Agenda and minutes

In memory of Councillor Michael Burton

The Mayor paid tribute to Councillor M Burton and invited Members to observe one minute’s silence.

Group Leaders individually addressed the meeting, paying tribute to Councillor Burton.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors C Burton, D Day, Saltmarsh and Thacker.

The Mayor advised those present that a new political group of the Council had been formed: the English Democrats.  As a result, she had agreed to accept an urgent item of business relating to Political Balance arrangements.  The matter was urgent in order to ensure the Council complied with Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 regarding the allocation of seats on committees to the respective political groups.  The Mayor advised that this matter would be discussed after agenda item 4.

The Mayor also informed the meeting that, in view of its impact on local residents, she had allowed a late ward related question from Councillor Ash relating to the new road layout on the A47.  She emphasised that she would not expect submission of late questions to become normal practice and reminded Members that questions should relate to matters of policy, rather than seeking factual information that could otherwise be obtained outside the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held 16 July 2009 were agreed and signed by the Mayor as an accurate record.

Following the establishment of the English Democrats Group, and in order to comply with Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, the Council was required to consider the allocation of seats held on its committees by each political group.

The Mayor advised that the recommendations within this report had been separated into four sections.  Recommendations relating to the Licensing Act 2003 Committee and the Standards Committee would be taken as separate items, given that Council had previously agreed to exempt these committees from political balance requirements.

Members considered each of the following in turn:

(i)      Political Group Allocations and Committee Memberships:

The following recommendations were moved by the Leader of the Council and seconded by Councillor Lee:

·               To note the amended Political Group membership and Group Officers for 2009-2010 as set out in Appendix 1 and 2 of the report;

·               To affirm approval of the Committee structure as set out in the report;

·               To agree the allocation of seats to political groups as set out within the report;

·               To agree amendments to Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Committees as set out within the report;

·               To agree the appointments to committees to which the political balance rules apply as set out within the report.

During debate, a concern was raised with regard to the lack of consultation with minority groups in respect of the recommendations.  The Leader advised Members that since the next Council meeting was not until December, it had been considered appropriate for these matters to be dealt with urgently in order to enable the Council to conduct its business efficiently and the recommendations had been compiled within a tight timescale.  He assured Members that any subsequent proposals resulting from Group Meetings would be considered at the next meeting of full Council.

It was RESOLVED to:

·               Note the amended Political Group membership and Group Officers for 2009 – 2010 (Appendix 1 and 2 refer);

·               Affirm its approval of the Committee structure (Appendix 3 refers);

·               Agree the allocation of seats to political groups (Appendix 4 refers);

·               Agree amendments to Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Licensing Committee and the Licensing Act 2003 Committee as follows:

-  Licensing Committee – Councillor Newton to Chair in place of Councillor Dobbs; and

-  Licensing Act 2003 Committee – Councillor Dobbs to Chair in place of Councillor Newton.

·               Agree the appointments to committees to which the political balance rules apply (Appendix 5 refers).

It was FURTHER RESOLVED:

To consider any alternative proposals arising from individual Group Meetings at the meeting of full Council on 2 December 2009.

(ii)     Licensing Act 2003 Committee

The following recommendation was moved by the Leader of the Council and seconded by Councillor Lee:

To agree to reduce the Conservative membership of this ten member committee to six members, with membership from other groups remaining the same, and the appointment of Councillor Murphy to the Committee as the English Democrats representative.

It was RESOLVED to:

Reduce the Conservative membership of the Licensing Act  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

(i)                 Mayor’s Announcements

(ii)               Leader’s Announcements

(iii)       Chief Executive’s Announcements

The Mayor announced that Councillor Sandford had made a request to address the meeting and invited Councillor Sandford to make his statement.

Councillor Sandford informed those present that he had been chosen as the prospective Parliamentary candidate for the Liberal Democrats in the Peterborough constituency and as a result would be relinquishing his position as Group Leader at the conclusion of the Council meeting.  Councillor Fower would take over as Group Leader and he would take the position of Deputy Group Leader.  Councillor Trueman would remain as Group Secretary.  Councillor Sandford asked that his thanks be recorded to Members of the Liberal Democrats Group, other Group Leaders, the Chief Executive and Chief Officers for their support during his time as Group Leader.

In response, the Leader of the Council thanked Councillor Sandford for his contribution as a Group Leader and welcomed Councillor Fower to his new role.

