Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Auld, Hastings, Grainger, Mrs Manning, Diane Smith and Colin Smith.  Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Benington, Buttinger, Samaris Huntington-Thresher and Tickner.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Auld, Hastings, Grainger, Mrs Manning, Diane Smith and Colin Smith.  Apologies for lateness were received from Councillors Benington, Buttinger, Samaris Huntington-Thresher and Tickner.

Minutes confirmed, subject to the addition of Councillor Beckley to the list of members present.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 20^th February 2012 were confirmed, subject to the addition of Councillor Beckley to the list of members present.

Councillor Lymer declared an interest in item 8 – Financial Allocations – Special one-off initiatives and Transfer of PCT Funding as her mother worked in Public Health.

Councillor Lymer declared an interest in item 8 – Financial Allocations – Special one-off initiatives and Transfer of PCT Funding as her mother worked in Public Health.

One member of the public attended to ask an oral question at the meeting.

There was one member of the public who attended to ask an oral question at the meeting, details of which are attached as Appendix A to the Minutes.

There were 13 questions asked.

These are attached as Appendices B and C.

There were no Statements made at the meeting.

There were no Statements made at the meeting.

Recommendation 1 amended at the meeting and the following agreed:

1a)  approval be given to set aside, from the current years projected underspend a sum of £2.62m to be earmarked against the member priority initiatives announced at the last Council Meeting on 20^th February 2012;

1b)  these priority schemes to be delivered by the Executive or Portfolio Holders, as appropriate after consultation with Ward Members and to be subject to pre-decision scrutiny in the normal way;

2)  it also be noted that the detailed arrangements for these initiatives will be reported to the Executive as appropriate; and

 3)  approval be given for a sum of £4,995,000 to be set aside as an earmarked reserve to ensure the support of key initiatives relating to the integration of health and social care.

At the last meeting during consideration of the setting of the Council Tax for 2012/13 (Minute 44) the Leader of the Council had made reference to a number of one off initiatives that would be funded from underspend in 2011/12 further details of which would be reported to the Executive.  The Executive at its meeting on 7^th March 2012 had been advised of the proposals as well as the notification of a request from the PCT to transfer funding to the Council for which formal approval was now required.

An amendment to the recommendations by the Executive was proposed by Councillor Carr and seconded by Councillor Arthur as follows:

1a)  approval be given to set aside, from the current years projected underspend a sum of £2.62m to be earmarked against the member priority initiatives announced at the last Council Meeting on 20^th February 2012;

1b)  these priority schemes to be delivered by the Executive or Portfolio Holders, as appropriate after consultation with Ward Members and to be subject to pre-decision scrutiny in the normal way;

2)  it also be noted that the detailed arrangements for these initiatives will be reported to the Executive as appropriate; and

 3)  approval be given for a sum of £4,995,000 to be set aside as an earmarked reserve to ensure the support of key initiatives relating to the integration of health and social care.

On being put to the vote the amended recommendations were CARRIED.

a)  Revision of Licensing Policy 2012

A Motion to adopt the changes to the Statement of Licensing Policy set out in appendices 1, 2 and 3 was duly proposed and seconded. 

The  Motion was CARRIED. 

b)  Programme of meetings 2012/13 and start times of meetings

A Motion to approve the following action was duly proposed and seconded:

i)  the proposed Programme of Meetings for 2012/13, as amended in the report; and

ii)  the recommendation that from 2012/13 onwards, the normal evening start time for full Council meetings, Committee and Sub-Committee meetings would be 7pm, subject to each body retaining the flexibility to start at a different time if necessary, as well as further day time meetings being permitted where there was agreement from all relevant members.

The Motion was CARRIED.

c)  Members Allowances Scheme 2012/13

A Motion to approve the Members Allowances Scheme 2012/13 (Appendix D) was proposed, seconded and adopted.

d)  Pay Policy Statement

A Motion to approve the Pay Policy Statement (Appendix E), as amended in the report, was proposed, seconded and adopted.

The recommendations were agreed.

A Motion to approve the changes to the Scheme of Delegation and Constitution to reflect the new Education and Care Services Department, its functions and the new Chief Officer post was proposed, seconded and adopted.

Notice of 3 Motions had been received and were dealt with as follows:

1)  Loyal Address – The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee –

(moved by the Mayor, Councillor David McBride, and seconded by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Carr)

“Your Majesty

The Mayor, on behalf of the Councillors, Honorary Aldermen and the residents of the London Borough of Bromley, sends loyal greetings to Your Majesty on the occasion of the Diamond Anniversary of your accession to the throne.

For sixty years Your Majesty has provided wise counsel and dedicated and exemplary service to the people of this country and the Commonwealth.

Throughout your reign you have been supported by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and we send him our warmest thanks and greetings.

The people of Bromley recall with great pleasure your previous visits to the Borough and, in particular, that in 1986 when you formally opened our Council Chamber.

