Meeting documents

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 20^th September 2018.

A minutes silence was held for County Councillor Chaudhary Ditta who had passed away the day before.  The Chairman noted that Mr Ditta’s funeral was being held that day and the flag at county hall would be flying at half-mast.

The Chairman also paid tribute to former County Councillor Mr Michael Edmonds who recently passed away and a minutes silence was to be held at 11am, the time of his funeral.

RESOLVED: The minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2018 were AGREED as an accurate record and signed by the Chairman.

There were none.

Apologies for absence were received from Mr Bendyshe-Brown, Mrs Blake, Mrs Clarke, Mr Collingwood, Mr Lambert, Mrs Macpherson, Mr M Hussain and Mrs M Aston.

Written Questions: The Chairman advised Members that responses to written questions had been published online.

Chairman’s Report: The Chairman thanked Mr B Roberts, Vice Chairman, for attending events on her behalf recently while she had been unwell.

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

• The opening Hughenden Gardens, a charitable trust that specialised in the new development of retirement villages
• The Vice Chairman had visited the retirement home for horses at Speen attended by Princess Anne.
• The Vice Chairman attended the opening the new Thames Valley Air Ambulance premises at Stokenchurch attended by the Countess of Wessex, Princess Sophie.
• The Vice Chairman had laid a wreath on behalf of Bucks County Council at the Remembrance Day gathering in Aylesbury Town Square, attended by in excess of 2000 people.  This was followed by an evening service held in St Mary’s Church, Aylesbury.
• The Chairman would be that evening attending the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Sports Award Ceremony at the Waterside Theatre.

Further details of engagements would be appended to the minutes published in the Council minutes.

Mr M Shaw and Mr P Irwin declared an interest under the East West Rail item.  Mr Shaw was the Chairman of East West Rail consortium and Mr P Irwin was a member of the East West Rail Board.  Mr Shaw and Mr Irwin would both leave the room when the item was discussed. 

Presentation from Mr Matt Barber, the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable Francis Habgood.

The Chairman welcomed Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Mr M Barber and Chief Constable Francis Habgood to the meeting.

Mr Barber gave a presentation to Council, appended to the minutes, and highlighted the following:

• The roles and responsibilities of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
• The Thames Valley Police and Crime Plan five priorities; prevention and early intervention, vulnerability, police ethics and reform, serious organised crime and terrorism and reducing reoffending.
• Funding highlights; £2.7m Community Safety Fund   provided to councils, nearly £3m towards supporting victims of crime and £93k to charities and community groups who assisted in reducing crime and reoffending.
• A TVP in-house victim support service was now in place funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner (PC&C) called Victims First.
• Overall increase in crime remained at a low level and overall had seen a decreased of 28% in the last 15 years.
• Trend in crime vs income and current lobbying at the Home Office and Treasury for increases in funding.
• TVP were performing well against other comparative forces.
• Plans were being put in place to help address issues with the 101 service which included recruitment.
• Financial pressures due to changes to pension regulations which if agreed could see a financial pressure £5m next year and £15m from 2021 onwards.

The Chief Constable gave a presentation to Council and highlighted the following:

• 2018 had been a busy year across the Thames Valley including royal weddings and a president’s visit.  The Chief Constable conveyed the pride of managing those events and the reassurance given to members of the public that had come from all over the world.
• The number of 101 and 999 calls for the service had fallen 5.3% in 2017/18 compared to 2016/17, however, this result was driven by a reduction in 101 calls: the number of 999 calls has increased 11.1%.
• There was a spike in 101 calls in the summer but it was believed this was due to a shift in those calling 101 instead calling for an emergency.
• Call volume figures were shared.  A spike in the summer 2017 could be seen which was believed have been caused by a shift in those calling 101 instead calling for an emergency.
• Service improvements continued to be made including an online service to report crimes
• Crime trends had seen areas of concern as residential burglary, violence against the person sexual offences and reductions seen in criminal damage and theft.

• Examples of successful operations across the county were highlighted and problem solving and demand reduction work.

The Chairman thanked the Chief Constable for his presentation and wished him well in his retirement.

In response to Members’ questions the following points were made:

• The Chief Constable stated that there was ongoing improvements to the issues experienced using 101.  They were up to establishment numbers and time would be needed to allow for training, however there would be improvements in performance.
• When asked about recruitment the Chief Constable stated that this would depend on the individual but could take  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Presentation from Members of the Youth Voice Executive Committee.

