Agenda for Council on Thursday, 14th December, 2017, 7.30 p.m.

There were no apologies for absence.

To receive any declarations of interest from Members in accordance with Part 2, Paragraph 9 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

 

Councillor Gordon declared a non-pecuniary interest in relation to Agenda item no.11 (Improving Delivery of Health Services in the Borough) as a member and representative of various bodies concerned with public health.  

To approve the minutes of the meetings of the Extraordinary Council Meeting and the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 12 October 2017.

 

The Minutes of the Extraordinary and Ordinary Council meetings held on 12 October 2017 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Mayor, subject to the addition ot Councillors Green and Carrion in the list of those Members present at the meeting.

 

(For voting see Appendix 3, Column 1.)

To receive any announcements from the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Chairmen of Committees or the Managing Director.

 

Announcement by the Mayor

 

The Mayor circulated to Members details of events himself and the Deputy Mayor had attended since the last Council meeting and specifically referenced the “Gifts for Kids at Christmas” initiative, which had seen generous donations made by residents and local businesses. The Civic Dinner had taken place on 24 November, and had received warm compliments from those attending. The Mayor also took the opportunity to acknowledge and thank those public service workers who would be working over the Christmas period, particularly those in the health and public protection sectors. The Mayor and Deputy Mayor would attend Waitrose in Billericay to support a collection for the Basildon Food Bank, and additionally a ‘relaxed’ showing of the pantomime in the Towngate Theatre, for children with special needs.

Council Procedure Rule 11 allows members of the public to ask questions of the Chairmen of Committees. There have been no questions received from members of the public.

 

There were no questions received from Members of the public.

Council Procedure Rule 11 allows Members of the Council to ask questions of the Chairmen of Committees. Any questions submitted by Members of the Council are set out in the agenda. The total time allocated for this is no more than thirty minutes.

 

Members may ask up to 2 supplementary questions and, if this is not done, the Mayor has the discretion to allow a supplementary question from another Member.

 

If a question is not reached or cannot be answered for some reason, a response will be given in writing after the meeting.

 

Under the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 11, replies were given to questions and supplementary questions submitted by Members of the Council

as set out in the agenda.

Council received and noted a report that set out the action taken in response to motions agreed at the previous Council meeting which provided assurance to the Council that its resolutions had been progressed, as well as providing an update on any resulting action.

The Chairman of the Housing and Community Committee submitted a report summarising the involvement and participation of Council tenants and leaseholders and detailing the outcomes of the recent review of tenant involvement. The report was being submitted to Council in response to a recent resolution of Council regarding the matter.

 

The Chairman advised that Council were being asked to note the arrangements set out in the report, or alternatively had the option to ask the Housing and Community Committee to investigate matters further.

 

RESOLVED –

 

That Council notes the arrangements regarding the involvement and participation of Council tenants and leaseholders as detailed in the report.

 

(For voting see Appendix, Column 2)

The Chairman of the Licensing Committee presented a report in relation to the issues previously raised in respect of private hire vehicles touting for business in the Borough, specifically at the Festival Leisure Park. The report was being submitted to Council in response to a recent resolution of Council regarding the matter. A report had been presented to the Licensing Committee on 29 November in relation to the issues of concern, and the report to Council took into account of the views of that committee.

 

RESOLVED –

 

That Council receives the response outlined in the body of this report and notes the actions taken and proposed in relation to the resolution of Council at its meeting on 12 October 2017 concerning Private Hire Vehicles and associated enforcement activity.

 

(For voting see Appendix, Column 3)

The Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee presented a report recommending to Council three changes to the current Local Council Tax Support Scheme (LCTS) for 2018/19 in line with the statutory requirement for approval of a scheme by 31 January 2018. The changes related to disabled residents, the treatment of bereavement support payments and the treatment of London and Manchester emergency payments.

 

Councillor Sheppard declared a pecuniary interest in respect of this item, and left the room for the debate and vote.

