Agenda and minutes

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest in any item on the agenda.

 There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 18 December 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2019 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

The Mayor gave a presentation of his engagements since the last Council meeting, which included a long service award to a member of the street

cleansing team. A Diamond Wedding Anniversary had been celebrated in Brinsley and an annual duck race in Toton had been attended. Members were reminded that a number of events were planned for Friday, 8 May across the borough

To invite Councillors to consider and agree or amend a new corporate plan for the remaining period of the council’s term of office.

The following amendment was proposed by Councillor M Radulovic MBE and seconded by Councillor S J Carr:

This Council accepts that everybody has the right to freedom of speech and peaceful protest and that residents of Broxtowe will have wide and varying opinions on the matter of abortion. However, we believe the vigil by 40 Days for Life outside the Stapleford Health Centre is intimidatory to residents in Broxtowe. Everybody has the right to access NHS healthcare advice and treatment, and this Council believes this access should be unquestioned and unobstructed by any kind of demonstration, project or vigil. Any direction that may be offered by such organisations is not sufficient substitute for professional advice and/or treatment from a doctor or healthcare professional. Furthermore, this Council is of the opinion that such demonstrations should not be directed at potentially vulnerable service users and not located in a place where a service is provided or accessed. We fully support the rights of all residents of Broxtowe to access legal, safe NHS healthcare options, advice and treatments and oppose any attempt to prevent this access, whether positive or otherwise. We propose this is referred to Community Safety to monitor and implement any action they deem needed to ensure the freedom of access.

The amendment was accepted. Members discussed the Corporate Plan and considered it to be a positive document. The Let’s Talk consultation had been well received. Officers were commended for their hard work and the ‘You said, we did’ approach to the document.

68.1       Independent Remuneration Panel – 23 January 2020

Pay Award and Review of Allowances

Councillors considered the proposals from the Independent Remuneration Panel which had met on 23 January 2020. An award of 2% per annum across the payroll had been set aside in the budget for 2020/21. The Panel had agreed in September 2015 that this should also apply to Member allowance rates. There had been no increase in member’s allowances since 2015/16.

RESOLVED that the basic and special responsibility allowance rates for councillors be increased in line with any pay award increase for the main group of Broxtowe employees (excluding senior managers).

68.2    Policy and Performance Committee – 5 February 2020

Terms of Reference for Committees

Members considered the amendments to the Constitution. It was noted that responsibilities had changed since the move to a committee system of governance. Extra Committees had also been formulated in May 2019.

RESOLVED that the Terms of Reference be approved, as amended and the consequential changes to the Constitution be made.

68.3       Finance and Resources Committee – 13 February 2020

Car Park Charges

Members discussed the options regarding car park charges. It was debated whether income would increase or decline due to the proposed changes.

A recorded vote was proposed by Councillor R I Jackson and seconded by a minimum of five other Councillors. The voting was as follows:

RESOLVED that the option 3 be approved with the decision to be reviewed one year after its implementation.

To recommend approval of revisions to the Constitution.

The Committee considered the revisions to the Constitution. Revisions to the Financial Regs (contracts) were needed to reflect current procurement arrangements. The New Procurement Strategy had been approved at Policy and Performance Committee on 3 July 2019. Proper Officer functions were also in need of review in order to reflect the current management structure. The Council has a legal duty to keep its Constitution up to date and in line with legislation.

RESOLVED that the revisions to the Financial Regs (Contracts) and the Proper Officer Functions be approved.

To seek Council approval for the Pay Policy Statement for 2020/21.

Section 38 of the Localism Act 2001 requires Local Authorities to publish an annual Pay Policy Statement. This is to increase accountability in relation to payments made to senior members of staff.

RESOLVED that the Pay Policy Statement for 2020/21 be approved.

To recommend the appointment of an Interim Monitoring Officer for the Council.

An appointment panel had recommended to the Council that the role of Interim Monitoring Officer be made with immediate effect. The panel had also carried out some shortlisting of further candidates they wished to see with a view to interviews for a permanent candidate for the role.

RESOLVED that the appointment be made for Broxtowe Borough Council’s Interim Monitoring Officer until the Annual Council Meeting 13 May 2020.

The Leader thanked the Environment team for their efforts during the recent floods. Financial help had been made available to those affected. Further measures would be put to the Finance and Resources Committee. It was still uncertainty what the ‘fair funding’ review would propose in regards to business rates. It was expected to favour those with a social care function, however.

It was confirmed that the level of the New Homes Bonus would be lower for 2020/21 at £110,350.

A proposal to increase Broxtowe Borough Councils element on Council Tax would mean a £5 annual increase for Band D properties. This would ensure sustainable investment and continued growth. The Stapleford Town Deal now had an Executive Board Stakeholder Group and had secured representation from all tiers of local government and the private sector. Investment in parks would continue and money would be set aside for mental health initiatives.

£1,167,316 was to be drawn from the general reserves with an aim to balance the budget over the lifetime of the medium term financial strategy.

The following amendment was moved by the Conservative Group:

The Council is asked to RESOLVE that:

Resolution 1 bullet point 2 be amended to read:

·      The general fund revenue budgets as submitted be reduced by £277,716 – comprising additional employee savings of £200,000

·      A reduction of £17,716 in member’s allowances

·      A reduction of £40,000 in car parking income and cancellation of increases to charges

·      £20,000 to implement a flood warden scheme with Town and Parish Councils and residents in unparished areas

Bullet point 7 be amended from £1,167,316 to £889,600 accordingly.

A recorded vote was proposed by Councillor R I Jackson and seconded by a minimum of five other Councillors. The voting was as follows:

The amendment, on being put to the meeting, was lost. Members proceeded with the original proposals.

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was required. The voting was as follows: