Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Fourth Floor, Easthampstead House, Bracknell. View directions

Contact: Kirsty Hunt  01344 353108

Items
No. Item

The Council observed a minute’s silence to mark the sad death of Phillip King OBE. He was the Ward representative for Central Sandhurst from 2015 until the end of 2016.

40.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 159 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 18 January 2017.

Minutes:

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Council meeting held on 18 January 2017 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

41.

Declarations of Interest

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.

Minutes:

Following clarifying advice from both the Chief Executive and Borough Solicitor the following declarations were made:

 

Councillors Angell and Virgo declared an affected interest in item 7, Financial Plans and Revenue Budgets, by virtue of being Trustees at South Hill Park Trust.

 

Councillors Mrs Angell and Mrs McKenzie-Boyle declared an affected interest in item 7, Financial Plans and Revenue Budgets, by virtue of their spouses’ being Trustees at South Hill Park Trust.

42.

Presentation from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service pdf icon PDF 427 KB

Chief Fire Officer, Andy Fry and representatives from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service will be attending the meeting to deliver a presentation on the public consultation running until 13 March 2017 on the future shape and priorities for Berkshire. Further information about the consultation  can be found at www.rbfrs.co.uk/consultation

Minutes:

Chief Fire Officer, Andy Fry and representatives from Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service were welcomed to the meeting to deliver a presentation on the public consultation running until 13 March 2017 on the future shape and priorities for Berkshire. Further information about the consultation could be found at www.rbfrs.co.uk/consultation

 

Area Manager, Jim Powell delivered the presentation and highlighted that the key outcomes for the consultation were maximising their contribution to enabling people to lead safe and fulfilling lives; balancing the Fire Authority’s budget and, where possible, align any changes made to the aspirations of their staff. It was noted that there were seven options within the service redesign which included changing crewing arrangements and fire engine removal. Both mainstream media and social media had been used to promote participation and twice as many people are usual had contributed their views to the consultation.

 

In response to a query regarding call centre management the Members were reassured by Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Trevor Ferguson that the ability to handle calls had been preserved and protected when the system became hosted in Reading.

 

In response to an enquiry about how the Fire Service was supporting safeguarding priorities Chief Fire Officer, Andy Fry explained that this had started with juvenile fire starters. This group had responded well on projects to encourage good choices by providing positive role models. The power of the Fire Service’s branding was realised when they starting completing Home Safety Visits to encourage residents to install smoke detectors and create evacuation plans. Those vulnerable to fire were also those most at risk of other issues and being able to access the most vulnerable residents’ homes meant that firefighters were able to advise not only on fire prevention but assess the risk of complex issues such as fall risk and dementia awareness and alert social care teams as appropriate.

 

In response to a question about readiness for the next forest fire Area Manager, Simon Jefferies responded that the service had invested in staff training and off-road vehicles. The Service was also able to call upon specialist advice, a fleet of 4 x 4 pumps and off-road vehicles through national co-ordination arrangements.

 

The Mayor thanked all of the officers for the service provided to borough residents and for attending the meeting.

43.

Mayor's Announcements pdf icon PDF 109 KB

Minutes:

Departure of Head of Overview and Scrutiny

 

Members joined the Mayor in thanking Richard Beaumont for his time as Head of Overview and Scrutiny. It was noted that he had made a significant contribution to the work of Overview and Scrutiny and the Mayor wished him well in his retirement.

 

Charity Burn’s Night Supper

 

The Mayor announced that his Charity Burn’s Night Supper had raised £3,000 and he had been pleased to see many of his fellow Councillors supporting his charity, Sebastian’s Actions Trust.

 

Charity Quiz Night

 

The Mayor was pleased to share with Members that his Grease themed Charity Quiz Night hosted by the Easthampstead Park Conference Centre had been a success. He thanked Gill Cannell and the other staff at the Conference Centre for organising a fantastic event.

