Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 16 July 2014.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 16 July 2014 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

Any Member with a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or an Affected Interest in a matter should withdraw from the meeting when the matter is under consideration and should notify the Democratic Services Officer in attendance that they are withdrawing as they have such an interest. If the Interest is not entered on the register of Members interests the Monitoring Officer must be notified of the interest within 28 days.

Councillors Finnie, Finch, Thompson and Wade declared an interest in Agenda Item 8: (S106 Supplementary Capital Approval), as members of the Bracknell Rugby Club.

Suspension of Council Procedure Rule 11

The Mayor advised that he had agreed to add the motion tabled by Councillor Brunel-Walker to the agenda as Agenda Item 11, subject to Council agreeing to suspend Council Procedure Rule 11, motions on notice.

Upon being put to the vote it was RESOLVED that Council Procedure Rule 11 be suspended to allow the tabled motion 01/2014 moved by Councillor Brunel-Walker and seconded by Councillor McLean to be considered as Agenda Item 11. 

Mayor’s Charity Events

The Mayor announced that the following charity events would be taking place in the upcoming months in aid of the Mayor’s charity:

• 17 October 2014: Table Top Sale at the Early Bird Florist in Binfield. Members were asked to give any contributions they may wish to make to either Councillor Mrs Angell or the Mayoral Support Officer.
• 6 November 2014: Cake Sale at Easthampstead House at 11am. Any contributions from Members would be welcome.
• 15 November 2014: Mayor’s Charity Concert at St Michael and St Mary Magdalene Church, Easthampstead at 3pm. Pupils from local schools would be attending the concert as well as the church choir.
• 23 November 2014: Mayor’s Curry Evening.

Other Mayoral Announcements

The Mayor announced that November was Pancreatic Cancer Research month and that he would be working closely with his charity during this month.

The Mayor’s Just Giving Page had now been set up.

Executive Member for Corporate Services

Councillor McCracken was pleased to announce that the Bracknell Town Centre Library had been chosen as one of 200 libraries nationally to participate in the Wimpy Kid Challenge. This was quite an achievement, particularly given the difficult financial climate libraries had faced recently; he was delighted that Bracknell Library had been chosen. Bracknell Library would be giving away 53 books from the Wimpy Kid series of books as a result.

Councillor McCracken offered his congratulations to Paul James, the Cemetery and Crematorium Supervisor at Easthampstead Cemetery and Crematorium for achieving runner up employee of the year in the Good Funeral Guide.

Councillor McCracken commended officers in Environmental Health and Trading Standards who had undertaken excellent work to recover in excess of £50,000 monies being withheld illegally. There had also been successful prosecutions for fly tipping in two areas of the borough.

Councillor McCracken was pleased to congratulate the Emergency Planning Team in achieving the ROSPA Gold Award for the fifth time.

Executive Member for the Environment

Councillor Mrs Hayes reported that a number of the Council’s employees would be leaving the Council to join Continental Landscape Limited. These staff had given years of excellent service and shown great commitment to the residents and business needs of the borough through inclement weather including snow and even flooding. She looked forward to continuing the excellent working relationship with these staff and their new management team. Councillor Mrs Hayes wished them well for the future.

Councillor Mrs Hayes was pleased to announce that the 26 six foot poppies that had been displayed around the borough had been hugely  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

Chief Constable, Sara Thornton to deliver a presentation on the work of Thames Valley Police over the last year.

The Chief Constable, Sara Thornton, gave a presentation on significant policing issues across the borough and Police and Crime Commissioner, Anthony Stansfeld also attended to speak to Members about budgets and regional funding.

The Police and Crime Commissioner reported that the performance of the Thames Valley Police (TVP) over the last two years had been remarkable. Household burglary was at a 40 year low and other burglaries were at a two year low. Rural crime had dropped in Thames Valley whilst it had increased elsewhere. Technology such as Automatic Number Plate Recognition had helped police forces hugely as well as good support from local Community Safety Partnerships.

The Police and Crime Commissioner reported that the six years ahead were a concern in terms of budgets. £1m would need to be cut from the Thames Valley Police budget which would present significant challenges.

The Chief Constable then delivered her presentation to the Council and reported that the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate Constabulary (HMIC) Review had made the following points about TVP:

• TVP was on track to achieve its required savings of £58.9m with a comprehensive strategy to achieve future savings, whilst continuing

to fight crime and keep communities safe

• With a focus on non-pay costs, TVP had been able to achieve

savings with a considerably smaller reduction in officer and

staff numbers than other forces 

• Thames Valley stood out as having increased the actual

numbers of officers and staff in frontline roles. This was commendable and demonstrated the ambition and commitment of the force to maintain the confidence of its communities

• The force had achieved the highest reduction in crime in comparison to other forces. Crime levels were low overall and high levels of victim satisfaction have been maintained.

