Agenda and minutes

Venue: Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham, RG40 1BN

Contact: Anne Hunter  Service Manager, Democratic Services

Items
No. Item

1.

Election of Mayor for 2015/16

To elect a Mayor for the 2015/2016 municipal year.

 

The outgoing Mayor will address the Council for up to 5 minutes to include any presentations that the Mayor may wish to make.

 

The outgoing Mayor will then call for nominations for the Office of Mayor for 2015/2016.

 

The outgoing Mayor will ask the Council to vote on the nomination(s).

 

At this point in the proceedings the outgoing Mayor and the incoming Mayor will adjourn to the Mayor’s Parlour to place the Cloak and Chain of Office on the incoming Mayor.

 

The incoming Mayor to take the chair and make the Declaration of Acceptance of Office as required by Section 83(3) of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

The Mayor to address the Council for up to 5 minutes. 

 

The Mayor to present the Past Mayor’s Badge to the outgoing Mayor.

Minutes:

UllaKarin Clark, the current Mayor made a speech to the Council during which she welcomed Laura Blumenthal and John Jarvis as newly elected Members. 

 

The Mayor explained that it had been a great honour for her and her family to have served as the Mayor for the previous two years and that throughout her second year she had been very ably supported by Parry Batth as Deputy Mayor.  She expressed her gratitude for the advice and support she had received during this time from Andy Couldrick the Chief Executive,

Anne-Marie Bonwick, Civic Communications Officer, Anne Hunter, Democratic Services Manager and the Democratic Services Team. The Mayor also paid tribute to her husband Joseph Clark for his support.

 

The Mayor explained she had thoroughly enjoyed her representational duties having undertaken some 390 engagements and was particularly pleased to have been able to contribute to the networking project between local charities and businesses through her speed dating event which had offered charities better ways of improving their cost effectiveness and general expertise through partnerships with local business. This was within the context of the Council’s restricted ability to support charities because of national fiscal limits.

 

In conclusion, the Mayor paid tribute to the residents of the Borough and the many local businesses that had supported her Mayoral charities during her term of office.  In 2013/2014 this had been Building for the Future, an organisation that supported disabled children had been her charity.  In 2014/2015 in association with More Arts, teenagers with creative talents had been supported, including through scholarships.   The Mayor commented that she was delighted to report that £11,868 had been raised for her charity during the previous municipal year.

 

The Mayor called for nominations for the office of Mayor for the 2015/16 Municipal Year.

 

It was proposed by UllaKarin Clark and seconded by Keith Baker that Parry Batth be elected as Mayor for the 2015/16 Municipal Year.

 

It was unanimously agreed that Parry Batth should be elected as Mayor for the 2015/16 Municipal Year.

 

RESOLVED: That Parry Baath be elected as Mayor for the 2015/16 Municipal Year. 

 

Parry Batth made the statutory acceptance of office pursuant to Section 83 of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

Parry Batth thanked the Council for electing him as Mayor which he regarded as a great honour. He paid tribute to UllaKarin Clark for her support and guidance during his term of office as Deputy Mayor. He had undertaken some 37 mayoral engagements and chaired two full Council meetings.  This had been a learning experience, particularly chairing of Council for the first time, but thanked the Council and Officers for their support as well as his wife and consort Surinder.  

 

The Mayor paid tribute to the support he had received as Deputy Mayor from friends and family within the Sikh community.  He commented that he had been born in the Punjab, known as the being the bread basket of India and had grown up within a humble farming family. The Mayor stated that he  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

2.

Appointment of Deputy Mayor for 2015/2016

To appoint a Deputy Mayor for the 2015/2016 municipal year.

 

The Mayor will call for nominations for the Office of Deputy Mayor for 2015/2016.

 

The Mayor will ask the Council to vote on the nomination(s).

 

The Deputy Mayor to make the Declaration of Acceptance of Office as required by Section 83(3) of the Local Government Act, 1972.

