Agenda and minutes
- Attendance details
- Agenda frontsheet
PDF 116 KB
- Agenda reports pack
- IAG Alternative Budget and a Notice of Motion PDF 381 KB
- Supplementary Documents - Council Tax Resolutions PDF 297 KB
- Supplementary Documents - Council Tax Resolutions Replacement Schedules 1 and 2 PDF 146 KB
- Printed minutes
PDF 250 KB
Venue: Parkside Suite - Parkside
Contact: Sheena Jones Rosemary Cole / Amanda Scarce / Pauline Ross
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Mr R. Hollingworth Minutes: The Chairman held a minutes silence in memory of the late Mr R. Hollingworth the former Leader of the Council. Members and officers stood in silence in tribute to his memory.
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apologies for absence Minutes: An apology for absence was received from Councillor B. T. Cooper. |
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Declarations of Interest To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests. Minutes: The following declarations of interest were made:
Item 10 – Report from the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Cultural Services
Councillors M. A. Sherrey, G. N. Denaro, C. B. Taylor, C. Allen-Jones and K. J. May declared other disclosable interests as in respect of this item as members of the Artrix Holding Trust.
Councillors J. M. L. A. Griffiths and C. J. Spencer declared other disclosable interests in this item as members of the Artrix Operating Trust.
Councillor S. R. Colella declared an other disclosable interest as Chairman of Hagley Parish Council (in relation to Hagley Play Equipment).
Councillor M. A. Sherrey declared an other disclosable interest as a Governor of Chadsgrove School.
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Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 20th January 2016 were submitted.
Councillor C. M. McDonald stated that the minutes did not record that Councillor Taylor had agreed to email additional information on homelessness figures (Minute no. 92/15).
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 20th January 2016 be approved as a correct record. |
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announcements from the Chairman and/or Head of Paid Service Minutes: The Chairman advised Members that the Annual Civic Dinner would take place on 22nd April 2016 and would be held at the Grafton Manor Hotel. All Members were invited to attend and would be receiving further information shortly.
The Chief Executive referred to the debate at the last Council Meeting on the Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor M. Thompson relating to animal welfare.
During the debate referred to, Councillor B. T. Cooper had stated that there was already a Policy in place relating to Council owned land prohibiting animals in circuses and goldfish being offered as prizes at fairs. This information had been provided by officers to Councillor Cooper. It had transpired that that there was not a policy in place and terms and conditions of hire were not robust enough. Officers had remedied this. However, officers had not briefed Councillor Thompson about the changes. There was clearly some uncertainty over this matter and officers had not made the position clear to Members. The Chief Executive apologised for that oversight.
It had been agreed that in the circumstances, the Notice of Motion be debated again at the following Council Meeting in April. |
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announcements from the Leader Minutes: The Leader reported on the success of the latest Job Fair which had taken place at Parkside and had been organised by the local MP Sajid Javid.
The Leader also reported that Planning Services had been “De-Designated” by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on 16th February 2016.
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comments, questions or petitions from members of the public A period of up to 15 minutes is allowed for members of the public to make a comment, ask questions or present petitions. A councillor may also present a petition on behalf of a member of the public.
Minutes: There were no public questions or comments on this occasion.
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Recommendations from the Cabinet held on 3rd February 2016 and 24th February 2016 To consider the recommendations from the meeting of the Cabinet on 3rd February 2016 (attached) relating to:
· Burcot Lane Homelessness Hostel – Future Options · Medium Term Financial Plan 2016/17 – 2018/19 · New Homes Bonus 2016/17
To consider the recommendations from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 24th February 2016 (to be tabled at the meeting) relating to:
· Medium Term Financial Plan 2016/17 – 2018/19
(The full Cabinet reports are enclosed for information at the back of the Council Agenda Book)
Note: that under the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment Regulations 2014, the Council is required to take a named vote when a decision is made on the budget calculation or precept at a budget decision meeting of the Council.
Note: that under Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, any Councillor who is 2 or more months in arrears with their Council Tax payments cannot participate in any item at the Council meeting concerning the budget. Additional documents:
Minutes: Prior to the consideration of the recommendations from the Cabinet, the Chairman announced a short adjournment to enable Members to read and consider the additional information on Council Tax recommendations which had been circulated.
The meeting was therefore adjourned from 6.15pm to 6.30pm.
Burcot Lane Homelessness Hostel – Future Options
The recommendation from the Cabinet was proposed by Councillor C. B. Taylor and seconded by Councillor R. J. Deeming.
