Democratic Services

SUMMONS TO THE MEETING of the COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY 20 MARCH 2019 7.30 PM

COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC,

Sharon Bridglalsingh Director (Law and Governance)

The deadline for the submission of public questions is 7:15pm on the day of the meeting

For more information about the meeting please contact Simon Heap on (01908) 252567 or by e-mail [email protected]

Legal and Democratic Services, Civic, 1 Saxon Gate East, Central Milton Keynes, MK9 3EJ (1) Tel: (01908) 691691 Health and Safety Please take a few moments to familiarise yourself with the nearest available fire exit, indicated by the fire evacuation signs. In the event of an alarm sounding during the meeting you must evacuate the building immediately and follow all instructions provided by the fire evacuation officer who will identify him/herself should the alarm sound. You will be assisted to the nearest designated assembly point until it is safe to return to the building. Mobile Phones Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched to silent or is switched off completely during the meeting. Agenda Agendas and reports for the majority of the Council’s public meetings can be accessed via the Internet at: http://milton-keynes.cmis.uk.com/milton-keynes/ Wi Fi access is available in all Council meeting rooms. Users of Windows 7 and above can simply click the link to any documents you wish to see. Users of Windows XP will need to right click on the link and select ‘open in browser’. Recording of Meetings The proceedings at this meeting may be recorded for the purpose of preparing the minutes of the meeting. In accordance with the Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014, you can film, photograph, record or use social media at any Council meetings that are open to the public. If you are reporting the proceedings, please respect other members of the public at the meeting who do not want to be filmed. You should also not conduct the reporting so that it disrupts the good order and conduct of the meeting. While you do not need permission, you can contact the Council’s staff in advance of the meeting to discuss facilities for reporting the proceedings and a contact is included on the front of the agenda, or you can liaise with staff at the meeting. Guidance from the Department for Communities and Local Government can be viewed at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/34318 2/140812_Openness_Guide.pdf Comments, Complaints and Compliments Milton Keynes Council welcomes comments, complaints and compliments from members of the public in order to make its services as efficient and effective as possible. We would appreciate any suggestions regarding the usefulness of the paperwork for this meeting, or the conduct of the meeting you have attended. Please e-mail your comments to [email protected] If you require a response please leave contact details, ideally including an e-mail address. A formal complaints / compliments form is available online at http://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/complaints/

(2) AGENDA Item No: 1. Procedure (a) Apologies (b) Minutes To approve, and the Mayor to sign as correct records, the Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 20 February 2019 (Item 1) (Pages 8 to 36). (c) Disclosure of Interests Councillors to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests, or personal interests (including other pecuniary interests), they may have in the business to be transacted, and officers to disclose any interests they may have in any contract to be considered. (d) Announcements To receive any announcements. 2. Public Involvement (a) Deputations and Petitions No deputations or petitions have been submitted for consideration at this meeting. Any further petitions received will be reported at the meeting. (b) Questions from Members of the Public To receive questions and provide answers to questions from members of the public. 3. Business Remaining from Last Meeting Constitution Commission - 7 January 2019: Review of Council Constitution 2018/19 In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 21.2 consideration of the draft revised Constitution has stood adjourned without discussion since the meeting of the Council held on 20 February 2019 (Minute CL118 refers). The Council, on 20 February 2019, received a report on setting out the major changes to the Constitution recommended by the Constitution Commission. Since that time the Constitution Commission has met to consider comments received on the draft revised Constitution from individual councillors, the Councillor Seminar held on 28 January 2019, parish and town councils, Milton Keynes Forum and the Residents of Regeneration Estates. A report setting out changes approved by the Constitution Commission to the draft revised Constitution submitted to the Council on 20 February 2019 is attached at Item 3 (Pages 37 to 55). The report is recommending: 1. That the Council adopts the draft revised Constitution subject to the amendments approved by the Constitution Commission on 25 February 2019. 2. That the revised Constitution be effective as from 15 May 2019.

(3) 3. That the Director Law and Governance be authorised to update officer titles to recognise the restructuring at Director level. A copy of the draft Revised Constitution as submitted to the Council on 20 February 2019 is available at the following link: https://milton-keynes.cmis.uk.com/milton-keynes/PublicDocuments.aspx A full copy is also available in Group Rooms for inspection. 4. Reports from Cabinet and Committees (a) Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee - 19 February 2019 Safeguarding Care Needs for Homeless People “That the Council be requested to encourage relevant departments and if appropriate, ward councillors, to work with the Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Group to support GPs in understanding their statutory responsibility to register any homeless person who presents themselves to them, with or without any documentation.” (b) Joint Negotiating Committee (Employers) - 4 March 2019 Pay Policy Statement - Financial year 2019/20 “That the Pay Policy Statement 2019/20 be agreed.” A copy of the report considered by the Joint Negotiating Committee (Employers) is attached at Item 4(b) (Pages 56 to 62). (c) Cabinet - 5 March 2019 (i) Adoption of Plan:MK “1. That Council be recommended to adopt the Plan:MK. 2. That authority be delegated to the Director Growth, Economy and Culture to make minor minor cartographical and typographical corrections to Plan:MK prior to its publication.” A copy of the report considered by Cabinet is attached at Item 4(c)(i) (Pages 63 to 66). (ii) Making the West Neighbourhood Plan “That the Council makes the West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan pursuant to the provisions of Section 38*(A)(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, and that: (a) a decision document (Annex A) setting out the results of the referendum and the Council’s decision to make the plan, and the West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan (at Annex B) be published on the Council’s website and by other means, to bring them to the attention of people who live, work or carry out business in the neighbourhood area; and (b) the decision document and details on how to view the plan be sent to the qualifying body (West Bletchley Council) and any person who asked to be notified of the decision.”

(4) A copy of the report considered by Cabinet is attached at Item 4(c)(ii) (Pages 67 to 73). (d) Annual Reports of Committees (i) Scrutiny Annual Report To receive the Scrutiny Annual Report, which will be presented by the Chair of the Scrutiny Management Committee (Item 4[d][i]) (Pages 74 to 99). Details of the outcomes of call-ins submitted are attached at (Item 4[d][ii]) (Pages 100 to 101). (ii) Licensing and Regulatory Committees To receive a report, which will be presented by the Chair of the Committees (Item 4[d][iii]) (Pages 102 to 107). 5. Councillors’ Matters (a) Councillors’ Questions Councillors to ask questions of the Leader, a Cabinet Member, the Chair of any Committee, or the Leader of a Political Group on the Council. (b) Notices of Motions: (i) Ending Unfair Evictions Councillor Darlington - 5 March 2019 1. “That the Council notes that: (a) Milton Keynes was built on a promise of improving the quality of life residents, people that moved here and for future generations; (b) increasingly hardworking people, through no fault of their own, are being made homeless because of a lack of rights for those in private rented accommodation; (c) due to high house prices and the lack of sufficient social housing, the proportion of people renting privately has doubled since 2004. Half of 18-35 year olds, 1 in 4 families with children, and a growing numbers of older people now live in privately rented homes; and (d) over 10 million people renting do so on fixed term tenancies of six months to twelve months. After this period has ended, landlords can evict their tenants with just two months’ notice, without giving them a reason. These ‘no fault evictions’ were introduced under Section 21 of the 1988 Housing Act; before this, renters had much greater security and it was difficult for landlords to evict tenants who paid the rent on time and looked after the property.

(5) 2. That the Council also notes that: (a) Section 21 evictions are the number one cause of homelessness; (b) insecurity harms quality of life for tenants; (c) many countries such as Sweden, the Netherlands and the USA have much more progressive protection for tenancies and maintain a thriving private rented sector market; and (d) in 2017, the Scottish government prohibited no-fault evictions under the terms of the Private Housing (Tenancies) (Scotland) Act 2016. 3. That additionally the Council notes with concern: (a) Section 21 notices are now the major cause of homelessness in Milton Keynes; (b) there are currently have 671 families in temporary accommodation including hundreds of children; (c) the majority of those families in temporary accommodation are there due to Section 21 evictions; and (d) the majority of families in temporary accommodation and homeless are in work. 4. That the Council believes: (a) that a well-regulated private rented sector has a role to play in meeting our housing needs; (b) abolishing Section 21 would help to make renting more secure, improve standards, increase tenant confidence and ultimately contribute towards making renting a viable long-term alternative to home ownership or social rent for the millions who currently cannot access either; and (c) that new movements such as tenant unions are a positive step in giving tenants a voice. 5. That the Council agrees: (a) to support the “End Unfair Evictions” campaign; (b) calls on our two Members of Parliament to state their support for the abolition of Section 21 and to unfair evictions; and (c) calls on all Milton Keynes Council councillors who are landlords not to use Section 21 no- fault eviction notices on their tenants and state publicly they will not do so.”

(6) 6. Appointment of Statutory Section 151 Officer and Changes to the Council’s Senior Management Structure To consider Item 6 (Pages 108 to 110) 7. Returning Officer’s Fees 2019/20 To consider Item 7 (Pages 111 to 116) 8. Ward Based Budgets 2018/19 All Councillors have a budget of £1,000 to spend on Ward based issues, giving them the ability to make contributions to projects carried out in their local communities by local organisations. For the period 1 April 2018 to 28 February 2019, applications totalling £45,012.16 have been approved. Details of the applications are attached at Item 8 (Pages 117 to 126). Contact Officer: Simon Heap (Committee Services and Scrutiny Manager) - 01908 252567 Background Papers: None 9. Quarterly Report on Special Urgency Decisions In accordance with Access to Information Procedure Rule 17.4, to note that the Provisions for Special Urgency, as set out in Access to Information Procedure Rule 16, was not used during the period 1 January 2019 to 8 March 2019. Access to Information Procedure Rule 16 provides for key decisions to be taken within the usual 5 day notice period, subject to the agreement of the Chair/Vice- Chairs of the Scrutiny Management Committee. Contact Officer: Simon Heap (Committee Services and Scrutiny Manager) - 01908 252567 Background Papers: None

(7)

ITEM 1

Minutes of the MEETING OF MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL held on WEDNESDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2019 at 7.30 pm Present: Councillor Petchey (Mayor). Councillors Akter, Alexander, Baines, Bint, Brackenbury, M Bradburn, R Bradburn, Brown, Brunning, Buckley, Cannon, Carr, Clancy, Crooks, Darlington, Dransfield, Exon, Ferrans, Ganatra, Geaney, A Geary, P Geary, Gilbert, Gowans, Green, D Hopkins, V Hopkins, Hosking, Jenkins, Khan, Legg, Long, Marklew, Marland, McDonald, McLean, McPake, Middleton, Miles, Minns, Morla, Morris, Nolan, O’Neill, Patey-Smith, Rankine, Reilly, Small, Wales, Walker, Wallis, Williams and C Wilson. Aldermen Bartlett and McKenzie and Alderwoman Saunders Apologies: Councillors McCall and K Wilson and Aldermen Beeley, Bristow, Coventry, E Henderson and Howell and Alderwomen I Henderson, Irons and Lloyd. Also Present: 58 members of the public.

CL114 MINUTES RESOLVED - That the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 23 January 2019 be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record. CL115 DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS There were no Disclosures of Interests CL116 QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC (a) Question from Eamonn Bobey to Councillor Marland (Leader of the Council)

Eamonn Bobey, referring to the minutes of the Cabinet meeting of 4 December 2018 which recorded that Councillor Marland anticipated that any increase in rents, following regeneration, would not be onerous on tenants as they would have better jobs, asked Councillor Marland to explain how this applied to those on pensions or similar benefits. Councillor Marland indicated that regeneration was about more than rent levels, regeneration / refurbishment would bring many other benefits to individuals and communities, such the potential for reduced energy bills.

20 February 2019 (8) Councillor Marland stressed that when discussing regeneration with communities, it was important to outline the overall benefits that might accrue and it was not just the rent, which was set in accordance with a national formula, or the level of Council Tax. Eamonn Bobey as a supplementary question, asked Councillor Marland what measures, other than job clubs for the unemployed, were being implemented on the regeneration estate to improve the prospects of those in employment. Councillor Marland indicated that as regeneration of estates moved forward, it was necessary to work with the communities to identify what measures they believed would improve their life chances. As part of the ‘Big Conversation’ it was important to raise these issues and ensure communities were aware of the many potential benefits which could accrue from the regeneration programme. (b) Question from Alderman Paul Bartlett to Councillor Gowans (Cabinet member for Public Realm) Alderman Paul Bartlett asked Councillor Gowans to explain why the consultation held on the type of crossing at Watling Street at and Fullers Slade, when more residents voted for an underpass than any other option, was ignored particularly as he understood finance for an underpass was available. Councillor Gowans, referring to Alderman Bartlett’s failure to make representations at that time of the decision some 13 months ago and his misleading statement about the finances, indicated that he was clear, his first priority was for road safety to minimise the chances of death and serious injuries on our road network. Accordingly a safe crossing had been delivered on Watling Street within the budget envelope available. Alderman Paul Bartlett as a supplementary question, asked Councillor Gowans if he would guarantee consultations on all crossings in the Whitehouse, Fairfields, Crownhill and the Grange Farm area and that he would listen to residents and he would provide the type of crossings they wanted. Councillor Gowans reiterated that road safety had to be taken seriously and it was essential to provide safe crossings in this area. Accordingly he had taken a number of difficult decisions to ensure safe crossings were provided.

20 February 2019 (9) (c) Question from Amanda Marlow to Councillor Gowans (Cabinet member for Public Realm) Amanda Marlow asked Councillor Gowans why was it decided so late in the day to consult the public on the building and installation of a Toucan Crossing on H4 Dansteed Way at Crownhill, when work was already scheduled to begin on Highway Improvements along the same stretch of Dansteed Way, four days before consultation ended. Councillor Gowans outlined that a Delegated Decision was taken on this issue in January 2018. It had taken a considerable time, 13 months, to get to the implementation stage because of the complicated design work that had been necessary. With regard to the ‘consultation’ currently taking place, it was not for the crossings, but was instead a statutory notification of the change in speed limits and as required by Highways legislation. Councillor Gowans indicated that the road closure was to facilitate other roadworks, but it was intended that the construction of the Toucan Crossing would be carried out during the same time once the statutory notification period had concluded. Amanda Marlow as a supplementary question, asked Councillor Gowans to confirm that whatever the majority of residents’ views were expressed through the current consultation process, that he would honour those views even if it means changing current plans. Councillor Gowans again reiterated that his first priority was road safety and ensuring that there were safe crossings. Councillor Gowans indicated that at the moment, on that stretch of 60mph road, there were school children crossing; therefore it was essential to provide a safe crossing sooner rather than later. (d) Question from Nabeel Nazir to Councillor Marland (Leader of the Council) Nabeel Nazir, referring to the apparent lack of investment in Bletchley and the previous undertaking that Bracknell House would be permanently retained for wedding registrations and receptions noted that only funding of £44k was proposed for 2019/20. Nabeel Nazir asked Councillor Marland for a cast iron guarantee that Bracknell House would be permanently retained for weddings, registrations and receptions. Councillor Marland indicated that Bracknell House was unsuitable for some registration functions, for example people had to go upstairs to register a death, and accordingly the majority of the Registrar’s functions had transferred to the

20 February 2019 (10) Civic Offices. However Councillor Marland recognised the importance of Bracknell House to Bletchley and he had given an undertaking that Bracknell House would be retained for weddings and receptions and a feasibility study was currently taking place. Discussions were also ongoing with a number of agencies and businesses about their potential involvement with Bracknell House, so he was reasonably certain that when the current allocated funding ran out at the end of the financial year 2019/20, Bracknell House would continue to provide community use and a wedding venue. Nabeel Nazir as a supplementary question, asked Councillor Marland if the continued use could be guaranteed. Councillor Marland indicated that he could not guarantee any service provided by the Council. However, facilities such as Bracknell House are best managed by the community and he would guarantee that the Council would do everything it could to maintain Bracknell House and that its use continued into the future without a call on the Council’s resources. (e) Question from Charlotte Hall to Councillor Gowans (Cabinet member for Public Realm) Charlotte Hall, referring to a question she asked at a recent meeting of the Budget and Resources Scrutiny Committee, indicated that the Parish Council was still to receive a response from officers with regard the Council liaising with Old Parish Council so that it might understand the local roll out of the LED Streetlight Programme, particularly in the Conservation Area. Charlotte Hall asked Councillor Gowans if he could inform her when there would be the opportunity for a meeting and who would be the lead officer. Councillor Gowans apologised for the delay in replying and thanked Charlotte Hall for the suggestion that the Council had greater engagement with parish councils over the installation of LED Streetlights in conservation areas, which was an approach the Council was to pursue when installing in all conservation areas. Councillor Gowans indicated that installation of LED Streetlights in the area was not programmed to take place before the first quarter of 2020/21 and would not proceed before discussions had been held with the Parish Council. Councillor Gowans also indicated that the Council Lead officer was its Street Lighting Engineer.

20 February 2019 (11) Charlotte Hall as a supplementary question, asked Councillor Gowans to clarify when LED Streetlights would be installed in Old Woughton as she understood it was programmed for April 2019. Councillor Gowans stated that he understood the programme had been revised and, before the installation went ahead the Council wanted to liaise with the Parish Council (f) Question from David Lee to Councillor Walker (Leader of the Conservative Group) David Lee, referring to the Council’s recent decision on 19 September 2018, which included a clause seeking ways to involve the opposition parties in the Cabinet Regeneration Sub-Committee, and noting that no members of the Conservative Group had attended a meeting since, asked Councillor Walker for an update on this situation Councillor Walker indicated that legal advice was that only members of Cabinet could be members of a Cabinet Sub- Committee. However, the Conservative Group was engaging positively with the regeneration process and he and his colleagues would endeavour to attend meetings of the Sub- Committee when they could. David Lee as a supplementary question asked Councillor Walker if the Conservative Group would also be engaging with the ‘Big Conversation’. Councillor Walker indicated that the Group were engaging with the ‘Big Conversation’ and he was discussing with officers. He had also met with representatives of Residents of Regeneration Estates to discuss ways to encourage people to engage with the ‘Big Conversation’. (g) Question from Rebecca Kurth to Councillor Middleton (Cabinet member for Resources and Innovation) Rebecca Kurth, referring to the support at the last full Council meeting for a scrutiny committee on regeneration and there being no apparent resource allocated in the Budget 2019/20 to support such a committee, asked Councillor Middleton where the money was going to come from so the committee was able to properly carry out scrutiny. Councillor Middleton indicated that while there was no specific allocation in the draft Budget, Cabinet had given an undertaking, following the Corporate Peer Review, to review Democratic Services and Scrutiny and ensure it was properly and adequately resources and this was supported by the Chief Executive.

20 February 2019 (12) Councillor Middleton stressed that he thought it important to look at how scrutiny was supported as a whole, rather than at individual elements such as regeneration. Councillor Middleton undertook to meet with Rebecca Kurth to discuss how this was to be taken forward. (h) Question from James Lancaster to Councillor O’Neill (Cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing and Deputy Leader of the Council) James Lancaster, referring to the number of unauthorised encampments over the last 18 months in the Tattenhoe Ward, asked Councillor O’Neill to make sure that provision was made in the Budget 2019/20 to ensure that the Enforcement Team was adequately resourced to do the job and also to explain what additional resource would be provided. Councillor O’Neill indicated that what the residents of Tattenhoe had been subjected to, as a result of the unauthorised encampments, was unacceptable and as part of the Council’s Action Plan a long term solution was needed. The Council was to consider as part of its Budget £250,000 to cover the likes of additional enforcement, extra barriers and Court costs. James Lancaster as a supplementary question asked if there were sufficient funds available to progress the pending injunction. Councillor Marland responded, outlining that if or when the Council applied for an injunction, there were sufficient monies available to fund the application. £100,000 was also being made available in the Reserves to fund any additional Court costs which might arise. (i) Question from Jeanette Marling to Councillor Long (Cabinet member for Housing and Regeneration) Jeanette Marling, referring to an apparent shortage of high level information on Regeneration, such as overall time schedules and the budgets for estates and also the potential that other initiatives, such as the ‘Big Conversation’ might not run at the originally expected rate, asked Councillor Long what landmarks and deadlines does the Council expect to see reached within this calendar year. Councillor Long indicated work was progressing on firming up the outcomes that could be expected during 2019/20. He had today met with the Managing Director of Mears plc to discuss the programme for Planned Maintenance during 2019/20; it was therefore difficult at this time to give a definitive response as to the outcomes expected both from the Regeneration Programme and from the Planned Maintenance Programme. However, once the outcomes are agreed with the residents they would be made public.

20 February 2019 (13) Jeanette Marling as a supplementary question, asked Councillor Long if Serpentine Court would be demolished by the end of 2021, which was a reasonable and realistic target. Councillor Long reminded the meeting that residents had voted massively in favour of demolition and the rebuilding of the area. Councillor Long indicated that he expected the timetable to become clearer as the issues were worked through with the residents, but bearing in mind the enthusiasm of residents to progress the redevelopment scheme the demolition of Serpentine Court could happen sooner than the end of 2021. Councillor Long also outlined the Council’s commitment to deliver other improvement to properties on the Lakes Estate through the Planned Maintainance Programme CL117 COUNCIL TAX BASE AND BUSINESS RATE BASELINE 2018/19 (FUNDING CONTRIBUTION TO PARISH AND TOWN COUNCILS) Councillor Middleton moved the following recommendation from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 6 November 2018, which was seconded by the Councillor Marland: “That the proposed 2019/20 funding contribution to parish and town councils of £530,000 be noted and recommended to Council for approval as part of the final Budget in February 2019.” On being put to the vote the recommendation was declared carried by acclamation. RESOLVED - That the proposed 2019/20 funding contribution to parish and town councils of £530,000 be noted and considered as part of the Budget. CL118 REVIEW OF COUNCIL’S CONSTITUTION 2018/19 Councillor Morris moved the following recommendation from the meeting of the Constitution Commission held on 7 January 2019, which was seconded by the Councillor R Bradburn: “That in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 21.2 consideration of the draft Revised Constitution be adjourned, without discussion, until the Council meeting on 20 March 2019.” RESOLVED - That in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 21.2 consideration of the draft Revised Constitution be adjourned, without discussion, until the Council meeting on 20 March 2019.

20 February 2019 (14) The Mayor brought forward Item 5(a) [Councillors’ Questions] and Item 6 [Community Governance Review - Fairfields and Whitehouse Parishes] to this point in the meeting. CL119 COUNCILLORS’ QUESTIONS (a) Question from Councillor Dransfield to Councillor Marland (Leader of the Council) Councillor Dransfield, referring to an article in a local paper some years ago in which the Leader of the Council said that the election of Jeremy Corbyn would be a disaster for the Labour Party and the Momentum Movement in the Party, asked Councillor Marland if he or other members of the Labour Group had considered abandoning the Party as a number of national labour politicians had done. Councillor Marland stated that he had not considered leaving the Labour Party. Councillor Marland indicated that when he made that statement in 2015, there was a concern that Jeremy Corbyn might lead the Labour Party to electoral disaster, but in the only national test of public opinion since 2015, the General Election in 2017, that concern was unfounded. Councillor Marland recalled that the Conservative Party had its first overall majority in 2015 since 1992, but since Jeremy Corbyn was elected Leader of the Labour Party that overall majority had been lost. Councillor Dransfield, as a supplementary question, asked Councillor Marland if he and other more moderate Labour Group members would consider joining him in forming an Independent Group. Councillor Marland declined the offer. (b) Question from Councillor P Geary to Councillor Gowans (Cabinet member for Public Realm) Councillor P Geary, referring to a press report about a £3m claim by the Council’s recycling contractor over contaminated recycling sacks, asked Councillor Gowans what measures he was taking to reduce the levels of contamination. Councillor Gowans indicated that the contamination of the recycling had been a problem over a number of years, but as the Council was close to reaching an agreement with the operator of the recycling factory, efforts could be channelled towards reducing the levels of contamination and it was intended to bring forward an Action Plan early in the new Council year for comment. The Plan was likely to include both elements of education and enforcement and officers were being tasked to bring forward a Business Case to ensure that delivery of the Action Plan was properly resourced.

20 February 2019 (15) Councillor P Geary, referring to some of the history which could have potentially exacerbated the contamination problem ask, as a supplementary question, asked Councillor Gowans if in future he would listen to some of the concerns raised by scrutiny committees so that the Council was not again faced with a large claim from its operator. Councillor Gowans indicated that contamination had been an ongoing issue over many years and was larger than simply the withdrawal of the supply of black sacks for residual waste. Other factors such as the collapse in the market for recyclables had increased the pressure on the operator of the recycling factory to recover its costs had contributed to the claim from the operator. Councillor Gowans also indicated that he was happy to listen to any sensible suggestions. (c) Question from Councillor Baines to Councillor Marland (Leader of the Council) Councillor Baines asked Councillor Marland, if it was possible to find sponsorship, whether the Council would host an Armed forces day event, most likely in 2022. Councillor Marland indicated that, subject to the Council being able to undertake the necessary planning, it would certainly be something that the Council would consider. (d) Question from Councillor Brackenbury to Councillor Gowans (Cabinet member for Public Realm) Councillor Brackenbury, referring to the motion passed at the last Council meeting concerning the supply of recycling sacks and the apparent continuing problems still being experienced by residents, asked Councillor Gowans what measure had been put in place since the last meeting. Councillor Gowans indicated that there can been a change to the method of delivery which had much improved the situation, but some residents were still experiencing problems and officers were looking into the causes. Officers were also following up to check that deliveries had been made to help identify potential problems. Councillor Gowans also outlined that a click and collect service had been introduced for residents in hard to deliver to properties such as flats with door entry systems and with the help of parish and town councils, resident could collect from their offices as well as from this Council. Councillor Brackenbury, as a supplementary question, referring to the additional measures mentioned in the Council motion such as delivering 40 rather than 20 sacks, allowing residents to specify where deliveries should be placed, allowing deliveries to be tracked and a review of delivery

20 February 2019 (16) methods, asked Councillor Gowans if he thought he was doing enough. Councillor Gowans indicated residents were now able to specify where a delivery should be left and batches very due to be increased to 40 shortly. (e) Question from Councillor Mclean to Councillor Marland (Leader of the Council) Councillor Mclean, referring to the Council’s policy to allow the introduction of 20 mph speed limits on new housing estates and concerns from some parish councils that roads in their areas were not being treated equitably, asked Councillor Marland if parish councils were able to apply for 20 mph speed limits for roads in their parish and if so would funding be provided to enable the introduction of such limits. Councillor Marland indicated that it was a manifest pledge by the Labour Group to allow both the introduction of 20 mph speed limits on new housing developments as well as in more established estates and Councillor Gowans recently took a decision to implement that pledge. It was intended that the presumption would be in the favour of residents and it was intended to remove many of the hurdles residents’ previously had to negotiate to make an application. Councillor Marland also indicated that there were sufficient funds in the Capital Budget to fund all of the schemes likely to come forward in 2019/20, after which an assessment would be made as to the level of demand and the likely call on resources going forward. Councillor Mclean, referring to Councillor Marland’s use of the term ‘estates’, asked Councillor Marland, as a supplementary question to clarify if the scheme applied to individual roads as well as estates and when would an officer be in place to deal with any requests. Councillor Marland clarified that 20 mph speed limits could be introduced on individual roads and would not be restricted to estates, but urged that if a parish council, or a group of parish councils had a number of roads they would wish to be considered for a 20 mph speed limit the applications were grouped to enable the cost of traffic orders to be minimised. Councillor Marland indicated that an officer to deal with the applications should be in place by 1 April 2019. (f) Question from Councillor Jenkins to Councillor Legg (Cabinet member for Customer Services) Councillor Jenkins, referring to the recent decision to proceed with the consultation on the Caldecotte C site, despite there being a number of unknown factors and the intention not to make a decision in respect of the site until the currently unknown factors had been clarified, asked Councillor Legg to

20 February 2019 (17) confirm that the consultation at this early stage was not just for show and residents’ views would be taken seriously. Councillor Legg confirmed that residents’ views would be taken seriously and as he had indicated when taking the decision he had done what he could to delay the consultation. Councillor Legg undertook to meet with Councillor Jenkins to try to identify if there was more he could do to address her concerns. Councillor Jenkins, referring to the fact that two different services were dealing with issues in this area, asked as a supplementary question, if the two responsible Cabinet members and the services were working together on the issues. Councillor Legg indicated that they were. (g) Question from Councillor Morris to Councillor Middleton (Cabinet member for Resources and Innovation) Councillor Morris asked Councillor Middleton why the £1m income from the Gambling Levy did not appeared in the Budget being presented to the Council this evening, when it had been included in the draft Budget approved by Cabinet in December. Councillor Middleton indicated that, if he had time he would be able to identify the income from the Gambling Levy. However, he understood that the income was being used to support a number of initiatives including the Neighbourhood Employment Programme. Councillor Middleton suggested that in order to get the facts right it would be better if he, Councillor Morris and the Director Finance and Resources met to discuss the matter. Councillor Morris, referring to the index linked £175,000 which was provided by the Casino to support vulnerable gamblers, asked Councillor Middleton as a supplementary question why had the funding for services provided by MIND been cut. Councillor Middleton indicated the S151 Officer had confirmed that the Budget was sound and the papers were presented in a way which allowed councillors to make an informed decision. Councillor Middleton reiterated his offer to meet to discuss the issues. (h) Question from Councillor R Bradburn to Councillor Middleton (Cabinet member for Resources and Innovation) Councillor R Bradburn, asked Councillor Middleton if he thought that the draft Budget had been challenged adequately and robustly through scrutiny.

