Agenda and minutes

Hilary Cox, Chairman of the Shadow Dorset Council welcomed and congratulated all the new Councillors to their first meeting of the Dorset Council.

Hilary Cox, as Chairman of the Shadow Council to preside over the election of  the Chairman of Council for 2019/20.

It was proposed by Cllr N Lacey-Clarke and seconded by Cllr C Jones that Cllr P Batstone be elected Chairman of the Council for the period until the first meeting of the Annual Meeting of Council in May 2020. 

There were no other nominations.

Decision

That Cllr P Batstone be elected Chairman of Dorset Council for the period until the Annual Meeting of Council in May 2020.

Cllr Batstone thanked her proposer and seconder and the members of the council for the honour that they conferred upon her. She subscribed and made the declaration of acceptance of office. Cllr Batstone also took the opportunity to thank Hilary Cox for her years of dedicated service to Dorset County Council and the Shadow Dorset Council.

To elect the Vice-Chairman of Council for 2019/20.

It was proposed by Cllr S Jespersen and seconded by Cllr P Brown that Cllr V Pothecary be elected Vice-Chairman of Dorset Council for the period until the first meeting of annual council in May 2020. 

It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland and seconded by Cllr C Sutton that Cllr J Andrews be elected Vice-Chairman of Dorset Council for the period until the first meeting of annual council in May 2020. 

It was proposed by Cllr P Kimber and seconded by Cllr K Wheller that Cllr K Wheller be elected Vice-Chairman of Dorset Council for the period until the first meeting of annual council in May 2020. 

Cllr N Lacey-Clarke requested a recorded vote and in accordance with the constitution this was seconded and agreed.

Those who voted for Cllr J Andrews:

Cllrs J Andrews, P Barrow, S Bartlett, D Beer, R Biggs, D Bolwell, A Brenton, T Cook, J Dover, L Fry, D Gray, H Legg, R Legg, M Hall, R Holloway, R Hope, N Ireland, S Jones, D Morgan, M Roe, A Starr, C Sutton, R Tarr, D Taylor, G Taylor, D Tooke and S Williams.

Those who voted for Cllr K Wheller:

Cllrs K Clayton, S Cocking, B Heatley, R Hughes, P Kimber, J Orrell, B Ridout and K Wheller.

Those who voted for Cllr V Pothecary:

Cllrs R Adkins, A Alford, P Batstone, C Brooks, P Brown, S Christopher, G Carr-Jones, R Cook, T Coombs, J Dunseith, M Dyer, T Ferrari, S Flower, S Gibson, B Goringe, R Bryan, P Harrison, J Haynes, S Jespersen, C Jones, A Kerby, R Knox, N Lacey-Clarke, C Lugg, L Miller, L O’Leary, M Parkes, A Parry, E Parker, M Penfold, B Pipe, V Pothecary, B Quayle, M Roberts, J Robinson, D Shortell, J Somper, B Trite, D Turner, D Walsh, P Wharf and J Worth.

Decision

That Cllr V Pothecary be elected Vice-Chairman of Dorset Council for the period until the annual meeting of council in May 2020. She subscribed and made the declaration of acceptance of office

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs M Barron, A Canning, B Ezzard, M Rennie and G Suttle.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declaration of interests to report.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman of Council or the Chief Executive.  

The Chairman of the Council welcomed all councillors to the first meeting of the Dorset Council and congratulated them on their election and appointment. She advised that the meeting room for the council meeting was a new trial arrangement and she would appreciate comments and suggestions regarding the layout and any future arrangements.

To elect the Leader of Council for 2019/20. 

It was proposed by Cllr T Ferrari and seconded by Cllr G Carr-Jones that Cllr S Flower be election the Leader of the Council for 2019/2020.

Decision

That Cllr S Flower be appointed Leader of the Council for 2019/2020.

Cllr N Ireland, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group congratulated Cllr Flower on his appointment and hoped that all councillors would be able to work together.  Cllr Ireland also expressed his disappointment that the council was unable to consider Cllr D Turner’s notice of motion regarding Climate Change and declaring a climate emergency.

The Chairman indicated that the notice of motion would be brought to the next council meeting in July.  Cllr Ireland advised that if this was the case the meeting needed to be held at County Hall to ensure that the public was appropriately accommodated.

