Meeting documents

The meeting is asked to observe a one minute’s silence in memory of Councillor Davida Allen.

Councillors observed a one minute’s silence in memory of the late Councillor Davida Allen who sadly died on 5 November 2015.

Councillor Peter Jones (Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group), Councillor Isobel Darby (Leader of the Council) and (Councillor Mimi Harker) Chairman of the Council) paid tribute to Davida for her continued hard work and commitment to her role as Councillor and community leader for Amersham.  Davida was remembered as a well respected and popular councillor and resident within Chiltern District who would be sadly missed.  Sincere sympathises and condolences were expressed to Davida’s family at this sad time.

The Chairman welcomed colleagues from South Bucks District Council to the meeting.

To approve as a correct record and to sign the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 3 November 2015.

The Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 3 November 2015 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman, Cabinet Leader or the Head of Paid Service.

(a)       Chairman’s Engagements

A list of Engagements carried out by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council between 4 November and 15 December had been circulated.

(b)       Chairman’s Announcements

The Chairman made the following announcements:

·         A special meeting of Cabinet had been scheduled to be held on Tuesday 22 December 2015 at 4.30pm

·         Local Plan Elected Members and Stakeholders Consultation Events:

o   Thursday 14 January at 6.30pm at King’s Church, Amersham (Elected Members)

o   Monday 18 January at 6.00pm at South Bucks District Council (Elected Members)

o   Tuesday 19 January at 6.00pm at South Bucks District Council (Stakeholders)

o   Wednesday 20 January at 6.30pm at Chiltern District Council (Stakeholders)

·         All members were urged to attend the Joint Member Briefing on Housing that will be held on Wednesday 3 February at 6.30pm in the Council Chamber at South Bucks District Council

·         Advised that the Contact the Elderly pin badges were on sale in the Council reception

(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 announced that the Notice of Vacancy for Amersham Town District Ward had been published on 30 November 2015.

The Chief Executive also advised that an application for dispensation to speak and vote on the Council’s annual budget and Council Tax setting on their desk together with explanatory letter from the Monitoring Officer which needed to be completed and returned to the Monitoring Officer as soon as possible.

(e) Petitions

No petitions were submitted.

Member considered the recommendation from the meeting of Joint Committee held on 16 November 2015, which requested reconsideration of the recommendations arising from the Revenues and Benefits shared services review.

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

RESOLVED -

i)     That the case for a Shared Revenues and Benefits Service was proven, and that both Councils should proceed to establish a Shared Revenues and Benefits Service;

ii)    That subject to consultation with staff and a formal agreement between the Councils, the services of staff in Chiltern District Council’s Revenues and Benefits 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 Acting 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 2 above.

Members considered the final revised draft Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles, attached to the report at Appendix 1 which was recommended for adoption to come into effect on 14 January 2016 and continue to force until 13 January 2019.

Council also considered whether to continue not to issue casino premises licences.

It was moved by Councillor Harris, seconded by Councillor Rush and

RESOLVED -

i)     That the Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles 2015 revision be approved and adopted for publication at least 4 weeks prior to coming into effect for the period 14 January 2016 to 13 January 2019; and

ii)    That with effect from 14 January 2016, not to issue casino premises licences, in accordance with Section 166 of the 2005 Act.

To receive and consider reports from the Cabinet Leader, Cabinet Members or Chairman of a Committee and receive questions and answers on any of those reports in accordance with Rule 9.1 of the Procedural Rules.

a) Councillor Darby - IIP Accreditation

Councillor Darby reported that the Council had now achieved Bronze Level and specific positive feedback had been received from the IIP Accreditor including the fact morale remained high given the period of significant change for staff.

b) Councillor Rose - HS2 Update

Councillor Rose reported that concern was still strong in respect of certain areas of the process and in particular Cllr Rose requested through the Chairman that Cllr Gladwin provide an update in respect of potential impact and issues in relation to the Prestwood area.

Cllr Gladwin reported that 270 petitions had been lodged and 170 had been challenged.  He added that every petition to the west of A413 had been challenged.  There was particular reference made to issues in relation to significant impact on road users due to anticipated traffic congestion and the impact of the road problems for commuters and children travelling to school in this area of the District.  There was also significant potential impact on Great Missenden.