20 February 2019 (18) Councillor Middleton indicated that he believed as he understood the other Cabinet members did, that they had received a fair, adequate and robust challenge from the Budget and Resources Scrutiny Committee. Councillor Middleton thought that the latest round of challenge meetings had been one of the most constructive for a number of years, because along with the robust challenge the Committee had made a number of helpful suggestions. (i) Question from Councillor Darlington to Councillor Nolan (Cabinet member for Children and Families) Councillor Darlington, referring to the need for additional resources for the Sir Herbert Leon Academy and the potential additional resources she had been able to identify, asked Councillor Nolan what was the current position with regard to the Academy accessing those additional resources to enable it to better contribute to building the lives of its students towards a brighter future. Councillor Nolan indicated that it had been possible to allocate £256k to the Academy from S106 monies. Additionally the Council had agreed a number of ways in which the Academy could be supported to assist it in raising standards and achieving better results. Councillor Darlington, as a supplementary question, asked Councillor Nolan how could she and her fellow ward councillors assist in helping to ensure that students at the Academy were receiving the correct support needed to meet their needs. Councillor Nolan indicated she wanted to work closely with the Academy, ward councillors and others from the community going forward, to give the Academy the chance to make progress. (j) Question from Councillor Gilbert to Councillor Gowans (Cabinet member for Public Realm) Councillor Gilbert, referring to the two public consultations in relation to Dansteed Way which closed this week, asked Councillor Gowans if he would consider the outcomes including the option to provide a pedestrian underpass. Councillor Gowans indicated that a safe crossing would be provided within the resources available. As school children were already crossing the road it was imperative that that the crossing was provided as soon as possible. Councillor Gilbert, as a supplementary question, asked Councillor Gowans if the traditional Grid Roads with their underpasses were safe while he (Councillor Gowans) held the Cabinet portfolio.

20 February 2019 (19) Councillor Gowans indicated that it was a myth that the Milton Keynes Grid Roads were only built with underpasses as pedestrian crossings. There were a considerable number of at grade crossings. Councillor Gowans reiterated that his primary focus was road safety and ensuring that measures were in place to minimise death and injuries. Councillor Gowans also indicated that in future it was intended that underpasses would be a required as part of the planning permission for future developments. (k) Question from Councillor Walker to Councillor Brackenbury (Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group) Councillor Walker, referring to a quote that the Labour Party was institutionally anti-Semitic, asked Councillor Brackenbury if the Liberal Democrat Group had help discussions about continuing its partnership with the Labour Group in light of this. Councillor Brackenbury responded to the position the National Labour Party had found itself in with regard to the accusations of it being anti-Semitic stating that it was unfortunate that good public servants had been hounded out as a result, but that wasn’t the only reason why MPs had left the Party. Councillor Brackenbury indicated that the partnership between the Labour and Liberal Democrat Groups was not based on having to agree on everything; instead it was based on getting the best outcomes for the residents of Milton Keynes. Councillor Brackenbury also indicated that the Liberal Democrats had a good record in working with other parties at both a local and national level to get the best outcomes for the residents. Councillor Brackenbury stressed that the Liberal Democrat Group would take the opportunity to review its partnership arrangements after the May elections. Councillor Walker, as a supplementary question, asked Councillor Brackenbury if the Liberal Democrat Group’s support for the Partnership was unconditional, or would it reconsider if the Labour Party nationally failed to address its anti-Semitism. Councillor Brackenbury indicated that after the May elections if the residents gave one Group a majority there would be no need for a partnership. As is most likely and no Group has a majority then the Liberal Democrat will review its options in light of its manifesto commitments and assess which Group it can best work with.

20 February 2019 (20) Councillor Brackenbury suggested that the political groups on the Council had an important role in bringing communities together and helping them overcome some of the current divisions. (l) Question from Councillor D Hopkins to Councillor Nolan (Cabinet member for Children and Families) Councillor D Hopkins, referring to a recent statement by the Director of Children’s Services that the Council wanted local children to attend a local school, as was the view of 98% of parents in with regard to Fulbrook Middle School’s ambition to become a secondary school, asked Councillor Nolan what the Council was doing to support the school’s ambition and what more could it do within the constraints of the Education Financing Rules to help fulfil the ambitions of the Town and its surrounding communities for local children to go to a local school. Councillor Nolan indicated that she thought it was wrong for Fulbrook School to undertake the survey and raise the hopes of parents when it had not consulted with its local authority, Central Bedfordshire Council, particularly as that Council did not support ‘through schools’. Councillor Nolan stressed that the decision to expand Fulbrook School was not one for this Council, but the Council had no objection to the School doing so. However, no financial support would be available from the Council as there were adequate places at Milton Keynes schools for the children. Councillor Nolan also stressed that providing local school places for local children was a key ambition for the Council. Councillor D Hopkins, as a supplementary question, asked Councillor Nolan if she was willing to work with representatives of Central Bedfordshire Council, the ward councillors the local MPs and school governors to convene a meeting to discuss a way forward. Councillor D Hopkins also asked if, as with the Sir Herbert Leon Academy mentioned earlier in the meeting, if S106 monies could be used to support the ambitions of the School as 50% of children attending Fulbrook School lived in Woburn Sand on the Milton Keynes side of the border. Councillor Nolan indicated she and the Director of Children’s Services were willing to attend a meeting to support the ambitions of Milton Keynes parents for Fulbrook School to become a Secondary School and accordingly to try to persuade Central Bedfordshire Council to review its position. With regard to S106 being a potential funding source, this would not be possible as Fulbrook School was outside Milton Keynes and the School, as an Academy, had other potential funding sources.

20 February 2019 (21) (m) Question from Councillor Geaney to Councillor Long (Cabinet member for Housing and Regeneration) Councillor Geaney, referring to the reported purchase of 24 homes on the open market at a cost of £4.3m, which equated at approximately £179k per property, asked Councillor Long if that figure included the cost of bringing the properties up to a standard at which they could be let and if not how much extra was spent to do so. Councillor Long indicated that it had cost an additional £70k to bring the properties up to a lettable standard. Councillor Long stated that while buying empty properties on the open market helped the Council support those in housing need, the Administration’s real ambition was to build significant numbers of Council homes to supplement the number of affordable rental properties that were available. Councillor Long reported that there were currently 455 people living in temporary accommodation. Councillor Geaney as a supplementary question, asked Councillor Long to confirm the figure spent to bring the houses up to standard, as previously she was aware of one property which had cost £25k alone. Councillor Long confirmed that it had cost £4.3m to purchase the properties and he believed £70k to bring the properties up to standard. However, he undertook to confirm and publish the figure for clarity. CL120 COMMUNITY GOVERNANCE REVIEW - FAIRFIELDS AND WHITEHOUSE PARISHES Further to Minute CL84 of the Council’s meeting on 24 October 2018, when the Council agreed a Community Governance Review for the Parish Meetings of Fairfields and Whitehouse to become a Parish Council / Parish Councils, the Council noted that consultation with residents had been held during November and December 2018. The overwhelming outcome was for two new Parish Councils to be created namely Fairfields Parish Council and Whitehouse Parish Council. The Council also noted that the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 gave responsibility for Community Governance Reviews to principal councils in and that this responsibility included the power to create new parish councils by Order. RESOLVED - That an Order be made creating two new parish councils, namely Fairfields Parish Council and Whitehouse Parish Council.

20 February 2019 (22) CL121 BUDGET REPORT 2019/20 Councillor Marland moved the recommendations from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 5 February 2019, together with recommendations relating to the precepts from the and Crime Commissioner, the and Milton Keynes Fire Authority and parish / town councils, necessary for the Council to adopt when setting the level of Council Tax, which were seconded by Councillor Middleton: “1. That the Revenue Budget 2019/20 totalling £193.0m be approved, including, subject to out-turn, the addition of the following one off sums, prioritised in order (a) to (g): (a) Funding for Youth Counselling Service: £40,000 (b) Additional safety net revenue for non-commercial bus services: £60,000 (c) Additional pot-hole repair budget: £50,000 (d) Milton Keynes Futures engagement: £25,000 (e) Funding to enable concessionary fares for older people for one extra year: £25,000 (f) Kit out new community centre in Heelands (old Suffolk Punch): £25,000 (g) Thrift Farm service transfer reserve: £25,000. 2. That the Council Tax at Band D of £1,381.65, for the Milton Keynes element of the Council Tax, be approved and it be noted that this is an increase of 2.99%, consisting of a 2.99% general increase (including the further 1% increase allowed by the revised referendum limit). 3. That the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2019/20 (excluding Parish Precepts) of £117.270m, be noted. 4. That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2019/20 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 [the “Act”] (note these will be confirmed once all precepts have been received):

20 February 2019 (23) (a) £680.210m Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by parish and town councils. (b) £554.951m Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3). (c) £125.259m As its Council Tax requirement for the year, being the amount by which the aggregate at (a) above exceeds the aggregate at (b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31A(4). (d) £1,475.78 As the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish Precepts), being the amount at (c) above, divided by the Council Tax Base agreed on 6 November 2018. (e) £7,989,498 Being the aggregate amount of all special items (Parish Precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act. (f) £1,381.65 Being the amount at (d) less the result given by dividing the amount at (e) above by the Council Tax Base agreed on 6 November 2018, as the basic amount of Council Tax for the year for Milton Keynes Council, excluding Parish and Major Precepting Authorities. 5. That the following amounts be calculated for Milton Keynes Council Tax: VALUATION BANDS A B C D E F G H £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ MKC With 2.99% 921.10 1,074.61 1,228.13 1,381.65 1,688.69 1,995.72 2,302.75 2,763.30 Increase 6. That the amounts given by multiplying the amount at (f) by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to all dwellings listed in each particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in Valuation Band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act. 7. That for the year 2019/20, Police & Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Act 1992, has stated the following precepts to the Council for each of the categories of dwellings:

20 February 2019 (24) VALUATION BANDS

A B C D E F G H £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 137.52 160.44 183.36 206.28 252.12 297.96 343.80 412.56

8. That for the year 2019/20, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Act 1992, has stated the following precepts to the Council for each of the categories of dwellings: VALUATION BANDS A B C D E F G H £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 43.05 50.22 57.40 64.57 78.92 93.27 107.62 129.14 9. That as a result of the above, the amounts of Council Tax (shown in Annexes A and B) be set in accordance with Sections 30 and 36 of the Local Government Act 1992, for each of the categories of dwelling shown in the Schedule. 10. That the 2019/20 levies payable to the Buckingham and Internal Drainage Board and the Environment Agency be noted. 11. That the increases to the empty homes Council Tax premium charge be approved. 12. That the fees and charges for 2019/20 (including those fees and charges which are exceptions to the Income and Collection Policy) be approved. 13. That the estimated position for Dedicated Schools Grant for 2019/20 be noted. 14. That the Housing Revenue Account Revenue Budget 2019/20 be adopted. 15. That the Housing Revenue Account Dwelling Rent 2019/20, a reduction of 1%, an average of 87p per week, be approved. 16. That the Capital Programme for 2019/20 to 2022/23 be approved. 17. That the resource allocation for the 2019/20 Tariff programme be approved. 18. That the Treasury Management Strategy for 2019/20 to 2023/24 and the Treasury Policy Statement, including the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy, be approved. 19. That the financial forecast set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan, in relation to both resources and expenditure, be noted.” The Council heard from the Leader of the Conservative Group, the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, together with Councillor R Bradburn, Chair of the Budget and Resources Scrutiny

20 February 2019 (25) Committee as well as receiving the response from Councillor Middleton, Cabinet member for Resources and Innovation to the recommendations of the Budget and Resources Scrutiny Committee. The Council also received the responses to the public consultation on its draft budget. Councillor R Bradburn moved the following amendment on behalf of the Liberal Democrat Group, which was seconded by Councillor Brackenbury and accepted by Councillor Marland, mover of the motion: “1. That the following words be added to the end of recommendation 1 from the Cabinet meeting on 5 February 2019: ‘, subject to: (a) Public Realm – Weeding and Landscaping - £100,000 The inclusion of an additional item to one-off pressures of £100,000 to fund additional investment in weeding and landscaping across Milton Keynes to improve the quality of the public realm, with this budget change being funded from the Contingency Fund. (b) Public Realm – Street Name Plates - £50,000 The inclusion of an additional item to one-off expenditure pressures of £50k in 2019/20 to fund the replacement of missing street naming signs in Milton Keynes, with this budget change being funded from the Contingency Fund. (c) Public Realm – Provision of a Project Officer - £50,000 The inclusion of an additional item to one-off expenditure pressures of £50k in 2019/20 only, as a revenue contribution to fund the addition of a Project Officer to support the transfer of land to the Parks Trust after completion of the current maintenance contract, with this budget change being funded from the Strategic Development Fund. (d) Public Realm – Hot Spot Litter Picking - £57,000 The inclusion of an additional item to one-off expenditure pressures of £57k in 2019/20 only, as a revenue contribution to fund the addition of funding for tackling litter hot spots in each of the 19 wards with an allowance of £3k per ward. The hot spots to be identified in collaboration with ward councillors. 2. That the following words be added to the end of recommendation 9 from the Cabinet meeting on 5 February 2019:

20 February 2019 (26) ‘, subject to: (a) Road Safety scheme - £27,000 The inclusion of an additional item to the Capital Programme Pipeline of £25,000 in 2019/20 only, as a capital provision to fund additional road safety measures on Livesey at Shenley Lodge (b) Downs Barn Bus Stop - £25,000 The inclusion of an additional item to the Capital Programme Pipeline of £25,000 in 2019/20 only, as a capital provision to fund improvements to the new bus stop on Darley Gate, Downs Barn so elderly/disabled users can access stop without having going across the road. Both of items (a) and (b) to be funded from within the existing funding envelope for the Capital Programme.” Councillor Walker moved the following amendment on behalf of the Conservative Group, which was seconded by Councillor Morris: “1. That the following words be added to the end of recommendation 1 from the Cabinet meeting on 5 February 2019: ‘,and also subject to: Proposed changes to reductions: (a) R18 remove the £32k reduction - refocussing grant funding to support health and wellbeing activities in community and sports facilities. This would be funded from Contingency in 2019/20 and funded from the new reduction (b) from 2020/21. (b) R42 continue the managed reduction in spend on the use of temporary staff including agency workers to permanent positions in 2020/21 and 2021/22. £200k each time. Proposed changes to one-off pressures: (c) OP10 (Bracknell House) £44k. A one off budget provision has been made in the 2019/20 budget after which it is expected that the future use of this public building will have been determined. A further budget amendment is being put forward to extend this transitional funding into 2020/21. This would be funded from the Corporate Property Reserve. (d) The inclusion of an additional item to one-off pressures of up to £425k to fund a trial in 2019/20 of two hour free parking on Sundays across Milton Keynes. This trial would run for an initial period of 3 months and subject to review could be extended to 12 months. This would be funded from the remaining Parking Reserve balance, £333k, and New Homes Bonus, £92k.

20 February 2019 (27) (e) An economic development campaign over 2019/20 – 2020/21 to support Milton Keynes’ ambition to become the ‘Greenest City in the World.’ The campaign will be to attract and support start-ups and established businesses leading the way in green technology and deliver highly paid and highly skilled green jobs for Milton Keynes residents. £200k over two years. This would be funded from the Business Rates Volatility Reserve. (f) New pressure acknowledging the motion passed at Full Council the changes to recycle sack deliveries have been an ‘abject failure’ and invests £217k in 2019/20 to revert to the old process until an improved and accepted proposal for provisions come forward. This would be funded from the New Homes Bonus. (g) £150k of extra support to continue to reduce rough sleeping, support those affected back into society, and to prevent homelessness over three years. This would be funded from the New Homes Bonus allocation but this will only be released if required. (h) £252k for the bus subsidies due to end through S106 funding. It would ensure there was no immediate target saving when undertaking the borough wide review. This would be funded from the New Homes Bonus. Other proposed changes: (i) To invest £50k in developing a programme of support for our veteran community in line with the Council’s commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant. This is a change to the base budget. This would be funded from Contingency in 2019/20 and funded from the new reduction (b) from 2020/21. (j) Pest Control. Invest £50k in proactive pest control measures to combat rat infestation. This is a change to the base budget. This would be funded from Contingency in 2019/20 and funded from the new reduction (b) from 2020/21. (k) Weed spraying. Invest £50k to reinstate twice a year weed spraying. This is a change to the base budget. This would be funded from Contingency in 2019/20 and funded from the new reduction (b) from 2020/21. (l) Remove proposed income (R29 and R30) increasing the hourly charge rate for Internal Homecare from £16.72 to £18.01 and implement charging for use of recuperation beds after initial free six weeks period of the service. £29k. This could be offset by making a modest improvement to the Collection Rate of Adult Social Care Client Contributions.

20 February 2019 (28) (m) £150k for additional capacity in the enforcement team to support enforcement on unauthorised encampments on the Western Flank and parking outside of Central Milton Keynes including Bletchley Town Centre. This is a one-off pressure. This would be funded from the New Homes Bonus. (n) Make Milton Keynes the cleanest as well as greenest city £250k, including improving drainage clearance and capacity in the landscape team. This is a one-off pressure. This would be funded from the New Homes Bonus. (o) £25k to support the Social Mobility Pledge work. This is a one-off pressure. This would be funded from the New Homes Bonus. 2. That the following words be added to the end of recommendation 9 from the Cabinet meeting on 5 February 2019: (a) the capital allocated to improve road safety being increased, with specific project support for the St Leger Drive Road Safety campaign and the highways issues on Ferry Meadow, Broughton - £250k. This would be funded from the New Homes Bonus. (b) doubling the funding into 20mph zones - £120k. This would be funded from the New Homes Bonus. 3. That the following new clause be added to the Cabinet’s recommendation: ’13. That the Council ensure that the allocated Pothole Action Fund Grant is always spent.’” Councillor P Geary moved the following amendment, which was seconded by Councillor Walker: “That the following new clause be added to the Cabinet’s recommendation: ‘That this Council: (a) acknowledges for good governance, for good decision making, for transparency and for good scrutiny, that all council decisions, including the budget, should be as open and transparent as possible; (b) notes that budget savings that would have had a massive impact on some groups of Milton Keynes’ most vulnerable residents were not consulted on directly with these groups; (c) raises concern with the influence of the Liberal Democrat group over the budget process for 2019/20, given it is a member of the ‘enhanced partnership’ currently running the administration and yet has a significant role in scrutiny;

20 February 2019 (29) (d) agrees that understanding the true budget, both extra income and proposed in-year service cuts were difficult to scrutinise due to a lack of transparency; (e) notes with disappointment that this year’s budget has been the most opaque budget produced by an administration in many years; (f) cannot have full confidence that the true impact of this budget on vital services has been properly scrutinised; (g) requests that future budgets are far more open to scrutiny and that there is a far more transparent understanding of the role any future ‘enhanced partnership’ may play in the process; and (h) these issues demonstrate a democratic deficit at Milton Keynes Council that is not delivering for, or working in the best interests of residents.’” On being put to the vote the amendment submitted by the Conservative Group was declared lost with 21 councillors voting in favour, 30 councillors voting against and 0 councillors abstaining from voting. On being put to the vote the amendment submitted by Councillor P Geary was declared lost with 21 councillors voting in favour, 30 councillors voting against and 0 councillors abstaining from voting. The voting on the substantive motion was as follows: FOR: Councillors Akter, Alexander, Brackenbury, M Bradburn, R Bradburn, Brown, Cannon, Carr, Crooks, Darlington, Exon, Ferrans, Gowans, Khan, Legg, Long, Marklew, Marland, McPake, Middleton, Miles, Minns, Nolan, O’Neill, Petchey, Priestley, Reilly, Wales, P Williams and C Wilson (30) AGAINST: Councillor Dransfield (1) ABSTENTIONS: Councillors Baines, Bint, Brunning, Buckley, Clancy, Ganatra, Geaney, P Geary, Gilbert, Green, D Hopkins, Hosking, Jenkins, McDonald, McLean, Morris, Patey-Smith, Rankine, Small and Walker (20) The substantive motion was declared carried. RESOLVED - 1. That the Revenue Budget 2019/20 totalling £193.0m be approved, including, subject to out-turn, the addition of the following one off sums, prioritised in order (a) to (g): (a) Funding for Youth Counselling Service: £40,000 (b) Additional safety net revenue for non-commercial bus services: £60,000

20 February 2019 (30) (c) Additional pot-hole repair budget: £50,000 (d) Milton Keynes Futures engagement: £25,000 (e) Funding to enable concessionary fares for older people for one extra year: £25,000 (f) Kit out new community centre in Heelands (old Suffolk Punch): £25,000 (g) Thrift Farm service transfer reserve: £25,000. and also subject to: (a) Public Realm – Weeding and Landscaping - £100,000 The inclusion of an additional item to one-off pressures of £100,000 to fund additional investment in weeding and landscaping across Milton Keynes to improve the quality of the public realm, with this budget change being funded from the Contingency Fund. (b) Public Realm – Street Name Plates - £50,000 The inclusion of an additional item to one-off expenditure pressures of £50k in 2019/20 to fund the replacement of missing street naming signs in Milton Keynes, with this budget change being funded from the Contingency Fund. (c) Public Realm – Provision of a Project Officer - £50,000 The inclusion of an additional item to one-off expenditure pressures of £50k in 2019/20 only, as a revenue contribution to fund the addition of a Project Officer to support the transfer of land to the Parks Trust after completion of the current maintenance contract, with this budget change being funded from the Strategic Development Fund. (d) Public Realm – Hot Spot Litter Picking - £57,000 The inclusion of an additional item to one-off expenditure pressures of £57k in 2019/20 only, as a revenue contribution to fund the addition of funding for tackling litter hot spots in each of the 19 wards with an allowance of £3k per ward. The hot spots to be identified in collaboration with ward councillors. 2. That the Council Tax at Band D of £1,381.65, for the Milton Keynes element of the Council Tax, be approved and it be noted that this is an increase of 2.99%, consisting of a 2.99% general increase (including the further 1% increase allowed by the revised referendum limit). 3. That the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2019/20 (excluding Parish Precepts) of £117.270m, be noted.

20 February 2019 (31) 4. That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2019/20 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 [the “Act”] (note these will be confirmed once all precepts have been received): (a) £680.210m Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by parish and town councils. (b) £554.951m Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3). (c) £125.259m As its Council Tax requirement for the year, being the amount by which the aggregate at (a) above exceeds the aggregate at (b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31A(4). (d) £1,475.78 As the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish Precepts), being the amount at (c) above, divided by the Council Tax Base agreed on 6 November 2018. (e) £7,989,498 Being the aggregate amount of all special items (Parish Precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act. (f) £1,381.65 Being the amount at (d) less the result given by dividing the amount at (e) above by the Council Tax Base agreed on 6 November 2018, as the basic amount of Council Tax for the year for Milton Keynes Council, excluding Parish and Major Precepting Authorities. 5. That the following amounts be calculated for Milton Keynes Council Tax: VALUATION BANDS A B C D E F G H £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ MKC With 2.99% 921.10 1,074.61 1,228.13 1,381.65 1,688.69 1,995.72 2,302.75 2,763.30 Increase 6. That the amounts given by multiplying the amount at (f) by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to all dwellings listed in each particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in Valuation Band D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act.

20 February 2019 (32) 7. That for the year 2019/20, Police & Crime Commissioner for Thames Valley, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Act 1992, has stated the following precepts to the Council for each of the categories of dwellings: VALUATION BANDS

A B C D E F G H £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 137.52 160.44 183.36 206.28 252.12 297.96 343.80 412.56

8. That for the year 2019/20, Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Act 1992, has stated the following precepts to the Council for each of the categories of dwellings: VALUATION BANDS A B C D E F G H £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 43.05 50.22 57.40 64.57 78.92 93.27 107.62 129.14 9. That as a result of the above, the amounts of Council Tax (shown in Annexes A and B) be set in accordance with Sections 30 and 36 of the Local Government Act 1992, for each of the categories of dwelling shown in the Schedule. 10. That the 2019/20 levies payable to the Buckingham and River Ouzel Internal Drainage Board and the Environment Agency be noted. 11. That the increases to the empty homes Council Tax premium charge be approved. 12. That the fees and charges for 2019/20 (including those fees and charges which are exceptions to the Income and Collection Policy) be approved. 13. That the estimated position for Dedicated Schools Grant for 2019/20 be noted. 14. That the Housing Revenue Account Revenue Budget 2019/20 be adopted. 15. That the Housing Revenue Account Dwelling Rent 2019/20, a reduction of 1%, an average of 87p per week, be approved. 16. That the Capital Programme for 2019/20 to 2022/23 be approved, subject to: (a) Road Safety scheme Shenley Brook End - £27,000 The inclusion of an additional item to the Capital Programme Pipeline of £27,000 in 2019/20 only, as a capital provision to fund additional road safety measures on Livesey at Shenley Lodge

20 February 2019 (33) (b) Downs Barn Bus Stop - £25,000 The inclusion of an additional item to the Capital Programme Pipeline of £25,000 in 2019/20 only, as a capital provision to fund improvements to the new bus stop on Darley Gate, Downs Barn so elderly/disabled users can access stop without having going across the road. Both of items (a) and (b) to be funded from within the existing funding envelope for the Capital Programme. 17. That the resource allocation for the 2019/20 Tariff programme be approved. 18. That the Treasury Management Strategy for 2019/20 to 2023/24 and the Treasury Policy Statement, including the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy, be approved. 19. That the financial forecast set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan, in relation to both resources and expenditure, be noted.

THE MAYOR CLOSED THE MEETING AT 11.11 PM

20 February 2019 (34)

ANNEX A

2019/20 BASIC AMOUNT OF COUNCIL TAX

NOTE: Basic Amount of Council Tax includes parish precepts but excludes Police and Fire Authority precepts

AREAS BAND A BAND B BAND C BAND D BAND E BAND F BAND G BAND H £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £

ABBEY HILL 945.94 1,103.60 1,261.26 1,418.92 1,734.24 2,049.55 2,364.87 2,837.84 ASTWOOD and 957.16 1,116.68 1,276.21 1,435.74 1,754.80 2,073.85 2,392.90 2,871.48 BLETCHLEY & FENNY STRATFORD 1,015.87 1,185.18 1,354.49 1,523.81 1,862.44 2,201.06 2,539.68 3,047.62 958.09 1,117.76 1,277.45 1,437.14 1,756.51 2,075.87 2,395.23 2,874.28 BRADWELL 957.15 1,116.67 1,276.20 1,435.73 1,754.79 2,073.84 2,392.88 2,871.46 BROUGHTON and MILTON KEYNES VILLAGE 943.56 1,100.81 1,258.08 1,415.34 1,729.87 2,044.38 2,358.90 2,830.68 CALVERTON 921.10 1,074.61 1,228.13 1,381.65 1,688.69 1,995.72 2,302.75 2,763.30 1,038.30 1,211.34 1,384.40 1,557.45 1,903.56 2,249.65 2,595.75 3,114.90 966.11 1,127.13 1,288.15 1,449.17 1,771.21 2,093.25 2,415.28 2,898.34 CENTRAL MILTON KEYNES 971.81 1,133.78 1,295.75 1,457.72 1,781.66 2,105.60 2,429.53 2,915.44 929.97 1,084.95 1,239.95 1,394.95 1,704.95 2,014.93 2,324.92 2,789.90 and 946.13 1,103.82 1,261.51 1,419.20 1,734.58 2,049.96 2,365.33 2,838.40 933.53 1,089.12 1,244.71 1,400.30 1,711.48 2,022.66 2,333.83 2,800.60 963.75 1,124.37 1,285.00 1,445.63 1,766.89 2,088.14 2,409.38 2,891.26 FAIRFIELDS 953.93 1,112.92 1,271.91 1,430.90 1,748.88 2,066.86 2,384.83 2,861.80 944.53 1,101.94 1,259.37 1,416.79 1,731.64 2,046.48 2,361.32 2,833.58 964.11 1,124.78 1,285.47 1,446.16 1,767.54 2,088.90 2,410.27 2,892.32 1,009.13 1,177.32 1,345.51 1,513.70 1,850.08 2,186.46 2,522.83 3,027.40 / LITTLE LINFORD 963.39 1,123.95 1,284.52 1,445.09 1,766.23 2,087.36 2,408.48 2,890.18 KENTS HILL, MONKSTON & BRINKLOW 950.32 1,108.70 1,267.09 1,425.48 1,742.26 2,059.03 2,375.80 2,850.96 938.07 1,094.41 1,250.76 1,407.11 1,719.81 2,032.50 2,345.18 2,814.22 959.40 1,119.29 1,279.20 1,439.10 1,758.91 2,078.70 2,398.50 2,878.20 965.16 1,126.01 1,286.88 1,447.74 1,769.47 2,091.18 2,412.90 2,895.48 LOUGHTON & GREAT HOLM 945.43 1,103.00 1,260.57 1,418.15 1,733.30 2,048.44 2,363.58 2,836.30 941.93 1,098.92 1,255.91 1,412.90 1,726.88 2,040.86 2,354.83 2,825.80 972.58 1,134.67 1,296.77 1,458.87 1,783.07 2,107.26 2,431.45 2,917.74 1,006.84 1,174.64 1,342.45 1,510.26 1,845.88 2,181.49 2,517.10 3,020.52 951.45 1,110.02 1,268.60 1,427.18 1,744.34 2,061.49 2,378.63 2,854.36 OLNEY 980.96 1,144.45 1,307.94 1,471.44 1,798.43 2,125.42 2,452.40 2,942.88 OLD WOUGHTON 935.46 1,091.36 1,247.27 1,403.19 1,715.02 2,026.83 2,338.65 2,806.38 RAVENSTONE 970.66 1,132.43 1,294.21 1,455.99 1,779.55 2,103.10 2,426.65 2,911.98 SHENLEY BROOK END 972.10 1,134.11 1,296.13 1,458.15 1,782.19 2,106.22 2,430.25 2,916.30 968.70 1,130.14 1,291.60 1,453.05 1,775.96 2,098.85 2,421.75 2,906.10 976.09 1,138.76 1,301.45 1,464.13 1,789.50 2,114.86 2,440.22 2,928.26 SIMPSON 983.98 1,147.96 1,311.97 1,475.97 1,803.97 2,131.96 2,459.95 2,951.94 1,005.04 1,172.54 1,340.05 1,507.56 1,842.58 2,177.59 2,512.60 3,015.12 958.25 1,117.95 1,277.66 1,437.37 1,756.79 2,076.20 2,395.62 2,874.74 976.69 1,139.46 1,302.25 1,465.03 1,790.60 2,116.16 2,441.72 2,930.06 & FILGRAVE 930.48 1,085.56 1,240.65 1,395.73 1,705.90 2,016.06 2,326.22 2,791.46 WALTON 986.70 1,151.14 1,315.60 1,480.05 1,808.96 2,137.85 2,466.75 2,960.10 WARRINGTON 921.10 1,074.61 1,228.13 1,381.65 1,688.69 1,995.72 2,302.75 2,763.30 950.72 1,109.17 1,267.62 1,426.08 1,742.99 2,059.90 2,376.80 2,852.16 WEST BLETCHLEY 1,014.43 1,183.49 1,352.57 1,521.64 1,859.79 2,197.93 2,536.07 3,043.28 WESTON UNDERWOOD 974.64 1,137.07 1,299.52 1,461.96 1,786.85 2,111.72 2,436.60 2,923.92 WHITEHOUSE 959.77 1,119.72 1,279.69 1,439.65 1,759.58 2,079.50 2,399.42 2,879.30 WOBURN SANDS 981.59 1,145.18 1,308.78 1,472.38 1,799.58 2,126.77 2,453.97 2,944.76 WOLVERTON 996.72 1,162.83 1,328.96 1,495.08 1,827.33 2,159.56 2,491.80 2,990.16 WOUGHTON 1,064.51 1,241.93 1,419.34 1,596.77 1,951.61 2,306.45 2,661.28 3,193.54

AVERAGE AMOUNT 983.85 1,147.83 1,311.80 1,475.78 1,803.73 2,131.68 2,459.63 2,951.56

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ANNEX B

2019/20 TOTAL AMOUNT OF COUNCIL TAX

NOTE: Amount of Council Tax includes Police, Fire Authority and parish precepts

AREAS BAND A BAND B BAND C BAND D BAND E BAND F BAND G BAND H £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £

ABBEY HILL 1,126.51 1,314.26 1,502.02 1,689.77 2,065.28 2,440.78 2,816.29 3,379.54 ASTWOOD and HARDMEAD 1,137.73 1,327.34 1,516.97 1,706.59 2,085.84 2,465.08 2,844.32 3,413.18 BLETCHLEY & FENNY STRATFORD 1,196.44 1,395.84 1,595.25 1,794.66 2,193.48 2,592.29 2,991.10 3,589.32 BOW BRICKHILL 1,138.66 1,328.42 1,518.21 1,707.99 2,087.55 2,467.10 2,846.65 3,415.98 BRADWELL 1,137.72 1,327.33 1,516.96 1,706.58 2,085.83 2,465.07 2,844.30 3,413.16 BROUGHTON and MILTON KEYNES VILLAGE 1,124.13 1,311.47 1,498.84 1,686.19 2,060.91 2,435.61 2,810.32 3,372.38 CALVERTON 1,101.67 1,285.27 1,468.89 1,652.50 2,019.73 2,386.95 2,754.17 3,305.00 CAMPBELL PARK 1,218.87 1,422.00 1,625.16 1,828.30 2,234.60 2,640.88 3,047.17 3,656.60 CASTLETHORPE 1,146.68 1,337.79 1,528.91 1,720.02 2,102.25 2,484.48 2,866.70 3,440.04 CENTRAL MILTON KEYNES 1,152.38 1,344.44 1,536.51 1,728.57 2,112.70 2,496.83 2,880.95 3,457.14 CHICHELEY 1,110.54 1,295.61 1,480.71 1,665.80 2,035.99 2,406.16 2,776.34 3,331.60 CLIFTON REYNES and NEWTON BLOSSOMVILLE 1,126.70 1,314.48 1,502.27 1,690.05 2,065.62 2,441.19 2,816.75 3,380.10 COLD BRAYFIELD 1,114.10 1,299.78 1,485.47 1,671.15 2,042.52 2,413.89 2,785.25 3,342.30 EMBERTON 1,144.32 1,335.03 1,525.76 1,716.48 2,097.93 2,479.37 2,860.80 3,432.96 FAIRFIELDS 1,134.50 1,323.58 1,512.67 1,701.75 2,079.92 2,458.09 2,836.25 3,403.50 GAYHURST 1,125.10 1,312.60 1,500.13 1,687.64 2,062.68 2,437.71 2,812.74 3,375.28 GREAT LINFORD 1,144.68 1,335.44 1,526.23 1,717.01 2,098.58 2,480.13 2,861.69 3,434.02 HANSLOPE 1,189.70 1,387.98 1,586.27 1,784.55 2,181.12 2,577.69 2,974.25 3,569.10 HAVERSHAM/ LITTLE LINFORD 1,143.96 1,334.61 1,525.28 1,715.94 2,097.27 2,478.59 2,859.90 3,431.88 KENTS HILL, MONKSTON & BRINKLOW 1,130.89 1,319.36 1,507.85 1,696.33 2,073.30 2,450.26 2,827.22 3,392.66 LATHBURY 1,118.64 1,305.07 1,491.52 1,677.96 2,050.85 2,423.73 2,796.60 3,355.92 LAVENDON 1,139.97 1,329.95 1,519.96 1,709.95 2,089.95 2,469.93 2,849.92 3,419.90 LITTLE BRICKHILL 1,145.73 1,336.67 1,527.64 1,718.59 2,100.51 2,482.41 2,864.32 3,437.18 LOUGHTON & GREAT HOLM 1,126.00 1,313.66 1,501.33 1,689.00 2,064.34 2,439.67 2,815.00 3,378.00 MOULSOE 1,122.50 1,309.58 1,496.67 1,683.75 2,057.92 2,432.09 2,806.25 3,367.50 NEW BRADWELL 1,153.15 1,345.33 1,537.53 1,729.72 2,114.11 2,498.49 2,882.87 3,459.44 NEWPORT PAGNELL 1,187.41 1,385.30 1,583.21 1,781.11 2,176.92 2,572.72 2,968.52 3,562.22 NORTH CRAWLEY 1,132.02 1,320.68 1,509.36 1,698.03 2,075.38 2,452.72 2,830.05 3,396.06 OLNEY 1,161.53 1,355.11 1,548.70 1,742.29 2,129.47 2,516.65 2,903.82 3,484.58 OLD WOUGHTON 1,116.03 1,302.02 1,488.03 1,674.04 2,046.06 2,418.06 2,790.07 3,348.08 RAVENSTONE 1,151.23 1,343.09 1,534.97 1,726.84 2,110.59 2,494.33 2,878.07 3,453.68 SHENLEY BROOK END 1,152.67 1,344.77 1,536.89 1,729.00 2,113.23 2,497.45 2,881.67 3,458.00 SHENLEY CHURCH END 1,149.27 1,340.80 1,532.36 1,723.90 2,107.00 2,490.08 2,873.17 3,447.80 SHERINGTON 1,156.66 1,349.42 1,542.21 1,734.98 2,120.54 2,506.09 2,891.64 3,469.96 SIMPSON 1,164.55 1,358.62 1,552.73 1,746.82 2,135.01 2,523.19 2,911.37 3,493.64 STANTONBURY 1,185.61 1,383.20 1,580.81 1,778.41 2,173.62 2,568.82 2,964.02 3,556.82 STOKE GOLDINGTON 1,138.82 1,328.61 1,518.42 1,708.22 2,087.83 2,467.43 2,847.04 3,416.44 STONY STRATFORD 1,157.26 1,350.12 1,543.01 1,735.88 2,121.64 2,507.39 2,893.14 3,471.76 TYRINGHAM & FILGRAVE 1,111.05 1,296.22 1,481.41 1,666.58 2,036.94 2,407.29 2,777.64 3,333.16 WALTON 1,167.27 1,361.80 1,556.36 1,750.90 2,140.00 2,529.08 2,918.17 3,501.80 WARRINGTON 1,101.67 1,285.27 1,468.89 1,652.50 2,019.73 2,386.95 2,754.17 3,305.00 WAVENDON 1,131.29 1,319.83 1,508.38 1,696.93 2,074.03 2,451.13 2,828.22 3,393.86 WEST BLETCHLEY 1,195.00 1,394.15 1,593.33 1,792.49 2,190.83 2,589.16 2,987.49 3,584.98 WESTON UNDERWOOD 1,155.21 1,347.73 1,540.28 1,732.81 2,117.89 2,502.95 2,888.02 3,465.62 WHITEHOUSE 1,140.34 1,330.38 1,520.45 1,710.50 2,090.62 2,470.73 2,850.84 3,421.00 WOBURN SANDS 1,162.16 1,355.84 1,549.54 1,743.23 2,130.62 2,518.00 2,905.39 3,486.46 WOLVERTON 1,177.29 1,373.49 1,569.72 1,765.93 2,158.37 2,550.79 2,943.22 3,531.86 WOUGHTON 1,245.08 1,452.59 1,660.10 1,867.62 2,282.65 2,697.68 3,112.70 3,735.24

AVERAGE AMOUNT 1,164.42 1,358.49 1,552.56 1,746.63 2,134.77 2,522.91 2,911.05 3,493.26

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ITEM 3 MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL 20 MARCH 2019 REVIEW OF COUNCIL CONSTITUTION 2018/19 Responsible Councillor: Councillor Morris (Chair of the Constitution Commission) Report Sponsor: Sharon Bridglalsingh (Director Law and Governance) Authors and contact: Paul Cummins (Director Law and Governance) Davine Ngani-Oketch (Principal Solicitor – Contracts Procurement and Governance) Tel: 01908 252305

Executive Summary: A draft revised Constitution was presented at the Council’s meeting on 20 February 2019, when the Council agreed that consideration of the draft Revised Constitution be adjourned until the Council meeting on 20 March 2019. This report is requesting the Council to approve the revised constitution and further sets out a number of changes to the draft revised Constitution, as approved by the Constitution Commission, resulting from comments received from individual councillors, the Councillor Seminar held on 28 January 2019, parish and town councils and community organisations.

1. Recommendation

1.1 That the Council adopts the draft revised Constitution subject to the amendments approved by the Constitution Commission on 25 February 2019. 1.2 That the revised Constitution be effective as from 15 May 2019. 1.3 That the Director Law and Governance be authorised to update officer titles to recognise the restructuring at Director level. 2. Introduction

2.1 A draft revised Constitution was presented at the Council’s meeting on 20 February 2019, when the Council agreed, without discussion, that consideration of the draft Revised Constitution be adjourned until the Council meeting on 20 March 2019. A copy of the report submitted to Council on 20 February 2019 is attached as Annex A to this report. A copy of the draft revised Constitution is available in each Group Room for inspection, or at the link below: https://milton-keynes.cmis.uk.com/milton-keynes/PublicDocuments.aspx 2.2 The Constitution Commission met on 25 February 2019 to consider comments received from individual councillors, the Councillor Seminar held on 28 January 2019, parish and town councils, Milton Keynes Forum and the Residents of Regeneration Estates. The changes to the draft revised Constitution, as approved by the Constitution Commission are set out in full in Section 3 and in summary in Annex B.

20 March 2019 (37) 2.3 It will be necessary to update officer titles in the final revised Constitution to recognise the restructuring at Director level. 3. Changes as Approved by the Constitution Commission

3.1 The changes to the draft revised Constitution, approved by the Constitution Commission are set out below: (a) Council Procedure Rules (i) That the time for both contributions from members of the public, including persons submitting petitions, and contributions from councillors should be 3 minutes. (ii) That draft Council Procedure Rule 9.3 (Notice of Public Questions) should be amended to require 30 minutes notice of a request for the Mayor to allow an urgent question. Note: Draft Council Procedure Rule 9.3 requires 48 hours’ notice before the start of the meeting of a public question. (iii) That draft Council Procedure Rule 9.12(c) (Petitions) should be amended to: 1. require the Cabinet member, or Committee Chair to provide a response at the Council meeting as to the action to be taken on the petition; and 2. allow the person presenting the petition to make a statement lasting no more than one minute in response to the Cabinet member’s / Committee Chair’s statement. (iv) That draft Council Procedure Rule 13.6(g) (Amendments to the Cabinet’s annual Budget recommendation to Council) should be amended to read: “With regard to amendments which relate to the Cabinet’s recommendation of the Council’s Annual Budget and level of Council Tax, amendments will be moved and voted on in the order of Political Group size, with those amendments submitted by the largest Group being moved first. Any amendments submitted by other councillors independently will be moved after the political Groups. Any amendments submitted by independent councillors will be moved after the Political Groups have moved their amendments, in the order in which they are received by the Director Law and Governance.” (b) Cabinet Procedure Rules That the time for contributions from non-executive councillors be 3 minutes.

20 March 2019 (38) (c) Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules (i) That the reference to ‘twenty eight days’ in draft Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules 16(e) and 16(g) should be amended to ‘twenty working days’, being the time a decision maker has to reconsider a decision following a referral from a scrutiny committee / sub-committee in respect of a call-in. (ii) That Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16(d) (Decisions after a successful mediation meeting following a decision being called in for review) should be amended to read: ‘Where as a result of any mediation meeting the decision maker, or where the decision maker is the Cabinet, the responsible Cabinet member, gives an undertaking in writing that the decision will be reviewed and not implemented until the completion of the review and the person calling in the decision for review confirms their agreement in writing prior to the meeting of the scrutiny sub- committee, the Chair, in consultation with the Vice-Chair will cancel the meeting, with a report on the outcome of the call-in being reported to the next meeting of the committee. (d) Access to Information Procedure Rules: Procedure for the Determination of Planning Applications – Public Participation (i) That the time for contributions by objectors be 3 minutes. (ii) That objectors registered to speak be allowed to submit up to two questions of clarification in writing to the planning officers by no later than twenty four hours before the start time of the meeting in order that the Case Officer can provide a comprehensive oral response at the meeting. (e) Councillor / Officer Protocol (i) That a summary version of the Councillor / Officer Protocol be included in the Constitution, either in diagrammatic form, or as bullet points with a hyperlink being provided to the more comprehensive document. (ii) That in preparing the Councillor / Officer Protocol, officers be requested to ensure that the requirements on councillors are balanced with similar requirements on officers. (f) Honorary Aldermen / Alderwomen That reference be made to the role of Honorary Aldermen / Alderwomen as part of the Introduction, Summary and Explanation to the draft Constitution, with a hyperlink to any further relevant information. (g) LGSS Scheme of Delegation That reference to the LGSS Scheme of Delegation be included in the Responsibility for Functions section of the draft Constitution with a hyperlink to the complete LGSS Scheme of Delegation.

20 March 2019 (39) 4. Next Steps

4.1 The draft revised Constitution, if adopted by Council, will come into force from the start of the new Council year on 15 May 2019. 4.2 The Officer Working Group will reflect any amendments that are made at the Council meeting in the revised constitution, including the updating of titles to reflect the restructuring at Director level. 4.3 The Constitution will be published in two versions, a complete version, which will be available on the Council’s Web-site, which will be treated as the definitive version, and in Group Rooms and an abridged version which will provide a basic overview of the Constitution with hyperlinks to the main documents. 5. Implications 5.1 Policy Keeping the Council’s Constitution up to date and in a user friendly format will support the Council’s Corporate Priorities, Vision and Values. 5.2 Resources and Risk There are no immediate resource implications N Capital N Revenue N Accommodation

N IT N Medium Term Plan N Asset Management

5.3 Legal Section 37 of the Local Government Act 2000 sets out the duty of the Council to prepare and keep up to date its constitution as follows: “(1) A local authority which are operating executive arrangements or alternative arrangements must prepare and keep up to date a document (referred to in this section as their constitution) which contains— (a) such information as the Secretary of State may direct, (b) a copy of the authority’s standing orders for the time being, (c) a copy of the authority’s code of conduct for the time being under section 51; and (d) such other information (if any) as the authority consider appropriate. (2) A local authority must ensure that copies of their constitution are available at their principal office for inspection by members of the public at all reasonable hours. (3) A local authority must supply a copy of their constitution to any person who requests a copy and who pays to the authority such reasonable fee as the authority may determine.” 5.4 Other Implications

N Equalities/Diversity N Sustainability Y Human Rights

N E-Government Y Stakeholders N Crime and Disorder

20 March 2019 (40) Stakeholders / Human Rights The comments of stakeholders including in connection with speaking rights at Development Control meetings have been taken into account in developing the draft revised Constitution. Background Papers: Milton Keynes Council Advice Note – Summary of Constitutional Review June 2018 - Bevan Brittan Constitution Commission Meeting report dated 26 September 2018 Constitution Commission - 26 September 2018 Constitution Commission Meeting report dated 8 October 2018 Constitution Commission - 8 October 2018 Constitution Commission Meeting report dated 14 November 2018 Constitution Commission - 14 November 2018 Constitution Commission meeting report dates 7 January 2019 Constitution Commission - 7 January 2019 Constitution Commission meeting report dates 25 February 2019 Constitution Commission - 25 February 2019 Annex A: Report submitted to Council on 20 February 2019 Annex B Summary of Changes Approved by the Constitution Commission

20 March 2019 (41)

ANNEX A

Report submitted to Council – 20 February 2019 REVIEW OF COUNCIL CONSTITUTION 2018/19 Responsible Councillor: Councillor Morris (Chair of the Constitution Commission) Report Sponsor: Sharon Bridglalsingh (Service Director [Legal and Democratic Services) Authors and contact: Paul Cummins (Acting Service Director Legal and Democratic Services) Davine Ngani-Oketch (Principal Solicitor – Contracts Procurement and Governance) Tel: 01908 252305

Executive Summary: To present to the Council the draft revised Constitution which will be considered at Council meeting on 20 March 2019.

1. Recommendations 1.1 That the Council be recommended to receive and adjourn consideration of the draft Revised Constitution until its meeting on 20 March 2019. 1.2 That it be noted that feedback received from Councillors at the constitution briefing held on 28 January 2019 will be considered by the Constitution Commission on 25 February 2019 and the Council will be updated accordingly on the 20 March 2019. 2. Introduction 2.1 The Constitution sets out how the Council operates, how decision are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people. The Council has a legal duty to publish an up to date Constitution and it should be reviewed at least annually with any necessary changes being normally considered at the Annual Council meeting. 2.2 The Council established a cross party Constitution Commission to consider proposed changes to ensure the Constitution is kept up to date. 2.3 An external review was commissioned by the Constitution Commission to check that the Constitution was up to date with legislation and best practice. 2.4 An Officer Working Group was formed to revise the Constitution in line with the external review in addition to reviewing other areas as recommended by the Constitution Commission. The review has been undertaken in phases with officers reporting progress and getting phased approvals and steer from the Constitution Commission on various parts of the Constitution. Meetings of the Constitution Commission were held on 12 July 2018, 26 September 2018; 18 October 2018, 14 November 2018 and 7 January 2019. A further meeting is scheduled for the 25 February 2019 and any further updates to the draft revised Constitution will arising from this meeting will be reported back to Council on 20 March 2019.

20 March 2019 (42) 2.5 Various Stakeholders have been engaged in relevant aspects of the process including councillors generally; Political Groups; Corporate Leadership Team; Finance; HR; the Corporate Procurement Team and Audit. A survey of all councillors was conducted and comments received from the survey were considered by Constitution Commission at its meeting on 26 September 2019. A constitution briefing for Councillors was also held on 28 January 2019. 2.6 This report presents the draft revised Constitution to Council with the expectation that it will stand adjourned for consideration at its meeting on 20 March 2019. 3. Draft Revised Constitution

3.1 The draft revised Constitution amalgamates all the work that has been undertaken to revise the Constitution including matters approved by the Constitution Commission at its last meeting on 7 January 2019. The draft revised Constitution can be viewed by clicking the following link: Draft Revised Constitution A copy is also available in each of the Group Rooms for inspection. 3.2 Councillors made comments during the briefing held on 28 January 2019 with regard to changes which they would like to see the draft revised constitution. A summary of these proposed changes are included as an Appendix to this report. These comments will be presented to the Constitution Commission on 25 February 2019 for discussion and Council will be updated on 20 March 2019 accordingly. 4. Summary of the Constitutional Revisions

4.1 General The revision has concentrated on form and structure of the Constitution, accuracy updating to comply with legal requirements; future proofing; decision making including procedure rules officer delegations and budget and policy framework. The review has also looked at use of terminology within the constitution and it was agreed that ‘councillor’ is used rather than ‘Member’; ‘Cabinet rather than ‘Executive’; ‘Resident’ or ‘Member of the public’ rather than ‘Citizen’; ‘Chief Executive’ rather than ‘Head of Paid Service’ ; ‘Chair’ rather than ‘Chairman’ and ‘Chief Finance Officer ‘rather than Section 151Officer . 4.2 Revised Format for the Constitution Parts 1 and 2 of the Constitution which comprised the introduction and Articles have been simplified into a new easier to read format with a glossary and introduction page which sets out the purpose of the Constitution. Once approved the revised Constitution will be available on the Council’s website as a complete document with hyperlinks to certain sections as appropriate to allow ease of navigation.