The Chief Constable reported that she was very proud of the strong report from HMIC.

The Chief Constable outlined the Police Delivery Plan Six Strategic Objectives for 2014/15 and provided some detail around the work taking place to support these objectives:

1. Cut crimes that were of most concern to the community
2. Increase the visible presence of the police

-          650 Special Constables were now employed in the Thames Valley region. 126,016 hours operational policing since January 2014, 23% of this was in the Berkshire region.

-          A 12 month Street Triage in Oxfordshire had led to a 38% reduction in the number of people detained under s.136. There were plans to expand to East Berkshire. The Chief Constable stated that she would encourage colleagues from the Health & Wellbeing Board to get involved in this work and help forge strong partnerships.

3. Protect communities from the most serious harm

-          Tackling Child Sexual Exploitation: it was reported that there were currently 16 live investigations taking place in Berkshire. TVP were keen to work with health professionals and local authorities to share intelligence and work together in this area. More resources had been put into this area over the last three budget rounds and the Kingfisher Unit had been set up with Oxfordshire County  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20.

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 16 July 2014.

Council is asked to resolve a recommendation in respect of:

• The Community Learning Development Plan 2014/15

The Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor Birch, presented his report on the work of the Executive since that reported at the Council meeting on 16 July 2014. The Executive had met once on 22 July 2014.

The Deputy Leader highlighted the following matters that had been considered:

·         Adult Services, Housing & Health:

·         Safeguarding Adults Annual Report

• Dedicated website: www.bfsapb.org.uk was now established
• Berkshire Care Association Conference held in November 2013
• The Making Safeguarding Personal Project – this project ensured that the person was kept at the centre of their care and their wishes considered primarily at all times.
• Multi-agency involvement in safeguarding including Thames Valley Police and the Clinical Commissioning Group working together closely
• Increased prominence and awareness of safeguarding, including 32% increase in alerts
• Local Account 2013/14 which provided a statutory overview of activity and performance. An easy read format had also been produced as well as three YouTube clips.

·         Finance & Community Cohesion

• Commitment budget 2015/16 – 2017/18: brings together financial impact of all current plans and created a starting point for the 2015/16 budget. The period ahead would be challenging with an underlying gap of £16.5m over three years.
• Equality Framework for Local Government Peer Review: the review had been undertaken in April 2014. The findings of the peer review were that Bracknell Forest Council had a good understanding of its communities; was rated as achieving and in a good position to reach excellent. An action plan had been developed and submitted to the Executive.

·         Children, Young People & Learning

• Community Learning Development Plan 2014-17
• Pan Berkshire Adoption Service, this involved a service that was led by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead. It was hoped to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and responsive of the service.

·         Forward Look

• Residents’ survey, this had included a telephone survey of 1,800 residents and the results would be available early next year.
• Child Sexual Exploitation, post Rotherham there would be close liaison between the police, health and the Council and there would be no room for complacency.
• Future GP Surgery provision, the Deputy Leader would be meeting with NHS England to discuss future provision given the growth of the population in the Borough. It was noted that whilst ultimately NHS England would decide where any new provision was located, the Council had an important role to play in ensuring that NHS England and the Health & Wellbeing Board understood where growth in the Borough was taking place and where pressures on health services were being experienced.

On the proposition of Councillor Dr Barnard, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Learning, seconded by Councillor Mrs Birch

it was RESOLVED that in accordance with the Executive’s recommendations, the Development Plan for Community Learning for 2014-2017 be adopted.

To ratify the draft Food Law Enforcement Plan for 2014-2015 in accordance with the Council’s Constitution. 

The Council considered the report asking them to approve the Food Law Enforcement Plan 2014-15 in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Councillor Mrs Temperton queried when the results would be available for the Residential Care Home which had failed its test around dietary requirements as set out on page 27. The Director of Environment, Culture & Communities agreed to provide a response for Councillor Mrs Temperton.

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

RESOLVED that the supporting information in the report be notified and that the Food Law Enforcement Plan for 2014-15 be ratified.

To approve the release of £47,700 of S106 funding as detailed in the report for improvement works at Lily Hill Park on land leased to Bracknell Rugby Club.

The Council considered a report that asked them to approve the release of £47,700 of Section 106 funding as detailed in the report attached to the agenda papers for improvement works at Lily Hill Park on land leased to Bracknell Rugby Club.

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

RESOLVED that the release of £47,700 of Section 106 funding as detailed in the report for improvement works at Lily Hill Park on land leased to Bracknell Rugby Club be approved.

