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 2017/18

To elect a Mayor for the 2017/18 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 2017/18.

 

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:

Bob Pitts, the current Mayor made a speech to the Council.

 

The Mayor thanked Council for having elected him as Mayor the previous year. He stated that he was the first Mayor who had got married during their time of office, and paid tribute to his wife Val, thanking her for all the support that she had provided.

 

The Mayor also thanked Rob Stanton, Deputy Mayor, Andy Couldrick the Chief Executive, Anne Hunter, Service Manager Democratic Services and Annmarie Bonwick, Civic Communications Officer, for the support and advice that they had provided to him over the municipal year. He wished Annmarie and Andy well in their new endeavours.

 

The Mayor indicated that participating in Citizenship Ceremonies had been a particular highlight of being Mayor and that during his term of office, he had also endeavoured to raise the profile of the outlying parishes.

 

The Mayor called for nominations for the office of Mayor for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

 

It was proposed by Charlotte Haitham Taylor and seconded by Angus Ross that Rob Stanton be elected as Mayor for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

 

Lindsay Ferris commented that the Liberal Democrat Group were pleased to support this nomination.

 

It was unanimously agreed that Rob Stanton should be elected as Mayor for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

 

RESOLVED: That Rob Stanton be electedas Mayor for the 2017/18 Municipal Year. 

 

Rob Stanton made the statutory acceptance of office pursuant to Section 83 of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

Rob Stanton thanked the Council for electing him as Mayor, which he regarded as a great honour. 

 

 The Mayor stated that he and his family had lived in the Wokingham Borough since 1990 and had chosen to stay in the area after he retired from W H Smiths. He believed that Wokingham was one of the best places to live.

 

He was first elected to the Council in 2002 and had been a councillor ever since, holding many different roles.  He had particularly enjoyed being Executive Member for Children’s Services and had worked closely with Andy Couldrick in his previous role as Director of Children’s Services.

 

The Mayor commented that two years ago he had been seriously ill and thanked the Royal Berkshire Hospital for caring for him and his friends and family for their care and support. 

 

The Mayor paid tribute to Bob Pitts and his wife Val for their support and the work that they had undertaken during his time as Deputy Mayor. He commented that he too had very much enjoyed participating in Citizenship Ceremonies.

 

Lastly, he thanked his wife Maureen and his sons Iain and Geoff for their love and support.

 

2.

Appointment of Deputy Mayor for 2017/18

To appoint a Deputy Mayor for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

 

The Mayor will call for nominations for the Office of Deputy Mayor for 2017/18.

 

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 2017/18 Municipal Year.

 

It was proposed by Rob Stanton and seconded by Charlotte Haitham Taylor that John Kaiser be appointed as Deputy Mayor for the 2017/18 municipal year.

 

It was unanimously agreed that John Kaiser should be elected as Deputy Mayor for the 2017/18 Municipal Year.

 

RESOLVED: That John Kaiser be elected as Deputy Mayor for the 2017/18 Municipal Year. 

 

John Kaiser made the statutory acceptance of office pursuant to Section 83 of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

John Kaiser thanked the Council for appointing him to the office of Deputy Mayor and the great opportunity that this provided.  He congratulated Rob Stanton on his appointment as Mayor and commented that he was looking forward to working with and supporting him.  

 

During his acceptance speech, Councillor Kaiser indicated that his family had been part of the local community for many years and that he was proud of the Borough and all that it had to offer. 

 

.

 

 

3.

Apologies

To receive any apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted from Alistair Auty, Keith Baker, Laura Blumenthal, Prue Bray, John Halsall, Emma Hobbs, Abdul Loyes and Paul Swaddle.

4.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 542 KB

To confirm the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 23 March 2017.

 

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 23 March 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

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

Gill Purchase had asked Councillor Keith Baker the following question:

 

Question

I read with interest a remark in the Wokingham Paper (dated the 9th of March 2017) made by Councillor Keith Baker in which it was reported that Councillor Baker did not mince his words about his former colleague Councillor Gary Cowan when he stated and I quote from this - "most of what he says are out and out lies-he's lying through his teeth and I am quite happy to put that in the paper" - end of quote.

 

Could you explain your rationale behind these remarks - as you are no doubt aware of the adage 'there is no smoke without fire'!

Minutes:

This question was withdrawn.

6.2

Guy Grandison asked the Executive Member for Resident Services the following question:

 

Question

I went into Lower Earley Library last weekend and was impressed by the new facilities that had been installed, could you tell me if this has increased usage at Lower Earley Library and our other Borough libraries?

