Meeting documents

To confirm the minutes of the Council meeting held on 14 July 2016.

The Minutes of the Council meeting held on 14^th July 2016 were agreed as a correct record.

Mr B Roberts presented a petition on behalf of local residents for action to be taken to end all-day parking by non-residents in the area.

Apologies were received from Mr B Bendyshe-Brown, Mr D Carroll, Mr T Egleton; Mr P Hardy; Mr D Hayday; Mrs A Macpherson; Mr M Phillips; Sir H Aubrey-Fletcher; Mrs M Soames; Mr B Allen and Mrs C Aston.

The Chairman reported on events attended since the last Council meeting, highlighting in particular:

·         The visit of Princess Anne to the Home of Rest for Horses at Speen;

·         The afternoon tea event for County Council staff held at the Council’s Sports and Social Club;

·         Commemoration of the Battle of Fromelle and a visit to the war graves of Buckinghamshire soldiers in France;

·         Bucks County Show;

·         Tea with the Lord Mayor of London at Mansion House for leaders of communities which funded the rebuilding of the city after the Great Fire;

·         Lighting of the Paralympic flame;

·         Celebration of Merchant Navy Day;

·         The induction of Rabbi Charley Baginsky; and

·         The Battle of Britain parade.

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

Mr Busby introduced the item and highlighted the progress made by the Authority over the past 4 years.  Mr Busby informed Council of recent visits from Government to Aylesbury which had culminated in a half-day visit from Brandon Lewis MP, and the work being undertaken to share knowledge through the hosting of the combined Fire Authorities’ Conference and showcase days.  Council members were encouraged to watch the ‘team fire HOSE’ video (http://bucksfire.gov.uk/news/pupils-do-their-families-and-school-proud-after-completing-course/) which was the first of a number of youth initiatives undertaken over the past year.

Mr Busby thanked Mr Thelwell and his workforce for their flexibility and positive approach to change.

Mr Thelwell made a presentation to Council (slides attached), highlighting the following:

·         The Authority had a mixed model of resourcing;

·         There had been 49% reduction in the number of fire incidents between 2003/4 and 2014/15;

·         In response to the Duty to Prevent, the Authority provided prevention advice within homes and schools across Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes

·         The reduction in traditional incidents meant that the projected increase in population would not necessarily require more fire engines

·         The Authority was expecting a 57% drop in grant to 2020 which provided a driver for change

·         The workforce had been invited to expand its role in the community and the Authority’s retirement profile was being used in reshaping the workforce for the future

·         Local terms and conditions were being introduced which included responding to medical incidents and which were supported by 82% of staff

·         Other changes included reducing the number of Councillors on the Authority

·         Collaboration was a key focus and over half of all fire stations would be refurbished to enable sharing with the community and police

·         Actions taken had not resulted in any redundancies, station closures or removal of fire engines

·         Staff were congratulated for their engagement in the changes

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

·         The Authority had a unique programme of apprenticeships, with 22 apprentices currently in fire stations and 4 in back office services.  Work was being undertaken to explore how apprenticeships for the on-call firefighter service could be delivered

·         Discussions were taking place to amalgamate two fire stations on the edge of Milton Keynes, involving Great Holm, to improve the service by co-location of blue light services in a new building

·         The reduction in fire incidents over the past decade could in part be attributed to lifestyle factors and foam-filled furniture regulations but was predominantly due to the prevention work undertaken by staff

·         Staff were encouraged to identify and implement local initiatives which included the fitting of smoke detectors, and the junior fire setters and junior fire fit schemes

·         The Authority had an excellent relationship with the South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) and its approach to working with other agencies focussed on the benefits that the Authority could bring

·         The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

For Council to consider the report and recommendations in relation to Modernising Local Government in Buckinghamshire.

Mr M Tett introduced the item, highlighting the importance of the issue for Buckinghamshire.  Mr Tett explained that although the local government structure may have been appropriate at the time of creation in 1974, the challenges facing the County and pace of change meant that a review was now needed.  Council was reminded of the implications of demographic and growth projections.

Mr Tett summarised previous attempts to reconsider the structure of local government in Buckinghamshire: the unsuccessful Pathfinder initiative in 2007 costing approximately £2.5m; the work undertaken by Bucks Business First; and the Aylesbury Vale District Council business case for north and south Buckinghamshire unitary authorities.  The officers who had worked on the current Business Case were thanked for their work, which Mr Tett explained, had looked at all options and had developed through discussions with stakeholders.  Council was told that the Business Case had used DCLG criteria and had been independently verified by both Grant Thornton and LG Futures.  Mr Tett stated that the report identified the creation of an entirely new Council based on county boundaries, which would draw on the heritage of the current County and District Councils.

Mr Tett highlighted the benefits of the Business Case including: the savings achievable in the first and in ongoing years; better planning for the growth agenda through a single body; a stronger voice on the national stage; and a better service for residents.  In summary, Mr Tett explained that the approach proposed would provide effective devolution of power to communities and local people through the establishment of local development management bodies; the offer of devolving assets and services to Town and Parish Councils; the creation of hubs in towns and villages; and local community boards to deliver local services decided on by local Councillors.

Mr Tett reminded Council that if agreed, the Business Case would be submitted to DCLG for decision by the Secretary of State and urged Members to consider the best interests of the residents in voting on the proposal.

