Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

The Chairman prior to commencing the business on the agenda welcomed John Payne and Robert Mottershead from the Covid Task Force at the Cabinet Office to the Council meeting.

No apologies were received for this meeting.

Councillors are requested to declare any interests on items included in this agenda. Please refer to the workflow on the preceding page for guidance.

Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

The Chief Executive reported that all Members of the Council had been granted a dispensation by the Monitoring Officer to take part in debate and to vote on the Budget and Council Tax proposals.

The following declarations were made:

• Councillor Tony Trent declared an interest in respect of item 7i – Cabinet 10 February 2021 - Minute No. 303 - Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget Setting 2021 to 2022 as he was a tenant of a Poole Housing Partnership garage.
• Councillor Paul Hilliard declared an interest in respect of item 7g – Cabinet 10 February 2021 – Minute No. 300 - Wessex Fields – Proposed Land Disposal as he was the Council’s representative on the University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Meeting held on 5 January 2021.

The Minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting on 23 February 2021 were confirmed.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

A        Death of Ian Andrews, Former Town Clerk of the Borough of Poole

The Chairman reported, with sadness, the death of Ian Andrews, former Town Clerk of the Borough of Poole. He reported that Mr. Andrews became Town Clerk in 1974.  He had a wide range of interests and was an active member of numerous community and town organisations with a particular passion for the Borough’s history.

The Chairman called on Councillor Stribley to say a few words. She paid tribute to Mr. Andrews for his service to the Borough of Poole, the Town and his family.

B        Bill Cotton, Corporate Director

The Chairman reported that Bill Cotton, Corporate Director for Regeneration and Economy would be leaving the Council at the end of February to take up a role as Corporate Director for Environment and Place at Oxfordshire County Council.

Members were informed that Bill started work at Bournemouth Borough Council eight years ago and subsequently BCP Council. He played an integral role in the development of BCP Council’s ambitious agenda for Regeneration and Economy, including the successful bid to the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund and the exciting Smart Place programme.

On behalf of the Council the Chairman took the opportunity to thank Bill for his service to the Council and wish him every success in his new role. 

C        LGBT Veterans can reclaim removed medals

Councillor David Kelsey, the Council’s Armed Forces Champion, commented on the above issue. He explained that the Government had decided to lift the ban on ex-military personnel receiving the medals that they had so rightly earned during their time serving with Her Majesty’s Forces.  He also commented on his own personal experience and that he had waited 41 years to reclaim his medals and had now made an application for them.  Councillor Kelsey took the opportunity to thank everyone for their support and good wishes following the interview on the TV and radio.  He looked forward to all veterans receiving their medals.

D        Pip Hare – Vendee Globe around the world yacht race

The Chairman acknowledged the achievement of Poole sailor Pip Hare in completing the Vendee Globe around the world yacht race.

Councillor Andy Hadley commented on Pip’s significant achievement as the 8^th women in history to finish the race and the first British sailor to cross the line in 95 days and 11.5 hours.  He explained that she was an inspirational ambassador for the sport with a wide following across social media and especially an inspiration to young people to follow your dreams.  He explained that from her hometown of Poole she had already signalled that she wanted to take part in the 2024 event which would be great for the area.  I was keen that the Council marked this achievement and I hope that we can find a way to celebrate this further and work with her to inspire young people in the BCP area.

To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution, which is available to view at the following link:

https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.aspx?CommitteeID=151&Info=1&bcr=1

The deadline for the submission of a public question is 4 clear working days before the meeting.

The deadline for the submission of a public statement is midday the working day before the meeting.

The deadline for the submission of a petition is 10 working days before the meeting.

The Chairman reported as follows:

A – Public Questions

In accordance with the Constitution the following public questions had been published on the website and a link circulated to all Councillors.  Responses to these questions had also been published on the Council’s website:

• Reverend Mike Oates on Climate and Ecological Emergency Bill.

·       Phil Stanley on formulating a health and fitness strategy.

B – Statements

In accordance with the Constitution the following statements had been published on the website and a link circulated to all Councillors.

