Meeting documents

CHILTERN DISTRICT COUNCIL

MINUTES of the Meeting of the CHILTERN DISTRICT COUNCIL

held on 31 JULY 2001

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Councillors R Abraham, Miss P A Appleby,

Mrs L M Bateman, M J Batt, Ms J E Bramwell, N Brentnall, N L Brown, G C Cotterell,

T Dodd, Sir John Horsbrugh-Porter, P M Jones, D J Lacey, Mrs H Matthews, M Peters and

C Spruytenburg.

28.     MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 26 June 2001, a copy of which had been previously circulated, was signed by the Chairman as a correct record, subject to it being noted that Councillor Meacock had moved the procedural motion in Minute 26.

29.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

     None made.

30.     ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Chairman of the Council drew attention to the diary dates of matters attended by himself and the Vice-Chairman since the last Council meeting.

     The Executive Leader had no announcements to make.

The Head of Paid Service advised that in connection with the payment of Member Allowances, in order to not pay National Insurance contributions, those Members over retirement age would need to supply proof in the form of a birth certificate or other proof of age, to the Director of Corporate Services.

31.     PLANNING COMMITTEE

     It was proposed by Councillor N Rose, seconded by Councillor P T Priestley, and

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes and Resolutions of the meeting of the Planning Committee, held on 28 June 2001, be received and adopted.

32.     PLANNING COMMITTEE – ALTERNATE MEMBERS

Councillor Mrs Lindsley drew attention to Planning Committee Minute 19 and asked when consideration of the use of alternate Members for Planning Committee would be given.

The Chief Executive advised that the Constitution Review Committee would take up the matter later in the year.

33.     HOMELESSNESS COMMITTEE

     It was proposed by Councillor Mrs M A Hamilton, seconded by Councillor M Bhatti, and

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes and Resolutions of the Homelessness Committee held on 3 July 2001, be received and adopted subject to a number of minor clerical amendments.

34.     SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

     It was proposed by Councillor A Campbell, seconded by Councillor D G Meacock, and

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee, held on 10 July 2001, be received and adopted, subject to it being noted that Councillor Priestley had given his apologies.

35.     BOUNDARIES AND ELECTORAL ARRANGEMENTS COMMITTEE

     It was proposed by Councillor J A Banham, seconded by Councillor D W Phillips, and

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes and Recommendations of the meeting of the Boundaries and Electoral Arrangements Committee, held on 16 July 2001, be received and adopted.

36.     SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

     It was proposed by Councillor A Campbell, seconded by Councillor P T Priestley, and

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes and Resolutions of the meeting of the Scrutiny Committee, held on 17 July 2001, be received and adopted. 

37.     PLANNING COMMITTEE

     It was proposed by Councillor N Rose, seconded by Councillor P T Priestley, and

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes and Recommendations of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 19 July 2001, be received and adopted.

38.     EXECUTIVE QUESTION TIME

In accordance with Rule 9.1 of the Procedural Rules, the Council considered reports and received questions without notice from Members.

     (a)     Councillor Mrs M A Hamilton

Councillor Mrs Hamilton, the Executive Member with responsibility for Good Health and Housing, outlined the future of the Health Authority for this area.  It was envisaged that Buckinghamshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire would join and that there would be a new structure at Board and Primary Care Group level. Scrutiny would be carried out at County Council level, but it was hoped that Members of this Council would have some input to that process.  

Councillor Mrs Hamilton advised that among the problems to be faced by the new Health Authority were ones of staff shortages. Some assistance could be given by this Council in connection with the housing of key workers and this Council to approach this matter jointly with South Bucks District Council.

Following the presentation, Councillor Bhatti asked if the Chairman of Buckinghamshire Health Authority could be invited to give a presentation on this matter.  Councillor Mrs Hamilton agreed to follow up this request.  

     (b)     Councillor D W Phillips

The Executive Leader gave a presentation on the Structure Plan Review.  He advised that the Review would not be completed until March 2004.  It was anticipated that the total number of additional houses within old Buckinghamshire would be 48,150.  Some new build would take place in Milton Keynes, but other districts would have to play their part in making land available for house building purposes.  