5 (i)         Mayor’s Announcements

The report outlining the Mayor’s engagements for the period 6 July 2009 to 30 September 2009 was noted.

The Mayor drew Members’ attention to the following forthcoming events:

·                Remembrance Sunday service to be held at the Cathedral on 8 November 2009;

·                The Armistice Day service to be held on the steps of the Town Hall with the end of the two minutes’ silence being marked by a Harrier fly-past (weather permitting);

·                The switch-on of the Christmas Lights on 19 November;

·                An afternoon of celebrations hosted by members of the Italian community to mark sixty years of being in Peterborough: the event to be held in Bridge Street on 18 October.

The Mayor thanked those who had attended and/or participated in the recent Great Eastern Run, and advised that nearly £1,000 had been raised for her three charities.  She added that the opening of Bridge Fair and the Annual Sausage Supper had been a successful evening, raising over £900 and that ‘Peterborough Has Talent’ had raised a further £1, 142.39.

Finally, the Mayor welcomed the Deputy Youth MP for Peterborough, Bedrea Laftah to the meeting.  Ms. Leftah had come to observe the meeting as part of Local Democracy Week.

5 (ii)        Leader’s Announcements

There were no announcements for the Leader of the Council.

5 (iii)       Chief Executive’s Announcements

There were no announcements from the Chief Executive.

(i)         Questions with Notice by Members of the Public

(ii)        Questions with Notice by Members of the Council relating to Ward Matters and to Committee Chairmen

(iii)       Questions with Notice by Members of the Council to representatives of the Police and Fire Authorities;

(iv)       Petitions submitted by Members or Residents.

6 (i)         Questions with Notice by Members of the Pubic

There were no questions submitted.

6 (ii)        Questions with Notice by Members of the Council relating to Ward Matters and to Committee Chairmen

Questions were asked in respect of the following:

·                Vehicle activated speeding signs along Gunthorpe Road and the possibility of installing a crossing, or other road safety measures, outside Norwood School;

·                The decision to install an energy from waste facility in East Ward and the procedures which will be put in place to consult residents on any changes to the original proposals;

·                The arrangements in place to redirect wide loads through the road works at Eye.

6 (iii)       Questions with Notice by Members of the Council to representatives of the Police and Fire Authorities

Questions were asked in respect of the following:

·               The appointment of three bi-lingual PCSO’s, funded through the Migration Impact Fund for the years 2009/10 and 2010/11, the areas in which they are working and how they have made themselves known to local Councillors in areas where migration has had the most impact;

·               The participation of full time or retained fire personnel in Guards of Honour at the funerals of retired fire fighters;

·               The number of primary and secondary fires that have been deliberately started in wheelie bins during the past five years and the annual cost to the taxpayer.

A summary of all questions and answers raised within agenda item 5 (i), (ii) and (iii) is attached at Appendix 6.

6 (d)       Petitions submitted by Members or Residents

The following petitions were received:

·               Petition in response to the Bus Review, objecting to changes to services 401 and 403;

·               Petition to retain the recreation ground at Scott’s Close and restore play equipment;

·               Petition to retain use of the field adjacent to Norwood School for the public outside school hours.

(i)         Questions with Notice to the Leader and Members of the Executive

(ii)        Questions without Notice on the Record of Executive Decisions

7 (i)         Questions with Notice to the Leader and Members of the Executive

Questions were asked of the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members in respect of the following:

·                The amount of money to be delegated from Council departmental budgets to each of the Neighbourhood Councils;

·                The visit to the MIPIM property convention by the Chief Executive during 2007 and the benefits derived from the trip;

·                The timescale for publication of a report into complaints about the way the Council handled the transfer of Westcombe;

·                Consultation arrangements in respect of the installation of a water feature at Bretton Park;

·                The visit, to a number of countries, by an officer of Opportunity Peterborough and the benefits thereof;

·                The introduction of a bollard system at Fitzwilliam Street.

A summary of all questions and answers raised within agenda item 7 (i) is attached (Appendix 7 refers).

The meeting was adjourned at 8.25 p.m. and reconvened at 8.35 p.m.

