Meeting documents

To confirm the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 16 July 2015.

The Minutes of Council on 16 July were agreed as a correct record.

Mr P Irwin confirmed that the petition he was expecting to present was already being dealt with by the Council.

A minute’s silence was held for former Councillor Henry Powell-Shedden who had died recently.  Mr Powell-Sheddon had been an Elected Member on the County Council from 1976 to 1993.

Apologies for the meeting were received from Mr Bendyshe-Brown, Mrs Birchley, Mrs Blake, Mr Carroll, Mrs Clarke, Mr Etholen, Mr Hardy, Mr Schofield, Mr Scott, Mr Shakespeare, Mr Stevens, Mr Watson, the High Sheriff Mrs Skelton and Aldermen Mr Lawrence and Mr Colston.

The Chairman, Mr B Chapple, reported that the Bucks County Show had been well attended with over 1,000 people passing through the County Council’s tent.  Mr Chapple extended his thanks to the Members who had attended.

Mr Chapple informed the meeting of the service held at St Mary’s Church in celebration of the Queen becoming the country’s longest reigning monarch.

The Chairman brought Members’ attention to the campaign to secure funding pledges in anticipation of a bid to purchase the hoard of coins found at Lenborough in 2014.

Mr P Gomm highlighted the successful Active Bucks Day held in Waddesdon on 12 September and extended his thanks to Mr P Irwin for organising the event.

To disclose any Personal or Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive the report of the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority.

Jason Thelwell, Chief Fire Officer

Adrian Busby, Chairman

Mr J Thelwell, Chief Fire Officer and Mr A Busby as Chairman of the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority were welcomed to the meeting.

Mr Busby introduced the presentation highlighting the progress the Authority had made in its transformation process and thanking Mr Thelwell and his staff for the service provided during the past year.

Mr Busby informed Members that staff had embraced the changes within the Authority and were now looking to expand their role within the community.  Mr Busby reported that collaboration was happening both across borders to share best practice and learning, and with the Police to explore sharing of facilities.  The Council heard that the Authority had hosted recent visits from antipodean fire authorities, who had been particularly interested in the involvement of Elected Members, and from Civil Servants from Central Government, who were interested in the Authority’s transition.

Mr Thelwell presented his report (available on the Council’s website), highlighting continuing developments in relation to workforce and sites; the role of the Authority going forward; finances and the importance of Member involvement in challenge; collaboration with the Police; and data sharing across the public sector.

In response to questions, Mr Thelwell stated that:

·         The national terms and conditions were restrictive whereas local terms & conditions could enable the Authority to develop an extended range of services, cover a greater range of skills and flexibility in pay;

·         All fires were investigated and the Authority would contact the Police if a spate of fires occurred;

·         There were no plans to close the Fire Station in High Wycombe although ideas for better premises would be welcomed; 

·         The Authority was keen to diversify its workforce and apprenticeships offered this potential;

·         The planned housing growth in Bucks and Milton Keynes would not automatically require an increase in service provision as the number of fires was not necessarily linked to numbers of houses;

·         The numbers of car accidents had been increasing nationally over the past 30 years and the Service was continuing its prevention work in this area.  To Mr Thelwell’s knowledge, no Authorities had claimed for costs against insurers.

The exemplary work of staff, and in particular Buckingham Fire Station staff, was acknowledged.

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

Mrs V Letheren, Chairman of the Children’s Social Care and Learning Select Committee, informed Council of the continued work of the Committee on scrutising the Children’s Social Care Improvement Plan and of the Committee’s recent training from the Local Government Association, which was recommended to other Select Committees. The Council was told of the value of the Committee’s recent visit to Birmingham City Council.

Mrs Letheren thanked Members involved in the Committee’s Inquiry into Child Sexual Exploitation and the supporting Committee Adviser, Mr R Bowman, for their work during the summer.  Thanks were also extended to those who had provided evidence and information for the Committee.  The Council was told that the Committee would be reporting its findings in November. 