20 March 2019 (43) 4.3 Responsibility for Functions These are set out in Chapter 2 of the draft revised Constitution. This part sets out all the delegations from the full Council itself, to its committees, sub committees and officers. It also sets out matters pertaining to the Budget and Policy Framework which are reserved for the full Council. This part also includes Local Choice Functions which are functions that are left for the Council to decide upon as to whether to make pertaining decisions itself or whether to delegate such decisions to a committee or a named officer. 4.4 Budget and Policy Framework By law, the Council must have a policy framework. This is a list of plans and strategies which are relevant to the Council’s functions and are required by law to be decided by the full Council, usually on the recommendation of the Cabinet. The review of the constitution identified that Council’s Policy Framework included matters that are not legally required to be included, namely, annual Library Plan; the Low Carbon Strategy, and the Regeneration Business Plan and Strategy. Two further Plans which needed to be included in the Policy Framework by law (Schedule 3 of the Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000/2853) were also missing, namely:

 Children and Young People's Plan (Children and Young People's Plan (England) Regulations 2005); and

 Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy (Sections 5 and 6 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, Licensing Authority Policy Statement [section 349] of Gambling Act the 2005). The Budget and Policy Framework has therefore been reviewed and updated accordingly. The number of policies has been reduced to the following eight (8) and are contained in Chapter 2 of the draft revised Constitution:

 Future Libraries MK Plan (Annual Library Plan)  Safer MK Plan (Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy)  Plans and Strategies which together comprise the Development Plan and Development Plan Documents  Youth Justice Plan  Licensing Authority Policy Statement - Gambling Statement of Principles  The Council Plan  The Local Transport Plan  Plans which comprise the Children and Young people’s Plan The Constitution Commission on 26 September 2018 recommended that attention of the Council is brought to any policies that have been removed from the Council’s policy framework. These are the following:  Comprehensive Equality Scheme

20 March 2019 (44)  Economic Development Strategy  Housing Strategy  Local Investment Plan  Low Carbon Strategy  Regeneration Business Plan and Strategy. 4.5 Local Choice Functions These are certain functions of the Council which can be delegated to the Cabinet, a committee or a named officer. The Council has discretion as to how best to organise these matters and they usually form part of a table in the Constitution. These were out of date and have been revised and updated as part of the review. These are contained in Chapter 2 of the draft revised Constitution. 4.6 Terms of Reference for Committees The external legal review recommended that there was a diagram showing all the Council’s Committees and Sub-Committees and that membership and terms of reference are clearly set out. The review has undertaken this work and there has been an update to the terms of reference for the Council’s Committees, Sub Committees and Panels. These can be viewed within Chapter 2 of the draft revised Constitution. 4.7 Officer Scheme of Delegation and Proper Officer List The Constitution lacked a consolidated scheme of Officer Delegation. At the Commission’s meeting on 14 November 2018, the Commission approved the inclusion of a high level reference within the Constitution, with a link, to the Officer Scheme of Delegation and the Proper Officer List. This high level is included within Chapter 2 of the draft revised Constitution. It was agreed that whilst the Officer Scheme of Delegation would sit outside the Constitution, only the Committee Services and Scrutiny Manager, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer would be able to make any amendments to it. The Commission agreed that following adoption of the revised Constitution by the Council, any such amendments would be reported back to the Full Council on a quarterly basis. 5. Rules of Procedure and Additional Matters

The Council’s Rules of Procedure constitute an essential instrument for the smooth operation of the authority. The rules guide the conduct of Council meetings and meetings of its committees and sub-committees. These rules have been prepared in accordance with: - Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972 - Sections 8 and 20 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 - Local Authorities (Standing Orders) Regulations 1993 - Local Government Act 2000 Mandatory Standing Orders

20 March 2019 (45) The following procedure rules have been revised as part of review of the Constitution: 5.1 Council, Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules Council Procedure Rules The Council Procedure Rules have been amended to: (a) provide greater clarity around the time allowed for public questions and public speaking on agenda items, including the notice required, specifically: • removing the restriction requiring persons asking public questions to be residents of the Borough; • requiring 48 hours’ notice of questions to allow more detailed responses to be prepared, with the caveat that the Mayor may allow urgent questions; and • requiring members of the public wishing to speak to give 15 minutes notice and reducing the time of public speaking to 2 minutes per contribution with a maximum of 15 minutes being allowed during any one item. (b) remove the reference to deputations and treat deputation submissions as petitions, increase the time to present the petition to 2 minutes and require petitions to be submitted 48 hours before the start of a meeting. (c) restrict the submission of petitions to Council meetings. (d) require a Cabinet member or Committee Chair to respond to a petition within 5 working days outlining what course of action is to be followed, with the petition and response being reported for noting to the next meeting of the Cabinet or responsible committee. (e) try to increasing the speed of debates by reducing the time for councillors to introduce motions to 3 minutes and reducing the time for all other councillors to speak to 2 minutes, the intention being to allow more motions and recommendations to be debated. (f) provide greater clarity as to questions, motions and amendments the Mayor and Monitoring Officer may rule out of order. (g) clarify the rules around the submission of amendments to the Cabinet’s Budget recommendation by adding an additional clause to the Procedure Rule relating to amendments which clarifies that amendments to the Cabinet’s Budget recommendation can only be received after 9.00am on the working day following the Cabinet meeting and that amendments will be moved and voted on in the order they are received. In the event of a tie then the Council will decide the order. (h) provide a right of reply for the mover of the original motion before the vote on any amendments; and

20 March 2019 (46) (i) provide the opportunity for the owner of the substantive motion, after an amendment has been carried, to accept any further amendments. Cabinet Procedure Rules Cabinet Procedure Rules have been updated with current titles and amended so that the rules reflect provisions similar to the Council Procedure Rules, with regard to the submission of questions and requests to speak. The significant changes being recommended include: • reducing the time available to introduce a referral from a committee to 3 minutes in line with the time to introduce a Council motion and limiting speaking, both by councillors and members of the public, on a referral to the person introducing the referral and Cabinet members; • reducing the speaking time for a councillor, who is not a member of the Cabinet from 4 minutes to 2 in line with recommended speaking arrangements at Council; • providing a definition of a Cabinet Advisory Group; • setting out who may be a member of a Cabinet Committee; and • giving the Chair greater flexibility to manage the order of the agenda at a meeting Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules The Rules have been amended to: • increase the time allowed for any referral back to be considered by the decision maker following the review of a decision which has been called in, from 10 days to 28 days to allow time for a report on the referral to be prepared and statutory notice of the meeting to be given; • make provision for members of the public to make a submission requesting scrutiny of a particular matter; and • include the section from the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules on calling in decisions outside the Budget or Policy Framework and including that rule as part of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules. Councillors’ attention is drawn to the section 3.2 of the report which references suggested changes arising from the all councillor briefing held on 28 January 2019. 5.2 Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules The Council is responsible for the adoption of its Budget and Policy Framework as set out in the Constitution. Once the Budget and Policy Framework is in place, it will be the responsibility of the Cabinet to implement it. These rules are concerned with the process of developing the Budget and Policy Framework and settling any differences between the Council and the Cabinet on those matters.

20 March 2019 (47) The updated Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules are included in the draft revised Constitution. Other than updating titles of committees and officers the most significant change has been to remove the section on calling in decisions outside the Budget or Policy Framework and including that rule as part of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules. 5.3 Access to Information Rules - Procedure for the Determination of Planning Applications – Public Participation The public speaking rights for the Development Control Committee have been reviewed with engagement with members of the Development Control Committee, Planning Officers, the Constitution Commission and Political Groups. Previously, it was proposed to reduce the speaking rights from 3 minutes to 1 minute. At its meeting on 14 November 2018, the Constitution Commission reviewed its earlier recommendation and decided that the speaking rights should instead be 2 minutes. A summary of the key changes are set out below: • A reduction is speaking rights from 3 minutes to 2 minutes; • The removal of the objectors right to ask questions; • Councillors’ questions of clarification are only to be asked of officers, and if the Officer is unable to answer the question, then with the discretion of the Chair, the councillor may ask the Applicant; • The questions of clarification will be part of the councillors debate of the application. Councillors are currently given 4 minutes (subject to review) for their contribution to the debate and this time will be paused when they ask a question of clarification; • There is currently a discussion with members of the Constitution Commission regarding the capacity in which ward councillors must register to speak. This will be discussed at the next Constitution Commission as an outstanding action from the 7 January 2019 Constitution Commission meeting; • Removal of deputations and petitions being submitted to Development Control Committee and Development Control Panel. As per the draft revised Constitution, deputations and petitions are only to be submitted at Council, Cabinet and Scrutiny Committee. 5.4 Officer Scheme of Delegation for Development Management Matters This scheme relates to planning matters which are determined by officers rather than at the Development Control Committee. Councillors proposed various changes to the scheme during the general consultation on the review of the Constitution. Further minor amendments were also proposed by officers following a review of the scheme. A summary of the key changes follow: • The most significant change is at Part A paragraph 5, this is to allow a request for a planning application to be determined by Development

20 March 2019 (48) Control Committee or Development Control Panel by giving notice of a “representation”, rather than only an objection as currently drafted. Additionally the timescales for this representation has changed from 28 days to 21 days, this is now in line with the planning application consultation time period. • Previously under Part A paragraph 7, planning applications submitted by councillors and senior management with regular contact with the planning department were excluded from the scheme of delegation, this has now been changed to councillors, any employee of Milton Keynes Council and close family members of the above. • As a result of organisational changes Part B, paragraph - 5 Rights of Ways will require an amendment to the officer title to whom functions are delegated. This will be reported at the next Constitution Commission meeting. 5.5 Councillors’ Planning Code of Good Conduct The Councillors’ Planning Code of Conduct which was in the Constitution was considerably out of date. The review considered examples from other local authorities The new document is based on the document “Probity in Planning for Councillors and Officers” by the Local Government Association and the Planning Advisory Service. . 5.6 Finance Regulations / Acquisition and Disposal of Land and Buildings Procedure Rules The Financial Regulations provide the framework and overarching rules for the financial administration of the Council and help ensure the Council has sound financial governance, delivers value for money and minimises the risk of legal challenge. The Acquisition and Disposal of Land and Buildings Procedure Rules set out the rules by which the Council will acquire and dispose of land and matters that should be taken into account including consultation and approvals. These rules were previously separated within the Constitution with much duplication with Financial Regulations. The review has led to the deletion of the Acquisition and Disposal of Land and Building Rules as standalone procedure rules, rules relating to Acquisition and Disposal of land now being included within section 19 of the Financial Regulations. The update was made in consultation with the Service Director (Finance and Resources) and now reflect matters such as compliance with Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972; consideration of matters such as application of procurement law to land transactions and clearer provisions relating to approvals. In addition, the Financial Regulations have slightly been amended in other parts to remove the requirement for approvals from Finance colleagues each time before an invoice can be issued to third parties for services rendered by the Council; to clarify matters pertaining to treatment of pensions during tender and in other circumstances, including matters relating to pension bonds; and to include matters pertaining to state aid and procurement when considering whether to give a grant.

20 March 2019 (49) 5.7 Access to information Rules - Procedure for determination of Licensing Applications by the Licensing Committee These rules implement the requirements of Sections 100A and Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972, Sections 9G and 9GA of Local Government Act 2000 and the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012. The rules pertaining to procedure for determination of Licensing Applications have been revised to accurately reflect restrictions on addressing the Licensing Sub-Committee in line with licensing legislation and to protect the Council from potential breach of legislation. 5.8 Contract Procedure Rules The Council purchases goods, works and services from the private, public and voluntary sectors to meet corporate objectives and to provide high quality, cost effective services to its residents. The rules pertaining to such purchases are contained in the Contract Procedure Rules and Financial Regulations. The Council is obliged to make these rules also known as Standing Orders under section 135 of the Local Government Act 1972. The Contract Procedure Rules have been updated to reflect the requirements of Public Contracts Regulations 2015; approved changes of financial key decision limit to £500,000 and to reflect the approved change to procedure for contracts with a value of up to £25,000. The Contract Procedure Rules have also been updated to ensure that they are robust and comprehensive and contain provisions which enable the use all permitted procurement procedures, establishments and use of dynamic purchasing systems, and other matters such as state aid, contracts finder requirements, and information relating to concessions. 5.9 Officer Employment Procedure Rules Under s112 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council is empowered to appoint such officers as it thinks necessary for the proper discharge of it’s or another authority’s functions as agreed to be discharged by them. This part sets out the rules relating to the recruitment, appointment and dismissal of senior staff. The Officer Employment Procedure Rules have been updated to fully meet the requirements of the 1993 and 2001 Standing Orders Regulations as amended and good employment practice, specifically: (i) to detail a process to review the Chief Executive and Chief Officer Terms and Conditions of Service; (ii) to recognise the need for the Council to establish a non-executive body that would deal with staffing matters, such as an employment committee or similar and which would have the power to suspend the Chief Executive and take disciplinary action against JNC Chief Officers;

20 March 2019 (50) (iii) to recognise the need for the Council to establish a panel of Independent Persons who would form part of the disciplinary process for the dismissal of a statutory officer; (iv) the need for the Council to consider the potential dismissal of a statutory officer, including consideration of representations from the Independent Persons; (v) to establish an appeal process for disciplinary action against a statutory officer that is unlikely to amount to gross misconduct or that will be unlikely to lead to dismissal; and (vi) to establish a process to allow frivolous or vexatious claims or matters that should be dealt with elsewhere to be ruled out. 6. Officer Code of Conduct

6.1 The Code of Conduct for Officers had not been reviewed for a considerable length of time. Colleagues from HR have reviewed and provided an updated Officer Code of Conduct. Consultation with the Corporate Leadership Team has taken place with regard to the updated Officer Code of Conduct. 7. Protocol on Councillor – Officer Relationships

7.1 The purpose of the protocol is to provide values and guidelines for relationships between Councillors and Officers. Where the Council has established a protocol in respect of relationships between Councillors and Officers of the Council, it is required, by the Secretary of State’s Direction, to be included in its Constitution. The protocol was out of date having not been reviewed for a considerable period of time. A review has been undertaken and whilst a draft of revised protocols is included in the draft revised constitution, a simpler version which was introduced to councillors at the briefing on the 28 January 2019 will be considered by the Constitution Commission on 25 February 2019 and the Council will be updated accordingly on 20 March 2019. 8. Next Steps

8.1 The draft revised Constitution has been presented to Council to be fully considered on 20 March 2019. It is recognised that during the Councillor briefing on 28 January 2018, councillors provided comments/feedback on the draft revised Constitution, a summary of which are included as an Appendix to this report and was referred to in section 3.2 above. These comments will be considered by the Constitution Commission on 25 February 2019 and the Council will be updated at its meeting on 20 March 2019. 9. Implications 9.1 Policy Keeping the Council’s Constitution up to date and in a user friendly format will support the Council’s Corporate Priorities, Vision and Values.

20 March 2019 (51) 9.2 Resources and Risk There are no immediate resource implications Capital N Revenue N Accommodation

IT Y Medium Term Plan N Asset Management

9.3 Legal Section 37 of the Local Government Act 2000 sets out the duty of the Council to prepare and keep up to date its constitution as follows: “(1) A local authority which are operating executive arrangements or alternative arrangements must prepare and keep up to date a document (referred to in this section as their constitution) which contains— (a) such information as the Secretary of State may direct, (b) a copy of the authority’s standing orders for the time being, (c) a copy of the authority’s code of conduct for the time being under section 51; and (d) such other information (if any) as the authority consider appropriate. (2) A local authority must ensure that copies of their constitution are available at their principal office for inspection by members of the public at all reasonable hours. (3) A local authority must supply a copy of their constitution to any person who requests a copy and who pays to the authority such reasonable fee as the authority may determine.” 9.4 Other Implications None identified.

N Equalities/Diversity N Sustainability Y Human Rights

Y E-Government Y Stakeholders N Crime and Disorder

Background Papers: Milton Keynes Council Advice Note – Summary of Constitutional Review June 2018 - Bevan Brittan Constitution Commission Meeting Report dated 26 September 2018 Constitution Commission Meeting Report dated 18 October 2018 Constitution Commission Meeting Report dated 14 November 2018 Constitution Commission meeting report dates 7 January 2019 Appendix: Summary of feedback from briefing held on 28 January 2018

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APPENDIX MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL CONSTITUTION COUNCILLOR BRIEFING 28 JANUARY 2019 SUGGESTED CHANGES TO THE DRAFT REVISED CONSTITUTION FOR CONSIDERATION BY THE CONSTITUTION COMMISSION 1. Council Procedure Rules (a) Public Questions and Public Speaking (Council Procedure Rule 9)  That 30 minutes notice should be required for an urgent question, which can be asked at the discretion of the Mayor.  That members of the public should be allowed to speak for up to 3 minutes when speaking on agenda items. Note: Details of deadlines to be included on the front of the Council agenda to help inform the public of the changes. (b) Deputations and Petitions (Council Procedure Rule 9)  That the time for introducing a petition should be 3 minutes.  That rather than a member or Committee Chair responding within 5 working days to a petition, the Cabinet member or Committee Chair should be required to provide a response at the Council meeting as to the action to be taken on the petition. Note: This will enable the relevant councillor to let the petitioner know on the night how their petition is being taken forward (or not as appropriate).  That the person presenting the petition should be allowed to make a statement lasting no more than 1 minute in response to the Cabinet member’s / Committee Chair’s statement. (c) Speaking by Councillors  That all councillors contributions should be for no more than 3 minutes. (d) Amendments to the Cabinet’s Budget Recommendation (Council Procedure Rule 13.6)  That the procedure for dealing with amendments to the Cabinet’s Budget Recommendation be on the basis that the largest opposition group moves its amendments first, followed by the next largest opposition group.  That, should the Constitution Commission not adopt the preceding suggestion, amendments submitted between 0.01 am and 9.00 am on the first working day following the Cabinet meeting should be deemed to have been received at 9.00 am on that day. Note: Meaning a tie will be declared for all parties submitting amendments between this timeslot.

20 March 2019 (53)  That if the Council is called on to decide the order in which amendments are moved there should be no debate and the Council should straight to the vote. 2. Cabinet Procedure Rules  That speaking by non-executive councillors should be for no more than 3 minutes on any one item. 3. Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules  That the time for a decision maker to consider a referral from a scrutiny committee / sub-committee in respect of a call-in should be 20 working days.  That consideration should be given to there being a threshold for members of the public requesting that a matter be scrutinised, e.g. 20 members of the public supporting the request. 4. Access to Information Procedure Rules – Development Control Speaking Arrangements  That members of the public should be allowed to speak for up to 3 minutes when speaking. 5. Councillor / Officer Protocol  That consideration should be given to how the Councillor / Officer Protocol should be presented, either in long form (as in the draft Revised Constitution), or diagrammatically.  That consideration should be requested to ensure that the requirements on councillors are balanced with those on officers.  That the Constitution Commission be requested to include a hyperlink to the Councillor / Officer Protocol rather than it form an integral part of the Constitution. 6. Health and Wellbeing Board Terms of Reference  That the Constitution Commission be requested to consider requesting the Health and Wellbeing Board to review its Terms of Reference to codify the relationship between councillor and office members of the Board. 7. Other Issues  That officer colleagues be asked to identify whether the Constitution provides for the Chief Executive to hold decisions made by Council decision making bodies in abeyance.  That Councillor Bint be advised of the provision in the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules which allows meetings of a scrutiny committee / sub- committee scheduled to hear a call-in to be cancelled if agreement is reached at mediation.

20 March 2019 (54) ANNEX B

Summary of Changes Approved by the Constitution Commission

The changes to the draft revised Constitution, as approved by the Constitution Commission are, in summary as follows: (a) All contributions from councillors and members of the public (with the exception of questions) are to be standardised at 3 minutes in Council and Cabinet Procedure Rules and when speaking in objection to planning applications at Development Control meetings. For clarity, speaking time across all meetings of the Council including Cabinet and Committees will be 3 minutes; (b) To require 30 minutes notice of an urgent public question (Council Procedure Rule 9.3); (c) To require a response to petitions to be submitted at the Council meeting receiving the petition and the petitioners to be given an opportunity to respond; (d) Amendments to the Cabinet’s annual Budget recommendation to be moved and voted on in the order of political group size, with the largest group moving its amendments first. Any amendments submitted by other councillors independently being moved and voted on after those of the political groups; (e) In Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules 16(e) and 16(g) the time for a decision maker to review a decision following a call-in is amended from 28 days to 20 working days; (f) To provide clarity that a decision is not to be implemented following a successful mediation, until such time as the outcome of the mediation is actioned by the decision maker (Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules 16[d]); (g) Objectors who have registered to speak at a Development Control Committee can ask up to two questions of clarification of the planning officers, in writing. The questions must be submitted at least 24 hours before the meeting to the Case Officer. The Case Officers will provide a comprehensive oral response to the questions at the meeting of the Development Control Committee; (h) To include within the Constitution a summary of the Councillor / Officer relationship Protocol with a hyperlink to the more comprehensive document; (i) To include a high level reference within the Constitution to the role of criteria for Honorary Aldermen / Alderwomen with a hyperlink to the further relevant information; and (j) Incorporate the LGSS Scheme of Delegation in entirety.

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ITEM 4(b) MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL 20 MARCH 2019

PAY POLICY STATEMENT - FINANCIAL YEAR 2019/20 1 Purpose 1.1 This policy statement is provided in accordance with Section 38(1) of the Localism Act 2011 and will be updated annually from April each year. 1.2 This pay policy statement sets out Milton Keynes Council’s policies relating to the pay of its non-schools workforce for the financial year 2019/20. In particular: (a) The remuneration of its Chief Officers (b) The remuneration of its “lowest paid employees” (c) The relationship between: (i) The remuneration of its Chief Officers; and (ii) The remuneration of its employees who are not Chief Officers. 1.3 The pay ratios in respect of these are given in the Annex. 2 Definitions for the purpose of this pay policy are as follows: 2.1 “Pay” in addition to salary includes charges, fees, allowances, benefits in kind, increases in/enhancements to pension entitlements, and termination payments. It does not include any employer pension or NI contributions. 2.2 “Chief Officer” refers to the following roles with the Council: (a) Chief Executive, as Head of Paid Service (b) Director of Children’s Services, Director of Adult Services, Director of Finance and Resources, Director Law and Governance, and the Director of Public Health as the Council’s statutory Chief Officers. (c) Deputy Chief Executive; Director of Strategy and Futures; Director of Housing and Regeneration; Director of Growth, Economy and Culture; Director of Environment and Property; Director of Policy, Insight and Communications and the Director of Health and Social Care Integration as non-statutory Chief Officers as they report directly or are directly accountable to a statutory or non-statutory Chief Officer in respect of all or most of their duties. With the exception of the Chief executive and the Director of Public Health, these roles are subject to Chief Officer terms and conditions of service and national pay bargaining. These roles make up the Council’s Corporate Leadership Team.

20 March 2019 (56) 2.3 “Lowest paid employees” refers to those employees who remain on protected terms and conditions of service under TUPE legislation following transfer to the Council. The lowest pay level is in line with the Living Wage Foundation Rate of £9.00 per hour. This definition of the “lowest paid employees” has been adopted because it accurately reflects the lowest pay rate within the Council. The lowest rate of pay within the Council’s pay structure is above this level. The Council has a separate pay structure for apprentice roles. 2.4 “Employees who are not a Chief Officer” refers to employees who are not covered under the Chief Officer group above. This includes the lowest paid employees. These staff are on the following terms and conditions of service:  Single Status (NJC) terms and conditions of service  Various TUPE protected terms and conditions of service  Joint Negotiating Committee for Coroners  National Employers’ Organisation for School Teachers (NEOST)  The Soulbury Committee  Joint Negotiating Committee for Youth and Community Workers 3 Pay Framework and Remuneration Levels 3.1 General approach: Remuneration at all levels needs to be adequate to secure and retain high-quality employees dedicated to fulfilling the Council’s business objectives and delivering services to the public. This has to be balanced by ensuring remuneration is not, nor is seen to be, unnecessarily excessive. Each council has responsibility for balancing these factors and faces its own unique challenges and opportunities in doing so and retains flexibility to cope with various circumstances that may arise that might necessitate the use of market supplements or other such mechanisms for individual categories or posts where appropriate. the Council’s pay is set above the National Living Wage rate. 3.2 Responsibility for decision on remuneration: It is essential for good governance that decisions on pay and reward packages for Chief Executives and Chief Officers are made in an open and accountable way and that there is a verified and accountable process for recommending the levels of top salaries. 3.2.1 With the exception of any groups where pay is governed by national consultation or those who have transferred to the Council under TUPE legislation, pay is determined by the Employer’s Side of the Joint Negotiating Committee. The Employer’s Side of the Joint Negotiating Committee comprises councillors from the main political parties and has the responsibility for local terms and conditions of employment for staff within the Council’s pay framework. 3.2.2 The current pay framework for Chief Officers was agreed by the Joint Negotiating Committee on 4 March 2019 and is subject to national pay bargaining.

20 March 2019 (57) 3.2.3 The current Single Status pay framework was implemented from 1 April 2014 and is subject to national pay bargaining. 3.2.4 Where staff have transferred to the Council with pay protected under TUPE legislation, the Council will seek to harmonise pay, terms and conditions of service where this is appropriate. 3.3 Salary Grades and Grading Framework 3.4 Grades are determined for each role by a process of job evaluation, in line with national guidance. This ensures that there is a fair and consistent practice for different groups of workers across services. 3.4.1 The Council’s pay framework is determined locally and has 18 grades. There are three grades allocated to Chief Officer roles. The allocation of these grades is determined using the Hay Job Evaluation Scheme: Chief Executive Deputy Chief Executive Director Each Chief Officer is appointed on a spot salary within each pay band. A review of pay levels within each pay band is undertaken at least every 3 years to ensure that they remain at an appropriate level. The last review took place in February 2019. This process can be found pay information There are 15 grades in the Single Status pay framework. The allocation of these grades is determined using the NJC and Hay job evaluation schemes: grade A being the lowest and grade O being the highest. Progression within the grade on an annual basis is subject to key objectives being met to an acceptable level and there being no performance issues. 3.4.2 The above groups are subject to national pay bargaining. the Council is an accredited Living Wage Employer and as such, will ensure that its lowest pay rate is above the Living Wage Foundation Rate (LWF rate). 4 Remuneration 4.1 Chief Officers 4.1.1 The salary of the Chief Executive and the salary bands for all Chief Officers are published on the Council’s website alongside those of other officers earning more than £50,000 at pay information . 4.1.2 Salary on appointment: For all roles, salary on appointment has regard to the relative size and challenge of the role compared to other similar roles within the Council, via the job evaluation process. Account is also taken of other relevant available information, including the salaries of similar roles in other similar sized organisations. The salary is set by the Appointment Panel for the specific role. This panel comprises councillors from the main political parties.

20 March 2019 (58) 4.1.3 If, on appointment, the salary package is in excess of £100,000 (including any fees, allowances, benefit in kind etc but excluding employer’s pension and NI contributions) it will be reported to full Council. The decision in respect of salary remains with the Appointment Panel. Salaries currently falling within this range are those at Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and some at Director level. 4.1.4 Salary following pay review: If, following a review, the salary package increases to above £100,000, it will be reported to full Council for information. The decision in respect of the appropriate salary level will be made in line with the agreed Senior Manager Pay Review process, pay information 4.2 Employees who are not Chief Officers: Employees new to the Council will normally be appointed to the first point of the salary range for their grade. Where the candidate’s current employment package would make the first point of the salary range unattractive (and this can be demonstrated by the applicant in relation to current earnings) or where the employee already operates at a level commensurate with a higher salary, a higher salary within the salary range may be considered by the recruiting manager. The candidates’ level of skill and experience should be consistent with that of other employees in a similar position on the salary range. 4.3 Lowest paid employee: The lowest full time salary payable is £17,363, the equivalent of £9.00 per hour (the Real Living Wage rate set by the Living Wage Foundation). An employee who transfers to the Council under TUPE earning less that this will have their pay increased to this level on transfer. 4.4 Bonus: There is no provision for bonus payments for Chief Officers, or for employees who are not Chief Officers, or for the “lowest paid employees”. 4.5 Market supplements: It is important that the Council is able to attract and retain staff at all levels of the organisation in an increasingly competitive job market. Where market forces suggest such a supplement is needed the Council will apply its market supplement policy. The Council’s policy in respect of this can be found at: Pay information. Any such supplement is made clear in the contract of employment and is subject to review, with appropriate adjustments made. 4.6 Honoraria/Temporary responsibility payments: There is provision at all levels within the Council for an Honoraria, Partial Acting Up or Temporary Responsibility Payment to be made to staff who have completed the duties of a higher graded post, provided they meet with the criteria for this scheme set out at Pay information. 4.7 Other Pay Elements 4.7.1 The overall remuneration, including claimed expenses and employer’s pension contribution, for Chief Officers who are core members of the Corporate Leadership Team is published in the Council’s Statement of Accounts.