The proposal was seconded by Mrs N Glover.

In debate, the following points were made:

·         There was a need to act strategically and modernise the current structure for the benefit of the county as a whole

·         The potential savings, benefits of scale, and the strong voice for Buckinghamshire whilst retaining a community focus, were compelling arguments

·         The public and businesses wanted the change to happen

·         The Group Leaders of all parties were supportive of the motion and  urged fellow Members to agree

·         The County Council had proceeded with undue haste and that  the debate should wait until the publication of the report commissioned from Deloittes by the four District Councils

·         The current structure made a complex environment for officers and Members to navigate in many service areas and was even more challenging for residents.  Having integrated planning, development and infrastructure made sense.

·         The debate had been long-standing and it was important for Members to consider the issue as representatives of the residents of Buckinghamshire

·         The Business Case  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

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

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

Mr B Chapple, Chairman of the Finance, Performance and Resources Select Committee informed Members of a special meeting of the Committee on 11^th October to agree the report of the Income Generation Inquiry, prior to its presentation at Cabinet in November.  Mr Chapple also thanked Chief Executive Rachael Shimmin for her attendance at the Committee meeting on 13^th September.

The Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee, Mr B Roberts, reported that the Sustainability and Transformation Plan, now called the ‘NHS Plan’, was likely to be an item on the next meeting.

In response to questions from Members, Mr Roberts confirmed that the October meeting would include an item on plans for Milton Keynes hospital trust changes and that questions from Members were welcomed.  Mr Roberts also requested that issue for future meetings, such as podiatry, be forwarded to him and that the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment would be included in the Committee’s work programme.  Mr Roberts confirmed that Julia Wassell’s opposition to the Committee’s 15-Minute Care Visits report would be recorded.

Mr D Dhillon, Chairman of the Children’s Social Care & Learning Select Committee, informed Council of current evidence gathering for the Voice of the Child Inquiry, and that updates on past Inquiries into Narrowing the Gap and Child Sexual Exploitation, would be considered at the Committee’s next meeting.  Mr Dhillon thanked members of the Committee for their support and enthusiasm.

Mrs J Teesdale, Vice Chairman of the Transport, Environment and Communities Select Committee, informed Members that the Committee’s recent Inquiry report on Economic Development had been well received by the Cabinet and that the resultant Councillor Guide to Economic Development in Buckinghamshire was now available.  Mrs Teesdale explained that at its next meeting, the Committee would be considering the Museum Trust, Trading Standards and Growth in the County.

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.

8a. Leader of the Council

8b. Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing

8c. Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

8d. Cabinet Member for Community Engagement & Public Health

8e. Cabinet Member for Education & Skills

8f.  Cabinet Member for Transportation

8g. Cabinet Member for Planning & Environment

8h. Cabinet Member for Resources

8a.       Leader of the Council

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

·         That in considering senior roles in local government and politics, appointment should be on merit rather than by application of gender quotas

·         That the Council was offering to take 2 unaccompanied asylum seeker children per month

 8b.     Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing

Mr M Appleyard made the following responses to questions from Members:

·         The new approach to social care would take time to implement as it required a move away from the assessment-for-services model to a conversation-based style.  Mr Appleyard assured Members that reports on progress would be brought to Council

·         Mr Appleyard would follow up concerns raised with Ms Wassell outside of the meeting

·         That work was taking place to ensure advocacy and support for vulnerable people, particularly those with learning difficulties, was ongoing

8c.       Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

Ms Hazell reported that the Ofsted letter had been published on the Council’s website and in response to Members’ questions made the following points:

·         That the Looked After Children Strategy was part of the planning by which the Council could ensure all children and young people developed a good ethos on life

·         That the Ofsted letter highlighted 12 positives and 7 less good, but that this had not been reflected in press coverage

Ms Hazell thanked all parties for their support.

8d.      Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Public Health

Mrs M Aston, Deputy Cabinet Member, presented the report, highlighting the good joint work with Surrey on Trading Standards.  In response to Members’ questions Mrs Aston confirmed that an answer would be provided on the issue raised regarding community treatment orders, and that a Member Briefing would be arranged on the Healthy Child Programme.

8e.       Cabinet Member for Education and Skills

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

·         That the local authority was taking an holistic approach to Children’s Centres and an email from the Family Information and Child Services Programme had been circulated to Members.  Mr Mohammed confirmed that Members would be updated on progress.

·         The local authority would continue to support grammar schools but was not currently in a position to respond to Government proposals as the extent of the Government’s proposals were unclear at this stage

·         Regarding the recent incident of objectionable wording being used in a school exam question, Mr Mohammed confirmed that quick action had been taken by the school and to address the issue.  Mr Mohammed reiterated the Council’s commitment to ensuring the interests of the LGBT community were safeguarded

·         An acknowledgement of the work undertaken by officers to quickly organise school transportation for children accepted late by first choice schools

·         The local Member would be informed of any changes to the timetable for the Wendover school expansion and that the submission of small housing developments posed challenges for the County Council in planning school places.  Mr Mohammed confirmed that the County Council worked closely with District Councils in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

There were no Notices of Motion.

Thursday 24^th November 2016 at 9.30am at the Oculus.

Thursday 24^th November 2016 at 9.30am in the Oculus, Aylesbury Vale District Council offices.