Meeting documents

Prior to the commencement of the formal business of the meeting, Members and officers present stood in silent tribute to the memory of former Councillor Mrs Pauline Hannelly who had passed away recently.  Mrs Hannelly was an Honorary Alderman and had been a Member of the Council for 20 years, representing the Stewkley Ward between 1987 and 1995 and the Edlesborough Ward between 1995 and 2007.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the annual meeting of the Council held on 15 May, 2019, copy attached as an appendix.

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 15 May, 2019 be approved as a correct record.

By the Chairman of the Council.

By the Leader/Cabinet Members.

(a)  Chairman of the Council

Charity Sky Dive

Members were reminded that the Chairman’s nominated charity was NEST, a small local charity that provided support to families with young children.  The Chairman invited the Vice-Chairman to make a short statement about a recent charity sky dive which he and his PA, Rebecca Henson had undertaken to raise funds for the Chairman’s charity.  The event had raised almost £1,500.  All those who had made donations were thanked for their support.

Buckingham University

At the invitation of the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman reported that on 29 June, 2019, he had attended the inaugural graduation of medical students at Buckingham University.  57 students had graduated at the University which was the first not for profit, independent and accredited medical school in the United Kingdom.

WizFizz Fest

The Chairman reported that some 27,000 people had attended this event which took place on 22 June, 2019.  The event had been a great success, and in addition to promoting creative art, had contributed to ensuring a thriving local economy.  The Chairman extended the Council’s thanks to all those involved in the organisation of the event.

Chilterns Conservation Board

The Board’s Annual Review for 2018/2019 had been circulated this evening to all Members of the Council.  The Board had been established to ensure the conservation and protection of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Beauty.  The Council contributed financially towards the activities of the Board.  The Council's representative on the Board, Councillor Newcombe was invited by the Chairman to comment on the Annual Review and remind Members of the significance of its work in this part of the Vale.

(b)  Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members

Climate Change (Leader of the Council)

Members’ attention was drawn to the UN Inter-governmental report on Climate Change, and in particular the scientific evidence that suggested that only 12 years remained during which to limit the worst effects of global warming.  The leader of the Council reported that she had asked officers to facilitate a debate at the next full meeting of the Council on the actions that AVDC was taking, and might be able to take in the future, to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Plastics in the Environment (Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure)

Members were advised that an Aylesbury Grammar School pupil, Ed Campbell, had recently addressed Cabinet informally on the work he was involved with, designed to promote and encourage a reduction in the use of non-biodegradable plastics which had scientifically been proven to cause serious harm to the natural environment.  In view of the linkages between Ed’s work and the subject referred to above, it was intended to invite him to the September Council meeting.

"Kids Clean Britain" (Cabinet Member for Economic Development)

It was reported that Members representing the Wendover and Halton Ward had recently met with a nine year old pupil of Wendover Junior School (Lola Wardrup) to learn about her initiative to promote a reduction in the amount of litter deposited in the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

There were none.

Previous Members’ Written Questions and Answers can be accessed at http://democracy.aylesburyvaledc.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeId=441

Members were reminded that written questions submitted since the last meeting of the Council could be viewed on the Council’s website.

There will be an opportunity for Members to ask questions of individual Cabinet Members and Committee Chairmen.

Members had the opportunity to ask questions of individual Cabinet Members and Committee Chairmen about issues affecting their portfolios/Committee activities:-

(a)  Oxford to Cambridge Expressway  (Councillor Everitt)

The Leader of the Council confirmed that she was aware that both Milton Keynes Council and an Oxfordshire local authority had entered into a non disclosure agreement with Highways England in relation to the proposed route of the Expressway.  The Leader indicated that neither she, or the Leader of Buckinghamshire County Council had been willing to enter into any such arrangement, given the serious concerns they had about the environmental impacts on the Vale.

(b)  Household Recycling Centres (Councillor Lambert)

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Leisure advised that there was no analytical information currently available to determine whether or not the changes made to the opening hours and the introduction of charges for certain types of waste had caused any increase in fly tipping.

(c)  Fairford Leys Riverine Corridor (Councillor Lambert)

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources indicated that, as far as he was aware, the S106 monies would continue to be ring fenced after the transfer of budgets to the new unitary authority, but that he would seek confirmation and write directly to Councillor Lambert.

(d)  River Great Ouse, Buckingham (Councillor Mills)

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Health confirmed that further to recovery work undertaken by the Environment Agency after a chemical spill, approximately 25,000 fish had been released into the river.  Work had been undertaken using S106 monies to improve flood defences and further work was being explored with Buckingham Town Council and other partners regarding the possible funding of warden schemes.

(e)  Former Community Centre, Fairfax Crescent, Aylesbury (Councillor Mrs Morgan)

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement indicated that he would seek an update regarding the planning permissions granted for the redevelopment of the site and write directly to Councillor Mrs Morgan.

(f)   Food Safety Inspections (Councillor Mrs Renshell)

The Cabinet Member for Waste and Licensing advised that there were around 1,500 food businesses within the Vale and that about 80% of these scored 4 or five out of five.  Inspections were targeted at high risk and continually poor performing establishments.  However all establishments were subject to inspection on a rolling basis.

(g)  Council Tax and Business Rates Collection (Councillor Mrs Renshell)

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources advised that the authority continued to perform well and employed its own bailiffs which had resulted in the provision of a better customer service.  The collection rate for Council Tax was 98.8% and for business rates, was 99.5%.

(h)   Domestic Food Waste Collection ( Councillor Huxley)

The Cabinet Member for Waste and Licensing advised that he thought that it should be possible to deal with queries about missed collections on the day they were received and that if Councillor Huxley provided him with details of the incident to which he was referring he would investigate and write directly to Councillor Huxley.

(i)    Planning Enforcement (Councillor Huxley)

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Members were advised that this was the last Council meeting to be attended by Tracey Aldworth, Director, before taking up her appointment as Deputy Chief Executive of Milton Keynes Council.  Members thanked her for all her work for AVDC and wished her well for the future.