Meeting documents

Venue: Council Chamber, King George V House, King George V Road, Amersham. View directions

Contact: Leslie Ashton  01895 837227; email:  democraticservices@chiltern.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

123.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 86 KB

To approve the minutes of Full Council held on 24 July 2018.

Minutes:

The minutes of Full Council held on 24 July 2018 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record. 

 

124.

Declarations of Interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

 

125.

Announcements

To receive any announcements from:

 

a) Chairman

b) Cabinet Leader

c) Head of Paid Service

Minutes:

(a)      Chairman’s Engagements

 

A list of Engagements carried out by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council between 14 July 2018 and 5 November 2018 had been circulated.

 

(b)      Chairman’s Announcements

 

The Chairman reported that nineteen wreaths had been laid across the District in honour of Remembrance Day.

 

The Chairman further reported that a new microphone system had been installed in the Council Chamber and Combined Committee Rooms at the Council Offices.

 

Councillor C Jones was invited to report on ‘Amersham in Bloom’ and the awards achieved through the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom initiative. The town achieved a gold award in the regional town category as well as a gold award for best horticulture and the Memorial Gardens achieved a gold award in the parks and open spaces category. Chestnut Lane School achieved best school in the region whilst Stony Dean School achieved a regional award for involving children and young people. The town clerk had also received the community champion award.

 

(c) Announcements from the Leader of the Cabinet

 

The Leader of the Cabinet announced that the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government had published a statement on 1 November 2018 announcing that he was supporting a new single unitary district council that would cover the whole of Buckinghamshire, excluding Milton Keynes. The Leader explained that the statement referred to a new ‘Unitary District Council’, this would be an entirely new Council formed with no continuation of any of the existing five Councils within Buckinghamshire. The Leader explained that this would create the opportunity to ensure the best culture was embedded throughout the new authority.

 

Until 1 April 2020 the authorities would remain sovereign entities with a shadow authority expected to be formed which would consist of all elected Members from each authority. Following discussions with the Secretary of State, a Parliamentary Structural Change Order would be laid in January 2019 to detail governance arrangements of the new authority and discussions were ongoing between each Council and the Department for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

 

The Leader thanked staff for their continued excellent service delivered to communities and residents and made clear that information would be shared at the earliest opportunities. The Council had recent experience of change and had always treated partners equally regardless of their size. Councillor P Jones endorsed the Leader’s comments and emphasised the importance of partnership working throughout the process.

 

(d) Announcements from the Head of Paid Service

 

The Chief Executive advised that there would be a Special Council meeting arranged for Tuesday 27 November 2018 at 6 p.m., preceded by a special Cabinet meeting at 4.30 p.m. to make decisions in relation to modernising local government arrangements. With the agreement of the Services Overview Committee Chairman, that meeting also scheduled for 27 November 2018 would commence at a new start time of 7 p.m.

 

(e) Leofwine Shield

 

The Leofwine Shield gets awarded by the Council each year to the town or village in the district which gains the highest number of points in the Buckinghamshire Best Kept Village competition. This year the recipient of the award was Chalfont St Giles. Councillor Gordon Patrick, Chairman of Chalfont St Giles Parish Council accepted the award on behalf of the Parish Council and thanked the Judges, Parish Clerk and Councillors, Groundsmen and residents for their efforts in helping the village achieve this award.  

126.

Review of the Council's Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles - Licensing Committee (10 July 2018) and Cabinet (16 October 2018) pdf icon PDF 36 KB

Minutes:

Full Council was asked to agree for the revised Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles, which could be seen at appendix 1 to be adopted to come into effect on 14 January 2019 following consideration by the Licensing Committee on 10 July 2018 and Cabinet on 16 October 2018. Full Council was further asked to agree that with effect from 14 January 2019, casino premises licences would not be issued, in accordance with Section 166 of the 2005 Act.

 

It was proposed by Councillor J Rush, seconded by Councillor C Jackson and

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.     That the Council adopts the draft Statement of Principles for publication at least 4 weeks prior to coming into effect for the period 14 January 2019 to 13 January 2022.

 

2.     That Council resolves, with effect from 14 January 2019, not to issue casino premises licences, in accordance with Section 166 of the 2005 Act.

127.

Delegation arrangements in Planning Enforcement - Planning Committee (4 October 2018) and Cabinet (16 October 2018) pdf icon PDF 36 KB

Minutes:

Full Council was asked to agree the revised delegation arrangements on Planning Enforcement matters as set out in the appendix to the report, following consideration by the Planning Committee on 4 October 2018 and Cabinet on 16 October 2018.

 

Council was advised that a new Enforcement Manager was in post and these delegation arrangements would assist in the provision of a more efficient service. Councillor P Martin offered to respond to Members who had identified issues on specific cases.

 

It was proposed by Councillor P Martin, seconded by Councillor D Phillips and

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the revised delegations as set out in the Appendix to the report be approved.

 

Note 1: Councillor V Martin entered the meeting at 6.55 p.m.

128.

Cabinet Recommendations

To receive and consider the recommendations of the Cabinet for the meeting held on 16 October 2018 and to receive questions and answers on any of those recommendations in accordance with Rule 8 of the Procedural Rules.

128a

Joint Housing Strategy pdf icon PDF 53 KB

Minutes:

Full Council was asked to agree to the publication and implementation of the finalised version of the Chiltern District Council and South Bucks District Council Joint Housing Strategy (Affordable Housing and Homelessness) 2018 - 21 following consideration by the Services Overview Committee on 9 October 2018 and Cabinet on 16 October 2018.