7 (ii)        Questions without Notice on the Record of Executive Decisions

Members received and noted a report summarising:

·                Decisions from the Cabinet Meeting held 6 July 2009;

·                The outcome of petitions previously presented to full Council;

·                The Council’s call-in mechanism which had not been invoked since the last meeting;

·                Special Urgency provisions in relation to the decision relating to the Peterborough Crematorium – Mercury Abatement and Special Urgency and waive of call-in provisions relating to the Nene Bridge Refurbishment Extension of Contract;

·                Cabinet Member Decisions taken during the period 6 July to 30 September 2009.

Questions were asked about the following decisions:

Budget Monitoring Final Outturn 2008/9

A query was raised in respect of potential cuts to departmental budgets and the effect any such cuts would have on services and jobs.  The Leader advised that there were no plans at the present time to make any redundancies but that it was necessary to consider how services are delivered in order to ensure efficiency.

Discretionary Rate Relief from Business Rates on the grounds of hardship

Councillor Murphy queried the decision, in view of the downturn in the local economy, to refuse an application for discretionary rate relief on the grounds of hardship and how this decision might be perceived amongst the business community.  In response, Councillor Seaton advised that it would not have been prudent to approve this application in view of the substantial asset that was in existence.

The sale of surplus former allotment land at Itter Crescent

Councillor Sandford expressed concern at the sale of former allotment land.

Councillor Seaton advised that the number of allotments in Peterborough compared well to other authorities and that allotment waiting lists were at fair levels and that measures were in place to promote empty sites in order to avoid vacant allotments.

Proposed New Children’s Centre at Eye and Thorney Primary Schools

Councillor Khan sought assurance that the funding in respect of this decision had not been obtained by transferring funds from another area.  Councillor Scott advised that funding had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

(i)                   Executive Recommendations

(ii)                 Committee Recommendations

(iii)       Notices of Motion

(iv)       Reports and Recommendations:

            (a)       Appointment to Committees

            (b)       Neighbourhood Councils – Appointment of Vice Chairmen

            (c)        Changes to the Constitution

8 (i)         Executive Recommendations

There were no recommendations from the Executive.

8 (ii)        Committee Recommendations

There were no recommendations from Committees.

8 (iii)       Notices of Motion

The Mayor advised those present that Councillor Lee had suggested an amendment to the motion submitted by Councillor Fower (set out at paragraph 1, page 17 of the agenda book) and this had been agreed by Councillor Fower.  Members’ consented to submission of the amended motion as set out in the Order Papers.

(1)        Councillor Fower moved the following Motion:

That this Council:

(i)                Joins the thousands of individuals, schools, hospitals, businesses and local authorities all actively helping to combat climate change by making simple changes to their lifestyles, homes and workplaces, by adding its support to the national initiative: 1010 www.1010org.uk which is aimed at cutting carbon emissions nationally by 10% in 2010.

The Motion was seconded by Councillor Sandford.

Councillor Lee moved the following amendment, which was seconded by the Leader of the Council:

To delete paragraph (i) above and replace with:

That this Council:

(i)         Recognises the programme of work already commenced by the Climate Change Team;

(ii)        Notes that it is already participating in the Carbon Trusts Local Authority Carbon Management Programme, an intensive programme that works with the Council to establish robust baseline data and develop a comprehensive plan for reduction, which works towards the same goal as the 1010 scheme and is equally viable;

(iii)       Notes that as part of this scheme the Council has committed to achieving a reduction of up to 35% of 2008/9 levels over a five year period, which is even more ambitious than the governments 2020 target of 34%;

(iv)       Notes that the Carbon Trust Programme results in a Carbon Management Plan which will ensure reductions are achieved in a measured way and can be sustained;

(v)        Pledges it support for initiatives recommended by the Climate Change Team to reduce carbon emissions, including a Green Champions scheme to embed a culture change within our organisations to ensure we are operating in a truly environmental arena.

A vote was taken and the amendment was CARRIED.

Following debate, the substantive motion was put to the vote and CARRIED: 44 in favour, 0 against and 6 abstentions.

(2)        Motion from Councillor Holdich

Councillor Holdich moved the following motion:

That this Council:

(i)         Notwithstanding the City Council’s efforts to obtain a footbridge at the Foxcovert Road railway crossing when the line from Peterborough to Spalding is upgraded, agrees to urge Network Rail to ensure that there are some other safety measures installed at this crossing without delay, until such time as the footbridge can be achieved.

This was seconded by Councillor John Fox.

Following debate, this motion put to the vote and CARRIED unanimously.