 

Executive Member for Regeneration

 

Councillor Brunel-Walker was pleased to announce to the Members present that it was six months and one week until the opening of the Lexicon. He advised Members that the new paving in the Town Centre equated to a granite walkway a metre wide and 11 miles long. A time capsule would soon be buried which would be opened in 50 years time. New lettings had been announced including Kiko Milano, Pandora and New Look.

 

Councillor Brunel-Walker advised that the Lexicon would need to employ 3.5K people which significantly exceeded those currently unemployed and the 18-24 year olds who were not in employment or training. Information on upcoming job fairs were on the Lexicon website.  

 

He was proud to announce that three dementia friendly car parking spaces had been designated in the High Street Car park.

 

He reminded Members that time was running out to view the regeneration from the top of the tower.

 

Executive Member for Finance and Transformation

 

Councillor Heydon had attended the 5th annual Get Berkshire Active Awards on 10 February 2017 recognising the people that have excelled in a sport or physical activity setting during the previous year. He was pleased to announce that Bracknell Gymnastics Senior Men’s Team were recognised for their team performance of the year.

 

Charity Gala Dinner

 

The Mayor encouraged Members to attend his James Bond themed event which was being held on 22 April at the Coppid Beech Hotel. Tickets could be purchased through Customer Services.

 

44.

Executive Report pdf icon PDF 314 KB

To receive the Leader’s report on the work of the Executive since the Council meeting held on 18 January 2017.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bettison, presented his report on the work of the Executive since that reported at the Council meeting on 18 January 2017. The Executive had met twice on 24 January and 14 February 2017.

 

The Leader highlighted the following things which had been considered:

 

·         Procurement plan for outsourcing of Bracknell Sports & Leisure Centre, Coral Reef and Downshire Golf Course as part of the Leisure Services Transformation Project had been agreed. Either all three sites would be offered as a package or Downshire Golf Course would be offered separately from a combined package of the other two sites.

 

·         One Public Estate pan Berkshire governance had been agreed.

 

·         It had been agreed to develop a business case for jointly commissioned Elderly Mental Infirm Care Home with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and the Clinical Commissioning Group.

 

·         The Executive gave approval to pursue the making of a non-immediate Article 4 Direction to remove the permitted development rights in Bracknell Western; Eastern and Southern Business Areas. This responded to concerns of major employers at potential changes to the nature of key business areas but the implementation of the change had been delayed by one year to avoid potential compensation claims.

 

·         A new Learning and Improvement Strategy had been agreed which gave a “harder edge” to improvement work with schools and had been welcomed by schools.

 

·         The School capacity and places plan had been agreed which outlined how the Council was going to respond to 20% and 27% increases in the primary and secondary aged population within the borough.

 

·         The Executive agreed High Needs Block Funding arrangements.

 

·         A Council Tax exemption would be granted to Care Leavers aged 18-21 as an important statement of the Council’s role as corporate parent.

 

·         The Local Flood Risk Management Strategy 2017 – 2020 had been agreed.

 

·         A consultation on the charging options for care and support at home had been agreed. There was a strong preventative focus to the charging proposals which included developing a role for Forestcare to offer a paid for “pop in”  when needed as opposed to “live in“ care. It was acknowledged that a gap in night time in-home support could increase the likelihood of residential or hospital care.

 

In response to a query about the Learning Improvement Strategy Framework Councillor Dr Barnard responded that although there would be a wider consultation, the authority was clear about how it would fulfil its statutory duties. The Framework showed a clear change to intent and achieving wider buy-in would take time but it had been developed with Head Teachers and explained the stages of intervention when a school’s performance caused concern.

 

In response to a query on the anticipated cuts to High Needs Funding and how this would be consulted upon Councillor Dr Barnard responded that the changes would affect all schools and specialist providers in the area. It was proposed for young people with additional needs to be supported within the borough and discussions would involve all schools,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

45.