20 March 2019 (59) 4.7.2 Chief Officers are subject to performance management processes in the same way that employees who are not Chief Officers and lowest paid employees are. 4.7.3 The Council’s objectives are set each year by the three political Group Leaders. The Chief Executive is appraised against those objectives by a Panel comprising the three Group Leaders. There is no financial recognition linked to this appraisal process. 4.7.4 The Deputy Chief Executive is annually appraised by the Chief Executive as their line manager. The Chief executive seeks feedback to inform that appraisal from the relevant Portfolio Holder(s) and (where relevant – ie: in a No Overall Control situation) the other political Group Leaders. There is no financial recognition linked to this appraisal process. 4.7.5 Other Chief Officers are treated in accordance with the arrangements applied for lowest paid employees and all other employees who are not Chief Officers. Full details of the appraisal system can be found on the internet at Pay information. 4.8 Charges, fees or allowances: Any allowance or other payment will only be made to staff in connection with their role or the patterns of hours they work and must be in accordance with the Council’s collective agreement in relation to Terms and Conditions of Service. 4.9 Election fees and duties: These are paid as a separate employment to the Council’s Returning Officer. 4.10 Benefits in kind: There are no benefits in kind given by the Council. Any gift or conflict of interest must be registered in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct. Pension: All employees as a result of their employment are eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme. The Council’s discretions within this scheme are set out in the Pension Discretions policy at Pay information. 4.11 Severance payments 4.11.1 The Council is required to publish its policy on discretionary payments on early termination of employment as well as publishing its policy on increasing an employee’s total pension scheme membership and on awarding additional pension. This policy applies to all the Council employees. These can be found within the Council’s Redeployment and Redundancy Policy at Pay information 4.11.2 It is important that the Council has flexibility to respond to unforeseen circumstances with regards to re-employing former employees as a Chief Officer. If it re-employs a previous employee who received a redundancy or severance package on leaving, or if that person returns on a ‘contract for services’ or if they are in receipt of a Local Government / Firefighter Pension scheme (with the same or another local authority), then the provisions of the Local Government Pension

20 March 2019 (60) Scheme and the Redundancy Modifications Order will be applied. The latter provides that: (a) If the Council, or another public authority to which the Redundancy Payments Modification Order (Local Government) 1999 (as amended) applies, makes an offer of another job that will commence within four weeks of the termination of a contract, the officer will not be entitled to a redundancy payment. (b) Any offer of voluntary redundancy is made on the understanding that if another public authority to which The Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government, etc) (Modification) Order 1999 applies, makes an offer of a job before the termination of employment which will be taken up within four weeks of the termination of employment with the Council, there shall be no entitlement to a redundancy payment. Annex Pay Ratios

20 March 2019 (61) ANNEX

Pay Ratios: 1. Relationship between remuneration of Chief Officers and employees who are not Chief Officers Note: These calculations are based on salary data as at 31st December 2018 and calculated based on full-time equivalent salaries. Mean average earnings ratio = 5.9 : 1 (a) Total FTE salaries £68,429,844  2,298 (headcount) = £29,778 (b) Highest paid employee (CEO): £176,000 per annum Median average earnings ratio = 6.65 : 1 FTE salary Median salary is based on the full time equivalent (FTE) salary of each employee to reflect the value of the role. The median is the middle salary if each salary is lined up from highest to lowest. This salary is £26,470. This ratio is below the expected multiples of 8.1-12.1 for the public sector as identified in the Hutton Review of Fair Pay in the Public Sector (March 2011) Report. 2. Relationship between remuneration of Chief Officers and lowest paid employees Note: This calculation is based on expected salary levels at 1 April 2019. (a) Ratio = 10.3 : 1 (b) Lowest paid employee: £17,363.62 (c) Highest paid employee (CEO): £179,520* *2% pay award from 1 April 2019 included in figs A lower pay ratio provides the council with better value for money.

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Wards Affected: ITEM 4(c)(i) All Wards MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL 20 MARCH 2019 Report considered by Cabinet - 5 March 2019 ADOPTION OF PLAN:MK Responsible Cabinet Member: Councillor Legg, Cabinet Member for Customer Services Report Sponsor: Tracy Darke, Service Director, Growth, Economy and Culture

Author and contact: Michael Moore, Senior Planning Officer, Tel: 01908 252480

Executive Summary: The Planning Inspector’s Report on the examination of Plan:MK (The Plan), which was received on 12 February 2019, has found the Plan to be ‘sound’ and legally capable of being adopted. The Plan can therefore be adopted by the Council as part of the formal ‘Development Plan’ for the Borough and thus be afforded full weight in the determination of planning applications and appeals.

1. Recommendation(s)

1.1 That the Cabinet recommends to Council that Plan:MK be adopted. 2. Issues

2.1 Plan:MK sets out a positive vision for where Milton Keynes wants to be by 2031, the plan period. The Plan allocates land for around 31,000 additional dwellings and other associated development. It provides a framework for addressing housing need and other economic, environmental and social priorities. The Plan commits the Council to undertake an early review with submission of a draft plan for examination containing strategic policies for the long-term growth of Milton Keynes, no later than December 2022. 2.2 Adoption of the plan means that the Council has demonstrated it has a five year supply of deliverable housing sites and will be able to resist speculative planning applications in the open countryside. However, the protection afforded by adopting it will only apply until 31 October 2019. After that date, the Council will still need to demonstrate it has a five year supply of housing land, if it is to resist speculative planning applications. 2.3 The plan has been in preparation since 2013 and has been subject to several previous public consultations as follows: (a) Plan:MK Topic Papers consultation (September 2014) and Vision Workshops consultation (Spring 2015) (b) Strategic Development Directions (January - April 2016) (c) Preferred Options (March - June 2017)

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(d) Proposed Submission Draft (November - December 2017) (e) Inspector’s proposed ‘main modifications’ to the Plan (October - December 2018) 2.4 The most recent stage of the Plan’s preparation process was the independent public examination before an Inspector. Public hearing sessions commenced on Tuesday 10 July and concluded on Thursday 30 August 2018. Following the examination, a consultation on the schedule of main modifications which were deemed to be necessary, in order to make the Plan ‘sound’ and compliant, was undertaken between 31 October and 12 December 2018. 2.5 The Planning Inspectorate issued the Inspector’s Report on the examination on 12 February 2019 (Annex A). The Inspector found the Plan to be ‘sound’ and legally compliant subject to the inclusion of the proposed main modifications (Annex B). The effect of these modifications is to increase the number of sites allocated in the Plan and the supply of housing land within Milton Keynes. The Council is legally incapable of adopting the Plan without incorporating these modifications. The Plan as modified and proposed for adoption is at Annex C. 2.6 The plan now allocates Milton Keynes East for around 5000 dwellings, employment and associated uses. Previously this site was not expected to commence until after 2031, unless funding for strategic infrastructure could be secured. The allocation is now for a minimum of 1475 dwellings to be delivered before 2031 assuming funding for strategic infrastructure can be secured at a future date, with the remainder delivered after 2031. If the Council’s Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) bid for strategic infrastructure is successful, the allocation will deliver 3000 dwellings before 2031 with the remainder delivered after 2031. 3. Options

3.1 The alternative option would be not to agree to adopt Plan:MK. This is not recommended because it would leave the Borough vulnerable to ‘planning by appeal’ and speculative planning applications for housing. The importance of having a planned approach to development ensures that the right infrastructure is in place for growth areas. 4. Implications

4.1 Policy When adopted, the Plan will form part of the statutory ‘Development Plan’ for Milton Keynes and alter the Policies Map that indicates land use in the Milton Keynes. Adoption will directly deliver Objective 2.1 of the Council Plan 2016 - 2020 which states “Support Plan:MK through inspection and adopt it”, and add additional land to supplement the supply of housing land within Milton Keynes. 4.2 Resources and Risk The Plan has been prepared through the resources identified in the existing Development Plans budget and money from reserves. Its adoption is not

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expected to incur any significant additional costs. However, the Plan Review by 2022 will need to be budgeted for appropriately.

Y Capital N Revenue N Accommodation

N IT N Medium Term Plan Y Asset Management

4.3 Carbon and Energy Management The implementation of relevant policies within the Plan will improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. 4.4 Legal The Plan has been prepared in accordance with the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended) and the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 (as amended) and associated guidance. Any person aggrieved by the adoption of the Plan may make an application to the High Court under Section 113 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 on the grounds that the document is not within the appropriate powers and/or a procedural requirement has not been complied with. Any such application must be made no later than the end of a period of six weeks starting on the date on which the Plan was adopted. 4.5 Other Implications (a) Equalities/Diversity The Plan was subject to an Equalities Impact Assessment which was published as part of the evidence base for its examination. (b) Sustainability In accordance with EU legislation, the Plan has been subject to Sustainability Appraisal (incorporating the requirements of the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive). (c) Human Rights Policies in the Plan should comply with human rights legislation. (d) E-Government All consultation and associated documentation has been available to view and comment on through the Council’s website, the Civic Offices and public libraries. (e) Stakeholders Consultation with a wide range of stakeholders has been undertaken throughout the preparation of the Plan, in line with national regulations and guidance on the preparation of development plans, and local

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guidance as set out in the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement. (f) Crime and Disorder No direct implications.

N Equalities/Diversity Y Sustainability N Human Rights

Y E-Government Y Stakeholders N Crime and Disorder

Background Papers: None Annexes Annex A Inspector’s Report A copy will be available in each Group Room for inspection. Annex B Schedule of the Inspector’s ‘main modifications’ to Plan:MK A copy will be available in each Group Room for inspection. Annex C Plan:MK as proposed for adoption A copy will be available in each Group Room for inspection.

20 March 2019 (66) Wards Affected: ITEM 4(c)(ii) Bletchley West & Wards MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL 20 MARCH 2019 Report considered by Cabinet - 5 March 2019

MAKING THE WEST BLETCHLEY NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN Responsible Cabinet Member: Councillor Legg - Cabinet Member for Customer Services

Report Sponsor: Tracy Darke, Service Director, Growth, Economy and Culture

Author and contact: David Blandamer (Senior Urban Designer) Tel: 01908 254836

Executive Summary: The report seeks Cabinet’s agreement to recommend to Council that it makes (brings into legal force) the West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan, following the successful referendum held on 14 February, 2019.

1. Recommendations

1.1 That Cabinet recommends to Council that it makes the West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan pursuant to the provisions of Section 38(A)(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, and that: (a) a decision document setting out the results of the referendum and the Council’s decision to make the plan, and the West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan be published on the Council’s website and by other means, to bring them to the attention of people who live, work or carry out business in the neighbourhood area; and (b) the decision document and details on how to view the plan be sent to the qualifying body (West Bletchley Council) and any person who asked to be notified of the decision. 1.2 That West Bletchley Council be congratulated on the successful outcome of the referendum. 2. Issues

2.1 The West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan was submitted to the Council for examination and was subsequently publicised for a six-week period, ending on 19 June 2018. All comments received were then passed to the Examiner, Mr John Parmiter, who submitted his report on the Plan in September 2018, stating that the plan met relevant basic conditions and requirements, subject to modifications, and should proceed to referendum. 2.2 Following the examination, Milton Keynes Council, in consultation with West Bletchley Council accepted the examiner’s recommendation and proceeded to make arrangements for a referendum to be held on 14 February 2019.

20 March 2019 (67) 2.3 The West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan was successful at the referendum. In total, 2032 people voted ‘Yes’ and 343 ‘No’; turnout was 13.35%. Under the changes to Section 38 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, introduced by the Neighbourhood Planning Act, 2017i, following a successful referendum, a Neighbourhood Plan comes into force as part of the statutory development plan. The Plan must still be made by the local planning authority within 8 weeks of the referendum. 2.4 As with any planning decision there is a risk of legal challenge, but that risk has and is being managed by ensuring that the regulations are followed and that the Council’s decision making process is clear and transparent. 3. Options

3.1 As a result of the successful referendum, the Council is obliged to proceed to make the Plan as outlined above. Therefore, there are no options available other than for Cabinet to recommend to the Council to make the West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan, and for Council to implement that recommendation, so that the West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan continues to form part of the Milton Keynes Development Plan. The only exception to this is where the Council considers the plan would breach, or otherwise be incompatible with, any EU obligation or any of the Convention rights (within the meaning of the Human Rights Act 1998). That is not the case here. 4. Implications

4.1 Policy A revised National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) was introduced on 24 July 2018. However, the Neighbourhood Plan was prepared and examined against the original 2012 NPPF policies which state that Neighbourhood Plans must be in general conformity with the strategic policies of the development plan. Neighbourhood Plans should reflect these policies, and neighbourhoods should plan positively to support them. Neighbourhood Plans and Development Orders should not promote less development than is set out in the Local Plan, or undermine its strategic policies. In Milton Keynes, the strategic policies are set out in the adopted Milton Keynes Local Plan and Core Strategy. Once a Neighbourhood Plan has successfully passed the referendum stage, it comes into force as part of the statutory development plan, meaning it will be a material consideration when considering development proposals in the Neighbourhood Plan area. The Plan must still be made by the local planning authority within 8 weeks of the referendum. 4.2 Resources and Risk The Localism Act 2011 and the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 (“the 2012 Regulations”) placed new duties on local planning authorities in relation to Neighbourhood Planning. These new duties have considerable implications for Council resources. In recognition of the additional burdens that these new duties place on local planning authorities, MHCLG now makes extra burden funding of £20,000 available to local

20 March 2019 (68) authorities, which can be claimed once a date for a referendum has been set following a successful examination. This is a reduction of £10,000 per plan from that which has been available in previous years. Further duties and deadlines for decisions have been imposed through the Neighbourhood Planning (General) and Development Management Procedure (Amendment) Regulations 2016, as a result of the 2016 Housing and Planning Act. Publicity and officer support costs associated with making Neighbourhood Plans is met within the UDLA budget and staff resources to implement the Plan come from the existing staff within the Development Plans and Development Management teams. An internal audit of the Neighbourhood Plans service carried out in 2015 has shown that the additional costs incurred delivering the service were only just covered by the extra burdens funding.

N Capital N Revenue N Accommodation

N IT N Medium Term Plan N Asset Management

4.3 Carbon and Energy Management The proposal does not impact on carbon and energy management. 4.4 Legal Neighbourhood planning is part of the Government’s initiative to empower local communities to take forward planning proposals at a local level, as outlined in Section 116 of the Localism Act, 2011. The Act and the subsequent regulations confer specific functions on local planning authorities in relation to neighbourhood planning and lay down the steps that must be followed in relation to Neighbourhood Planning. The West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan has been consulted on and subjected to a referendum in accordance with the 2012 Regulations (as amended). As with any planning decision, there is a risk of legal challenge to the plan and/or judicial review of the Council’s decision to proceed with the referendum and the making of the Plan. Risk has been managed by ensuring that the relevant regulations are followed and that the Council’s decision making process is clear and transparent. Once a Neighbourhood Plan has successfully passed referendum, it comes into force as part of the Statutory Development Plan and the Local Planning Authority is obliged to consider proposals for development against the policies in the Plan. The Local Planning Authority must make the plan within 8 weeks of the successful referendum. In accordance with Regulation 19 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012, the Council must, as soon as possible after deciding to make a neighbourhood development plan:

20 March 2019 (69) (a) publish on the website and in such other manner as is likely to bring the Plan to the attention of people who live, work or carry on business in the neighbourhood area: (i) the decision document, (ii) details of where and when the decision document may be inspected; (b) send a copy of the decision document to: (i) the qualifying body; and (ii) any person who asked to be notified of the decision. 4.5 Other Implications The West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan has been tested against and found to meet a number of basic conditions. Two of the basic conditions are the requirements for the plans to: (a) contribute to the achievement of sustainable development; and (b) not breach and otherwise be compatible with EU obligations (including Human Rights, the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive and the Habitats Directive) The Examiner’s report has confirmed that the Plan meets those Basic Conditions and officers are satisfied that there are no conflicts with these aspects. The consultations on the draft plan carried out by the Parish Council and then the publicity on the submitted plan carried out by Milton Keynes Council have helped to raise awareness of its preparation and have allowed community engagement and participation in the process.

N Equalities/Diversity Y Sustainability Y Human Rights

N E-Government Y Stakeholders N Crime and Disorder

Background Papers: The Localism Act, 2011 The Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012 The Housing and Planning Act, 2016 The Neighbourhood Planning (General) and Development Management Procedure (Amendment) Regulations 2016 The Neighbourhood Planning Act 2017 National Planning Policy Framework National Planning Practice Guidance

20 March 2019 (70) Annex A Decision document for making the West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan Annex B West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan (https://www.milton- keynes.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning-policy/west- bletchley-neighbourhood-plan)

i http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2017/20/section/3/enacted

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ANNEX A

MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL WEST BLETCHLEY NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN

Decision Statement - 20 March 2019

Summary

Following a referendum of all residents eligible to vote within the West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan area, Milton Keynes Council will make the West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan part of the Milton Keynes Council Development Plan on 20th March 2019.

Background

West Bletchley Council, as the qualifying body, successfully applied for its area to be designated a Neighbourhood Area, under the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations (2012). The area was designated on 10 December 2013.

The West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan was submitted to the Council for examination and was subsequently publicised for a six-week period, ending on 19th June, 2018. All comments received were then passed to the Examiner, Mr John Parmiter, who submitted his report on the Plan in September 2018, stating that the plan met relevant basic conditions and requirements and, subject to modifications, should proceed to referendum.

Following the examination, Milton Keynes Council, in consultation with West Bletchley Council, accepted the examiner’s recommendations on 22nd October, 2018 and proceeded to make arrangements for a referendum to be held on 14th February, 2019.

The West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan was successful at the referendum held on 14th February. 2032 voted ‘Yes’ and 343 ‘No’, turnout was 13.35%. Under the changes to Section 38 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, introduced by the Neighbourhood Planning Act, 2017, following a successful referendum a Neighbourhood Plan comes into force as part of the statutory development plan. The Plan must still be made by the local planning authority within 8 weeks of the referendum.

The Plan includes a series of policies and proposals to protect and enhance the character of and provision of homes, jobs and other services in the parish. It does this through a number of land-use planning policies which address specific sites and set out general planning principles and criteria to guide new development in the parish.

20 March 2019 (72) Decision

The Council makes the West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan part of the Milton Keynes Council Development Plan. In doing so, the Council is of the opinion that the Plan is compatible with all relevant European Union obligations, as incorporated into UK law, and is legally compliant.

The Council agrees to this decision statement and the West Bletchley Neighbourhood Plan being published on the Milton Keynes Council website and in other ways to bring them to the attention of people who live, work or carry out business in the neighbourhood area. The decision statement and details of how to view the plan will be sent to the qualifying body and any person who asked to be notified of the decision.

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Democratic Services

Scrutiny Annual Report 2018/19

https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/your-council-and-elections/councillors-and-committees/overview-and-scrutiny

ITEM 4(d)(i)

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Contents

Introduction Foreword by the Chair of the Scrutiny Management Committee Scrutiny In Numbers Dashboard Scrutiny Management Committee Budget and Resources Scrutiny Committee Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee Community and Housing Scrutiny Committee Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee Strategic Placemaking Scrutiny Committee Executive Scrutiny Panel Dashboard (75) 1

Introduction

What is Overview and Scrutiny? Scrutiny at Milton Keynes Council All local authorities operating a Cabinet and Scrutiny model have Milton Keynes has 6 main Scrutiny Committees: a Cabinet made up of the Leader of the Council and up to nine other members. All executive decisions (i.e. those needed to implement the Council Plan and the Budget approved by the Scrutiny Management Committee Council) are taken by the Cabinet. This Committee manages the scrutiny work programme and acts Overview and Scrutiny committees are not as the Council's Statutory Scrutiny Committee in respect the “decision making” bodies but are there to monitor Councillor Call for Action. and influence those that are. The Overview and Scrutiny role, carried out by non-Cabinet Budget and Resources Scrutiny Committee members, is designed to support the work of the Council in the following ways: The Budget Scrutiny Committee provides scrutiny of the Council's budget, financial processes and wider back office and  Reviewing and scrutinising decisions taken by the Cabinet, support services. also known as acting as a “critical friend”;  Considering aspects of the Council’s performance;  Assisting in research, policy review and development; Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee  Involving itself with external organisations operating in the The Children and Young People Committee scrutinises the Borough to ensure that the interests of local people are provision of services, the achievement of targets and the enhanced by collaborative working; provision of resources to support the creation of positive outcomes for the children and young people of Milton Keynes.  Providing a means of involving the community in the Council’s work. Community and Housing Scrutiny Committee The Community and Housing Committee scrutinises the planning and provision of housing services in Milton Keynes and the Council’s role as landlord, as well as other housing matters, (76) 1

including the Council’s Regeneration Programme, and the Task and Finish Groups planning and provision of leisure and cultural services provided Other Scrutiny work is undertaken by Task and Finish Groups, by the Council and its partners. The Committee is also the made up of a small number of members (usually 6) which are Council’s statutory scrutiny committee for crime and community appointed to look in depth at particular issues. Their safety. recommendations, which may suggest a change in policy or service provision, are usually presented to the Scrutiny Management Committee before presentation to the Cabinet. Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee The Health and Adult Social Care Committee undertakes the Council’s statutory scrutiny role in respect of scrutinising and reviewing any matter relating to the planning, provision and operation of the health service in Borough, the achievement of During 2018/19 the Scrutiny Management Committee targets and the provision of resources to help improve the health established a Task and Finish Group to review provision for and wellbeing of people living in Milton Keynes. primary sector pupils excluded from school. It also scrutinises the provision of health and adult social care services to the residents of Milton Keynes by the Council, health service providers and their partners.

Strategic Placemaking Scrutiny Committee Strategic Placemaking Scrutiny Committee scrutinises the Council’s Public Realm Services, including highways, transport, waste collection and disposal, Development Control and strategic planning matters and critical partnerships involving the Council. It is also the Council’s statutory scrutiny committee for Flood and Water Risk Management.

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Foreword from the Chair of the Scrutiny Management Committee

2018/19 was the first year of a new scrutiny structure implemented following the Local Government Association Peer Review and the detailed work undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Peer Review Task and Finish Group to progress the Peer Review Team’s recommendations. The Task and Finish Group’s recommendations were adopted by the Council in May 2018 and included establishing a new Strategic Placemaking Scrutiny Committee to fill an apparent gap in the previous scrutiny structure which meant that there was no committee responsible for reviewing a range of services which included highways, transport, waste collection and disposal, development control and strategic planning.

Further key changes have been to join up the work of various scrutiny committees by ensuring that all chairs sit on the Management Committee, and for specialist committees to consider decisions called in for scrutiny in their area. However I am clear that effective scrutiny is about far more than structures. No amount of tinkering with committees will help if scrutiny is not adequately resourced, has authority across the Council to collect detailed evidence and to hear from expert witnesses, and has an effective relationship with the

Council administration. In addition, pre-decision scrutiny provides maximum value when timed to take place in advance of key decisions, when options have been fully considered. For this reason it is vital that the Executive Forward Plan covers a future time period which allows scrutiny the sufficient notice to review and filter those items where scrutiny can make the most positive impact. There are also wider recommendations about our culture of scrutiny from the Review Group that are still being worked through and should not be lost.

This has been a transitional year with the new committee and structures bedding in, and an extended scrutiny vacancy in Democratic Services limiting the scope of work particularly around task and finish groups. Our process of improving scrutiny is ongoing, and the Management Committee will be reflecting on our progress before the end of the year. We were grateful to hear from John Cade of Inlogov in November who led a training session reflecting on how effective our Scrutiny operation really is. In particular there is scope to improve how we ensure that (78)

recommendations are followed up and brought into effect where agreed. While we remain proud of our outputs of recommendations and reports, it is the impact and outcome of scrutiny that makes a difference to Council services and our residents, and is ultimately the measure of success or otherwise of all our scrutiny activity.

This Annual report features a section on the work of each of the scrutiny committees and task and finish group. During 2018/19 scrutiny has addressed a number of important issues but probably none bigger than the scrutiny of the Council’s regeneration programme and how it should be scrutinised.

The Council agreed during 2018 to add scrutiny of the regeneration programme to the remit of the Community and Housing Committee, however, it was soon recognised that the size of the task would dominate the work of the Committee and leave little time for scrutiny of other important issues. The Management Committee therefore decided that the way forward was for the Council to appoint a scrutiny committee dedicated to regeneration and this was supported by the Council at its meeting on 23 January 2019. The new Committee will start its work in the new Council year. A new feature of the Annual Report for this year is a dashboard of various statistics relating to the Council’s Scrutiny Function which follows after this Foreword. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Chairs and members of the committees and those of the Task and Finish Group for their work and dedication to the scrutiny cause during the year, and for the scrutiny team in Democratic Services who have risen to the challenge of making the new structures work.

