Meeting documents
East Dorset District Council Full Council
Monday, 15th December, 2014 6.30 pm
PDF 566 KBVenue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Furzehill, Wimborne. View directions
Contact: Richard Jones 01202 495170 Email: democraticservices@christchurchandeastdorset.gov.uk
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Prayers Prayers will be said by the Reverend Peter Breckwoldt of St John’s Church, Wimborne.
Mr Neill Evans
The Chairman to report the recent death of a former Member of the Council Mr Neill Evans, who represented the Corfe Mullen South Ward on the District Council from 1991 to 1999, and was Chairman of the Council for the Civic Year 1996-1997.
Minutes: Prayers were said by the Reverend Peter Breckwoldt of St John’s Church, Wimborne. Following the close of prayers, the Chairman of the Council reported the recent death of a former Member of the Council Mr Neill Evans, who represented the Corfe Mullen South Ward on the District Council from 1991 to 1999, and was Chairman of the Council for the Civic Year 1996-1997. Neill Evans also sat on the County Council from 1993-1997. Councillor Mrs Holland said a few words in respect of Neill Evans following which the Council held a minutes silence in tribute. |
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To confirm as a correct the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 October 2014. Minutes: The Minutes of the Council meeting held on 27 October were confirmed and signed as a correct record. |
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Declarations of Interests by Members To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests from Members in respect of the following items. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest made on this occasion. |
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To receive any announcements from the Chairman, Council Leader or Chief Executive. Minutes: The Chairman of Council referred to his list of engagements attended since the last Council meeting which was included within the agenda, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘A’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book. The Chairman advised Council that November and the beginning of December had been a busy period particularly with regards to festive engagements. The Chairman advised that he had been particularly honoured to be present at the Tourism Awards Ceremony. Further to this the Chairman informed Members that he had attended Remembrance events and services across the District and thanked other Members who had attended events in other areas on his behalf. In addition the Chairman advised Members that the ‘Chain Gang Choir’ which was made up of Chairman and Mayors across Dorset were on You Tube singing at the recent Verwood Town Council winter reception In summary the Chairman advised that he was very grateful for meeting all of the people that he had done, and that he was looking forward to the months ahead. There were no announcements made by the Leader of the Council or Chief Executive on this occasion. |
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Questions by Members of the Public To deal with questions to the Council Chairman, Council Leader, Committee Chairmen or Lead Members submitted in writing by members of the public under Council Procedure Rule 8(2). Minutes: The Chairman advised Council, that subject to their being no objection by Members it was his intention to suspend standing orders in respect of public speaking to enable there to be a total of 25 minutes allowed, in view of the interest in the business before the meeting. The Chairman then took agenda item numbers 6, 7 and 8 together as one item. The Chairman advised that seven Members of the public had indicated their wish to speak. Mr Verguson From the green pamphlet that I have here that was circulated, it appears that this parish review is solely of the instigation of East Dorset District Council, the aim being to bring about more effective and convenient delivery of local services reflecting the identities and interests of the community. Yet oddly, the whole purpose of this review seems to be set to on changing the identity of those areas effected and is against the interests of the residents, those Colehill residents threatened with relocation against their declared wish will face a very substantial increase in their precept with virtually nothing to show for it, for example, a band D dwelling will face an increase from £29.50 per annum to £108.63, for a Band G the increase is up from £49.17 to £180.73 equivalent to an extra £2.50 plus every week. These are not insignificant sums which can be ignored as some Councillors have suggested. As I understand it East Dorset District Council is responsible for a number of services across East Dorset, these services are provided uniformally across the area and transend both parish and Council boarders, given that EDDC already provides these services in neighbouring Wimborne and Colehill, changing the boundaries between these two areas will appear pointless. Drawing new lines on maps, changing