Meeting documents

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Honorary Aldermen: M Blanksby, P Cartwright, M Oram and Mrs K M Peatey (MBE). Councillors: M Clarke, C Etholen, R Gaffney, C Harriss, A Hussain, Mrs G Jones, Mrs W Mallen, J Savage, A Turner, and C Whitehead.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of Council held on 25 February 2016.

Councillor J Johncock rose to make a statement referring to minute 82 of the previous minutes. He stated that whilst the minute had been recorded correctly, he had subsequently become aware that his response to the question asked by Dr Derrick had not been so. Having been asked why the Council had not inspected the playground, he explained that in his original response he had stated that the safety report had confirmed that the play equipment was safe and met the required standard, when in fact the report had not specified this but had stated that there were some moderate risks.

In seeking to clarify the paragraph concerned he took the opportunity to table a revised version of the response which read as follows.

However a safety report relating to the play equipment had not been provided to the Council as required by the section 106 Agreement. Following a request by officers, the developer commissioned a safety report that identified some moderate risks. Works have now been carried out and a new safety report has been provided confirming the moderate risk previously identified has been overcome.

RESOLVED: That subject to the amendment above the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 25 February 2016 be confirmed 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.

No declarations of interest were received.

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

The Chairman reported upon some of the activities he had undertaken since the last meeting of the Council had taken place.

(i)         28 February – Marlow Town Mayor`s Civic Service

(ii)        2 March – Royal visit for Sports Centre Opening

(iii)       5 March – Wycombe Orpheus Male Voice Choir

(iv)       13 March - High Wycombe Mayor`s Civic Service at the Mosque     

(v)        30 March - WDC Chairman`s Annual Reception

(vi)       9 April – High Wycombe District Scouts and Guides Gang Show 2016.      

Written questions may be asked of the leader or any Cabinet Member if submitted to the Head of Democratic, Legal and Policy Services no later than 12 noon on Monday 4 April 2016. Questions will be submitted in the order in which they were 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 J Hoggett to the Leader of the Council

"What steps is the Council taking to tackle the saddening and humbling issue of homelessness in our district?"

Response from Councillor Ms K Wood (Leader of the Council).

"May I suggest referring you to our 5 year homelessness strategy and action plan on our website, as these contain full details of our actions and progress relating to homelessness in our district?

The action plan is reported on a quarterly basis to our peers in the various agencies across the district and bi annually to our Wycombe Housing Forum which includes our Cabinet Member. We have had positive feedback on our actions and progress thus far and will update the action plan after year end when figures can be collated.

You can log onto our website regarding each specific action and target.  I can make it available to you if require by sending you a link to the Council`s Homelessness Strategy as featured on the Council`s website.

Supplementary Question

"On the cabinet's recommendation to the council, dated the 5th October 2015, Councillor Langley said that homelessness was rising in the district and nationally. Will she, at least in part, accept that this is down to the government's failed housing policy and it's continued austerity agenda and how, in this current climate, does she intend to take out her 5 year plan. 

Supplementary Response

"I would like to comment on what we are doing rather than what the Government is doing in this regard.

The homelessness strategy has several key areas with different actions related to them including, but not limited to the following headings:

·         Deliver sufficient, appropriate temporary accommodation- this includes trying to reduce/cease the use of bed and breakfast accommodation and upgrade Saunderton Lodge to improve the accommodation

·         Improve access to and increase use of the Private Rented Sector- this includes Closer working with private sector landlords – to increase access to private rented sector housing;

·         Tackle Rough Sleeping- this includes the funding of an assertive outreach team to assist rough sleepers- funding has recently been extended for 2016/17

·         Bucks Home Choice Allocations Policy Review- we review the policy annually to ensure it is meeting the needs of those in need.

·         Address the Impacts of Welfare Reforms

·         Reviewing Joint Working and Protocols- including a protocol with the County Council re 16/17 year olds.

·         Deliver affordable settled accommodation- this includes work with Registered Providers to develop additional affordable / social housing"

Questions to the Leader or any Cabinet members must be submitted by 12 noon on Monday 4 April 2016. Questions shall be taken first from the Group Leaders of the political parties who shall be entitled to ask one initial Leader’s question each, including the right to adopt another Member’s question from his/her Group, of which written notice shall have been given to the Head of Democratic, Legal and Policy Services prior to the meeting.

The order of questions shall then permit the first question from each other Councillor to be asked before any subsequent questions from the same Councillor. One question will be taken in turn from each Councillor and there shall be no consecutive questions from the same Councillor unless there are no other questions to be asked.

Every Member asking an oral question is permitted to ask one supplementary question without notice provided that it not substantially the same as a question that was put to a Council meeting during the past six months.

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 R Raja to the Leader of the Council

"Will the Leader agree that the EDL is an extreme racist organisation and its sole purpose in coming to High Wycombe on Saturday, 9 April, was to stir up racist hatred against Muslims and to blame whole communities for the criminal activities of a few bad apples. Would she also tell us whether she is satisfied with the measures taken by WDC and the Police to contain this racist onslaught on our peaceful town and whether she agrees that racist organisations like the EDL have to be shown that they are not welcome in High Wycombe?" 

