Meeting documents

Venue: Council Chamber

Contact: Iram Malik 

Items
No. Item

1.

MINUTE'S SILENCE

Minutes:

Following a request he had received in advance of the meeting, the Chairman called for a minute`s silence in memory of the late Jo Cox MP

2.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Honorary Aldermen:  E H Collins, D Cox, M B Oram, Mrs K M Peatey and Mrs P Priestley. Councillors: Mrs J Adey, A D Collingwood, C Harriss, M Harris, M Hussain, Mrs G Jones, G Peart and Mrs W Mallen.

3.

MINUTES

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of Council held on 11 April, and Special and Annual Council held on 24 May 2016.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 11 April and the Special and Annual Council meetings held on 24 May 2016 be confirmed as true records and signed by the Chairman.

4.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

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.

 

Minutes:

No declarations of interest were received.

5.

CHAIRMAN'S ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

Minutes:

The Chairman listed some of the activities he had undertaken since the last meeting of the Council on 24 May 2016. These included:

 

(a)  Marlow Regatta

(b)  Armed Forces Day

(c)  Royal visit at Speen

(d)  Queens 90th birthday Street Party –Princes Risborough.

 

Members were informed that the Chairman in some instances would need to accept invitations to events at short notice, which consequently may not have featured in the weekly distributed Chairman’s Diary Sheet.  Details of the most up to date events could be received from the Chairman`s Office by contacting Rachel Mozley on 01494 421951.

 

The Chairman also gave mention to the fact that he had received some nominations for the Volunteers Award, and that the closing date for the receipt of any further nominations was 29 July 2016.

6.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

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 11 July 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.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

(a)Question from T Snaith to the Leader of the Council

"The Chairman has started an initiative for his year "Let’s celebrate volunteers and make Wycombe the best place to be."

He urged Councillors to volunteer one extra hour a week, which would be very much appreciated by the community.

I would like to ask the WDC leader what is being planned and how WDC resources and staff will be used to meet the Chairman’s volunteering initiative and make Wycombe a better place to be?"

 

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

 

"I am very happy to offer support for the Chairman`s initiative which he is leading. Volunteers provide an invaluable service across the District. The latest copy of the Wycombe District Times highlights the work carried out by them at the museum, the Citizens Advice Bureau and in our woodlands, together with one off initiatives such as Clean for the Queen.

 

I am delighted that the Council is able to support projects through the Employer Supported Volunteering Policy enabling staff to take one day per year to volunteer for a cause of their choice."

 

Supplementary Question 

 

"Council volunteering is a secret to many, even its own staff. Only 4 people have participated in the scheme since its introduction 2 years ago. Out of respect for the Chairman`s volunteering initiative, can I ask that the Council reviews the internal culture that it has for volunteering allowing local groups to ask for WDC help and resources?"

 

Supplementary Response

 

"Staffing is a matter for the Chief Executive not the Council. The Chairman will decide how he wishes to take forward his plans during his year in office."

 

(b)Question from Mr M Chadwick to the Cabinet Member for Environment

"A report earlier this year by the Royal College of Physicians concluded that each year in the UK around 40,000 premature deaths were attributable to exposure to outdoor air pollution, much of which arises from emissions from traffic. In busy urban areas, nitrous oxide levels still exceed limits set in the 1990s which should have been fully achieved in 2010.

 

In 2002 Wycombe District Council designated an Air Quality Management Area along the M40 corridor because the target levels were being breached. Since then, annual progress reports have been published, including results from monitoring at other locations in the District. Every year since 2010, levels exceeding the guidelines have been found at several locations in urban High Wycombe, and, since 2013, central Marlow, with a resultant recommendation that new Air Quality Management Areas need to be designated. This has not happened.

 

Six years on, and with the dangers to health from poor air quality now undeniable, does the Cabinet Member agree that it is high time for steps to be taken to properly recognise and address the issue, and what plans does the Council have to do so?"

 

Response from Councillor Mrs J Teesdale (Cabinet Member for Environment)

 

"The Environment Act 1995 requires Local Authorities to undertake an air quality review in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

7.

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS

Questions to the Leader or any Cabinet members must be submitted by 12 noon on Monday 11 July 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. 