area names does not alter roads and routes used by these services, it does not influence traffic or change the number of homes and residents served across Wimborne and Colehill for these services. For example the East Dorset District Council refuse collection along Leigh Road, one of the areas threatened, begins at the Quarterjack roundabout works through the Wimborne part of Leigh Road and then continues onto that part of Leigh Road in Colehill. All the homes along and off Leigh Road, Wimborne or Colehill, have the same bins, and the same Friday collection programme. Changing the boundary 200 yards to the East between Wimborne and Colehill, will achieve nothing, apart from the additional precept changes on those affected. I therefore question the assertion that the boundary changes are necessary to make more effective and convenient delivery of services which are already uniformally provided across East Dorset regardless of Parish or Town boundaries, which for these purposes seem irrelevant. However I do accept that given for the last three years East Dorset District Council has been unable to comply fully with governments council tax freeze, so more effective provision of services would seem desirable. But this is rather more dependent upon management than upon boundaries. ... view the full minutes text for item 279. |
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Petitions by Members of the Public To deal with petitions or similar communications submitted by Members of the public under Council Procedure Rule 8(3). Minutes: The Chairman reported that a petition had been received under Council Procedure Rule 8(3). The Chairman advised that the petitioner was not present at the Council meeting to present the petition which requested that the Council ask that the Illuminated Pharmacy sign at the NISA store, High Street, Sturminster Marshall be replaced with a non-illuminated sign. The Chairman advised that the petition would be passed to the appropriate officer to deal with. |
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Deputations by Members of the Public To deal with deputations from members of the public under Council Procedure Rule 8(4).
Note: Deputations by members of the public have to be received by 12 noon on the Friday prior to the meeting. Minutes: Deputations received under Council Procedural Rule 8(4) were on this occasion dealt with under Minute 279. |
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Questions by Members of the Council To deal with questions to the Council Chairman, Council Leader, the Chairman of any committee or sub-committee or Lead Members submitted in writing by Members of the Council under Council Procedure Rule 9(2).
Note: Questions by Members of the Council have to be received by 12 noon on the Friday prior to the meeting. Minutes: The Chairman reported that a question had been submitted under Council Procedure Rules 9(2). Question by Councillor D Burt The Office Accommodation Working Group met on 2 October when it was reported that the Dorset County Council had not given a firm undertaking to be involved with the Office building proposed to be constructed in Wimborne. The Working Group agreed to give DCC until the end of October to sign a Memorandum of Undertaking to be part of this project. Did DCC sign an undertaking before the end of October? If they did sign, how many DCC staff will be accommodated in the new Office? This Council is working towards most staff being based in the Civic Centre at Christchurch but how many East Dorset District Staff will be based permanently in the new Civic Centre in Wimborne? When will the working Group meet again so as to be updated on progress? The Leader of the Council, Councillor I Monks responded: Since the Office Accommodation Working Party met on the 2 October good progress has been made with our partner organisations to more accurately define their requirements. As to Dorset County Council in particular they have held two workshops, led by one of their Directors to explore which services they would wish to deliver from the new public facility in Wimborne. This is very encouraging news, and their list includes services which will very much add to our objective of providing a wider range of public services to our residents. As yet none of the partners have formally signed a memorandum of undertaking but it shouldn’t be long before this is completed. In the meantime all have agreed to work together with our architects and move to the next stage of design, this will allow us to work on the detail of the plans and therefore better understand the costs involved. In terms of services that this Council will provide, it is not envisaged that there will be any difference from those presently provided, indeed we would anticipate that the inclusion of partners and their services would be more comprehensive. As part of the ongoing process we will examine this in more detail, including at the Accommodation Working Party. The services provided by this Council should not be confused with where staff are based, these are not the same thing. Heads of Service are clear that they do not need any staff based permanently in East Dorset in order to provide services. Officers have to this point assumed that a requirement of 30 work stations, but it needs to be remembered that the accommodation changes will be implemented at the same time as the introduction of new ways of working for staff, this includes much more mobile and flexible arrangements, so that the 30 work station does not mean that there will be 30 staff based in East Dorset. The reality is that many more than this number will be providing services for the District at any one time. |