 

The Mayor to present the Deputy Mayor’s badge of Office to the Deputy Mayor and the Deputy Mayor to address the Council for up to 3 minutes.

Minutes:

The Mayor called for nominations for the office of Deputy Mayor for the 2015/16 Municipal Year.

 

It was proposed by UllaKarin Clark and seconded by Lindsay Ferris that Bob Pitts be appointed as Deputy Mayor for the 2015/16 municipal year.

 

RESOLVED: That Bob Pitts be elected as Deputy Mayor for the 2015/16 Municipal Year. 

 

Bob Pitts made the statutory acceptance of office pursuant to Section 83 of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

Bob Pitts thanked the Council for appointing him and commented that he was honoured to take the office of Deputy Mayor and would do his best to uphold the values of the Council.

 

3.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 358 KB

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 19 February 2015.

Minutes:

It was noted that unfortunately, the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 19 March 2015 had been omitted from the Agenda and the previously agreed minutes from February included in error. The approval of the minutes was therefore deferred to the next meeting.

 

4.

Apologies

To receive any apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted from Mark Ashwell, John Halsall, Tim Holton, Nick Ray, Chris Singleton, Bill Soane and Rob Stanton.

5.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations of interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

6.

Public Question Time

To answer any public questions

 

A period of 30 minutes will be allowed for members of the public to ask questions submitted under notice.

 

The Council welcomes questions from members of the public about the work of the Council

 

Subject to meeting certain timescales, questions can relate to general issues concerned with the work of the Council or an item which is on the Agenda for this meeting.  For full details of the procedure for submitting questions please contact the Democratic Services Section on the numbers given below or go to www.wokingham.gov.uk/publicquestions

Minutes:

In accordance with the agreed procedure the Mayor invited members of the public to submit questions to the appropriate Members.

 

 

6.1

Narendra Bahulekar has asked the Executive Member for Children's Services the following question:

 

This year has seen a substantial increase in the demand for entry level infant school places in Earley, particularly in the middle of Maiden Erlegh.   We represent parents who live in the small triangle between Aldryngton, Loddon and Hawkedon Schools, all of which are within a few minutes’ walk and whose children were unable to secure a school place at our catchment or preferred schools.  You identified the requirement for an increase and have extended Hawkedon School to meet part of that perceived need.   Due to high levels of demand for good education for our children, and the effect this is having on local demographics, more places are required than first anticipated.  Numbers are unclear but we understand that virtually another form of entry may be required.  What action can you take to alleviate our concerns, as parents, and what assurances can we have that suitable places will be found for us within reasonable walking distance of our homes?

 

Minutes:

Question

This year has seen a substantial increase in the demand for entry level infant school places in Earley, particularly in the middle of Maiden Erlegh.   We represent parents who live in the small triangle between Aldryngton, Loddon and Hawkedon Schools, all of which are within a few minutes’ walk and whose children were unable to secure a school place at our catchment or preferred schools.  You identified the requirement for an increase and have extended Hawkedon School to meet part of that perceived need.   Due to high levels of demand for good education for our children, and the effect this is having on local demographics, more places are required than first anticipated.  Numbers are unclear but we understand that virtually another form of entry may be required.  What action can you take to alleviate our concerns, as parents, and what assurances can we have that suitable places will be found for us within reasonable walking distance of our homes?

 

Answer

Historically school place planning in particular for primary schools was completed on an annual cycle. This led to an over reliance on bulge classes and responses to initial offers to parents. This led to a less sustainable and planned school estate and various drains on the Dedicated Schools Grant.

Our Primary Strategy 2013-2016 set a more strategic approach and helped successfully resolve school place issues in identified priority areas of the Borough.  Our Primary Strategy was due to be refreshed for this Autumn. We are pleased to report that we are ahead of schedule in developing our refreshed strategy

 

Subject to the ongoing work around the refresh I anticipate that additional capacity will be required to meet local demand for places in September 2016. However, we expect fewer children in the 2017 Reception year across the Borough because of a fall (both local and national) in the number of children born in the 2012/13 academic year. The refresh will therefore consider the case for a permanent school expansion in light of this change and other evidence. Officers will work with local schools, members and the community to develop the best way to address these issues.

