Meeting documents

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 21 May 2015.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 21 May 2015 were agreed as a correct record.

Mr Carroll presented a petition on behalf of Great Kingshill Residents Association signed by 516 residents.  The petition was in relation to parking problems and related dangers on Cryers Hill in relation to Great Kingshill School.

Mrs Teasdale presented an e-petition for the reduction of the speed limit to 30mph from the Harleyford turning to the SAS and South Close roundabout near to Danesfield School, Marlow.

Mr Gomm presented a petition signed by 460 people against potential cuts in support teacher services for deaf children.

a     To receive any apologies for absence.

b     To receive any communications the Chairman wishes to present to the Council.

Apologies for absence were received from Mr R Khan, Mrs V Letheren, Mr M Phillips, Mr D Hayday, Ms K Wood, Mrs L Clarke, Mr P Hardy, Mr B Adams, Ms R Vigor-Hedderly, Mr D Schofield, Mrs W Mallen and Alderman Mr B Allen.

The Chairman informed Council of and congratulated the winners of the Buckinghamshire Best Kept Village competition as follows:

Stoke Goldington – best small village

Cuddington – best medium village

Stewkley – best large village

Marlow – best small town and winner with the highest marks of the Sword of Excellence

Haddenham – best larger village

The Chairman thanked all Members attending the successful Armed Forces Day, which attracted over 8,000 people.  In particular, the Chairman thanked Mr P Irwin, Mr B Adams and Mr P Gomm who volunteered for the whole day.

The Chairman reported on recent royal visits to the County.  The Princess Royal had visited Chalfont Heights on Tuesday 14 July to present certificates to scout volunteers and the Duke of Gloucester had been present at the recent Citizenship Ceremony at Taplow Court.

The Chairman informed Members that the County Council had been given a Silver Award in recognition of the work done on the Armed Forces Covenant and highlighted some of the work done through the agreement.  The Chairman thanked all the officers and Members involved.

To disclose any Personal or Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree changes to the Constitution as proposed by the Regulatory and Audit Committee.

Mr R Scott presented the report which proposed updates to the Constitution following legislative changes.  Council was assured that the proposed amendments had been closely scrutinised by the Regulatory and Audit Committee.

Mr Scott brought Members’ attention to an updated Declarations of Interest form, and a training session on 10 September for all Members focussing on the legal responsibilities of being a Member.

The report was seconded by Mr Watson.

RESOLVED

Council agreed the changes to the Constitution recommended by the Regulatory and Audit Committee as set out in the Appendices to the report.

To agree the annual Treasury Management Strategy.

Mr J Chilver presented the Treasury Management Annual Summary which is a statutory annual report to Council.  The report had been reviewed by the Regulatory and Audit Committee.

Mr Watson seconded the report.

RESOLVED

Council agreed the following:

1.    The Treasury Management Annual Report and actual Prudential Indicators for 2014/15

2.    Changes to the estimates of capital expenditure within Prudential Indicator 2.1 to £129.979m in 2015/16, £53.053m in 2016/17 and £30.100m in 2017/18

3.    Changes to the Capital Financing Requirement within Prudential Indicator 2.2 to £325.887m in 2015/16, £317.505m in 2016/17 and £307.013m in 2017/18

To agree the Annual Pay Policy Statement as proposed by the Senior Appointments and Bucks Pay Award Committee.

Mr M Tett presented the report, which was seconded by Mr M Appleyard.

RESOLVED

Council agreed the Annual Pay Policy Settlement 2015/16 as recommended by the Senior Appointments and Bucks Pay Award Committee.

To agree the Annual Food & Feed Plan.

Mrs M Aston presented the report which was seconded by Mr B Roberts.

In response to a question about the Council’s role in ensuring people have access to healthy diets and food, Mrs Aston informed Council of the work being done in schools regarding healthy eating and hoped that as a result the next generation would be healthier.

RESOLVED

Council approved the 2015/16 Food Law Enforcement Service Plan (the FSA Plan).

To Agree the Strategic Plan

Mr M Tett presented the report and emphasised the opportunity that the Strategic Plan provided for Members in setting the direction for the Council.  Mr Tett reminded Members of the additional importance of the document as it would be disseminated throughout the organisation to individuals through the Contribution Based Pay system, through the work of Cabinet Members and through the Medium Term Planning process.

Mr Tett informed Council that it was the intention to review the Plan and report back to Council on progress annually.

The report was seconded by Mr A Busby.

The following points were made by Members:

·         The refreshed Strategic Plan was more succinct and a good top-level document.

·         Implementation would be key and the opposition would be holding Cabinet to account particularly in terms of prioritisation and budget allocation.

·         The high visibility in the Plan given to supporting the most vulnerable was welcomed.

·         That for most residents the substantial funding required to provide social care and children’s services was not clearly understood.

Mr Tett welcomed the supportive comments.