Mr W Whyte, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, introduced three members of the Bucks Youth Voice,  Tom Shimony (Chair), Eve Clayton (Deputy Chair) and Katie Dance (Secretary).

The Council received a presentation appended to the minutes of the meeting.  The presentation highlighted the following:

• An overview of the Youth Voice Executive Committee and its role.
• The committee consisted of 12 members representing a number of settings and experiences.
• Issues affecting young people in Buckinghamshire
• The outcome of the National Make Your Mark Campaign which sought the views of young people across the Country, with the presentation focused on those responses relevant to Buckinghamshire.
• The top five issues were highlighted as:
  • End knife crime
  • Curriculum for Life
  • Homelessness
  • Equal Pay, Equal Work
  • Mental Health
• Members were invited to be involved in community events that were being held in the coming months.

Members raised and discussed the following points:

• The importance of Youth Voice getting involved and highlighting mental health.
• The confidence in the Council in supporting the Youth Voice priorities.
• Members were keen to get involved and help spread the word via their parish councils.
• Members were also keen to attend meetings of localised groups were appropriate.

Mr Whyte thanked Tom, Eve and Katie for their presentation and hoped to support them in the coming year.

To consider the report and recommendation of the Leader of the Council in respect of the Holding Objection to the East West Rail (Bletchley to Bedford Improvements) Order.

Mr M Shaw and Mr P Irwin left the meeting.

Mr Tett proposed the objection which was seconded by Mr B Chapple.  Mr Tett made the following main points:

• The Council had been a long standing supporter of the principle of the East West Rail (EWR) project but with the objection were protecting the interests of the county.
• In July Network Rail had applied to the Secretary for Transport for a transport and works order to construct phase 2 of the line – Bicester to Bedford.
• There had been a 6 week consultation, during which officers had submitted a holding objection based on environmental concerns and land owned by the Council.
• Mr Tett clarified, when referring to page 22 of the objection that the Council still held a firm line in opposition to the HS2 project.
• Mr Chapple added that EWR would play a major role in delivering an economic boost to the county, recognising the importance of the project but the need to reduce the impact on Bucks residents and visitors to the county.

The report set out the following recommendation:

Council were asked to:

1. Endorse Buckinghamshire County Council’s two Holding Objections as a statutory consultee and as a landowner under section 20 of the Transport and Works Act 1992 and section 239 of the Local Government Act 1972 in response to the Transport and Works Act 1992: Application for the Proposed Network Rail (East West Rail Bicester to Bedford Improvements) Order."

Members raised and discussed the following points:

• Julia Wassel highlighted that there had been discussions in the opposition group and that they would support the holding objection although recognised the ongoing concerns as set out in the report.  Mr N Hussain also noted the lack of co-ordination, for example the inclusion of cycleways
• Mr Tett confirmed that the objection was due to the chosen route and opposed to the construction routes for the chosen route. 
• Mr Appleyard raised the issue of increased journey routes for school transport and asked that the Council look to identify areas where travel routes might change.  Disruption to businesses was also highlighted.

RESOLVED: the Council ENDORSED Buckinghamshire County Council’s two Holding Objections

To agree the Treasury Management Update and recommendations as set out in the report.

Mr J Chilver, Cabinet Member for Resources presented the Treasury Management report and highlighted the following:

• The report was a six monthly update report
• There was a change to the authorised limit for borrowing within Prudential Indicator 5.1 as set out in the recommendation.
• Mr Chilver gave thanks to Mr R Ambrose, Director of Finance and Procurement and his team and to the Regulatory and Audit Committee for their scrutiny or the report.

In response to Members questions Mr Chilver confirmed that professional expert advice was sought for each investment property acquisition, performance was regularly monitored and a new Capital Strategy was in place to ensure compliance with Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) guidance on acquisitions of property.