 

 

Minutes:

I went into Lower Earley Library last weekend and was impressed by the new facilities that had been installed, could you tell me if this has increased usage at Lower Earley Library and our other borough libraries?

 

Answer

The new self-service kiosks were introduced into six libraries at the beginning of April 2017 and they are already becoming very popular with library users.  Since their introduction, at the Lower Earley Library 20% of transactions, which is issues, returns, etc. have been done via the kiosks; whilst across all ten of the Borough’s libraries 22% of transactions have been done via the kiosks.

 

These are very encouraging statistics for the Library Service and we would hope that these numbers increase as people become more familiar with the kiosks. They are particularly helpful in that they allow the librarians to spend time with individual residents, helping with queries, giving them advice on various things, and generally talking to them rather than spending their time handling books.

 

In terms of library usage, last year we had a small increase in the number of people using and visiting our libraries.  Just over 25,000 people actively used the library to borrow an item, whilst in total we had just over 476,000 visits to our libraries.

 

It is a little early to expect to see an increase in usage because of the kiosks, but they are certainly already making a valuable contribution, as I mentioned, to the efficient operation of the library service and giving the library staff the extra time they need to really add value for the community.

 

Supplementary Question:

Will you continue to invest in libraries in the Borough is what I would like to know?

 

Supplementary Answer:

We have got a very good record on libraries in Wokingham.  During my tenure, we have extended the library hours and through improvements in terms of cost effectiveness.  Previously we actually introduced a new library in Finchampstead.  I am very hopeful that we will continue to expand the library service as I believe it is popular and adapting itself to the new ways of using libraries.  It provides a lot of additional social services as well as just pure book lending and I think people really do enjoy the libraries.  We are certainly increasing the footfall and I would like to see that increase in future.  

 

 

6.3

Susan Tyldesley asked the Executive Member for Planning and Regeneration the following question:


Question:

Under what circumstances can Wokingham Borough Council officers agree at the pre-planning stage to a planning application for a quarry and cement factory to proceed in advance of the new Central & Eastern Berkshire Joint Minerals & Waste Plan that is currently being considered? 

 

I ask the question because one of the stated aims of the new Minerals and Waste Plan is that… ‘all the sites will be considered holistically across the whole Plan area to ensure the best strategy can be achieved.’… I am unclear as to how this could actually be achieved if agreement has already been given in principle to an individual planning application that should evidently be part of the bigger regional consideration.

Minutes:

Under what circumstances can Wokingham Borough Council officers agree at the pre-planning stage to a planning application for a quarry and cement factory to proceed in advance of the new Central & Eastern Berkshire Joint Minerals & Waste Plan that is currently being considered? 

 

I ask the question because one of the stated aims of the new Minerals and Waste Plan is that… ‘all the sites will be considered holistically across the whole Plan area to ensure the best strategy can be achieved.’… I am unclear as to how this could actually be achieved if agreement has already been given in principle to an individual planning application that should evidently be part of the bigger regional consideration.

 

Answer

As you can see on our website, (http://www.wokingham.gov.uk/planning/planning-applications/pre-application-advice/) as with most Local Planning Authorities, Wokingham Borough offers a discretionary, chargeable, informal, without prejudice and confidential pre-application advice process.  Through experience and as a matter of best practice we have found that this self- funding service generally improves the quality of submissions made by applicants so that when the Council consults on and considers them there will be a better overall process in the wider public interest.  The process will include advising upon the policies applying at the time, or as commented by you, the transitional period to which the process may apply.  No formal determination is ever secured via our pre-application submission.

 

Any applicant can submit a planning application to the local planning authority whose duty is to determine this within the statutory or other agreed timescales. In the case of this application the matter will be determined by the Council’s Planning Committee.  In the interim a new Mineral and Waste Local Plan is being prepared and subject to Executive approval, consultation on the issues and options will commence in June this year, next month.  The current application will be assessed in line with national and the Council’s planning policy, and will be subject to separate assessment and decision making process will go through the Council’s Planning Committee.  It will be considered based upon the policies which apply at the time of determination; however it is likely that a determination will not be possible in this case until early in 2018 given the amount of information required to reach a decision.

 

Supplementary Question:

I did read through a written statement but there was no mention of waiting for the new Minerals Plan.  Would that be normal, not to at least include some advice that there is a new plan coming up?