RESOLVED

Council agreed the refreshed Strategic Plan for Buckinghamshire County Council as detailed.

To receive any updates from the Select Committee Chairmen on the work of the committees.

Mr D Dhillon reported that the Children’s Services & Learning Select Committee was currently securing evidence from partners in relation to its inquiry into child sexual exploitation and that a report would be produced in the autumn.  Mr Dhillon thanked Committee Members for their work and Mrs A Davis who had been co-opted on to the Committee for the Inquiry.

Mr D Carroll thanked Mr W Whyte for the work done in his previous role as Chairman of the Transport, Environment and Communities Select Committee and reported that the Committee was currently undertaking an inquiry into flooding in Buckinghamshire, concluding with a final evidence session on 8 September.  Mr Carroll thanked his Committee Members and in particular the residents who were coming forward for the inquiry.  In response to a question from Mr R Stuchbury, Mr Carroll assured Council that the Committee would continue scrutinising the work of the Council with vigour.

Mr B Roberts informed Council that his Committee’s meeting on the topic of prudential borrowing had now taken place and that the Finance, Performance and Resources Select Committee would be producing a report in the near future.  The Committee’s Rent in Advance Inquiry, chaired by Mr S Lambert, was concluding with a report currently being written.

Mrs A Macpherson thanked the members of the Health & Adult Social Care Select Committee for their recent work and in particular their contributions to the 15-minute Domiciliary Care Inquiry.  Thanks were given for the support of the Vice Chairman, Mr R Reed, the co-operation from officers from the Communities, Health and Adult Social Care Business Unit, and to Ms K Wager, the Committee’s support officer who would soon be leaving.

In response to a question from Mr R Stuchbury, Mrs Macpherson confirmed that mental health issues remained high on the Committee’s agenda and liaison would take place with Mrs V Letheren, Chairman of the Children’s Social Care & Learning Select Committee regarding scrutiny of children’s mental health services.  In addition, Mrs Macpherson agreed to circulate information from Oxfordshire on mental health services and regarding Milton Keynes/Buckingham NHS services in relation to emergency care, once received. 

To note the written report of Cabinet Members, and any written questions & responses received.

To receive any additional verbal updates from Cabinet Members on their reports, as well as provide an opportunity for any oral questions from Members.

A Leader of the Council

B Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing

C Cabinet Member for Education & Skills

D Cabinet Member for Planning & Environment

E Cabinet Member for Resources

F Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

G Cabinet Member for Transportation

H Cabinet Member for Community Engagement & Public Health

11a.  Report of the Leader of the Council

The Leader informed Council that he was now Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board, a key means of delivering policy across District Council and NHS partners in Buckinghamshire.

In relation to national budget announcements, Mr Tett informed Members that the new living wage was a concern to local authorities with a potential impact on services for the most vulnerable, including the potential contraction of the care market. Council heard that the Local Government Association was undertaking work with local authorities to quantify the impact and would be making Government aware of the results.

It was noted that future funding for local government had not been included in the budget but that there would be a Comprehensive Spending Review in the autumn which would significantly impact on the budget and Medium Term Plan.

Mr Tett expressed his disappointment in the lack of reference to devolution or the South East in the budget speech and reiterated the importance of continuing to lobby Government to recognise the importance of the South East to the country’s economy.

In response to a question regarding whether the budget had made it more difficult for young people, Mr Tett reiterated his view that the Government was aiming to ensure the country had a successful economy based on the private sector and that people aspired to success rather than developing a reliance on benefits.

In relation to the issue of Cabinet Member decisions in the Council agenda and papers, it was agreed that these would be included in future.

The importance of good co-ordination between Cabinet Members to deliver the Strategic Plan was raised, particularly in relation to improving the health of residents.  Mr Tett assured Council that co-ordination would take place not just with Cabinet Members but across partners to ensure better delivery of services to residents.

In relation to high speed broadband, Mr Tett confirmed that the current programme was fully funded to deliver to 90% of homes by March 2016.  Council heard that work was taking place with District Councils to fund the extension programme, which would be managed, but not funded, by the County Council.  The Leader offered to meet with Mr Lambert to discuss specific concerns.

The Leader, the Council’s officer team and residents were thanked for their work and commitment in relation to HS2. 

The issue of housing and employment growth was raised.  It was acknowledged that employment and leisure opportunities need be provided alongside housing to avoid the creation of dormitories.

11b.  Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing

Mr M Appleyard clarified that the 6 Opportunities Centres in operation or planned were in Aylesbury, Buckingham, Chesham, Burnham, Beaconsfield and Wycombe.

The response to Mr R Stuchbury’s written questions was discussed (attached) and concerns about future funding of adult social care raised.  Mr Appleyard confirmed that he would be continuing to lobby politicians to ensure the issue is addressed and locally would be working to improve lives, embracing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

No motions have been received.

There were no Notices of Motion.