Agenda and minutes

The Mayor will open the meeting and welcome all present.

The Mayor’s Chaplain, the Reverend Jo Musson, will lead the Council in prayer.

The Mayor opened the meeting and welcomed all present. The Mayor thanked all those who had been involved in the carol service preceding the meeting, most particularly the children from Abbeywood and Matchborough First Schools and the Bridge Choir. The Mayor’s Chaplain, the Reverend Jo Musson, led the Council in prayer.

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

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Juliet Brunner, Nigel Hicks and Debbie Taylor.

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

Councillor Malcolm Hall declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 9 (Executive Committee) as detailed separately at Minute 69 below.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 1st November 2010.

(Minutes circulated in Minute Book 6 - 2010/11)

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 1st November 2010 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)         Mr Stevan Walton

The Mayor presented Mr Stevan Walton with a certificate in recognition of his sporting achievements at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi earlier in the year. Mr Walton had won gold medals in both the double trap and individual events in the clay pigeon shooting competition.

b)         Mayor’s Announcements

The Mayor advised that since the previous meeting of the Council she had attended various functions, including: the Council’s Fireworks Extravaganza at the Arrow Valley Park on Friday, 5th November, the Opening of Stitch in Time at the Winyates Craft Centre, the League of Friends of the Alexandra Hospital AGM, Remembrance Day at the Plymouth Road cenotaph on 11th November, then the services at both St Stephen’s and St George & St Mathias , Astwood Bank on Sunday, 14th November, a visit to Kohima House, 37 Signals Regiment Volunteer Reserve HQ, the Redditch Roadway Arts unveiling of  “Celebration of Redditch” mural, Redditch Operatic Society’s production of Beauty and the Beast, Oscars Night at The Bridge Church, Bewdley Guildhall Christmas Lights switch on, assorted Carol Services at local district centres, Bridge Church Christmas Fayre, Redditch Association for the Blind Christmas party, a reception for the Jamaican High Commissioner and the Caribbean Christmas event, an assembly at St Stephen’s First School with the Leader of the Council, Kingsley College’s awards evening and lastly, today the launch of the Big App in the Kingfisher Centre. Unfortunately, due to illness, the Mayor had been unable to attend Batchley Support Group’s Christmas event, the St John Ambulance Carol Concert and the Council’s own Pantomime, Mother Goose, at the Palace.

c)         Forthcoming events

The Mayor advised that forthcoming events included: the opening of Osprey House for NEW College, Bromsgrove District Council’s carol service, the staff quiz and the Churches Together carol service in the town centre.

d)         Urgent Business

The Mayor advised that she had accepted one late report, Item 8, the Executive Committee decision notice for the meeting on 2nd December.

To receive a report from the Leader on matters considered to be of significance to the Council.

(No separate report / oral update – Minutes of the meeting of the Local Strategic Partnership held on 8th November 2010 attached for information)

The Leader’s Announcement was considered under the following heading:

Shopmobility

The Leader invited the Deputy Chief Executive to read a statement concerning the operation of the Council’s Shopmobility Service. It was announced that the Council would regrettably have to cease providing this additional service on Bank Holidays and a number of Sundays leading into Christmas. The reason for this action was a reduction in the amount of funding provided by Scottish Widows, owners of the Kingfisher Centre, about which the Council had received no advance notice.

To consider the following Questions for the Leader, which have been submitted in accordance with Standing Order 8A:

1.         “Brockhill S106”

            (Ms Pattie Hill)

2.         Housing Problems

            (Mr Luke Stephens)

3.         Social Care

            (Mr Neal Stote)

(Questions attached)

The Leader responded to three questions submitted in accordance with Standing Order 8A, as follows:

1.         “Brockhill S106”

            (Ms Pattie Hill)

Ms Hill’s question related to the full adoption of the Brockhill estate and the consequent release of Section 106 monies.

The Leader responded that the adoption process had been complex, particularly in relation to drainage matters. Officers were working to bring matters to a satisfactory conclusion whilst avoiding any detriment to the Council.

2.         Housing Problems

            (Mr Luke Stephens)

Mr Stephen’s question related to comments made at earlier meetings of the Council in respect of proposals to remove lifetime tenancies for those in the rented sector.

The Leader responded that whilst social housing was imperative for some sections of the community most people aspired to own their own homes and such people should be encouraged to buy starter or shared equity properties where this was an option. There was a very substantial waiting list for housing within the Borough and, although levels of homelessness were reducing over time, turnover rates were still low.

3.         Social Care

            (Mr Neal Stote)

Mr Stote’s question related to the recent NHS White Paper and the implications of the proposals on the provision of social care by local authorities.

The Leader responded that such matters fell within the remit of the County Council. As a consequence, the question had been passed to County Councillor Gretton, Cabinet Member for Adult Services, who would be responding in writing in due course.

To consider a Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor G Vickery in accordance with Standing Order 6, concerning Worcestershire County Council Highways Services.

(Report attached)

A Notice of Motion had been submitted by Councillor Graham Vickery. Councillor Carole Gandy gave notice of an amendment to the Motion and so the original Motion was consequently seconded by Councillor Bill Hartnett.

The Council was advised that a system was required that allowed both Councillors and the public to access Officers in order that concerns over local highways issues might be discussed and resolved to the greater satisfaction of local residents and their elected representatives. It was contended that the infrastructure was both fallible and risky as a result of under-investment and to the detriment of local residents. It was further contended that the removal of the Highways Partnership Units had not led to an improvement of the situation.