Your Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee is a unique occasion in the history of our Nation, and it is with great pride that we look forward to Your Majesty’s visit to the London Borough of Bromley on 15^th May and give you our warmest wishes for the coming years.”

The above was unanimously agreed.

2)  Mayor of London

(moved by Councillor Will Harmer and seconded by Councillor Nicholas Bennett JP)

“This Council believes it is in the best interests of the residents of Bromley that Boris Johnson be re-elected Mayor of London.”

The above was agreed.

3)  PCSOs  The following amended Motion was agreed:

(moved by Councillor Tim Stevens and seconded by Councillor Stephen Carr)

This Council notes the loss of 59 Police Community Support Officers in the Borough who have gone to begin training to become full time Police Officers, and welcomes all party support calling on the Mayor and Commissioner to make sure Bromley goes back up to its full allocation of 141 Police Community Support Officers as quickly as possible.

Notice of three Motions had been received and these were dealt with as follows:

1)  Loyal Address – The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee –

The following Motion was proposed by the Mayor, Councillor David McBride, and seconded by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Stephen Carr:-

“Your Majesty

The Mayor, on behalf of the Councillors, Honorary Aldermen and the residents of the London Borough of Bromley, sends loyal greetings to Your Majesty on the occasion of the Diamond Anniversary of your accession to the throne.

For sixty years Your Majesty has provided wise counsel and dedicated and exemplary service to the people of this country and the Commonwealth.

Throughout your reign you have been supported by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh and we send him our warmest thanks and greetings.

The people of Bromley recall with great pleasure your previous visits to the Borough and, in particular, that in 1986 when you formally opened our Council Chamber.

Your Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee is a unique occasion in the history of our Nation, and it is with great pride that we look forward to Your Majesty’s visit to the London Borough of Bromley on 15^th May and give you our warmest wishes for the coming years.”

On being put to the vote this Motion was CARRIED unanimously.

2)  Mayor of London

The following Motion was proposed by Councillor Will Harmer and seconded by Councillor Nicholas Bennett JP:-

“This Council believes it is in the best interests of the residents of Bromley that Boris Johnson be re-elected Mayor of London.”

On being put to the vote this Motion was CARRIED.

3)  PCSOs 

The following Motion was proposed by Councillor Katherine Bance and seconded by Councillor Peter Fookes:-

“This Council notes the loss of 60 Police Community Support Officers in the Borough and calls on the Mayor of London to urgently restore the number of PCSOs patrolling Bromley’s streets to 160.”

An amended Motion, moved by Councillor Tim Stevens and seconded by Councillor Stephen Carr, as set out below was proposed:-

“This Council notes the loss of 59 Police Community Support Officers in the Borough who have gone to begin training to become full time Police Officers, and welcomes all party support calling on the Mayor and Commissioner to make sure Bromley goes back up to its full allocation of 141 Police Community Support Officers as quickly as possible.”

Councillor Bance confirmed her acceptance of the amendment.

On being put to the vote this amended Motion was CARRIED unanimously.

The Leader and the Mayor paid tribute to Gillian Pearson, Director of Children and Young People Services as this was her last Council Meeting before leaving.  All members joined in thanking Gillian Pearson for her valued work on behalf of the Council and wished her well in her retirement.

The Leader of the Council and the Mayor paid tribute to Gillian Pearson, Director of Children and Young People Services as this was her last Council Meeting before leaving the authority.  All members joined in thanking Gillian Pearson for her valued work on behalf of the Council and wished her well for the future.

The Mayor announced the death of a former Mayor of the Borough in 1977-78, Mr Bernard Gillman-Davies whose funeral will take place on 4^th April 2012 in Sussex. Further details can be obtained from the Mayor’s secretary if anyone wishes to attend.

The Mayor would be hosting a Charity Dinner at Mings Restaurant in Petts Wood on 25^th April and he reminded members of the Barn Dance being arranged in the Great Hall on 11^th May 2012. Details of both these events would be circulated in the next week or so.

The Council Meeting scheduled for 23^rd April 2012 has been cancelled. 

The Mayor thanked Members for their cards and best wishes over the birth of his daughter.

The Mayor announced the death of a former Mayor of the Borough in 1977-78, Mr Bernard Gillman-Davies, whose funeral would take place on 4^th April 2012 in Sussex. Further details could be obtained from the Mayor’s Secretary for those wishing to attend.

The Mayor would be hosting a Charity Dinner at Mings Restaurant in Petts Wood on 25^th April and he reminded members that a Barn Dance was being arranged in the Great Hall on 11^th May 2012.  Details of both these events would be circulated in the next week or so.

Members were reminded that the Council Meeting scheduled for 23^rd April 2012 had been cancelled. 

The Mayor concluded by thanking Members for the cards and best wishes he had received in respect of the recent birth of his daughter, Rose.