Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ian Dunn (who was replaced by Councillor Vanessa Allen, and from Councillor Sarah Philipps.

Councillor Simon Fawthrop declared in relation to the IT contract that he was employed by British Telecom, and in relation to the report on the Widmore centre that his wife was employed by Bromley Adult Education College.

Councillor Keith Onslow declared in relation to the Insurance Renewals report that he was a pensioner of Zurich Municipal and that he was employed for two days a week by the Royal Borough of Greenwich.

Councillor Vanessa Allen declared that she was a pensioner of British Telecom.

Councillor Julian Benington declared in relation to the report on the Biggin Hill Memorial Museum that he was a Trustee of the Museum Trust.  

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to this Committee must be received in writing 4 working days before the date of the meeting.  Therefore please ensure questions are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on Thursday 2^nd June 2016.

No questions had been received.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings held on 11^th May 2016 and 12^th May 2016 (excluding exempt information) be confirmed.

Report CSD16079

The Committee received an update on matters arising from previous meetings.

The Committee noted the Forward Plan of Key Decisions as first published on 17^th May 2016. 

Councillor Judi Ellis requested that ward councillors be consulted on the options for Bromley Valley Gymnastics Centre.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions to this Committee must be received in writing 4 working days before the date of the meeting.  Therefore please ensure questions are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on Thursday 2^nd June 2016.

One question for written reply had been received from Councillor Tony Owen – this is attached as Appendix A to these minutes.

Members of the Committee are requested to bring their copy of the agenda for the Executive meeting on 15^th June 2016.

Report CSD 16080

The Committee considered the following reports on the part 1 agenda for the Executive’s meeting on 15^th June 2016.

(5)  Provisional Final Accounts 2015/16

Report FSD16040

The report set out the 2015/16 provisional outturn at Portfolio level and Council-wide, and summarised the implications for 2016/17. More detailed reports would be submitted to individual PDS Committees. The report contained various recommendations concerning carry-forwards, central Contingency and Prior Year Adjustments, and a recommendation that Council should approve the transfer of £7,024k to the Growth Fund.

A Member suggested that the money proposed to be transferred to the Growth Fund should be used to support service budgets, but other Members supported using the Growth Fund to invest for the future. A Member commented on the excess of income over expenditure – what he referred to as profit. Officers responded that it was necessary to reduce costs, generate savings across all budgets, and if possible to take these savings early. A Member commented that although savings were being achieved the adverse effect on services was not being recognised and staff morale was declining in many services.

The Chairman of the Contracts Sub-Committee, Councillor Stephen Wells, commended the proposal to build a contracts database. 

RESOLVED that the recommendations be supported.

(Councillors Vanessa Allen, David Livett and Angela Wilkins requested that their contrary votes be recorded.)

(6)  Capital Programme Outturn 2015/16

Report FSD 16036

The report set out the final outturn on capital expenditure and receipts for 2015/16. The Executive was requested carry forward £8k of the unspent capital budget on the block provision for emergency works to surplus sites.

RESOLVED that the recommendations be supported.

(7)  Biggin Hill Airport LTD (BHAL) – Proposal to Vary the Operating Hours 

Report DRR16/057

Biggin Hill Airport Ltd (BHAL) had responded to the various conditions stipulated by the Council before the operating hours of the Airport could be varied. The Executive was recommended to confirm that the Council’s conditions had been met, to agree that a Deed of Variation be entered into and to agree that any sum received to reimburse the Council for its costs would be ring-fenced for any potential future costs for increased monitoring. 

Under the terms of the lease, the Airport had to meet the reasonable and proportionate costs of its application to change the lease, and the Airport had stated that it was their intention to do so. The Chairman stated that it was important that there was no delay in payment being made. Costs included payments to consultants and counsel, but were primarily staff costs. Councillor David Livett requested officers to explain exactly how these expenses had been provided for in the accounts.

The Committee was given an update on the judicial review proceedings that had been started in the High Court in Manchester. The matter had now been transferred to the High Court in London, but it was not anticipated that it would be possible for the case to continue.

Members discussed the position breaches of the Airport’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 314.

Report CSD 16081

The Committee considered it work programme for 2016/17.

RESOLVED that

(1) The work programme be noted.

(2) Councillor Russell Mellor be appointed to the Contracts Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED that the Press and public be excluded during consideration of the items of business referred to below as it is likely in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings that if members of the Press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information.

The following summaries

refer to matters

involving exempt information

The exempt minutes of the meeting held on 12^th May 2016 were confirmed.

The Committee scrutinised the following proposed decision by the Resources Portfolio Holder.

The Committee scrutinised proposals for the award of contracts for the Council’s insurances.

The Committee scrutinised the following reports on the Executive’s part 2 agenda for the meeting on 15^th June 2016 –

(14)  Grant of Lease of the Widmore Centre to the STEP Academy Trust.

(15)  Biggin Hill Memorial Museum

(16)  The Glades Shopping Centre – Appointment of Professional Advisors

(17)  Gifting of the Mears Scheme to the Pension Fund

(19) Temporary Accommodation: Trinity C of E Primary School and Castlecombe Primary School