 

Supplementary Answer:

Yes, it would.  That would not come under the pre application advice in any way.  Was that a statement from the party themselves was it? Yes, that would be normal.

7.

Petitions

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

Minutes:

There were no petitions received.

8.

Mayor's or Head of Paid Service's Announcements

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

Minutes:

The Mayor informed Members that he intended to support two important areas that were dear to his heart during his term of office.  He planned to support Cancer Care at the Royal Berkshire Hospital who had saved his life.  He would also be supporting a charity that was setting up cancer champions.  In addition, he would be supporting charity regarding children with special needs.  The Mayor indicated that he would provide further information regarding his chosen charities at the next Council meeting.

9.

Election of the Leader of the Council

Following the current Leader of the Council’s decision to step down from the role, and in accordance with the governance arrangements which were adopted by Council at its meeting on 18 November 2010, the Mayor will call for nominations for the Office of Leader of the Council for a four year term, (or until the Leader’s Term of Office as a Councillor expires).

 

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

 

The Leader of Council will notify Council of the name of his/her Deputy and the reminder of the Members appointed to the Executive, outlining 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:

Following the current Leader of the Council’s decision to step down from the role, and in accordance with the governance arrangements which were adopted by Council at its meeting on 18 November 2010, the Mayor called for nominations for the Office of Leader of the Council for a four year term (or until the Leader’s Term of Office as a Councillor expired).

 

It was proposed by David Lee and seconded by Stuart Munro that Charlotte Haitham Taylor be elected Leader of the Council for a four year term.

 

David Lee commented that Charlotte Haitham Taylor had gained great experience of the Council, including as part of her previous role as Executive Member for Children’s Services.  She would drive the Council forward.

 

There being no other nominations, the Mayor declared that Charlotte Haitham Taylor had been elected as Leader of the Council for a four year term.

 

RESOLVED: That Charlotte Haitham Taylor be elected Leader of the Council for a four year term.

 

Charlotte Haitham Taylor, Leader of the Council made the following statement:

Before laying out my new Executive tonight, I would like to say a few words about Andy Couldrick, our Chief Executive.  As many of you will now be aware, Andy was approached by the Department for Education to go and be the Chief Executive of Birmingham’s first Children’s Trust.  Andy came to Wokingham in 2009 to turn our Children’s Services around which he did with aplomb, with skill, and tenacity that this has earnt him recognition.  Andy then moved up to the role of Chief Executive under the then Leader of the Council, Councillor David Lee.  Andy has been an outstanding Chief Executive and with his background in social work has been of the greatest help in building relationships with our partners and keeping this Council focused on what are the really, really critical elements in keeping our most vulnerable elements safe and our community prospering as a whole.  I am sorry that in my new role I will only have a few months to work with you Andy, and in leading the Council, but I am excited that you are going back to your roots and to your vocation.  I know that you will bring about the vital changes that are needed for the children and young people in Birmingham, in your new and very challenging role.  I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Council to wish you the very best of luck in your new job and put on record my sincerest thanks for your dedication and commitment to all of our residents, here in this Borough, and especially for our children.

 

I would like to pay especial tribute also to Councillor Baker tonight for his three years as Leader of this Authority.  He is the architect of the 21st Century Council, the merger of Optalis with our neighbours in the Royal Borough, and he started a number of huge capital programmes and projects, investing in new leisure facilities,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Section5 The Executive pdf icon PDF 208 KB

10.

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

10.1

Shahid Younis had asked the Executive Member for Children's Services the following question:

 

Question

Could the Executive Member update the Council on her work to secure fairer funding for the Borough’s schools?

 

Minutes:

Due to the pre-election period for the Parliamentary Election on 8 June 2017, this question was not asked.

10.2

Charles Margetts asked the Executive Member for Strategic Highways and Planning the following question:

 

Question

Could the Executive Member provide an update on the start of the Northern Distributor Road at Coppid Beech?

Minutes:

Could the Executive Member provide an update on the start of the Northern Distributor Road at Coppid Beech?

 

Answer

The Council is not constructing this section of the Northern Distributor Road and no definitive programme has been submitted by the developer to date, for the proposed build out of the site access.

 

A formal request has been made by the developer, through their submitted Construction Management Plan, for a temporary site access off the A329 London Road and Council Officers have advised the process for achieving this.

 

Once constructed the temporary access will enable the developer to start building the Northern Distributor Road from within their site. 

 

Council Officers are working closely with the developers to finalise the detailed highway design, which will then be secured through a legal agreement prior to the works commencing.