Councillor Ric Brackenbury (79)

Scrutiny in Numbers Dashboard 6 Overview and Scrutiny Committees Scrutiny Budget & Children & Community Health & Strategic Management Resources Young & Housing Adult Placemaking Committee Scrutiny People Scrutiny Social Care Scrutiny Committee Scrutiny Committee Scrutiny Committee Committee Committee

83 meetings

1 Site Visit to MK Safety Centre (Hazard Alley)

54 Public Committee 29 other Meetings meetings/briefings

1 Task & Finish Group 7 Call-ins 2 budget reports to Cabinet 2 resolved at mediation 2 reports to Cabinet 4 not referred back Regeneration Sub-Cttee 5 Scrutiny meetings with 1 referred back to Cabinet external partners (LGSS / Member STP JHOSC)

136 Items on scrutiny committee meeting agendas (other than admin items)

22 referrals (57 Recommendations) to Cabinet or individual Cabinet Members: 16 referrals noted and 6 where further action was agreed 103 Recommendations to officer 2 Recommendations to external partners colleagues / other Committees

2 Training Events attended by 13 councillors

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Key Work Undertaken During 2018/19 by the Scrutiny Committees

Scrutiny Management Committee

The Scrutiny Management Committee, following the Local the limited resources provided to support scrutiny, both the Government Association Peer Review and the revisions to the resources provided by officer colleagues and by fellow scrutiny structure adopted by the Council, has been able to councillors. concentrate, during 2018/19, on the management of the overall The Management Committee recognises that scrutiny work programme, the individual scrutiny committee work if scrutiny is to make a positive impact it is programmes and assessing requests for items to be scrutinised important that resources are targeted and by other bodies. scrutiny committees are able to concentrate By involving the Chairs of all of the scrutiny on the key issues. committees as members of the During the year the Management Committee Management Committee, the Committee considered a range of interesting and has provided a forum for the Chairs to compelling proposals from scrutiny share the significant outcomes from their committees and individual councillors for in depth reviews by a meetings and discuss the planning of Task and Finish Group. However, the Management Committee forthcoming meetings. had to be realistic and agreed to establish only one Group at a To assist in its work programme planning the Management time, recognising that even one Task and Finish Group would Committee receives the quarterly performance reports to enable stretch resources. The Task and Finish Group appointed is it to identify any areas of apparent under performance which can looking at Alternative Education in the Primary Sector. then be referred to a scrutiny committee if it is of sufficient As mentioned in my foreword, the Council has agreed to appoint concern. A recent example being the number of planning a scrutiny committee dedicated to regeneration for 2019/20. A applications which were falling outside statutory determination major challenge for the Management Committee going forward is periods, requiring extension to be agreed with the applicant, to ensure that the new committee is supported without any which was referred to the Strategic Placemaking Scrutiny for significant detriment to the important work of the other scrutiny attention. committees. One of the Management Committee’s major roles is managing Councillor Ric Brackenbury (81)

Budget and Resources Scrutiny Committee

Despite the Government announcement during 2018 that its meeting on 6 November 2018. The recommendations were austerity was over, things remain difficult financially for local positively received, with a detailed response on behalf of the authorities who are still having to make reductions in their Cabinet being provided by Councillor Middleton (Resources and spending in the light of continued cuts in the financial settlement Innovation). and other grants received from Central Government. This has The second report, which contained a further 22 also been further complicated by the lack of certainty recommendations relating to the draft 2019/20 budget proposals surrounding the European Community exit proposals. was presented to Cabinet at its meeting on 5 February 2018. Since 2011, the Council has had to make over ERP Gold Financial / HR Management System £144m in savings on its annual budget. Over A major issue of concern for the Committee during 2018/19 has the next few years the Council will need to make been the problems associated with embedding the ERP Gold a further £31m in reductions, £8m of which have Financial/ HR Management System which went live across the been identified for 2019/20. LGSS Partnership (Milton Keynes Council, Northamptonshire This year scrutiny of the Council’s other resources, as well as its County Council and Cambridgeshire County Council) on finances, has been added to the Committee’s remit. 1 April 2018. Draft 2018/19 Budget Proposals Challenge Meetings The problems have included delays to paying As in previous years, one of the main focuses of the Committee suppliers, late processing of income, delayed remains scrutiny of the draft budget for the following year. This debt recovery, errors or delays with staff pay, involved two really intensive periods of work for the Committee HR delays or reporting issues, outstanding during September and October when it looked at the identified reconciliations and the impact all these have on

pressures on departmental budgets for the coming year and then accurate financial reporting. The Committee again during December and January, when the Committee received an initial report from the Service Director (Finance and considered the Housing Revenue Account, reductions in Resources) at its July meeting, which was followed with an departmental budgets and opportunities for income generation update report in December. One of the issues identified in July during 2019/20. was an insufficient staff resource. In his December update, the These two periods of concentrated work have resulted in two Service Director reported that the staffing issues were now being reports by the Committee, setting out what work it had done and resolved and that following intervention by Milton Keynes why, together with a range of recommendations on the draft Council, an Operations Board and an ERP Programme Board, budget proposals. The first report was presented to Cabinet at both of which were meeting monthly, had been established to (82)

oversee continued improvements and identify and deal with The Committee also regularly monitors the quarterly issues in the future. The Committee has now referred the Revenue and Capital Budget Monitoring Report and evidence it received in December to the Cabinet Member the Council’s Financial Sustainability Plan and (Resources and Innovation), requesting action on moving ERP Medium Term Financial Strategy (2018/19 – Gold past the reported issues. The Committee will receive a 2021/22). further update at its March 2019 meeting. March 2019 Meeting Revenues and Benefits Apart from the updates on the ERP Gold Financial / HR Work to scrutinise reasons for the backlog of benefits cases Management System and the Revenues and Benefits Service waiting to be processed and poor service delivery generally, mentioned above, the Committee will also be reviewing how actually started in March 2018. Again insufficient or suitably draft budget proposals are scrutinised and how this can be experienced staff was identified as one of the contributory factors improved to be more effective in the future. to the problem. The Head of Service (Revenues and Benefits) Future Work reported that the section, in association with the Department for During the Committee’s scrutiny of the ERP Gold Financial / HR Work and Pensions (DWP), had developed an improvement plan Management System and the Revenues and Benefits Service, it which included staff engagement and development, MKC client became clear that in both cases one of the contributory factors and customer management and an operating target. causing some of the problems was the lack of suitable staff able The Committee a marked reduction in to carry out the work necessary. During its scrutiny of the draft then received an the backlog of cases 2019/20 budget proposals the Committee commended the update at its and tangible concerted effort across all departments to reduce their use of September improvements to service contractors and temporary staff in favour of employing meeting, noting delivery, commending permanent staff. the Benefits Service for the progress it had made so far and The Committee also regularly monitors the quarterly Revenue welcoming the proposals for further improvements. The Head of and Capital Budget Monitoring Report and the Council’s Service (Revenues and Benefits) has been asked to bring a Financial Sustainability Plan and Medium Term Financial further update to the March 2019 meeting. Strategy (2018/19 – 2021/22). Other Work The Committee also picked up on the Other work has included scrutiny of the General Fund Revenue difficulty in some areas of the Council of Account, Housing Revenue Account, Dedicated Schools Grant attracting the ‘brightest and best’ into and Capital Programme Outturn Report for 2017/18, scrutiny of professional posts as salaries for such the Council’s Annual Treasury Management Report and the posts at Milton Keynes Council appear Council’s Capital Programme to much lower than either other local

authorities or the private sector. This (83)

may well be something the Committee will take a detailed look at The Chair would also like to take this opportunity to thank under its Resources remit during 2019/20. Councillors Peter Geary and Charlie Wilson for their vital in-put Acknowledgements and support as Vice-Chairs, and all the Committee members for The Committee is grateful for the continued commitment and contributing so actively and knowledgeably to the scrutiny of the service of Elizabeth Richardson in managing the Committee Council’s finances and resources during the past year. during the year with diligence and patience, and to Paul Simpson Councillor Robin Bradburn (Corporate Director: Resources and Commercial Development), Steve Richardson (Service Director: Finance and Resources) alongside the Strategic Finance Business Partners, Natasha Hutchin, Anna Rulton, Mark Smith and their finance colleagues, . for producing relevant documentation regularly throughout the year, sometimes at short notice.

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Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee

Regional Adoption Agency Members: Councillors Akter, Baines, M Bradburn, The Committee was informed of a proposal for the Council to Brown, Buckley, Carr, Crooks (Chair), Darlington, become a member of a new Regional Adoption Agency (RAA). Green, D Hopkins (Vice-Chair), V Hopkins, Miles, and The Committee was asked to provide Wales (Vice-Chair) direction as to whether the Council should Co-optees: A Marlow and I Oduko, Parent-Governor pursue the establishment of this new RAA. Representatives and S Rahman, SACRE The Committee were supportive of the Representative approach proposed and had no significant

concerns. Two members of the Youth Cabinet, Toby Poyner and Clarissa Tear also attended regularly. OFSTED Review Briefing An update on OFSTED’s new inspection arrangements was The Committee is grateful to Zoe Nolan Cabinet Member, provided to the Committee. The briefing provided a valuable Michael Bracey, (previously Corporate Director- People), and insight as to the amount of work being done by Children’s Mac Heath (Service Director- Children and Families), for their Services in Milton Keynes. participation and advice. Walnuts Children’s Home In 2017/18 the Committee met on 3 occasions with a final The Committee heard from the Cabinet Member on the current meeting planned for early March 2019 and a ‘Call for Evidence’ position regarding an informal consultation on the future of the session scheduled for April 2019. Walnuts Children Home. Representation was also made by a During the year the following topics were considered: number of parents. The Committee expressed concern about Local Children’s Safeguarding Board Annual Report and the review of this provision and the consultation that had taken Joint Plan for Children’s and Adult Safeguarding Board place and made a number of recommendations to the Milton The Committee received a presentation on the Board’s work Keynes Council’s Children and Family Service. programme and acknowledged the achievements of the Board Road Safety and Hazard Awareness Training Provision around the work in safeguarding vulnerable young people and The Committee enjoyed a site visit to the Milton Keynes Safety the move towards focusing on strategic rather than operational Centre, commonly known as Hazard Alley. The Committee concerns. heard from the Director who explained the nature of the work this facility carried out and what the future challenges were. The Committee made a number of suggestions which it hoped would (85)

help the Centre improve its offer and allow it to continue to be a MK:U valued resource for local children. The Committee was updated on the progress of the MK:U, a Provisional School Performance Outcomes 2017-18 University for Milton Keynes, project. The Committee requested An update on the provisional performance of schools in Milton on-going dialogue with officers on the development of this Keynes for the academic year 2017-18 was provided to the project. Committee. The report included details of attainment by SEN provision, results for the Council’s virtual school and OFSTED outcomes. Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Service The Committee received a presentation setting out the Council’s progress and future priorities for the Special Educational Needs Child Poverty (SEN) and Disability Service, which highlighted the challenges Representatives from the Community Foundation provided an faced by the service, its successes, its impact, priorities and update to the Committee on the current level of child poverty in vision for the future. Milton Keynes. The Committee felt that consideration should be Supplementary Education in Milton Keynes given to planning a joint event/project with the Community The Committee was provided with information on the provision of Foundation to encourage local debate on this issue. Supplementary Education in Milton Keynes. The Committee March Meeting recognised and welcomed the diverse range of The Committee is due to receive Annual Reports from the supplementary education opportunities that were Cabinet Member and the Youth Cabinet. It will also receive a available in Milton Keynes. They did express presentation on children who are being Home Educated and concerns in respect of safeguarding, future funding, consider ‘One Year On’ progress reports on the Family Drug and the risk of the additional demands fatiguing the Alcohol Court. students and the Council’s aspirations for the future of supplementary education. April Meeting The Committee will host a debate on the contribution of The Learning 2050 Project education and skills to the growth of Milton Keynes, taking The Committee were informed of the Council’s Learning 2050 forward the responses to its Call for Evidence circulated to Milton Project, one of the MK 2050 Futures strands. The Committee Keynes schools and businesses at the end of January. requested further clarification on timescales and progress and the need for the project to recognise the rapidly changing work environment and the actions that are required for Milton Keynes to remain competitive.

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Task & Finish Group Work Programme Councillor David Hopkins leads a Task & Finish Group on The Committee’s work programme now includes provision for Alternative Education Provision for Excluded Primary School Topical items (for example, this year the putative closure of the Pupils which will report in the next municipal year. Walnuts Home and, in the light of an impending Inspection, the Referrals to Cabinet Council’s SEND provision). It also schedules One Year On The Cabinet took the following decisions on Committee reports where it revisits topics to ascertain to what extent its recommendations this year. comments and recommendations have been taken forward. Referral from 7 March 2018 regarding a longitudinal study to Councillor Sam Crooks measure the outcomes of various young parent support and intervention programmes.

The Cabinet considered this unnecessary having regard to the greater use already being made of evidence-based programmes in this area. Referral from 7 March 2018 regarding careers advice for young people. The Cabinet took no action on this item. Referral from 11 July 2018 on the informal consultation on a proposed closure of the Walnuts Children’s Home. Cllr Nolan responded to this item on behalf of the Cabinet giving an update on progress.

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Community and Housing Scrutiny Committee

Although the Committee had a name change from Housing and forms and would like to see this covered in all new council Community, to Community and Housing in 2018/19 in order to policies / strategies etc. emphasise more the Committee’s wider remit, the focus of its The Committee had a brief look at the issue of work this year has remained the issue of housing and Housing Mix in Milton Keynes as it was homelessness. concerned that the right mixture of housing The Committee has spent a significant amount of time looking at types, both social and private sector, as set and commenting on the drafts of a number of new strategies and out in the latest version of the Strategic policies designed to improve both the supply of housing of all Housing Market Assessment (SHMA) was not types in Milton Keynes, best use of Housing Revenue Account being met, in that too many dwellings were funds to improve accommodation for the Council’s tenants and to being provided in some categories and too few in others. This is come at its March meeting, the draft of the new Housing a complex subject which the Committee felt would benefit from Allocations Scheme. the in-depth study provided by a Task and Finish Group. The Committee undertook both pre- and Unfortunately, the limited resources in the Scrutiny Function post-public consultation of the Housing during 2018/19 meant that the Committee’s bid for such a Task Strategy 2018-23 and the Housing and Finish Group was unsuccessful. Revenue Account Business Plan Model. An associated problem with the mix of housing in Milton Keynes The Committee was disappointed to note is the lack of truly affordable housing for young people (under the seriously low level of public engagement with these 35). At its January meeting the Committee heard from the Chief consultations, particularly the draft Housing Strategy 2018-23. Executive of the YMCA about the issues facing young people The public response to the draft Housing Revenue Account trying to access independent housing, either in the rental market Business Plan Model was marginally better, but even so was still or purchasing. The Committee also heard about the progress of very low in light of the importance of the Business Plan and the the YMCA’s expansion development and from the MK Futures effect it could have on the lives of council tenants. In relation to Programme Manager about future plans for providing student this, and other items scrutinised by the Committee this year, accommodation for those studying at MK:U. such as Access to a Choice Based Lettings Scheme, the Other work covered by the Committee has included an item on Committee is concerned about the Council’s expectation that how the Council deals with rogue landlords, the issue of Houses most people can interact with it via modern technology in all its in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and their proper regulation; Access to a Choice Based Lettings System and whether the (88)

Committee, under its ‘Community’ remit, should scrutinise the are the working homeless, people who have jobs but who are so use for the Gambling Premium the Council receives from Aspers poorly paid they cannot afford anywhere to live. Casino to support those with a gambling addiction. However, as The Committee, whilst acknowledging there is gambling addiction is considered by the Government to be a still more to do, would like to commend all Public Health issue this has now been picked up by the Health those involved in these initiatives, both paid and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee. staff and volunteers, for making such a In order to fulfil its remit as the Council’s statutory scrutiny positive impact on the lives of rough sleepers committee for crime and community safety, at its March meeting, and other homeless in Milton Keynes. the Committee will be scrutinising the work of the SaferMK Partnership and receiving the Regeneration annual report to the Council from the Scrutiny of the Council’s Regeneration Programme has proved Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire and to be a much bigger issue than anyone expected. Poor Rescue Service. management and lack of positive or effective community engagement in the early stages of the Programme have led to a Items identified for the 2019/20 Work Programme include range of rumours, counter rumours and conspiracy theories as to Tenancy Sustainability Support; Housing Mix (possible Task and what will happen to homes in the designated Regeneration Finish Group); ‘Rent to Buy’ and other Affordable Housing Areas. Schemes; Homelessness Reduction Act Update; Milton Keynes Including Regeneration on any of the Committee’s agendas, both Creative and Cultural Strategy 2018-27; and the work of the new this year and last year, has generated a lot of public interest. As Travellers Unit. the year has progressed, it became clear that Regeneration was On a positive note, the Committee welcomes the good news that too big a subject to be included as part of the remit of the through the Housing First initiative, the Council has so far Community and Housing Committee, particularly given the managed to get nearly 100 rough sleepers off the streets of number of public attending meetings and wanting to speak on Milton Keynes and into supported accommodation. the subject. Having supported the concept of a one-stop shop, providing a In order to get to grips with the issues range of services to the homeless from its inception, the raised so far, which had not been resolved Committee was pleased to note that this has now been up and and the negative legacy from the demise running since the autumn and is proving so successful that it is of YourMK a small working group of the already looking for bigger premises. Chair and Vice-Chairs was formed to take However, the Committee was concerned to hear from the Milton a detailed look at Regeneration and Keynes Winter Night Shelter that this year many of their guests provide some analysis which could be passed on to the Cabinet Regeneration (89)

Sub-committee. With the approval of the Scrutiny Management Acknowledgements Committee, a public meeting of the working group, to which all The Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank officer members of the Committee were invited, together with the colleagues for their time and attendance at meetings, particularly various residents’ groups from the designated Regeneration Michael Kelleher (Service Director (Housing and areas, was held in December. At its meeting in January, Council Regeneration)),Eleanor Nickless (Head of Homelessness agreed that a separate, single issue committee be established to Prevention and Housing Access), and Mark Smith (Finance scrutinise Regeneration from 2019/20 onwards. Although the Business Partner (Housing and Growth, Economy and Culture)) Committee welcomes the establishment of the new committee, it for their attendance at meetings, the production of relevant still remains concerned that there may not be sufficient reports and their contributions to the Committee’s discussions. resources available to support the overall Scrutiny Function, particularly Task and Finish Groups. As the Committee has spent a lot of its time scrutinising new council policies and strategies, it has heard from fewer external witnesses than in previous years. However, those it has heard from have been interesting and have contributed positively to the Committee’s discussions. In particular, the Committee would like to thank the many residents who have written in or attended the Committee this year. Their information and ideas about the effects of the policies and their operation on the ground give an invaluable perspective. Finally the Committee would like to thank its Overview and Scrutiny Officer, Elizabeth Richardson, for her help and support throughout the year. Councillor Jenni Ferrans

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Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee

Members: Councillors Bradburn (Vice-Chair), Clancy, strategy, which nearly all other councils have, to prevent the Jenkins (Chair), Minns, Rankine, Reily, Wales, Walker and rising number of cases we are seeing in the Borough; we Williams (Vice-Chair). recommended the Cabinet consider new innovative trials being used by our neighbours to continue to improve our HIV late Co-optees: M Taffetani/A Hancock, Healthwatch diagnosis rates and we also looked at how better cross Representative partnership working could reduce winter pressures in future There has been a huge amount of work undertaken in health years, making further recommendations to Cabinet. These are scrutiny this year, and some significant outcomes as a result. I to name but a few of our Committees’ successes this year. believe Committee members have a lot to be proud of and I Membership of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny would like to thank all members and officers for their hard work. Committee (JHOSC) with Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire Councillor M Bradburn and Councillor Williams have been and Luton Councils looking at the Sustainability Transformation tremendous support as Vice-Chairs and I am most grateful to Partnership (STP) has also been significant for Health Scrutiny them. this year. In particular, thanks must go to Elizabeth Richardson from the We have been working tirelessly to ensure whole Committee, as she stepped in to offer officer support and that the STP is carefully scrutinised for the went above and beyond. impact it will have on Milton Keynes While initially there was nervousness at the Scrutiny patients. A special thanks must go to Councillors R Bradburn and H Minns who Management Committee’s desire to limit agendas to two substantive items, not easy when there are large amounts of are on the JHOSC. statutory elements to scrutinise, I don’t feel that we have suffered Finally, after initial teething problems, the JHOSC is fully and, in many ways, I think the quality of the scrutiny has functioning and the STP is coming to a stage where service improved. changes are occurring that need reviewing; not just back office Our agendas have been varied in terms of what we’ve looked at changes. The recent meeting, held in Milton Keynes, looked at but our outcomes notable. planned maternity service changes and proposals for large Our scrutiny piece on domestic violence led to a cross party capital spends on cross border IT systems. motion at full Council, instructing the Cabinet member to create a (91)

Over the next year, the JHOSC will play an increasingly The Committee was updated on both the national picture in important role in health scrutiny and I have no doubt our own relation to the adult social care workforce and what was STP sub-committee will come into its own. I hope Scrutiny happening locally in Milton Keynes. The Committee made Management will fully support members in this over the coming recommendations to improve this provision, particularly around year. the use of technology, dynamic purchases contracts and working In 2018/19 the HASC Committee met on four occasions in total, with private providers. The Cabinet fully supported these the final meeting is planned for 19 February 2019. This report recommendations. has been written before the meeting on the 19th, in order to meet Domestic Violence Scrutiny Management deadlines. With staggering local rates of domestic abuse, the Committee As a whistle stop tour for members, during the year the following was informed on the local issues around domestic violence and topics were considered: the services that had been put in place by the Council and its partners to meet the expectations of the National Strategy on Reducing HIV Infections and Late Diagnosis Domestic Abuse. The Committee received a report from the Director of Public Health updating it on the progress made to reduce the incidence With the contract up for renewal shortly, the of late diagnosis of HIV amongst the population of Milton Committee requested Cabinet considers the Keynes. critical importance and benefit the refuge service provides the wider Milton Keynes community and Having previously seen such high statistics, the in any recommissioning of the service address the gaps within Committee noted the large amount of work that the current service provision. had been made to reduce late diagnosis but noted that there was more to do. This item also led to cross party discussions around the shortfall in the Council’s current Domestic Abuse strategy, in there being It was requested that Cabinet review the work done by the none, and led to a motion to full Council which received Terrence Higgins Trust and the trial being carried out by unanimous support. Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group. Cabinet endeavoured to do this and it is hoped with the new sexual Quality Accounts health contract, a further reduction in HIV rates can be achieved. The Committee received and noted the report of the Quality Accounts Panel on the 2017/18 Quality Accounts submitted by: Carers Workforce Planning Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, South With concern over falling numbers of carers nationally, being fed Central Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust, Central North West into by the number of workers falling due to uncertainty over London NHS Foundation Trust (Community & Mental Health Brexit, the Committee reviewed how the Council was ensuring Services), and Brook (Pregnancy Advisory Service). there would not be a significant shortfall in Milton Keynes. This is a statutory role and thanks go to the Quality Accounts Panel for their fortitude. (92)

Discharge from Hospital – Procedures and Discharge Integration of Social Care Services (Milton Keynes Council) Planning and Health Services (Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning The Committee received information on the background of how Group) the discharge from hospital process operated in Milton Keynes The Committee reviewed proposals from the Social Care and the actions that had been taken to Services team with regard to the integration of healthcare and improve discharge rates. This had previously social care services. been scrutinised a number of years ago and The need for this had been accelerated by the Committee were delighted to see so many work on the Sustainable Transformation positive changes. Partnership (STP). The Committee had great The Committee recommended to Cabinet that the Home 1st concerns about the lack of detail currently Service continue to be supported from the Better Care Fund, but available but were minded to support the that work be done to explore other funding sources to ensure the proposals so long as the cabinet member gave extremely careful sustainability of this effective service. The Cabinet Member consideration to the financial implications of the proposals. advised that there were no plans to change the funding Healthwatch Milton Keynes Annual Report 2017/18 arrangements of this scheme but appreciated the importance of The Committee received a presentation on the Healthwatch long-term confidence in funding arrangements considering the Annual Report for 2017/18. The Committee commended the service’s success. style of the report which they thought was accessible and easy to Alcoholism in Milton Keynes read. The Committee made recommendations with regard to Compass Drug and Alcohol Support Services and Public Health how the Council could use social media to promote Healthwatch updated the Committee on the current trends including levels of activity to local residents and suggested a review of the Council’s alcohol consumption and the average death rate. It was noted budget contribution. that alcohol misuse was now as big a problem as drug misuse. Concern was raised regarding the large amount of money spent It was hoped that the Committee’s recommendations would aid by the Council on Healthwatch and the small number of in improvements to partnership working, service provision and residents they engage with. This was raised at Cabinet and the health outcomes. Cabinet were fully supportive and amongst Cabinet member has sought to review. this was a recommendation that Council social media be used to It is worth mentioning that the number of people engaged with advertise the services. has not significantly increased, even though council expenditure has more than doubled over the past 7 years. Winter Healthcare Pressures in Milton Keynes The Committee was updated on the current performance of Milton Keynes University Hospital, CCG and social care winter (93)

pressures. MKUH also updated the Committee on the future February Meeting estates developments. At its final meeting in February, the Committee is due to consider The Committee recognised the general improvements in this items on support available for gambling addicts and their area but appreciated the openness partners spoke with and families. In particular, we are considering the services on offer, made recommendations to Cabinet which it considered would the funding sources for these services and whether or not funds further enhance partnership working and the delivery of services that were initially allocated for these services are still being to local residents. provided. Cabinet have agreed to review how beds are allocated across As a follow up to previous significant work, including the Task the system when planning next year. and Finish Group for Homeless Mental Health Services, we will be reviewing the success of access to healthcare for homeless people and in particular whether the systems and services currently in place properly safeguard them. Finally, we have an item for note regarding the STP. This follows on from the recent announcement from the STP to not review Milton Keynes’ position within its footprint. It is possible A Review of the Council’s Health, including Public Health, this will be something the sub-committee will want to review in Strategy through the 2019/20 Draft Budget Proposal detail. The Committee received a presentation on the review of the Councillor Alice Jenkins Council’s Health Strategy and the successes and challenges faced by this area. The Committee requested the Cabinet member explore further the ability for public health to integrate across Council departments, with less silo working, to look at opportunities for alternative sources of funding, to minimise the impact any changes within the STP may have on health and social care policy and to write to local MPs requesting that the public health grant be fixed as soon as possible to allow the Council to plan for the future. The Cabinet, again, were fully supportive.

