Agenda and minutes

In advance of the commencement of the meeting Councillor Birch spoke of the sad passing of Glyn Jones, the former Director of Adult Social Care, Health and Housing. He praised him for the positive influence he’d had on the delivery of the Council’s services and promised to continue his legacy. The Mayor asked everyone present to join her in a minute silence.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 24 February 2016.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 24 February 2016 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

Including a presentation of a cheque to the Mayor’s Charity, Make-A-Wish UK.

Executive Member for Adult Services, Health and Housing

Councillor Birch was pleased to report that recent analysis had shown a drop in the number of falls since the Solutions4Health service had been implemented. The service measured how people susceptible to falls moved in order to anticipate recurrences. The Council passed on their thanks and best wishes to the team for their endeavours.

He stated that Bracknell Forest had the highest rate of smoking cessation with a 78% success rate. He congratulated the Health team for this positive measure.

Councillor Birch asked the Members present to join him in thanking John Nawrockyi for his help and guidance over the past 16 months as Director of Adult Social Care, Health and Housing while he contributed to maintaining high standards across his service and wished him well in the future.

Executive Member for Planning and Transport

Councillor Turrell was proud to report that the traffic lights at the Coral Reef junction had been switched on earlier than expected following months of considerable  work on the carriageways to convert the roundabout to a junction. He thanked Nick Rose, Transport Engineering Manager and Nick Goddard from Ringways for their commitment to this project. The new infrastructure supported the borough now and for the future with the development of the town centre.

He advised the meeting that the borough’s first Neighbourhood Plan had come into effect in Binfield. He was pleased to see local policies put forward by local residents.

Executive Member for Children, Young People and Learning

Councillor Dr Barnard reflected on the recent Primary School production ‘Along Came Man’. He paid tribute to all those involved including the pupils, teachers and helpers as he considered it had been an amazing showcase of talent.

Executive Member for the Environment

Councillor Mrs Hayes told the meeting that she had persuaded a local store in Warfield to provide a new laptop to Winkfield St. Marys Church of England, Whitegrove and Sandy Lane Primary Schools.

Executive Member for Culture, Corporate Services and Public Protection

Councillor McCracken was pleased to advise the meeting that the Look Out was celebrating its 25^th birthday this year, having been opened by the Queen in 1991 and had continued to achieve Customer Service Excellence Award standards.

He reported that Easthampstead Park Conference Centre had opened an outside weddings ceremony venue.

He added that the Binfield Library staff had been recognised by Binfield Parish Council and been awarded a Community Excellence Award.

Councillor McCracken was happy to announce that £4,444 had been raised through the Cemetery and Crematorium’s metal recycling programme and had been donated to the Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service.

He concluded that there were still spaces available for the upcoming Bracknell Half Marathon being held on 8^th May 2016.

Councillor Leake

Councillor Leake updated the Members present on the background to the Binfield Neighbourhood Plan explaining that it was two years in gestation. He thanked the officers who had supported its development. On behalf of Binfield Parish Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 24 February 2016.

Council is asked to resolve recommendations in respect of:

·         The 2016 refresh of the priorities and targets contained within Community Safety Partnership Plan (CSPP) 2014-17

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bettison, presented his report on the work of

the Executive since that reported at the Council meeting on 24 February 2016. The

Executive had met twice, on 8 March 2016 and 12 April 2016.

The Leader highlighted the following matters that had been considered:

·         The Parking Standards SPD had been adopted and would be a material consideration for all applications after 1 July 2016. The new standards reflect current needs including larger garages, electric vehicle charging, schools drop off/pick up spaces and allowed sufficient spaces for business growth.

·         The trial Residents’ Parking Scheme had been introduced in 2014 and funded by the Council due to the parking pressures resulting in the Town Centre regeneration. The existing parking pressures on residential estates was well known so the consultation was designed to agree  a charging structure to cover costs if the scheme was extended.

·         The Highways Maintenance Works Programme had been agreed with a list of schemes targeting areas of greatest need. £1.56m funding was provided by Department for Transport and £0.23m provided by Bracknell Forest Council.

·         Following the Binfield Neighbourhood Plan Referendum held on 3 March the Plan was now ‘made’ and the Community Infrastructure Levy contribution to Binfield Parish Council would increase to 25%.

·         The Academy sponsor had been recommended to the Regional Schools Commissioner for Binfield Learning Village and Amen Corner North Schools.

·         Home to School Transport contracts were agreed for September 2016 – August 2020.

·         The Advocacy Joint Commissioning Strategy 2016 – 2021 was approved.

·         A new policy had been agreed for Council Tax Penalties setting a fixed £70 penalty for unreasonable delay or failure to provide information relating to changing liability.

·         The annual refresh of the Community Safety Partnership Plan was recommended to Council against a backdrop of low and falling crime levels.

In response to Councillor Mrs Temperton’s question regarding the possibility of the residents’ car parking scheme being extended beyond the town centre. ?Councillor Turrell advised that the current scheme was proactive to tackle an anticipated parking problem. Learning from the consultation on the trial may help in the future of the Council were to consider introducing any reactive schemes to address existing parking problems.

The agenda report contained recommendations that the Council was asked to resolve in respect of the 2016 refresh of the priorities and targets contained within Community Safety Partnership Plan (CSPP) 2014-17.

Community Safety Partnership Plan 2014-17

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

RESOLVED that the 2016 refresh of the priorities and targets contained within Community Safety Partnership Plan (CSPP) 2014-17 be endorsed.

To establish an Appointment Committee to recruit to the post of Borough Treasurer.

The Council considered a report regarding the establishment of an Appointment

Committee to appoint to the position of Borough Treasurer.

