Meeting documents

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Andy Canning, Keith Day, Lesley Dedman, Janet Dover, Steven Lugg, Bill Pipe and Clare Sutton.

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

The Chairman clarified that there was a standing dispensation in place for all members, as residents of Dorset, to be able to discuss the County Council budget and set Council Tax.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 November 2017 were confirmed and signed.

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.

The Chairman reported on a number of deaths of councillors who had served on the County Council, as detailed below:

·         Gil Streets, Beaminster division between 1993 and 2005, and as Deputy Leader of the County Council from 1997 to 2001

·         Peter Staples, Mudeford and Wingfield division between 1985 and 1993

·         Basil Ratcliffe, Southbourne division between 1989 and 1997

·         Ruth Bussey, Verwood division between 1989 and 2001

·         June Payne, Christchurch Central division between 1981 and 1997

·         Dr John Milward, West Southbourne/Southbourne division between 1981 and 1997

·         Mervyn Jeffery, Shaftesbury division between 2009 and 2017

Members paid tribute to the dedication and commitment of the former members to Dorset and within their division.  The County Council then stood in silent tribute.

The Chairman reported the following events since the last meeting which included a number of carol services prior to Christmas; citizenship ceremonies; and the election of the Members of Youth Parliament. 

The Chairman also welcomed Cllr Nick Ireland in his new role as the Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group.

The Leader of the Council reported on the following issues facing the Council, and invited questions from all members:

County Council staff

The Leader referred to all staff and highlighted they were the council’s most valuable asset. Collaborative working was providing an opportunity for staff to do a lot more working together both in the private and public sector.  Investing in staff and their successes was very important and highlighted a few of the recent successes:

• Legal Services had been shortlisted in the recent MJ Awards for their innovation in legal services which was now providing a much more efficient and speedier service.
• Public Health, the County Council was leading in this area and there was some great work ongoing.  They had recently received a poster award.
• Highways, had been shortlisted for an award at the Association of public Sector Excellence and Innovation Awards for their work with town and parish councils in respect of minor highway maintenance.

Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group

The Leader thanked the previous Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Ros Kayes, for her collaboration and working together approach for addressing some difficult issues. She then welcomed Cllr Nick Ireland as the new Leader of the Group.

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.  The closing date for the receipt of questions is 10.00am on 12 February 2018.  This item is limited to 45 minutes.

A question was asked under Standing Order 20 by the County Councillor for Ferndown to the Cabinet Member for Natural and Built Environment in relation to a Joint Tree Planting Strategy.  The question and answer are attached as an annexure to these minutes.

Resolved

That the report of the meeting held on 6 December 2017 be adopted.

Resolved

That the report of the meeting held on 17 January 2018 be adopted.

In advance of the budget debate, the following issue was raised in relation to the minutes of the Cabinet on 31 January 2018:

Recommendation 18c - Asset Management Capital Priorities

Following a question regarding the demise of Carillion and the likelihood of the County Council receiving any return of funds, the Monitoring Officer explained that the position regarding the Queen Elizabeth School had been resolved a considerable time ago. A full and final settlement had been reached and therefore there was no impact on the Council because of the changes with Carillion. Communication to this effect had been sent to all members but would be recirculated outside of the meeting.

Resolved

That the report of the meeting held on 31 January 2018 be adopted.

(Notes: 1. Members had been granted dispensations to take part and vote in relation to the budget and council tax setting items on the agenda following the elections held in 2013, and subsequent by-elections.

2. The Chairman highlighted that the Council was required to take a recorded vote following discussion of the budget.)

Cllr Rebecca Knox, the Leader of the Council, presented the budget for 2018/19 to 2020/21 (a copy of the Leader's speech is set out in an annexure to these minutes). She proposed the recommendations put forward by the Cabinet. The proposals were seconded by Tony Ferrari, Cabinet Member for Communities and Resources.

Cllr Tony Ferrari, as the Cabinet Member for Community and Resources, spoke about the 4 key pressures for the Council’s expenditure.  He highlighted the negotiation with employees which had produced a larger settlement than was forecast, and whilst he was pleased staff would receive an increase it reflected negatively on the overall budget position.  To deliver the same services, the following year the Council would need to spend £10m more.  He referred to several demographic pressures, including the number of children in care, which was currently 446, that the population rose at between 1-2% per annum and there was more end of life care for dementia sufferers needed.   He then referred to some flexibility that was available in the number of areas that the Council had chosen to invest in and highlighted the £1m recruitment drive to attract more social workers to Dorset and the move of the Dorchester Learning Centre to a more suitable location.  He also highlighted the finding in foster care placements and school building programmes.  He concluded by noting that this was a good budget at difficult financial time.