(3)        Motion from Councillor John Fox

The Mayor advised those present that a proposal had been received to alter the motion submitted by Councillor Fox.  Councillor Fox had agreed to the altered  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

APPENDIX 1

POLITICAL GROUP MEMBERSHIP 2009 – 2010

APPENDIX 2

GROUP OFFICERS 2009– 2010

CONSERVATIVE GROUP

Group Leader                                                  Councillor Cereste

Deputy Group Leader                                     Councillor Lee

Group Secretary                                             Councillor Kreling

Treasurer                                                        Councillor Rush

Policy Chairman                                             Councillor Dalton

Chief Whip                                                      To be advised

Press Officer                                                  Councillor Fitzgerald

PETERBOROUGH INDEPENDENT FORUM

Group Leader                                                  Councillor Swift

Deputy Group Leader                                     Councillor John Fox

Group Secretary                                             Councillor Saltmarsh

Assistant Secretary                                         Councillor Lane

Press Officer                                                  Councillor Sharp

Assistant Press Officer                                   Councillor John Fox

LIBERAL DEMOCRAT GROUP

Group Leader                                                  Councillor Sandford

Deputy Group Leader & Press Officer           Councillor Fower

Group Secretary                                             Councillor Trueman

LABOUR GROUP

Group Leader and Group Secretary              Councillor Khan

Deputy Group Leader                                     Councillor Hussain

ENGLISH DEMOCRATS

Group Leader                                                  Councillor Goldspink

Group Secretary                                             Councillor Murphy

APPENDIX 3

Committee Structure:

APPENDIX 4

Applying the political balance rules to calculate the number of seats on ordinary committees to be allocated on ordinary committees produces the following calculation.  The political balance calculation applies to the total number of seats on ordinary committees, namely 76.  Applying the political balance rules to the total number of seats produces the following calculation:

The seats must be allocated across all ordinary committees to give effect to that calculation. 

APPENDIX 5

Sustainable Growth Scrutiny Committee

7 member committee, currently made up of 6 Conservatives and 1 PIF member. There is currently a vacancy in the Conservative allocation following the recent death of Councillor Michael Burton, therefore this vacancy can be allocated to the English Democrats.

Change to:

5 Conservatives (Cllrs Fletcher, Chair, Allen, D Day, S Day and Peach

1 PIF (Cllr Lane)

1 English Democrats ( Cllr Murphy)

Environment Capital Scrutiny Committee

7 member committee, currently made up of 6 Conservatives and 1 PIF member.

Change to :

5 Conservatives (Cllr C Burton, Chair, Cllr D Day, Cllr Dobbs, Cllr North, Cllr Wilkinson) Cllr Fazal is to give up his seat on this committee.

1 PIF (Cllr J Fox)

1 English Democrats (Cllr Goldspink)

Audit Committee

7 member committee, currently made up of 5 Conservatives, I PIF, 1 Labour. PIF have agreed that Cllr Harrington will give up his seat on this committee and take a seat on Planning Committee instead.

Change to:

5 Conservative (Cllr M Dalton, Chair, Cllr North, Cllr Gilbert, Cllr Kreling, Cllr Rush )

1 Labour (Cllr Hussain)

1 English Democrats (Cllr Goldspink)

Planning and Environmental Protection Committee

10 member committee, currently made up of 8 Conservatives, 2 PIF

Change to:

7 Conservatives (Cllrs North, Chair, C Burton, Kreling, Lowndes, Thacker, Todd,

Winslade)

3 PIF (Cllrs Ash, Lane, Harrington)

The Appeals Panel (Service Issues) and the Employment Appeals (Sub-Committee) are not permanent committees, but they are subject to the political proportionality rules.  However, it is intended that they should retain cross party representation as agreed by Council previously.  This is to enable the panel selection arrangements to be implemented effectively and means that the seats are allocated as follows: 2 to the Conservative Group and 1 to one of the other minority groups.

APPENDIX 6

SUMMARY OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RAISED UNDER AGENDA ITEM 6 -COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT TIME

1.       Questions with Notice by Members of the Public

         There were no questions from members of the public.

2.      Questions with Notice by Members of the Council relating to Ward Matters and to Committee Chairmen

         Councillor Fower asked the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Community Development:

               The vehicle activated signs along Gunthorpe Road have been described by one resident as a ‘waste of time’.  Having been there for years and despite monitoring of speeding vehicles by the local FOCUS team, myself and the police, (whose findings included speeds of 70 mph in this 30 mph zone) speeding and dangerous driving remains a problem for many residents.  Can the Cabinet Member tell me what the present plans are for these signs, do they actually record data and if so, what is done with this information?  Are there plans for a crossing outside Norwood School or for the introduction of some road safety measures along Gunthorpe Road?

