Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 15 October 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 October were confirmed and agreed as a correct record.

To receive any declarations of interest.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made at the meeting.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman of Council.

The Chairman announced the sad death of Honorary Alderman Ray Banham (former Weymouth and Portland Borough Councillor) and Cllr Howard Legg paid tribute to him.

The Chairman also commented on the benefits of remote meetings.

A period of 30 minutes is allocated to receive and respond to questions and statements 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;

A person or organisation can ask either 2 questions, or 2 statements or 1 question and 1 statement at each meeting. 

**Important**The full text of the question or statement must be received by 8.30am on Monday 7 December 2020 and each question or statement is limited to 450 words.

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic public speaking has been suspended, however questions and statements will be published on the website and the Chairman of Council will decide whether a question or statement is to be read out aloud in whole, in part or not at all in the meeting.  The Chairman will invite the relevant member to respond to the questions and statements at the meeting.

Details of the Council’s procedure rules can be found at: Public Participation at Full Council

The Chairman of Council invited officers to read out the questions and statements submitted by members of the public. Responses were provided by the appropriate Portfolio Holder and a copy of these is attached as an appendix to these minutes.

A period of 15 minutes is allocated to receive and respond to petitions in accordance with the council’s petitions scheme.

A period of 15 minutes is allocated to receive and respond to deputations in accordance with the council’s constitution.

The petitions scheme and procedures relating to deputations can be viewed at :

Temporary Council Procedure Rules

There were no petitions or deputations.

To receive any announcements and reports from the Leader of Council and members of the Cabinet.

Council received announcements and reports from the Leader of Council and Cllr Laura Miller Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health.

To receive questions submitted by councillors.  The deadline for receipt of questions is 8.30am on Monday 7 December 2020.

The Chairman of Council invited councillors to ask their questions, responses were provided by the appropriate Portfolio Holder and a copy of these are attached as an appendix to these minutes.

To consider a recommendation by the Harbours Committee.

The Chairman of the Harbours Committee introduced the report which sought authority to prepare and submit a combined Harbour Revision Order (HRO) to the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) in order to consolidate and modernise the current local legislation relating to Lyme Regis and Bridport Harbours.

Proposed by Cllr Mark Roberts, seconded by Cllr Rob Hughes

Decision

1)    That an application be made to the Marine Management Organisation for a joint Harbour Revision Order in respect of Bridport and Lyme Regis Harbours to consolidate and modernise the current applicable legislation;

2)    That delegated authority was given to the Executive Director of Place in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Travel and Environment to determine the wording of the Harbour Revision Order based on legal advice and to undertake all procedures for the submission of the Harbour Revision Order to the Marine Management Organisation.

3)    That a budget of £36,000.00 be allocated for this work to include the legal advice, the application fee and public notices. This may be split over 2 years.

Reason for Decision

To consolidate and modernise the local legislation for Lyme Regis and Bridport Harbours.

To consider a recommendation from the Harbours Committee.

The Chairman of the Harbours Committee presented the report which sought to approve the Terms of Reference for the Dorset Council Harbours Consultative groups.

Proposed by Cllr Mark Roberts, seconded by Cllr Rob Hughes

Decision

That the proposed Terms of Reference for the Dorset Council Harbours Consultative Groups be approved.

Reason for Decision

With the Harbour Committee’s new responsibility for all of Dorset Council’s Harbours it was timely to consider how the consultative groups would operate in the future, providing consistency across the harbours.

To consider a recommendation from the Licensing Committee.

The Chairman of the Licensing Committee presented the Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy 2021 – 2024

The Council, as Licensing Authority under the Gambling Act 2005, is required to publish a Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy at least every three years.

The purpose of the policy statement was to define how the Council would exercise its responsibilities under the Act. The draft policy had been prepared by officers, considered at an informal meeting of the Licensing Committee and undergone 12 weeks of public consultation.

The policy had been presented to the Place & Resources Overview Committee for comment on 19 October and the Licensing Committee on 22 October.

Proposed by Cllr Emma Parker, seconded by Cllr Les Fry.

Decision

That the Statement of Gambling Licensing Policy 2021-2024 be adopted.

Reason for Decision

To comply with legislative requirements. The policy statement defines how the Council exercises its responsibilities under the Gambling Act 2005.

To consider a recommendation from the Licensing Committee.

The Chairman of the Licensing Committee presented the Statement of Licensing Policy 2021 – 2026.

The Council, as Licensing Authority under the Licensing Act 2003, is required to publish a Statement of Licensing Policy at least every five years. The purpose of the policy statement was to define how the Council would exercise its responsibilities under the Act. The draft policy had been prepared by officers, considered at an informal meeting of the Licensing Committee and published, in draft format, for a 12 week period of public consultation.

.

The policy was presented to Place & Resources Overview Committee for comment on 19 October and Licensing Committee on 22 October.

Proposed by Cllr Emma Parker, seconded by Cllr Jon Andrews

Decision

That the statement of Licensing Policy 2021 – 2026 be adopted

Reason for Decision

To comply with legislative requirements. The policy statement defines how the Council exercises its responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003.

To consider a recommendation from Cabinet.

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety presented the Dorset Council Housing Allocations Policy 2021 – 2026.