The options within Chiltern District were: -

Councillor Phillips also commented upon the Government’s indication that new build density of housing should take place at 30 dwellings per hectare.  This was the minimum figure and Government expected that a higher figure would be achieved.  It had been hoped that “affordable” housing would comprise part of this new build, but this had not been specified.

Following the presentation, Councillor Lole advised that he felt that although Milton Keynes would take more new buildings than in this District, other areas, especially Aylesbury Vale District Council, where Green Belt restrictions did not apply, should be asked to take a greater share than in Chiltern and South Bucks.  Councillor Campbell drew attention to the transport infrastructure, which would need to be linked at County level to support new building.

(c)     Councillor J A Banham

Councillor Banham, the Executive portfolio holder for Optimising Resources, gave a presentation on E-Government.  He outlined the Government’s expectations for joined up Government and E-procurement.

The officers and consultants had recently commenced writing the E-Government Statement.  Central Government had given an indication concerning provision by Local Authorities of on-line information and on-line procurement.  This Council would aim to produce its E-Government Statement within the Community Plan.  The Statement would be circulated to all Members.  

Councillor Banham advised that he had checked this Council’s rating against the national assessment and some significant progress in providing E-Government had already been made.

He drew attention to:-

made.

This Council had committed £300,000 to progress E-Government matters.  It was hoped that a grant of £500,000 would be available from the Government but this still would leave a serious shortfall in financial terms.  The Council was looking for partnerships with other Councils in an endeavour to reduce costs.

Following the presentation, Councillor Reed questioned the savings anticipated at £22,000 per annum against the outlay of £2m.  Councillor Mrs Head and Councillor Mrs Brackley emphasised the need for Member training and the provision of computer hardware and software to Members.  Councillor Banham advised that this matter would be considered by the Member Services PAG shortly.  Councillor Schofield re-emphasised the comments made by Councillor Banham concerning joint working with other Councils.  He felt that such joint working should be with as large a number of Councils as possible, to achieve financial saving.

(d)     Councillor D W Phillips – Decriminalisation of Parking

The Executive Leader reminded the Council that during the consultation process the public had indicated that car parking and the decriminalisation of on-street parking had been high on the list of public expectations.  

This Council wished to take on the control of on-street parking but the consent of the Highway Authority (Buckinghamshire County Council) and the Police was required.  The problem was presently with Buckinghamshire County Council and negotiations had been proceeding very slowly.  Councillor Phillips outlined the state of the negotiations and the problems which had been experienced.  The main problem in respect of this matter was one of surpluses.  There was a requirement that all surpluses must be used for parking/highway purposes.  This Council wished to utilise any surpluses for these matters within Chiltern District’s area, whereas Buckinghamshire County Council would apply the surpluses throughout the whole County.  There would be a further meeting in approximately three weeks time with Buckinghamshire County Council, at which it was hoped that progress would be made.

(e)     Councillor D W Phillips – LGA Conference

Councillor Phillips reported on attendance at the LGA Conference at Harrogate earlier in the month. He felt that the Conference had lacked purpose and felt that the LGA was not able to exert any influence on Government thinking.  The report was noted.

Note:  Councillor B Curson entered the meeting at 6.55 pm, Councillor A Dibbo at 7.15 pm and

Councillor A W Walters at 7.26 pm.

39.     EXECUTIVE MINUTES

     It was proposed by Councillor D W Phillips, seconded by Councillor Mrs M A Hamilton, and

RESOLVED –

That the Minutes and Recommendations of the meeting of the Executive, held on 10 July 2001, be received and adopted, subject as below.

40.     FORWARD PLAN – PRESTWOOD SPORTS CENTRE

Councillor Mrs Barker enquired about the latest situation with regard to the financial shortfall on Prestwood Sports Centre.  The Executive Leader advised that if Councillor Mrs Barker would put her question in writing, he would respond.  

41.     GRANT AID SCHEME REVIEW

Councillor P T Priestley requested the Executive to consider reviving the former Grants Sub-Committee to consider the management of Grant Aid Funds.

Also arising under this Minute heading, Councillor Meacock raised a question concerning the Chalfont St Peter Community Association.  Councillor Phillips advised that he was currently considering the matter which would be the subject of report to the next Executive Meeting.

