Agenda and minutes

At the request of the Chairman, the Chamber held a minute’s silence in memory of Royal Marine Carl Harrison of Bromsgrove who had recently died as a result of a car accident.

At the request of the Chairman, Councillor Mrs. J. Dyer M.B.E. opened the meeting with a prayer.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs. M. Bunker, Mrs. A. E. Doyle, Mrs. J. D. Luck and Mrs C. J. Spencer.

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

No declarations of interest were received.

The Chairman referred to the following events:

(a)       Carol Service on 15th December 2010.

(b)       Masked Disco on 5th February 2011.

(c)        Treorchy Male Voice Choir on 9th February 2011.

(d)       Civic Dinner on 15th February 2011.

There were no announcements from the Leader.

To consider the recommendations from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 1st December 2010 on the following items (the full Cabinet reports are enclosed for information at the back of the Council agenda book)

• Review of Pay on Foot Car Parking
• Laurel Grove/Beech Road Play Area and Recreation Ground

(i)         REVIEW OF PAY ON FOOT CAR PARKING

The recommendation was tabled and moved by Councillor M. J. A. Webb and seconded by Councillor G. N. Denaro.

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

For the recommendations: Councillors A. N. Blagg, Dr. D. W. P. Booth JP, Mrs. J. M. Boswell, Miss D. H. Campbell, S. R. Colella, R. J. Deeming, G. N. Denaro, Mrs. R. L. Dent, J. T. Duddy, Mrs. J. Dyer M.B.E., D. Hancox, R. Hollingworth, Ms. H. J. Jones, B. Lewis, Ms. J. A. Marshall, Mrs. C. M. McDonald, P. M. McDonald, D. McGrath, E. J. Murray, D. L. Pardoe, S. R. Peters, C. R. Scurrell, S. P. Shannon, Mrs. M. A. Sherrey JP, R. D. Smith, C. B. Taylor, E. C. Tibby, C. J. Tidmarsh, L. J. Turner, M. J. A. Webb,  P. J. Whittaker and C. J. K. Wilson (32);

Against the recommendations: (0)

RESOLVED that £45,000 be released from balances to ensure a balanced budget for 2010/2011 in respect of the incremental charging scheme.  

(ii)        LAUREL GROVE/BEECH ROAD PLAY AREA AND RECREATION GROUND

            RESOLVED that the scheme be included in the Forward Capital Programme for 2010/2011 and that officers be requested to undertake the works required before the “clawback” point is reached.

To consider the report of the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services

Further to the decisions made at the previous meeting of the Council on 17th November 2010 with regard to the draft proposals on the “Strong Leader” model of governance (Minute No. 81/10 refers), Members considered a  report of the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services which advised how the draft proposals had been publicised since that date. The final stage in the process of changing the governance arrangements was for the draft proposals to be formally adopted by a resolution of the full Council.

The recommendations were moved by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor R. Hollingworth.

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

For the recommendations: Councillors A. N. Blagg, Dr. D. W. P. Booth JP, Mrs. J. M. Boswell, Miss D. H. Campbell, S. R. Colella, R. J. Deeming, G. N. Denaro, Mrs. R. L. Dent, J. T. Duddy, Mrs. J. Dyer M.B.E., D. Hancox, R. Hollingworth, Ms. H. J. Jones, B. Lewis, D. McGrath, D. L. Pardoe, S. R. Peters, C. R. Scurrell, Mrs. M. A. Sherrey JP, R. D. Smith, C. B. Taylor, E. C. Tibby, C. J. Tidmarsh, L. J. Turner, M. J. A. Webb and  P. J. Whittaker (26);

Against the recommendations: (0);

Abstentions:  Councillors Ms. J. A. Marshall, Mrs. C. M. McDonald, P. M. McDonald, E. J. Murray, S. P. Shannon and C. J. K. Wilson (6).

RESOLVED:

(a)         that the Leader and Cabinet model as set out in the Local Government Act 2000 (as amended by the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007) and the published proposals set out in Appendix 1 to the report be adopted with effect from the third day after the local elections in May 2011;and

(b)         that the Head of Legal Equalities and Democratic Service be authorised to make the consequential changes to the Constitution.