Public Document Pack Mark Saccoccio Town Clerk 01525 631920 [email protected] www.leightonlinslade-tc.gov.uk
25 January 2021
To: The Town Mayor and all Members of Leighton-Linslade Town Council
NOTICE OF MEETING
You are hereby summoned to attend a meeting of Leighton-Linslade Town Council to be held on Monday, 1 February 2021 commencing at 7.30 pm. This will be a remote meeting held via Microsoft Teams in accordance with The Local Authorities and Crime Panels (Coronavirus)(Flexibility of Meetings)(England and Wales) Regulations 2020. The meeting link is below: https://tinyurl.com/y6eeubaf or by tel: +44 20 3795 5672 (Conf ID: 254 879 026#)
M Saccoccio Town Clerk
AGENDA
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires a record be kept of the Members present and that this record form part of the minutes of the meeting. Members who cannot attend a meeting should tender apologies to the Town Clerk.
2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
(i) Under the Localism Act 2011 (sections 26-37 and Schedule 4) and in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, Members are required to declare any interests which are not currently entered in the Member’s Register of Interests or if he/she has not notified the Monitoring Officer of it.
(ii) Should any Member have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in an item on the agenda, the Member may not participate in consideration of that item unless a Dispensation has first been requested (in writing) and granted by the Council (see Dispensation Procedure).
3. QUESTIONS
This will be a remote meeting held via Microsoft Teams in accordance with The Local Authorities and Crime Panels (Coronavirus)(Flexibility of Meetings)(England and Wales) Regulations 2020 LEIGHTON-LINSLADE TOWN COUNCIL Monday, 1 February 2021
(a) To receive questions and statements from members of the public as provided for in Standing Order Nos.3 (f) and 3 (g)
(b) To receive questions from Councillors as provided for in Standing Order No.27, provided three clear days’ notice of the question has been given to the person to whom it is addressed.
4. CO-OPTION TO VACANCY IN GROVEBURY WARD (Pages 1 - 22)
(a) To note that all applicants have submitted an application form confirming their eligibility to stand as a town councillor for Grovebury ward.
(b) To receive copies of the supporting statements submitted by applicants (attached).
(c) By invitation, applicants will speak for 3-5 minutes per person in support of their application.
(d) To co-opt to the vacancy in Grovebury ward in accordance with the Town Council’s Co-option Procedure (attached).
Please note:
- Each Councillor has only one vote - Votes will be taken on candidates who are duly proposed and seconded - Appointment must be by an absolute majority, i.e. the appointed applicant must have a greater number of votes than the sum of the votes for other candidates. This may require more than one round of voting. The applicant with the lowest number of votes will be discounted in each round of voting until an absolute majority is achieved.
5. APPOINTMENTS TO COMMITTEES
To consider any changes to appointments to committees.
6. APPPOINTMENTS TO/REPORTS REGARDING OUTSIDE BODIES
To consider any changes to appointments to outside bodies and to receive any reports regarding outside bodies, for information.
Agenda Item 4
LEIGHTON-LINSLADE TOWN COUNCIL CO-OPTION POLICY
1. Introduction
This policy sets out the procedures for the co-option of Councillors.
According to section 86 of the Local Government Act 1972 a casual vacancy occurs when: A Councillor fails to make his declaration of acceptance of office at the proper time A Councillor resigns A Councillor dies A Councillor becomes disqualified A Councillor fails for six months to attend meetings of a council committee or sub-committee or to attend as a representative of the Council a meeting of an outside body.
The Town Council must notify Central Bedfordshire Councils Monitoring Officer of the Casual Vacancy and then advertise the vacancy on the Town Councils notice boards, website. The closing date will be fourteen days from the date of the advert. Advertising the vacancy will give electors the opportunity to request an election. An election occurs when ten electors write to Central Bedfordshire Council stating that an election is requested. If more than one candidate is nominated a by-election takes place but if only one candidate is put forward then they are duly elected.
2. Co-option to the Town Council
If ten residents do not request an election the Town Council is able to co-opt, unless the casual vacancy occurs within a 6 month period of general election in which case the Council may decide not to co-opt.