To note the Deputy Leader of Council and Cabinet membership/portfolio holders as appointed by the Leader of Council.  

The Leader of the Council reported the appointment of the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holders as follows:-

Spencer Flower            Leader/Governance, Performance and Communication

Peter Wharf                   Deputy Leader/ Corporate Development and Change

Tony Ferrari                   Finance, Commercial and Assets

Graham Carr-Jones     Housing

Gary Suttle                    Economic Growth and Skills

Andrew Parry                Children, Education and Early Help

Laura Miller                   Adult Social Care and Health

David Walsh                 Planning

Ray Bryan                     Highways, Travel and Environment

Tony Alford                    Customer, Community and Regulatory Services

To receive any communications from the Leader of Council.

Cllr S Flower took the opportunity to thank the Chairman and the members of the council for putting their faith in him to be the first Leader of the Dorset Council. He expressed that this was a great honour and an immense privilege. As Leader he wanted to promote a collaborative approach for the delivery of quality public services, whilst dealing with the known challenges of rising demand and severe financial pressures. He advised that the council needed to create a ‘Can Do Culture’; a culture that put the interests of Dorset’s communities first with a member led council making a real and lasting difference in Dorset.

To receive questions, statements, petitions or deputations on the business of the Council in the following order:

(a) Questions and statements from Town and Parish Councils

(b) Questions and statements from those living or working in the Dorset Council area.

(c) Petitions

(d) Deputations

Public questions, statements and the responses from the Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holders are set out in the Appendix 1 attached to these minutes.

It was proposed by Cllr P Kimber seconded by Cllr N Ireland to suspend standing orders to allow group leaders to address the council on the issues of Climate Change.  Upon being put to the vote the motion was CARRIED.

In respect of the questions relating to climate and environment emergency, a number of group leaders and councillors expressed concern that the council was not taking adequate action or considering declaring a climate emergency at the meeting.

Many were disappointed that the Leader of the Council was only proposing a cross party Executive Advisory Panel to discuss the matter and that Cllr Turner’s late notice of motion would not be considered until the next meeting of Full Council in July. Many councillors, present at the meeting, felt strongly that the time for discussion was over and the council needed to take action.

In response, the Leader of the Council confirmed that he proposed to create a cross party panel for discussions and the Executive Advisory Panel would report back to Council and the Cabinet on progress and the development of the policy.

He confirmed that he was committed to putting sustainability at the heart of the organisation and hoped that councillors would support him in putting Dorset at the forefront of councils working to tackle climate change.

It was proposed by Cllr R Legg that this matter be dealt with as an urgent item in accordance with section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972. Following advice the Chairman agreed to take this matter as an urgent item.

It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland seconded by Cllr P Kimber “That Council recognises that climate change is happening and agrees to declare a climate emergency” The Council agreed to hold a recorded vote on the motion.

Those who voted in favour:-

Cllrs R Adkins, A Alford, J Andrews, P Barrow, S Bartlett, P Batstone, D Beer, R Biggs, D Bolwell, A Brenton, P Brown,  R Bryan, S Christopher, K Clayton, S Cocking, T Cook, J Dunseith, J Dover, M Dyer, T Ferrari, S Flower, L Fry, S Gibson, G Goringe, D Gray, M Hall, P Harrison, J Haynes, B Heatley, R Holloway, R Hope, R Hughes, N Ireland, S Jespersen, C Jones, S Jones, A Kerby, P Kimber, R Knox, N Lacey-Clarke, H Legg, R Legg, L Miller, D Morgan, J Orrell, E Parker, M Parkes, M Penfold, B Pipe, V Pothecary, B Quayle, B Ridout, M Roe, J Robinson, M Roberts, D Shortell, J Somper, A Starr, C Sutton, R Tarr, D Tooke, D Turner, D Taylor, G Taylor, D Walsh, P Wharf, K Wheller, S Williams and J Worth.

Those who voted against:-

Cllrs R Cook and L O’Leary

Those who abstained:-

Cllrs C Brooks, G Carr-Jones ,T Coombs, C Lugg, A Parry and B Trite.

Upon being  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To consider a report by the Corporate Director, Legal & Democratic (Monitoring Officer). 

