Minutes for Council meeting, Jan 19 2010, 6.00PM official page

To receive announcements by the Chairman of the Council, if any, and any communication she may desire to lay before the Council.

The Chairman reported that the only function attended since the last meeting had been the staff Christmas party and she thanked those Members who had attended despite the bad weather.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 15 December 2009.

The minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 15 December 2009 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

Part I of the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 January 2010.

(Notes:  (1)  Reports referred to in recommendations in the Cabinet minutes were generally circulated to all members with the agenda for the Cabinet meeting and have not been re-printed/re-circulated.  Members are especially asked to bring to the Council Meeting the Pathfinder Support Services Project reports circulated separately with the Cabinet Agenda.

              (2)  With respect the recommendations regarding the Proposed Farnham Royal Conservation Area, a copy of the full report submitted to the Sustainable Development PAG, including the draft Character Appraisal, has been placed in the Members Room).

The Leader, Mr Busby, presented the report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 January 2010.  Each minute of the Cabinet was introduced by the relevant Portfolio Holder respectively.

With reference to minute 68 [Budget 2010/11] the Leader explained that the Cabinet had taken the view that the target increase for the District Council Tax should be 2%.  This had been included in the consultation on the draft budget with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Parishes and representatives of the business sector which was now under way.

With reference to minute 81 and recommendations regarding the proposed Farnham Royal Conservation Area, the Sustainable Development Portfolio Holder reported that the Conservation and Design Officer could assist Slough Borough with character appraisal work to further the designation of a Conservation Area on its side of the boundary, with only minimal delay to the South Bucks Conservation Area review programme.

Under minute 73 [Environment Portfolio Holder Report] comment was made about the efforts to maintain waste and recycling collections through the extended period of bad weather.  Thanks were expressed to the in-house team for keeping members and the public informed about the timing and progress of collections.  There would be a review of whether any other action was appropriate with the contractors, Verdant, in terms of preparedness for such circumstances, or whether work in town/village centres needed to undertaken in such poor weather conditions.

With reference to minute 74 [Pathfinder Support Services Project] the Council had before them the detailed report prepared for the Cabinet as well as the full minute of the Cabinet proceedings.  It was reported that decisions had been taken by the Bucks Fire and Rescue Service and Aylesbury Vale District Council to withdraw from the Support Services Project.  As had been explained at the Cabinet meeting, decisions of other partners to withdraw from the project would affect the costs of the remaining partners in going forward to the final tender stage.  Further information relating to the cost implications was reported (in Part II of the meeting, as set out below) which the Council took into account before turning to consider a revised proposal.

The Leader tabled a revised proposal regarding a decision about the Support Services Project, to enable the Council to reach a decision having regard to the decisions of other Partner Authorities on whether to withdraw or continue.  The revised proposal was put as an amendment to the recommendations in the Cabinet minutes, was adopted by the Council (and is set out in full in the resolution below).

RESOLVED to:

(1)    receive and adopt the report, subject to amendment of the recommendations in minute 74, as set out in (2) to (5) below;

(2)    agree to move to the next stage of the Support Services procurement process, which is the invitation to submit detailed proposals stage (ISDP) and that both IBM and Mouchel should be invited to submit those detailed proposals, but that in the event of any other partner making the decision to withdraw,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

Report of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 16 December 2009.

The report of the Planning Committee held on 16 December 2009 was presented.

RESOLVED that the report be received and adopted.

Part I of report of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 10 December 2009.

The Part I report of the Audit Committee held on 10 December 2009 was presented.

With reference to minute 19 [2007/08 and 2008/09 Accounts] the Council was pleased to note that the External Auditors had issued an unqualified opinion on the 2008/09 accounts.

RESOLVED that the report be received and adopted.

To receive report from Cllr Kathie Webber on attendance at the ACTVaR meeting held on 4 December 2009 [annexed separately].

(1)       The Council received a report from Cllr Kathie Webber on the final meeting of ACTVaR, held on 4 December 2009.

(2)       Cllr Dev Dhillon reported the thanks of Dorney and Farnham Royal Parish Councils for the action of the Council through the Community Portfolio Holder, for the allocation of funds from the Government’s “investment in play” programme and for assistance with sites for new play areas.  Cllr Dhillon also drew Members’ attention to a forthcoming meeting of the Slough Social Fund and the opportunity for local organisations to apply for funding.

The Chairman to move the following resolution:-

“That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.”

Part II report of:

Cabinet – 12 January 2010 (reasons set out in appropriate minute)

Audit Committee – 10 December 2009 (reasons set out in minute 26).

RESOLVED that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Cabinet

(Paragraphs 1 and 3 – because of information relating to any individual; information relating to the financial or business affairs of a particular person).

The Council considered the Part II report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 January 2010.  With reference to the Pathfinder Support Services Project, additional information relating to the financial implications of partner authorities withdrawing from the project was reported.

Audit Committee

(Paragraph 3 – because of information relating to the financial or business affairs of a particular person).

The Council considered, received and adopted the Part II report of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 10 December 2009.  

Part II of report of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 January 2010.

Part II report of the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 10 December 2009.