Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 25 January 2012.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 25 January 2012 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

To receive any declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, and the nature of that interest, in respect of any matter to be considered at this meeting.

Councillors Baily, Davison, Mrs Hayes, Kendall and Mrs McCracken declared a personal interest in respect of Item 6, Financial Plans and Revenue Budgets 2012-13, as they were on the Board of South Hill Park.

Councillor Mrs Birch declared a personal interest in respect of Item 6, as she had chosen the South Hill Park Arts Centre as the charity she supported during 2011/12 in her role as the Mayor of Bracknell Town Council.

Councillor Birch declared a personal interest in respect of Item 6, as his wife is the Mayor of Bracknell Town Council and had chosen the South Hill Park Arts Centre as the charity she supported during 2011/12.

Councillor McCracken declared a personal interest in respect of Item 6, as his wife was on the Board of South Hill Park.

Mayor’s Announcements

The Mayor welcomed Councillors Mrs Ballin and Miss Wilson back to the Council.

The Mayor had the honour of attending the official opening of the Royal Bracknell Clinic by her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex on 8 February 2012. The new clinic provides non-hospital based chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments for cancer patients.

The Mayor had attended the launch of the Scottish & Southern Energy “New Thames Valley Vision” project on 21 February. The project would radically change the movement of power across the borough and was a significant piece of work.

The Mayor was proud to have attended the celebration of young people’s achievement at the Bracknell Awards for Teenagers (BAFTAs) on 25 February at Edgbarrow Sports Centre.

Six different Bracknell Forest Council projects or individual staff members were recognised at the Bracknell Forest Partnership Commendations Awards which the Mayor attended on 27 February:

·         Louise Hopkinson, Children’s Participation Development Officer for her work on implementing the Participation Strategy

• Samantha Whitehouse, Manager plus all the staff at Larchwood Short Break Unit
• Sue Hall, Disabled Children’s Team Manager for work at Larchwood
• Simon McKenzie, Head of Service Learning, Difficulties and Disability for work at Larchwood
• Steve Chown, Lily Hill Park Manager
• Janine Watkins & Sean Ryan, Training Team
• Claire Sharp and the Careers Event Team
• Community Safety Team

Mayor’s Charity Events

The Mayor thanked all those who had attended his charity Masquerade Ball on 11 February as the event had been very successful and he was grateful to local businesses for their generosity.

The Mayor reminded the meeting that he was hosting a buffet for his charity on 19 March at the Tamarind Tree and tickets were available through the Mayor’s PA, Sue Brunt.

Executive Member for Planning, Transport and Economic Development

Councillor Mrs Ballin reported that all departments had efficiently dealt with the impact of the recent snow and ice and that the investment in equipment such as the Salt Barn and snow ploughs had increased the Council’s effectiveness.

Executive Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing

Councillor Birch congratulated Mark Sanders, Development Manager, for his work with ‘Green Machine’ which was a community interest project engaging disabled or disadvantaged people to clear up after major events and recycle what was left behind. Nick Heard MP had written to Councilor Birch to commend the project’s success and he asked the Director to pass on the Council’s thanks to Mark and his team.

Councillor Birch also recognised Jillian Hunt, DAAT Manager, for her team’s work on drug and alcohol treatment as commended by the Secretary of State for Health. The team was one of only nine authorities in the country to be selected to pilot a payment by results scheme. Danielle Ettia, Substance Misuse Officer, was thanked by the Council for her hard work with young people as demonstrated by an email from a parent praising the positive influence of the service.

Executive Member for Culture, Corporate Services and Public Protection

Councillor McCracken was pleased to report that there had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 29 January 2012.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bettison, presented his report on the work of the Executive since that reported at the Council meeting on 25 January 2012. The Executive had met once on 21 February 2012.

The Leader highlighted the following matters that had been considered:

·         Revenue Budget and Capitol Programme 2012/13 incorporated decisions on:

·         Ladybank older persons home

·         Reprovision of long term care

·         South Hill Park Revenue Grant (£419k)

·         Warfield SPD:

·         This was now part of the Local Development Framework

·         The SPD set out 16 development principles and was a comprehensive, sustainable mixed use urban extension of 2,200 dwellings

·         The SPD included a concept plan and the development would include a country park at Cabbage Hill plus two river parks

·         Senior Management Structure changes which included:

·         Movement of Housing function to Adult Social Care & Health department

·         Reduction of two Chief Officer posts

·         Recommendation to establish an Appointment Committee to select new Chief Officer: Customer Services

·         Time Square Refurbishment:

·         Work required to accommodate staff from Seymour House

·         Largely funded from Development Agreement

·         Contract award delegated to Director of Corporate Services with Executive Member for Finance, Resources & Assets

·         School Meal contract:

·         Consultation with Governing Bodies on participation

·         Contract award delegated to Director of Children, Young People & Learning with Executive Member for Education

Council is asked to resolve recommendations in respect of:

·         Capital Programme 2012/13 - 2014/15

·         Revenue Budget 2012/13

·         Council Tax 2012/13

·         Proposed Fees and Charges for 2012/13.

The Supporting Information has been circulated separately.