3. Eligibility
The Town Council is able to consider any person to fill a vacancy provided that: He/she is over 18 years of age Is a UK, EU or Commonwealth citizen
And at least one of the following criteria is met:
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Is registered to vote in Leighton-Linslade Has lived in Leighton-Linslade (or within three miles of its boundary) for the whole of the previous 12 months Has had their main or only place of work in Leighton-Linslade for the whole of the previous 12 months Has occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises in Leighton-Linslade for the whole of the previous 12 months
A person is disqualified from being a Town Councillor if within five years before his/her election or since election:
Has served a prison sentence (including suspended sentences) of three months or more within the last five years Has been subject to a bankruptcy restriction order Is an employee of the Town Council Is disqualified under legislation
4. Applications
Applicants for co-option will be asked to submit information about themselves by way of completing a short application form (Appendix ‘1’) and submitting a personal statement of no more than 300 words.
Copies of the application forms and personal statements will be circulated to all Members for consideration at a meeting of the Town Council. At the meeting of the Town Council consideration of applications will be dealt with in public session.
5. Voting Process
Voting will be according to the statutory requirement in that each successful candidate must have received an absolute majority vote of those present and voting. If there are more than two candidates for one vacancy and neither one of them receives an absolute majority over the aggregate votes given to the rest, steps must be taken to ‘strike off’ the candidate with the least number of votes and the remainder must then be put to the vote again. For example if Candidate A receives four votes and Candidates B and C receive two each, Candidate A is not elected as he has the same number of votes as B and C together. In such a case it is necessary to conduct a ballot between the tied candidates to eliminate one of them. In the case of a tie at such a point the Town Mayor would have a casting vote.
This process must, if necessary, be repeated until an absolute majority is obtained.
In each round voting will be counted by the showing of hands and recorded on the Verification and Count sheet (Appendix ‘2’).
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Adopted by Council 30 September 2013
Appendix ‘1’
APPLICATION FOR CO-OPTION TO LEIGHTON-LINSLADE TOWN COUNCIL
Name______
Address ______
______
Telephone Number(s)______
Email______
Eligibility
The Town Council is able to consider any person to fill a vacancy provided that: o He/she is over 18 years of age Is a UK, EU or Commonwealth citizen
At least one of the following criteria are met: Is registered to vote in Leighton-Linslade Has lived in Leighton-Linslade (or within three miles of its boundary) for the whole of the previous 12 months Has had their main or only place of work in Leighton-Linslade for the whole of the previous 12 months Has occupied as owner or tenant any land or premises in Leighton- Linslade for the whole of the previous 12 months
A person is disqualified from being a Town Councillor if within five years before his/her election or since election: He/she has served a prison sentence (including suspended sentences) of three months or more within the last five years Has been subject to a bankruptcy restriction order Is an employee of the Town Council Is disqualified under legislation
I confirm that I am eligible to apply for the vacancy of Leighton-Linslade Town Councillor in accordance with the above provisions:
Signed______Date______
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Appendix ‘2’
VERIFICATION AND COUNT SHEET
VERIFICATION
Number of Councillors voting: ______
Number of Candidates: ______
COUNT
Name of Candidates Number of Votes
TOTAL NUMBER OF VOTES
DECLARATION
The Town Mayor declared that
______was elected as a
Councillor having received a total of ______votes.
OR
The Town Mayor declared a tie on the first count with the following candidates going forward to a second count:
______
Page 4 Why I Want to be a Town Councillor I have lived in the town for over thirty years and was born and grew up in the county. I have also lived in other places overseas and in this country in towns, cities and the countryside and I know what it is like to be new in a place. I have work experience in the statutory, community and voluntary and business sectors in a wide range of industries, many of which are present in this town. I was born and grew up in the county and attended Dovery Down, Gilbert Inglefield and Vandyke Upper Schools. I am currently a Governor at Cedars Upper School where my son attends. I also advise Central Bedfordshire Council on education issues in this capacity. I am particularly interested in the towns green spaces, animals and wildlife, and regularly walk in the parks in the town. My favourite thing in the world to do is feed and look after animals which I really enjoy. I have a BSc(Hons) in Agriculture and think it is important that Leighton- Linslade is in touch with the rural communities the town serves. I have enjoyed being part of many of the town councils events and I am currently secretary of the Leighton-Linslade Carnival Committee. I visit the market regularly and shop local. I think it is important that small scale local businesses are supported as well as major chains as they provide interesting and individualised shopping experiences for people in the town. I have been a frequenter of the town’s many pubs and restaurants and as a not so brilliant cook myself I like the good food and the company you meet there. A former classical guitar and violin player I like live music of all kinds and as a councillor would seek to encourage this more in the town.
