Apologies were received from Cllrs Botting, Carr, Ellis, Fookes and Nathan.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Kim Botting, Stephen Carr, Judi Ellis, Peter Fookes, David Jefferys and Terence Nathan.

Apologies for lateness were received from Councillor Ruth Bennett.

Minutes confirmed.

Members noted in relation to the motion proposed by Councillor Ian Dunn at the last meeting (minute 46) that the issue had been considered by Executive and Resources PDS Committee on 19^th November 2014, after which a letter had been sent to the Chancellor of the Exchequer by the Leader of the Council. Copies of the letter were circulated at the meeting.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13^th October 2014 were confirmed.

Cllr Fawthrop declared an interest as an employee of British Telecom in relation to motion (1).

Cllr Ball declared an interest as her husband was employed in the financial sector in relation to motion (2).

During consideration of the motions set out in minute 57, Councillor Simon Fawthrop declared an interest as an employee of British Telecom in relation to motion (1) and Councillor Teresa Ball declared an interest as her husband was employed in the financial sector in relation to motion (2).

Questions must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 2^nd December 2014.

One question had been received – this will receive a written reply. A second question  had been withdrawn.

One question had been received from Patricia Trembath. The question and written  answer are set out in Appendix A to these minutes.

12 questions for oral reply and I urgent question were dealt with.

Twelve questions for oral reply and one urgent question had been received. The questions and answers are set out in Appendix B to these minutes.

Answers to 22 questions for written reply were tabled.

Twenty two questions had been received for written reply. The questions and answers were circulated at the meeting and set out in Appendix C to these minutes.

No statements were made.

No statements were made.

The recommendation to approve changes to the 2014/15 prudential indicators was approved.

A motion to approve changes to the 2014/15 prudential indicators was moved by Councillor Graham Arthur, seconded by Councillor Colin Smith and CARRIED.

The recommendation to adopt the Local Council tax Reduction Scheme for 2015/16 was approved.

A motion to approve the recommendation from the Executive to adopt the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2015/16 was moved by Councillor Graham Arthur, seconded by Councillor Colin Smith and CARRIED.

Three motions were considered as follows -

(1)   Superfast Broadband(Moved by Cllr Will Harmer and seconded by Cllr Lydia Buttinger

“This Council notes the Government’s recent £1 billion investment to secure superfast broadband to 90% of the UK by 2016 and has already seen the positive impact that this investment has in supporting businesses both across the country and in the neighbouring County of Kent.

However, it is disappointed that as a London Borough, Bromley is ineligible for any funding under the Superfast Broadband Programme to improve the very poor provision of Superfast Broadband in the rural parts of the Borough.

It requests that the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Greater London Authority (“GLA”) meet with the Council to discuss how best it can meet the Programme objectives and the needs of our residents and businesses in rural areas and if funding could be extended to provide the required investment.”

The motion was carried.

(2)   Financial Transaction Tax (Moved by Cllr Angela Wilkins and seconded by Cllr Ian Dunn)

“It is wrong that local authority funding is continuing to be cut and essential services are being hit in order to pay for the bailout to the financial sector. This Council therefore calls on the Government to introduce a Financial Transaction Tax in order that more resources can be made available to local councils.”

The motion was lost.

(3)   Devolution of powers and finance to local councils (Moved by Cllr Nicholas Bennett JP and seconded by Cllr Colin Smith)

“This Council notes the proposal to give Scotland more devolved responsibilities and tax raising powers and believes that, as far as practicable, responsibility for local services and their financing should also be devolved down to the most appropriate level of government in England and therefore calls upon the Government to examine how this can be achieved as soon as possible.”

The motion was carried.

Three motions were considered as follows -

(1)   Superfast Broadband

The following motion was moved by Councillor Will Harmer and seconded by Councillor Lydia Buttinger -

“This Council notes the Government’s recent £1 billion investment to secure superfast broadband to 90% of the UK by 2016 and has already seen the positive impact that this investment has in supporting businesses both across the country and in the neighbouring County of Kent.

However, it is disappointed that as a London Borough, Bromley is ineligible for any funding under the Superfast Broadband Programme to improve the very poor provision of Superfast Broadband in the rural parts of the Borough.

It requests that the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Greater London Authority (“GLA”) meet with the Council to discuss how best it can meet the Programme objectives and the needs of our residents and businesses in rural areas and if funding could be extended to provide the required investment.”

The motion was CARRIED.

(2)   Financial Transaction Tax

The following motion was moved by Councillor Angela Wilkins and seconded by Councillor Ian Dunn -

“It is wrong that local authority funding is continuing to be cut and essential services are being hit in order to pay for the bailout to the financial sector. This Council therefore calls on the Government to introduce a Financial Transaction Tax in order that more resources can be made available to local councils.”

The motion was LOST.

(3)   Devolution of powers and finance to local councils

The following motion was moved by Councillor Nicholas Bennett JP and seconded by Councillor Colin Smith -

“This Council notes the proposal to give Scotland more devolved responsibilities and tax raising powers and believes that, as far as practicable, responsibility for local services and their financing should also be devolved down to the most appropriate level of government in England and therefore calls upon the Government to examine how this can be achieved as soon as possible.”

The motion was CARRIED.

The Mayor thanked members for attending recent events and summarised a number of forthcoming events.

The Mayor thanked those Councillors who had attended the Mayoress’ ladies lunch on Wednesday 26^th November and the Business Reception on Thursday 27^th November.  Both events had been a great success.

The Mayor invited Members to the following events:

·  The Mayor’s Christmas Coffee Morning on Tuesday 16^th December at 10am, with a choir from Biggin Hill Primary School.

·  A Black Tie Boxing Dinner at the Warren on Friday 23^rd January 2015, (this was nearly sold out.) 

·  The annual Quiz Evening in the Great Hall at the Civic Centre on Friday 20^th February 2015.

Invitations and further information would be sent out from the Mayor’s office nearer the dates.