Meeting documents

Venue: The Oculus, AVDC, The Gateway

Contact: Claire Hawkes 

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Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 133 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 26 September 2019.

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Minutes:

RESOLVED:  The minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2019 were AGREED as an accurate record. 

2.

Petitions

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Minutes:

Mr Butcher presented a petition on behalf of residents of Elmwood Rise, Chalfont St Giles regarding a residents parking scheme.  

 

The petition was handed to the Chief Executive.

3.

Communications pdf icon PDF 50 KB

a        To receive any apologies for absence

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

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Minutes:

Minute’s Silence:

The Chairman opened Council with a minute’s silence to pay respect to former County Councillor Audrey Bainbridge who had sadly passed away.   Audrey was a County Councillor for Fulmer, Wexham and Iver Heath 1985-2001 and was Vice Chairman of the Council 1997-2001.

Apologies were received from Mr Bendyshe-Brown, Mrs Blake, Mr Bowles, Mr Carroll, Mr Chapple, Mr Etholen, Mr Hayday, Mr Irwin, Mr Khan, Mrs Wright, Mrs Aston, Mr Colston, Mrs Letheren, Mr Lawrence, Mr Ross, Julia Wassell and Mr Brown.

The Chairman’s update would be appended to the minutes.

4.

Declarations of Interest

To disclose any Personal or Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

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Minutes:

There were none.

 

5.

Youth Justice Strategic Plan pdf icon PDF 138 KB

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Minutes:

Mr W Whyte, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services presented the Youth Justice Strategic Plan to be considered and approved by Council.  Mr Whyte highlighted that the plan was a statutory requirement for the County Council and was a cross partnership document. 

 

Mr Whyte highlighted the following points:

  • 10-17 year olds that had entered the Youth Justice System had reduced by 26.7% compared to the previous year.
  • The custody rate was lower than the national average and the South East and was in line with the Thames Valley figure.
  • Young people remanded in custody had increased slightly in 2018/19.
  • Priorities for 2019-20 would include:
    • Raise awareness of and aim to reduce the exploitation of children and young people within organised criminal groups and in the supply of drugs (county lines).
    • Aim to reduce repeat offending and serious youth violence by way of delivering trauma informed models of intervention.
    • Strengthen engagement and intervention delivery with partners to reduce children becoming involved in violence through early intervention.

 

RESOLVED:  Council APPROVED the 2019-20 Youth Justice Strategic Plan for Buckinghamshire.

6.

Treasury Management Update pdf icon PDF 215 KB

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Minutes:

Mr R Bagge, Deputy Cabinet Member for Resources presented the update report and highlighted the following points:

  • It was a requirement to present a mid-year report to Council.
  • Whilst borrowing was up in the current year, the interest paid on loans had decreased.

 

A member requested to see a split of the £282m borrowing between Energy from Waste, commercial investments and ongoing council arrangements.  Mr Bagge stated that a breakdown of the borrowing was available at the meeting but would speak to officers about the format of the report and would respond to the member in written form. 

 

RESOLVED:  Council AGREED the Treasury Management Mid-Year Report and the Prudential Indicators for 2019/20.

7.

Cabinet Members' Reports pdf icon PDF 1 MB

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 Community Engagement & Public Health

D Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

E Cabinet Member for Education & Skills

F Cabinet Member for Planning & Environment

G Cabinet Member for Health & Wellbeing

H Cabinet Member for Resources

 

 

 

 

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Minutes:

Leader

 

Mr Tett highlighted that following the motion that was passed at the last Council meeting relating to Kashmir, he had written to MPs and their responses had been circulated to members.  There had also been a motion passed opposing The Expressway that was to run through Buckinghamshire and that there had been a subsequent statement by the Secretary of State regarding a future review of The Expressway that he found encouraging.

 

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Transport

 

Mr Shaw announced that Transport for Bucks (TfB) had been awarded a national award from the Institution of Asset Management for the asset management and customer service.  The award was a fantastic achievement and full credit and congratulations was given to TfB.

 

In response to Members’ questions the following main points were noted:

  • Following unprecedented rain fall all efforts were being made to clear as many gullies as possible to elevate any flood risks.  It was an area that was highlighted for further investment.
  • Painting white lines in winter months was not effective hence the programme to start again in April.  Mr Shaw however did say that he would ask TfB to look into particular areas raised.
  • Mr Shaw agreed to visit Desborough Road in Wycombe with Mrs L Clarke.
  • Mr Collingwood to contact Local Area Technician in relation to yellow junction box.
  • Mr Shaw would discuss failed roads with the Asset Management team.
  • Mr Shaw confirmed the budget for footpaths had been reinstated as an important area of focus particularly in areas leading to schools, doctors etc.  It was also noted that any law to change parking on pavements would have to be considered nationally.

 

Cabinet Member for Community Engagement and Public Health

 

Mr Williams highlighted the recent Emotional Wellbeing Conference that took place which promoted mental health in schools.  95 colleagues from over 50 schools had attended.

 

In response to Members’ questions the following main points were noted:

  • Residents of Winslow were reassured that their concerns regarding the community library were being listened to and would remain open.
  • Mr Williams would meet with Mr Hussain to discuss any support that may be available to help reopen the Healthy Living Centre café on Walton Court.

 

Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

 

Mr Whyte highlighted the following points from his report:

  • Fostering and Care Awards evening that had recently taken place and the next round of information events taking place were on 18 December in Buckingham and 15 January in Aylesbury.  To book and to find dates for 2020 information events visit the council’s website https://www.buckscc.gov.uk/services/care-for-children-and-families/fostering/fostering-information-event/
  • A new adoption readiness checker had been launched and adoption information events would take place on 5 December in Chesham and the 8 January in Aston Clinton.  Mr Whyte encouraged members to promote these events.
  • Excellent results had been received from the Virtual School. 
  • The Christmas present appeal would run again this year and Mr Whyte urged staff and members to donate.
  • A successful Action 4 Youth event had been hosted by the County Council which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

Notices of Motion

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Minutes:

There were none.

 

9.

Cabinet Member Decisions Taken - Information Only pdf icon PDF 173 KB

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Minutes:

RESOLVED: Council NOTED the report.

10.

Date of Next Meeting

12 March 2020

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Minutes:

The last meeting of the County Council would be held on 12 March 2020 and would be a celebratory meeting that looked back over the 131 year history of the County Council.