Meeting documents

To receive apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Honorary Aldermen: J M Blanksby, D A E Cox, Mrs K M Peatey MBE and R C Pushman.  Councillors:  M Angell, W J Bendyshe-Brown, D J Carroll, C A Ditta, A Hussain JP, Maz Hussain, Mrs J D Langley, Ms P L Lee, J A Malliff, Mrs D V E Morgan, S F Parker, D A C Shakespeare OBE and R Wilson.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 28 July 2014.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 28 July 2014 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any disclosure of disclosable pecuniary interests by Members relating to items on the agenda.  If any Member is uncertain as to whether an interest should be disclosed, he or she is asked if possible to contact the District Solicitor prior to the meeting.

Members are reminded that if they are declaring an interest they should state the nature of that interest whether or not they are required to withdraw from the meeting.

Councillor D Barnes declared a pecuniary interest in agenda item 6 (question 7/8) regarding the Airpark.  This was due to the fact that his son was employed by Heli Air.

To receive such communication as the Chairman of the Council may wish to make.

(a)     London Trip

The Chairman announced that she had been delighted to have been presented to Princess Anne, along with one of the Princes of Qatar.

(b)     Kop Hill Run

It was reported that the Chairman had attended this event, and had felt that it should become a county, if not a national wide event.  Congratulations were expressed to all involved in organising the event.

(c)     Sean Kelly / Aidon Ferguson

Members were informed that last Friday the Chairman had met with author Sean Kelly who had written a book on US bases around London, and with Historian Aidon Ferguson.

Wycombe Abbey School had showed the small group around the bunker situated within their grounds.  This had been followed by a visit to RAF Daws Hill.

Written questions may be asked of the Leader or any Cabinet Member. If submitted by 12 noon on Thursday 2 October 2014.  Questions will be submitted in the order in which they are received.

A questioner will have a maximum of 1 minute to ask a question, and the answer shall not exceed 3 minutes. Any questioner may put one supplementary question without notice within a maximum time of 1 minute and the answer may not exceed 2 minutes. 

a.      Question from Mr D Roberts to the Cabinet Member for Planning & Sustainability

"Do you feel that the provision of homes for the thousands of people currently on the waiting list is being put at risk by opposition to any development of the reserved sites?"

Response from Councillor N Marshall (Cabinet Member for Planning & Sustainability)         

"The issue of the development of the reserve sites is a very sensitive one and I can sympathise with the concerns expressed by local people.  However there is a pressing need to deliver housing both because of the national requirements on the Council to maintain a 5 year housing land supply but also, as you point out, the large number of people on the Council’s housing register who need affordable homes to live in.  Development of housing on the reserve sites would provide a proportion of affordable housing, some of which I expect would benefit those on the housing register.

However, the decision about whether or not to release the reserve sites for development is one that will be taken at a Special Cabinet on 20^th of October and that decision must be taken as to the interests of the district as a whole, so at this point in time I am afraid I am unable to answer your question."

Supplementary Question

"People are frustrated that they cannot get onto the property ladder.  Affordable housing is required.  What reassurance can the Cabinet Member provide that a good proportion of new housing will be affordable and preferably for local people?"

Supplementary Response

"We recognise the need, and will try our utmost to deliver.  We have a number of ideas in mind and will have to see how they develop.

Brief Adjournment

At this point during the meeting a fire drill took place.  The meeting adjourned and reconvened shortly afterwards.

Questions to the Leader or any cabinet Members must be submitted by Thursday 2 October 2014.  Questions will be taken first from Leaders of the political parties in order of number of Members.

Other Members will be called upon in the order in which questions have been received.  Every Member asking an oral question is permitted to ask one supplementary a question without notice provided that it does not introduce any new matter. The appropriate Member will respond to any questions remaining unanswered at the expiry of 30 minutes in writing.  

Any question remaining unanswered after 30 minutes will be answered within 10 working days in writing after the meeting by the appropriate Member and appended to the minutes of the meeting.

a.         Question from Councillor B Pollock to the Leader of the Council

"On the 20 October at 6.30pm the Cabinet will be making some vital decisions about the future of the Reserved Sites in Wycombe District. Can the Leader confirm that any decisions the Cabinet make will then come to the Full Council for confirmation so that all members will have the opportunity to vote on these highly important and far reaching decisions?"

Response from the Leader of the Council, Councillor R Scott

"The criteria for decision-making is laid down in the Council’s Constitution. The Constitution clearly states that the approval of
non-statutory plans are a reserved matter for Cabinet (set out at Part 2B - 1), and hence, does not require full Council approval. The reserve sites constitute a non-statutory matter.

It is also important to remember that this is not a change in policy as the reserve sites have been identified for that purpose for a long time.

I am acutely aware of the amount of public interest and debate and I am therefore minded to allow members to speak at Cabinet for a maximum of 1 minute each, so we can hear all views. My Cabinet will also be receiving the feedback from the extensive public engagement that has happened over the summer in respect of the reserve sites issue. Cabinet will therefore have the benefit of both local Members and public input, as well as the views of the Local Plan Task and Finish Group, before it takes a decision on this important matter.

Cabinet will meet in open session to consider this issue on 20 October, with the public and press able to attend.  This is an important decision for the future of the District and I can assure you the Cabinet will have regard to all relevant matters in coming to its decision."

