Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andrew Fry, Carole Gandy and Derek Taylor.

Councillor David Bush declared an Other Disclosable interest in agenda item no.8, Executive Committee, relating to the Compulsory Purchase Order, 11, Clent Avenue.

Councillor Bill Hartnett reported that he had declared an interest at the Executive Committee meeting of 9^th July 2013, minute no.27 relating to Hewell Road development site.  This would be considered as an item of report later in tonight’s meeting.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 10th June 2013.

(Minutes circulated in Minute Book 2 - 2013/14)

RESOLVED that

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 10^th June 2013 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

(a)  Mayor

The Mayor’s communications and announcements were as follows:

i)                     Mayoral Functions

The Mayor advised that since the last meeting of the Council she and the Deputy Mayor had received visitors from Redditch’s twin town of Mtwara in Tanzania and attended several engagements, including Civic Services in Droitwich Spa, Wyre Forest and Worcester City, the Fly the Flag day at the Town Hall and Astwood Bank carnival.

ii)                    Civic Service

The Mayor announced that her Civic Service would be held on 22^nd September and all members of the Council were welcome to attend.

(b)   Leader

The Leader’s announcements were as follows:

i)                       Alexandra Hospital

The Leader announced that he and the Leaders of Bromsgrove and Stratford-on-Avon District Councils had written to Jeremy Hunt M.P, requesting that given the length of time it had taken, the decision about the future of the Alexandra Hospital be called in.

He also reported that from 24^th July the Stroke Unit at the Alexandra Hospital would be closed to new admissions and patients would be taken to the Worcester Royal acute hospital. 

ii)                     Youth Theatre at the Palace

The Leader was pleased to report a very enjoyable and successful production of the Wizard of Oz by the Youth Theatre. He  congratulated all involved.

iii)                    Marketing Day

The Leader had opened a recent marketing day which promoted opportunities for local businesses with the Borough and County Councils and National Health Service.  Over 120 businesses had attended and he thanked Carmen Young from the Procurement Team for her work in supporting this.

(c)   Chief Executive

The Deputy Chief Executive did not have any announcements.

To consider the following Questions for the Leader, which have been submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 9.2:

1)         “Mercian Regiment”

(Councillor Roger Bennett)

2)         “Types of housing built on Council land”

(Councillor Brandon Clayton)

(Questions attached)

(a)  Mercian Regiment

Councillor Roger Bennett asked the following question of the Leader:

“In March 2009 Redditch Borough Council gave the freedom of the Borough to the Mercian Regiment. Since that time the 2nd Mercian Regiment which recruits from Worcestershire, have continued to serve all over the world including Afghanistan.

Following the Forces Day Parade recently held in Redditch there is a growing desire by residents to show their appreciation for those in the Armed Forces who protect and serve us.

Would he agree with me that we should allow our residents the opportunity to show their appreciation for our brave servicemen and women who are representing our town, by making a commitment and invite them to parade through the town at their earliest convenience?”

The Leader replied as follows:

He reported that he had contacted the Mercian Regiment so that they were aware the question was being put to this meeting.  Their response had been favourable although the Regiment was unlikely to be able to respond to a request to march until later in the summer.

“Members will know that the Mercian Regiment already have Freedom of the Borough and as a result the ability to march through the town as and when appropriate.

We are conscious that they are very busy at present on active duties but have been able to make contact with them to reaffirm our commitment to supporting a march as and when the time is right.

Obviously there are costs associated with a march and it is important that we factor these into our budgets – particularly now when finances are scarce.  Officers have estimated that the costs will be between approx. £2,250 to £2,750 and how they would be met would depend on the time of year the march was held.  If it was in 2014-15 the Council may be able to provide for it within budgets, otherwise it may be met from Reserves. 

On that note we now wait to hear from the Regiment in respect of timescales.  It might be worth noting however that Bromsgrove have been waiting for over a year due to the commitments of the Regiment so it may be a little while yet.

On another note I would like to advise Council that I am currently in discussions and working with the 37^th Signal Regiment to learn more about their role and the work that they do here in Redditch. Alan Mason will acknowledge the support they gave him during his mayoral year last year.

