Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 21 January 2015.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 21 January 2015 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.

Leader of Bracknell Forest Council

Councillor Bettison was pleased to announce that the Council had been recognised for being positive about disability and had retained its ‘Two Ticks’ status. Councillor Bettison thanked all the staff working hard to demonstrate the Council’s commitment to encouraging job applications from disabled people.

Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing

Councillor Birch was pleased to advise Members that the completion ceremony for Clement House was taking place next week. The 64 unit Extra Care facility would provide additional assisted accommodation for older people and he looked forward to the formal opening.

The Health and Wellbeing Board was working with Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to improve provision for younger people with mental health issues. The Clinical Commissioning Group and Public Health prevention programme have both committed £60k for a scheme to reduce waiting times. In addition the Clinical Commissioning Group and Public Health have both committed £40k to go towards additional support for young people to improve initial contact by using technology to access services.

Executive Member for the Environment

Councillor Mrs Hayes was pleased to announce that 41 defibrillators were in storage ready for installation around the borough. Once they were installed a list would be made available so that residents were aware of where they are located.

Executive Member for Culture, Corporate Services and Public Protection

Councillor McCracken was proud to report that Adam Eastwood, Revenue Service apprentice had been awarded the Investment in Training Award from West Berkshire Training College. The award recognised that Adam has developed the most at the college, with the council’s support. It also recognised the professionalism that Adam’s colleagues, managers and HR advisers have shown in supporting him through his apprenticeship. The Members present joined Councillor McCracken in congratulating Adam on his hard work and dedication.

Mayor’s Charity

The Mayor advised the Members present that tickets for all 23 team tables at his Charity Quiz night being held at Easthampstead Park Conference Centre on Friday 27 February had been sold. 18 teams have also signed up to the Charity Golf Day on 24 April.

The Mayor asked Members to join him at his Charity Curry Night on 18 May at the Tamarind Tree Restaurant, Wokingham. 60 spaces were available and 30 spaces had already been reserved.

Service of Thanksgiving

The Mayor asked Members to make a note of the date of his Service of Thanksgiving which was being held on Sunday 3 May at St. Michael and St. Mary Magdalene Church.

VE Day Celebrations

The Mayor advised Members that VE Day was on 8 May 2015.

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 21 January 2015.

Council is asked to resolve recommendations in respect of:

• Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule 2015;
• Purchase of a Development Site in Bracknell Town Centre

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bettison, presented his report on the work of the Executive since that reported at the Council meeting on 21 January 2015.  The Executive had met twice, on 27 January 2015 and 10 February 2015.

The Leader highlighted the following matters that had been considered:

·         The Residents’ Survey had been undertaken by QA Research and 1800 residents had been sampled with an accuracy of  + 2.3%. 87% were satisfied with local area as place to live, 65% were satisfied with the way Council runs things and 59% considered that the Council offered value for money. All of these areas were improvements from the previous surveys in 2012 and 2008.

·         The allocation of pre-construction services and main works for Binfield Learning Village had been delegated to the Executive Committee and the IESE framework would be used.

·         The construction tender had been awarded for the Eastern Road SEN facility and the facility was due to be opened in September 2015.

·         The Executive had approved the Community Infrastructure Levy Regulation 123 list which set out the infrastructure to be funded, the instalment policy and the planning obligations SPD. The Council were asked to consider approval of the charging schedule and commencement of Community Infrastructure Levy charging on 6 April 2015.

·         It had been agreed that Surrey Heath Borough Council could use the Shepard Meadow as SANGS space for 500 dwellings with the contribution set at £1,963 per person and would contribute to the cost of maintaining the site. It was noted that would have no impact on the Council’s ability to designate SANGS for in borough developments.

·         Nine Call Off Contracts had been agreed for supported bus services which would protect and reinforce the existing bus network.

·         The Joint Commissioning Strategy for adults with autism had drawn on detailed consultation undertaken in July-September 2014 and had been endorsed .

·         The Council was asked to consider the proposal to purchase a specific town centre site to provide affordable housing with Thames Valley Housing Association.

·         The Leader highlighted the key dates in progress towards the redevelopment of Bracknell Town Centre, he congratulated the whole team involved in this progress and noted it was due to open in the Spring of 2017.

Community Infrastructure Levy Charging

On the proposition of Councillor Turrell, Executive Member for Planning and Transport, seconded by Councillor Brossard, it was

RESOLVED that:

i)              the Charging Schedule set out at Appendix A to the report be published; and

ii)             Community Infrastructure Levy charging in Bracknell Forest would commence on 6 April 2015.

Purchase of Development Site in Bracknell Town Centre

On the proposition of Councillor Birch, Executive Member for Adult Social Care, Health and Housing, seconded by Councillor Ward, it was

RESOLVED that the 10% deposit to be paid at exchange of contracts for the development site be funded from virement of under spend in the current year’s housing capital programme.