 

Supplementary Question:

Does this not show that whilst the Council can give consent for new roads and new houses it cannot control the speed with which they are actually built and that it is completely at the mercy of the developer?

 

Supplementary Answer

Developers have always driven their own building programme based on their commercial judgement and to this extent we are in their hands over timing.  Any related infrastructure or funding would however only be necessary to mitigate the development when it is occupied and as such, any delay will not normally be harmful.  However, this is something I will be looking at, as delays we are experiencing, are not acceptable.

 

10.3

UllaKarin Clark asked the Executive Member for Strategic Highways and Planning the following question:

 

Question

Could the Executive Member tell me what is being done to produce a parking strategy for Wokingham Borough?

Minutes:

Could the Executive Member tell me what is being done to produce a parking strategy for Wokingham Borough?

 

Answer

A Member and Officer working group was formed in February 2017 to progress this important initiative for the Council.  It is a complex project with many interdependencies across the Council.  However, despite this it is expected that a draft strategy will be agreed within this working group by the end of 2017.  Following that, the draft will be consulted upon widely, amended as appropriate, and ultimately agreed by the Executive Committee to allow it to be formerly adopted, enabling it to form parking policy within Wokingham.

10.4

Tim Holton had asked the Executive Member for Finance, 21st Century Council, Internal Services and Human Resources, the following question:

 

Question

What steps is the Executive Member taking to ensure that the Borough’s businesses are not unduly affected by the proposed changes to business rates?

 

Minutes:

Due to the pre-election period for the Parliamentary Election on 8 June 2017, this question was not asked.

10.5

Philip Mirfin asked the Executive Member for Highways and Transport the following question:

 

Question:

Could the Executive Member provide an update on the development of the Winnersh Relief Road and its junction with the Northern Distributor Road at Reading Road?

Minutes:

Could the Executive Member provide an update on the development of the Winnersh Relief Road and its junction with the Northern Distributor Road at Reading Road?

 

Answer

The Winnersh Relief Road Phase 2 project is still relatively early in its development.

 

It will deliver packages with other major highway infrastructure schemes for greater efficiency, ensuring value for money for residents.

 

A preferred engineering solution for its junction with the A329 has been produced which includes consultation with ward members and the local parish councils.

 

The project team has also considered the linkage with the proposed roundabout junction for the new North Wokingham Distributor Road.  The construction together of two junctions and associated infrastructure on either side of the motorway bridge will provide greater benefit and efficiency to the Council.

 

This approach has resulted in the North Wokingham Distributor Road junction being incorporated into the Winnersh Relief Road Phase 2 project.

 

Supplementary Question:

My residents are very concerned as to when the Northern Distributor Road will be completed because this clearly is effecting Emmbrook residents and I would like to have an answer to that please. 

 

Supplementary Answer:

Although the project is still being developed and subject to numerous risks, current projections suggest the project will be complete in Summer 2021.

 

10.6

John Jarvis asked the Executive Member for Highways and Transport the following question:

 

Question

Could the Executive Member tell me whether the Council’s application for Civil Parking Enforcement has been received by the Department for Transport?

Minutes:

Could the Executive Member tell me whether the Council’s application for Civil Parking Enforcement has been received by the Department for Transport?

 

Answer

Wokingham Borough Council’s application to adopt Civil Parking Enforcement Powers was received by the Department for Transport on Monday 24 April 2017.

 

Supplementary Question:

Does the Executive Member have a date when approval is likely to be given, and how long after this will Wokingham Borough Council commence and enforce these parking restrictions?

 

Supplementary Answer:

CPE tender returns are being evaluated at the moment with an award proposed for this Summer in June.

 

Following that, the successful parking provider for CPE will need to get fully resourced and mobilised to “Go Live” in October this year.

 

The Council have prepared a detailed communication plan to ensure residents, businesses, the Town and Parish Councils and elected Members are kept fully informed of progress and timescales relating to Civil Parking Enforcement.

10.7

Michael Firmager had asked the Executive Member for Business & Economic Development & Regeneration the following question:

 

Question

Could the Executive Member explain the implications for Wokingham Borough of the Government’s Industrial Strategy Green Paper?

Minutes:

Due to the pre-election period for the Parliamentary Election on 8 June 2017, this question was not asked.

10.8

Chris Smith had asked the Executive Member for Finance, 21st Century Council, Internal Services and Human Resources the following question:

 

Question

Could the Executive Member for Finance explain what the negative revenue support grant is and how it is affecting this Council?