The Council considered the report by the Borough Treasurer which set out the financial plans and revenue budgets for the financial year 2012/13 and supporting information which presented the Council’s spending plans for 2012/13 and detailed budgets for the General Fund and capital programme.

Councillor Ward gave a comprehensive presentation elaborating on the proposals and highlighting some of the key issues including feedback from the consultation and the proposal not to increase Council Tax with the support of the Government Grant. He highlighted reductions including:

• Closure of four Children’s Centres
• Reduced services from School Improvement team
• Introduction of new charges and increased charges and
• Reduction in grant to South Hill Park

On the proposition of Councillor Mrs Temperton, Leader of the Opposition and seconded by Councillor Ms Brown an amended motion was put to the meeting that no changes to the budget proposals were required except for the following additional items of expenditure:

• £14,000 to retain the Sycamores Children Centre
• £92,000 for School Improvement
• £100,000 to extend the Aiming High Scheme
• £85,000 to support career guidance in schools
• £75,000 for targeted mental health support
• £50,000 for health education for young people

The additional expenditure to be met from £1.66m of balances, to be drawn down over four years.

On being put to the meeting the amendment fell. Councillors Mrs Temperton and Ms Brown requested that their vote in support of the amendment be recorded.

During the following debate Councillor Mrs Pile requested a written response from the Executive Member for Environment on the proposed charges for recyling bins asking “Can you reassure me in writing that charging for brown bins is not the thin end of the wedge for introducing further charges, including for blue and/ or brown bins?”.

On the proposition of Councillor Ward, Executive Member for Finance, Resources and Assets and seconded by Councillor Bettison it was

RESOLVED that

1          Capital Programme 2012/13 - 2014/15

i)                    General fund capital funding of £9.760m for 2012/13 in respect of new schemes listed on pages 283 to 287 of the summary report be approved;

ii)                   the inclusion of an additional budget of £1m for ‘Invest to Save’ schemes be approved;

iii)                 those schemes that attract external grant funding be approved for inclusion within the 2012/13 capital programme, at the level of funding received;

iv)                 the release of £2.054m from S106 monies be approved to fund capital projects outlined in paragraph 5.23 of the 21 February 2012 Executive report and included on pages 283 to 287 of the summary report;

v)                  those schemes which require external funding can only proceed once the Council is certain of receiving the grant; and

vi)                 the indicative programme for 2013/14 and 2014/15 be reviewed in the light of resources available and spending priorities in December 2012.

2          Revenue Budget 2012/13

i)                    No changes to the budget proposals were required as a result of the budget consultation;

ii)                   fees and charges as set out in Annexe G be approved (pages 75 to 162 of the summary  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

To determine what action the Council wishes to take in response to the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

The Council considered the report which asked Council to determine what action it wished to take in response to the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel.

On the proposition of Councillor Mrs Temperton, Leader of the Opposition and seconded by Councillor Ms Brown an amended motion was put to the meeting that in addition to accepting all the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel a further 20% reduction to all allowances within the scheme should be made. On being put to the meeting the amendment fell.

Councillors Mrs Temperton and Ms Brown requested that their vote in support of the amendment be recorded.

On the proposition of Councillor McCracken, Executive Member for Culture, Corporate Services and Protection seconded by Councillor Leake it was

RESOLVED that

a)      all the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel, as set out in bold in the Panel’s report and summarised in paragraph 5.6 of the report be agreed and that the Members’ Allowances Scheme be amended accordingly.

b)      the list of approved conferences, set out in Annex B of the agenda report be approved for insertion in the Scheme.

To approve a Pay Policy Statement as required by the Localism Act 2011.

The Council considered the report to approve a Pay Policy Statement as required by the Localism Act.

On the proposition of Councillor Ward, Executive Member for Finance, Resources and Assets seconded by Councillor McLean it was

RESOLVED that the Pay Policy Statement attached to the agenda report be endorsed as the basis for the current year and future Pay Policy Statements.

To establish an Appointment Committee for the post of Chief Officer: Customer Services.

The Council considered the report recommending the establishment of  an Appointment Committee for the post of Chief Officer: Customer Services.

On the proposition of Councillor Bettison, Leader of the Council seconded by Councillor McLean it was

RESOLVED that

a)      a Committee of the Council of five members (4:1), including at least one Member of the Executive (plus up to two substitute members per group) be appointed, with the following terms of reference:

“To interview and appoint on behalf of the Council to the post of Chief Officer: Customer Services.

b)      the nominated members are Councillors Brunel-Walker, Leake, McCracken, McLean and Mrs Temperton.

c)      the substitute members are Councillors Dr Barnard, Ms Brown and Finch.

To consider an amendment to the list of designated Consent Streets for the purposes of Street Trading in the Borough.

The Council considered the report recommending an amendment to the list of designated Consent Streets for the purposes of Street Trading in the Borough.

On the proposition of Councillor McCracken, Executive Member for Culture, Corporate Services and Public Protection seconded by Councillor Brunel-Walker it was

RESOLVED that under section 2(1)(c) of Schedule 4 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous) Provisions 1982 all Streets within the Borough be designated as Consent Streets, to include any land within 150 metres of the highway, with effect from 9 April 2012.