Agenda and minutes

The Mayor will open the meeting and welcome all present.

The Mayor’s Chaplain, the Reverend Mike Herbert, will lead the Council in prayer.

The Mayor opened the meeting and welcomed all present.

To receive any apologies for absence on behalf of Council members.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Brunner.

To invite Councillors to declare any interests they may have in items on the agenda.

Councillors Banks, Boyd-Carpenter, Cookson, Hartnett, Pearce and Taylor declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 8 (Executive Committee – Minutes of the meeting of 19 November 2008) as detailed separately at Minute 90 below.

Kevin Dicks (Acting Joint Chief Executive) declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 10 (Acting Joint Chief Executive – Secondment Agreement) as detailed separately at Minute 92 below.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 27 October 2008.

(Minutes circulated in Minute Book 5  - 2008/09 – TO FOLLOW)

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 8 December 2008 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

To receive a report from the Mayor on civic matters which have arisen since the last meeting or events which may be occurring in the near future.

To give notice of any variation to the items listed in the Forward Plan and/or items accepted as “Urgent Business”.

(No separate report / oral update)

The Mayor’s communications and announcements were considered under the following headings:

a)         Carol Singing

The Mayor thanked the children and staff of Ipsley Middle and MatchboroughFirst Schools who came along prior to Council and entertained those present with their carol singing in the Civic Suite.

b)         Mayor’s announcements

The Mayor advised that since the previous meeting of the Council he had attended various functions, including: the relaunch of the Redditch Market in Church Green; the annual Fireworks Extravaganza at the Arrow Valley Park; the Remembrance Sunday Service at St Stephens, with the Deputy Mayor attending the one in Astwood Bank; Redditch Operatic Society’s production of “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” at the Palace Theatre; the Charity Auction here at the Town Hall which to date had raised some £1,800 pounds for the Mayor’s charities and for the Primrose Hospice; the Salvation Army Enfield Citadel Band’s concert at the Palace Theatre; a charity thanksgiving dinner for Droitwich Spa Town Council; Redditch Swimming Club’s Awards evening; Redditch Blind Association’s Christmas Party; and the Wyre Forest Civic Service at Chaddesley Corbett. The Mayor formally thanked Messrs David and Gary Simpson and others involved in the organisation of the Charity Auction that had been held at the Town Hall.

c)         Forthcoming events

The Mayor advised that forthcoming events included the Christmas Concert by the Arrow Valley Brass Band; the Palace Theatre Pantomime, Cinderella; the launch of the Christmas Ice Rink; a Christmas Carol Service in the Kingfisher Centre; and a visit to the Alexandra Hospital on Christmas Day.

The Mayor also thanked Councillor Hall for stepping in to take on engagements on his behalf.

d)         Urgent Business

The Mayor advised that he had accepted no additional items of “Urgent Business” this evening. However, he had accepted a late report:

Item 8 – Decision Notice of the Executive Committee, 3 December 2008.

To consider the following Question for the Leader, which was submitted too late to meet the requirements of Standing Order 8A, but has been accepted by the Mayor for consideration at this meeting in view of its potential public interest.

Redditch United Football Club

(Councillor P Mould)

(Question attached)

The Leader responded to a question which had been submitted in accordance with Standing Order 8A, namely:

“Redditch United Football Club

(Cllr P Mould)

Councillor Mould’s question related to a proposed merger between Redditch United Football Club and Bromsgrove Rovers Football Club.

The Leader responded that the Club was a part of the community and the club should play in Redditch. The importance of children being able to watch and participate at their local club was stressed as was the need for the Club to attract and maintain a wide fan base.

To consider a Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor K Banks, concerning the formation of Foundation Trusts.

(Report attached)

A Notice of Motion had been submitted by Councillor Banks in accordance with Standing Order 6 in respect of the formation of the Foundation Trust. This was seconded by Councillor Quinney.

