Meeting documents

Richard Harrington, Chief Executive of Buckinghamshire Thames Valley Enterprise Partnership will deliver a presentation to Members.

Bucks Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership Chief Executive, Richard Harrington attended the meeting to outline the Buckinghamshire’s Strategic Economic Plan and how the Thames Valley LEP is helping Buckinghamshire prosper.

The Bucks and Thames Valley Local Enterprise is a public and private sector partnership and has representation from 5 Local Authorities and 5 Private Sector bodies.  It is not another layer of administration.  The key focus of the partnership was to be the voice for the local area to Government on matters of national economic development policy.    It also  focuses on supporting strategic partnership interventions and collaborations that can help create a more prosperous local economy.

The funding model was in its infancy but £44.2m had been secured through the Regional Growth Deal.

Richard Harrington reported on 2014/15 ‘Top-Up’ Funding requested from Government to be deployed by the LEP to priorities as follows:

·       SME Access to Loan Finance         - £2,000,000

·       Road Feasibility Studies                 - £378,000

·       Connected Broadband Project       - £675,000

·       Leading the Way with Skills           - £220,000

There was also an update on further partnership opportunities:-

·       Extension of the Chesham Wellbeing Programme

·       Development of Springfield Road Innovation Centre, Chesham

Richard Harrington reported that the factors of future success were to listen to all partners and work together to deliver a common plan and achieve what was originally proposed.  There was an aim to establish a sustainable delivery of governance through Bucks Advantage, Bucks Business First and Skills Group.  More resources were to be drawn from the Government while making scarce funds work harder and to prepare for post-election funding opportunities.

Members received the presentation and raised questions in relation to upgrading  of A355, the accountable body for the LEP which was the Buckinghamshire County Council, tourist economy in context of fighting HS2, the perceived skills gap for Chiltern and links with South Midlands LEP.

To approve as a correct record and to sign the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 9 September 2014.

The Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 9 September 2014 were approved as a correct record, subject to an amendment to Minute 44 in relation to the two Overview Committees to clarify that the only restriction on memberships is for the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council and Members of the Cabinet. All other wording to be deleted

(a)       Chairman’s Engagements

A list of Engagements carried out by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council between 10 September and 4 November 2014 had been circulated.

(b)       Chairman’s Announcements

The Chairman made the following announcements:-

• All Member Briefing - Peer Review on Tuesday 11 November 2014 commencing at 6.00pm in the Council Chamber
• Remembrance Day - Tuesday 11 November at 10.50am at the flagpole, Chiltern District Council
• The Joint Appointments & Implementation Committee (JAIC) meetings on 17 November and 7 January had been cancelled.  A new JAIC meeting had been scheduled on 8 December at South Bucks District Council
• The Joint Committee meeting on 9 December had been cancelled.
• The Services Overview Committee on 18 November had been cancelled.

                                                    

(c) Announcements from the Leader of the Cabinet

The Leader of the Cabinet had no announcements to make.

(d) Announcements from the Head of Paid Service

The Chief Executive had no announcements to make.

                                                                                

(e) Petitions

No petitions were submitted.

(f)  Councillor N Rose - HS2

Councillor Rose reported that he had recently attended the Select Committee which had discussed tunnelling and he explained that he would provide a more detailed report to the HS2 Steering Group on Monday 10 November 2014.  It was noted that connectivity and terrain were considered at the Select Committee but no discussion was pursued in relation to impact on the environment.

Councillor Rose added that Sir David Higgins, HS2 Chairman reported on the rebalancing of Britain’s connectivity from HS2 towards a national transport strategy including the recent proposal for HS3.  It was noted that HS3 was not a high speed train but the aim was to have an overall improvement of connectivity between major northern economic areas.  A detailed report was to be presented to the HS2 Steering Group meeting on Monday 10 November 2014.  Councillor Rose concluded that discussions were now also underway in respect of a revised ‘pink’ tunnel route.

It was moved by Councillor Garnett, seconded by Councillor Phillips and

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes and Resolutions of the Performance and Resources Overview Committee held on 17 September 2014 be received.