 

Part of the challenge (then and now) relates to the popularity of Earley schools, particularly with Reading as opposed to Wokingham residents. Whiteknights and Earley St Peters are relatively lacking in popularity with Wokingham residents (26 and 30 first preferences respectively from WBC parents when both can take 60 and 70 school children in reception).  If not chosen these school places are then offered to children living in Reading Borough, where parents had expressed a preference for these schools. This has meant Earley places were not available for children living in Earley. If we could encourage Earley parents to consider these two schools more, this would have made an impact this year and potentially many fewer diverts.

 

For this years admissions; approximately 29 children from across Earley have been offered places at schools in adjoining areas. This number will though change between  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.1

6.2

Clive Jones has asked the Executive Member for Planning and Highways the following question:

 

In June 2014 the Liberal Democrat Roads Minister Susan Kramer gave Wokingham Borough Council an extra £728,000 to fix potholes in the Borough.  Enough for over 10,000 potholes.

 

Can you tell me how much of this money has been spent in each ward fixing potholes and how much remains to be spent.

Minutes:

Question

In June 2014 the Liberal Democrat Roads Minister Susan Kramer gave Wokingham Borough council an extra £728,000 to fix potholes in the Borough. Enough for over 10,000 potholes.

 

Can you tell me how much of this money has been spent in each ward fixing potholes and how much remains to be spent?

 

Answer

I am somewhat surprised you did not use Baroness Kramer of Richmond Park’s proper title.  She must be an exceptional person as she was elevated to the Lords after five years as a Member of Parliament being beaten by a Conservative on her second standing. 

 

The other issue is that the money was allocated no doubt, after some form of consultation within the Government and I assume this would have included some Conservative input or sign off along the way.  If was not as if it was her own money, although no doubt she could have afforded it having been a Vice-President of an American bank before coming a Liberal Democrat MP and a Baroness when that failed.  I believe she also voted against your policy on an elected second chamber.  I do not know why. 

 

All of the money has been spent although a small element of the costs has yet to be finalised with the contractor.

 

Central government was anxious to avoid monies being spent on temporary pothole repairs, instead favouring permanent repairs as the first choice.  The programme generally comprise small patching and larger surfacing works where numerous, localised, small-repairs or plugging might have been funded in the order of 10,000 potholes, but permanent repairs were made wherever possible. Where a number of defects existed in a road it has occasionally resulted in larger-scale patching or resurfacing of sections of road, something that the revenue budget alone does not always allow for.

 

The Borough’s highways are not generally defined by Wards but do have a Parish element in their designation (although of course roads do still cross Parish boundaries).

 

A list of spends in each parish is as follows:

 

Parish

Value (£)

Arborfield

9,951

Barkham

13,556

Charvil

6,312

Earley (including a section of the A3290)

136,638

Finchampstead

196,420

Hurst

2,375

Remenham

4,5947

Ruscombe

2,523

Shinfield

46,058

Sonning

1,716

Swallowfield

60,932

Twyford

3,545

Wargrave

18,531

Winnersh

16,328

Wokingham

111,650

Wokingham Without

76,819

Woodley

20,362

Grand Total

728,313

 

A web page has been created and is currently being updated. This includes example photographs of some of the works.

 

 

 

7.

Petitions

To receive any petitions which Members or members of the public wish to present.

Minutes:

There were no petitions presented.

8.

Report of the Returning Officer - Parliamentary, Borough and Parish Elections 7 May 2015 pdf icon PDF 154 KB

The Council’s Head of Governance and Improvement Services, as Returning Officer, to report on the Elections held on 7 May 2015.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

To note the Returning Officer’s report.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered a report from Andrew Moulton, the Council’s Head of Governance and Improvement Services in his role as Returning Officer in respect of the Elections held on 7 May 2015, as set out on Agenda pages 29 to 34.

