Meeting documents

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2014.

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 10 February 2014. were confirmed and signed by the Deputy  Leader.

To note the 28 Day Notice of decisions to be taken by:

Appendix A – SBDC Cabinet

Appendix B – Chiltern and South Bucks Joint Committee

The Cabinet received a copy of the 28 day Notice prepared in accordance with Regulation 9 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 setting out the key (and non-key) decisions the Cabinet was intending to make at public and private meetings.

The Cabinet also received a copy of the 28 day Notice setting out the key (and non-key) decisions the Chiltern and South Bucks Joint Committee were intending to make at public and private meetings.

RESOLVED that the 28 day Notices be noted.            

To consider report of the Leader of the Council.

The Cabinet considered a report setting out a proposal to replace the audio system used in the Council Chamber at an estimated cost of £24k based on 19 microphones.

Whilst supporting the proposal the Cabinet felt that the Resources Portfolio Holder should be involved in the whole procurement process and not just at the award of contract stage and that the cost should be limited to a maximum of £24k.

To note the part I minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2014 and consider the Portfolio Holder’s recommendations as set out in:

The Cabinet received the Part I minutes of the Community Policy Advisory Group held on 4 March 2014 and the following were the subject of a recommendation from the Portfolio Holder:

Minute 47 – Community Safety Partnership Strategy 2014 – 17 and Potential Partnership Merger

The PAG had been invited to comment on (a) the new Community Safety Partnership (CSP) for 2014-17 and Action plan and (b) a proposal to merge the South Bucks CSP and the Chiltern CSP.

After noting the process that would need to be followed to achieve the proposed merger and considering the advice of the Portfolio Holder the Cabinet

Minute 49 – Subscriptions and Donations

The PAG had considered a number of applications for funding from the Subscription and Donation Fund which totalled £31,680 in 2014/15. A sum of £8,752.62 had been designated to the Bucks Infrastructure Contract leaving a balance of £22,927.38 for allocation.

The PAG had also considered a proposal for any funds remaining in the budget, once further applications had been processed, to be transferred to the Chairman’s Fund.

After considering the advice of the Portfolio Holder the Cabinet

Minute 51 – Static CCTV Equipment

The PAG had considered a report identifying the options that were currently being considered for the use/removal of the equipment after 1 April 2014, and also seeking views on a proposal for signs to be erected by all the Council’s CCTV indicating that the cameras are no longer in use.

After noting that the Portfolio Holder was still to speak to the Chairman on the issue raised in Minute 48 – Chairman’s Fund Arrangements  - the Cabinet further

To note the part I minutes of the meeting held on 19 March 2014 and consider the Portfolio Holder’s recommendations as set out in:

The Cabinet received the Part I minutes of the Environment Policy Advisory Group held on 19 March 2014 and the following were the subject of a recommendation from the Portfolio Holder:

Minute 29 – Car Parking Survey Results

Following the decision of the Cabinet In November 2013 that a study should be carried out at an estimated cost of £25,000 to design possible solutions by expanding provision at one or more of the Council’s car parks, the PAG had received a report and a presentation from Yes Engineering on the results of the survey of car parking capacity for Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross.

 The PAG were asked to advise the Portfolio Holder on whether to recommend to Cabinet that a design study should now be carried out with a view to providing further off street car park spaces in the District.

After considering the advice of the Portfolio Holder the Cabinet

Minute 30 – Littleworth Common New Higher Level Stewardship Application

The PAG had considered a proposal to re-apply to Natural England for funding under the Higher Level Stewardship for Littleworth Common for the 10 years from 2014/15.

In connection with the risks the Cabinet noted that every effort was being made to secure the owner’s counter- signature to the application.

After considering the advice of the Portfolio Holder the Cabinet:

In connection with Minute 32 – Update on Waste Roll Out – the Cabinet asked for their thanks to be communicated to the staff concerned for their efforts in ensuring that the roll out was completed successfully and smoothly.

1)    To note the part I minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2014 and consider the Portfolio Holder’s recommendations as set out in:

2)    To note the part I minutes of the virtual meeting held on 25 March 2014 and consider the Portfolio Holder’s recommendations as set out in

3)    To consider the following  report of the Director of Services a decision on  which the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee has agreed is urgent and cannot be reasonably delayed:

Green Deal Communities Application to DECC

A.The Cabinet received the Part I minutes of the Health and Housing Policy Advisory Group held on 19 March 2014 and the following were the subject of a recommendation from the Portfolio Holder:

Minute 37 – Proposed Anti Dog Fouling Awareness Campaign

The PAG had considered a proposal to carry out a project aimed at raising awareness of the antisocial nature of dog fouling and encouraging dog walkers to behave responsibly. The project, the estimated cost of which was £3000 which would be met from existing budgets, would be developed along the lines of the successful initiative in Chiltern District Council in 2013.

After considering the advice of the Portfolio Holder the Cabinet:

Minute 40 – Signing of Declaration on Tobacco Control

The PAG had received a report explaining that the Health and Wellbeing Board has asked that all the local authorities in Buckinghamshire to consider signing the Local Government Declaration on Tobacco Control. In signing this declaration the Council would be sending a message out to its local communities regarding its commitment to improving local public health for all of its residents.