As members will know the Regiment is based in Redditch and a great number of our residents are associated with their activities.

They have invited all members of Council to visit their Headquarters to familiarise ourselves with their work and the support that they give to our armed forces with the view to considering a Council Motion to grant them the Freedom of the Borough.

I hope that members join with me in supporting this proposal and commit to attending the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

No motions had been submitted.

To receive the minutes and consider the recommendations and/or referrals from the following meetings of the Executive Committee:

11th June 2013

Matters requiring the Council’s consideration include:

• Financial Reserves Statement 2012/13;
• Access for Disabled People Task Group Monitoring Update;
• Compulsory Purchase Order - 11 Clent Avenue, Redditch; and
• Restructure Enabling Heads of Service.

(Reports and decisions attached. The Compulsory Purchase Order report contains exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended. For this reason it has been circulated to Members and relevant Officers only. In respect of the Restructure of the Enabling Heads of Service report, subsequent to the meeting of the Executive Committee the relevant parties were consulted on the contents of the report and thus the report and decision are no longer deemed exempt.)

9th July 2013

Matters requiring the Council’s consideration include:

• Council Plan.

(Decision attached. The draft Council Plan is available as part of the papers for the Executive Committee on 9^th July 2013. A final draft of the Council Plan as intended for general publication is to follow next week.)

(Minutes circulated in Minute Book 2 – 2013/14)

Councillor David Bush declared an Other Disclosable interest in minute no. 27 of the minutes of 9^th July and left the room during its consideration and determination.

Members considered the minutes of the Executive Committee meetings of 11^th June and 9^th July 2013.

11^th June

In proposing the recommendations contained in the minutes of the meeting of 11^th June, the Leader suggested that consideration of the recommendations at minute no. 18, Restructuring Enabling Heads of Service, be deferred to the next meeting of the Council.  This was due to the timescale between receipt of consultation feedback and the current meeting.  This was agreed.

During consideration of the recommendations relating to the Financial Reserves Statement, it was noted that the Council’s Section 151 officer would review the presentation of financial information to make it more accessible in future.

Further to a query arising from the recommendation at minute no.10 to install a canopy over the access ramp to Shopmobility, the Deputy Chief Executive confirmed that officers would ask Shopmobility if funding could be released to provide artwork for this similar to that decorating other bus shelters in the Borough.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the Executive Committee meetings held on 11^th June and 9^th July be received and all recommendations adopted, with the exception of the recommendation at minute no.18, 11^th June 2013, Enabling Heads of Service, which stands deferred for consideration at the next meeting of the Council.

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

Licensing Committee -                    1^st July 2013

Planning Committee -                     5^th June 2013

                                                            3^rd July 2013

(There are no matters requiring the Council’s consideration.)

(Minutes circulated in Minute Book 2 - 2013/14)

Members received the minutes of the meetings of the Licensing and Planning Committees.

RESOLVED that

1)    the minutes of the meeting of the Licensing Committee held on 1^st July 2013 be received and adopted; and

2)    the minutes of the meetings of the Planning Committee held on 5^th June and 3^rd July 2013 be received and adopted.

To consider the Scheme of Members' Allowances for 2013/14.

(Scheme attached)

The Council considered a report from the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services, which presented a Scheme of Members Allowances for 2013-14.

RESOLVED that

The Scheme of Members Allowances for 2013-14 be approved.

Members are asked to approve the re-scheduling of the September meeting of the Council to provide Officers with sufficient time to prepare the latest Local Plan No. 4 report.

The Council is requested to RESOLVE that

the rescheduling of the September meeting of the Council to Monday 9^th September 2013 be approved and the consequent rescheduling of the August meeting of the Executive Committee to Monday 2^nd September 2013 be noted.

The Council agreed rescheduling of the September meeting to enable officers to prepare the latest Local Plan no.4 report.

RESOLVED that

the rescheduling of the September meeting of the Council to Monday 9^th September be approved and the consequent rescheduling of the August meeting of the Executive Committee to Monday 2^nd September be noted.

There were no Urgent Decisions to note.

There was no separate items of urgent business to consider at this meeting.