Supplementary Question

"Let me quote the constitution back to you.  Section 2 para 4 states that the role of a Councillor is to be the ultimate decision maker, and that a Councillor will effectively represent his/her ward and constituents.

How is it that this can only be a Cabinet decision?"

Supplementary Response

"This has not been a policy change, we have continued with the existing one.  There have been extensive public consultations on the matter, and everyone can have a further opportunity to speak on 20^th October."

b.        Question from Councillor A Turner to the Leader of the Council

"Whilst Wycombe District Council continues to promote many millions of pounds of investment into High Wycombe, loudly trumpeting its core strategy of regenerating town centres (£60M of inward investment in the Hughenden Quarter alone) Princes Risborough faces the closure of its information/tourist centre, which will be replaced with a small counter tucked away in a corner of the library. Key services such as housing and benefit enquiries are to be axed. By removing this minimal (though very public) support for the Town, what kind of message do you believe that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 40.

(i)            Council to receive any petition from a member of the public or from a Councillor on behalf of a member of the public as notified by the deadline of 5pm on Monday 29 September 2014.

(ii)          Council to consider any petition already received that meets the required number of signatures to qualify for a debate by Full Council. (The petition organiser will have 5 minutes to present the petition and then Council will debate the matter for a maximum of 15 minutes and decide how to respond to the petition).

A petition was received from Councillor Snaith on behalf of Councillor Ms Lee which read as follows:-

"We the undersigned strongly object to ANY development on our beautiful Gomm Valley.  Development of any kind within the valley would have a significant adverse impact upon the landscape, biodiversity and heritage asset.  The visual impact would damage the iconic landscape forever and would break the separation of Tylers Green from High Wycombe.  We petition Wycombe District Council not to release Gomm Valley as a development site, following the formal public consultation and to protect the site in its current form for future generations."

The Chairman received the petition and commented, that it would be validated against the Council’s petition scheme.  Members would be informed outside of the meeting as to how the petition would be administered once the validation had taken place.

To receive the minutes of and consider any recommendations from the following meeting:

Cabinet                                  22 September 2014

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 22 September 2014 be received and the recommendations as set out at minute numbers 33 and 39 be approved and adopted.

To receive the minutes of and consider any recommendations from the following meeting:

Improvement and Review Commission               15 September 2014

The Chairman rose to present the minutes, and highlighted the developments that had taken place since the urgent health care motion had been considered by Full Council.

Minute 14 – Urgent Health Care in Wycombe District Council

A Member felt that the public listening event scheduled for 15 October had been insufficiently advertised bearing in mind the importance of the subject matter.

The Chairman of the Committee responded by confirming that he took a great personal interest in this issue and that it had been very widely advertised.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Improvement & Review Commission held on
15 September be received.

To receive the minutes of and consider any recommendations from the following meeting:

Audit Committee                              25 September 2014 (to follow)

Councillor J L Richards OBE rose to present the minutes in his capacity of Chairman of the Audit Committee meeting held on 25 September 2014. It was suggested that the Committee`s work programme be circulated to all Members.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 25 September 2014 be received and the recommendation as set out at minute number 16 be approved and adopted.

To receive the minutes of and consider any recommendations from the following meeting:

High Wycombe Town Committee                         16 September 2014            

Minute 16 – Community Infrastructure Levy Association

Members expressed their concern over amount spent in conducting a feasibility study.  The question was raised as to whether this could be carried out internally within the organisation.

It was reported that it was most likely that the amount spent would be under the maximum budget allocated for this work.  Moreover, even if the work was to be carried out internally there would be a charge to the Town Committee.

Minute 20 – Cemetery Site Options Appraisal

A Member asked what element of consultation there had been regarding proposed cemetery sites.  It was confirmed that the most appropriate time to consult would be when the Council had established which sites were indeed available.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the High Wycombe Town Committee held on 16 September be received.

To receive the minutes of and consider any recommendations from the following meetings:

Planning Committee                                   2 July 2014

Planning Committee                                   30 July 2014

Planning Committee                                   27 August 2014

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 2 July, 30 July and 27August be received.

To receive details of any written questions submitted before the deadline of 12 noon on Thursday 2 October 2014.

There were none.

To note the following changes to Committee membership in accordance with Standing Order 18(9):

Councillor J A Adey replaces Councillor D A C Shakespeare OBE as full Member of the Standards Committee.

Councillor D A C Shakespeare OBE to serve as Standing Deputy on the Standards Committee.

Councillor J L Richards to serve as Standing Deputy on the Standards Committee.

Councillor M L Neudecker to serve as Standing Deputy on the Standards Committee.

The following changes to Committee Membership were noted in accordance with Standing Order 18(9).

Councillor J A Adey replaced Councillor D A C Shakespeare OBE as full Member of the Standards Committee

Councillor D A C Shakespeare OBE had become a Standing Deputy on the Standards Committee

Councillor J L Richards OBE had become a Standing Deputy on the Standards Committee

Councillor M L Neudecker had become a Standing Deputy on the Standards Committee

The following individual decisions have been published since the last ordinary meeting of the Council held on 28 July 2014.

1)    Bellfield Community House – Amendment to Heads of Terms

2)    Community Support Grants 2014/15 – Wycombe Youth Action

3)    Community Support Grants 2014/15 - Skidz

The individual decisions published since the last meeting of the Council were noted.