After considering the advice of the Portfolio Holder the Cabinet

Minute 46 – Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens – Contract Extension

The PAG had received a report seeking authority to extend the current contract with Gavin Jones Ltd for grounds maintenance at Stoke Poges Memorial Gardens for a further three years from December.

After considering the advice of the Portfolio Holder the Cabinet

And further

B.The Cabinet received the minutes of the virtual meeting of the Health and Housing PAG held on 25 March 2014 and the following was the subject of a recommendation from the Portfolio Holder:

Minute 48 – Pest and Dog Control Services  - Extension

The PAG had considered a proposal to extend the pest control, dog control and stray dog contract with SDK Environmental, due to expire on 31 March 2014, until 31 October 2014 pending completion of the framework tender for pest and dog control..

After considering the advice of the Portfolio Holder the Cabinet

And further

C.Green Deal Communities Application

The Cabinet received a report which the Chairman of Overview and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

To note the part I minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2014 and consider the Portfolio Holder’s recommendations as set out in:

The Cabinet received the Part I minutes of the Resources Advisory Group held on 20 March 2014 and the following were the subject of a recommendation from the Portfolio Holder:

Minute 47 – Additional Interview Room

The PAG had received a further report demonstrating the need for and the actual cost of, the additional interview room

After considering the advice of the Portfolio Holder the Cabinet:

Minute 48 – Car Parking Survey Results

Following the decision of the Cabinet In November 2013 that a study should be carried out at an estimated cost of £25,000 to design possible solutions by expanding provision at one or more of the Council’s car parks, the PAG had received a report on the results of the survey of car parking capacity for Beaconsfield and Gerrards Cross.

The PAG were asked to advise the Portfolio Holder on whether to recommend to Cabinet that a design study should now be carried out with a view to providing further off street car park spaces in the District.

After considering the advice of the Portfolio Holder the Cabinet:

And further

To note the part I minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2014 and consider the Portfolio Holder’s recommendations as set out in:

The Cabinet received the Part I minutes of the Sustainable Policy Advisory Group held on 13 March 2014 and the following were the subject of a recommendation from the Portfolio Holder:

Minute 27 – Development Management Guidance Note for Burnham Beeches

South Bucks, City of London (owners of the publically accessible part of the Beeches), Natural England and Environment Agency have been working together to produce evidence based planning policy to be included in the forthcoming Development Management Local Plan (DMLP).  The City of London and South Bucks have jointly funded two evidence based studies: a visitors’ survey and hydrology. A Development Management Guidance Note for Burnham Beeches stemming directly from the hydrology report had been developed and the PAG received a report seeking comments on this Guidance which should be treated as interim guidance until the DMLP is adopted.

After considering the advice of the Portfolio Holder the Cabinet

Minute 28 – Duty to Cooperate and Planning for Strategic Cross Boundary Matters

The PAG received a report on the Duty to Cooperate and Planning for Strategic Cross Boundary Matters which was created in the Localism Act 2011, It places a legal duty on local planning authorities, county councils and specified public bodies to engage constructively, actively and on an ongoing basis to maximise the effectiveness of local plan preparation relating to strategic cross-boundary matters.

The report set out a number of recommendations in relation to this new duty, and after considering the advice of the Portfolio Holder the Cabinet

And further

To consider and agree any recommendations arising from the minutes of the meeting of the Chiltern and South Bucks Joint Committee held on 4 February 2014.

The Cabinet received for information the minutes of the meeting of the Chiltern and South Bucks Joint Committee held on 4 February 2014.

The Cabinet considered a report providing information on, and proposing amendments to, the Corporate and Priority Performance Indicators and targets for 2014 -15 as set out in appendices A and B

The Cabinet received a report seeking approval to the criteria for additional discounts and reliefs in respect of flooding, retail relief, new build relief and reoccupation relief as recommended in guidance provided by Department of Communities and Local Government. The report also sought authority to be delegated to the Head of Customer Services to administer these reliefs and discounts where the relevant criteria are met.

After noting the number of applications that might be received a discussion ensued on the most appropriate mechanism for involving members in the issue and following a suggestion it was agreed that reports on the awards made should be submitted to the Resources PAG biannually.

To consider report of the Chief Executive.

The Cabinet received

After asking for the column " Portfolio Reporting to" to be amended to reflect the correct Portfolio Holder,  the Cabinet

"that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1974 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act "

To note the part II minutes of the meeting held on 4 March 2014 and consider the Portfolio Holder’s recommendations as set out in:

The Cabinet received the Part II minutes of the meeting of the Community PAG held on 4 March 2014 and after considering the advice of the Portfolio Holder agreed the recommendation to grant a new lease as set out in minute 53.

To note the part II minutes of the meeting held on 20 March 2014 and consider the Portfolio Holder’s recommendations as set out in:

The Cabinet received the Part II minutes of the meeting of the Resources PAG and agreed the recommendations set out in the following Minutes:

·         52        Bath Road Depot

·         54        Boat Yard Mill Lane, Taplow

·         55        Application for Discretionary Rate Relief