (Football Foundation) - £48,000

·         Stoke Heath (Stoke Parish Council) - £10,000

(b)       that the following             capital funding be carried forward into 2013/2014 in respect of the capital schemes which will not be undertaken in 2012/2014;

·         Parkside development and Public Realm improvements - £1,400,000

·         Regulatory Services - £58,000

(iii)         Housing Growth Consultation

(Councillor R. J. Laight in the Chair)

Councillor R. Hollingworth reported that since the meeting of the Cabinet on 6^th February 2013, Redditch Borough Council had also considered the recommendation on public consultation on Housing Growth but had made no decision on the matter at the meeting of the Council on 18^th February 2013. Councillor Hollingworth referred to the very detailed preparatory work which had been undertaken by officers in respect of the sites contained in the consultation document “Housing Growth Consultation” and the supporting background evidence.

Members considered the proposed consultation and queried the position with regard to affordable housing and the size of units to be provided. Councillor P. McDonald requested clarification on  densities in respect of affordable housing and the Portfolio Holder stated he would consult with officers and provide a written answer. It was confirmed that the properties would be to meet the needs of Redditch, but that any planning application would be determined by this Council’s Planning Committee.

Following a proposal from Councillor Hollingworth which was seconded by Councillor C. B. Taylor it was 

RESOLVED

(a)  that the consultation document Housing Growth Consultation (Appendix 1) and the supporting background evidence report (Appendix 2) and the Sustainability Appraisal (Appendix 3) be approved;

(b)  that in the light  of the decision of Redditch Borough Council not to approve the proposals for consultation on cross border growth, that a letter be sent from this Council to Redditch Borough Council to request that Redditch Borough Council reconsiders its position under the duty to co-operate;

(c)  that it be agreed that the start of the public consultation period be deferred until 1^st April 2013 to allow Redditch Borough Council to consider its response to the letter referred to at (b) above; and

(d)  that authority be delegated to the Executive Director for Planning Regeneration Regulatory and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

The Chairman agreed to the adjournment of the meeting for approximately 20 minutes to enable Members to give consideration to the papers which had been circulated immediately prior to the meeting in respect of this item.

Having reconvened the meeting the recommendations from the Cabinet were moved by Councillor R. Hollingworth and seconded by Councillor Mrs. M. A. Sherrey. Councillor Hollingworth referred to the very difficult circumstances in which the Medium Term Financial Plan had been produced, including many changes which had been introduced by the Government at a late stage in the process and thanked officers for their hard work. Councillor Hollingworth referred to the proposal to increase Council Tax by 1.9% in order to maintain a reasonable level of Working Balances and to protect the Council’s position in the event of decisions on funding changes which may be taken by Worcestershire County Council.

An amendment was moved by Councillor P. M. McDonald and seconded by Councillor C. J. Bloore that the budget savings and expenditure be varied as follows:

On a requisition made under Council Procedure Rule 17.5, the following details of voting on the amendment were recorded:

For the amendment: Councillors C. J. Bloore, Ms. M. T. Buxton, L. C. R. Mallett, Mrs. C. M. McDonald, P. M. McDonald, Mrs. E. M. Shannon, R. J. Shannon, S. P.  Shannon and C. J. K. Wilson (9);

Against the amendment: Councillors Mrs. S. J. Baxter, Dr. D. W. P. Booth, Mrs J. M. Boswell, J. R. Boulter, J. S. Brogan, M. A. Bullivant, R. A. Clarke, S. R. Colella, Dr. B. T. Cooper, R. J. Deeming, Mrs. R. L. Dent, K. A. Grant-Pearce, Miss P. A. Harrison, R. Hollingworth, Mrs. H. J. Jones, R. J. Laight, P. Lammas, B. Lewis, J. A. Ruck, C. R. Scurrell, Mrs. M. A. Sherrey, Mrs. C.  J. Spencer, C. B. Taylor, C. J. Tidmarsh, L. J. Turner, M. J. A. Webb and P. J. Whittaker (27)

Accordingly the Chairman declared the amendment lost.

The substantive recommendations were put to the meeting whereupon it was

RESOLVED:

1)   the Council determines the level of Council Tax discount to be applied to the prescribed classes of dwellings as defined by the Council Tax (Prescribed Classes of Dwellings) (England) Regulations 2003 (as amended) for

a)    Class A [ “second homes with planning restriction”] be set at 0% - no discount

b)    Class B [“second homes without planning restriction”] be set at 0% - no discount

c)    Class C [vacant dwellings] be set at:

a.    Where the dwelling appears in the Valuation List for the first time and it has been continuously unoccupied and substantially unfurnished since the effective date of entry into the list:

                                                  i.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

Members received a report of the Executive Director (Finance and Resources) with regard to the setting of the Council Tax for 2013/2014.

Having been moved by Councillor R. Hollingworth and seconded by Councillor Mrs. M. A. Sherrey, it was

RESOLVED  that the recommendations as set out as an Appendix to these minutes, setting a Council Tax for 2013/2014 of £196.51 for a Band D unparished property be approved.

The minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 5^th December 2012, 9^th January 2013 and 6^th February 2013 were received.