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

(a) Question from Councillor M Knight to the Leader of the Council

 

"How do you anticipate the EU referendum result, and the subsequent withdrawal of the UK from the EU, will impact on local government finances and what contingencies and plans have WDC put in place to help us through this period of uncertainty?"

 

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

 

"The historic decision taken on the 23rd June to leave the EU will have significant impacts for our district, many which we cannot yet comprehend.  The media have focused on the likely short term implications, of which many are financial. The decision has created a lot of uncertainty in the short term and unsurprisingly resulted in market volatility and a focus on the downside risks.  The political situation and ultimate negotiations that will take place both with the EU and the global markets will shape our futures in the medium to longer term.

 

Some of the more immediate short term impacts are expected to include a reduction to base rates, (which didn`t happen in the end last week), rising inflation at or slightly above the BoE inflation target and a reduction to growth as businesses take stock of the changes and what this means for them.  There are of course wider political and social impacts that will emerge over the coming months and years. There is naturally a lot of uncertainty and it is important for the Council to act responsibly in supporting its local community and economy in dealing with both the challenges but also in identifying and seizing new opportunities that may emerge.

 

In the short term we expect there to be continued turbulence due the uncertainty a change of this magnitude presents.  The Council is well placed to manage the short term financial pressures that might arise from this in terms of lower base rates, increases in inflation and therefore our costs.  As we have in the past and will continue to do so moving forward we will continue to invest in our district for the medium to longer term in projects and infrastructure which support economic growth, help those in greatest need in terms of housing and continue to support the Council’s overall financial sustainability. We will be sticking to the course we have set. This is not the time to pull up the drawbridge but to show confidence and invest in the future of our district and economy."

 

 

Supplementary Question

 

"I am glad to hear that the Leader is positive about longer term opportunities as we leave the EU. However would you not agree that in the short to medium term the greatest impact will be upon the most vulnerable, including those on benefits, and those in low paid jobs?"

 

What is WDC doing to ensure greater provision for those who are pushed into greater financial turmoil?"

 

Supplementary Response

 

"The Council has been asked tonight to confirm its agreement to the 4 year Local Government Finance deal,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

8.

PETITIONS

(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 11 July 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)

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

No petitions were received by the deadline of Monday 11 July 2016.

9.

CABINET

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

 

Cabinet                      6 June 2016

Cabinet                      11 July 2016 (To follow)

 

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 6 June 2016 be received and the recommendation as set out at minute 9 be approved and adopted.

10.

CABINET

Minutes:

Minute 17 – Public Spaces Protection Order

 

A Member stated that implementation of the Protection Orders would penalise vulnerable women who were engaged in prostitution in the town centre and surrounding area. The Leader stated that the public consultation would establish the best way forward as to whether or not to implement two Public Spaces Protection Orders thereby providing assistance to businesses by restricting activities that may have a detrimental effect on the area.

 

Minute 18 – ICT Task & Finish Group Recommendations

 

It was felt that I.T support should be made available over the weekends. In addition another Member felt that there was an absence of full and proper training for the effective use of I.T

 

The Leader confirmed that the relevant Cabinet Member would be working on both the abovementioned issues.

 

Item 19 – Dissolution of Bucks Joint Committee on Waste 

 

A Member requested that recycling should be extended to areas that do not currently have it. She sought the Cabinet Member`s assurance that residents requesting recycling in their area will be dealt with as a matter of priority, thereby ensuring equal opportunities for all.

 

The relevant Cabinet Member emphasised that as this was a joint working programme other relevant parties would need to be consulted. She suggested that a formal email request be made, following which the matter would be included on the agenda for further discussion.

 

Minute 20 – Abbey Barn South Development Brief

 

A couple of Members highlighted deep concern over the traffic situation that would follow due to the proposed development. It was emphasised that there was only one road into and out of the site, namely through Daws Hill development, which was already overburdened with traffic. The Members urged the Cabinet Member to take on board the issues and concerns of residents.

 

Members were reassured that the Cabinet Member would communicate further about the highlighted issues outside of the meeting. 

 

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 11 July 2016 be received and the recommendations as set out at minute numbers 19, 21 and 23 be approved and adopted.

 

11.