To approve the amendments to the Council’s Constitution as set out in the report.

The Council considered a report that asked them to approve the amendments to the Council’s Constitution as set out in the report attached to the agenda papers and recommended by the Governance and Audit Committee at their meeting on 14 July 2014.

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

RESOLVED that the amendments to the Council’s Constitution set out in Section 5 of the report attached to the agenda papers, be approved.

(i)         By Councillor Mrs Temperton to Councillor Turrell, Executive Member for Planning & Transport

Following my question at the April 2014 Council Meeting, the Chief Officer for Planning and Transport, sent a letter to the Jennett’s Park Consortium, dated 8 May, listing four outstanding section 106 planning obligations and  giving eight weeks for these to be achieved or the Borough Solicitor would be instructed to commence injunction proceedings to secure compliance. This eight week period ended in July.

After the 3 September meeting, between the Council and representatives from the Consortium, the Director of Environment, Culture and Communities concluded that none of the outstanding s106 requirements had properly been met and little or no progress had been made in achieving the promises made to local Members in early Summer.

If the triggers and deadlines included in original planning agreements will not/ can not be enforced, will they still be included in future planning agreements, such as for Binfield and Crowthorne developments?

Councillor Mrs Temperton asked Councillor Turrell, Executive Member for Planning and Transport the following published question:

 Following my question at the April 2014 Council Meeting, the Chief Officer for Planning and Transport, sent a letter to the Jennett’s Park Consortium, dated 8 May, listing four outstanding section 106 planning obligations and  giving eight weeks for these to be achieved or the Borough Solicitor would be instructed to commence injunction proceedings to secure compliance. This eight week period ended in July.

After the 3 September meeting, between the Council and representatives from the Consortium, the Director of Environment, Culture and Communities concluded that none of the outstanding s106 requirements had properly been met and little or no progress had been made in achieving the promises made to local Members in early Summer.

If the triggers and deadlines included in original planning agreements will not/ can not be enforced, will they still be included in future planning agreements, such as for Binfield and Crowthorne developments?

In response Councillor Turrell stated that many of these facilities had been successfully delivered. They included the primary school, the community centre, three playgrounds, a bus service and a Country Park.  However, the concern was with other facilities where the S106 terms and timeframes had not been met by the developer and where residents have had to go without certain planned facilities or amenities for what had now become considerable time.

After the 30 April 2014 Council meeting a S106 compliance letter from the Chief Officer Planning and Transport was sent to the development Project Manager. It was copied to the relevant developer interests, local Councillors, the Executive Member for Planning & Transport and to the Borough Solicitor.  The letter listed four matters of particular concern, and gave an eight week deadline (to 3 July) and referred to legal remedy/actions. 

A site meeting on 18 June, which Councillor Turrell attended with officers and ward councillors, gave an indication of the works still needed. On 25 June 2014, a reminder letter was sent from the Chief Officer, Planning and Transport as the 8 week (3rd July) deadline was approaching.  Councillor Turrell advised that the letter confirmed that, despite an email from the Jennett’s Park Project Manager dated 22 May, further confirmation of progress with S106 compliance was required and that the matter was being passed to the Director of Environment, Culture and Communities, as the Chief Officer was leaving the Council.

On 3 September the Director chaired a meeting with the Jennett’s Park developers.  The developers present were contrite and stated that concerns would be addressed.

Since that meeting there had been some progress on and off site: Work was currently in progress on two local areas for play. All play equipment was now installed. Designs for a further two local areas of play had been agreed. Works to complete the floodlighting for the Multi-Use Games Area were nearing completion. Works had started to the cycle link to the area bounded South by Eagle Way, with Kittiwake Way  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25.

Motion 01/2014 moved by Councillor Brunel-Walker and seconded by Councillor Mclean:

”As a Borough that encourages enterprise, Bracknell Forest Council supports the continued success of Heathrow but regrets that it was not consulted about the current trial of new flight paths over the parishes of our Borough. Local Members have received approaches from many residents and the Council is resolute in making sure their voices are heard as part of any consultation. Therefore, the Council asks Heathrow Airport and the National Air Traffic Control Service to confirm they are taking fully into account the views of our residents in this trial and will in future ensure this council is informed of all such changes to flight paths, timings etc. that have the potential to cause concern to our residents."

Councillor Brunel-Walker undertook to write to Heathrow Airport setting out the concerns of the Council and urging them to engage with local councils and residents in all future issues that affected local communities. The draft letter would be circulated to all Members as well as any response that was received from Heathrow Airport.   

Upon being put to the vote the motion was CARRIED.