               The Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Housing and Community Development respnded:

         The vehicle activated signs on Gunthorpe Road do not record any information, they simply activate at a pre-set threshold on the approach of a speeding vehicle.  Such signs provide a reminder to the conscientious motorist to moderate their speed should they have inadvertently exceeded the threshold.  They will never address the reckless behaviour of any motorist wilfully travelling at speeds substantially in excess of the speed limit.

         There are no current plans to replace the school crossing patroller outside Norwood School with a crossing outside, or road safety measures along Gunthorpe Road, but I have asked officers to investigate and review the situation.

         Councillor Goldspink asked the Deputy Leader:

         Can the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment Capital and Culture please explain why the Council is now considering re-interpreting its minuted decision of 28 February 2007 to build an energy from waste facility, which was clearly a decision for oscillating kiln technology such as the plant at Grimsby, to instead allow the siting in my ward of a plant that could use the unproven gasification of pyrolysis technology, how much additional waste will have to be brought in from outside the city to keep the plant running, and can he say what procedures he intends to use to fully consult on this massive change of direction with residents of East Ward and other wards nearly before a decision is taken?

         The Deputy Leader responded:

         Thank you for this question.  The question seems to be in three parts and I will respond to each part in turn.  Firstly, I will answer the suggestion that the Council’s minuted decision refers to an oscillating kiln technology and is now being re-interpreted.

         I would remind Members that at Council on 28 February 2007 the resolution was that, as part of the integrated solution for waste management in Peterborough, including the commitment to 65% plus recycling” the infrastructure would provide  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

APPENDIX 7

SUMMARY OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS RAISED UNDER AGENDA ITEM 7 (a) – EXECUTIVE BUSINESS TIME

1.      Questions with Notice from Members to the Leader and Members of the Executive

1.      Councillor Sandford asked the Leader:

Could the Leader tell us how much money will be delegated from Council departmental budgets to each of the Neighbourhood Councils and when will this delegation of funding take place?

         The Leader responded:

As all Members will be aware, the introduction and subsequent effective implementation of these Councils is one of my top priorities.  As such, I have already asked officers to ensure that the maximum possible amounts are allocated to them.  I believe, however, that before this can take place, each area should have its own neighbourhood plan to determine how the monies should be spent.  The first meetings that started this week have kicked off this process.

         Councillor Sandford asked the following supplementary question:

         Can the Leader provide an assurance that when the Council publishes its proposals with regard to the budget, such proposals will clearly show how much money will be given to Neighbourhood Councils?

         The Leader responded:

         The budget proposals will contain details of monies that will be spent in the neighbourhoods.  If we are able to identify what that is in respect of each neighbourhood and how it is to be spent, we will do so.

2.      Councillor Fower asked the Leader:

Following a recent article in the Mail on Sunday, it has become clear that the Chief Executive attended a property convention in Cannes during 2007.  Can the Leader explain the purpose of this trip and advise the Council what benefits have been derived from the visit?

         The Leader responded:

The property conference being referred to is ‘MIPIM’ (Marché International des Professionnels d'Immobilier).  This is an annual international property convention held in Cannes and is a market leader in the property and regeneration industry for promoting regions, cities and individual development opportunities to a wide audience of international investors, developers and property and regeneration professionals.  Many UK cities and their Councils attend this convention to promote investment opportunities for their cities and communities.

In 2007 Opportunity Peterborough sponsored and led a delegation to MIPIM to promote the city generally in terms of its ambitious growth agenda, environmental credentials and particularly the emerging development opportunities at South Bank and Station Quarter.  The latter development opportunities were of considerable interest to the investment market.

The results of this trip were as follows:

·    The beginning of a strong relationship by Opportunity Peterborough / Peterborough City Council with Ashwell Land who are now a key land owner and development partner in the delivery of Station Quarter West;

·    An opportunity for Opportunity Peterborough / Peterborough City Council Chief Executive’s to have a detailed discussion with Margaret Ford, the then Chair of English Partnerships, about the city’s environmental and growth aspirations, which was a key factor in the designation of Peterborough as one of only two Carbon Challenge cities in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.