Meeting documents

CDC Council
Tuesday, 30th October, 2001

2001.10.30 - Council, Minutes
 

CHILTERN DISTRICT COUNCIL
 

 
 

MINUTES of the Meeting of the CHILTERN DISTRICT COUNCIL
 

 
 

held on  30 OCTOBER 2001
 

 
 

 
 

PRESENT:

Councillor

I T Gomm     -

Chairman of the Council

 

"

Mrs L M Smith -

Vice-Chairman of the Council

 

 

 

 

 

Councillor

R Abraham

Councillor

Sir John Horsbrugh-Porter

"

Miss P A Appleby

"

Mrs S M Howkins

"

Mrs B D Barker

"

P M Jones

"

Mrs J  Barratt

"

Mrs P Lindsley

"

M J Batt

"

Mrs H S Matthews

"

Mr D Brackley

"

D G Meacock

"

Ms J E Bramwell

"

M Peters

"

N L Brown

"

D W Phillips

"

A Campbell

"

P T Priestley

"

Mrs G A Cotterell

"

A H Reed

"

B M Curson

"

N M Rose

"

A Dibbo

"

C Spruytenburg

"

T Dodd

"

Mrs E P Stacey

"

J E Ford

"

G Sussum

"

Mrs M Harker

"

A W Walters

"

Mrs V Head

"

Miss M J White

"

L A Hodgkinson

"

R T Young    
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Councillors Mrs D Allen, J A Banham,
 

M Z Bhatti, N Brentnall, Mrs M A Hamilton, D J Lacey, P T Lole, Mrs J Ottaway, D C Schofield
 

and J Warder.
 

 
 

 
 

68.     MINUTES
 

 
 

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on  2 October 2001, copies of which had been previously circulated, were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
 

 
 

 
 

69.     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
 

 
 

     None made at this point in the meeting.
 

           
 

 
 

70.     ANNOUNCEMENTS
 

 
 

     The Chairman of the Council made the following announcements:-
 

 
 

     1.     Functions
 

 
 

The functions attended by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council since the last Council meeting were circulated.  The Chairman also drew attention to a visit which he had made to the Council Offices to meet Council staff.
 

 
 

     2.     Investors in People – Chiltern Leisure Trust
 

 
 

The Chairman mentioned that Chiltern Leisure Trust had received the IIP Award.  He had sent congratulations to the Trust on behalf of the Council.
 

 
 

Neither the Executive Leader nor the Head of Paid Service had any announcements to make.
 

 
 

 
 

71.     PRESENTATION
 

 
 

     1.     Erica Bhist – Member of the Youth Parliament
 

 
 

The Council received a presentation from Erica Bhist, who had been elected as a member of the Youth Parliament and whose term of office would end shortly.  The Chairman congratulated Erica for her presentation, which had been enjoyable and instructive.
 

 
 

2.     Leofwine Shield
 

 
 

The Chairman presented the Leofwine Shield to Councillor John Rimer, the Chairman of Chenies Parish Council.  The Shield is awarded annually for the town or village within Chiltern District, receiving the highest marks in the Best Kept Village Competition.  
 

 
 

 
 

72.

LICENSING AND REGULATION COMMITTEE
 

 
 

     It was proposed by Councillor M J Batt, seconded by Councillor Mrs H S Matthews, and
 

 
 

     RESOLVED
 

 
 

That the Minutes and Resolutions of the meeting of the Licensing and Regulation Committee, held on 4 October 2001, be received and adopted, subject to it being noted that the Recommendations in Minute 15 stood referred to the Council meeting to be held on 4 December 2001 and subject as below.
 

 
 

 
 

73.     HACKNEY CARRIAGE AND PRIVATE HIRE LICENSING FEES
 

 
 

It was noted that the Licensing and Regulation Committee at its Minute of the meeting on
 

4 October (Minute 14 refers) had resolved that a report with detailed estimates of the costs of
 

providing increased enforcement be prepared for consideration at this meeting.  The Vice-Chairman of
 

the Committee advised that following consultation, it was felt that this report should be made to the Committee rather than to the Council.  He accordingly requested that the Resolution and Recommendations in Minute 14 be referred back to the Committee for further consideration.  The Council approved this request.
 

 
 

 
 

74.     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 11 October 2001, be received and adopted.
 

 
 

 
 

75.     SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
 

 
 

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

 
 

     RESOLVED
 

 
 

That the Minutes and Resolutions of the Scrutiny Committee, held on 16 October 2001, be received and adopted.
 