 

It was proposed by Councillor L Walsh, seconded by Councillor I Darby and

 

RESOLVED:

 

1.     That Full Council approve the final Joint Housing Strategy (Affordable Housing and Homelessness) 2018-2021 document.

 

2.     That the Head of Healthy Communities be authorised to make any final amendments to the document agreed by Members and to publish it in consultation with the Healthy Communities Portfolio Holder.

129.

Proposal to Revise the Chilterns Crematorium Joint Committee Constitution - Chilterns Crematorium Joint Committee (26 September 2018) and Cabinet (16 October 2018) pdf icon PDF 32 KB

Minutes:

Full Council was asked to agree proposed revisions to the constitution of the Chilterns Crematorium Joint Committee following consideration by Cabinet on 16 October 2018. The revised Constitution could be seen at Appendix 1.

 

It was proposed by Councillor M Smith, seconded by Councillor I Darby and

 

RESOLVED:

 

That subject to the agreement of the Cabinets of each of the constituent authorities, that Full Council agree any consequential changes be made to the Council’s Constitution.

130.

Verbal Reports from the Leader, Cabinet Members or Chairman of a Committee

To receive and consider verbal update reports (if any) from the Members listed above, and to answer questions on any of those reports from any Member of the Council in accordance with Rule 9.1 of the Procedural Rules.

Minutes:

a) Councillor P Martin - Portfolio Holder for Planning and Economic Development

 

Councillor P Martin reported that work on the Local Plan remained a priority regardless of the modernising local government announcement. As part of this a number of Members planning policy workshops had been held with a further meeting scheduled to ensure that policies were reviewed in preparation for the Local Plan. Council was also advised that the next meeting of the Joint Planning Policy Member Reference Group would be taking place on Thursday 15 November at 6 p.m. at the South Bucks District Council offices and all Members were welcome.

 

b) Councillor F Wilson - Portfolio Holder for Customer Services

 

Councillor F Wilson reported that he was proud to announce that the Council’s Joint Revenues team achieved the Revenues Team of the Year award at the IRRV annual awards held last month. The team were highly commended in 2017 and this year held off competition in the final stage due to their vision of a customer focused efficient and professional service responsive to customer’s needs while protecting the interests of local tax payers. The IRRV carried out a rigorous inspection and noted the team’s enthusiasm and positivity during a period of change, reduced budgets and local government reorganisation.

 

Councillor F Wilson also reported that the Customer Experience Programme was well into the design and build stage and advised Members that in the coming weeks and months the Customer Services Policy Advisory Group would act as a forum to help Members shape the future of how residents engage with the Council and all were invited to attend these meetings.

131.

Questions with Notice (if any)

The Chairman of the Council; Cabinet Leader or a Cabinet Member; or Chairman of any Committee to receive a question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the District. Questions must be given in writing to the proper officer 3 clear days before the meeting, or if it relates to urgent business by 4pm on the day of the meeting, in accordance with Rule 9.2 of the Council Procedure Rules.

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 

132.

Petitions (if any)

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.

Minutes:

No petitions were presented.

133.

Joint Arrangements and Outside Organisations (if any)

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

Minutes:

There were no reports.

 

134.

Motions (if any)

Written notice of every motion, signed by at least 2 Members, must be delivered to the proper officer at least 7 clear days before the meeting

Minutes:

No Motions had been received.

 

135.

Presentation on Dementia from NHS Buckinghamshire Clinical Commissioning Group pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To receive a presentation on dementia from Dr Sian Roberts, Mental Health and Learning Disability Clinical Director, NHS Buckinghamshire CCG.

Minutes:

Dr. Sian Roberts, Mental Health and Learning Disability Clinical Director, NHS Buckinghamshire CCG, gave a presentation to Council on Dementia, its prevalence in Buckinghamshire and the importance of raising awareness of the illness.

 

Council was advised that over one third of the UK’s population suffered from a form of dementia. The scale of the challenge nationally was displayed with over two million expected to have been diagnosed by 2050. In Buckinghamshire it had been estimated that 6,500 people over 65 were likely living with dementia with 4,200 people actually diagnosed. This was often due to people not approaching their GP until the later stages of dementia and a lack of awareness and/or willingness to accept a diagnosis. Whilst dementia was not a curable condition, factors could be modified to allow people to live independently for two years longer where an early diagnosis was made.

 

The presentation, which has been published as a supplement to the agenda pack on the Council’s website, also detailed the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia 2020; a range of facts and figures; diagnosis options; post diagnostic support; information on dementia friendly communities; raising awareness; and the importance of maintaining good overall health.

 

Members raised questions on preventability, helping people seek a diagnosis, removing fear of diagnosis and government funding. It was clarified that not all forms of dementia could be prevented but modifiable risk factors were weight, smoking, cholesterol, exercise and blood pressure and keeping active and challenging the brain was encouraged. Patients required reassurance that a diagnosis would not change anything for the worse and efforts should be made to encourage people to seek help where needed. Statistics identified that a diagnosis could support people living independently for a further two years and ensure that they receive the right support both from professionals and family/friends. In relation to funding, whilst additional funding was welcome, services were able to be provided in the resources available at present.

 

Note 2: Councillor A Garth entered the meeting at 7.10 p.m.