It was moved by Councillor Phillips, seconded by Councillor Gladwin and

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes and Resolutions of the Planning Committee held on 18 September 2014 be received.

It was moved by Councillor Gladwin, seconded by Councillor Phillips and

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes and Resolutions of the Audit & Standards Committee held on 25 September 2014 be received.

It was moved by Councillor M Stannard, seconded by Councillor Darby and

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes and Resolutions of the Joint Appointment and Implementation Committee held on 7 October 2014 be received.

It was moved by Councillor Darby, seconded by Councillor Appleby and

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes and Resolutions of the Personnel Committee held on 8 October 2014 be received.

It was moved by Councillor Phillips seconded by Councillor Burton and

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes and Resolutions of the Planning Committee held on 9 October 2014 be received.

To consider the Minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 23 September 2014 and 21 October 2014 (to follow) and to receive questions and answers on any of these minutes and recommendations in accordance with Rule 8 of the Procedural Rules

In response to a councillor question, the Chief Executive reported that a response from SERCO would be subject of a report to the next meetings of Resources Overview and Scrutiny and Cabinet providing the relevant information was available.

The decision made by Cabinet to progress the Needs Assessment for CDC Leisure Centre was considered by members who sought clarification on the intention of the Cabinet on the future provision for leisure in the District and the concern from some members of a potential loss of swimming facilities.

Cllr Stannard assured members that a full needs assessment of leisure provision across the District and where relevant in neighbouring Districts would be explored and full consultation was to be undertaken to receive robust evidence of the needs of residents of the Chiltern District.

                     

It was moved by Councillor Darby seconded by Councillor Stannard and

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes and Resolutions of the Cabinet held on 23 September and 21 October 2014 be received and the recommendations contained in Minutes 35, 41 and 42 be adopted.

a) Councillor Hudson - Community Health Fairs

Councillor Hudson updated members on the recent community health fairs and that a further event was planned at Hivings Church on 14 November 2014 which included  an over 60’s Health Check.

b) Councillor Martin - Waste Service

Councillor Martin reported that the new Waste calendars had been sent out and amalgamated with Wycombe.  He added that the Green Waste renewals were progressing well.

c) Councillor Harris - Examination on DDPD

Councillor Harris reported that the examination on the DDPD was due to commence on 18 November 2014 and invited members to attend.

Cllr Harker reported on the huge success of the Silver Sunday event in Amersham on 5 October 2014.  The event was a 1940 Tea Dance held to encourage and support people who are vulnerable or isolated to participate in a local event.  This was intended nationally to become  an annual event  on the first Sunday in October, and it was hoped that more local organisations would become involved in future events. 

No Motions had been received.

Members considered the Council’s revised political balance arising from the suspension of Councillor H Trevette from the Conservative Group:

·       Conservatives - 30 seats (from 31)

·       Liberal Democrat - 5 seats (unchanged)

There are three separate Independent Members (an increase of one), one Labour Councillor, and one UKIP Councillor.

In response to a question about the appointment to vacancies on certain Committees members were advised this was a decision for the Majority Group. 

RESOLVED:

i)    That the revised political balance was noted; and

ii)   That the membership of the following Council’s Committees be amended as noted:-

·         Licensing and Regulation Committee - Cllr N Rose

·         Appeals and Complaints Committee - Cllr D Meacock

·         Governance and Electoral Arrangements Committee - Cllr D Lacey

Consideration was given to the Business Case for a joint property and facility management service which was agreed by the Joint Committee on 16 October 2014.  The Business Case was attached as a Private Appendix.

RESOLVED:-

i)     That the case for a joint property and facility management service was proven and that both Councils should proceed to establish a joint service;

ii)    That, subject to consultation with staff and a formal agreement between the Councils, the services of staff in Chiltern District Council’s property and facility management service be put at the disposal of South Bucks District Council under Section 113 of the Local Government Act 1972 so they can work across the two local authority areas; and

iii)   That the Chief Executive in consultation with the Cabinet Leader and the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to finalise the terms of any legal documentation required to give effect to recommendation ii) above.