Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Michael Rutherford.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st March 2021 be confirmed.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions that are not specific to reports on the agenda must have been received in writing 10 working days before the date of the meeting (by Thursday 1^st April 2021). 

Questions specifically on reports on the agenda should be received within two working days of the normal publication date of the agenda.  Please ensure that questions specifically on reports on the agenda are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on Tuesday 13^th April 2021.

(a) Questions from members of the public for oral reply (none received)

(b) Questions from members of the public for written reply.

(c) Questions from members of the Council for oral reply.

(d) Questions from members of the Council for written reply. 

Two questions had been received from members of the public for written reply. The questions, with the answers given, are set out in Appendix A to these minutes.

Ten questions had been received from members of the Council for oral reply. The questions, with the replies given, are set out in Appendix B to these minutes.

Four questions had been received from members of the Council for written reply. The questions, with the answers given, are set out in Appendix D to these minutes.

Councillors Ian Dunn and Angela Wilkins had requested a statement from the Leader of the Council on the arrangements that the Council would be putting in place to hold Council and Committee meetings following the end (on 7^th May 2021) of the dispensation which allowed virtual meetings.

Councillor Colin Smith stated that there was not much to make a statement about at the current stage – Members would be considering changes for the annual Council meeting later, and he did not wish to pre-empt that. There was a court case due to be heard on 21^st April at which the Government’s decision to restrict the use of virtual meetings was due to be challenged – following the outcome of this the Council would be aware of the options, and the Director of Corporate Services would brief all Members when that information was available. A meeting of the Urgency Committee could follow to formalise any decisions that needed to be taken.  

Councillor Nicholas Bennett reported that Colonel Bob Stewart MP had asked the Government to allow Council annual meetings to take place after the end of restrictions up until the end of July, but this had been turned down. The Leader stated that there had been a large amount of correspondence on this behind the scenes and there was wide cross-party support for allowing virtual meetings to continue.

Councillor Angela Wilkins asked for clarity about whether a meeting of the Urgency Committee would be needed. The Leader stated that a meeting might be needed at short notice - he would rely on the Director’s advice, but agreed that the uncertainty was not helpful.

Report CSD21046

A motion to agree a sum of £3.767m as a provision for Covid related service pressures in future years (earmarked reserve) as detailed in paragraph 3.2.1 of the report, and to agree a sum of £9.895m is set aside as a Housing Investment Fund earmarked reserve, as detailed in paragraph 3.3.12 of the report, was moved by Councillor Graham Arthur, seconded by Councillor Colin Smith and CARRIED.

Report CSD21045

A motion to approve the Bromley Community Infrastructure Levy Charging Schedule at Appendix 1 to the report, with any necessary changes to indexation rates as noted in paragraph 3.13 of the report, to come into effect on 15^th June 2021, was moved by Councillor Peter Morgan, seconded by Councillor Colin Smith, and CARRIED.

Report CSD21053

A motion to approve the updated Basic Need Programme as set out in Appendix 3 to the report was moved by Councillor Peter Fortune, seconded by Councillor Colin Smith, and CARRIED.

Report CSD21047

A motion to (i) agree the appointment of a Pensions Committee from the start of the 2021/22 Council year to replace the Pensions Investment Sub-Committee, (ii) amend the terms of reference of the General Purposes and Licensing Committee and agree the terms of reference of the new Pensions Committee as set out in Appendix A to the report, (iii) agree to modify Articles 14.4 and 14.5 of the Constitution to permit electronic execution and sealing of documents, and (iv) agree to modify Article 11 of the Constitution to clarify the separation between executive and non-executive functions, was moved by Councillor Pauline Tunnicliffe, seconded by Councillor Stephen Wells and CARRIED.

(Councillor Russell Mellor requested that his contrary vote be recorded.)

Report CSD21036

A motion to receive the Annual Scrutiny Report for 2020/21 was moved by Councillor Simon Fawthrop, seconded by Councillor Christopher Marlow and CARRIED.

Report CSD21051

A motion to receive the SACRE Annual Report for the 2019/20 academic year was moved by Councillor David Jefferys, seconded by Councillor Kate Lymer and CARRIED.

(1)  HRH The Prince Philip

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

“This Council, on behalf of the citizens of the Borough, places on record its great sadness at the death of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and pays tribute to his distinguished record with the Royal Navy during and after the Second World War and his unstinting and loyal support for Her Majesty the Queen for more than 70 years as husband and consort. It recalls his many initiatives including the Duke of Edinburgh Awards Scheme and his early support for the protection of the world’s environment.

The Council thanks Her Worship the Mayor for her video tribute and her letter to Her Majesty the Queen and her family conveying the condolences of the Council and the people of Bromley on their sad loss.”

The motion was CARRIED.

(2)  Permanent Exclusions

The following motion was moved by Councillor Kevin Brooks and seconded by Councillor Simon Jeal.

“Findings by the All- Party Parliamentary Youth Violence Commission, based on the most recent available Government data (2018 to 19 school year) shows that of all London boroughs, Bromley had the second highest rate of black pupils permanently excluded from secondary education.

This Council expresses concern at these findings, and recognises the damaging and long term effects that exclusion has on young people and their families. We request the Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Families to immediately launch an inquiry into the reasons for these high rates; that inquiry is to include recommendations for action the Council can take, working with academies and other partners, to reduce the number of black pupils being excluded.”

The motion was LOST.

Report CSD21054

A motion to agree that the annual meeting of the Council is moved to 6.30pm on Wednesday 19^th May 2021 was moved by Councillor Colin Smith, seconded by Councillor Peter Fortune and CARRIED.

The Mayor reported that a minute’s silence had been held for HRH The Prince Philip on 10^th April and again of the day of his funeral, on 17^th April.

The Mayor thanked Members for attending the virtual quiz on 12^th March, and thanked in particular the quiz master, Councillor Mark Brock.

The Mayor reminded Members of the following events –

·  An online guided talk and walk hosted by Andy Ellis of Pudding Lane Tours from Canary Wharf to Wapping on 20^th April at 7.30pm.

·  The prize draw with Givergy for a Spitfire flight experience which closed on 25^th April.

·  The “Follow your Dreams” art competition for children up to age 11.

The Mayor’s podcast series could be listened to via the following link –

https://hannahgraymeets.podbean.com/

She also mentioned her article in “Orpington Life” magazine.