 

In proposing the noting of the report, Pauline Jorgensen paid tribute to Andrew Moulton, Alison Wood the Deputy Returning Officer and the Elections Team for the way in which the electoral process had been conducted and providing a really good service during the election period. This was echoed by Prue Bray, the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group.

 

RESOLVED:  That the Returning Officer’s report be noted.

 

9.

Mayor's or Head of Paid Service's Announcements

To receive any urgent announcements by the Mayor or Head of Paid Service.

Minutes:

The Mayor informed Members that sadly John Bingham who was one of the Council’s Independent Persons had passed away on 7 May 2015.

10.

Statements from the Leader of Council/Executive Members pdf icon PDF 365 KB

To receive notification from the Leader of his Deputy and the remainder of the Members appointed to the Executive; the scope of their respective portfolios; the terms of delegation to them; and Officers if applicable.  (To be tabled)

 

The Leader of Council / Executive Members will be allowed to speak for up to 10 minutes in total.  The Leader of the Opposition will be allowed to speak for up to 5 minutes.

Minutes:

Keith Baker, Leader of the Council made the following statement:

Firstly, Mr Mayor, I would like to add my thanks on what is a very, very momentous occasion for this Council.  You are the first Sikh Mayor that we have had and that is really ground breaking.  So congratulations.

 

I would also like to welcome Laura Blumenthal and John Jarvis to the Council Chamber.  I am sure that they will be in for an interesting time as they learn the ropes and we go through the year.

 

Before I talk about my Executive for the coming year I would like to make a few comments on the recent “triple” elections.  Due to the parliamentary elections many of us had a direct exposure of more than one local authority. Inevitably this leads to a comparison of each authority on their ability to run elections. I can say based on my experience and I believe of others, is that Wokingham is far ahead of these other authorities in the key areas of resident interaction and ability to run a complex operation. On behalf of all residents and candidates I would like to put on record our extreme thanks to Andrew Moulton, Alison Wood and her team for their sensitivity to residents’ issues, general helpfulness and smooth operation. I know that our neighbouring authorities could certainly learn a lot from them as I keep on telling them again and again.

 

What happened on 7th May was exceptional and the resulting success for the Conservative Party was a crystal clear endorsement of our policies both nationally and locally.  Let me highlight just one of those local policies.  For the second year in a row the Liberal Democrats had as a key election message opposition to the regeneration of the Town Centre, especially around Elms Field.  Again, for the second year in a row their views were totally rejected by the electorate. Last year the Liberal Democrats dismissed the result saying that the low turnout meant it was not a true reflection of resident’s views as so many did not vote. Clearly with turnouts being above 70% in all town and Borough wards they cannot use that excuse this time!

 

In fact the rejection of their views on the town centre regeneration was emphatic by a huge margin.  Just looking at the wards within Wokingham Town shows how much that rejection actually was.  For the Borough the Conservatives had 48% of the vote compared to the Liberal Democrat vote of 23%.  A similar comparison of the Town elections was not as easy as the Liberal Democrats only managed to nominate 3 out of the 25 candidates required.  They were all standing in one ward leaving 7 wards without a single Liberal Democrat candidate.  So much for their passion to defend Elms Field! However, there were other candidates so using them as the opposition the Conservatives had 52% of the vote whilst the opposition had 36% of the vote.

 

I hope now that the Liberal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

11.

Member Question Time

To answer any member questions

 

A period of 20 minutes will be allowed for Members to ask questions submitted under Notice

 

Any questions not dealt with within the allotted time will be dealt with in a written reply

Minutes:

In accordance with the agreed procedure the Mayor invited Members to submit questions to the appropriate Members

11.1

Gary Cowan has asked the Leader of Council the following question:

 

I was advised by a resident on the 24th February this year that a very substantial tree with a tree preservation order on it located on Sheerlands Road along with a significant established ancient hedgerow and conifer hedge which was approximately 10 foot high and 60 foot long were removed and the following day a substantial 6 foot high fence was erected in their place. The new fence resulted in the removal of two gates which had been there for more than 30 years and were established rights of way.