Kathy Keeley.
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Page 8 Supporting Statement for Co-Opted Member of Council
John W Garner OBE
I have experience as a Chief Executive and Chief Officer in the private, public and voluntary sectors together with the skills, knowledge wide management experience. Having brought KidsOut national charity to Leighton Buzzard. I have ben a Chief Officer in a city, Metro Borough, District Council. Vast experience in charities and Equality & Diversity. I have also been a Non-Executive Director of South Beds CCG, Milton Keynes Community Health and the Luton & Dunstable Hospital. I staged LIVE AID when Controller Wembley Stadium Ltd.
I have also been Chair of Audit & Risk – Government Office, Milton Keynes Community Health and Member L & D Audit Committee. In the District Council I managed the gardens, and horticulture, sports, playing fields, parks, pools etc I was also responsible for housing, sheltered accommodation and environmental health,
My contribution to Leighton Buzzard
I am a committed person who always strives to succeed and I wish to play my part in my town to make it even better. The width and depth of my experience that I will bring to the town may be seen in my career
I have been an Army Officer Major Royal Engineers construction, a Teacher secondary, lecturer, Police Officer, CEO The National Union of Students, Controller Sport and Entertainment Wembley, General Manager Notting Hill Carnival, Manager Royal Albert Hall, I have managed care homes.
In Leighton Buzzard I have been Invigilator at van Dyke School, Principal Officer in elections polling , member St Leonards Church, Heath & Reach, Member Leighton/Linslade Locality Health Board for GP’s and clinicians
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Page 10 Graham Abdullah Dinn Personal Statement: Application For Co-Option To Leighton- Linslade Town Council
I am mixed race, my father was Punjabi Indian and mother from Derbyshire, England. I was born and raised in Rochdale, Lancashire, left school at the age of 14 and completed a 7 year engineering apprenticeship. However, I had always really wanted to work with people. I had grown up seeing my father, as an Asian Elder, working and helping people in the Asian community and had admired that. To this end I started to study with the OU and took a job as a carer.
In 1988 I left Rochdale in Lancashire and moved to my current address in Linslade with my wife.
I spent my career in the Social Care Sector employed by Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire County Councils. I have experience working with adults and children and in the training sector. Following early retirement in 2009 I became a self employed consultant in learning and development, taking on a number of short term contracts with Universities and local authorities.
During much of this period I continued my studies, and now hold the following qualifcations: Diploma In Social Work and Practice Teaching Award, BA in Social Science and a Masters Degree in Advanced Interprofessional Social Practice. I am also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
I retired from paid employment in 2017 but was keen to get involved in voluntary work. I was the Chair of the Trustee Board for Leighton-Linslade Citizens Advice Bureau (2015-2017). I am currently a volunteer tour guide for schools and colleges at Bletchley Park. During the Covid 19 crisis I have volunteered as an NHS responder.
I have experience in presenting information and in working collaboratively and constructively with others. I believe that this and my own willingness to learn, will be relevant to the role of volunteer town councillor.
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Page 12 APPLICATION FOR CO-OPTION TO LEIGHTON-LINSLADE TOWN COUNCIL Kevin Pughe Supporting Statement
Many councillors and LLTC staff will know me as I served 4 terms on the council between 1998 and 2015. During this time, I was an active councillor with high attendance, serving on The Planning and Transport Committee, and chairing the Combatting Crime sub-committee and Ouzel Valley Park Steering Group. I am a member of the Lib Dems, but if appointed I’d serve the term as an Independent. I would work constructively with the other Grovebury Ward councillors to address residents’ ward issues. My objective was and is to support policies and initiatives to improve the environment for residents, whether this be green open space, improving community safety, or the vitality and appearance of our historic town centre. As the originator of the idea of additional community policing, I am pleased to see Operation Dodford still in operation. As a champion of the Ouzel Valley Park, I am encouraged by how well residents and visitors are using all the town’s ample open space. In recent years big strides have been made in engaging with the public via social media, and the visibility and presence of councillors in the town centre is impressive. I would like to see further improvements in public engagement, such as consulting residents on their spending and programme priorities. I would like to see further progress in implementing the Ouzel Valley Park and open space strategies. The many voluntary groups, societies, and festivals generate the community spirit that makes Leighton Linslade a great place to live. With a rapidly growing town the challenge is to maintain this, and avoid becoming an anonymous dormitory suburb, where people don’t chat in the street or know their neighbours. LLTC has a vital role in maintaining and promoting this.