Mr B Roberts, Chairman of the Finance, Performance and Resources Select Committee, highlighted the Committee’s next meeting on 29 September.

Mrs A Macpherson, Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee, thanked Members involved for their work on the recently concluded 15-minute Care Visits Inquiry and informed Council of the Committee’s next Inquiry into adults with disabilities.

In response to questions, Mrs Macpherson confirmed that the report on 15-minute Care Visits had taken Members’ concerns into account and that recommendations had been made to ensure regular audit of Care Plans and spot checks on care packages.  Mrs Macpherson also reported that the Select Committee agreed with the value of 15-minute visits in some care packages, subject to implementation of the Committee’s recommendations.

In relation to NHS future plans for hospital services, in particular Milton Keynes Hospital, Mrs Macpherson confirmed to Members that work was continuing to acquire information from the Trust.

Mr B Chapple informed Council of the full day evidence session on Flooding held recently by the Transport, Environment and Communities Select Committee.  The Inquiry would be reporting later in the autumn.  The issue of the poor response by water authorities at the time of flooding was raised.

Mr P Gomm highlighted the fact that the Committee was also looking at the issue of legal highs.

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.

7a. Leader of the Council

7b. Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing

7c. Cabinet Member for Community Engagement & Public Health

7d. Cabinet Member for Transportation

7e. Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

7f.  Cabinet Member for Education & Skills

7g. Cabinet Member for Planning & Environment

7h. Cabinet Member for Resources

7a. Leader of the Council

The Leader of the Council, Mr M Tett, informed Members of the progress of the strategic alliance with Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire and the positive response from Milton Keynes and the three Bedfordshire authorities who had requested to join work on the local transport stream.  The Council was told of the powerful position that the Alliance created across the centre of the country. 

In response to questions, Mr Tett confirmed that he would ensure the Alliance’s transport strategy was available on the website and highlighted that the work taking place to create unity of local transport authorities would make it easier to deliver area improvements such as the Oxford to Cambridge expressway and East-West rail.

Mr Tett also highlighted the issue of safeguarding children and young people and reminded Members of the importance of their duty in relation to Corporate Parenting.  In response to a question on Operation Articulate, Mr Tett confirmed that both he and the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services had made public apologies.

In response to a question about the Syrian refugee crisis, Mr Tett informed Members that he had made recent statements both on television and on radio supporting the Government’s stance, whilst raising awareness of the likely demand for additional services other than housing.  Mr Tett told Council of the importance of ensuring Government provision of full and ongoing funding to cover the whole service package required for as long as it was needed.  Mr Tett welcomed the work of local charities and the offers of support from individuals in the area, confirming that such offers received by the Council were redirected to the appropriate charities.

The issue of clarity of responsibility for services in the local area was raised.  Mr Tett confirmed that authorities have an important role together in representing the public and that the scrutiny process provides a robust challenge to services.

The issue of attendance at Council meetings was raised and the importance of Members attending meetings was reiterated.

In relation to questions on broadband, Mr Tett restated that the project was on track to deliver high speed broadband coverage across 90% of premises in Buckinghamshire.  Mr Tett informed Members that if takeup of high speed broadband exceeded targets, BT would provide additional funding which would be used to extend the programme. Mr Tett also confirmed that Members’ specific concerns, for example in relation to areas of Chalfont St Giles and Fairford Leys in Aylesbury, would be looked into and where possible, included in future improvements.

In relation to HS2 and a proposal by the District Council for an additional haul road through his division, Mr Tett noted that officers from the County Council had provided a briefing and confirmed that any additional information needed would be provided to Mr Lambert.

7b. Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing

Mr M Appleyard highlighted the financial challenges facing adult social care services including the potential impact of the living wage legislation.  In relation to a question about  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Mr A Huxley

The Notice of Motion proposed in the agenda was withdrawn.

The next meeting of County Council will be on Thursday 19 November 2015.  The agenda will include a presentation by the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner and the Chief Constable.

19 November 2015 at 9.30am.