The following day I notified  Wokingham Borough Council of this  but my concern is that the problem impacts on several departments within the Council from  Highways to rights of way to planning , enforcement, land ownership, Trees and  landscape and no doubt legal. In addition the size of the substantial tree meant it may also have required a felling licence which I understand can only be issued by the Forestry Commission.

Due to the many departments involved can I ask you as Leader of the Council would you please take responsibility for ensuring that all the relevant departments investigate this matter and report directly to you as it seems to fall into several Executive members portfolios which could only complicate investigation.

Minutes:

Question

I was advised by a resident on 24th February this year that a very substantial tree with a tree preservation order on it located on Sheerlands Road along with a significant established ancient hedgerow and conifer hedge which was approximately 10 foot high and 60 foot long were removed and the following day a substantial 6 foot high fence was erected in their place. The new fence resulted in the removal of two gates which had been there for more than 30 years and were established rights of way.

The following day I notified  Wokingham Borough Council of this  but my concern is that the problem impacts on several departments within the council from  Highways to rights of way to planning , enforcement, land ownership, Trees and  landscape and no doubt legal. In addition the size of the substantial tree meant it may also have required a felling licence which I understand can only be issued by the Forestry Commission.

Due to the many departments involved can I ask you as Leader of the Council would you please take responsibility for ensuring that all the relevant departments investigate this matter and report directly to you as it seems to fall into several Executive members portfolios which could only complicate investigation

 

Answer

Thank you for your question Councillor Cowan.  As you correctly state this issue entails the work of a number of our teams. I can confirm that I am working closely with everyone involved and I will make sure you are kept up to date as things progress.

 

Before I get to the specific incident here I would like to make a few general comments about ignoring a Tree Preservation Order or a TPO and cutting down that tree can only be considered as an act of outright vandalism. There is a reason why a TPO is on a tree as it will be an exceptional specimen of that type of tree and needs to be preserved for all to see; the amenity value of it.  Almost without exception the tree will be a mature sample which means it will be a big tree.

 

Too often people who do this simply laugh at the law as the fine will be derisory and all they need to do is to plant a sapling as a replacement which will be tiny in comparison to the original tree. As Leader I am already urging all the relevant sections involved to prosecute any future perpetrators to the maximum allowable by law.

 

Even then it will be totally unsatisfactory as it will take generations for any replacement planting to reach the same quality of the cut down tree. However, that is a deficiency in the law rather than the Council. Now let me turn to this specific incident.

 

The tree was covered by a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) and a Tree Replacement Notice is being prepared which will be served on the private landowner to secure an appropriate replacement.  Unfortunately, the hedge  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.1

12.

Political Balance of the Council and Allocation and Appointment to Seats on Council Committees/Panels/Boards pdf icon PDF 121 KB

To receive a report on the political balance of the Council and to appoint to Council Committees/Panels/Boards in accordance with the Groups’ wishes as set out in Appendix 1.

 

Further information relating to nominations will be circulated before or at the meeting.

 

RECOMMENDATION:

That Council:

1)         having reviewed the representation of the political groups on the Council,  confirms that it has 47 Conservative Group Members, 5 Liberal Democrat Group Members, 1 Independent Member and 1 Labour Member (as set out in Para 1.1);

2)         approves the appointment and composition of Committees and Boards as set out in Para 2.1;

3)         approves the allocation of seats on Committees and Boards on the basis that, of the 94 seats (as set out in Para 3.5), 83 be allocated to the Conservative Group and 11 be allocated to the Liberal Democrat Group;

4)         approves the proposals submitted by the respective Group Leaders and that those Members be appointed to the Committees and Boards as set out in

Appendix 1;

5)         agree that the principles of proportionality be applied when Members are appointed to Sub Committees, Panels or Working Groups;

6)         note the appointment of the Independent Person to assist the work of the Standards Committee as set out in Appendix 1;

7)         note the elected Member representatives on the Health and Wellbeing Board, as set out in Appendix 1, as nominated by the Leader of Council in accordance with Section 194 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered a revised report, which was tabled at the meeting, on the political balance of the Council the appointment to the Council’s Committees/Panels/Board in accordance with the wishes of the Political Groups. 

