Agenda and draft minutes

The meeting of the Council will be called to order to receive Her Worship The Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

The meeting of the Council was called to order to receive Her Worship the Deputy Mayor.

To receive apologies for absence from Members to determine the quorum of the meeting in accordance with Rule 7 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

An apology for absence was received from Her Worship The Mayor, Councillor C D Kozlowski, and Councillors R H Adams, N Alam, L M Broadley, F S Broadley, K J Loydall, I K Ridley and C A M Walter.

It was moved by Leader of the Council, seconded by Councillor M H Charlesworth and

CONTRARY TO THE ADVICE GIVEN BY THE (ACTING) MONITORING OFFICER, UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

In accordance with custom and tradition, and suspending Rule 16 of Part 4 of Section 1 of the Council’s Constitution (Council Procedure Rules), Councillor J Kaufman be appointed as an Assistant to the Deputy Mayor (in the Chair) for the duration of this meeting only.

Members are reminded that any declaration of interest should be made having regard to the Members’ Code of Conduct. In particular, Members must make clear the nature of the interest and whether it is 'pecuniary' or ‘non-pecuniary'.

None.

Councillor S S Athwal entered the Civic Suite at 7:10 pm.

To read, confirm and approve the minutes of the previous meeting(s) in accordance with Rule 19 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 April 2024 be taken as read, confirmed and approved.

The Leader of the Opposition requested that minute item 10 of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 14 May 2024 be amended to reflect the defeated motion made in relation to two proposed appointments of Chairs to two Council bodies.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 14 May 2024 be taken as read, confirmed and approved (as amended).

There was no Action List(s) arising from the previous meeting(s).

There was no Action List(s) arising from the previous meeting(s).

To consider any Motions on Notice in accordance with Rule 14 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

None.

To receive any Petitions, Deputations and, or, to answer any Questions by Members or the Public in accordance with Rule(s) 11, 12, 13 and 10 of Part 4 of the Constitution and the Petitions Procedure Rules respectively.

None.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor in accordance with Rule 2 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

There were no announcements made on behalf of the Mayor, other than to wish her on behalf of all Members and Officers a full and speedy recovery.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was:

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The list of Official Engagements attended by The Mayor and/or Deputy Mayor be noted.

To receive any statement from the Leader of the Council in accordance with Article 2.9.2(ii) of Part 2 of the Constitution.

The Leader of the Council presented a Statement outlining her recent work, the administration’s plans and an overview of recent decisions taken since the previous meeting of the Council, together with fielding questions in relation to her Statement.

The Leader spoke upon her aspirations and approach to collaborative working with (amongst others) the newly-elected Government and the newly-established Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government following the outcome of the UK Parliamentary (General) Election on 4 July 2024, particular in relation to fairer local government financing, governance and other arrangements and provisions.

Report of the Interim Strategic Director

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 13 - 36 of the agenda reports pack) which provided the Council with an updated Corporate Strategy for 2024-2027 (“the Strategy”) for approval.

It was moved by the Leader of the Opposition, seconded by Councillor J K Ford and

DEFEATED THAT:

(i)       The Corporate Strategy (2024-2027) (as set out at Appendix 1 to the report) be approved; subject to

(ii)      Additional wording be added to bullet point ‘Car parking arrangements that meet the needs of residents, businesses and visitors with the long term aim of providing free parking’ (emphasis added) (at page 4 of the Strategy and page 19 of the agenda reports pack)

Votes For                  7

Votes Against          9

Abstentions              2

It was moved by the Leader of the Council, seconded by the Deputy Leader of the Council and

RESOLVED THAT:

The Corporate Strategy (2024-2027) (as set out at Appendix 1 to the report) be approved (without amendment).

Votes For                  10

Votes Against          6

Abstentions              2

Report of the Interim Strategic Director

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 37 - 42 of the agenda reports pack) which sought approval of the Council’s Productivity Plan for 2024/25 (“the Plan”).

Councillor M L Darr left the Civic Suite at 7:59 pm.

It was moved by Councillor G A Boulter, seconded by Councillor S S Athwal

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The proposed Council’s Productivity Plan (2024/25) (as set out at Appendix 1 to the report) be endorsed and approved; and

(ii)      The Plan’s subsequent submission to the (now) Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as required by the deadline of 19 July 2024 be noted.

Report of the Safety & Resilience Officer

Councillor M L Darr returned to the Civic Suite at 8:04 pm.

The Council gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 43 - 55 of the agenda reports pack) which asked it to approve the Full Health and Safety Annual Report for 2023/24 and the revised Health and HS.00.P1 Health and Safety Policy and Statement.

It was moved by Councillor C J R Martin, seconded by Councillor G G Hunt and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)       The Full Health and Safety Annual Report (2023/24) (as set out at Appendix 1 to the report) be approved; and

(ii)      The HS.001.P1 Health and Safety Policy and Statement (June 2024) (as set out at Appendix 2 to the report) be approved.