·       Paul Sondheim on Item 7e – Licensing Committee – 4 February 2021 Minute No. 24 – Taxi and Private Hire Driver, Vehicle and Operator Policies

The statements from the following relate to the Budget/Alternative Budget

·       James Croker Poole Bid

·       Andy Lennox, the Wonky Table

·       Tim Seward, BAHA

·       Kris Gumbrell – Brewhouse and Kitchen Limited

·       Craig Mathie, - South Coast Events Forum

·       Elspeth McBain – Chief Executive, Lighthouse Dougie Scarfe – Chief Executive, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra Zannah Chisholm – Artistic Director/CEO, Pavilion Dance South West

·       Richard Davies – Bourne Asset Management

C – Petitions

There were no petitions submitted for this Council meeting.

The deadline for questions to be submitted to the Monitoring Officer is 15 January 2021.

Question from Councillor Mark Howell

The Portfolio Holder for Regeneration was quoted in the Echo article discussing the unsuccessful Future High Streets bid published on 28^th December as follows: “We are pressing ahead with some major plans for Poole High Street which we aim to be transformative.” Given that the only publicly released initiative that has secured delivery funding is the Heritage Action Zone project, which is currently allocated the relatively small sum of £1.25 million, please could the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and/or Leader Member for Poole Regeneration set out the major plans to which he referred.

Response from Councillor Philip Broadhead, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Economy and Strategic Planning and Deputy Leader of the Council

I would like to thank Councillor Howell for his question.

As he will have noticed, Poole Regeneration is such a major priority for this administration that it made its way as one of the five key areas of focus as part of our Big Plan.

In order to truly put that plan into action, we have to ensure that actual delivery of regeneration is a priority and built into the system. For too long, many good ideas and plans have been drawn up, but they have never progressed their way to actual delivery on the ground, as very little thought has been given to how to actually bring them forward. Many have spent a lot of time on the why, what and where, but almost no time on the how and when. In my view, this is the wrong way round. There is no point in drawing up fancy plans if you have no idea on how you will bring them forward.

Accordingly, whilst also continuing the vital work on the what and where, we will be bringing forward a paper at the next Cabinet meeting titled The Future of Regeneration across the BCP Area. This paper and plan will focus particularly on how we ensure that we have the skills, funds and delivery mechanisms to actually bring forward regeneration across the BCP area, and Poole especially, at pace and scale.

We need to move firmly away from the broken method of drawing pretty plans on a page with no thought about how to get them built. This transformative plan will fix that and I look forward to being part of the administration that will actually deliver regeneration rather than just talk about it.

Councillor Howell asked why it had taken five months get to this stage and why it had not been released to Councillors before now.  Councillor Broadhead explained that the paper coming forward to Cabinet would set out how the plans will be put in place as delivery was key.

Question from Councillor Vikki Slade

Since its inception in 2019, Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Council has been clear that it is very much open for business and ambitious about the future.  Both the unity alliance administration and this new administration have talked about transparency and consultation on every level  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

Please refer to the recommendations detailed below.

7a – Audit and Governance Committee 26 November 20201 – Minute No. 47 Report of the Constitution Review Working Group – Changes to the Council’s Constitution – Procedure Rule 36

The Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee, Councillor Beesley reported that these recommendations had stood adjourned from the Council meeting held on 5 January 2021.  Councillor Beesley outlined the current effect of Procedure Rule 36 and the impact of the proposed recommendations as set out on the agenda including the re-positioning of the Rule from the General Provisions to the section of the Constitution relating to Council meetings. Councillor Beesley moved the following recommendations which were seconded by Councillor Williams.

Procedure Rule 36

(a) That Procedure Rule 36 be amended to read “Any motion under Procedure Rule 12 (Motions on Notice), to vary or revoke these Rules shall, when proposed and seconded, stand adjourned without discussion to the next ordinary meeting of the Council”;

(b) That Procedure Rule 36 (as amended) be moved from Sub Part C (General Provisions) to Sub Part A (Council Meetings).

The above recommendations were approved.

Voting: Unanimously agreed.

7b – Cabinet 13 January 2021 – Minute No. 284 – Council Tax Base 2021/22

The Leader of the Council presented the report on the Council Tax Base as set out on the agenda.  He explained that this was a technical requirement prior to submission and consideration of the Budget.  Councillor Broadhead seconded the recommendations.

