Meeting documents

To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on Thursday 26 May 2016

The Minutes of the County Council meeting held on 26 May were agreed as a correct record.

No petitions were presented.

Apologies were received from Councillors Mr Carroll, Mr Etholen, Mr Hardy, Mr Schofield, Mr Shaw; Dignitaries Sir Aubrey-Fletcher, Mrs Soames; and Aldermen Mrs Clayton, Mr Colston, Mr Fowler, Mr Lawrence, Mr Polhill and Mr Ross.

The Chairman reported on events attended during the first 7 weeks of office, highlighting:

·         an EU debate with prisoners at HMP Springhill

·         visits to local RAF and US Airforce Bases; Pinewood Studios; and the Aylesbury Motor Company

·         a service in Aylesbury market square commemorating the anniversary of the Battle of the Somme

·         meetings regarding the Youth Olympics, and with the Mayor of London

·         Buckingham’s Civic Day

·         Opening a new brook in Aston Clinton

Mrs P Birchley was welcomed as the Council’s Vice Chairman.  Mrs Birchley thanked Members of the Council for their support and reported on a forthcoming event to commemorate the World War 1 Battle of Fromelle on 19^th July.

The Chairman reminded Members of a family event for staff on 16^th July.

(Mr N Brown joined the meeting during this item)

Ms J Wassell declared a new interest in relation to the lease of land at the junction of London Road A40 and Micklefield Road in High Wycombe.

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

Mr M Tett in his role as Chairman of the Senior Appointments and Bucks Pay Award Committee (SABPAC) presented the report to Council.  Mr Tett reminded Members that the Council was required by Central Government to make a Pay Policy Statement on an annual basis.

In response to Members’ comments, Mr Tett confirmed that the use of zero hours contracts by the Council and inclusion of such information in future Pay Policy Statements would be discussed at the next SABPAC meeting.

RESOLVED

Council AGREED the Council’s Annual Pay Policy Statement 2015/16, as recommended by the Senior Appointments and Bucks Pay Award Committee.

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

The Chairmen of the Select Committees presented their report to Council.

Mr B Chapple reported that the Finance, Performance and Resources Select Committee had considered how the Council’s shift to digital platforms would result in savings, and was now investigating how well income generation was embedded across the organisation.  Mr Chapple reported that the work would include an interview with the Council’s new Chief Executive in September.

In response to a question about the potential impact of leaving the EU on the Council’s multi-national workforce, Mr Chapple welcomed a discussion with the Member to understand his concerns.

Mr D Dhillon, Chairman of the Children’s Social Care & Learning Select Committee, reported that the Committee would be undertaking an Inquiry into the Voice of the Child, and that Members had been visiting Children’s Centres across the County.

Mr Dhillon was congratulated on his appointment and asked about the methodology for the Voice of the Child Inquiry.  Mr Dhillon explained that the Committee would be seeking the views of all groups of children involved with the Council’s services and welcomed the interest of any Councillors who would like to be involved in the Inquiry.

The Transport, Environment and Communities Select Committee Vice Chairman Mrs J Teesdale, deputising for Mr D Carroll, highlighted recent work on libraries and modern slavery.

In relation to a Member’s previous correspondence regarding Transport for Bucks contracts, Mrs Teesdale agreed to follow this up with the Chairman of the Committee.  Cabinet was complimented on its acceptance of the Committee’s previous recommendations and new Members of the Committee, Mr B Roberts and Mrs A Macpherson were welcomed.

Mr B Roberts, Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee, explained that he would be chairing his first meeting on 26 July at which the Committee would be considering vascular services and maternity services.

In response to a question about proposed changes for NHS services affecting residents in the north of the County, Mr Roberts explained that meetings had been sought with the relevant organisations who would be attending the Select Committee in October.

A request was made for the rotation of Committee meetings around the County and the issues of the closure of Ward 5b and possible closure of the midwife-led unit in High Wycombe were raised.  Mr Roberts confirmed that much work was ongoing.

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 Education & Skills

7d.       Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

7e.       Cabinet Member for Transportation

7f.        Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources

7g.       Cabinet Member for Community Engagement & Public Health

7h.      Cabinet Member for Planning & Environment

7a. Leader of the Council

Mr Tett stated that he would be writing to the new Prime Minister, Theresa May, to offer the Council’s congratulations and support.

In questions to the Leader, the following points were made:

·         Congratulations to Mrs Clarke for her work on behalf of the Council and the Women’s Local Government Society in relation the suffragist project.

·         The Strategic Alliance was formed as a result of a willingness across a number of Councils to work together on infrastructure.  Work was taking place to establish a sub-national transport body, to ensure the area remained prosperous and continued to have a voice nationally.

·         The ‘blue sail’ report on tourism in Buckinghamshire had a number of proposals including a single web portal and a single brochure for the County.  An update would be provided to the Member.

·         In developing unitary options, Milton Keynes had not been included as it was already a unitary over which the County Council had no jurisdiction.

·         As Buckinghamshire received very little money from the EU and bids were predominantly made through the Local Enterprise Partnership, the benefit of the Council developing a report on risks and opportunities arising from the exit of Britain from the EU would be minimal.

·         Clarification on the ‘local area’ (p.26) for broadband in the BDUK project would be sought and shared with all Members.

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

Mr M Appleyard, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing, agreed with a Member’s comments congratulating the work of Paulette Hunn in relation to her work on autism and the value of all towns becoming autism-friendly.

In relation to opening hours for GP surgeries, Mr Appleyard agreed to talk with Clinical Commissioning Groups in the area and with the Member to explore any further action that could be taken.

7c.  Cabinet Member for Education & Skills

In response to Members’ questions, Mr Z Mohammed made the following points:

·         The Council report contained a summary of a more detailed report on educational achievement and that all Members were encouraged to read the full document.

·         That the percentage of non-selective schools rated good or outstanding had risen from 48% to 61% which was a significant improvement and compared favourably with the national averages.  Mr Mohammed confirmed that work would continue to improve standards in Buckinghamshire.

·         In relation to concerns raised about the potential need for additional school transport as a result of proposed changes, Mr Mohammed confirmed that the consultation was still open and all comments would be taken into account.  Mr Mohammed informed Members that date for implementation of any changes was September 2017.

·         The issue of the affordability of housing for key workers in Buckinghamshire was acknowledged.

·         Officers were working closely with District Council colleagues in relation to school place planning and Local Plans & development applications, to ensure local alignment of housing with schools.  The Member would be provided with specific information in relation to Aston Clinton and Wendover.

·         Regarding statistics on the non-attendance of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

For Council to consider the Notice of Motion on Youth Democracy as detailed on page 53

Mr B Chapple proposed the Motion reminding Members of the presentation by young people at Council in 2015.  Mr M Appleyard seconded the Motion, commenting that the Motion was to formalise the views of Council resulting from the previous visit.

Members expressed support for the Motion, commenting on who should attend; the value of listening to local people; the relevance of the current voting age; and the importance of engaging young people as futue voters.

RESOLVED

Council AGREED that representatives of Youth Voice be invited annually in November of each year to address full Council.

Youth Voice representatives would be invited to speak and represent the views of Buckinghamshire young people in relation to Council issues.

The next Council meeting will be held on Thursday 22 September, at 9.30am in the Oculus at the Aylesbury Vale District Council offices.  The meeting will include a presentation from the Chief Fire Officer and Chairman of the Fire Authority.

Thursday 22^nd September at 9.30am in the Oculus, Aylesbury Vale District Council.