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Planning Committee, 14 October 2014 To receive the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2014 Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2014 were submitted. RESOLVED that the minutes as submitted be adopted. Voting: Unanimous |
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Community Committee, 4 November 2014
To receive the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2014 Additional documents: Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2014 were submitted. RESOLVED that the minutes as submitted be adopted. Voting: Unanimous |
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Planning Committee, 11 November 2014 To receive the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2014 Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2014 were submitted. RESOLVED that the minutes as submitted be adopted. Voting: Unanimous
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Licensing Sub-Committee, 12 November 2014 To receive the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2014 Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2014 were submitted. RESOLVED that the minutes as submitted be adopted. Voting: Unanimous
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Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee, 18 November 2014
To receive the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2014 Additional documents: Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 18 November 2014 were submitted. RESOLVED that the minutes as submitted be adopted. Voting: Unanimous
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Resources Committee, 26 November 2014
To receive the Minutes of meeting held on 26 November 2014 Additional documents: Minutes: The Minutes and the recommendation Minute No. 259 (Review of the Treasury Management Policy) of the meeting held on 4 November 2014 were submitted. RESOLVED that the minutes as submitted be adopted. Voting: Nem.Con. (1 Abstention)
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Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee, 10 December 2014 To receive the Minutes of the special meeting held on 10 December 2014 Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2014 were submitted. RESOLVED that the minutes as submitted be adopted. Voting: Unanimous
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Special Resources Committee, 15 December 2014 To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2014 Minutes: The Minutes and the recommendation of Minute No. 274 (Community Governance Review – Final Recommendations) of the meeting held on 15 December 2014 were submitted. Councillor Mrs Dover requested clarification with regards to whether the review had given regard to the Gunning Principles of consultation. The Solicitor to the Council advised that the review process had followed the Boundary Review Guidance. During the debate, an amendment was proposed by Councillor D G L Packer and seconded by Councillor Mrs J Dover that those Sections relating to Colehill and Wimborne Minster be deferred until a proposition can be put forward in the next session based on factual evidence and involving the two communities and their representatives. A recorded vote was requested in respect of the amendment. Upon being put to the vote, the amendment was declared lost (4 votes for, 26 votes against) For: Cllr Mrs S J Burns, Cllr Mrs J Dover, Cllr D G L Packer and Cllr B Roberts. Against: Cllr M C Birr, Cllr S Butler, Cllr Mrs L J Clark, Cllr A A J Clarke, Cllr R D Cook, Cllr Mrs T B Coombs, Cllr M R Dyer, Cllr P J Edwards, Cllr S G Flower, Cllr S Gibson, Cllr Mrs J M Hazel, Cllr Mrs A Holland, Cllr Mrs J P Holland, Cllr Mrs P A Hymers, Cllr S M Lugg, Cllr Mrs B T Manuel, Cllr I Monks, Cllr D Morgan, Cllr B E Mortimer, Cllr Mrs P A Reynolds, Cllr G W Russell, Cllr D W Shortell, Cllr A Skeats, Cllr S S Tong, Cllr Mrs A Warman and Cllr J L Wilson. RESOLVED that the minutes and recommendation as submitted be adopted. Voting: 27:3 For: Cllr M C Birr, Cllr Mrs S J Burns, Cllr S Butler, Cllr Mrs L J Clark, Cllr A A J Clarke, Cllr R D Cook, Cllr Mrs T B Coombs, Cllr M R Dyer, Cllr P J Edwards, Cllr S G Flower, Cllr S Gibson, Cllr Mrs J M Hazel, Cllr Mrs A Holland, Cllr Mrs J P Holland, Cllr Mrs P A Hymers, Cllr S M Lugg, Cllr Mrs B T Manuel, Cllr I Monks, Cllr D Morgan, Cllr B E Mortimer, Cllr Mrs P A Reynolds, Cllr G W Russell, Cllr D W Shortell, Cllr A Skeats, Cllr S S Tong, Cllr Mrs A Warman and Cllr J L Wilson. Against: Cllr Mrs J Dover, Cllr D G L Packer and Cllr B Roberts. |