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Page 14 COUNCILLOR CO-OPTION: Personal Statement from Adam Fahn
Dear Councillors, I have had the pleasure of serving the people of Leighton Buzzard and Linslade and this council for around 6 years in the early 2000s, serving one year as Mayor (2007/2008). My memorable achievements over this period include creating the I Love LB group (that later became LB First) as well as building on our relationships with our twin towns, NALC and other local bodies dedicated to the town as well as helping to maintain good budgetary control and a high level of service provision. This council has continued to do great work for the community and if I am able to become a part of the body once again I will use my experiences and knowledge to help steer the council for the next two years until the election. While the committees have changed a little since I was last a member, the structure of the council, budgetary constraints, acting within statutory powers and the decision-making process has not and I am familiar with working within these constraints and pushing boundaries to get results. My experience of the inner workings of the council as well as knowing a number of officers professionally puts me in a good position to monitor progress of projects and delivery of services. With a career in Facilities Management I can provide some oversight on our property and fleet management. When it comes to getting involved locally, this is something I have always enjoyed and by working with a number of different bodies in recent years notably I have helped to set up Leighton Linslade Helpers and introduce them to LLTC to work with the COVID task force, I have also support Leighton Linslade Better Speakers and acted as compere for three years switching on the Christmas lights.
[295 words]
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Page 16 Sam Russell Personal Statement: Leighton-Linslade Town Council Co-option
It would be a great privilege to be co-opted as the Councillor for Grovebury ward.
At these difficult times, between elections, it is vital that a Councillor is co-opted who can hit the ground running, with experience of how Local Government operates and how decisions are made. I have worked in Local Government, including for elected Members, so I know the ins and outs of decision making and my role within the Town Council structure.
I am a longstanding volunteer. Since moving to Leighton Buzzard in 2018, I have sought out opportunities to contribute to our community, becoming a Magistrate in Bedfordshire and the incoming Chair of Trustees at an older people’s charity. I am an experienced Chair of Trustees at a group of schools in Hertfordshire, overseeing governance and budgets, and previously chaired a resident’s group, running events for the community and older people.
Finally, I have a strong record of working collaboratively to campaign for improvements in my local community. I have previously led campaigns to protect local services and I believe in working with anyone, regardless of political affiliation, to improve our community together. As a co-opted Councillor, I would look to build strong, local relationships with residents and businesses in Grovebury ward, as well as adding my experience to decision making at LLTC.
In summary, I have experience which would make me an effective Councillor. I am a committed volunteer within my community and have also shown the ability to campaign effectively on behalf of residents. I have a collaborative and open approach to working together, with experience of working in Local Government.
If lucky enough to be co-opted, this experience means that I would be able to effectively represent Grovebury ward from day one.
Thank you for considering my application.
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Page 20 To Whom It May Concern,
I am enthusiastic to become a Leighton Linslade Town Councillor so that I can serve my community and ensure that the decisions the Council makes deliver value to as many constituents as possible. In particular, as a 26 year old man and with much of my experience of the town being through the eyes of a child and a young adult, I am enthusiastic to represent a demographic of our community that I believe is as of yet is without direct representation on our Council.
I was born and raised in Leighton Buzzard, and received all of my schooling in the town, attending Pulfords Lower, Leighton Middle, & Cedars Upper Schools, before leaving in 2013 to pursue my career and higher education in Montreal, Canada. After 6 years of living and working around the UK and internationally, I returned to Leighton Buzzard in 2019 and started my current role as a Commercial Manager for the Department for International Trade. With my parents, siblings, grandparents, and friends all continuing to reside in Leighton Linslade, the town has always remained “home” and for this reason myself and my partner have recently purchased our first house in Linslade.
Growing up in Leighton Linslade means I have a firsthand experience of many of the services, celebrations, and challenges the Town Council is responsible for and I believe my experience, insight, and networks would be an asset to the Council. Furthermore, as a Commercial Manager within Central Government, I am passionate about delivering quality public services and ensuring Value for Money for the taxpayer. I am highly confident that much of my professional skill-set in evaluating private Suppliers’ capability to efficiently deliver public services will be highly relevant to the role of Councilor.
Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Kind regards,
Joseph Beaumont
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