Councillor Butler asked if this meant that different tax bands were being set for each Town. She was advised that was not the case.

The recommendations arising from the Cabinet on 13 January 2021 relating to the above were approved.

Voting: Unanimously agreed.

7c – Cabinet 13 January 2021 – Minute 286 – Concessionary Fares Bus Operator Reimbursement

The Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability presented the report on Concessionary Fares Bus Operator Reimbursement as set out on the agenda.  He reported on the English National Concessionary Travel Scheme and advised that this was the arrangement whereby Local Authorities reimbursed bus companies for the journeys that were taken by bus pass holders.  He highlighted that Covid had meant that the number of journeys had dropped dramatically.  Members were informed that if the payment was reduced it would have an effect on the bus companies’ viability and the ability to run particular bus routes.  As a result, the Department of Transport had made it clear to all Local Authorities that they expected them to reimburse the bus companies at the same level as pre covid. The Cabinet Member reported that there were a couple of adjustments relating to the overall bus patronage and the number of miles that were travelled by the buses where they may have reduced or increased services. He advised Council that the report had been discussed at the Overview and Scrutiny Board and approved by Cabinet but due to the amount being paid over the year of £7.83m it required full Council approval.  The proposals were seconded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

The Council is advised that the Poole People and All Group do not wish to take up the seat allocated to the Group, in accordance with the political balance of the Council, on the Lower Central Gardens Trust Board.  The Council is asked to consider the allocation of the seat.

The allocation of the seat to an alternative political group or unaligned member will therefore not be in accordance with the political balance and will require no decent from Council.

The Leader of the Councillor moved and Councillor Broadhead seconded that the Bournemouth Independent and Green Group be allocated the seat on the Lower Central Gardens Trust Board.

RESOLVED that the above proposal be agreed without dissent.

Voting: Unanimous.

The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 12 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor Chris Matthews and seconded by Councillor Millie Earl:-

The Council notes:

The pandemic has opened all our eyes to the importance of carers, whether employed in the care sector or the 6.5 million unpaid people who care for a family member or friend who is elderly or has a disability, or a mental or physical illness.

Despite this, the Government has overlooked these key workers and have failed to offer adequate support, and unpaid carers in particular have been left to face mounting financial and emotional pressures.

The Council further notes:

Carers in BCP face major financial and emotional challenges every single day; challenges that have been made even harder by the pandemic. Most are having to spend more time looking after loved ones; most haven’t been able to take a single break since it started; and most are simply exhausted.

In response to the pandemic, the Government increased the Universal Credit standard allowance and the Working Tax Credit basic element by £20 a week, but it has not increased Carer’s Allowance. At just £67.25 a week, Carer’s Allowance is the lowest benefit of its kind.

Many carers are unaware of their entitlement to Carer’s Allowance, a carers assessment or break, and the support services available. The latest government figures show that 6,261 unpaid carers in BCP are entitled to receive Carer’s Allowance, although only 4,103 currently do, leaving 2,158 carers with little or no support.

Carers UK research shows that unpaid carers in the UK have saved the state £530 million every day of the pandemic but many are struggling to make ends meet, often relying on foodbanks to feed themselves and the people they care for. It is time to give carers the support they deserve.

1)    Consequently, Council resolves:

a)   That the portfolio holder for adults and lead member for engagement bring forward a report to Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to:

i)       highlight the work and voluntary efforts of carers across the conurbation;

ii)      identify what is being done, and what can be done to support carers in Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole including those who are not in receipt Carer’s Allowance.

b)  To promote Young Carers Action Day which is on 16 March widely on an annual basis, particularly to young carers and their families; as well as promote Carers Week in June and Carers Rights Day on November 26 annually.

2)    Council calls on the Leader of the Council to:

a)    Write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and copy in local MPs, urging them to:

i)      immediately increase Carer’s Allowance by £1,000 a year, from its current rate of £67.25 a week to £87.25, in line with the £20 a week uplift in Universal Credit, including those who do not receive the Allowance due to overlapping benefits and with equivalent increase in  ...  view the full agenda text for item 77.

Councillor Matthews moved and Councillor Flagg seconded that the motion as set out on the agenda be deferred until the next Council meeting.

RESOLVED that the above proposal be agreed.

Voting: Unanimous.