Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Douglas Auld, David Cartwright, Mary Cooke, Nicky Dykes, Ian F. Payne, Sarah Philipps, Tom Philpott, Melanie Stevens, Tim Stevens and Richard Williams.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 26^th June and 25^th July 2017 be confirmed.

A motion to approve the following changes to committee memberships and to note the proposed changes to Sub-Committee memberships was moved by Councillor Michael Tickner and seconded by Councillor Simon Fawthrop –

Executive and Resources PDS Committee:

Councillor Samaris Huntington-Thresher replaces Councillor William Huntington-Thresher.

Environment PDS Committee:

Councillor Michael Tickner replaces Councillor William Huntington-Thresher

Councillor Samaris Huntington-Thresher be appointed chairman.

Councillor Catherine Rideout to be appointed Vice-Chairman.

Development Control Committee:

Councillor Russell Mellor replaces Councillor William Huntington-Thresher 

Changes to Sub-Committees to be made by the Executive and Resources PDS Committee, General Purposes and Licensing Committee and Development Control Committee respectively.

Contracts PDS Sub-Committee:

Councillor Stephen Carr to replace Cllr William Huntington-Thresher

Audit Sub-Committee:

Councillor Carr to replace Cllr Peter Fortune 

Plans 3 Sub-Committee: 

Councillor Russell Mellor to replace Cllr Colin Smith
Councillor Keith Onslow to replace Cllr Samaris Huntington-Thresher

The motion was CARRIED.

No petitions had been received.

Questions must be received by 5pm on Tuesday 19^th September 2017

Thirty two questions had been received from members of the public for oral reply. Seven were answered at the meeting with written replies being provided to the remainder. These are set out in Appendix A to these minutes.

Seventeen questions had been received from members of the public for written reply. These are set out in Appendix B to these minutes.

Seventeen questions had been received for oral reply from members of the Council. These are set out in Appendix C to these minutes.

Eleven questions had been received for oral reply from members of the Council. These are set out in Appendix D to these minutes.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Colin Smith, made a statement setting out some of the issues that he intended to address in his new role. As well as looking at the realignment of the six portfolios, some of his priorities were –

·  Completing work on improving Children’s Services;

·  Establishing a new SEN centre of excellence in the borough;

·  Reviewing areas of need for future schools;

·  Integrating Health and Adults’ Services with enhanced support for the Voluntary Sector;

·  Housing and services to reduce homelessness;

·  Completing the Local Development Plan;

·  Regenerating town centres;

·  Becoming more self-sufficient in Council finances;

·  Transport infrastructure improvements;

·  A fairer share of London Policing resources;

·  Working even more closely with Friends Groups and Residents Associations on Bromley’s environment, and re-launching recycling initiatives.

Report CSD17115

The Portfolio Holder for Education, Children and Families reported that Jane Bailey, Director of Education, had now left the Council, and on behalf of Members he recorded their thanks for her work and their best wishes for the future.  

A motion to approve the recommendations in the first report of the Education, Children and Families Select Committee was moved by Councillor Nicholas Bennett, seconded by Councillor Neil Reddin and CARRIED.

Report CSD17124

A motion to approve an increase of £1,838k in the Capital Programme for Renovation Grants – Disabled Facilities Programme was moved by Councillor Diane Smith, seconded by Councillor Angela Page and CARRIED.

Report CSD17131

A motion to -

(1) Support the London Business Rates pilot;

(2) Endorse the Leader agreeing the final arrangements at the Leader’s Committee of London Councils to implement a scheme substantially in the form proposed; and

(3) Agree that the Leader –

(a) seeks to minimise the collective investment contribution; and

(b)  obtains assurances from Government that any additional funding received will not be offset by future corresponding reductions in Government funding.

was moved by Councillor Graham Arthur, seconded by Councillor Colin Smith and CARRIED.

The following motion was proposed by Councillor Angela Wilkins and seconded by Councillor Ian Dunn –

“This Council confirms its commitment to the maximum possible levels of openness and transparency.

Council requests a report with recommendations to its next meeting on how this commitment may be better enacted.”

An amended to the motion was moved by Councillor Graham Arthur, seconded by Councillor Pauline Tunnicliffe and CARRIED -

“This Council re-confirms its commitment to the maximum possible levels of openness and transparency at all times.

Council requests that a review be undertaken by Officers to be presented to the next meeting of the Constitution Improvement Working Group to establish how and whether this commitment might be better illustrated and publicised.”

The motion as amended was CARRIED.

The Mayor thanked Members for their support for the following events –

·  The Charity Dinner on 10^th August 2017 at the Lugana Restaurant in Beckenham.

·  The Musical Evening on 2^nd September 2017 at Melvin Hall

The Mayor invited Members to the next two events –

·  A quiz and Karaoke evening on Saturday 28^th October at Melvin Hall

·  A Dinner Dance on Saturday 18^th November in the Great Hall.

Audio Recording of the special Council meeting at 6.30pm and the ordinary Council meeting at 7pm.