Response from Councillor Ms K Wood (Leader of the Council)

"Following Saturday’s very successful Thames Valley Police operation I am pleased to provide an update. 

The demonstrations held in High Wycombe on Saturday concluded without disorder and resulted in minimal disruption to the communities of High Wycombe.  In total there were approximately 300 people from various groups who took part in the demonstrations.  A considerable number of police officers were visible during the demonstrations as part of a comprehensive policing operation.

Four arrests were made in total in connection with it. Three people were arrested on suspicion of public order offences and one person was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.

The success of the operation was, in no small part, down to the excellent partnership work before and during the event between the police, the council, other agencies and representatives of our communities.Those who were present held a peaceful protest and police officers liaised closely with them to help to facilitate this.

We are proud that people who live in High Wycombe work together to create a peaceful and harmonious town. At no time do we want any group or individual trying to jeopardise that.

Neither the council nor the police have the power to ban public assemblies, like the demonstrations at the weekend. The police do, however, have a legal duty to facilitate peaceful protest.

I would like to take the opportunity to thank Thames Valley Police and neighbouring forces for keeping everyone who was in High Wycombe on Saturday safe. In addition, I would also like to thank everyone who lives and works in the town for their patience and co-operation during the demonstrations."

Supplementary Question

"That is a very reassuring answer. Having been in the town, I was pleased to note that there were no untoward incidents. It was also pleasing to note that the number of EDL demonstrators was outweighed by the number of anti EDL protestors, who behaved with commendable discipline to show that the EDL were not welcome in High Wycombe.

Would you not agree with me however, that it would be better for the EDL to have been allocated a field outside of the Town boundaries, to hold such demonstrations so as not to disrupt the public`s usual routine in a busy area on a Saturday.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 102.

(i)            Council to receive any petition from a member of the public who lives, works or studies within the district or from a Councillor on his/her behalf as notified by the deadline of 5pm on Monday 4 April 2016. 

(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 the Council will debate the matter for a maximum of 15 minutes and decide how to respond to the petition)

No petitions were received prior to the deadline of 5pm on Monday 4 April 2016.

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

Cabinet                      7 March 2016

Minute 79 – Local Plan Timetable & Budget

A Member voiced her concern over the lack of awareness over the progress and contents of the Local Plan. The Member questioned whether there was a possibility that further awareness could be raised as to the publication of the Plan in 2017 and the current timetable.

She was informed that the Plan was well advertised, but that this would be reviewed to establish whether there was a lack of knowledge in this area of work.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 7 March 2016 be received

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

Improvement & Review Commission                   9 March 2016

The Vice Chairman of the Committee rose to present the minutes of the last meeting.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Improvement & Review Commission held on 9 March 2016 be received

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

Audit Committee                  3 March 2016

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 3 March 2016 be received.

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

High Wycombe Town Committee             1 March 2016

Minute 40 – Update on the Market

A  Member commented that she had been saddened to see Colin Baker`s published column in the BFP, which had portrayed High Wycombe in a poor light and singled out Little Market House.  She stated that she felt that the area was overshadowed by the Guild Hall and as such little Market House needed to be resold and remarketed and that she had been impressed by   suggestions relating to this by the Major Projects and Estates Executive.

The Chairman of the Committee agreed that Mr Baker`s comments on the High street had been somewhat inaccurate, and that occupancy in the shops was high, with only one long term vacancy. He stated that he was confident that the stores present did meet the requirements of those in the town. He too welcomed the proposals put forward by the Major Projects and Estates Executive which would help to bring back the building into practical commercial use.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the High Wycombe Town Committee held on 1 March 2016 be received.

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

Personnel & Development Committee                9 March 2016

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Personnel & Development Committee held on 9 March 2016 be received.

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

Planning Committee                       20 January 2016

Planning Committee                       17 February 2016

Planning Committee                       16 March 2016 (To Follow)

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 20 January, 17 February and 16 March be received.

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

Regulatory & Appeals Committee             2 March 2016

The Vice Chairman rose to present the minutes of the previous meeting. She proposed an amendment to the minutes following the resolution of a query raised by Cllr Broadbent on the Contract Standing Orders.  The query had related to ensuring that the opportunity to win contracts worth less than £10 000 was not restricted to a small pool of repeat contractors and that as such opportunities should be advertised. It was agreed that the following wording be inserted into the Contract Standing Orders relating to this point, that they adopted.

"Where opportunities are not advertised, in order to ensure that value for money is achieved, the requirement for competitive award will remain, also Officers will be required to ensure variety in the selection of bidders approached over time. In addition, the Council will conduct a regular spend analysis to identify purchase patterns and opportunities to achieve additional savings."

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Regulatory & Appeals Committee held on 2 March 2016 be received and the recommendation as set out at minute number 20 be approved and adopted, subject to the amendment in recommendation (i) that the Contract Standing orders be adopted with the insertion of the following wording. "Where opportunities are not advertised, in order to ensure that value for money is achieved, the requirement for competitive award will remain. Also officers will be required to ensure variety in the selection of bidders approached over time. In addition, the Council will conduct a regular spend analysis to identify purchase patterns and opportunities to achieve additional savings."

There were none.

(a)  Approval of Revised Local Development Scheme

The individual decision published since the last meeting of the Council held on 25 February 2016 as set out in the summons was noted.