42.          A413 AYLESBURY ROAD, GREAT MISSENDEN – ACCIDENT REMEDIAL SCHEME

Arising on Executive Minute 38, Councillor Mrs Barker requested the Council to vote against the submission of comments to Buckinghamshire County Council concerning its proposed Accident Remedial Scheme at the A413 Aylesbury Road, Great Missenden.

On a vote being taken, the recommendations from the Executive were declared not to have been carried.  The effect of this that Buckinghamshire County Council’s proposals were supported and no comments would be submitted on the proposed scheme.

43.     RAANS PLAYING FIELDS, RAANS ROAD, AMERSHAM

Arising on Minute 46 of the Executive, Councillor Ford raised a question concerning this Council’s interest in purchasing the former Playing Fields at Raans Road, Amersham.  The Executive Leader pointed out that no decision had yet been taken and that following discussions with the County Council, the matter would be referred to the Council for decision.  

44.     SCRUTINY SUB-COMMITTEE – MEMBERSHIP

Arising from Minute 20 of the Council Meeting held on 26 June 2001, appointments from the Liberal Democrat Group to the Scrutiny Sub-Committee were requested.  Councillor Mrs Vera Head, the Liberal Democrat Group Leader, advised the names proposed and it was accordingly

RESOLVED –

That Councillor Miss P Appleby, Councillor J Ford, Councillor Mrs V Head and Councillor C Spruytenburg, be appointed to serve on the Scrutiny Sub-Committee.    

45.     STANDARDS COMMITTEE

The Council had before it a report concerning the setting up of a Standards Committee and the appointment of Members and others, to serve upon it.  The Council’s Legal Manager outlined the requirements, and following discussion it was

RESOLVED –

Note:  Councillor Mrs M Harker entered the meeting at 8.13pm.

46.     SCRUTINTY (BEST VALUE) SUB-COMMITTEE

The Council was reminded that the meeting of the Scrutiny (Best Value) Sub-Committee, which was to have been held on 25 July 2001 had, in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules, not been held as it was not quorate.   The Rules provided that in this event the meeting could be referred to full Council for decision.  

The Council accordingly considered the report of the officers, which had been prepared for the Best Value Sub-Committee meeting, and it was agreed as follows:-

Item 1 – The Role and Powers of the Best Value Sub-Committee

Defer to the next meeting.

Item 2 – Membership of Review Teams

Defer to the next meeting.

Item 3 – Member Training on Best Value

Defer to the next meeting.

Item 4 – Audit Report on Best Value Performance Plan

Refer to the Executive Meeting on Tuesday 7 August.

Item 5 – Inspection of Open Spaces – Interim Challenge

Refer to Executive Meeting.

Item 6 – Planning Services – Terms of Reference

A number of changes to the Planning Services Terms of Reference from that originally circulated

had been indicated.  Members were also asked to confirm nominations for the Review Team.

RESOLVED –

1.     That the Terms of Reference (as amended) and revised timetable for

the Planning Services Review, be approved.

Item 7 – Building Control – Terms of Reference

The Terms of Reference for the Review of Building Control had been circulated.  The Council was asked to consider the Terms of Reference and nominations to the Review Team.  

RESOLVED –

Item 8 – Parking Services – Revised Terms of Reference

It was noted that the Terms of Reference and timetable had originally been agreed by the Best Value Sub-Committee on 10 April 2001.  It had become necessary for these to be altered and revised Terms of Reference had been circulated.  In addition, two Members to serve on the Parking Services Review Team were required.  

RESOLVED –

     Item 9 – ICT – Monitoring Report

Defer to a future meeting.

     Item 10 – Reprographics – Monitoring Report

The officers had advised that the Reprographics Best Value Review had been inspected in January.  The Inspector’s draft report had been received and a response was required.  The draft response had been circulated.  The Sub-Committee had also been asked to consider whether there should be a market test of the Reprographics Service.

RESOLVED –

7.     That the Council’s response on the Reprographics inspection be approved.

8.     That the Reprographics six monthly monitoring report be noted.

9.     That the plan to market test the Reprographics Service be no longer pursued.

     Item 11 – Land Charges – Monitoring Report

     Defer to a future meeting.

     Item 12 – Community Safety Review

     Defer to a future meeting.

     Item 13 – Best Value Review Programme for 2001/02

     Defer to a future meeting.

                                                                    The Meeting ended at 8.40 pm