 

The report set out a number of recommendations which the Council was asked to consider. 

 

It was proposed by Keith Baker and seconded by Pauline Jorgensen that the recommendations be approved.

 

RESOLVED:

That Council:

1)     having reviewed the representation of the political groups on the Council,  confirms that it has 47 Conservative Group Members, 5 Liberal Democrat Group Members, 1 Independent Member and 1 Labour Member (as set out in Para 1.1);

 

2)     approves the appointment and composition of Committees and Boards as set out in Para 2.1;

 

3)     approved the allocation of seats on Committees and Boards on the basis that, of the 94 seats (as set out in Para 3.5), 83 be allocated to the Conservative Group and 11 be allocated to the Liberal Democrat Group;

 

4)     approves the proposals submitted by the respective Group Leaders and that those Members be appointed to the Committees and Boards as set out in Appendix 1;

 

5)     agree that the principles of proportionality be applied when Members are appointed to Sub Committees, Panels or Working Groups;

 

6)     note the appointment of the Independent Person to assist the work of the Standards Committee as set out in Appendix 1;

 

7)    note the elected Member representatives on the Health and Wellbeing Board, as set out in Appendix 1, as nominated by the Leader of Council in accordance with Section 194 of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.

 

13.

Appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Council Committees and Boards 2015/2016 pdf icon PDF 70 KB

To appoint Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Council Committees and Boards in accordance with the Groups’ wishes as set out in Appendix 2.

 

Further information relating to nominations will be circulated before or at the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered the appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Council Committees/Panels/Boards in accordance with the wishes of the Political Groups, as set out in Appendix 2, circulated at the meeting.

 

It was proposed by Keith Baker and seconded by Pauline Jorgensen that the appoinments be approved.

 

RESOLVED: That the appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Council Committees/Panels/Boards be agreed, as set out in Appendix 2 to these minutes.

 

14.

Appointment to Panels/Working Groups/Joint Committees and Various Bodies 2015/16 pdf icon PDF 108 KB

To consider and approve the appointment of Members to serve on Joint Committees, Various Bodies and Panels/Working Groups in accordance with the Groups’ wishes as set out in Appendix 3.

 

Further information relating to nominations will be circulated before or at the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members were asked to refer to a list of each political groups’ nominations to various Panels, Working Groups, Joint Committees and Various Bodies as circulated at the meeting as Appendix 3.

 

It was proposed by Keith Baker and seconded by Pauline Jorgensen that the list of nominations set out in Appendix 3 be approved.

 

RESOLVED: That Members be appointed to the Council’s Panels/Working Groups/Joint Committee and Various Bodies as set out in Appendix 3 to these Minutes.

 

15.

Appointment to Outside Bodies 2015/16 pdf icon PDF 141 KB

To consider and approve the appointment of Members to serve on Outside Bodies in accordance with the Groups’ wishes as set out in Appendix 4.

 

Further information relating to nominations will be circulated before or at the meeting.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Members were asked to refer to a list of each political groups’ nomination to various Outside Bodies as circulated at the meeting at Appendix 4.

 

It was proposed by Keith Baker and seconded by Pauline Jorgensen that the list of nominations set out in Appendix 4 be approved.

 

RESOLVED: That Members be appointed to the Outside Bodies as set out in Appendix 4 to these Minutes.

 

16.

Changes to the Constitution pdf icon PDF 245 KB

To consider proposed changes to the Constitution as put forward by the Constitution Review Working Group.