Cllr Nick Ireland, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, then addressed the meeting and highlighted that it had been another year of financial blight and he felt that this budget only promised more cuts. He stated that borrowing was £30m up from the previous year and that the debt was over 77% of the Council’s budget, with the interest alone being nearly £8m.  The County Council was now in a position of raising the maximum council tax it could and referred to the cuts in bus services which forced more cars onto the road and children were on streets from youth club closures.  He also noted a concern about losing good staff because of the forthcoming Local Government Reorganisation proposals.  He urged the Council to do more to influence funding from Government.

Cllr Jon Orrell, Deputy Leader of the Green Group, addressed the meeting in the absence of the Leader of the Group. He felt that in respect of funding the County Council was being penalised for delivering well.  In respect of dementia care, nationally this had been ducked and deserved a national solution to a national problem.  He had sympathy with the Cabinet and officers and felt that a good job had been done, making the ‘best of a bad hand’.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

In accordance with Standing Order 44, the votes for and against Recommendation 18b were recorded as follows:

For (38): Jon Andrews, Shane Bartlett, Pauline Batstone, Derek Beer, Richard Biggs,  Kevin Brookes, Cherry Brooks, Ray Bryan, Steve Butler, Graham Carr-Jones, Andrew Cattaway, Toni Coombs, Hilary Cox, Deborah Croney, Jean Dunseith, Beryl Ezzard, Tony Ferrari, Spencer Flower, Katharine Garcia, Peter Hall, David Harris, Jill Haynes, Nick Ireland, Colin Jamieson, Susan Jefferies, David Jones, Rebecca Knox, Jon Orrell, Andrew Parry, Mary Penfold, Margaret Phipps, Byron Quayle, David Shortell, William Trite, Daryl Turner, David Walsh, Peter Wharf and Kate Wheller.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Resolved

That recommendation 18b from the meeting held on 31 January 2018 be approved.

Recommendation 18(b) – Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Prudential Indicators for 2018-19

That the County Council be recommended to approve:-

1.    The Prudential Indicators and Limits for 2018/19 to 2020/21.

2.    The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement.

3.    The Treasury Management Strategy.

4.    The Investment Strategy.

5.    Delegation to the Chief Financial Officer to determine the most appropriate means of funding the Capital Programme.

Reasons for Recommendations

1.   The Prudential Code provided a framework under which the Council’s capital finance decisions were carried out.  It required the Council to demonstrate that its capital expenditure plans were affordable, external borrowing was within prudent and sustainable levels and treasury management decisions were taken in accordance with professional good practice. Adherence to the Prudential Code was mandatory as set out in the Local Government Act 2003.

2.   This report recommended the indicators to be applied by the Council for the financial years 2018/19 to 2020/21.  The successful implementation of the code would assist in our objective of developing ‘public services fit for the future’.

In accordance with Standing Order 44, the votes for and against Recommendation 18c were recorded as follows:

For (38): Jon Andrews, Shane Bartlett, Pauline Batstone, Derek Beer, Richard Biggs,  Kevin Brookes, Cherry Brooks, Ray Bryan, Steve Butler, Graham Carr-Jones, Andrew Cattaway, Toni Coombs, Hilary Cox, Deborah Croney, Jean Dunseith, Beryl Ezzard, Tony Ferrari, Spencer Flower, Katharine Garcia, Peter Hall, David Harris, Jill Haynes, Nick Ireland, Colin Jamieson, Susan Jefferies, David Jones, Rebecca Knox, Jon Orrell, Andrew Parry, Mary Penfold, Margaret Phipps, Byron Quayle, David Shortell, William Trite, Daryl Turner, David Walsh, Peter Wharf and Kate Wheller.

Against (0)

Abstain (0)

Resolved

That recommendation 18c from the meeting held on 31 January 2018 be approved.

Recommendation 18(c) – Asset Management Capital Priorities

That the County Council be recommended to approve the capital programme for 2018/19 to 2020/21.

Reason for Recommendation

The available resources after taking account of committed projects were sufficient to meet the current capital programme.

The following matters were raised in relation to the report of the meeting:

Minute 6 - Admission Arrangements 2019-20 and Transport Policy 2018-19

One member asked for justification for the rise in the cost of surplus seats for school transport and felt it was quite inhibiting especially in respect of the amount that had to be paid, on those parents with more than one child, and the times of year when it had to be paid.  Cllr Deborah Croney, as the Cabinet Member for Economy, Education, Learning and Skills, advised that the decision had not yet been made as additional enquiries were being made for further information around comparators and expansion of Post 16 Transport before the Cabinet was scheduled to reconsider the matter on 7 March 2018. A conscious decision had been made several years ago to move to cost recovery and this increase was not about profiteering but ensuring the County Council could provide a cost neutral service which had not yet been achieved.  The Chairman referred to the Integrated Transport Enquiry Day scheduled for Monday 26 February 2018 which would be a useful session for all members to attend.

Resolved

That the report of the meeting held on 10 January 2018 be adopted.

