Agenda and minutes

At the request of the Chairman, the Reverend Beverley Robertson opened the meeting with a prayer.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. M. Bunker, S. R. Colella, R. J. Deeming, Mrs. A. E. Doyle, R. Hollingworth, Mrs, J. D. Luck, Ms. J. A. Marshall, D. McGrath, J. A. Ruck and C. J. K. Wilson.

(Members are reminded that they need to keep their resister of interest forms up to date)

No declarations of interest were received.

The minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council held on 23rd February 2011 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes be approved as a correct record.

The Chairman referred to the forthcoming Civic Dinner Dance on 15th April 2011.

In the absence of the Leader, the Deputy Leader drew attention to a recent exchange in the House of Commons between Sajid Javid MP and the Leader of the House during which reference had been made to the fact that despite a grant reduction of 28%, the Council through shared services and other efficiencies had frozen its Council Tax with no cuts in services. The Leader of the House had responded that he hoped other local authorities would follow the example of Bromsgrove in dealing with the challenges of a reduced grant and that it was a model of what local authorities ought to be doing. The Deputy Leader commended the Chief Executive and his team for all their efforts with regard to shared services.   

The minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 2nd February and 23rd February 2011 were received for information.

To consider the recommendation from the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 26th January 2011 on the following item (the relevant extract from the Monitoring Officer’s report is enclosed for information at the back of the Council agenda book)

APPOINTMENT OF PARISH COUNCILS’ REPRESENTATIVES TO THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE – TERMS OF OFFICE

Having been moved by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor Mrs. M. A. Sherrey JP, it was

RESOLVED  that in view of the proposed changes to the standards regime as a consequence of the Localism Bill, the terms of office of the Parish Councils' Representatives on the Standards Committee, effective from July 2011, be for a period of one year, with nominations for appointees to follow from the Bromsgrove Area Committee of the Worcestershire County Association of Local Councils in due course. 

To deal with any questions on notice from Members of the Council, in the order in which they have been received.

No questions on notice had been received.

To consider the following motion submitted by Councillor P.M. McDonald:-

“In light of the latest controversy caused by planning officers having delegated powers, that those powers are restricted to single property applications and that members are informed of those planning applications that fall within planning officers delegated powers.”

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

“In light of the latest controversy caused by planning officers having delegated powers, that those powers are restricted to single property applications and that members are informed of those planning applications that fall within planning officers delegated powers.”

The motion was moved by Councillor P. M. McDonald and seconded by Councillor E. J. Murray.

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

For the motion: Councillors Mrs. C. M. McDonald, P. M. McDonald, E. J. Murray, W. R. Newnes, D. L. Pardoe, S. R. Peters, S. P. Shannon and L. J. Turner (8);

Against the motion: Councillors A. N. Blagg, Dr. D. W. P. Booth JP, Mrs. J. M. Boswell, Miss D. H. Campbell, G. N. Denaro, Mrs. R. L. Dent, Mrs. J. Dyer M.B.E., D. Hancox, Ms. H. J. Jones, B. Lewis, C. R. Scurrell, Mrs. M. A. Sherrey JP, R. D. Smith, Mrs. C. J. Spencer, E. C. Tibby, C. J. Tidmarsh, M. J. A. Webb and P. J. Whittaker (18).

Accordingly, the Chairman declared the motion to be LOST.

To consider the following motion submitted by Councillor Mrs. C. M. McDonald:-

“PACT Meetings are now the only juncture left in the district where residents can come and meet together to air and share their concerns.

It also gives Chief Officers the opportunity to hear and learn firsthand the concerns of local residents who they are responsible too. Not to attend PACT Meetings is to treat local residents and their concerns with contempt. Therefore, we call upon this Council to ensure that a member of the Chief Officers Team is present at every PACT Meeting.”

Members considered the following motion submitted by Councillor Mrs. C. M. McDonald.

“PACT Meetings are now the only juncture left in the district where residents can come and meet together to air and share their concerns.

It also gives Chief Officers the opportunity to hear and learn firsthand the concerns of local residents who they are responsible too. Not to attend PACT Meetings is to treat local residents and their concerns with contempt. Therefore, we call upon this Council to ensure that a member of the Chief Officers Team is present at every PACT Meeting.”

The motion was moved by Councillor Mrs. C. M. McDonald and seconded by Councillor S. P. Shannon.

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

For the motion: Councillors Mrs. C. M. McDonald, P. M. McDonald, E. J. Murray and S. P. Shannon (4);

Against the motion: Councillors A. N. Blagg, Dr. D. W. P. Booth JP, Mrs. J. M. Boswell, Miss D. H. Campbell, G. N. Denaro, Mrs. R. L. Dent, Mrs. J. Dyer M.B.E., D. Hancox, Ms. H. J. Jones, B. Lewis, W. R. Newnes, D. L. Pardoe, S. R. Peters, C. R. Scurrell, Mrs. M. A. Sherrey JP, R. D. Smith, Mrs. C. J. Spencer, C. B. Taylor, E. C. Tibby, C. J. Tidmarsh, L. J. Turner, M. J. A. Webb and P. J. Whittaker (23).

Accordingly, the Chairman declared the motion to be LOST.