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Decision Maker: Council
Made at meeting: 21/02/2018 - Council
Decision published: 27/02/2018
Effective from: 21/02/2018
Decision:
(1) Market Environmental Strategy (Minute 112)
The Leader MOVED, seconded by Councillor R J Chesterton:
THAT the recommendation of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 112 be ADOPTED.
Upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
(2) National Non Domestic Rates (Minute 114)
The Leader MOVED, seconded by Councillor P H D Hare-Scott:
THAT the recommendation of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 114 (1-3) be ADOPTED.
The MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
(3) Budget (Minute 115)
The Leader MOVED, seconded by Councillor P H D Hare-Scott:
THAT the recommendation of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 115 (a) – (h) be ADOPTED.
Following debate, the Chairman MOVED in accordance with Procedure Rule 19.7:
“THAT the vote in respect of this MOTION shall be by Roll Call”
A roll call of Members present at the meeting was then taken.
Those voting FOR the MOTION: Councillors Mrs E M Andrews, Mrs H Bainbridge, Mrs A R Berry, Mrs J B Binks, A Bush, R J Chesterton, Mrs C A Collis, Mrs F J Colthorpe, D R Coren, N V Davey, Mrs C P Daw, W J Daw, R M Deed, Mrs G Doe, C J Eginton, R Evans, S G Flaws, Mrs S Griggs, P H D Hare-Scott, P J Heal, Mrs B M Hull, D J Knowles, R F Radford, F J Rosamond, C R Slade, Miss C E L Slade, Mrs E J Slade, J D Squire, Mrs M E Squires and R L Stanley.
Those voting AGAINST the MOTION: Councillors: Mrs J Roach and R Wright.
Those ABSTAINING from voting: Councillors R J Dolley, J M Downes, F W Letch, T W Snow, L D Taylor and N Way.
The MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
(4) Capital Programme (Minute 116)
The Leader MOVED, seconded by Councillor P H D Hare-Scott:
THAT the recommendation of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 116 (a) – (b) be ADOPTED.
Following debate, the Chairman MOVED in accordance with Procedure Rule 19.7:
“THAT the vote in respect of this MOTION shall be by Roll Call”
A roll call of Members present at the meeting was then taken.
Those voting FOR the MOTION: Councillors Mrs H Bainbridge, Mrs A R Berry, Mrs J B Binks, A Bush, R J Chesterton, Mrs C A Collis, Mrs F J Colthorpe, D R Coren, N V Davey, Mrs C P Daw, W J Daw, Mrs G Doe, J M Downes, C J Eginton, R Evans, S G Flaws, Mrs S Griggs, P H D Hare-Scott, P J Heal, Mrs B M Hull, D J Knowles, R F Radford, F J Rosamond, C R Slade, Miss C E L Slade, Mrs E J Slade, T W Snow, J D Squire, Mrs M E Squires and R L Stanley.
Those voting AGAINST the MOTION: Councillors: R M Deed, R J Dolley, F W Letch, Mrs J Roach, L D Taylor and R Wright.
Those ABSTAINING from voting: Councillors: Mrs E M Andrews and N A Way.
The MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
(5) Establishment (Minute 118)
The Leader MOVED, seconded by Councillor C R Slade:
THAT the recommendation of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 118 be ADOPTED.
Councillor Mrs J Roach asked why agency workers were not included in the Establishment report. The Chief Executive explained that the Council pays for staff resource in a number of ways including via agency and as part of other ad-hoc commissions. However, the Establishment report is specifically and explicitly concerned with staff on the Council’s payroll as employees of the Council.
Following debate and upon a vote being taken the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
(6) Policy Framework (Minute 119)
The Leader MOVED, seconded by Councillor Mrs M E Squires:
THAT the recommendation of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 119 be ADOPTED.
Upon a vote being taken the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
Decision Maker: Council
Made at meeting: 21/02/2018 - Council
Decision published: 27/02/2018
Effective from: 21/02/2018
Decision:
The Leader presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 9 February 2018.