 

RESOLVED –

 

That the revised Local Council Tax Support scheme for 2018/19, as set out in Enclosure No. 2 of the report, be approved.

 

(For voting see Appendix, Column 4)

The Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee presented a report that set out proposals for joint working between the Council and Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital Trust to improve the delivery of health services in the borough.

 

The Council and the Hospital Trust had been working together on a number of strands of work over the past year. The previously approved Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Hospital Trust and the Council provided a framework for the two organisations to work together to utilise their differing skills, resources and assets to jointly take forward improvements to the delivery of health services for the residents of the Borough.

 

An amendment to the recommendations set out in the report was proposed by Councillor Allen and seconded by Councillor Hillier –

 

To delete from recommendation 2 of the report the words “Chairman of Policy and Resources” and substitute “Policy and Resources Committee”.

 

On being put to the vote, the amendment was lost.

 

(For voting see Appendix, Column 5)

 

RESOLVED –

 

That Council -

 

(1)  Allocates an initial capital sum as outlined in Enclosure No. 2 of the report to fund the new distribution hub and associated patient facilities as set out in the report.

 

(2)  Delegates authority to the Corporate Director (Chief Financial Officer) in consultation with the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee to amend the Council’s Capital and Revenue budget to reflect the final financial implications of the distribution hub and associated patient facilities in line with the financial arrangements set out in the report.

 

(For voting see Appendix, Column 6)

To consider excluding the public and press from the meeting during consideration of agenda item 13 only on the grounds that it is likely that if members of the public and press were present during consideration of the item, there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information as defined by Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and the public interest in maintaining this exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the public and press be excluded from the meeting during discussion of Agenda item 13 (Basildon Town Centre Regeneration – East Square) on the grounds that it was likely that, if members of the public and press were present during the item, there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and as set out in Paragraph 10 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules and the public interest in maintaining this exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

 

(For voting see Appendix, Column 7)

The Chairman of the Regeneration and Environment Committee presented a report setting out the financial implications, the funding requirements and next steps that are needed to enable the redevelopment of the East Square / East walk block to take place. The report also provided an update on the work undertaken in respect of the design development process, and an update in respect of negotiations that have been taking place in order to bring forward a cinema-led development in East Square.

 

An amendment to the recommendation set out in the report was proposed by Councillor Allen and seconded by Councillor Hillier –

 

To delete from recommendation 2, the words “Chairman of Policy and Resources” and substitute “Policy and Resources Committee”.

 

On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried.

 

(For voting see Appendix, Column 8)

 

RESOLVED –

 

That Council -

 

1.    Approves the funding strategy to progress the delivery of a cinema-led scheme in East Square and secure adjoining land interests as set out in the report;

 

2.    Approves that the design team are appointed to support the project to RIBA stage 4; and

 

3.    Delegates authority to the Corporate Director (Chief Financial Officer) in consultation with the Policy and Resources Committee to amend the Council’s Revenue and  Capital budget; 

 

(For voting see Appendix, Column 9)

(a)          To be moved by Councillor Hillier –

 

Pursuant to Procedure Rule 15, this Council instructs relevant officers of the Council to amend the Procedure Rules of the Council as follows:-

 

To delete from Procedure Rule 2(ix) 'meeting, not to be subject for debate.', and replace with 'meeting.'

 

Procedure Rule 2(ix) to then read 'Receive a report back on action taken in response to motion(s) agreed at previous Council meetings.'

(b)          To be moved by Councillor Smith -

Council resolves that the Regeneration and Environment Committee receives a report on the proposals to make Cherrydown East two way traffic as provided for in the Basildon Town Centre Regeneration Master plan and ensures that planned consultation on the proposals is appropriate.

 

(c)       To be moved by Councillor Schrader -

 

That this Council:

 

1.         Notes the recent parliamentary debates on Unauthorised Encampments held in the House of Commons on 9th October and in Westminster Hall on the 12th of that month and welcomes the contributions made by our three local MPs, Mark Francois, Stephen Metcalfe and John Baron.