It was noted that some Members had made themselves available to encourage people to sign up in the Town Centre and it was agreed that, should such an exercise be carried out again, Members from all groups be invited to participate. Members were in general agreement with the Motion as presented and it was duly

RESOLVED that

the Motion be approved in the following terms:

this Council renew its support to the Acute and Mental Health Services by pledging to get at least another four thousand signatures to ensure the PCT and the Secretary of State for Health is aware the citizens of Redditch care about their local health service.

A.        To receive the minutes and consider the recommendations and/or referrals from the meetings of the Executive Committee held on 8 and 22 October 2008.

(All decisions here have previously been fully resolved. There are no outstanding recommendations or referrals which require the Council’s consideration.)

(Minutes circulated in Minute Book 5 – 2008/09 – TO FOLLOW)

B.        To receive the Decision Notice and consider the recommendations and/or referrals from the following meetings of the Executive Committee:

29 October 2008

Matters requiring the Council’s consideration are:

·        Civil Parking Enforcement update;

·        The Worcestershire Hub – Options for the Future; and

·        Value for Money Strategy.

19 November 2008

Matters requiring the Council’s consideration are:

·        Hackney Carriage – Fare Tariff Rates;

·        Registered Social Landlords – Preferred Partners Review;

·        Property Accreditation Scheme;

·        Climate Change – Key Issues for the Council;

·        Redditch Street Market – Stall Discounts; and

·        Redditch Borough Council Corporate Plan – Phase 1.

(Decision Notices previously circulated, but attached to the agenda for Members’ convenience)

3 December 2008

Matters requiring the Council’s consideration may include:

·        West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy – Partial Review Phase Two;

·        Charging for Non-Statutory Planning Services; and

·        Scheme of Delegation to Officers – Planning Services Amendments.

(Decision Notice TO FOLLOW)

(Any matters arising, not covered elsewhere in the agenda, will be considered under this heading).

Confidential matters may be taken after the Exclusion of the Public, subject to notification at this point in the meeting.

RESOLVED that

1)         the minutes of the meetings of the Executive Committee held on 8 and 22 October 2008 be received and adopted;

2)         the decision notice of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 29 October 2008 be received and adopted and all recommendations approved:

3)         the decision notice of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 19 November 2008 be received and all recommendations approved, subject to:

in respect of the list of those also present,

            it being further

            noted that Councillor R King had attended the meeting, although not listed; and

in respect of Minute 142 (Redditch Street Markets – Stall Discounts)

it being further RESOLVED

that a letter be sent to the Manager of the Kingfisher Centre outlining the concern of the Council at the assistance provided to the Indoor Market.

(A motion to amend the recommendation in respect of the Registered Social Landlords – Preferred Partners Review through adoption of Option 1 outlined in the report was the subject of the following named vote in accordance with Standing Order 16:

Members voting FOR the amendment to the motion:

Councillors Fry, Hunt, R King, W King, Mould and Shurmer.

(6 votes)

Members voting AGAINST the amendment to the motion:

Councillors Anderson, Braley, Chalk, A Clayton, B Clayton, Enderby, Farooqui, Field, Gandy, Hall, Hicks, MacMillan, Norton, Quinney, Smith and Thomas.

(16 votes)

Members Abstaining from Voting:

None.

Accordingly, the amendment to the Motion fell.)

The substantive motion in respect of the Registered Social Landlords – Preferred Partners Review was the subject of the following named vote in accordance with Standing Order 16:

Members voting FOR the substantive motion:

Councillors Anderson, Braley, Chalk, A Clayton, B Clayton, Enderby, Farooqui, Field, Gandy, Hall, Hicks, MacMillan, Norton, Quinney, Smith and Thomas.

(16 votes)

Members voting AGAINST the substantive motion:

Councillors Fry, Hunt, R King, W King, Mould and Shurmer.

(6 votes)

Members Abstaining from Voting:

None.