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Strategic Placemaking Scrutiny Committee

Members: Councillors Bint (Chair), Ferrans, Gilbert, authorities as part of the business plan for any Parking Pricing Marklew (Vice-Chair), McPake (Vice-Chair), Minns, Morla policy. Cabinet discussed the recommendations and they were and Rankine noted. Renaissance CMK In 2018/19 the Committee met on three occasions with a final The Committee received a presentation on the Renaissance meeting planned for March 2019. CMK document which aimed to encourage investment into Milton During the year the following topics were considered: Keynes and to aid development of the borough. The Committee Mobility Strategy – An Action Plan Detailing Progress commended the style and content of the report and agreed that The Committee had sought to scrutinise the draft Mobility renaissance and development of Central Milton Keynes was an Strategy Action Plan, prior to its approval by Cabinet. urgent issue due to the pace of change that was occurring. Unfortunately due to timing constraints the Committee and other Flooding Issues witnesses were not able to discuss the final copy of the Action The Committee was updated on issues on the flooding to parts Plan. of the Borough as a result of heavy rainfall on 27 May 2018. However, the Committee did put forward a number of Milton Keynes Development Partnership recommendations to officers around justification of priorities, The Committee received details of the Council’s role in the addressing challenges and improving engagement that they felt setting of the Milton Keynes Development Partnership’s officers needed to take account of in the final document. These Business Plan and how the Council monitored its recommendations were referred to Cabinet as a result of which, implementation. The Committee made recommendations to changes were made to the final Action Plan which addressed Cabinet around the importance of the role of the Partnership in some of the Committee's concerns. placemaking across Milton Keynes and the progress and Parking Pricing Policy direction of projects under its remit. The Committee explored issues around parking including the Cabinet’s response to the Committee’s reduction in availability of parking spaces, falling visitor numbers referral was that a planned refresh of the due to cost of parking and business and public transport governing framework for the Partnership

challenges. The Committee referred to would address these concerns. Cabinet a number of points including better utilisation of data and technology as well as comparison with other comparable local (95)

Implications of Growth Population/Visitor Growth in CMK The Committee received presentations and considered the The Committee heard from officers and witnesses on the impact potential implications of the predicted growth of Milton Keynes on of the likely growth of the population and visitor numbers on the existing infrastructure and on existing communities. The Central Milton Keynes and what measures were being taken to Committee sought agreement from the Scrutiny Management achieve a modal shift in transport without adverse impact on our Committee that they would receive regular reports on progress in economic aspirations for CMK. The Committee had a number of implementing the MK Futures 2050 report recommendations. concerns around the figures used by officers and asked them to This was agreed and would now form part of the work of this report back to them at a future meeting providing a more credible Committee. The Committee referred to Cabinet basis for the numbers used. recommendations around public transport, infrastructure funding Highway Maintenance / Highway Defects and urban design. The referrals were noted, particularly with The Committee received an update on the current techniques for regard to the Council becoming a Public Transport Authority, scheduling and repairing highway defects (potholes) and the where it was commented that the Government was most unlikely impact this is having on the number of outstanding repairs. The to be prepared to progress this issue. Committee commended officers on the new approach which Housing Deal appeared to be resulting in reduction in the number of potholes The Committee received a presentation on the proactive work being reported. The Committee made suggestions related to that was taking place between the Council, its neighbours information available to councillors on insurance claims and the (Bedford, Central Bedfordshire, Luton and Aylesbury Vale) and programme of works which officers undertook to circulate to the Government on a Housing Deal to meet the growth councillors. aspirations for a Greater Milton Keynes. The Committee requested the opportunity to scrutinise the detailed implementation plan at an appropriate time and referred its concerns as to the limited powers available to the Council to influence the speed of development and how Street Cleaning development would be delivered, to Cabinet. Cabinet noted the The Committee reviewed with officers the street cleaning Committee’s concerns and responded that work on the Housing measures that were undertaken by the Council. Officers Deal had been paused to allow time for stakeholder discussions acknowledged that whilst the Council was meeting its statutory and that the 2050 Strategy would explore the potential for a requirements, resident satisfaction was reducing. Officers were range of development delivery mechanisms. requested to make every effort to bring forward measures to improve public satisfaction, including working with schools and using all enforcement powers available. Officers undertook to incorporate these elements into their ongoing work programme. (96)

Capacity within Development Management and the Process Covering Extensions of Time for Planning Applications The Committee heard from officers about the improvements to the capacity within the Development Management team and the process for covering Extensions of Time for Planning Applications. The Committee commended officers on the significant reduction in the average caseload for planning officers but noted that Extensions of Time should be used sparingly to avoid creating a backlog of cases. The Committee noted the importance of all Councillors raising ay concerns about a back log of cases. The Committee noted the importance of all Councillors raising any concerns about specific planning cases to do this at the earliest opportunity. Councillors would be reminded of the importance of timely involvement in this process. March Meeting The Committee is due to consider items which would see it review the implementation of the Council’s Cultural Strategy and consider housing development issues. Councillor John Bint

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Executive Scrutiny Panel Dashboard

Items Called In – Council Year 2018-19

Number of Call ins 7 No. of Executive Scrutiny Meetings 5

No. withdrawn before mediation 0 Average Time of Executive Scrutiny meeting 1hr 40m

No. of Mediation Meetings 6 No. referred back to Decision Maker 1

No. withdrawn after mediation 2 No. not referred back 4

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Democratic Services

Overview and Scrutiny Milton Keynes Council Civic Offices 1 Saxon Gate East Central Milton Keynes MK9 3EJ

Email - [email protected]

https://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/your-council-and-elections/councillors-and-committees/overview-and-scrutiny

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SCRUTINY SUB-COMMITTEES - ITEMS CALLED IN COUNCIL YEAR 2018-19

1. No. of call ins - 7 2. No. withdrawn before mediation - 0 3. No. of mediation meetings - 6 4. No. withdrawn after mediation - 3 5. No. of scrutiny meetings 5 (one to ratify mediation agreement) 6. No. referred back to decision maker - 1 7. No. referred to Council - 0 Decision Title of Report Called in By Cabinet Report Report Outcome Length of Meeting Member Sponsor Author Meeting Cabinet Regeneration - 20 members Cllr Long M Kelleher M Kelleher Call In Withdrawn at No Scrutiny Decision Ballot of the public Mediation Panel Committee Arrangements and 13 July 2018 after agreement meeting as Call Amendments to reached. In withdrawn the YourMK Partnership Mediation Agreement with meeting 2 hours Mears Group plc Delegated Adoption of the CMK Town Cllr Legg Tracy Darke Sarah Evans Not referred back Mediation Decision Planning Council Service meeting 35 31 July 2018 Obligations Director, minutes. Supplementary Growth, Scrutiny Meeting Planning Economy and 8 minutes to Document Culture ratify mediation meeting decision

ITEM 4(d)(ii) (100)

20 March 2019 Decision Title of Report Called in By Cabinet Report Report Outcome Length of Meeting Member Sponsor Author Meeting Delegated Daubeney Gate, Cllr Brunning Cllr Legg Tracy Darke David Not referred back Mediation Decision Shenley Church and Cllr Service Blandamer meeting 35 31 July 2018 End Development Dransfield Director, minutes. Brief Growth, Scrutiny Meeting Economy and 2.4 hours Culture Delegated Western Cllrs Cllr Gowans T R Trouse That the matter be Decision Expansion Area Brunning Blackburne- referred back to the 28 August Pedestrian and Gilbert Maze Cabinet Member for Scrutiny Meeting 2018 Crossings and 20 consideration of the Sub Committee (Junction 26 of the members of funding options. 1.5 hours V4, Junction 24 of the public A Further Delegated the H4, Junction 4 Decision take on 2 of the V4) October 2018 Delegated Adoption of the Cllrs Morris Cllr Gowans T L Smart Resolved by email Nil Decision Highway Guide for and Walker Blackburne- Mediation 25 September Milton Keynes Maze 2018 Cabinet Housing Cllrs Bint & Councillor S Gonsalves Not referred back Mediation 1.25 2 October Infrastructure Morris, Marland hours. 2018 Fund - Forward Hoskin and Scrutiny Sub Funding Bid for P Geary Committee 1.75 Land East of the Hours M1 (MK East) Cabinet Regeneration: J Marling & Councillor M Kelleher K Eames Not referred back Mediation 1.25 2 October Referendum Ballot 20 members Long / hours. 2018 on Regeneration of the public Councillor Scrutiny Sub Options for Marland Committee 1.75 Serpentine Court Hours

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20 March 2019 ITEM 4(d)(iii)

Annual Report 2018/19 from the Chair of the Licensing and Regulatory Committees

My thanks as always to the hard working members of the committee and particularly to the vice chairs Councillors Norman Miles and Paul Alexander. The report covers a small insight into the work of the two committees as we continue to improve the welfare of our residents.

The work never slows down, just takes us into new a varied areas, with numerous changes in legislation. As we look to the new year, there will be more of the day-to- day important issues and significant changes in animal welfare legislation is likely to be one of our new focuses.

I have greatly enjoyed my five years as Chair of these two committees, it has been an enormous learning curve and I would like to personally thank all the officers for their support and professional dedication to these vital areas of our community and I hope others would reflect that we have made major improvements in the engagement with and the safety of our residents.

Councillor Catriona Morris Broughton Ward Deputy Leader Conservative Group Chairman of Regulatory and Licensing Committees

Licensing Committee (a) Gambling Policy Following the endorsement of the Gambling Policy in September the policy was adopted at full Council in November 2018. Our new policy includes a council ‘Local Area Profile’ which is used to as a way of addressing specific local issues when applicants apply for licences. (b) Casino As well as the statutory license fee income of £0.01m, the council receives from Aspers Casino £0.175m. (index linked from 2014) which is allocated to social care for support of vulnerable gamblers, to commission a counselling service which is jointly funded with the NHS and is contracted through MIND and to fund MKC test purchase operations at gambling licensed premises across the borough (such as Betting shops and Adult Gaming Centres). 4 December 2018.

The Casino also pays a £0.500m minimum ‘guaranteed income revenue’ for the use of the Council to the ‘greatest benefit’. This is a minimum payment and depending on the gaming revenue the Casino generates supplementary payments are made on an annual basis on a percentage basis (a top up amount). The “minimum” amount is budgeted for as General Fund income; historically this has been attributed to supporting Housing Regeneration and Neighbourhood Employment Programme work, though there is no legal

20 March 2019 (102) restriction on how the money can be applied. Amounts received in excess of the minimum payment are treated as one-off corporate receipts, since the variability would make it imprudent to incorporate them into the base budget. Casino income is summarised in the table below:

Income Statutory Minimum Income Contribution Top up Vulnerable Job Centre Comment stream Licence Payment in Gamblers Plus Payment Fee excess of Contribution minimum

2012//2013 £10k £1.5m in lieu of first three years None due £250k £50k Casino licence operational trading at £500k per year awarded March (£500k then becomes payable in 2012 arrears after each years completed trading) 2013/2014 £10k No payment due as not commenced None due £175k n/a Casino opens trading Autumn 2013

2014/2015 £10k £500k Payment received 2012 £61,702 £179k n/a

2015/2016 £10k £500k Payment received 2012 £235,656 £182k n/a 2016/2017 £10k £500k Payment received 2012 £336k £185k n/a 2017/2018 £10k £500k £297k £193k n/a

2018/2019 £10k £500k TBC TBC n/a

(c) Licensing Sub- Committee The Licensing Sub-Committee has sat four times over the last year with some of the applications being quite complex. One application was granted, two were granted with conditions and one was refused. We continue to work to ensure the residents of Milton Keynes can go about they lives safely in the many areas the committees have responsibility for, and I continue to urge the Committee to never shy away from that aim, whatever the challenges that might be put in their way. Regulatory Committee Regulatory Services (a) Noise New Noise Investigation Procedures were written, presented to Committee and adopted providing officers, Councillors and citizens a clear understanding of how to report instances of nuisance and what the council will do from investigation through to any formal action. (June 2018) (b) Fees and Charges A review of all non-statutory Licensing and Regulatory Fees was undertaken for implementation in April 2019. The new fees have been calculated to better reflect cost recovery having due regard to the Hemming case. (September 2018).

20 March 2019 (103) (c) Street Trading

An update on Street Trading amendments for Hanslope was discussed to ensure a pragmatic solution was achieved to ensure a street trader was allowed to continue in a sensible location.

Amendments to the Street Trading Policy were presented, discussed and agreed which will come into force in March 2019.

The Committee also granted permission to start a consultation process on Street Trading in close proximity to Schools during term times. (December 2018)

2019/20 Plan

The day to day work of the team will continue but the following items will be woven into the work as projects to ensure that the relevant information is disseminated to all residents and stakeholders across Milton Keynes.

(a) An information item will be brought to Regulatory Committee on updated processes in respect of safety certification at Stadium MK.

(b) Produce a new programme of inspections of licenced premises for 2019/20 targeting higher risk properties or those that have been identified as likely to require inspection from local intelligence. Continue with joint late night inspections of licensing premises with our partners Thames Valley Police.

(c) Produce a calendar of events for National Licensing Week 17-21 June 2019, ensuring profile is raised through publicity using social media.

(d) Trial of the Noise APP so that residents can record real time noise episodes via their mobile phones and then forward with notes to a website, enabling investigating officers to review and evaluate.

Taxi Licensing

(a) Introduction

The Taxi Licensing Service has continued to review its processes in order to make customer service improvements whilst dealing with the on-going problems caused by cross-border hiring and reduced income.

(b) Restructure

A second restructure of the service was carried out in 2018 (following one completed in 2017). Six fewer staff are now employed in Taxis Licensing since 2016 which has resulted in significant cost savings and a more efficient service.

20 March 2019 (104) (c) Audit

An independent Council Audit was completed in October 2018 and the Taxi Licensing Service was rated ‘Substantial’ (top).

(d) Regulatory Committee Decisions in 2018

The Regulatory Committee has continued to receive reports from the Taxi Licensing Service and has worked closely with officers in updating the Taxi Licensing Policy. Over the last year the Committee has approved the following:

 Dividing the Taxi Policy into two separate documents in order to simplify decision-making for both the Cabinet and Regulatory Committee

 Holding fees at the same level for a third consecutive year

 Compulsory Safeguarding training for all drivers (to be completed in 2019)

 A new Driver Assessment Suitability procedure whereby applicants are questioned verbally rather than in writing to assess English skills

 The removal of a £200 driver assessment fee to reduce costs for applicants

 The removal of rear tinted window restrictions on vehicles to reduce vehicle costs for drivers  The maintaining of a limit (137) on hackney carriage vehicles

 Improved Private Hire Operator conditions in regard to bookings and drivers who have plying for hire conviction(s).

 Further consultations with private hire operators on how more licensed vehicles can be wheelchair accessible

The Regulatory Sub-Committee sat on five occasions in the last year to consider the following:

1. a new driver application;

2. review an existing private hire driver licence;

3. two street trading consents; and

4. a Borough wide street trading application.

20 March 2019 (105) (e) Taxi Engagement

The Chair and Vice-Chairs met with the Milton Keynes Taxi Association throughout the year. These meetings were constructive and allowed wider discussion to take place in terms of ranks, parking spaces, Hackney Carriage vehicle limit, roof signs, advertising, and pick up and drop off areas which allows the Regulatory Committee to feed into the wider transport picture. In consultation with Members, Council officers are currently working:

 With neighbouring districts using delegated powers and joint enforcement operations to ensure consistency in taxi licensing across the region.  To respond to the Governments recent proposals on taxi licensing reform (due April 2019).

 To introduce online applications to improve customer service and efficiency.

 To regulate taxis and private hire vehicles effectively when dealing with a busy train station, growing local economy and healthy night life.

 To contribute to the Transport Plan by putting forward ideas and solutions to deal with transport budget reductions.

 To assist Transport Passenger Services to implement a Demand Responsive Transport model through a more commercial network and with the electrification of passenger vehicles.

 To allow licensed hackney carriage vehicles to display advertising on their vehicles so drivers can earn extra income.

Village Greens

Village Green applications continue to be considered by the Committee. We previously agreed a robust process for dealing with these applications, which has improved the applicant's experience and we continue to review the process with the aim of improving further.

Details of all registered Town and Village Greens and current pending applications, including all internal and external costs incurred by the Council relating to Village Green applications are set out below. Internal costs are a combination of rights of way and legal staff costs. External costs are a combination of external legal advice fees and costs incurred by Milton Keynes Council as landowner.

A delegated decision was taken on 27 March 2018 that TVG16, TVG17 and TVG18 be voluntarily registered as Village Greens. The delegated decision stated a further three sites would be voluntary registered once certain criteria had been met. These sites are: Springfield Boulevard site 1 – Play Area and buffer (UCS 075) once the full planning permission for the development is granted); Land off Ashfield, Stantonbury (UCS 100), and Land off Tweed Drive, West Bletchley (UCS107) once the Neighbourhood Plans are made.

20 March 2019 (106) Bucks County Council transferred list and completed recent Village Greens

Transferred List Area AN Date Area Stage Applicant (ha)

6 VG6 01.01.1967 Bletchley R Bletchley UDC 0.14 103 VG103 06.12.1979 Moulsoe R Moulsoe PC 0.06

105 VG105 27.01.1978 N' Crawley, N of parish church R North Crawley PC 0.1 N' Crawley, Lodge to Crawley 106 VG106 27.01.1978 Grange R North Crawley PC 0.1

107 VG107 27.01.1978 N' Crawley, land E Rookery Farm R North Crawley PC 0.41 75 VG75 04.10.1978 Ravenstone Playing Field R Ravenstone PC 0.21 67 VG67 27.01.1978 Shenley Brook End, R Shenley Brook End PC 0.51

68 VG68 27.01.1978 Shenley Brook End, R Shenley Brook End PC 0.11 52 VG52 05.07.1973 Sherington R Sherington PC 0.13

7 VG7 05.07.1973 Simpson, NW of Church St Thomas R Bletchley UDC 0.03 8 VG8 13.07.1973 Bletchley R Bletchley UDC 0.15

15 VG15 01.10.1970 Stony Stratford, Horsefair Green R Wolverton UDC 0.22

5 VG5 2.4.1967 W-on-the-Green, The Green (part) R Mr J R Shirley 3.3

11 VG11 23.05.1983 W-on-the-Green, The Green (part) R Mr W F Clarkson 2.67

Milton Keynes Council Applications AN: - Application number Costs (£) AN Date Area Stage Applicant ha Registered External Staff Total £ 1 TV1 16.10.12 Great Holm RS Mr Ballantyne 0.13 Yes 1,440 7,420 8,860 2 TV2 29.01.13 Fenny Stratford RF Mr T M James 0.02 No 12,378 20,980 33,358 Dr A S 3 TV3 18.03.14 Woughton Play Fields RF Humphries 14.59 No 15,218 7,644 22,862 4 TV4 27.10.14 Passmore RS Mr M Blomley 1 Yes 625 2,394 3,019 Mr P T 5 TV9 18.11.14 The Paddocks RF McDonald 8.74 No 10,025 1,498 11,523 6 TV10 27.02.15 Woughton Park RS Mr S Bennet 1.17 Yes 625 1,016 1,641 7 TV12 22.01.16 The Green RS Mr P Nash 0.77 Yes 1,200 826 2,026 8 TVG13 16.09.16 The Orchard RF Mr R Brown 1.73 No 0 4,424 4,424 Woolstones Play area Application not completed as land Voluntary 9 TVG16 15.08.17 green V Mrs L-C Looi 0.34 Registered instead 1 Land off Pattison Lane, Milton Keynes 0 TVG16 27.03.18 Woolstone RS Council 0.34 Yes 0 116 116 1 Land off Linford Lane, Milton Keynes 1 TVG17 27.03.18 Woolstone RS Council 0.47 Yes 0 116 116 1 Land off Turnmill Avenue, Milton Keynes 2 TVG18 27.03.18 Springfield RS Council 1.93 Yes 0 116 116 1 Land off Springfield Milton Keynes 3 TBC 27.03.18 Boulevard (1) DM Council 0.42 1 Land off Ashfield, Milton Keynes 4 TBC 27.03.18 Stantonbury DM Council 0.27 1 Land off Tweed Drive, West Milton Keynes 5 TBC 27.03.18 Bletchley DM Council 0.37

Key Stage: DM Duly made V Validation C Committee CD Committee Decision I Inquiry Resolved application RS successful Resolved application RF Failed UDC Urban District Council

20 March 2019 (107) Wards Affected ITEM 6 All wards COUNCIL 20 MARCH 2019

APPOINTMENT OF STATUTORY SECTION 151 OFFICER AND CHANGES TO THE COUNCIL’S SENIOR MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE Responsible Cabinet Member: Councillor Marland (Leader of the Council) Report Sponsor: Michael Bracey (Chief Executive)

Executive Summary Following the introduction of a revised senior management structure designed to promote more joined up working, improve ‘corporate grip’ and reduce costs, this report recommends the appointment to the statutory role of Section 151 Officer of Steve Richardson. A summary of the recently introduced senior management structure is provided for noting.

1. Recommendations

1.1 That Steve Richardson be appointed as the Council’s Statutory Section 151 Officer role from 1 April 2019. 1.2 That the senior management structure be noted. 2. Issues

2.1 The review of the senior management structure has resulted in the proposal to move the statutory role of Section 151 from the Corporate Director Resources role (which is to be deleted) to the Director of Finance and Resources role. 2.2 As part of the restructuring process, a Senior Appointments Panel was convened and its recommendation is that Steve Richardson be appointed as Director of Finance and Resources with effect from 1 April 2019. 3. Senior Management Structure

3.1 A new senior management structure has been introduced, illustrated in the annexed structure chart. It has reduced the cost of the senior management structure by £375k. The key changes are: (a) A new role of Deputy Chief Executive - Paul Simpson (i) Leads support services and a number of business areas. (ii) Deputises for the Chief Executive when required. (iii) Will join the board of Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP).

20 March 2019 (108)

(iv) Leads the Council’s work with Local Government Shared Services (LGSS). (v) Manages the commercial relationships with the Council’s large environmental services partners (Ringway, Viridor and Serco). (b) A move from three Corporate Director and ten Service Director roles to nine new Director roles, positioned and graded between the two. All Directors will be full members of the Corporate Leadership Team, a significant change from previous current model. 3.2 The revised Senior Management pay structure is given below. This was agreed by the Employer’s Side of the Joint Negotiating Committee at its meeting on 4 March 2019:

Designation JE Points Pay band Min Max Deputy Chief Executive 1991 - 2290 £127,000 £155,000 Director 1390 -1990 £95,000 £122,000

Of the nine Directors in post, five are on a salary in excess of £100k. This will rise to 7 when the agreed national pay award for Chief Officers that takes effect from 1 April 2019 is applied. In addition to these, the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and the Coroner have a salary in excess of £100k. 4. Implications

4.1 Policy Having an effective senior management structure in place is fundamental to the organisations ability to deliver on the Council Plan. 4.2 Resources and Risk The new structure will cost less than the current one. The precise saving will be dependent on the pay points individuals are placed although it is likely that given the reduction in overall management numbers, some funding will need to be retained to find ad-hoc management support if required. Any on- going revenue savings achieved will be included in the 2020/21 budget. 4.3 Legal The Head of Paid Service (Chief Executive) is empowered (Section 4 of Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and through arrangements set out in the Milton Keynes Council Constitution) to determine the structure needed to fulfil the organisations duties. The appointment of the Council’s Statutory Section 151 Officer is a decision for the Full Council. 4.4 Other Implications N/A. Annex: Corporate Leadership Team Structure Chart

20 March 2019 (109) Finance and Resources Professional finance l Revenue and benefits l HR Together with Corporate Leadership Team Director ICT l Customer services l LGSS l Audit and risk

WORK IN PROGRESS February 2019 Health and Environment and Property Social Care Highways l Waste and Recycling l Transportation Integration Property l Facilities l Management Jill Wilkinson Regulatory services l Health and Safety Director Strategy and Growth, Economy and Culture Director Place Making l Planning l Economic Futures Finance and development l Arts and Heritage l Historic Director Geoff Snelson Resources environment l Leisure l Sports development Public Health Muriel Scott Steve Richardson Law and Governance Chief Finance Officer* Legal services l Democratic services l Elections (proposed) Civic events and mayoralty l Councilor support Governance Director Director Adult Services Environment Policy, Insight and Communications Policy l Partnerships l Performance Victoria Collins and Property Communications l Information Governance Director of Adult Chief Deputy Stuart Proffitt Emergency Planning l Community safety Services (DASS)* Executive Chief Housing and Regeneration Michael Bracey Executive Head of Paid Service* Tenancy management l Repairs and maintenance Director Paul Simpson Tackling homelessness l Strategic housing Director Children’s Services Regeneration and development l Private sector Growth, Economy housing l Resident engagement and support Mac Heath and Culture Director of Children’s Children’s Services Services (DCS)* Tracy Darke Schools l Early years l Youth and community Special needs and disability l Safeguarding Family support l Children in care l Care Leavers Director Acting Director Housing and Law and Governance Adult Services Mental health l Learning disability l Physical Regeneration Director Paul Cummings Michael Kelleher disability l Older people’s services Hospital Policy, Insight and Monitoring Officer* discharge l Adult safeguarding l Commissioning Communications Sarah Gonsalves Public Health ANNEX Health improvement l Health protection l (110) Public health services l Needs assessment

Strategy and Futures l * Statutory roles Delivery of MK2050 Strategy Regional Local Enterprise Partnership l Oxford to Cambridge Arc

ITEM 7 MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL 20 MARCH 2019 RETURNING OFFICER’S FEES Author and Contact Officer: Pamela Loose (Elections Officer) – Tel: 01908 252569

1. Purpose 1.1 To agree the fees for acting as Returning Officer for Borough and Parish Elections and Neighbourhood Plan Referendums for 2019/20. 2. Recommendations 2.1 That the attached scheme be adopted for 2019/20. 3. Issues and Choices 3.1 The Chief Executive was appointed by the Council to be the Returning Officer for borough and parish elections on 28 November 2018 (Minute CL89refers). 3.2 Section 35(4) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 requires the Council to pay all expenditure properly incurred by a Returning Officer in relation to holding an election to be met. 3.3 It has been the practice for the Council to adopt a schedule of fees and disbursements agreed with the district councils in Buckinghamshire. The fees have been updated from those adopted last year to take account of changes in the Minimum / Living Wage. 3.4 Details of the schedule of fees and disbursements are attached as an Annex to this report. 4. Implications 4.1 Policy None. 4.2 Resources The budget for Returning Officer Fees and Disbursements for 2019/20 is currently set at £196,443. 4.3 Legal Section 35(1) of the Representative of the Peoples Act 1983 provides “that in England every ….. district council shall appoint an officer of the Council to be the Returning Officer for the elections of councillors of the district, and an officer of the Council to be the Returning Officer for elections of councillors of parishes within the district”. 4.4 Other Implications None.

Background Papers: Representation of the People Act 1983

20 March 2019 (111)

ANNEX

Milton Keynes Council (part of the Buckinghamshire County Group) ELECTION OF WARD AND PARISH COUNCILLORS * (Changes to last year shown in blue)

Scale of expenditure fixed under Section 36(4) and (5) of the Representation of the People Act 1983

Effective from 1 April 2019

PART 1 Returning Officer’s Fees ** The fees to be paid to the Returning Officer for conducting an election; giving the prescribed notices; preparing, supplying and distributing nomination papers and forms of consent; preparing for signature, verifying and adjudicating upon nomination papers; appointing deputy returning officers, including the deputy returning officers fee; issuing poll cards; issuing and receiving postal ballot papers; arranging for and conducting the poll; counting the votes; declaring the result and making a return of the same; generally performing all the duties which a returning officer is required to perform and for covering all disbursements and expenses other than those for which provision is make in Part 2, but excluding both the employees’ and employer’s share of superannuation and national insurance contributions where payable, shall be as follows:- 1 In a contested election Where the election is for district councillors

i For each district ward £125

(a) ii For every 500 electors (or part thereof) in each ward £10

iii For every vacancy after the first in each district ward £40

Where the election is for parish councillors or a Referendum to adopt a Neighbourhood Plan

i For each parish or parish ward £60

(b)

ii For every 500 electors (or part thereof) in each parish or parish ward £20

2 In an uncontested local election For each Where the election is for any district ward, any parish council or parish £40 uncontested ward or any county electoral division election

20 March 2019 (112)

PART 2 Disbursements Where fees for staff are quoted, the fees stated are the maximum amounts payable for the services of staff. These fees are exempt from employees’ and employers’ share of national insurance contributions where otherwise payable.

The Returning Officer has the discretion to disburse funds on the different functions described below up to the overall maximum amount calculated under Part 2. Within the overall maximum figure the Returning Officer may incur costs flexibly on any particular element provided the total amount for Part 2 is not exceeded.

The code printed in the left hand column is the equivalent expenditure head in a parliamentary election

POLLING STATION COSTS Polling Station Staff (up to 20% additional fee available if Outer London weighting applicable)

F1 Presiding Officer’s fee for a single poll £220

F1/F4 Presiding Officer’s fee for a combined poll £264

F2 Poll Clerk’s fee for a single poll £135

F2/F4 Poll Clerk’s fee for a combined poll £162

F2 Poll Clerk’s fee for working limited hours (5pm -10pm) for a single poll £50

F2/F4 Poll Clerk’s fee for working limited hours (5pm -10pm) for a combined poll £60

F3 Supervisor’s/Polling Station Inspector’s fee (maximum fee) £203

F5 Mileage rate for polling station staff (The maximum rate exempt from income tax) 45p per mile

F6 Training Fee for presiding officers and/or poll clerks (inc. mileage/travel) – £40 maximum amount, but less may be paid e.g. £20 for online training

Premises, printing and equipment related costs (Form F - Annex B, C, D and E)

F7 The rental or statutory charges* in respect of providing permanent Actual & necessary costs polling stations (Annex B)

F8 The rental and other costs in respect of providing temporary Actual & necessary costs polling stations (Annex B)

F9 Preparation and transport costs for polling station equipment Actual & necessary costs (Annex C)

F10 The provision of equipment for polling stations (Annex D) Actual & necessary costs

F11 The printing of all ballot papers, electoral registers, corresponding Actual & necessary costs number lists, absent voting lists and notices (Annex E)  Heating, lighting and caretaking for LEA or other publically financed schools or other rooms publically maintained

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POSTAL VOTING COSTS

Staff Costs (Form G - Annex A) The actual payments should be limited to a budget determined at the rate of £80 for each 100 postal voters or part thereof, but lower amounts may be paid (example shown below) as determined by the RO.