The Leader of the Council put forward an amendment to the original Motion, noting that an Overview and Scrutiny Review of the HUB had recently been undertaken by the County Council. It was hoped that the recommendations arising out of the review might lead to the changes desired across the Borough Council and the County Council was encouraged to implement the recommendations as soon as possible. Following on from discussion of the review, it was suggested that the most effective means of having highways issues resolved was through contact with the relevant local County Councillors. The amendment received the majority of votes and it was duly

RESOLVED that

the Motion be approved in the following terms:

"The Council is gravely concerned about the unresponsiveness of the County Council to highway issues raised by members of the public and some Borough Councillors in Redditch as identified in the recent WorcestershireCounty Council Overview and Scrutiny review of the Worcestershire Hub.

We welcome the recommendations of the Worcestershire County Council Overview and Scrutiny review as a means of improving the responsiveness of County Council officers on highways and other issues raised by either the public or Councillors.

We urge the County Council to implement these recommendations as early as possible as part of a general improvement of the highways and other services for the residents of Redditch in a modern and effective system of communication.

The Leader of the [Borough] Council is instructed to monitor progress towards this aim and report back as appropriate during Leader's Announcements."

A.        To formally receive the minutes of the Executive Committee held on 20th October 2010

(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 6 – 2010/11)

B.        To receive the minutes and consider the recommendations and/or referrals arising from the following meeting of the Executive Committee:

10th November 2010

Matters requiring the Council’s consideration include:

·                    Climate Change Strategy; and

·                    Review of Dial A Ride Service.

(Reports and Decisions attached – Appendices to reports available on the Council’s website and as hard copy in Group Rooms)

(Minutes circulated in Minute Book 6 – 2010/11)

C.        To receive the decisions notice and consider the recommendations and/or referrals from the following meeting of the Executive Committee:

2nd December 2010

Matters requiring the Council’s consideration include:

·                    New Cemetery – Site and Funding;

·                    Tenant Involvement Agreement; and

·                    Voluntary and Community Sector Grants Policy.

(Reports and decisions to follow)

(Decision notice to follow)

Members received the minutes of the meetings of the Executive Committee held on 20th October and 10th November 2010 and the decision notice of the meeting of the Executive Committee on 2nd December 2010.

RESOLVED that

1)         the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 20th October 2010 be received and adopted;

2)         the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 10th November 2010 be received and all recommendations approved, subject to:

in respect of Minute 112 (Climate Change Strategy) it being further RESOLVED that

the second recommendation to Council be amended to read “100% of the savings from the Salix project be reinvested into further climate change work following the paying back of the original loan”; and

3)         the decision notice of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 2nd December 2010 be received and all recommendations approved, subject to:

in respect of Minute 124 (Tenant Involvement Agreement) it being further resolved that consideration of this item be deferred to the next ordinary meeting of the Council to allow Members the opportunity to consider the updated Agreement document.

(Prior to consideration of this item, and in accordance with the requirements of Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000, Councillor Malcolm Hall declared a personal and prejudicial interest in view of the fact that he held positions of influence on certain beneficiary organisations (Minute 125 – Voluntary and Community Sector Grants Policy).

To formally receive the minutes and/or consider the recommendations/ referrals arising from of the following meetings of the Council’s Regulatory Committees:

Licensing Committee           -           29th November 2010  (Recommendations                                                            only)

Planning Committee -           9th November 2010

(Reports and Decisions attached – Appendices to reports available on the Council’s website and as hard copy in Group Rooms)

(Minutes circulated in Minute Book 6 – 2010/11)

The Council received the minutes of the recent meeting of the Planning Committee and recommendations from the recent meeting of the Licensing Committee.

RESOLVED that

1)         the recommendations of the Licensing Committee held on 29th November 2010 be approved; and

2)         the minutes of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 9th November 2010 be received and adopted.

A number of matters, including the Revised Preferred Draft Core Strategy were not in a position to be considered at the present meeting of the Council but require resolution prior to February 2010 and the following Council meeting. It has therefore been proposed, in consultation with the Mayor and Leader of the Council, that an additional meeting of the Council be arranged for mid-January, to be preceded by an additional meeting of the Executive Committee.It is therefore

RECOMMENDED that

an additional meeting of the Council, to be preceded by an additional meeting of the Executive Committee, be held on Monday, 10th January 2011.

(No separate report)

The Council considered a request that an additional meeting of the Council be convened to conduct business that required resolution prior to February 2011.

RESOLVED that

an additional meeting of the Council, to be preceded by an additional meeting of the Executive Committee, be held on Monday, 10th January 2011.

To consider the appointment of a Members to fill a vacancy that has arisen on the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Panel subsequent to the Annual Meeting.

The Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Panel comprises five Members and there is currently one vacancy which, under normal proportionality rules, would fall to the Majority Party to fill. Previously, this position was taken by the Liberal Democrat Group but they do not wish to put forward an alternative Member to fill this vacancy.

(No separate report)

The Council considered a nomination to fill a vacancy on the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Panel.

RESOLVED that

Councillor Roger Hill be appointed to the Crime and Disorder Scrutiny Panel.

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 her by virtue of Section 100(B)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

(This power should be exercised only in 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.