In proposing the recommendation Councillor Taylor referred to the background work which had been undertaken to bring forward a number of options in relation to the provision of alternative accommodation to Burcot Lodge. The Overview and Scrutiny Board had also recently considered the matter and had supported the implementation of proposal one.
During the debate some Members suggested that it may be prudent to wait for the outcome of the Short Sharp Review on Potential Homelessness in Bromsgrove, which had recently been established, before making any final decisions on the matter. Councillor Taylor commented that the agreement of proposal one at this stage did not preclude the consideration of proposal two at a later date or of any outcomes of the Short Sharp Review. It was important to progress with the project which had been on going for some time.
It was also suggested that the proposed option may lead to a shortage of available spaces and that evidence suggested there may be a need for more interventions in potential homelessness cases. Councillor Taylor responded that the hostel was under occupied at present and the Strategic Housing Team had developed a way forward. It was suggested that some of the comments could have been raised by Members when the matter was considered by the Cabinet.
It was
RESOLVED that the cost of the alternative option for the provision of temporary accommodation, as set out in proposal one in the report be released from balances.
New Homes Bonus Scheme 2016/17
The recommendation from the Cabinet in relation to a revised New Homes Bonus Community Grants Scheme for 2016/17 was proposed by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor K. J. May.
As an amendment it was proposed by Councillor L. C. R. Mallett and seconded by Councillor C. J. Bloore that consideration of this matter be deferred until the next meeting of the Council in April, in the light of the unprecedented financial situation facing the Council. It was noted that if deferred , a sum of £23k would remain in the budget for the New Homes Bonus Scheme in 2016/ 2017.
On being put to the vote the Chairman declared the amendment to be carried.
Medium Term Financial Plan 2016/17 – 2018/19
Councillor G. N. Denaro proposed recommendations arising from the Cabinet meetings which had been held on 3rd February and 24th February 2016. The proposal was seconded by Councillor M. A. Sherrey.
In proposing the recommendations Councillor Denaro explained that there had been some amendments to the recommendations from Cabinet on 3rd February due to some transitional funding received ... view the full minutes text for item 107\15 |
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To set the Council Tax for 2016/17
Note: that under the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment Regulations 2014, the Council is required to take a named vote when a decision is made on the budget calculation or precept at a budget decision meeting of the Council.
Note: that under Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, any Councillor who is 2 or more months in arrears with their Council Tax payments cannot participate in any item at the Council meeting concerning the budget.
Additional documents:
Minutes: Members considered the recommendations of the Cabinet with regard to the setting of the Council Tax for 2016/17. Members attention was drawn to the circulation of a replacement Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 to the Council Tax Setting Report.
Having been proposed by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor M. A. Sherrey, it was
RESOLVED that the recommendations as set out as an appendix to these minutes, setting a Council Tax for 2015/16 of £205.24 for a band D unparished property be approved.
(This matter was considered as part of the vote on the Medium Term Financial Plan 2016/17 – 2018/19 and therefore the details of the named vote were as recorded in that Minute)
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minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 3rd February 2016 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 3rd February 2016 were received for information. |
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Questions on Notice A period of up to 15 minutes is allocated for the asking and answering of questions.
To deal with any questions on notice from Members of the Council, in the order in which they have been received. Minutes: Question submitted by Councillor M. Thompson
Can the Leader confirm the total travelling costs to the Council for officers travelling from Bromsgrove to Redditch (and return) over the last two years.
Councillor G. N. Denaro responded that whilst staff could work at different sites on different days, most staff did have a permanent base from which to operate so as to reduce the need for them to travel. It was true to say that a number of staff chose not to make any claim for these journeys. Costs had reduced from £87k in 2013/14 to £67k in 2014/15.
Question submitted by Councillor S. P. Shannon
Attending the annual Bromsgrove Muslim Association Eid celebrations in Parkside buildings last Saturday I was surprised to notice on the guest list an invitation to the Chairman of the Bromsgrove Conservative Association. Noting that the event was jointly funded by the Council and Bromsgrove Muslim Association can the Leader explain why similar invitations were not extended to the other established political parties that operate in Bromsgrove.
The Leader responded that the invitations for this event were issued by the Bromsgrove Muslim Association and the question should therefore be addressed to them.
Question submitted by Councillor P. M. McDonald
Would the Leader please inform me of the amount of monies spent on external legal costs over the last two years?