IMPROVEMENT & REVIEW COMMISSION

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

 

Improvement & Review Commission                   13 June 2016

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

In presenting the minutes of the meeting, the Chairman of the Committee referred to minute number 6 and wished to place on record his gratitude to Charles Meakings Head of Democratic, Legal and Policy Services for the fantastic service he had given to the Council over many years.

 

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Improvement & Review Commission held on 13 June 2016 be received.

12.

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

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

 

Standards Committee                     7 June 2016

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 7 June 2016 be received

13.

AUDIT COMMITTEE

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

 

Audit Committee                  30 June 2016 (to follow)

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Minute 4 – Health & Safety Annual Report

 

A Member stated her concern over the increase in the number of incidents of verbal abuse being reported by employees, who she felt that in a huge number of cases did an excellent job.

 

Minute 5 – End of Year Performance Report

 

A Member referred to the initiatives being undertaken to deal with the issue of increasing numbers of people in temporary accommodation. He requested a brief summary of these. However the Cabinet Member was unable to comment on these at the present time as she had not been present at the committee meeting at which it was discussed.

 

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 30 June 2016 be received

14.

JNC STAFFING MATTERS COMMITTEE

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

 

JNC Staffing Matters Committee               13 April 2016

JNC Staffing Matters Committee               19 April 2016

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings of the JNC Staffing Matters Committee held on 13 April and 19 April 2016 be received.

15.

PLANNING COMMITTEE

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

 

Planning Committee                       6 April 2016

Planning Committee                       27 April 2016

Planning Committee                       1 June 2016

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 6 April, 27 April and 1 June 2016 be received.

16.

REGULATORY & APPEALS COMMITTEE

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

 

Regulatory & Appeals Committee             8 June 2016

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Minute 25 – Members` Allowances Scheme

 

A Member voiced her concern over the proposed increases stating that the current level of housing benefit was barely sufficient to cover the standard rent payments.  She was informed that the increases to Members` allowances would bring it in line with the average level within our 12 neighbouring Councils. In addition Councillors were required to contribute much more time to the role of Councillor.

 

Minute 26 – Scheme for Enrolment of Honorary Aldermen  

 

A  Member rose to commend the Leader for restricting the maximum number of Honorary Aldermen, and welcomed the cut back on pomp and ceremony.

 

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Regulatory & Appeals Committee held on 8 June 2016 be received and the recommendations as set out at minute numbers 25 and 26 be approved and adopted.

17.

SECTION 85, LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 - EXTENSION OF 6 MONTH RULE

Under Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, if a Councillor fails to attend any meeting of the Council throughout a period of six months from the date of his/her last attendance, he/she automatically ceases to be a Councillor unless the failure to attend is due to some reason approved by the Council before the expiry of the six-month period. The Council is also able to then extend the statutory period of absence.

 

Members will be aware that Councillor Audrey Jones has been unable to attend meetings for some time due to ill health. Under Section 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Leader of the Council has submitted a request that the Council give consideration to extending the period of absence for a further six months. The last date of the initial six month statutory period will be August 2016, and the proposed extension will extend the period until February 2017.

 

Council is RECOMMENDED to consider and approve this request from the Leader of the Council.

 

Minutes:

Under Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972, if a Councillor failed to attend any meeting of the Council throughout a period of six months from the date of his/her last attendance, he/she automatically ceased to be a Councillor unless the failure to attend was due to some reason approved by the Council before the expiry of the six-month period. The Council was also able to extend the statutory period of absence.

 

Members noted that Councillors Mrs Jones had been unable to attend meetings for some time due to ill health and the Leader of the Council had submitted a request to extend the period of absence for a further period of six months. It was noted that the last date of the initial six month statutory period would be August 2016 and the proposed extension would take the period to February 2017.

 

RESOLVED: That the failure to attend meetings be noted and approved, and the request from the Leader of the Council to extend the time period of absence to February 2017 be approved

 

 

18.

QUESTIONS UNDER STANDING ORDER 11.2

Minutes:

None were received

19.

URGENT ACTION TAKEN BY CABINET OR INDIVIDUAL CABINET MEMBER

Amendment of Members ICT Scheme – Amendment to delete the word `blackberry` and replace with `a mobile device`.

Minutes:

The individual decision published since the last ordinary meeting of the Council held on 11 April as set out in the summons was noted.