Members considered a report of the Joint Independent Remuneration Panel for Worcestershire District Councils setting out its recommendations to Bromsgrove District Council arising from its review of Members’ Allowances for 2013/2014.

In responding to the Panel’s report Councillor R. Hollingworth stated that having considered the report he felt the Panel did not have a sufficient understanding of the work which was undertaken by Members and he did not feel he could support the recommendations of the Panel.  

He had discussed the position with Councillor P. M. McDonald as leader of the largest opposition group.

It was proposed by Councillor R. Hollingworth and seconded by Councillor P. M. McDonald and

RESOLVED  that the existing structure in respect of Members’ Allowances (including the current Bromsgrove multipliers relating to Special Responsibility Allowances) be maintained and that the Allowances be increased by 3% for 2013/2014.

No questions on notice had been received.

Members considered the following motion submitted by Councillor P. M. McDonald.

“That this Council has no confidence in the new West Mercia Police and Crime commissioner and his Deputy and calls on them to consider their positions”

The motion was moved by Councillor P. M. McDonald and seconded by Councillor C. J. Bloore.

It was queried whether this was an appropriate motion for discussion by this Council on the grounds whether Bromsgrove was any more affected by the issue than anywhere else. The Chairman stated that she had agreed to the motion being discussed in view of an agreement at the previous meeting that it would be brought to this meeting. The Chairman however reminded Members that they must have regard to the need for a proper debate and avoid any defamatory statements. 

In moving the motion Councillor McDonald stated that the Police and Crime Commissioner was intended to be a catalyst for change and new ways of working and therefore it was unfortunate that “cronyism“ and lack of transparency had arisen in relation to the appointment of the Deputy Commissioner. He suggested that the appointment had damaged the confidence of the public in the office of the Commissioner and the morale of the workforce. Public respect could only come from high standards of behaviour and Councillor McDonald felt that the situation could now only be rectified with the resignation of the Commissioner and his Deputy.

Councillor R. Hollingworth stated that he agreed with much of what had been said by Councillor McDonald but that the Commissioner had not acted illegally and he did not feel that there was anything to be gained at this stage by calling for the resignations of the Commissioner and his Deputy. Councillor Hollingworth stated he had attended meetings with the Commissioner and his Deputy and with the Chief Constable who felt that he could deliver the proposed plans for the policing of the District.

During the debate some Members expressed disappointment that the Leader had not maintained his previous stance on the matter. It was felt that the Commissioner had acted unwisely but that there was a need to move forward in order to obtain the best Police Service for the District and that there would be an opportunity for the public to express their views through the ballot box in four years.

On a requisition under Council Procedure Rule 17.5 the following details of voting were recorded.

For the motion: Councillors C. J. Bloore, Ms. M. T. Buxton, L.C. R. Mallett, Mrs. C. M. McDonald, P. M. McDonald, Mrs. E. M. Shannon, S. P. Shannon, R. J. Shannon and C. J. K. Wilson (9)

Against the motion:  Councillors Mrs. S. J. Baxter, Dr.. D. W. P. Booth, Mrs. J. M. Boswell, J.R. Boulter, J. S. Brogan, M. A. Bullivant, R.A. Clarke, S. R. Colella, Dr. B. T. Cooper, R. J. Deeming, Mrs. R. L. Dent, K. A. Grant-Pearce, Miss P. A. Harrison, R. Hollingworth, Mrs. H. J. Jones, R. J. Laight,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

The Council considered a report on the appointment of a Joint Chief Executive and the inclusion of the post of Chief Executive in the Joint Management Team arrangements between Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council.

The report made reference to the arrangements previously agreed in respect of the Chief Executive Post which were now due to be reviewed.

The recommendations contained within the report were moved by Councillor R. Hollingworth and seconded by Councillor Mrs. M. A. Sherrey. 

On a requisition under Council procedure Rule 17.5, the following details of voting were recorded.

For the recommendations: Councillors Mrs. S. J. Baxter, Dr. D. W. P. Booth, Mrs. J. M. Boswell, J. R. Boulter, J. S. Brogan, M. A. Bullivant, R. A. Clarke, S. R. Colella, Dr. B. T. Cooper, R. J. Deeming, Mrs. R. L. Dent, S. J. Dudley, K. A. Grant-Pearce, Miss P. A. Harrison, R. Hollingworth, Mrs. H. J. Jones, R. J. Laight, P. Lammas, B. Lewis J. A. Ruck, C. R. Scurrell, Mrs. M. A. Sherrey, Mrs. C. J. Spencer, C. B. Taylor, C. J. Tidmarsh, L. J. Turner M. J. A. Webb and P. J. Whittaker (28) 

Against the recommendations: Councillors C. J. Bloore, Ms. M. T. Buxton, L. C. R. Mallett, Mrs. C. M. McDonald, P. M. McDonald, Mrs. E. M. Shannon, S. P. Shannon, R. J. Shannon and C. J. K. Wilson (9)

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the current position with regard to the joint Chief Executive arrangements between Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council be noted;

(b)       that the Joint Chief Executive be shared in line with the wider Shared Management Team arrangements;

(c)        that the annual salary in respect of the post of shared Joint Chief Executive be confirmed as £122,500 - £127,500; and

(d)       that authority be delegated to the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services in consultation with the Leader of the Council to finalise the employment arrangements.