 

Minutes:

Due to the pre-election period for the Parliamentary Election on 8 June 2017, this question was not asked.

10.9

Rachelle Shepherd-DuBey asked the Executive Member for Highways and Transport the following question:

 

Question

What is the reason for the delay in delivering the Winnersh Relief Road (and all of its ancillary bits (such as Lower Earley Way expansion) which is sorely needed for relief of the Reading Road and Winnersh Crossroads chaos (which seems to be almost a car park at times) and the increase in cost of the project (which seems to be not included as a separate budget lines of the MTFP)?

 

Minutes:

What is the reason for the delay in delivering the Winnersh Relief Road (and all of its ancillary bits (such as Lower Earley Way Expansion) which is sorely needed for relief of the Reading Road and Winnersh Crossroads Chaos (which seems to be almost a car park at times) and the increase in cost of the project (which seems to be not included as a separate budget lines of the MTFP)?

 

Answer

There is no “delay” in delivering the Winnersh Relief Road.  I am assuming you are talking about Phase 2.

 

All major road schemes and their associated projects have emerging detailed programmes, the durations of which are set by the level of scheme development and the delivery requirements of each project.  As development continues on major schemes, the Highways Team are also developing the overall delivery strategy for both the pre-construction and construction phases.

 

Historically, the estimate for the Winnersh scheme, and others, was only delivered from the basic costs of other similar schemes elsewhere.  In April 2016 the cost estimate of all major schemes was reviewed which provided greater accuracy to the Council, however scheme costs will continue to be refined and revised as scheme design progresses.

 

Supplementary Question:

What is the reason for the King Street Lane intersection part of the Winnersh Relief Road, delay, right now, stopping it in the middle of the project rather than letting it finish?

 

Supplementary Answer:

I am afraid I do not have that information.  I will have to get an answer back to you at a later date.

10.10

Imogen Shepherd-DuBey asked the Executive Member for Highways and Transport the following question:

 

Question

At the moment, the volunteers who give up their time and skills to be School Governors are expected to attend meetings and training at Shute End and pay for parking. While they have the option to claim the parking charges off the schools, most will not as our schools are already being starved of funding.

 

This seems utterly wrong to ask these volunteers to pay for the privilege of being a school governor.

 

Why are we charging these parking fees to these volunteers and surely it is within the Council’s ability to provide ‘one-off’ permits for those attending these kinds of meetings or volunteer training at Shute End?

 

Minutes:

At the moment, the volunteers who give up their time and skills to be school governors are expected to attend meetings or training at Shute End and pay for parking. While they have the option to claim the parking charges off the schools, most will not as our schools are already being starved of funding.

 

This seems utterly wrong to ask these volunteers to pay for the privilege of being a school governor.

 

Why are we charging these parking fees to these volunteers and surely it is within the Council’s ability to provide ‘one-off’ permits for those attending these kinds of meetings or volunteer training at Shute End?

 

Answer

I am very sympathetic to Imogen’s question.  Those who volunteer are a very important part of our society which really could not function without them, not just school governors, but the many other carers that we have.  Unfortunately, as good as this suggestion is, I am reluctant to accept it. 

 

The Highways and Transport team must show parity regarding car park charging regimes at Shute End, and all other car parks for that matter.  While school governors are volunteers as you suggest, it would be up to the school to determine if they can reimburse any costs incurred by the school governors.  This is consistent to the Council’s approach with other voluntary organisations.

10.11

Clive Jones had asked the Executive Member for Planning and Enforcement the following question:

 

Question

Can the Executive Member responsible please advise what is the current status of the WBC Grazeley Garden Village Submission for 15,000 Houses in that area?

Minutes:

Due to the pre-election period for the Parliamentary Election on 8 June 2017, this question was not asked.

11.

Continuation of the meeting

Minutes:

At this point in the meeting 8.45pm, in accordance with Procedure Rule 4.2.12 (m), Council considered a Motion to continue the meeting beyond 9.00pm for a maximum of 30 minutes to enable further business on the Agenda to be transacted.  This was proposed by Rob Stanton and seconded by John Kaiser.

 

Upon being put to the meeting, the Motion was declared by the Mayor to be carried.

12.

