Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Peter Fookes, David Jefferys, Terence Nathan, Stephen Wells and Richard Williams.  

It was noted that an updated version of the reply to written question 1 in Appendix C to the minutes of the meeting held on 19^th October 2015 had been circulated. Subject to including this, the minutes were confirmed.

The minutes of the special meeting held on 25^th November 2015 had also been circulated and these were confirmed.

There were no declarations of interest.

Report CSD15142

A petition had been received from the Knoll Residents Association. At the request of the lead petitioner this was deferred to the next meeting.

Questions must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 8^th December 2015.

Two questions had been received from an Honorary Alderman. The questions and replies are set out in Appendix A to these minutes.

Fifteen questions had been received from Members of the Council for oral reply. These are set out in Appendix B to these minutes.

Sixteen questions for written reply had been received from Members of the Council. These are set out in Appendix C to these minutes.

The Portfolio Holder for Resources, Councillor Graham Arthur made a statement on the budget process as the process of confirming the 2016/17 budget was about to start. The pay award for staff under national pay and conditions was going to be 1%, but he was proposing that Bromley’s staff would benefit from a 1.2% increase plus merit pay awards. The Portfolio Holder recognised the excellence of Bromley’s staff and reported that absences were very low at 5.8 days per annum.

Report CSD15140

A motion to agree that £6.5m of the underspend on services and the Central Contingency be transferred to the Growth Fund as detailed in paragraph 3.10.3 of the report was moved by Councillor Graham Arthur, seconded by Councillor Stephen Carr and CARRIED.

Report CSD15139

A motion to adopt, for the financial year 2016/17, a scheme whereby entitlement for working age claimants was calculated on 75% of the household Council Tax liability (thereby the maximum assistance provided to a claimant of working age was 75% of his/her Council Tax liability) was moved by Councillor Graham Arthur and seconded by Councillor Stephen Carr. (Other elements of the proposed scheme would remain unchanged to that in place for 2015/16 except where revision was required as a result of revised legislation/guidance and/or annual uplifting.)

An amendment to the motion to retain the level of support for working age people at 81% was moved by Councillor Ian Dunn and seconded by Councillor Angela Wilkins. This amendment was LOST.

The original motion was CARRIED.

Report CSD15138

A motion to increase the capital estimate of the Beckenham Public Realm Scheme by £1.44m to £4.697m was moved by Councillor Peter Morgan,  seconded by Councillor Stephen Carr and CARRIED.

Report CSD15137

A motion to note the report and approve changes to the 2015/16 prudential indicators, as set out in Annex B1 to the report was moved by Councillor Graham Arthur, seconded by Councillor Stephen Carr and CARRIED.

Report CSD15136

A motion to authorise participation in the non-executive joint committee with other local authorities for the purpose of scrutinising the “Our Healthier South East London” (OHSEL) project, to appoint two members to serve on the Committee (amended to be Councillors Judi Ellis and Hannah Gray) and to delegate to the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Chairman of the Care Services PDS Committee, authority to make any other detailed arrangements relating to the Council’s representation on the non-executive joint committee that are necessary, was moved by Councillor Judi Ellis, seconded by Councillor Pauline Tunnicliffe and CARRIED.

Report CSD15135

A motion to approve the updated Financial Regulations and Contract Procedure Rules was moved by Councillor Tim Stevens, seconded by Councillor Diane Smith and CARRIED.

No motions had been received.

The Mayor thanked all Members who had attended the Sci-Fi event on 14^th November. The event had been a huge success and feedback was very good indeed. About £1,200 had been raised for the Mayor’s charities. The Mayor also thanked member who had attended the Mayoral and Civic Carol Services on 8^th December, where the collection had raised £805, and the Charity Dinner at Tamasha which 65 people attended and which raised £3,000.

The Mayor informed members about the following future events –

·  The Mayor’s Quiz Evening – 19^th February 2016

·  Preview of “Far from the Madding Crowd” at Bromley Little Theatre” – 10^th March 2016

·  The annual Mayor of Bromley awards in March.