Meeting documents

The Chairman warmly welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for their attendance.

A one minute silence was observed in memory of Monty Seymour and Honorary Aldermen Tony Hurst, David Cox and Derek Done, who had all sadly recently passed away.

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Honorary Aldermen: Mrs K Peatey MBE, Mrs P Priestly and Mr R Pushman.  Councillors S Broadbent, M Davy, I McEnnis and M Hashmi.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of Council held on 12 December 2016 and 16 January 2017.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 12 December 2016 and 16 January 2017 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

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

The Chairman took the opportunity to remind Members of some rules of debate for Full Council meetings.  He asked all Members to please stand when speaking, and reminded Members to be respectful of each at all times in the meeting.  The Chairman requested all Members to listen to each Member when they were speaking and addressing the meeting, and to not talk over another Member when that Member was speaking.

The Chairman thanked Members for their co-operation.

The Chairman then reported upon some of the activities that he had attended since the last meeting of Council, these included:

     i)        Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch Party.

    ii)        Wycombe Leisure Centre first birthday celebration on 5 January 2017.

   iii)        Chinese New Year Celebration.

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 Thursday 16 February 2017. 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 Cabinet Member for Community

"Will the cabinet member support MP, Carolyn Harris', campaign to make all under 18 burials free of charge given the immense feeling of loss and sadness families suffer after a premature death by implementing the scheme in Wycombe despite current lack of government support?"

Response from Councillor Mrs J Adey (Cabinet Member for Community)

"The Council is among relatively few locally that provide entirely free burials for young children.  We charge no fees whatsoever for burials in our Snowdrop Garden as we recognise that the loss of a child before they reach the age of three is such a tragedy for their families. If families choose cremation we are happy to accommodate burials up to the age of 14 in the Snowdrop Garden also free of charge.  We do introduce charges for older children: up to the age of 16 our charge is £353 for the exclusive right of burial in a particular plot, and we make no charge for the interment. This charge is similar to the level charged by Marlow and Aylesbury Town Councils and less than a number of others. People older than 16 are buried in a full size plot and we therefore charge adult fees.

Extending free burials up to the age of 18 would require a further subsidy from council tax payers. The loss of a child at any age is always a tremendous loss for their families – we believe our fees are fair and they reflect common practice among local burial authorities."

Supplementary Question

"As some people do not have life insurance and are unable to pay for funerals would the Council consider using funds from reserves, as did Caerphilly District Council.  Would the Cabinet Member consider free funerals and burials?"

Supplementary response

"Regarding funds then this would be a decision for the High Wycombe Town Committee and regarding costs of funerals I would not be prepared to answer on behalf of funeral directors."

(b)Question from Mr M Foyle-York to the Leader of the Council

"Last year billionaire Mike Ashley raked in profits of over £380m from Sports Direct. This retail chain operates in High Wycombe, and its wealth is generated by workers on zero/low hour contracts, and they don't even get paid a decent wage.

Will this Council now take steps to pressure multi-million pound businesses operating in the Wycombe District area, places like the Eden Centre, into properly employing their workers with a genuine wage and a guarantee of respectable hours?"

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

"Our vision for the district is to ensure that it remains economically strong and the place to live, work and visit.  Stories such as that of the Boss of Sports Direct allegedly profiting from poor employment practices are always disappointing to hear – especially as we have a store in our town.

As a Council we do not operate at the ‘level of the firm’.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

Questions to the Leader or any Cabinet Members must be submitted by 12 noon Thursday 16 February 2017. Questions shall be taken first from the Group Leaders of the political parties who shall be entitled to ask an initial Leader`s question, including the right to adopt another Member`s question form 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 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 is 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.

"WDC, at its meeting on 16 January 2017, opted for a two unitary authority model for Buckinghamshire. The draft proposals are peppered with plenty of ‘sales talk’ but no mention of the gap in educational achievement between the children from well off families and those form economically disadvantaged groups, or how the road infrastructure is to be made fit for purpose or indeed about housing or social care.

Would the Leader tell us how and where she believes the new unitary authority will prioritise to raise the quality of core services?"

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

"Thank you for your question Councillor Ahmed. 

I’m not sure which submission you have read but our Road Map addresses the tests which have been identified by government against which the submission will be measured and Appendix C sets out a detailed model for improving outcomes for children. 

Let me read you a quote from the ‘sales talk’  (page 105).

‘By broadening the remit of Children’s Centres we will develop ‘Family Hubs’ which will provide support for families with school age children encompassing Health and Children’s  development, School readiness, Employment support and access to childcare, parenting support for families with more complex needs and early identification of Special Educational Needs.  We will take a collaborative approach to co-locating and delivering services using a lead professional and Team Around the Family model.’ 

These are recognised models of delivery which have a proven track record and have demonstrated success in other areas in improving outcomes for children.  This section of the report was prepared by an experienced Director of Children’s Services with a strong track record in working with children from disadvantaged backgrounds in London.  It will be my personal ambition to ensure that a new unitary Council of whatever size will give all children the best possible start in life.  It is also important that for the benefit of all residents that our infrastructure from roads to broadband works well and supports housing and business growth to generate a thriving economy. 

Supplementary Question

"I am pleased to hear that the Leader proposes to ensure quality.  However the impression I get is that sales talk is still being used and I am hoping you will stick to your word?"