On the proposition of Councillor Heydon, Executive Member for Transformation and Finance and seconded by Councillor McLean it was:

RESOLVED that:

i)              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 Borough Treasurer.  This post also has the statutory role of Section 151 Officer.”

ii)             Councillors Heydon, McLean, Phillips, Leake and Mrs Temperton be confirmed as the nominated members; and

iii)            Councillors Allen, Dr Barnard, Thompson and Ms Miller be confirmed as the substitute members.

To consider and adopt the changes to the Constitution Part 4 Section 11 – Contract Standing Orders.

The Council considered the report regarding proposed changes to the Council’s

constitution to amend definitions on Part 4, Section 11: Contract Standing Orders as recommended by the Governance & Audit Committee at its meeting on 30 March 2016.

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

RESOLVED that the changes to the Constitution Part 4 Section 11 – Contract Standing Orders, set out in the Annex to the agenda report be adopted.

To inform Members of progress made in respect of the operation and development of overview and scrutiny in Bracknell Forest during 2015/16, and outline proposed future activities.

The Council considered the Annual Report of Overview and Scrutiny which informed

Members of progress made in respect of the operation and development of Overview

and Scrutiny in Bracknell Forest during 2015/6 and outlined proposed future

activities. Councillor Leake thanked the Overview and Scrutiny team for their continued support.

On the proposition of Councillor Leake, Chairman of Overview and Scrutiny

Commission, seconded by Councillor Angell, it was:

RESOLVED that

i)              the 2015/16 Annual Report of the Overview and Scrutiny Commission be adopted; and

ii)             the commitment, role and value of the overview and scrutiny function be acknowledged and that non-executive Members continue to be supported in their role.

To appraise all Members of the work and progress on Member Development during the year 2015-16 and to approve the new Member Development Strategy 2016-2020.

The Council considered the Member Development Annual Report which appraised all Members of the work and progress on Member Development during the year 2015-

16 and sought approval of the new Member Development Strategy 2016-2020. Councillor Allen stated that informed Members make informed decisions and he thanked officers across the Council who continued to support the development programme.

On the proposition of Councillor Allen, Chairman of the Member Development

Charter Steering Group, seconded by Councillor McCracken, it was:

RESOLVED that

i)              the Member Development Strategy 2016 – 2020 be approved; and

ii)            the Member Development Annual Report 2015-16 be noted.

To appraise all Members of the work undertaken by the Council’s four Champions during the year 2015-16.

The Council considered the Annual Report which detailed the work undertaken by the Council’s four Champions during the year 2015-16. The report informed Members of activities and their outcomes.

Councillor Mrs Temperton queried when the platform extensions would be completed at the Bracknell Station and Councillor Harrison agreed to confirm the timescale.

The Mayor thanked the Champions for their Annual Report 2015-16.

On the proposition of Councillor Finnie, Voluntary Sector Champion, seconded by Councillor Harrison it was

RESOLVED to receive the report. 

To appraise all Members of the work of the Standards Committee in 2015-16.

The Council noted the Standards Committee Annual Report which advised Members of the work of the Standards Committee during the last municipal year.

On the proposition of Councillor Finnie seconded by Councillor King OBE it was

RESOLVED to receive the report.  

By Councillor Mrs Temperton to Councillor Bettison, Leader of the Council

The New Council Plan states that the cost, quality and delivery mechanism of all aspects of the Council will be reviewed by 2019. The present cost of the political management of the council is just under £600K.

When does the review of the political management of the Council and its associated allowances feature in this four year plan? The present allocation of the Portfolio Holders seems unbalanced. Could the number of executive portfolio holders be reduced?  Are ‘Champions’ needed?

Councillor Mrs Temperton asked Councillor Bettison, Leader of the Council the following published question:

The New Council Plan states that the cost, quality and delivery mechanism of all aspects of the Council will be reviewed by 2019.The present cost of the political management of the council is just under £600K.

When does the review of the political management of the Council and its associated allowances feature in this four year plan?The present allocation of the Portfolio Holders seems unbalanced. Could the number of executive portfolio holders be reduced? Are ‘Champions’ needed?

In response Councillor Bettison stated that, as set out in legislation, the Independent Remuneration Panel would be considering the Members Allowances Scheme once during the four year term. He added that the portfolios of the Executive Members were considered on an annual basis and any changes were reported to Council. He stated that the number of Executive Members had been reduced and was the joint smallest cabinet in Berkshire having eight Members. He reflected that Bracknell Forest had been the first Council to introduce the role of Champion and 180 Councils had followed, recognising the benefit of having Councillors representing communities of interest who required a different type of support than the ward system. He considered that they were excellent value for money. In response to Councillor Mrs Temperton’s follow up question he clarified that the date of the review by the Independent Remuneration Panel was currently unknown. 

To consider the following motion:

That pursuant to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, and having regard to the public interest, members of the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of the following item which involves the likely disclosure of exempt information under the following category of Schedule 12A of that Act:

(3)        Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding the information)  (Item 14)

RESOLVED that pursuant to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, and having regard to the public interest, members of the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of the following item which involves the likely disclosure of exempt information under the following category of Schedule 12A of that Act:

(3)        Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding the information)  (Item 14)

To seek approval for the funding to purchase property.

The Council considered the report setting out the request for approval for the funding to purchase property.

On the proposition of Councillor Heydon, Executive Member for Transformation and Finance, seconded by Councillor Dr Barnard, it was:

RESOLVED that

i)              a supplementary capital budget of £340,000 in 2016/17 be agreed, and

ii)             appropriate provision be made in the Commitment Budget for the additional revenue costs, less any that are recoverable from future tenants.