Councillors considered a report on the appointment to committees/joint committees and the election of Chairmen/Vice-Chairmen for 2019/20.

The nominations to committees from the Political Group Leaders had been circulated to all councillors prior to the meeting.  Cllr S Flower proposed that recommendations 1 and 2 be approved. This was seconded by Cllr N Ireland and upon being put to the vote, the motion was agreed.

In respect of recommendation 3 the following nominations and decisions were agreed.

It was proposed by Cllr S Flower seconded by Cllr T Ferrari that Cllr J Haynes be elected as Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee. It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland seconded by Cllr D Taylor that Cllr N Ireland be elected as Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee.

Upon being put to vote Cllr J Haynes was appointed Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee.

It was proposed by Cllr S Flower seconded by Cllr M Penfold that Cllr A Kerby be elected as Vice-Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee. It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland seconded by Cllr D Tooke that Cllr N Ireland be elected Vice-Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee .

Upon being put to vote Cllr A Kerby was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee.

It was proposed by Cllr S Flower seconded by Cllr M Penfold that Cllr J Somper be elected Chairman of the People Scrutiny Committee. It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland seconded by Cllr D Tooke that Cllr G Taylor be elected Chairman of the People Scrutiny Committee.

Upon being put to vote Cllr J Somper was appointed Chairman of the People Scrutiny Committee.

It was proposed by Cllr S Flower seconded by Cllr B Trite that Cllr M Penfold be elected Vice-Chairman of the People Scrutiny Committee. It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland seconded by Cllr D Taylor  that Cllr G Taylor be elected Vice-Chairman of the People Scrutiny Committee.

Upon being put to the vote Cllr M Penfold was appointed Vice-Chairman of People Scrutiny Committee.

It was proposed by Cllr S Flower seconded by Cllr J Haynes that Cllr D Turner be elected Chairman of the Place Scrutiny Committee. It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland seconded by Cllr R Hope that Cllr R Tarr be elected Chairman of the Place Scrutiny Committee.

Upon being put to the vote Cllr D Turner was appointed Chairman of the Place Scrutiny Committee.

It was proposed by Cllr S Flower seconded by Cllr M Roberts that Cllr C Brooks be elected Vice-Chairman of the Place Scrutiny Committee.

It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland seconded by Cllr G Taylor that Cllr R Tarr be elected Vice-Chairman of the Place Scrutiny Committee.

Upon being put to the vote Cllr C Brooks was appointed the Vice-Chairman of the Place Scrutiny Committee.

It was proposed by Cllr S Flower seconded by Cllr S Jespersen that Cllr P Brown be elected Chairman of the Resources Scrutiny Committee. It was proposed by Cllr N Ireland  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To consider a report by the Corporate Director, Legal and Democratic (Monitoring Officer).

The council considered a report that sought the appointment of councillors to outside bodies, joint bodies and other working groups and panels.

It was proposed by Cllr S Flower seconded by Cllr P Wharf

Decision

(a)       That the appointment of councillors to joint bodies and other significant bodies at Appendix 1 of the report, in accordance with political proportionality, be approved;

(b)       That delegated authority be granted to the Monitoring Officer, after consultation with Group Leaders, to make appointments and to fill vacancies where appropriate;

(c)        That the appointment of councillors to local member positions at Appendix 3 be approved and

(d)       That a fundamental review of appointments be undertaken by a Task & Finish Group comprising five members, to be nominated by Group Leaders, and for the review to be reported back to Council on 17 October 2019.

To consider a report by the Head of Revenues and Benefits.  

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Development and Change reported that the Shadow Council had received and considered a report at its meeting on 20 February 2019, on the proposed budget for 2019/20.

Unfortunately, there had been a drafting error within the report and the wrong precept and Council Tax charges were shown for the parish of Wool. The tables as set out in 1.2 of the report corrected this error.

Decision

That the corrected precept and charges, as set out in the tables at 1.2 of the report to Full Council of 16 May 2019, be approved.

To receive any questions from councillors.  Written notice of questions to be submitted to the Corporate Director, Legal and Democratic 5 clear working days before the meeting.

Cllr N Ireland and Cllr C Sutton asked questions of the Leader of the Council.  The questions and responses are attached to these minutes at Appendix 2

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no further urgent items to report.