Meeting documents

To elect the Chairman of the County Council for 2017/18.

Cllr Pauline Batstone proposed and Cllr William Trite seconded and it was

Resolved

That Cllr Hilary Cox be elected Chairman for the year 2017/18.  

To appoint the Vice-Chairman of the County Council for 2017/18.

Cllr Jill Haynes proposed and Cllr David Shortell seconded and it was

Resolved

That Cllr Andrew Parry be elected Vice-Chairman for the year 2017/18.  

An apology for absence received from Cllr Colin Jamieson.

Councillors are required to comply with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 regarding disclosable pecuniary interests.

§     Check if there is an item of business on this agenda in which the member or other relevant person has a disclosable pecuniary interest.

§     Check that the interest has been notified to the Monitoring Officer (in writing) and entered in the Register (if not this must be done on the form available from the clerk within 28 days).

§     Disclose the interest at the meeting (in accordance with the County Council’s Code of Conduct) and in the absence of a dispensation to speak and/or vote, withdraw from any consideration of the item.

The Register of Interests is available on Dorsetforyou.com and the list of disclosable pecuniary interests is set out on the reverse of the form.

There were no declarations by members of disclosable pecuniary interests under the Code of Conduct.

To invite the Council to formally thank all former County Councillors who either stood down or were not re-elected at the County Council elections on 4 May 2017, for their hard work, dedication and commitment to the residents of Dorset and to the communities within their electoral divisions.

Cllr Cox, as the Chairman, recognised the need to pay tribute to the service of the previous Councillors who had either stood down or not been re-elected in May 2017.  She asked for the Council’s consent to write to all former councillors which was wholly supported by members.

The Chief Executive to submit a return of those elected on 4 May 2017 as County Councillors.

The Chief Executive submitted a return of those elected on 4 May 2017 as County Councillors.

Noted

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 16 February 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 February 2017 were confirmed and signed.

Matters Arising

Asset Management Capital Priorities

Arising from minute 8, Cllr Toni Coombs asked a question about the delay in the timescales for delivery of the new school at Marsh Lane in Christchurch and confirmed that she had not received a briefing following the previous County Council meeting. She asked for information on the reasons for the delay, the costs of transfer of pupils to other schools and an update on the new parent action group.

Cllr Deborah Croney, the Cabinet Member for the Economy, Education, Learning and Skills, stated that a briefing sent to Christchurch members had not included Cllr Coombs and gave an assurance that she would be included in future briefings.

(a)          Public Speaking

(b)          Petitions

Public Speaking

There were no public questions received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(1).

There were no public questions received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(2).

Petitions

There were no petitions received at the meeting in accordance with the County Council’s Petition Scheme.

To deal with correspondence, communications or other business brought forward by the Chairman.

(a)       Deaths of Former Members of the Council

(b)       Chairman’s Announcements

The Chairman reported on the death of Major-General Mark Bond OBE JP DL on 27 March 2017 who served on the County Council between 1973 and 1985, representing the Dorchester Rural No. 1 electoral division.  He had also been High Sheriff and would be remembered for his other public and charitable works in Dorset.  The County Council then stood in silent tribute.

The Chairman reported that she had attended regular citizen ceremonies since the last Council meeting. 

She paid tribute to Cllr Andrew Cattaway in his role as Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Council and warmly thanked him for his support in her year as Vice-Chairman.

Election of Leader and appointments to the Cabinet

To elect a Leader of the Council for the period up until the annual meeting of the County Council in 2021; and for the Leader to report to the County Council on his/her appointments to the Cabinet, (including the number of Cabinet members, the appointment of a Deputy Leader and the portfolio arrangements) and any changes to the arrangements for executive decision making. (Note: The Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council are, ex-officio, Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively of the Cabinet).

Leader’s Announcements

To deal with business raised by the Leader of the Council which is not otherwise be raised under any other item on the agenda.  Questions from members will be invited on the issues raised by the Leader.

Leader of the Council and the Cabinet

Members were invited to appoint the Leader of the Council for a four year period from 2017 to 2021.  Cllr Peter Wharf proposed Cllr Rebecca Knox which was seconded by Cllr Jill Haynes. On being put to the vote Cllr Rebecca Knox was duly elected as Leader of the Council. 

Resolved

1          That Cllr Rebecca Knox be appointed Leader of the Council for the period up until the annual meeting of the County Council in 2021, or until the Cabinet resolved to the contrary.