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Executive Style Governance - Outcome of Consultation Members are requested to note the responses received to the consultation exercise on changing to Executive style of governance and to support that change for implementation from May 2015 Additional documents: Minutes: The Solicitor to the Council submitted a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book. Members were requested to note the responses received to the consultation exercise on changing to Executive style of governance and to support that change for implementation from May 2015. Members requested that a recorded vote be taken in respect of Recommendation (1). RESOLVED that: (1) Members formally resolve to move to Executive style of governance , being a Leader and Cabinet model , from May 2015; (2) Constitutional changes be prepared by officers and a small cross party group of Councillors for approval by Council to give effect to the change to Executive style of governance; (3) Within the Constitutional changes , Members agree that the Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee will be chaired by a Member of the Opposition; (4) A schedule of meetings for post May 2015 be submitted to the next meeting of Council based upon the change to Executive style of governance; Voting: (1) 19:3 (8 Abstentions) with voting:- For: Cllr M C Birr, Cllr S Butler, Cllr Mrs L J Clark, Cllr A A J Clarke, Cllr R D Cook, Cllr Mrs T B Coombs, Cllr M R Dyer, Cllr P J Edwards, Cllr S G Flower, Cllr S Gibson, Cllr Mrs J M Hazel, Cllr S M Lugg, Cllr Mrs B T Manuel, Cllr I Monks, Cllr B E Mortimer, Cllr D W Shortell, Cllr A Skeats, Cllr S S Tong, Cllr J L Wilson. Against: Cllr Mrs J Dover, Cllr Mrs A Holland, Cllr J P Holland. Abstentions: Cllr Mrs S J Burns, Cllr Mrs P A Hymers, Cllr D Morgan, Cllr D G L Packer, Cllr Mrs P A Reynolds, Cllr B Roberts, Cllr G W Russell, Cllr Mrs A Warman. (2), (3) and (4) Nem.Con. (2 Abstentions)
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Corporate Plan Progress Report To inform Members about the Council’s achievements against the 2012-2016 Corporate Plan Additional documents: Minutes: The report was submitted to Council, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'C' to these Minutes in the Minute Book. Members were informed about the Council’s achievements against the 2012-2016 Corporate Plan. RESOLVED that Members: a) Note the progress made against the Christchurch and East Dorset Corporate Plan objectives b) instruct the Corporate Team to examine any areas of the Corporate Plan where there are concerns over the Council’s ability to achieve any of its objectives and report their findings to the relevant committee Voting: Unanimous
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Review of East Dorset Polling Districts and Polling Stations To approve a scheme of polling districts and polling places for the East Dorset District Council administrative area Additional documents: Minutes: The Democratic Services and Elections Manger submitted a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'D’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book. Members were requested to approve a scheme of polling districts and polling places for the East Dorset District Council administrative area. RESOLVED that the schedule of polling districts and polling places as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 to this report be approved for implementation for the May 2015 elections. Voting: Unanimous
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Approval of Leave of Absence The Chief Executive to report that owing to illness Councillor R. C. Dudman has not been able to attend meetings since 7 July 2014. Section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972 states that "if a Member of a local authority fails throughout a period of 6 consecutive months from the date of his last attendance to attend any meeting of the authority, he shall, unless the failure was due to some reason approved by the authority before the expiry of that period, cease to be a Member of the authority". It is RECOMMENDED that due to ill health, a period of 6 months leave of absence be granted to Councillor R. C. Dudman with effect from 16 December 2014. Minutes: The Chief Executive advised Members that owing to illness Councillor R. C. Dudman had not been able to attend meetings since the 7 July 2014. Members were provided with an update with regards to Councillor Dudmans health, and further to this asked that their well wishes be sent to Councillor Dudman. RESOLVED that due to ill health, a period of 6 months leave of absence be granted to Councillor R C Dudman with effect from 16 December 2014. Voting: Unanimous |
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Representations from Outside Bodies To receive reports from Members on those Outside Bodies which have met since the previous meeting. Minutes: The Chairman advised that there were no reports from Members of the Council with respect of Outside Bodies on this occasion. |