Supplementary Response

"Of course I will Councillor Raja."

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

"In recent years the dominant service delivery model for both Wycombe District Council and our neighbouring district councils has been that of outsourcing services to external agencies. This model has clearly delivered savings although whether it has always resulted in service improvements is less clear.

According to the Modernising Local Government document it appears that this approach would continue to be favoured. Additionally the Labour motion at the last meeting of full council, which was supported by your group, specified the desire for a new unitary authority to deliver  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

(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 Thursday 16 February 2017.

(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.

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

Cabinet                      6 February 2017

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 6 February be received, and the recommendations as set out at minute numbers 63, 67, 68, and 72 be approved and adopted. 

(The Leader of the Council presented the minutes of the Cabinet Meeting of 6 February with the exclusion of Minute 69 - Revenue Budget and Council Tax Setting 2017/18 - which would be recommended to Council separately as part of the Council Tax Setting, agenda item 9.)

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 6 February 2017 recommend revenue estimates and the district and parish elements of Council tax levels for 2017/18.

Full Council is required to consider the Revenue Estimates and the district and parish elements of Council tax levels for 2017/18 and then to set out the full Council tax.

Details relating to the precept for Bucks County Council, the Thames Valley Police Authority and Bucks and Milton Keynes Fire Authority are awaited. The full report containing these details together with the full Council tax details across the district is therefore to follow.

Members are reminded that they must have regard to the Chief Financial Officer`s report when setting the Council tax.

In accordance with Standing Order 16.5 a recorded vote shall take place on decisions relating to the setting of the budget and Council tax.

The meeting then specifically turned to the recommendation outlined in minute number 69 of the Cabinet Minutes of 6 February 2017 (Revenue Budget & Council Tax Setting 2017/18) along with the supplement issued to the item in advance of the meeting. 

The Leader of the Council in introducing the Cabinet Member for Finance to make his Budget presentation, referred to the reduction in government grants and that by 2018/19 the Council would no longer receive any revenue support grant from Central Government.  The Government were working on an amended scheme for business rates to help local councils however the details on how the new scheme would work were still unclear.  The Leader commented that under the current system, after tariffs had been applied by the Government, that the Council only retained around 5% of the total received, not 40%.

The Leader noted that Wycombe was one of the very small percentage of Councils that were freezing their Council Tax. She explained that the Council continued to provide excellent services and managed assets efficiently to provide income to replace the loss the Government grants.  Projects included improvements at Handy Cross, the building of the Royal Star and Garter, the Extra Care Home at Hughenden Quarter, the £9.5m regeneration scheme for Desborough and Baker Street, and the new retail companies that had opened in the town centre. 

She expressed her thanks to the Chief Finance Officer and Chief Executive along with the Senior Management team and the many other officers involved in the budget preparation. The Leader also thanked the Council’s Improvement and Review Commission’s Budget Task and Finish Group for their thorough examination of the budget.

The Cabinet Member for Finance rose to give his budget speech beginning with some background to this year’s budget.  He noted that the impact of any decision regarding Modernising Local Government was not yet known and was not therefore factored into this year’s budget.

He said that the Council had achieved one of the lowest council tax levels in England by delivering considerable efficiencies and growing the Council’s commercial income in order to offset a 51% cumulative decline in the revenue support grant and business rate income. 

He noted increased revenue from projects such as the development at Handy Cross and the rationalisation of office accommodation had been a key driver in helping the Council to balance its budget for next year. Also the development of the Hughenden Quarter spine road which had unlocked three development sites which have been sold to bring homes, jobs and increased choice.  He added that the Council had invested in the regeneration empty retail units in Wycombe, helping to regenerate key shopping areas and bring more choice to shoppers visiting our town.  He said that the investments had substantially increased income for the Council and without the Council going into debt.

The Cabinet Member noted that work with various voluntary bodies and associations had continued with the completion of the improvement works and recent transfer of the Museum to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

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

Standards Committee                     8 February 2017

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 8 February be received and the recommendations as set out at minute 18 be approved and adopted.

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

Improvement & Review Commission                   11 January 2017

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting of the Improvement & Review Commission held on 11 January 2017 be received.

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

Audit Committee                  19 January 2017

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 19 January 2017  be received. 

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

High Wycombe Town Committee             17 January 2017

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting of the High Wycombe Town Committee held on 17 January 2017 be received. 

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

Planning Committee                       16 November 2016

Planning Committee                       14 December 2016

Planning Committee                       18 January 2017

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 16 November 2016, 14 December 2016 and 18 January 2017 be received.

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

Regulatory & Appeals Committee             13 February 2017

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting of the Regulatory & Appeals Committee held on 13 February 2017 be received, and the recommendations as set out at minute 19 be approved and adopted.

No questions had been received.

(a)  Approval of the Revised Local Development Scheme

(b)  Allocation of awards for Community Support Grants 2017/18 (community Services)

(c)  Community Support Grants 2017/18 (Homes & Homelessness)

(d)  Community Support Grants 2017/18 (Planning & Sustainability)

(e)  Amendment and addition to membership of the Housing Policy Advisory Group

(f)   Council Tax Base setting 2017/18

The individual decisions published since the last ordinary meeting of the Council held on 12 December 2016, as set out in the summons were noted.