2          That the following appointments made by the Leader be noted:-

(i)         Cllr Peter Wharf as Deputy Leader.

(ii)        Members of the Cabinet with portfolio areas of responsibility:

Peter Wharf           - Deputy Leader and Safeguarding

Jill Haynes             - Health and Care

Deborah Croney    - Economy, Education, Learning and Skills

Toni Ferrari            - Community and Resources

Daryl Turner          - Natural and Built Environment

(Note - The Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council are, ex-officio, Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively of the Cabinet.)

Leader’s Announcements

Cllr Rebecca Knox, as the Leader of the Council, welcomed both new and returning councillors. She thanked councillors and staff for their commitment to the Council, emphasising the need for a "one team" approach in order to work directly for the benefit of the Dorset communities. During the past 4 years the Council had moved towards an inclusive, outward looking approach in working and communicating more with its partners.  She thanked the former Leader, Cllr Robert Gould, for opening up opportunities to reach out to others and it was important that this engagement work continued, sharing more information in order to trust and empower others to assist the Council.

The Chairman of the Council, Leader of the Council, Cabinet Members, or chairmen of appropriate committees to answer questions on any business not covered on this agenda, including any questions on the discharge of the functions of the Fire Authority.  The closing date for the receipt of questions is 10.00am on 15 May 2017.  This item is limited to 45 minutes.

There were no questions received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 20.

Arrangements for the delivery of minor highway maintenance services by Town and Parish Councils

A question was asked about arrangements in respect of unparished areas and an assurance that these areas would not be disadvantaged.

Members were informed that discussions had taken place with town and parish councils on the delivery of minor highways repairs and, in the event that parish councils did not want to undertake this work, the statutory power would remain with the County Council.  It was not intended to exclude non-parished areas from these arrangements and a more flexible approach could result in the involvement of community groups or residents associations.

Cllr David Jones expressed concern regarding the lack of contact and information at Christchurch Borough Council with regard to Local Government Reorganisation and was advised that further contact would be made following the outcome and response by the Secretary of State.

Resolved

That the report of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 March 2017 be adopted.

Temporary Loan Facility for a Cultural Organisation

The terminology used to describe the loan was questioned and it was acknowledged that although the wording could be improved, the Cabinet had agreed to provide a temporary loan to cover a potential shortfall between fundraising income and project expenditure, the details of which would be publicly available in due course.

Executive Advisory Panel on Forward Together for Children’s Services – 27 February 2017

In relation to minute 53b, members asked whether further funding would be available for a second year and include the £187.5k remaining funding.

It was further highlighted that £12.5k had been awarded for 7 grants, only 1 of which included a youth centre, leading some members to request that the criteria and process was changed in light of the difficulties experienced in accessing the fund. 

Members described the difficulties and the restrictive nature of bidding for new discrete activities rather than the day to day running of existing youth facilities where the funding was needed. 

It was confirmed that a fund of £220k had been secured in 2017/18, including the £187.5k funding that had been carried forward from 2016/17 and that the Executive Advisory Panel on Forward Together for Children’s Services would convene at the earliest opportunity.  Concerns had been expressed by the Panel that few organisations had made an application to the fund due to the tight restrictions and the need to be more creative and to promote the fund. 

Cllr Deborah Croney, the Cabinet Member for Economy, Education, Learning and Skills, invited those members having involvement with local youth centres to join the Panel in order to bring their knowledge and experience in this area.

Dorchester Transport and Environment Plan (DTEP) – Proposed Turning Movement Bans at South Gate Junction, Dorchester

In relation to minutes 56a, attention was drawn to the original reason for the junction improvement works to reduce pollution levels and whether monitoring would continue to assess whether these levels had improved.  It was noted that the No 6 electric buses had been replaced with diesel buses, a decision that would add to pollution levels in the town.

Members were informed that continuous monitoring was taking place and would provide data before and after the junction improvement works in order to assess whether these had been effective in reducing pollution levels.

Resolved

That the report of the Cabinet meeting held on 5 April 2017 be adopted.

To consider a report by the Chief Executive.

The Council considered a report by the Chief Executive on the appointments to committees of the County Council, Joint Committees, the Dorset Fire Authority and Member Champions for 2017/18.A supplementary paper had been published prior to the meeting which provided details of the nominations by Group Leaders.

Cllr Rebecca Knox stated that the Member Champions had been reviewed 3 years ago and it would be appropriate to review these roles every year to reflect the changing needs of the community and she welcomed suggestions by members outside of the meeting.

