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BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL
COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON TUESDAY 1 AUGUST 2006
PRESENT: Mr R W Thake – Chairman
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Mr C W Arthey
Mr P K Beer
Mr M P Booth
Mr J C Brand
Mr D M Busby
Miss J J Chapman
Mrs S P Clarke
Mr D G Grutchfield
Mr A J Hinton
Mr P J Holbrook
Mr C J Hunt
Mr B D Hurren
Ms J A Jenkins
Mr P Jones |
Mr D H Keane
Mr R E Kemp
Mr B L Lazenby
Mr N MacMaster
Mr J M Owen
Mr D J Read
Mr N A Ridley
Mrs W J Sadler
Mr J R A Sayers
Mr C M Spence
Mr H N Todd
Mr G S White
Mrs S M Wigglesworth
Mr D L Wood |
The following Members were unable to be present:- Mrs E F Bates, Mr A C Bavington Mr N A Bennett, Mrs S Carpendale, Mr K Grimsey, Mr N H J Irwin, Mr C D Kerr, Mr J A B Long, Dr M R Miller, Mr J J Quinlan, Mr A E Pearce, Mr J W Roberts, Mr D C Rose and Mr L H Young
The proceedings were opened with Prayer.
32 MINUTES
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 June 2006 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
33 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Mr C J Hunt declared a prejudicial interest in Minute No 38 – The Future of the Rural Post Office Network – by virtue of his employment by the Royal Mail and the employment of a member of his family within the Post Office.
34 CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
Events Attended
The Chairman informed the meeting that he and his Vice-Chairman had between them attended all the events to which the Council had been invited since the last meeting.
35 TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE NO.13
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 13, it was noted that the following petitions had been received:
Application No. B/06/00858/FHA – erection of single-storey side/rear extension 32 Collimer Close, Chelmondiston
Petition signed by approximately 27 residents of the District.
Application No. B/06/01127/FUL – Erection of 8 flats, 10 garages and 13 car parking spaces and alteration to access road, Homefield, Boxford
Petition signed by approximately 53 residents of the District.
36 QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
None received.
37 QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS
None received.
38 NOTICE OF MOTION – THE FUTURE OF THE RURAL POST OFFICE NETWORK
The following motion was moved by Mr R E Kemp and seconded by Mr D G Grutchfield, the requisite Notice thereof having been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 16:-
“This Council is concerned over the future survival of the rural Post Office network, as the Government Social Network Payment subsidy is due to end in 2008, which raises serious uncertainties as to the future funding and provision of Post Offices in rural areas.
In the light of the report that has been submitted to the Government by Post Office Ltd which proposes strategies, such as partnership and outreach working, to enable the maintaining of a rural network, the Council is urged to:
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Write to the Minister responsible for Post Offices and allied services to register the Council’s concerns, and to seek assurances that there will be the fullest consultation before any critical decisions are taken.
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Write to local MPs to express the Council’s concern over the future of the rural Post Office network and to stress the importance that Post Offices play in rural life, encouraging them to sign Early Day Motion 1531.
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Make every effort in its activities to support local Post Offices and to promote the use of Post Office services and new methods of service delivery to the Council’s residents and urges the Strategy Committee to consider ways in which this can be done”
Mr Kemp in explaining the background to the motion indicated that he would be happy for Paragraph 3 to be dealt with through the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee’s consideration of related sustainability issues. It was understood that Tim Yeo MP had signed the Early Day Motion.
RESOLVED
(1) That a letter be sent to the Minister responsible for Post Offices and allied services to register the Council’s concerns about the future survival of the rural Post Office network, and to seek assurances that there will be the fullest consultation before any critical decisions are taken.
(2) That a letter be sent to the local MP to express the Council’s concern over the future of the rural Post Office network and to stress the importance that Post Offices play in rural life, requesting his continuing support for Early Day Motion 1531.
(3) That the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee be asked to look at ways in which the use of local Post Offices might be supported, as part of its overall consideration of issues relating to sustainability, particularly of village communities.
39 GENERAL DELEGATIONS
Pauline McBride, Corporate Solicitor introduced the report of the Chief Executive (Paper F63) which referred to the changes required to the functions and areas of responsibility for divisions under the new Management Structure. Members were asked to approve the Scheme of Delegation and Proper Officer Provision set out in the Appendix to Paper F63.
Members were aware that a further report would be submitted to the next appropriate meeting of the Council in relation to a number of issues yet to be resolved. They were also aware of the authority delegated by the Council to the Chief Executive (Minute No 31 – 20 June 2006 refers) to determine the distribution of functions under the Scheme of Delegation for staffing related matters, for the purposes of implementing the review of the management structure. During the course of the discussion reference was made to the following specific points:-
Page C-3-4 - Replacement of the word ‘Footpaths’ under Head of Contract and Asset Management with the words ‘Public Rights of Way’.
Page C-3-19 - Item 14, addition of the words ‘and the Freedom of Information Act’ after ‘1998’
Page C-3-20 - Section 13(3) clarification of wording ‘Chairman of Parish Council’
RESOLVED
That the Scheme of Delegation and Proper Officer Provisions as set out in the Appendix to Paper F63 be adopted with immediate effect subject to:-
(a) minor corrections to cover the items referred to above, and
(b) a further report from the Chief Executive, on a number of issues still to be
resolved, to be submitted to the next appropriate meeting of the Council.
40 MEMBERSHIP OF LICENSING AND APPEALS COMMITTEE
The Head of Corporate Services reported that the Labour Group had given notice that its representative on the Licensing and Appeals Committee, Jim Quinlan, was to be replaced by Nick Irwin. The Council was asked to approve the proposed change to give effect to the wishes of the Labour Group from 1 August 2006.
Members were aware that Councillor Irwin would be unable to sit on the Committee for some of its licensing functions. In view of the effect this might have on the operation of the Committee and its Sub-Committees, the Labour Group representatives present at the meeting agreed that it would be appropriate for the Group to look again at the proposed change to its representation on this Committee.
RESOLVED
That consideration of the Labour Group nomination of Nick Irwin to serve on the Licensing and Appeals Committee be deferred to enable the Group to reconsider this matter.
41 REPRESENTATION ON OUTSIDE BODIES
Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit – Scrutiny Arrangements
The Head of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper F64) asking the Council to appoint a representative and a substitute to sit on the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit Working Group. He confirmed that there was no problem with a Development Committee Member being nominated for this position.
Councillors Chris Hunt and John Hinton were proposed and seconded and it was agreed that voting would be by show of hands.
RESOLVED
(1) That Chris Hunt be appointed to represent the Council on the Suffolk Joint Emergency Planning Unit Working Group for the remainder of the current term of office.
(2) That John Hinton be appointed as the substitute member on the Group for the remainder of the current term of office.
Note:- Nick Ridley on behalf of Councillors thanked the Chairman for a successful and enjoyable Chairman’s Reception.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 10.40am
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Chairman
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