Resolved

That the report of the meeting held on 24 January 2018 be adopted.

Resolved

That the report of the meeting held on 30 January 2018 be adopted.

Resolved

That the report of the meeting held on 13 November 2018 be adopted.

The following matters were raised in relation to the report of the meeting:

Cllr Nick Ireland advised members that the Committee had met only to review the decision that had been made at the previous meeting on 13 November 2017 to make a referral to the Secretary of State for Health regarding the outcome of the Clinical Services Review.  It had been a well-attended meeting with representatives from the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Ambulance Trust and several presentations were given.

Cllr Jill Haynes, as the Cabinet Member for Health and Care, advised members that this item had been presented to the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee who had declined to support the referral to the Secretary of State.  There had been a considerable amount of attention paid to concerns regarding which hospital people from areas, particularly in Purbeck, would be attending and the CCG and Ambulance Trust had explained this at the meeting and a decision had been taken by the Committee to not progress with the referral.

Resolved

That the report of the meeting held on 20 December 2018 be adopted.

To consider a recommendation from the Regulatory Committee meeting held on 4 January 2018.

Recommended

That County Council supported and endorsed the proposal to delegate to Bournemouth Borough Council the determination of the planning application for a new road junction on the A338 at Wessex Fields and the Royal Bournemouth Hospital to Bournemouth Borough Council.

Reason for Decision

To avoid duplication of work and to reduce the potential risk of a legal challenge arising from two different planning authorities interpreting and carrying out planning procedures in a slightly different way.

To consider a recommendation from the Audit and Governance Committee meeting held on 19 January 2018.

It was highlighted that the Regulatory Committee had a lot of work to do in the coming months and had sometimes found themselves inquorate.  However, there was full support for a reduced membership with substitutes in place across all groups. Following a question about only those members attending site visits being able to make decisions, Cllr David Jones, as the Chairman of the Regulatory Committee, explained this would be kept under review and if necessary would come back to County Council with any further changes if required.

Cllr Kate Wheller made reference to whether there was any possibility for ungrouped members being invited to join the committee.  It was confirmed that political proportionality applied in this instance, but there were options regarding involvement that could be used.

Resolved

That the following constitutional changes as amended by the Audit and Governance Committee be approved:

1.   County Councils Petition Scheme (including Petition Panels comprising a minimum of 3 members – the local member(s) should be given first choice and the relevant Cabinet Member should be expected to be involved).

2.   Regulatory Committee Membership – 10 members (in accordance with political proportionality) plus one substitute for each political party; and

3.   Pension Fund Committee Membership to include a maximum of 2 Cabinet Members.

Reason for Decision

To contribute to the County Council’s Corporate Plan ‘Working Together for a Strong and Successful Dorset’.

To consider a recommendation from the Staffing Committee meeting held on 29 January 2018. 

Resolved

That the Pay Policy Statement for 2017/18 be approved.

Reason for Decision

The Staffing Committee oversaw matters relating to staff terms and conditions.

To consider a recommendation from the Staffing Committee meeting held on 29 January 2018.  The recommendation was considered and supported by the Audit and Governance Committee on 19 January 2018.

Resolved

That the County Council approve:-

1. That the Chief Executive retains the statutory role of the Director for Adult Social Services on an interim basis.

2. That options for the discharge of the DASS role be confirmed within the new structure of Adult and Community Services and that discussions proceed with the Clinical Commissioning Group to consider a Joint Director post and resources to progress the Accountable Care System/Partnership development be agreed.

3. That delegated authority to develop these options be granted to the Chief Executive, after consultation with the Chairman of the Committee and Leader of the Council, Chair of the Health and Well-being Board and Cabinet Member for Health and Care.

4. That the changes, when approved by the County Council, be subject to Article 12 of the Council’s Constitution, subject to the recommendations of the Audit and Governance Committee.

5. That the Interim Director for Children's Services appointment be extended for a 6 month period, to expire in October 2018, be agreed.

6. That the Adult & Community Services Directorate Scheme of Delegation from Senior Managers be amended accordingly.

Reason for Decisions

To ensure the continued delivery of the County Council’s statutory responsibilities and effective management.

The following changes to appointments and committees were reported at the meeting:

·           Cllr Rebecca Knox confirmed that Cllr Steve Butler would replace Cllr Tony Ferrari on the Joint Public Health Board.

·           Cllr Nick Ireland made the following changes to fill Liberal Democrat vacancies on several Committees: 

o      People and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee – Cllr Beryl Ezzard

o      Dorset Health Scrutiny Committee – Cllr Beryl Ezzard

o      Joint Health Scrutiny Committee – Clinical Services Review – Cllr Nick Ireland

o      Children’s and Adult Services Appeals Committee – Cllr Derek Beer

Resolved

That the changes to appointments be approved.