Cllr Berry also advised that significant impact was still likely for Great Missenden and he agreed that petitions continued to be challenged.  He commended officers for the hard work undertaken to submit a high quality petition in response to  AP4 on time within the extremely tight timescale, this was supported by Councillor P Jones.

Cllr Rose added that petitioning was to continue on 19 and 20 January and it was anticipated the Bill would enter the House of Lords shortly after Easter 2016.  The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Panel was moving a step further to consider terms of reference and whether HS2 will provide meaningful funds. 

c) Councillor Martin- Local Plan Update

Councillor Martin reiterated the Local Plan events dates as announced by the Chairman and encouraged members to attend one of the events, subject to their availability.

d) Councillor Martin on behalf of Cllr Wilson  - Small Business Saturday

Councillor Martin reported that the Small Business Saturday went very well and officers put in a lot of work to achieve successful results and extended his thanks to those involved. It was advised that traders were very grateful for the support to small business retailers the event had generated. 

To receive questions and answers of the Cabinet Leader, Cabinet Members or Chairman of a Committee (if any) in accordance with Rule 9.2 of the Council Procedure Rules.

To receive questions without notice from any Member of the Council to the Cabinet Leader, Cabinet Members or Chairman of a Committee (if any) in accordance with Rule 9.1 of the Council Procedure Rules.

The Chairman invited questions without notice.

Cllr Peter Jones asked if the collection of waste from recycling banks was to be reviewed due to full capacity on a regular basis?

In Councillor M Smith’s absence, Councillor Darby advised that bring sites were being reviewed.

Councillor Shepherd asked for clarification of the provision of waste receptacles at residential properties that have changed from business use premises?

In Councillor M Smith’s absence, Councillor Martin advised that in planning terms the action of change of use to residential was limited but that this situation may be in need of further review.

Councillor Bacon asked if the litter bins in Chesham could be emptied more regularly due to an increase of filled carrier bags being deposited in the bins?

Councillor Darby advised that Councillor M Smith would be reviewing this.

To receive petitions and/or deputations (if any) from members of the public including provisions allowing members to ask questions of clarification at the discretion of the Chairman and restrictions on deputations covering the same subject or by the same speakers.

There were no petitions received.

To receive reports about and receive questions and answers relating to any joint arrangements or external organisations.

Cllr Shepherd provided a verbal update on the Bucks Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee’s work on 15 minute care visits. 

It was reported that 75% of councils do use the 15 minute visits but continual monitoring of whether they were used appropriately in terms of dignity of person were maintained.  A desk top audit of the Bucks County Council’s policy concluded that 15 minute care visits had a place in care packages.  In response to a number of questions Cllr Shepherd referred members to details in the full report and where to find it online.

No Motions had been received.

Councillor Darby presented the report which outlined the proposed additional  delegation to the Joint Committee to deal with governance arrangements for the emerging Chiltern & South Bucks Local Plan and the consequential amendment required to terms of reference for the Joint Committee in the Inter Authority Agreement (IAA).

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

RESOLVED:

i)    That subject to the delegation to the Joint Committee being approved by Cabinet, paragraph 4.1 of the Inter Authority Agreement (IAA) covering the governance arrangements and the functions of the Joint Committee be amended to include the following:

4.1.3.7 To make decisions and recommendations in relation to the Chiltern and South Bucks Local Plan.

Members considered the report which advised that the Armed Forces Champion was a new appointment that has been added to the list of Council appointments to outside bodies.  The Armed Forces Champion was the Council’s representative to the Armed Forces community.

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

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Ford was appointed the Council’s Armed Forces Champion.

The Leader to announce the names and procedure for the appointment of Honorary Aldermen to be undertaken at a Special Meeting of Council.

The Leader of the Council announced the procedure for the appointment of Honorary Aldermen to be undertaken at a Special Meeting of the Council.

To resolve that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED:

That, under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information  as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Leader of the Council announced the names of the ex-councillors proposed as Honorary Aldermen.  The next stage was to formally undertake the appointment process at a future meeting of Council.