Financial Plans and Revenue Budgets pdf icon PDF 271 KB

To resolve recommendations in respect of:

·         Capital Programme 2017/18 - 2019/20

·         Revenue Budget 2017/18 (including Fees and Charges)

·         Council Tax 2017/18

 

The supporting information has been circulated separately to this agenda and is available at http://democratic.bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered the report by the Borough Treasurer which set out the financial plans and revenue budgets for the financial year 2017/18 and the supporting information which presented the Council’s spending plans for 2017/18 and detailed

budgets for the General Fund and Capital Programme.

 

Councillors Angell, Mrs Angell, Mrs McKenzie-Boyle and Virgo had declared an affected interest in this item and therefore did not take part in the discussion or the vote.

 

Councillor Heydon gave a comprehensive presentation placing a particular focus on:

 

·         Following the approval of the 2016/17 budget further savings proposals of almost £4m, in addition to the savings in the main budget, were considered and endorsed by Full Council on 13 July 2016. The Council was on track to deliver these savings and replenish the Council’s reserves. 

·         The Council would be delivering a balanced budget, as Bracknell Forest had every year since it became a Unitary Authority in 1998. 

·         He thanked his Executive colleagues, fellow Councillors, the Chief Executive, the Treasurer and their senior teams for all their hard work.

·         The Council’s initial budget plans were published for consultation on 13 December and the provisional financial settlement was announced two days later which included the Government’s plans for the New Homes Bonus.

·         The changes to the New Homes Bonus would significantly impact Bracknell Forest. Initially some of the reduction in the New Homes Bonus would be used to fund a new grant for Adult Social Care but the local allocation would not match the reduction. This loss would became greater over the next three years as the New Homes Bonus itself tapered down.

·         The predicted loss of £1.5m due to the complete withdrawal of the Education Support Grant was mitigated by changes to other Education grant arrangements, including that to the Dedicated Schools Grant.

·         The Council was set to lose an additional £1.3m in funding than anticipated by 2019/20.

·         There had been very few responses to the Budget consultation and Councillor Heydon thanked everyone who had taken the time to do so, including Councillor Mrs Temperton on behalf of the Labour Party.

·         It was proposed that Council Tax would increase by 4.99%.  3% would be spent entirely on adult social care functions (commonly known as the adult social care precept). 

·         It was noted that the Government’s calculation of the grant received by Bracknell Forest assumed that council tax would be increased each year by the amount permitted, including applying the social care precept.

·         For the average Band D Council Tax payer this would be an increase of just over £50 for the year, around £1 per week.

·         The Council was facing pressures totalling £11m from a combination of grant reductions, increasing costs of service delivery and rising demand. 

·         The Council’s Transformation Programme would be delivering savings of £7m and £2m efficiency measures were being implemented.  The proposal was to also draw £2.5m from balances, using them to prevent the need for more significant service changes.

·         There were no proposals to close current facilities anywhere in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

46.

Recommendation of the Governance and Audit Committee pdf icon PDF 205 KB

To consider the recommendation of the Governance and Audit Committee, to authorise the Borough Treasurer to opt in to the Public Sector Auditor Appointments collective procurement arrangement to appoint an External Auditor from the 2018/19 financial year.

Minutes:

The Council considered the report regarding the recommendations by the Governance & Audit Committee at its meeting on 25 January 2017 relating to the External Auditor appointment.

 

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

 

RESOLVED that the Borough Treasurer be authorised, on behalf of the Council, to opt in to the Public Sector Auditor Appointments collective procurement arrangement to appoint an External Auditor from the 2018/19 financial year, on the grounds that this approach is most likely to achieve best value.

47.

Membership of Committees pdf icon PDF 95 KB

To receive a report regarding a substitute appointment to the Governance and Audit Committee.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered the report regarding the appointment of Members to the substitute vacancy on the Governance and Audit Committee.

 

On the proposition of Councillor Bettison OBE, Leader of the Council seconded by

Councillor Birch, it was

 

RESOLVED that Councillor Peacey be appointed as the substitute member vacancy on the Governance & Audit Committee.

 

Contact Information

Democratic services

Email: committee@bracknell-forest.gov.uk