Resolved

1          That seats and appointments on committees of the County Council, joint committees and the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority be allocated for 2017/18, as nominated by Group Leaders and as set out in the Annexure to these minutes.

2          That the Leader be asked to confirm appointments to the Dorset Waste Partnership Joint Committee, Public Health Joint Board and the Dorset Health and Wellbeing Board as set out in the Annexure to these minutes.

3          That members be appointed to serve on other organisations for the year 2017/18 as nominated by Group Leaders.

4          That delegated authority be granted to the Leader of the Council, after consultation with Group Leaders, to make appointments to Member Champions for the remainder of this electoral cycle.

Reason for Decisions

To comply with the County Council’s Procedure Rules (Standing Orders).

To consider a report by the Chief Executive.

The Council considered a report by the Chief Executive on the appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Committees for the year 2017/18.

Resolved

That the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Committees of the County Council for the year 2017/18 be appointed as follows, to reflect the nominations of the Group Leaders:

Committee                                                      Chairman                    Vice-Chairman

Audit and Governance                                    David Harris                Clare Sutton

Children’s and Adult Services Appeals           Lesley Dedman           Steven Lugg

Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny    Steve Butler                Cherry Brooks

People and Communities Overview

and Scrutiny                                                    David Walsh                Mary Penfold

Regulatory                                                      David Jones                Byron Quayle

Safeguarding Overview and Scrutiny                        Pauline Batstone         Kathy Garcia

Staffing                                                           Rebecca Knox                        Hilary Cox

Reason for Decision

To comply with the County Council’s Procedure Rules (Standing Orders).

The report of the Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 27 March 2017 was presented.

Policy Development Panel on HGV Management – Outcomes and Recommendations

Members questioned whether HGV sized farm vehicles and equipment had been included in the freight action plan and whether it could be used to monitor and regulate this type of activity.

Cllr Daryl Turner, the Cabinet Member for the Natural and Built Environment confirmed that farm vehicles were restricted and regulated and that pilots would be undertaken in some parish councils in the future.

Cllr Janet Dover, as local member for Colehill East and Stapehill, stated that she was pleased with the progress that had been made, including the special focus on Ferndown.  However, she remained concerned regarding the lack of reference to Colehill where many developments had outline planning consent.  She asked for reassurance that her previous representations had been taken into account by the Policy Development Panel (PDP) and a contact in respect of her future enquiries.

Cllr Pauline Batstone, as Chairman of the PDP, stated that the Panel had been made fully aware of the issues in the Colehill area.  This was an outstanding piece of work that had not yet been completed due to the recent elections and would be progressed in due course. 

Resolved

That the report be adopted.

The report of the Safeguarding Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 15 March 2017 was presented.

Resolved

That the report be adopted.

The report of the People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 20 March 2017 was presented.

Cllr David Walsh, as Chairman of the Committee, gave a detailed account of its work and highlighted the cross cutting nature of the scrutiny reviews.  He therefore hoped that members who had not been nominated to sit on the committee might be able assist with some of its work. 

Further to a question in relation to prioritisation of the Special Educational Needs budget, it was confirmed that this would be referred to the committee and it was anticipated that Cllr Steve Butler would continue to lead in this area, although no longer a member of the Committee.

Resolved

That the report be adopted.

The report of the Dorset Health Scrutiny Committee held on 9 March 2017 was presented by Cllr Ros Kayes.  She highlighted the lack of consultation with Dorset County Hospital regarding changes to the provision of vascular services and emphasised the role of the committee in the accountability of health services in Dorset. 

She paid tribute to Cllr Ronald Coatsworth who had previously chaired the committee for many years.

Resolved

That the report be adopted.

To consider a recommendation from the Staffing Committee meeting held on 22 November 2016, and the Audit and Governance Committee meeting held on 13 March 2017.

Members considered a recommendation by the Audit and Governance Committee held on 13 March 2017 which was presented by Cllr David Harris.

Resolved

That the County Council agree to:-

1          Approve the Staff Code of Conduct as set out in Appendix 1 of the Chief Executive’s report;

2          Publish the Staff Code of Conduct on Sharepoint and not within the Constitution; and

3          Grant delegated authority to make significant changes to the Staff Code of Conduct to the Staffing Committee within its Terms of Reference.

Reason for Decisions

The Staffing Committee monitored matters relating to staff terms and conditions and people management policies.