Local authorities are required under Part 6 of the Housing Act 1996 (as amended) to have a housing allocation scheme and to ensure social housing is allocated. In accordance with the provisions in The Bournemouth, Dorset and Poole (Structural Changes) Order 2018, Dorset Council required a new Dorset Council Housing Allocation Policy.

Proposed by Cllr Carr-Jones, seconded by Cllr Gill Taylor.

Following discussion regarding what constituted a minor amendment, the Corporate Director, Legal and Democratic advised this was something that would not result in a material change in the policy.

Decision

That the Housing Allocation Policy be adopted and authority delegated to the Portfolio Holder Housing and Community Safety to make minor amendments to the Policy and any amendments necessary to reflect legislative change.

Reason for Recommendation

To ensure Dorset Council has a legally compliant Housing Allocation Policy that meets the needs of the residents.

On Remembrance Day when as a nation we pause to recognise the sacrifice made by those who serve to defend our democratic freedoms and way of life activists from Extinction Rebellion hung a climate change banner in front of the Cenotaph.  

That Dorset Council condemns the behaviour and actions of Extinction Rebellion for their actions at the Cenotaph and their total disregard of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice; and for their continued disregard of the law

Proposed by Cllr L O’Leary

Seconded by Cllr B Pipe

Supported by:

Cllr Cathy Lugg

Cllr John Worth

Cllr Susan Cockings

Cllr Andrew Kerby

Cllr Emma Parker

Cllr Bill Trite

Cllr Simon Christopher 

Cllr Mike Parkes

In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.3 (a) this Notice of Motion, upon being proposed and seconded, will be debated by Full Council.    

Proposed by Cllr L O’Leary Seconded by Cllr B Pipe

Supported by: Cllr Cathy Lugg Cllr John Worth Cllr Susan Cockings Cllr Andrew Kerby Cllr Emma Parker Cllr Bill Trite Cllr Simon Christopher Cllr Mike Parkes

“On Remembrance Day when as a nation we pause to recognise the sacrifice made by those who serve to defend our democratic freedoms and way of life activists from Extinction Rebellion hung a climate change banner in front of the Cenotaph.

That Dorset Council condemns the behaviour and actions of Extinction Rebellion for their actions at the Cenotaph and their total disregard of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice; and for their continued disregard of the law”

In accordance with Procedure Rule 14.3 (a) this Notice of Motion, upon being proposed and seconded, was debated by Full Council.

The following amendment was proposed by Cllr Nick Ireland, seconded by Cllr Robin Legg.

In the first sentence delete the words "from Extinction Rebellion".

In the second sentence, delete all words and replace with "Dorset Council deplores any Remembrance Day event being hijacked for political purposes or used by anyone to cause divisions in society".

Amendment

“On Remembrance Day, when as a nation we pause to recognise the sacrifice made by those who serve to defend our democratic freedoms and way of life, activists hung a climate change banner in front of the Cenotaph.  

Dorset Council deplores any Remembrance Day event being hijacked for political purposes or used by anyone to cause divisions in society”.

Proposed by Cllr Noc Lacey-Clarke, seconded by Cllr Jane Somper.

Decision

That in accordance with procedural rule 19.5 a recorded vote be taken for both the proposed amendment and the original motion.

Those who voted in favour:- Cllrs   Jon Andrews, Ryan Hope, Nick Ireland, Stella Jones, Robin Legg, David Gray, Richard Biggs, Tim Cook, Ryan Holloway, Mike Barron, Howard Legg, Brian Heatley, David Taylor, Paul Kimber, Roland Tarr, Maria Roe, Sarah Williams, Kelvin Clayton, Matt Hall, Gill Taylor, David Tooke, Andrew Starr, Clare Sutton, David Morgan, Kate Wheller, Alex Brenton, Jon Orrell, Shane Bartlett, Jill Haynes, Molly Rennie, Anthony Alford, Beryl Ezzard, Derek Beer.

Those who voted against:- Cllrs Daryl Turner, David Shortell, Spencer Flower, David Walsh, Rob Hughes, Pauline Batstone, Carole Jones, Ray Bryan, Cathy Lugg, Robin Cook, Mike Parkes, Jean Dunseith, Les Fry, Noc Lacey-Clarke, Louie O'Leary, Rod Adkins, Sherry Jespersen, Mark Roberts, Laura Miller, Tony Ferrari, John Worth, Belinda Ridout, Peter Wharf, Michael Dyer, Andrew Kerby, Byron Quale, William Trite, Cherry Brookes, Susan Cocking, Rebecca Knox, Graham Carr-Jones, Valerie Pothecary, Emma Parker, Simon Christopher, Paul Harrison, Jane Somper, Andrew Parry, Bill Pipe, Piers Brown, Simon Gibson, Mary Penfold.

Those who abstained:- Cllrs Dave Bolwell, Gary Suttle, Toni Coombs, Janet Dover, Barry Gorringe.

The amendment was LOST

Members returned to the original motion.

Those who voted in favour:- Cllrs Daryl Turner, Toni Coombs, Spencer Flower, Cathy Lugg, Rod Atkins, Pauline Batstone, Mike Parkes, Michael Dyer, Rob Hughes, Belinda Ridout, David Taylor, Piers Brown, Simon Christopher, Carole Jones,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

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 urgent items.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

There was no exempt business.

Public questions and answers

Councillor questions and answers