Councillor G. N. Denaro responded that in 2014/15 the cost was £36, 658 and in 2015/16 the cost was £28,912 (to January 2016).
Question submitted by Councillor C. A. Hotham
In the light of Policy Strategic Objective 6 in the emerging Plan which is to deliver 2the vision” and states that sustainable modes of transport and in particular cycling will be encouraged ; please could the Portfolio Holder explain why the successful Cycle to Work scheme promoted by Bromsgrove District Council to its employees, is not open to Council Members? And what changing room facilities have been provided in the new Parkside building to encourage and help employees/Members to cycle to work?
Councillor G. N. Denaro confirmed that the scheme at present only applied to employees and Members were not classed as such. He had asked officers to look again at the possibilities of Members participating in the scheme. It was confirmed that shower and locker facilities were available at Parkside.
Question submitted by Councillor K. J. May
Bromsgrove Post office is a fundamental part of our Town Centre. Can I call upon our Leader to write to the Board of Post Office Counters Limited requesting that any new provision of a Post Office in Bromsgrove Town centre is both sustainable and accessible to all of our residents?
The Leader responded that she was taking this matter forward. |
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report from the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Cultural Services Minutes: As the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Cultural Services , Councillor R. J. Laight presented a report on the areas covered by his Portfolio.
Councillor Laight referred to the work undertaken by the various Teams within the Service across the District including Play Areas, Parks and Open Spaces, Arts and Events and Sports Facilities.
Members considered the report and raised a number of matters including a query in respect of levels of lead content in play equipment. Councillor Laight referred to RoSPA research on this and stated that whilst officers were aware of the potential issue and were monitoring the position, it was unlikely that sites in the District were affected in view of their age.
Councillor Laight highlighted the range of events planned and sponsorship opportunities. In response to a query Councillor Laight undertook to respond to Councillor P. M. McDonald direct on the contribution to the cost of Morris Dancers in Bromsgrove High Street and detail of the approach to sponsorship of planting on roundabouts.
Members also raised the recent concern which had appeared in the media in respect of a potential carcinogenic link with Astro Turf. Officers were in receipt of advice from the Association of Play Industries on this matter.
In response to further issues raised, Councillor Laight responded that the name “Artrix Football Pitch” was incorrect and would not be used in future and confirmed that all officers and volunteers involved with working with children and young people had gone through the appropriate screening process and had been cleared to do so.
Councillor L. C. R. Mallett and Councillor M. Thompson queried whether Councillor Laight was aware of an email which related to the decision not to include a Sports Hall at the proposed new Leisure Centre. The email was sent by a member of the controlling group to a member of the Sports Hall campaigners group and included comments supporting the provision of a replacement sports hall.
Councillor Mallett then provided the Monitoring Officer with a copy of the email and requested that a formal investigation be undertaken to determine whether there had been any breach of the Members Code of Conduct.
Councillor M. Glass asked whether there had been any progress on signing an agreement with BAM regarding alternative sports hall provision. Councillor Laight expressed some disappointment regarding the delay in reaching agreement with BAM which was one of the difficulties in negotiating with a large international Corporation. Officers were now awaiting final Heads of Terms from BAM in order to sign contracts. It was anticipated this would be in around four weeks time.
At this point the Chairman stated that the time had elapsed for discussion on the Portfolio Holder’s report.
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Motion on Notice - Parkside Drinks Policy A period of up to one hour is allocated to consider the motions on notice. This may only be extended with the agreement of the Council.
Minutes: The Council considered the following motion submitted by Councillor M. Thompson:
“Council recognises that Parkside is a building of government and acknowledges that the Chair’s recent decision not to host gatherings for Councillors where alcohol is consumed is excellent and up-to- date practice. Therefore this motion proposes, aside from consumption by members of the public at functions where its facilities are hired, that Parkside becomes an alcohol free zone as far as Councillors are concerned”.
During the debate some Members expressed the view that the provision of alcohol within a public building such as Parkside was no longer appropriate, particularly in view of Drink Drive legislation and prevailing public attitudes.
The Leader responded that this issue had been raised at the previous Council meeting. She considered it appropriate to offer alcohol at civic events where hospitality was included and that guests and Councillors had the opportunity to decide for themselves whether or not they wished to consume alcohol.
On being put to the vote the Chairman declared the Motion to be lost.
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Council Tax Resolutions Additional documents: |