(Prior to consideration of this item, and in accordance with the requirements of Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000, Councillors Banks, Boyd-Carpenter, Cookson, Hartnett and Pearce declared a personal and prejudicial interest, in view of the fact that they were members of the Board of Redditch Co-operative Homes, and, in the case of Councillor Banks, also on the Board of the Ellen Rose Warrin Charity for Almshouses and Councillor Taylor declared a personal and prejudicial interest, in view of her close personal relationship to an officer of that organisation, and all withdrew from the meeting.)

4)         the decision notice of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 3 December 2008 be received and all recommendations approved.

To formally receive the minutes of the following meeting of the Council’s Regulatory Committees:

            Audit Committee       -           3 November 2008.

(Minutes circulated in Minute Book 5 – 2008/09 – TO FOLLOW)

The Council received the minutes of a recent meeting of the Audit Committee.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 3 November 2008 be received and adopted, subject to:

in respect of Minute 25 (Audit Committee – Constitution and Terms of Reference) it being further

RESOLVED that

the amendment detailed in the preamble to that minute be amended further and the latter part of paragraph b) be agreed as follows:

            “preferably with relevant areas of expertise, where possible (such areas as accountancy, audit, business and commerce)”.

To consider delegating authority, as appropriate, to permit conclusion of the secondment agreement between Redditch and Bromsgrove Councils in respect of the Acting Joint Chief Executive arrangements.

(Report attached)

The Council received a report that sought authority to enter into a secondment agreement for an Acting Joint Chief Executive. The Council had previously agreed to share the full costs of the post of Joint Chief Executive and a draft Secondment Agreement prepared which reflected that arrangement.

Concern was expressed that the two authorities would not be bearing the appropriate levels of cost under the arrangement. It was suggested that, under certain circumstances, the Council would benefit from having a more favourable financial guarantee in place.

It was noted that the risks, rewards, financial input and decision making in respect of this post had been divided equally between the two authorities to date. The decision to appoint the present Acting Joint Chief Executive in part reflected the reality of obtaining the best possible candidate for a short, finite period. The revenue implications of changing course at the end of the 12 month period were considered to be fair and reasonable for the Council to bear.

RESOLVED that

authority be delegated to the Head of Legal, Democratic and Property Services, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to agree the terms of and enter into a secondment agreement with Bromsgrove District Council for the secondment of Kevin Dicks to Redditch Borough Council to enable him to perform the role of Acting Joint Chief Executive.

(The printed recommendation in respect of the secondment agreement was the subject of the following named vote in accordance with Standing Order 16:

Members voting FOR the motion:

Councillors Anderson, Banks, Boyd-Carpenter, Braley, Chalk, A Clayton, B Clayton, Enderby, Farooqui, Field, Gandy, Hall, Hicks, MacMillan, Norton, Pearce, Quinney, Smith and Thomas.

(19 votes)

Members voting AGAINST the motion:

Councillors Cookson, Fry, Hartnett, Hunt, R King, W King, Mould, Shurmer and Taylor.

(9 votes)

Members Abstaining from Voting:

None.

Accordingly, the Motion was carried)

(Prior to consideration of this item, and in accordance with the requirements of Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000, Kevin Dicks, Acting Joint Chief Executive, declared a personal and prejudicial interest, in view of the fact that the matter under discussion was the terms and conditions of his employment by the Council, and withdrew from the meeting.)

To note any decisions taken in accordance with Standing Order 36 and/or the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules (Constitution), as specified.

(None to date).

There were no Urgent Business decisions under Standing Order 36 for consideration at this meeting.

To consider any additional items exceptionally agreed by the Mayor as Urgent Business in accordance with the powers vested in him by virtue of Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

(This power should be exercised only I cases where there are genuinely special circumstances which require consideration of an item which has not previously been published on the Order of Business for the meeting and/or on the Leader’s Forward Plan.)

There were no separate items of Urgent Business for consideration at this meeting.