Agenda and minutes

The Vice-Chairman to report on functions attended since the last meeting and other matters of interest to Members.

Councillor Quentin Webb (Vice-Chair in the Chair)

The Vice-Chairman reported that he had attended 11 events since the last Council meeting. He particularly enjoyed the Annual Recognition event and wished to offer his congratulations to all those who were nominated for awards.

The Vice-Chair also made mention of the Newbury Society Garden Party and Armed Forces Day, which he had attended.

The Vice-Chairman informed Council that Item 14 the “A339/Fleming Road Junction Compulsory Purchase Order (C2955)” would be delayed to the Special Council meeting on 20 July 2015. This was due to incorrect information being supplied on the report. Councillor Gordon Lundie stated that he was disappointed that this report and been withdrawn from the agenda for the second time and also was concerned about it being delayed so late in the process. The reason for the withdrawal pertained to an inaccurate map of Victoria Park being included in the report. He felt that this error fell well short of the level of detail he expected from Officers and felt that Members had been let down. He noted that due to the impact a Compulsory Purchase Order would have it was important to get it right. He sought assurance from the Head of legal Services and the Chief Executive that they would afford the documentation the appropriate level of scrutiny before it was included in the paperwork for the special meeting on the 20^th July 2015.

The Vice-Chairman notified Members that in addition to the Special Council meeting on Monday 20 July 2015 a further extraordinary meeting scheduled to take place before Full Council on 17 September 2015. The purpose of this meeting would be to appoint Honorary Aldermen.

The Vice- Chairman to sign as a correct record the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 19 May 2015.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 19^th May 2015 were approved as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

There were no declarations of interest received.

There were no petitions were received

 (Please note that there were no questions submitted relating to items not included on the agenda)

There were no public questions received.

The Monitoring Officer to advise of any changes to the membership of Committees since the previous Council meeting.

The Monitoring Officer advised of the following changes to the membership of Committees since the previous Council meeting:

Councillor Tony Linden would replace Councillor Richard Crumly on the Appeals Panel

The Council is asked to note that since the last meeting of the Council, the Licensing Committee met on 23 June 2015.  Copies of the Minutes of this meeting can be obtained from Strategic Support or via the Council’s website.

The Council noted that, since the last meeting, the Licensing Committee had met on 23^rd June 2015.

The Council is asked to note that since the last meeting of the Council, the Personnel Committee has not met. 

The Council noted that, since the last meeting, the Personnel Committee had not met.

The Council is asked to note that since the last meeting of Council, the Governance and Audit Committee met on 22 June 2015.  Copies of the Minutes of this meeting can be obtained from Strategic Support or via the Council’s website.

The Council noted that, since the last meeting, the Governance and Audit Committee had met on 22^nd June 2015.

The Council is asked to note that since the last meeting of the Council, the District Planning Committee has not met. 

The Council noted that, since the last meeting, the District Planning Committee had not met.

The Council is asked to note that since the last meeting of the Council, the Overview and Scrutiny Management Commission met on 30 June 2015.  Copies of the Minutes of this meeting can be obtained from Strategic Support or via the Council’s website.

The Council noted that, since the last meeting, the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee had met on 30^th June 2015.

The Council is asked to note that since the last meeting of the Council, the Standards Committee met virtually on 22 June 2015.  Copies of the Minutes of this meeting can be obtained from Strategic Support or via the Council’s website.

The Council noted that, since the last meeting, the Standards Committee had met virtually on 22^nd June 2015.

(1)          To obtain authority from Full Council to purchase private land by agreement or by using compulsory purchase powers under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990, the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 to enable a new junction to be built from the A339 onto Fleming Road in Newbury.

(2)          To appropriate the land within the scheme for planning purposes.

This item was deferred to the Special Council meeting on Monday 20^th July 2015.

To present the recommendation to create a Governance and Ethics Committee in place of the Governance and Audit Committee and Standards Committee.

The Council considered a report (Agenda Item 15) concerning the recommendation to create a Governance and Ethics Committee in place of the Governance and Audit Committee and Standards Committee.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Gordon Lundie and seconded by Councillor Jeff Beck:

“That the Council:

1)    Amalgamate the Governance and Audit and Standard Committees to for a Governance and Ethics Committee.

2)    To delegate authority to the Monitoring Officer to amend the Constitutions (including the terms of reference) to reflect the merge.

3)    To delegate authority to the Head of Strategic Support to amend the Timetable of Meetings for 2015/16.

4)    To appoint three Independent Persons in accordance with S28 of the Localism Act 2011.”

Councillor Gordon Lundie in introducing this report noted that over the past two years the volume of work undertaken by the Standards Committee had declined. It was therefore being proposed that the two Committees be merged.

Councillor Jeff Beck that the proposed changes had been discussed at the 22^nd June 2015 Governance and Audit meeting. This was the second time that the Committee had considered the proposals. He felt that the proposal would improve efficiency and help to streamline the Council’s governance structures.

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.

To inform Council of the Scrutiny activity undertaken during the Municipal Year 2014/2015.

The Council considered a report (Agenda Item 16) informing the Council of the Scrutiny Activity undertaken during the Municipal Year 2014/2015.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Emma Webster and seconded by Councillor Dave Goff:

“That the Council:

1)    Note the content of the report.”

Councillor Emma Webster wished to thank former Councillors Brian Bedwell and Jeff Brooks for their hard work they had done on the Overview and Scrutiny Management Commission. Councillor Webster highlighted the excellent work undertaken on the Severe Weather experienced in 2013/14.

Councillor David Goff echoed the thanks to the former Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Commission.  He stated that the Commission fulfilled an important role and had considered a wide range of topics. Councillor Alan Macro commended the Committee on their work and mentioned that the work on Continuing Health Care brought about reform in the district.

The Motion was put to the meeting and duly RESOLVED.

(Councillor Anthony Stansfeld arrived at 7.16pm)

(a)          The following Motion has been submitted in the name of Councillor Alan Macro:

“That the Council investigates the cost and practicality of webcasting all Council, Executive and Committee meetings”.

The Council considered the under-mentioned Motion (Agenda item 17(a) refers) submitted in the name of Councillor Alan Macro relating to investigating the cost and practicality of webcasting all Council, Executive and Committee meetings.

The Chairman informed the Council that should the motion be approved, under Procedural Rule 4.9.8 it would be referred to a sub-group of the newly formed Governance and Ethics Committee for consideration.

MOTION: Proposed by Councillor Alan Macro and seconded by Councillor Lee Dillon:

That the Council:

“investigates the cost and practicality of webcasting all Council, Executive and Committee meetings”

The proposal to refer the Motion to a sub-group of the newly formed Governance and Ethics Committee was put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

Members of the Executive to answer the following questions submitted by Councillors in accordance with the Council’s Constitution:

(a)          Question to be answered by the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Economic Development, Newbury, Hungerford, Thatcham & Eastern Area Visions submitted by Councillor Alan Macro:

“What are you doing to positively engage with parish and town councils to ensure that communities get the best value from developers' CIL contributions?”

(a)          A question standing in the name of Councillor Alan Macro on the subject of community engagement in CIL was answered by the Executive Member for Planning, Economic Development, Newbury, Hungerford, Thatcham & Eastern Area Visions.