 

2.         Believes that Basildon Borough is a tolerant community but that illegal encampments are blighting the lives of both the settled community and the majority of law-abiding members of our Gypsy & Traveller community, whose collective reputations are unjustly tarnished by the illegal actions of a lawless minority.

 

3.         Welcomes the announcement by the Department for Communities & Local Government that the Government are to consult on the effectiveness of enforcement against unauthorised developments and encampments and resolves to contribute positively to that consultation.

 

4.         Furthermore, strongly endorses the adoption of the so-called “Irish option” and calls on the Government to emulate the approach of the Irish Government by making such deliberate acts of trespass a criminal rather than a civil offence.

 

(d)          To be moved by Councillor Sullivan -

 

This Council does not agree to the proposed refurbishment of the St George’s Suite, as approved by the Policy and Resources Committee at its meeting of 30^th November 2017, and resolves to overturn the decision and re-allocate the funding for spending on community projects.

 

(e)       To deal with any notice of an emergency motion which the Mayor of the Council may permit in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13.

 

 

a)       It was moved by Councillor Hillier and seconded by Councillor D Morris –

 

Pursuant to Procedure Rule 15, this Council instructs relevant officers of the Council to amend the Procedure Rules of the Council as follows:-

 

To delete from Procedure Rule 2(ix) 'meeting, not to be subject for debate.', and replace with 'meeting.'

 

Procedure Rule 2(ix) to then read 'Receive a report back on action taken in response to motion(s) agreed at previous Council meetings.'

 

Upon being put to the vote the motion was lost.

 

(For voting see Appendix, Column 10)

 

 

b)        It was moved by Councillor Smith, seconded by Councillor Clancy and RESOLVED –

 

Council resolves that the Regeneration and Environment Committee receives a report on the proposals to make Cherrydown East two way traffic as provided for in the Basildon Town Centre Regeneration Master plan and ensures that planned consultation on the proposals is appropriate.

 

  (For voting see Appendix, Coulmn 11)

 

 

c)         A motion was moved by Councillor Schrader and seconded by Councillor Jackman.

 

Councillor Callaghan moved an amendment, seconded by Councillor Davies –

 

To delete the words in bullet point 4 and replace with:

 

“Furthermore, wishes for the Policy and Resources Committee to explore in more detail the so-called “Irish Option” and the merit of including this within the consultation response to Government in the form of a report to the Policy and Resources Committee with a verbal update to be presented to Full Council before the end of the municipal year”.

 

Upon being put to the vote the amendment was carried.

 

(For voting see Appendix, Column 12)

 

It was RESOLVED –

 

That this Council:

1.           Notes the recent parliamentary debates on Unauthorised Encampments held in the House of Commons on 9th October and in Westminster Hall on the 12th of that month and welcomes the contributions made by our three local MPs, Mark Francois, Stephen Metcalfe and John Baron.  

2.           Believes that Basildon Borough is a tolerant community but that illegal encampments are blighting the lives of both the settled community and the majority of law-abiding members of our Gypsy & Traveller community, whose collective reputations are unjustly tarnished by the illegal actions of a lawless minority.  

3.           Welcomes the announcement by the Department for Communities & Local Government that the Government are to consult on the effectiveness of enforcement against unauthorised developments and encampments and resolves to contribute positively to that consultation.  

4.           Furthermore, wishes for the Policy and Resources Committee to explore in more detail the so-called “Irish Option” and the merit of including this within the consultation response to Government in the form of a report to the Policy and Resources Committee with a verbal update to be presented to Full Council before the end of the municipal year.

 

(For voting see Appendix, Column 13)

 

 

(d)      A motion was moved by Councillor Sullivan and seconded by Councillor Sargent –

 

“This Council does not agree to the proposed refurbishment of the St George’s Suite, as approved by the Policy and Resources Committee at its  ...  view the full minutes text for item 692.