 
 

 
 

76.     EXECUTIVE QUESTION TIME
 

 
 

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

 
 

     Councillor D W Phillips
 

 
 

     The Executive Leader drew attention to a number of matters upon which he wished to brief the Council.  
 

 
 

     (a)     Flooding
 

 
 

Councillor Phillips outlined information concerning flooding precautions.  He advised that Chesham members had received or would receive a letter from Buckinghamshire County Council concerning arrangements during the winter, should flooding occur.  He outlined the difference between main rivers, which were the responsibility of the Environment Agency, and ordinary water courses where there was some ambiguity concerning responsibility.  
 

 
 

Councillor Phillips mentioned specific areas within the District where there were problems with flooding last winter.  Although there was no obligation on this Council to make provision, sandbags and sand would be made available in vulnerable areas.  Buckinghamshire County Council were arranging for pre-filled sandbags to be provided in critical areas.  
 

      
 

Details of information and contact telephone numbers would be made widely available.  The leaflets with these details were currently being prepared and distributed.
 

 
 

Members commented on the arrangements and made the following points:-
 

 
 

¨

The collection of sand and sandbags should have priority.
 

 
 

¨

There should be an answer-phone on the emergency telephone number, so that any member of the public ringing in could leave a message if no officer was available.
 

 
 

¨

Consideration should be given to a contact rota to provide 24 hour service.
 

 
 

¨

A list of those houses affected, or likely to be affected by flooding, should be kept and any information leaflets should be distributed to these properties.
 

 
 

     2.     Stephen Byers’ Meeting
 

 
 

          Councillor Phillips advised that, together with the Chief Executive, he had attended a meeting
 

addressed by Stephen Byers, the Secretary of State for the DTLR, at which a number of points concerning Local Government had been made.  Mr Byers indicated that:-
 

 
 

¨

There were too many “plans”, including Best Value, being imposed on Local Government, and he was considering reducing the burden of this work.
 

 
 

¨

Freedom of action and flexibility were needed within Local Government to help with the local democratic process.
 

 
 

¨

The quality of the environment was important and would play an increasing role in Local Government affairs.    
 

 
 

¨

Ring-fencing of budgets was too prescriptive, and he intended to consider easing this situation.
 

 
 

¨

SSA’s would not be reviewed until 2003.
 

 
 

¨

A Planning Green Paper would be issued in December.
 

 
 

 
 

77.     EXECUTIVE MINUTES – 9 OCTOBER 2001
 

 
 

     It was proposed by Councillor D W Phillips, seconded by Councillor T Dodd, and
 

 
 

     RESOLVED
 

 
 

That the Minutes and Recommendations of the meeting of the Executive, held on 9 October 2001, be received and adopted, subject as below:-
 

 
 

 
 

78.

     CHILTERN HUNDREDS HOUSING ASSOCIATION – AD HOC PROPERTY PURCHASES AND STARTER HOMES INITIATIVE
 

 
 

Arising on Minute 124 of the Executive, it was noted that Resolution 1 referred to a total of 18 additional properties being purchased.  The Council was advised that this information had now changed and the level of purchase was likely to be 5 houses at a cost of £800,000.  The matter was noted.
 

 
 

 
 

79.     REPORTS ON JOINT ARRANGEMENTS OR EXTERNAL ORGANISATIONS
 

 
 

Councillor N L Brown reported as the Council’s representative on the Chesham Youth Club Management Committee.  He thanked all those who had attended the recent Opening Ceremony.
 

 
 

 
 

80.     PENSIONS AND TRAVEL AND SUBSISTENCE ALLOWANCES – CONSULTATION
 

 
 

The Council had before it a report advising of the response of the Executive to the Consultation Paper on Pensions for Members, and seeking ratification of the officers’ response to the Consultation Paper concerning travel and subsistence allowances.  
 

 
 

     RESOLVED
 

 
 

1.

That the consultation response in respect of the Government’s proposals in relation to pensions for elected Members, be noted.
 

 
 

2.

That the consultation response in so far as it relates to proposals on travel subsistence and other allowances, be ratified.
 

 
 

 
 

81.     CALENDAR OF MEETINGS
 

 
 

A draft calendar of meetings for the period May 2002 to May 2003 had been circulated for consultation purposes.  Following Member comments, the matter would be considered at the next Council meeting.  The report was noted.
 

 
 

 
 

The Meeting ended at 7.45 pm