Political Balance of the Council and Allocation and Appointment to Seats on Council Committees/Panels/Boards pdf icon PDF 123 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 45 Conservative Group Members, 7 Liberal Democrat Group Members, 1 Labour Member and 1 Independent 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 86 seats (as set out in Para 3.6), 74 be allocated to the Conservative Group and 12 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)        agrees that the principles of proportionality be applied when Members are appointed to Sub Committees, Panels or Working Groups;

6)        notes the appointment of the Independent Person to assist the work of the Standards Committee and the co-opted Parish/Town Council Representatives as set out in Appendix 1;

7)        notes 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 report on the political balance of the Council and 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 Charlotte Haitham Taylor and seconded by David Lee that the report be approved.

 

Upon being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED:  That Council

 

1)        having reviewed the representation of the political groups on the Council,  confirms that it has 45 Conservative Group Members, 7 Liberal Democrat Group Members, 1 Labour Member and 1 Independent 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 86 seats (as set out in Para 3.6), 74 be allocated to the Conservative Group and 12 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 to these Minutes;

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

6)        notes the appointment of the Independent Persons to assist the work of the Standards Committee and the co-opted Parish/Town Council Representatives as set out in Appendix 1 to these Minutes;

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

 

Appendix 1 - Committees and Boards pdf icon PDF 249 KB

13.

Appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Council Committees and Boards 2017/18 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.

Minutes:

The Council considered the appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Council Committees/Panels/Boards, as circulated at the meeting as Appendix 2.

 

Upon being put to the vote, it was:

 

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.

 

Appendix 2 - Chair and Vice Chair pdf icon PDF 71 KB

14.

Appointment to Panels/Working Groups/Joint Committees and Various Bodies 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 164 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.

Minutes:

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

 

Upon being put to the vote, it was:

 

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.

 

Appendix 3- Panels, Working Groups, Various Bodies, Joint Committees pdf icon PDF 168 KB

15.

Appointment to Outside Bodies 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 37 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.

Minutes:

Members were asked to refer to a list of nominations to various Outside Bodies, as circulated at the meeting at Appendix 4.

 

Where more nominations had been received than places available, individual votes were taken.

 

Upon being put to the vote, it was:

 

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

 

Appendix 4 - outside bodies pdf icon PDF 38 KB

16.

Health and Wellbeing Strategy pdf icon PDF 90 KB

To consider and approve the Health and Wellbeing Strategy priorities as recommended by the Health and Wellbeing Board.

 

RECOMMENDATION:  That Council agrees to endorse the priorities of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2017-20.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Council considered the Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2017-2020.

 

It was proposed by Julian McGhee-Sumner and seconded by Charlotte Haitham Taylor that the recommendations as set out on Agenda page 73 be approved.

 

Upon being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED: That the priorities of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2017-20 be endorsed.

17.

Health and Wellbeing Board Annual Report 2016-17 pdf icon PDF 182 KB

To receive a report from the Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board on the work undertaken over the past year.

 

RECOMMENDATION: That the report from the Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board be noted.

Minutes:

The Council considered the Health and Wellbeing Board Annual Report 2016-17.

 

It was proposed by Julian McGhee-Sumner and seconded by Charlotte Haitham Taylor that the Health and Wellbeing Board Annual Report 2016-17 be approved.

 

Upon being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED: That the report from the Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board be noted.

 

18.

Appointment of Independent Persons under the Localism Act 2011 pdf icon PDF 104 KB

To consider and approve the appointment of Paddy Haycocks and Nicholas Oxborough as ‘Independent Persons’ under Section 28(7) of the Localism Act 2011.

 

RECOMMENDATION That:

1)        Paddy Haycocks and Nicholas Oxborough be appointed as ‘Independent Persons’ under Section 28 (7) of the Localism Act 2011, increasing the number of the Council’s Independent Persons to three including David Comben an existing Independent Person;

 

2)        the decision made by the Council in July 2012 be reaffirmed and an allowance of £1,000 per annum be paid for the position of Independent Person. 

 

Minutes:

The Council considered a report regarding the appointment of Independent Persons under the Localism Act 2011.

 

It was proposed by Charlotte Haitham Taylor and seconded by David Lee that the recommendations as set out on Agenda page 89 be approved.

 

Upon being put to the vote, it was:

 

RESOLVED: That:

 

1)     Paddy Haycocks and Nicholas Oxborough be appointed as ‘Independent Persons’ under Section 28 (7) of the Localism Act 2011, increasing the number of the Council’s Independent Persons to three including David Comben, an existing Independent Person;

 

2)     the decision made by the Council in July 2012 be reaffirmed and an allowance of £1,000 per annum be paid for the position of Independent Person.