To approve proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution relating to the affixing of the Common Seal of the Council (Part 4, Section 17) and overview and scrutiny panels (Part 3, Section 3) in relation to the Health Overview & Scrutiny Panel.

The Council was asked to agree the recommendations of the Governance and Audit Committee with regards to amendments to the Council’s Constitution relating to the affixing of the Common Seal of the Council and updating the role of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel

On the proposition of Councillor Heydon, Chairman of the Governance and Audit Committee, seconded by Councillor Allen, it was

RESOLVED that:

i)              the Council’s Constitution be amended to provide that that affixing of the Common Seal of the Council should be attested by the Borough Solicitor or (in his/her absence) another Solicitor authorised by the Borough Solicitor;

ii)             the Council’s Constitution be amended as shown in Appendix 1 to the report.

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

(a)        Last summer residents of Jennetts Park celebrated the news that Morrisons had conditionally signed to run their shop. Since then Morrisons have had their delivery times agreed and obtained the license to sell alcohol, but no building has started.

When will the shop be built and opened?

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

Last summer residents of Jennetts Park celebrated the news that Morrisons had conditionally signed to run their shop. Since then Morrisons have had their delivery times agreed and obtained the license to sell alcohol, but no building has started.

When will the shop be built and opened?

Councillor Turrell replied that he had advised the September Council meeting that the developers had stated they were nearing the end of negotiations with a retailer. The agreement with the retailer was fully entered into in October 2014 following lengthy discussions during the summer.  He added construction working drawings were currently being produced for approval by the developer. Following an application for the discharge of the pre-commencement planning conditions construction was anticipated to begin in late spring/early summer 2015. The estimated build time would mean that the retail unit would be operational in late Spring / early Summer 2016.

Councillor Turrell stated that he fully understood the frustration of local residents at the slow progress of this matter but local councillors had worked hard on this. The Council had applied pressure on the developers and he would continue with this approach.

In reply to Councillor Mrs Temperton’s supplementary question he stated that the question of enforcement had been considered but that working with the Consortium had produced results but firmer action had not been ruled out if progress was not maintained.

The Council considered the report by the Borough Treasurer which set out the financial plans and revenue budgets for the financial year 2015/16 and supporting information which presented the Council’s spending plans for 2015/16 and detailed budgets for the General Fund and Capital Programme.

Councillor Ward gave a comprehensive presentation, in particular:

·         He reflected on his pride for the Members’ Initiative Fund. The scheme had been put in place several years ago to give Members the opportunity to support local projects and services based on their knowledge of local ward priorities

·         He reflected on the delivery of the most significant capital project during his time as portfolio holder being the development of Garth Hill College which cost in excess of £40m. He asked Members to recall that through diligent planning and continual challenge the new school was delivered on time and within budget

·         He thanked the Chief Executive and his senior team for their hard work throughout the budget process and in particular highlighted the work of the Borough Treasurer

·         He reported that there would be a reduction of more than 4m in central government funding, an inflationary rise on the Council’s cost base and rising demand for Council services particularly amongst older people and those with long term conditions

·         The Council’s net spending would be £83.2m, with an overall gross expenditure of £130m

·         £82m would be passported directly to schools

·         £13.4m was proposed for supporting those with a learning disability

·         £10.0m was proposed for support for older people, including those with physical disabilities and dementia

·         £6.3m was proposed for Looked After Children which was the same amount o be spent on waste disposal

·         £3.0m was proposed for Recreation, sport and leisure together with £2.5m proposed for Open spaces

·         Almost £3m proposed savings had been found by increasing efficiency, reducing back office costs together with managing demand for services as well as taking opportunities to increase income

·         The proposed capital budget was £31.1m which was the start of the investment in the Borough and in particular:

o   Supporting infrastructure for the redevelopment of Bracknell Town Centre

o   Development of the Binfield Learning Village at Blue Mountain delivering school places as well as new housing and associated community facilities

o   Transformation of Coral Reef through provision of new roof and two new flumes

·         Councillors had listened carefully to the feedback to the consultation process and he was grateful to all those who took part by examining the proposals and providing feedback

·         The consultation responses indicated that most groups understood the current position and are supportive of the proposed approach

·         £4.9m was proposed to be taken from balances to support the budget and

·         No increase in Council Tax on any of the bands was proposed for the fifth year running.

On the proposition of Councillor Ward, Executive Member for Transformation and Finance, seconded by Councillor Bettison the recommendations as set out in the agenda report were moved.

On the proposition of Councillor Mrs Temperton, Leader of the Labour Group and seconded by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.