Arising thereon:
1. LOCAL PLAN REVIEW UPDATE
The Leader MOVED, seconded by Councillor R J Chesterton:
THAT the recommendations of the Cabinet as set out in Minute 127 be ADOPTED.
The Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration was invited to provide answers to questions posed in public question time.
With regard to the robustness of the process, LUC (Land Use Consultants) were asked for an independent assessment, this was undertaken, they did not look at the site assessments, they felt this unnecessary as the site assessments had already considered reasonable alternatives. It was the officers view that they had considered any reasonable alternatives. Officers were not in the business of making recommendations that were flawed or biased. Officers were of the view that the findings of the review did not steer the Council to a different conclusion from the previous decision made and the plan as submitted.
She had heard all the representations regarding the use of the alternative site at Mountain Oak however it was felt that the Policy SP2 allocation was appropriate. There were several questions regarding transport issues, highway safety, access and pedestrian issues; the Highway Authority had not objected to the site. Improvement would be required to the pedestrian access and a minor modification had been submitted to the Inspector for a further policy criterion proposed with regard to improved pedestrian connectivity. The officer’s view was that we should not change our position with regard to Policy SP2
With regard to the ministerial statement regarding the deadline for submissions: there was still a Government imperative and advice for the speeding up of plan making. Officers had referenced the end of March 2017 for submission and had identified the risk of intervention to be low.
With regard to the questions received from the Inspector on the major modifications to the plan including site SP2, this was all part of the examination process, officers did not believe that the inspector was indicating lack of soundness. There had been no request to date from the Inspector for a pre-examination hearing. Within Planning Inspectorate advice on plan examinations it is stated that Inspectors will seek to identify any fundamental concerns early in the examination process. No such concerns have been raised. Planning Inspectors usually advised if flaws had been found and any issues would have been raised at an early stage; there had been no request for additional information. Policy SP2 meets the standards met by other policies within the plan; the Local Plan was read as a whole and there was a need to have regard to all the policies including Policy DM25.
With regard to the access issues, officers felt that the site was sustainable, particularly with the addition of a new criterion for access and pedestrian issues.
With regard to flood risk from the canal, the sustainability appraisal drew evidence from the strategic flood risk assessment; Officers felt that it would have been an omission if it had not been part of the sustainability appraisal.
The request for an adjournment: legal advice had been received from the Council’s barrister. It had been appropriate and proportionate to take the advice and adjourn the process for the independent assessment of the major modifications stage sustainability appraisal.
With regard to employment at J27 and the housing requirement, the recorded information was: full time equivalent of 1186 jobs, the number of additional homes required would be 260 over the Local Plan period, (13 per annum) A live planning application had been submitted on the site SP2 as a response to the lack of a 5 year land supply.
With regard to issues affecting disability, an equality impact assessment had been submitted with the plan.
The Forward Planning Team Leader referring to the use of agricultural land stated that yes, the allocation SP2 was on Grade 2 agricultural land and yes it was best and most versatile land, but it was felt that the parcel of land was not a significant loss in weighing up the merits of the allocation. He spoke of the engagement between officers and the public and he recognised that local people valued their local place.
Following discussion and upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
Notes:
i) Councillor R F Radford declared a disclosable pecuniary interest with regard to Policy SP2 as his brother owned a property on Turnpike and chose to leave the meeting during the discussion thereon;
ii) Councillor Mrs J Roach requested that her vote against the decision be recorded.
Decision Maker: Council
Made at meeting: 21/02/2018 - Council
Decision published: 27/02/2018
Effective from: 21/02/2018
Decision:
The Council had before it a * report of the Group Manager for Legal Services and Monitoring Officer informing Members of a review undertaken by the Independent Remuneration Panel and their recommendations.
The Chairman MOVED, THAT:
a) That the Basic Allowance to be paid to all Councillors remain at the current level of £4,865 pa with any increases being linked to the staff pay award.
Upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
The Chairman MOVED, THAT:
b) That Special Responsibility Allowances be paid to the following Members at the unchanged levels indicated below:
Position |
Weighting x basic |
SRA |
Leader of the Council |
3.00 |
£14,595 |
Deputy Leader |
1.50 |
£7,298 |
Cabinet Member |
1.25 |
£6,081 |
Scrutiny Committee Chair |
1.25 |
£6,081 |
PDG Chair |
0.75 |
£3,649 |
Audit Committee Chair |
0.75 |
£3,649 |
Planning Committee Chair |
1.25 |
£6,081 |
Licensing/Regulatory Chair |
0.25 |
£1,216 |
Standards Chair |
0.25 |
£1,216 |
Chairman of the Council |
0.50 |
£2,433 |
Upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
The Chairman MOVED, THAT:
c) To confirm that no Member should be entitled to claim more than one Special Responsibility Allowance.
Upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
The Chairman MOVED, THAT:
d) Carers’ allowances be calculated on the current basis namely, the actual expenditure up to the national living wage of a person over 25.
Upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
The Chairman MOVED, THAT:
e) Travel allowances be linked to HMRC rates and calculated at the national levels indicated, currently:
o 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles
o 25p per mile thereafter
o 5p per mile per passenger carried (up to a maximum of 4 passengers payable to the driver)
o 25p per mile for pushbikes
o 24p per mile for motorcycles
NB: To be increased in line with HMRC rates from 1 April 2018 once known.
Upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
The Chairman MOVED, THAT:
f) The subsistence allowances be linked to those of the staff, currently these are as follows:
o Breakfast - £7.20
o Lunch - £9.94
o Tea - £3.91
o Dinner - £12.30
NB: To be increased in line with HMRC rates from 1 April 2018 once known.
Upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
The Chairman MOVED, THAT:
g) All claims for travel and subsistence reimbursement be accompanied by an appropriate receipt.
Upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
The Chairman MOVED, THAT:
h) An annual digital allowance of £150 continue to be paid to Member using digital devices only.
Upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
The Chairman MOVED, THAT:
i) Members of the Authority are not entitled to pensions and therefore neither the basic allowance nor SRA be treated as an allowance in respect of which pensions are payable.
Upon a vote being taken, the MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED.
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Decision Maker: Council
Made at meeting: 21/02/2018 - Council
Decision published: 21/02/2018
Effective from: 21/02/2018
Decision:
The Chairman MOVED,
“THAT the Council Tax for 2018/19 be increased by 2.998% being £197.91 (in accordance with the revised referendum limit ability of 3% or £5 per Band D property)”
With regard to the draft Council Tax resolution in respect of the year 2018/19.
The Chairman MOVED the resolutions to confirm the requirement from the Collection Account for the year 2018/19.
The Chairman MOVED in accordance with Procedure Rule 19.7:
“THAT the vote in respect of this item shall be by Roll Call”
A roll call of Members present at the meeting was then taken.
Those voting FOR the MOTION: Councillors Mrs H Bainbridge, Mrs A R Berry, Mrs J B Binks, A Bush, R J Chesterton, Mrs C A Collis, Mrs F J Colthorpe, D R Coren, N V Davey, Mrs C P Daw, W J Daw, R M Deed, Mrs G Doe, J M Downes, C J Eginton, R Evans, S G Flaws, Mrs S Griggs, P H D Hare-Scott, P J Heal, Mrs B M Hull, D J Knowles, R F Radford, F J Rosamond, C R Slade, Miss C E L Slade, Mrs E J Slade, J D Squire, Mrs M E Squires, R L Stanley and L D Taylor.
Those voting AGAINST the MOTION: Councillors; Mrs J Roach and T W Snow.
Those ABSTAINING from voting: Councillors: Mrs E M Andrews, R J Dolley and N A Way.
The MOTION was declared to have been CARRIED and it was accordingly:-
RESOLVED that the recommendations within the report be approved.
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to the signed minutes.