 

RECOMMENDATION:  That Council approves the following amendments to the relevant sections of the Council’s Constitution, as put forward by the Constitution Review Working Group:

 

1)        Chapter 4.2 – Council Rules of Procedure

 

(a)       The addition of a new paragraph to Rule 4.2.15.5 Recorded Votes as follows:

 

 “A recorded vote will be required on any business relating to approving the budget, setting the council tax or issuing precepts.  This also includes any amendments proposed to any of these items of business.”

 

(b)       The addition of a new Rule 4.2.24 Statements from the Council Owned Companies as set out in the report;

 

2)        Chapter 4.4 – Committees of the Council – Health and Wellbeing Board

 

(a)        Delete “b) Adults Strategic Partnership” from Rule 4.4.44;

 

(b)        The following additional paragraph be added:

 

“4.4.45 Health and Wellbeing Board Sub-Committees

The Health and Wellbeing Board has the ability to set up sub-committees to undertake any of its functions.  The Health and Wellbeing Board will agree the terms of reference and membership of any such sub-committee and any such terms of reference will subsequently be included in the Council’s Constitution.”

 

3)        Chapter 5.5 – Protocol for Decision Making by Individual Executive Members

The addition of the following to Rule 5.5.1:

 

“o)       Designation of a neighbourhood area following consultation with the local Ward Member(s) and appropriate Town or Parish Council.”

 

4)        Chapter 9.2 – Code of Conduct for Councillors

Revised version of Chapter 9.2 as attached at Appendix 1 to the report;

 

5)        Section 11 – Officers

Revised versions of the following documents as attached at Appendix 2 to the report:

 

Chapter 11.4 – Officers’ Code of Conduct

Chapter 11.5 – Officer Employment Procedure Rules

Chapter 11.6 – Delegated Powers Relating to Staffing Matters

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered a report on proposed changes to the Council Constitution including changes to the Council Rules of Procedure, Committees of the Council, a revised Code of Conduct for Councillors and changes to a number of documents relating to Officers; including the Officers’ Code of Conduct.

 

It was proposed by Paul Swaddle and seconded by Prue Bray that the proposed changes be approved.

 

RESOLVED: That the following changes to the Council’s Constitution be approved:

 

1)    Chapter 4.2 – Council Rules of Procedure

 

(a)  The addition of a new paragraph to Rule 4.2.15.5 Recorded Votes as follows:

 

       “A recorded vote will be required on any business relating to approving the budget, setting the council tax or issuing precepts.  This also includes any amendments proposed to any of these items of business.”

 

(b)  The addition of a new Rule 4.2.24 Statements from the Council Owned Companies as set out in the report;

 

2)    Chapter 4.4 – Committees of the Council – Health and Wellbeing Board

 

(a)  Delete “b) Adults Strategic Partnership” from Rule 4.4.44;

 

(b)  The following additional paragraph be added:

 

“4.4.45 Health and Wellbeing Board Sub-Committees

The Health and Wellbeing Board has the ability to set up sub committees to undertake any of its functions.  The Health and Wellbeing Board will agree the terms of reference and membership of any such sub-committee and any such terms of reference will subsequently be included in the Council’s Constitution.”

 

3)    Chapter 5.5 – Protocol for Decision Making by Individual Executive Members

 

The addition of the following to Rule 5.5.1:

 

“o)  Designation of a neighbourhood area following consultation with the local Ward Member(s) and appropriate Town or Parish Council.”

 

4)    Chapter 9.2 – Code of Conduct for Councillors

Revised version of Chapter 9.2 as attached at Appendix 1 to the report;

 

5)    Section 11 – Officers

Revised versions of the following documents as attached at Appendix 2 to the report:

 

Chapter 11.4 – Officers’ Code of Conduct

Chapter 11.5 – Officer Employment Procedure Rules

Chapter 11.6 – Delegated Powers Relating to Staffing Matters