The report set out the following recommendation:

Council were asked to:

1. Agree the Treasury Management Update Report and the Prudential Indicators for 2018/19 to 2021/22.
2. Agree a change to the authorised limit for borrowing within Prudential Indicator 5.1 to £390m in 2018/19, £435m in 2019/20, £460m in 2020/21 and £380m in 2021/22.
3. Agree a change to the operational boundary for borrowing within Prudential Indicator 5.2 to £360m in 2018/19, £405m in 2019/20, £430m in 2020/21 and £350m in 2021/22.
4. Agree a change to the Upper Limit of Fixed Rate Borrowing within Prudential Indicator 6.3 to £390m in 2018/19, £435m in 2019/20, £460m in 2020/21 and £380m in 2021/22.
5. Agree a change to the gross external borrowing value within Prudential Indicator 4.1 to £390m in 2018/19, £435m in 2019/20, £460m in 2020/21 and £380m in 2021/22

RESOLVED: Council AGREED the above recommendations.

To agree the appointment of Returning Officer.

Council received a report seeking the agreement of Council to appoint Ms S Ashmead, Executive Director for Resources as the Returning Officer with immediate effect, and provide the necessary indemnity arrangements.

Recommendations

Council were asked to:

1. Agree to appoint Sarah Ashmead as Returning Officer with immediate effect, and to:
2. Indemnify and keep indemnified the Returning Officer against all costs, expenses, actions, charges, claims, damages, proceedings, and other liabilities sustained in or about the proper execution of their office or otherwise in relation thereto (provided that this indemnity shall not affect the liability of the Returning Officer for the consequence of any criminal action or act of wilful default on their part).

RESOLVED: Council AGREED the recommendations.

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

Mrs A Cranmer, Vice Chairman of the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee, thanked all organisations that had supported recent select committee inquiries including the NHS and the Clinical Commissioning Group.

Mr D Carrol, Chairman of the Transport, Environment and Communities Select Committee raised the need for a representative from HS2 Limited to attend the Select Committee.

RESOLVED: The Council NOTED the report.

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 Transportation

C Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing

D Cabinet Member for Planning & Environment

E Cabinet Member for Education and Skills

F Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Public Health

G Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

H Cabinet Member for Resources

Leader

Mr M Tett highlighted the following updates:

• The Council had received an announcement from the Secretary of State, James Brokenshire, to establish a single unitary council for Buckinghamshire.
• Meetings had been arranged with District Chief Executives and there had also been a meeting held with Leaders of the District Councils
• A decision regarding the number of Members in the new council was still to be made; the business case stated 98 whereas the announcement stated 147.  Mr Tett confirmed that this would impact the savings set out in the business case and would mean less money devolved to parish and town councils.
• Mr Tett highlighted that there was also concern regarding the legal structure proposed by Central Government which could add a cost pressure of £2m. 
• Representation would be made to the Secretary of State on the Council’s behalf.

In response to Member questions, the Leader highlighted the following:

• Any options for the creation of new Town Councils would be for the new council to decide in consultation with Members and residents.
• All Members agreed the importance of retaining the detail in the business case in relation to 98 Members rather than 147 particularly as the higher number would impact savings.
• A Member raised the need for work to help residents understand how accessible the new council would be.
• All stakeholders were urged to work together to ensure the successful implementation of the business case.
• Equal representation on the Implementation Executive was raised.  Mr Tett stated that he wanted to work in partnership with district colleagues and learnings from other authorities showed that implementation needed to be clearly led by those wanting to implement the changes.

Cabinet Member for Transportation

Mr M Shaw highlighted the following updates:

• £4.6m budget to be spent on roads and road assets by the end of the financial year.  Mr Shaw commented that it was not the most suitable time of the year to be spending money on repairs that would not last the winter weather
• Mr Shaw passed on his thanks to all gritting teams for their hard work
• A recent bid had been submitted for installation of smart data within communities to help grade roads. The presentation was a dragons den style and 10 highway authorities were soon to be knocked down to 6. 

In response to Member questions, the Cabinet Member highlighted the following:

• Mr Butcher thanked the Cabinet Member and Transport for Buckinghamshire (TfB) for the resurfacing and traffic calming on Dean Way. 
• Mr Shaw also confirmed that the plane and patch programme would continue into the new year with LATs managing the programme to ensure local needs were met.
• A Member raised measures taken to stop HGVs using Marlow suspension bridge and reassurances were given regarding the implementation of the Freight Strategy and the measures it would take regarding HGV movements.  It was noted that some HGVs were still using the bridge at Marlow and Members would continue to liaise with the council and TVP to ensure it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

There were none.

RESOLVED: Council NOTED the update report.

RESOLVED: Council NOTED the update report.

The next meeting of Council will take place on 21^st February 2019 at 9.30am at The Oculus, Aylesbury

21 February 2019