G1 Preparation and issue costs if done in-house £35 per 100 postal voters or part thereof Paid as sessional fees with RO

determining the rate of pay

G1 Preparation and issue costs if done by printer/mailing £15 per 100 postal voters or part thereof house

G2 Opening and checking costs £44 per 100 postal voters or part thereof Paid as sessional fees with RO determining the rate of pay

G3 Training Incorporated into the above

Premises, printing and postage related costs (Form G - Annex B, C, D, E, F and G)

G4 Printing and stationery costs for postal voting Actual & necessary costs

G5 Postal voting postal costs - outward Actual & necessary costs

G6 Postal vote postage costs – inward Actual & necessary costs

G7 Accommodation costs for postal voting (if any) Actual & necessary costs

G8 Equipment costs for postal voting Actual & necessary costs

G9 Cost of postal vote ‘sweeps’ Not applicable to local elections

POLL CARD COSTS

All costs (Form H – Annex A, B, C and D)

H1 Staff costs for the manual preparation of poll cards £5 per 100 cards or part thereof

H2 Equipment costs for poll cards Actual & necessary costs

H3 Printing and stationery costs for poll cards Actual & necessary costs

H4 Postage or delivery costs for poll cards 2nd class post or a staff delivery fee not exceeding 90% of 2nd class post

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COUNT COSTS Staff costs (Form I – Annex A)

The actual payments should be limited to a budget determined at the rate of £125 for each 1,000 electors or part thereof plus £25 for every vacancy after the first.

In the case of a combined election the higher limits of £150 per 1,000 electors or part thereof plus £30 for every vacancy after the first will apply.

I1 Count staff A fee for the role to be based on an hourly rate and the projected duration of the count, with the RO determining the rate of pay. Total fees to be subject to the overall budget calculation described above.

I2 Supervising count staff A fee for the role to be based on an hourly rate and the projected duration of the count, with the RO determining the rate of pay. Total fees to be subject to the overall budget calculation described above.

I3 Mileage rate staff (The maximum rate exempt from Incorporated into the above income tax), if fee paid is not inclusive

I4 Training Incorporated into the above

Count Accommodation, equipment, conveyance and security costs (Form I – Annex B, C, D and E)

I5 Hire and associated count premises costs Actual & necessary costs

I6 Equipment and stationery costs for the count (including Actual & necessary costs count refreshments, if any)

I7 Conveyance of count equipment etc Actual & necessary costs

I8 Security costs for the count If provided by count staff the rates payable to other count staff apply. If provided externally – actual and necessary costs.

20 March 2019 (115)

OTHER COSTS Payments to general clerical staff (Form J – Annex A)

The actual payments should be limited to a budget determined at the rate of £60 for every 1,000 electors (or part thereof) in a contested election and £30 per ward, parish, parish ward or electoral division in the case of an uncontested election.

J1 General clerical staff Rates of pay to be determined by the RO with the work undertaken specified in the claim form. J2 Mileage rate staff (The maximum rate exempt from 45p per mile income tax)

Other payments (Form J – Annex B, C, D and E)

J3 Training courses Actual & necessary costs

J4 Costs of materials and services Actual & necessary costs

J6 RO’s Superannuation costs Calculated by payroll

Encouragement of electoral participation in accordance Actual & necessary costs with the Electoral Administration Act 2006

Any other costs not allocated elsewhere Actual & necessary costs

*This expenditure and fee scale is also to be used at any referendums held under Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 and any Council Tax referendum held under the Localism Act 2011.

** All references in this document to the Returning Officer are to be read and interpreted as applying to the Counting Officer at any referendums held under Neighbourhood Planning (Referendums) Regulations 2012 and any Council Tax referendum held under the Localism Act 2011.

20 March 2019 (116)

ITEM 8

Date Councillor Ward Party Details of Scheme Amount £ 07/02/19 Akter, Shammi Woughton & Labour Grand Union Vineyard Church Milton 700 Fishermead Keynes Ltd - Netherfield Community Fridge - Installation of door in the church to give residents access, without using the main church hall. Also towards two more fridges.

20/08/18 Alexander, Paul NP South Liberal Democrats Newport Pagnell Christmas Lights - 250 Contribution towards the cost of erecting a big screen for the England football match at Newport Pagnell Carnival. 20/08/18 Alexander, Paul NP South Liberal Democrats Mead Centre - Funding towards the 250 demolition of the chuch hall and replacement with a new purpose built facility to be known as the Mead Centre. 29/08/18 Alexander, Paul NP South Liberal Democrats Milton Keynes Centre for Integrated 250 Living - To provide funding to support MK CIL (Milton Keynes Centre for Integrated Living) to help with the cost of training volunteers in all aspects of their work helping people with disabilities and their families.

11/01/19 Alexander, Paul NP South Liberal Democrats Newport Pagnell Town Council - 100 Funding for additional hanging flower baskets in Newport Pagnell High Street. 11/01/19 Alexander, Paul NP South Liberal Democrats Newport Pagnell Youth Club - To 150 provide funding for additional equipment for Newport Pagnell Youth Club. 09/01/19 Baines, Terry Campbell Park & Conservative Works For Us - To help residents who 250 Old Woughton gained seasonal Christmas employment with CV writing etc to help them gain meaningful employment in early 2019. 26/06/18 Bint, John Broughton Conservative 1st Broughton & Monkston Guides - 200 Equipment to facilitate the operation and activities of the group.

28/01/19 Bint, John Broughton Conservative Milton Keynes Parks Trust - 800 Contribution to the supply and installation of three benches in Willen and Willen Park. 20/02/19 Brackenbury, Ric Campbell Park & Liberal Democrats Worktree - Primary World of Work 300 Old Woughton career session in a primary school in Campbell Park & Old Woughton Ward. 20/02/19 Brackenbury, Ric Campbell Park & Liberal Democrats Works for Us Christmas Appeal - To 300 Old Woughton provide information, advice and support on employment. 20/02/19 Brackenbury, Ric Campbell Park & Liberal Democrats Scout Movement Milton Keynes - 400 Old Woughton Contribution towards hire and maintenance of warehouse to allow for expansion of Scouting in Milton Keynes. 20/12/18 Bradburn, Marie Bradwell Liberal Democrats Radcote Lodge (Sheltered Housing) - 250 To assist with the costs of a social outing for the residents of Radcote Lodge.

(117) 20/12/18 Bradburn, Marie Bradwell Liberal Democrats Flintergill Court (Sheltered Housing) - 250 To assist with the costs of a social outing for the residents of Flintergill Court. 20/12/18 Bradburn, Marie Bradwell Liberal Democrats Bellfounder House (Sheltered 250 Housing) - To assist with the costs of a social outing for the residents of Bellfounder House. 20/12/18 Bradburn, Marie Bradwell Liberal Democrats MK ACT (via MK Womens Aid) - 250 Donation to this domestic abuse intervention service to support women who have suffered domestic violence.

20/12/18 Bradburn, Robin Bradwell Liberal Democrats Wolverton & Greenleys Town Council - 150 New notice board for Hodge Lea Meeting Place. 20/12/18 Bradburn, Robin Bradwell Liberal Democrats Works For Us - To help with 'back to 250 work' training support, administration and stationery costs.

11/01/19 Bradburn, Robin Bradwell Liberal Democrats Milton Keynes District Explorer Scouts 300 - Contribution towards two Coleman Event Shelters which will be used for fund raising and serving food and refreshments. 07/02/2019 Bradburn, Robin Bradwell Liberal Democrats Two Mile Ash Environmental Group - 300 Provision of a display screen for public events and two water butts to aid remote watering of plants at schools. 12/09/18 Brown, Anthony Tattenhoe Labour Oxley Park Community Centre - 300 Intensive landscaping around the grounds of the community centre, in particular, the hedges. 15/10/18 Brunning, Denise Stony Stratford Conservative Stony Stratford Town Council - 500 Planting of St Mary & St Giles flowerbeds, located in the church garden in front of the recently built hall. 0910/18 Brunning, Denise Stony Stratford Conservative Stony Stratford Town Council - 500 Contribution towards opening event and play equipment for the new Acorn Nursery. 20/12/18 Buckley, Andrew Monkston Conservative Milton Keynes Hospital NHS 1000 Foundation Trust - Contribution towards the building of Milton Keynes Hospital's cancer centre, providing specialist cancer services for the residents of Milton Keynes.

09/10/18 Cannon, Peter Shenley Brook Liberal Democrats Merebrook School - Contribution 700 End towards improving facilities for the 'Forest School' at Merebrook Infant School. 0910/18 Cannon, Peter Shenley Brook Liberal Democrats MK ACT (MK Women's Aid) - 300 End Contribution towards improving facilities for the Refuge Sensory Garden at the MK ACT Refuge. 25/07/18 Carr, Jane NP South Liberal Democrats Newport Pagnell Carnival Committee - 200 Contribution towards the cost of erecting a big screen for the England football match at Newport Pagnell Carnival. 26/10/18 Carr, Jane NP South Liberal Democrats Newport Pagnell Fireworks - Donation 150 to the cost of providing toilets at the Newport Pagnell fireworks display on 02/11/18.

(118) 14/11/18 Carr, Jane NP South Liberal Democrats Family Support Group 4 Drug and 200 Alcohol Addiction - Start-up funding for this newly formed organisation based in Newport Pagnell, to include coverage of administration costs and the funding of a pay as you go phone for telephone support and referrals.

18/02/19 Crooks, Sam Broughton Liberal Democrats Broughton & Brooklands Community 400 Connectors - To purchase advertising and amplification equipment for use throughout Broughton, Broughton Gate & Brooklands.

18/02/19 Crooks, Sam Broughton Liberal Democrats St Mary Magdalene Church, Willen - 150 A contribution towards the Tower Restoration Fund of St Mary Magdalene Church, Willen. 18/02/19 Crooks, Sam Broughton Liberal Democrats Camphill Milton Keynes - To facilitate 150 the new relationship between the Camphill Community and the Acapella Choir, who are establishing the Chrysalis Theatre as their base.

18/02/19 Crooks, Sam Broughton Liberal Democrats Friends & Relatives of Oakgrove 150 School (FROGS) - Contribution towards the purchase of play equipment and the creation of playground markings (eg hopscotch) at Oakgrove Primary School.

25/02/19 Crooks, Sam Broughton Liberal Democrats 1st Middleton Cub Scouts - To 150 purchase camping and cooking equipment. 14/02/19 Darlington, Emily Bletchley East Labour Lakes Residents Association - Lakes 300 Firework Event. 14/02/19 Darlington, Emily Bletchley East Labour Fenny Stratford Residents 250 Association - Community safety project, including leaflets. 14/02/19 Darlington, Emily Bletchley East Labour Consortium of Bletchley Residents 200 Association - To raise the profile of COBRA in the community for all Bletchley Resident Associations. 14/02/19 Darlington, Emily Bletchley East Labour Locals of the Lakes - Towards Easter 250 Eggs for the annual community Easter Fair. 18/02/19 Dransfield, Andy Loughton & Conservative Sport MK - Funds to be used to 1000 Shenley support sports organisations in the Loughton & Shenley ward who have not previously benefitted from an award from this budget.

29/08/18 Exon, Robert Bradwell Liberal Democrats 1st Two Mile Ash Rainbows - 150 Contribution to cost of materials useful to the Guides new programmes. 29/08/18 Exon, Robert Bradwell Liberal Democrats 1st Great Holm Brownies - 150 Contribution to cost of materials useful to the Guides new programmes. 29/08/18 Exon, Robert Bradwell Liberal Democrats Heelands Rangers Football Club - 200 Two full kits for two new teams.

(119) 15/10/18 Exon, Robert Bradwell Liberal Democrats Two Mile Ash & Great Holm Scout 200 Group - Contribution towards a week long summer camp next summer based around water activities, and assistance with transport costs.

07/02/19 Exon, Robert Bradwell Liberal Democrats Loughton Scout Group - Contribution 100 towards start-up of new Beaver Colony for Loughton Scout Group.

08/02/19 Exon, Robert Bradwell Liberal Democrats SIEVE MK Gateway - To support 200 English Master Classes to prepare students from disadvantaged backgrounds for GCSE exams. 07/02/19 Ferrans, Jenni Monkston Liberal Democrats MKC Highways - Towards 700 replacement of redway signs in the north part of Monkston ward, specifically replacement of all 4 arms of the sign at the redway junction in the centre of Brinklow roundabout (under V11/H8 junction) and replacement of 2 missing arms of the sign at junction between redway along Lanercost Crescent and the Brinklow roundabout.

07/02/19 Ferrans, Jenni Monkston Liberal Democrats Walton Community Council - 300 Provision of bins in the Walton Community Council area to be emptied by Walton Community Council. 23/01/19 Ganatra, Hiten Shenley Brook Conservative The Hindu Association - To support 1000 End the building of the MK Hindu Association's Community Centre at Broughton for the benefit of all those of the Hindu faith in Milton Keynes.

18/02/19 Geaney, Maggie Bletchley West Conservative Romans Field School - Sensory 500 Room for the school. 18/02/19 Geaney, Maggie Bletchley West Conservative Worktree - Two half-day 'Interview 500 Me' sessions for Year 12 and 13 students at Lord Grey School.

26/10/18 Geary, Andrew NP North & Conservative Gayhurst Parish Meeting - Gayhurst 200 Hanslope WW1 Centenary Celebrations.

19/02/19 Geary, Peter Olney Conservative North Crawley Parish Council - MK 330 Play Association Session. 20/02/19 Geary, Peter Olney Conservative Olney Town Council - WW1 bench. 125

20/02/19 Geary, Peter Olney Conservative Lavendon Parish Council - WW1 125 bench. 20/02/19 Geary, Peter Olney Conservative Ravenstone Parish Council - 420 Contribution towards a memorial bench. 04/01/19 Gilbert, Dan Loughton & Conservative Loughton Scout Group - Contribution 336.16 Shenley towards the purchase of camping equipment for the new Beaver group.

07/02/19 Gilbert, Dan Loughton & Conservatives MKC Highways - Radar traffic count 270 Shenley on Chalkdell Drive, outside Shenley Wood Retirement Village. 04/06/18 Gowans, Martin Bletchley East Labour Newton Leys Residents Association - 75 Defibrillator for Newton Leys.

(120) 07/02/19 Gowans, Martin Bletchley East Labour Saplings Children's Centre - 462.5 Development of the outside space of the centre. 14/02/19 Gowans, Martin Bletchley East Labour Daisychain Family Centre - 462.5 Development of the outside space of the centre. 07/06/18 Hopkins, David Danesborough & Conservative Woburn Sands Festival - Free 100 Walton community event to raise money for two local charities. Live music, food and drink stalls and bouncy castles.

31/10/18 Hopkins, David Danesborough & Conservative 1st Bow Brickhill Brownies - Badge 150 Walton books and new badges following the introduction of a new Guiding programme. 19/12/18 Hopkins, David Danesborough & Conservative Wavendon Parish Council - Grant 100 Walton towards the purchase of spring bulbs to enhance the village of Wavendon.

21/01/19 Hopkins, David Danesborough & Conservative Mrs Robinson's Charity - Donation to 250 Walton Mrs Robinson's Charity to arrange an outing. 14/02/19 Hopkins, David Danesborough & Conservatives Woburn Sands Town Council - 3 400 Walton Villages Bus - Outing for the over 60's. 14/02/19 Hopkins, Victoria Danesborough & Conservatives Walton Community Council - 250 Walton Contribution to the provision of an additional dog bin in the Parish of Walton. 20/02/19 Hopkins, Victoria Danesborough & Conservatives Wavendon Parish Council - To 250 Walton Wavendon Volunteer Army, for various projects to enhance the village of Wavendon e.g. planting, regular litter collection. 19/02/19 Hosking, David Olney Conservative Olney Allotments Association - 270.20 Contribution to a new cabin for the Allotments Association. 20/02/19 Hosking, David Olney Conservative Olney Town Council - WW1 bench. 125

20/02/19 Hosking, David Olney Conservative Filgrave & Tyringham Parish Meeting - 460 Community bench. 20/02/19 Hosking, David Olney Conservative Weston Underwood Parish Council - 19.8 Permanent metal socket for a Christmas tree on the village green and cobbles to widen the paved area at the top of Cross Lane.

20/02/19 Hosking, David Olney Conservative Lavendon Parish Council - WW1 125 bench. 10/01/19 Jenkins, Alice Danesborough & Conservative Little Brickhill Residents Association - 465.75 Walton Little Brickhill Children's Christmas Party and Little Brickhill Senior Citizens Christmas Lunch.

07/02/2019 Jenkins, Alice Danesborough & Conservative Bow Brickhill Parish Council - 300 Walton Defibrillator for Bow Brickhill village, for public access. 07/02/19 Jenkins, Alice Danesborough & Conservative Milton Keynes Womens Aid - To 234.25 Walton develop a sensory garden for children living in the Milton Keynes refuge. For equipment and plants to develop an unused part of the garden into a fun and calming space.

04/06/18 Khan, Mohammed Bletchley East Labour Newton Leys Residents Association - 75 Defibrillator for Newton Leys.

(121) 20/02/19 Khan, Mohammed Bletchley East Labour Leisure Together - Donation to this 316 Community Group which provides social activities for residents. 20/02/19 Khan, Mohammed Bletchley East Labour Lakes Children and Youth Action 316 Committee - Funding for the development of the children and youth recreation on the designated green area known as the 'Warren Land' between Windermere Drive and Stoke Road in Bletchley.

20/02/19 Khan, Mohammed Bletchley East Labour Leon Residents Association - Easter 100 Egg Hunt for the whole of Bletchley.

20/02/19 Khan, Mohammed Bletchley East Labour MKC - Highways - Disabled parking 193 bay at 21 The Limes, MK2 2JN.

05/09/18 Legg, Mick Bletchley West Labour West Bletchley Council - Contribution 500 to staffing 'First Steps to Freedom Course' to support survivors of domestic violence. 14/12/18 Legg, Mick Bletchley West Labour Works for Us - Donation to this 500 employability charity to support those finding employment. 08/11/18 Marklew, Jennifer Stony Stratford Labour Fullers Slade Steering Group via 500 YourMK LLP - Funding for fairground ride at Fullers Slade Regeneration Event. 25/02/19 Marklew, Jennifer Stony Stratford Labour York House Centre - To support Act 315 Out/Act Up, a drama group to give young people confidence and skills that is based in York House Centre.

16/07/18 Marland, Peter Wolverton Labour Milton Keynes Cenotaph Trust - To 300 support the annual commemoration at the Milton Keynes Rose in Campbell Park on 15/06/2018. Funding for Wolverton Town Band.

03/08/18 Marland, Peter Wolverton Labour New Bradwell Parish Council - New 350 planting by the New Bradwell Green Gym around new signage that has been erected in New Bradwell.

07/11/18 Marland, Peter Wolverton Labour New Bradwell Boxing Club - 350 Contribution towards this free activity for young people in the New Bradwell area. Since inception, the number of ASB incidents has fallen dramatically.

10/12/18 Mc Call, Douglas NP South Liberal Democrats Works For Us - To help and support 200 people who become unemployed again in January after their Christmas job finishes. 17/01/19 Mc Call, Douglas NP South Liberal Democrats Newport Pagnell Christmas Lights - 200 Grant towards replacing the worn out light features. 17/01/19 Mc Call, Douglas NP South Liberal Democrats The Brooklands Centre - For the 100 provision of new cushions for the armchairs, for the elderly residents using The Brooklands Centre.

17/01/19 Mc Call, Douglas NP South Liberal Democrats Newport Pagnell Carnival Committee - 200 Contribution towards the provision of the Newport Pagnell Carnival which takes place annually, in July.

(122) 17/01/19 Mc Call, Douglas NP South Liberal Democrats Lovat Hall Pre-School (Playgroup) - 200 For educational equipment, especially for those children with special needs.

17/01/19 Mc Call, Douglas NP South Liberal Democrats Newport Pagnell Baptist Church - 100 Donation to Food4Thought which provides lunches for the elderly and is based at Newport Pagnell Baptist Church. Grant towards buying food for these lunches. 01/06/18 McDonald, Peter Campbell Park & Conservative Great Linford (St Andrews) Scout 1000 Old Woughton Group - Fencing for Great Linford Scout Group at Loriner Place, Downs Barn. 20/02/19 McLean, Keith Olney Conservative Emberton Playing Field Committee - 200 Repair of spiked roller for the Playing Field Committee. 20/02/19 McLean, Keith Olney Conservative Emberton Parish Council - WW1 298 commemorative litter bin to be placed outside The Institute. 20/02/19 McLean, Keith Olney Conservative Weston Underwood Parish Council - 242 Permanent metal socket for a Christmas tree on the village green and cobbles to widen the paved area at the top of Cross Lane.

20/02/19 McLean, Keith Olney Conservative Ravenstone Parish Council - 60 Contribution towards a memorial bench. 21/02/19 McLean, Keith Olney Conservative Lavendon Baptist Church - 200 Contribution towards the repair of railings outside the church. 07/02/19 McPake, Vanessa Monkston Liberal Democrats MKC Highways - Towards 550 replacement of redway signs in the north part of Monkston ward, specifically all 5 arms of the sign at the redway junction between the redway along Lindisfarne Drive to the underpass to Kingston and the V11 redway.

07/02/19 McPake, Vanessa Monkston Liberal Democrats MK Safety Centre (Hazard Alley) - 200 Towards the cost of students attending safety sessions, primarily Walton High School. 07/02/19 McPake, Vanessa Monkston Liberal Democrats Walton Community Council - To 250 replace older small dog bins with new larger dog bins. 1 old small dog bin to be placed in Birdlip Lane, Walnut Tree. 29/11/18 Middleton, Robert Wolverton Labour Town 1000 Council - Roll out of parking bay trial to other streets in Wolverton, similar to the works carried out in Jersey Road earlier in the year. 07/02/19 Miles, Norman Wolverton Labour 1st Wolverton Scout Group - 500 Improvements to the Scout Hut to enable wider community use. 14/02/19 Miles, Norman Wolverton Labour Wolverton & Greenleys Town Council - 500 Roll out of parking bay trial to other streets in Wolverton, similar to the works carried out in Jersey Road earlier in the year. 24/01/19 Minns, Hannah Stantonbury Labour The Peartree Pond Association - The 350 Fridge/Little Bookshop. Grant for scales, stationery and training for Food Hygiene Certificates, Level 1 or 2, for the project co-ordinator and key volunteers.

(123) 24/01/19 Minns, Hannah Stantonbury Labour Stantonfields Pre-school - New 350 storage and fencing following the pre- school's move to new premises.

24/01/19 Minns, Hannah Stantonbury Labour Bradville Hall Community Centre - 300 Action 4 - Contribution to the insurance of Bradville Community Hall. 16/07/18 Morla, Geetha Tattenhoe Conservatives Little Owls Children's Centre - To 500 increase the number of hours of the operation of the children's centre.

28/01/19 Morris, Catriona Broughton Conservative Milton Keynes Parks Trust - 1000 Contribution to the supply and installation of three benches in Willen and Willen Park. 21/11/18 Nolan, Zoe Loughton & Labour Works For Us Christmas Appeal - To 300 Shenley provide information, advice and guidance, CV assistance and interview practice to people in the Loughton and Shenley Ward looking for work and requesting assistance.

18/12/18 Nolan, Zoe Loughton & Labour Great Holm Pre-School - To purchase 300 Shenley three big planters, gardening tools and some soil for a gardening project between the children of Great Holm Pre-School and the older residents of Petworth House.

21/01/19 Nolan, Zoe Loughton & Labour Loughton Scout Group - Contribution 200 Shenley towards the purchase of camping equipment for the new Beaver group.

21/01/19 Nolan, Zoe Loughton & Labour Landscape Services - Milton Keynes 200 Shenley Council - Maintenance of the playground in Holy Thorn Lane, including grass edging, hedge trimming, moss removal and refurbishing play equipment and benches. 28/02/19 O'Neill, Hannah Woughton & Labour Woughton Community Council - To 1000 Fishermead support the provision of the creation of family friendly area within Eaglestone Green Flag Park. 20/02/19 Patey-Smith, Lynn NP North & Conservative Newport Pagnell Medical Centre - 1000 Hanslope ANIMO (previously Smile YMK) - Sister programme to Community Learning MK for the well-being of young people. 28/01/19 Priestly, Moriah Central Milton Labour M & G Productions - Grant to MK 300 Keynes African Diaspora Awards 2019. 25/02/19 Rankine, Allan Conservative Bletchley Park MKC Highways - Trial with Thames 928 Valley Police to prevent unauthorised vehicles entering council parkland.

28/11/18 Reilly, Andy Shenley Brook Liberal Democrats Mr P R Moon (Great Crested Newt 35 End Licence Holder) - Litter picking from the Shenley Lodge Ponds by volunteers. The presence of a Great Crested Newt licence holder was necessary for the litter pick to go ahead.

20/08/18 Small, Gerald Tattenhoe Conservative Dosti Lunch Club - Contribution to the 600 funding of the lunch club.

(124) 20/08/18 Small, Gerald Tattenhoe Conservative MK Irish Welfare Support Group - 400 Contribution to the running of the lunch club. 20/12/18 Wales, Elaine Bletchley Park Labour Winter Night Shelter (Milton Keynes) - 200 To help people with advice and support regarding housing and homelessness. 20/12/18 Wales, Elaine Bletchley Park Labour Citizens Advice Bureau (Milton 200 Keynes) - Specialist debt advice and training of new volunteer adviser.

20/12/18 Wales, Elaine Bletchley Park Labour West Bletchley Community Centre - 200 Christmas Party. 04/01/19 Wales, Elaine Bletchley Park Labour The Safety Centre (Hazard Alley) Ltd - 200 For students from Chestnuts School and Rickley School to visit Hazard Alley for free and help with transportation costs. 04/01/19 Wales, Elaine Bletchley Park Labour Flower House - Enhancement and 200 maintenance of the garden for the residents of Flower House. 28/06/18 Walker, Alex Stantonbury Conservative Worktree - Career WorkOut - To 160 introduce young people aged 11-18 to work guests from a range of work backgrounds so they can find out what it's really like in that job.

05/09/18 Walker, Alex Stantonbury Conservative Girl Pack - Donation to Girl Pack 100 which supplies Stantonbury Campus with much needed sanitary products to help combat period poverty.

29/11/18 Walker, Alex Stantonbury Conservative Great Linford Football Club - FA 200 Charter standard equipment storage container. 18/02/19 Walker, Alex Stantonbury Conservative Bradville Hall Community Centre - 240 Action 4 Our Communities - Support for community activities including litter picking and flower planting.

18/02/19 Walker, Alex Stantonbury Conservative St Monica's Catholic Primary School - 300 Towards the creation of an outdoors sensory garden for the early years foundation stage learning area.

26/11/18 Wallis, Pauline Central Milton Labour The Mix MK - The Mix MK was 350 Keynes developed in 2015 for local people to meet and share information about mental health Services in Milton Keynes. This grant is to support the running costs for the remainder of this financial year and to organise a Christmas Party for the volunteers and service users.

10/12/18 Wallis, Pauline Central Milton Labour Works For Us - Funding towards 350 Keynes training costs for this employability charity. 26/02/19 Wallis, Pauline Central Milton Labour Great Linford Parish Council - Dog bin 300 Keynes for the Community Orchard on Downs Barn.

(125) 28/11/18 Williams, Paul Central Milton Labour The Mix MK - The Mix MK was 350 Keynes developed in 2015 for local people to meet and share information about mental health Services in Milton Keynes. This grant is to support the running costs for the remainder of this financial year and to organise a Christmas Party for the volunteers and service users.

25/02/19 Wilson, Charlie Stony Stratford Labour Stony Stratford Town Council - 300 Towards the maintenance of the War Memorial in Stony Stratford. 25/02/19 Wilson, Charlie Stony Stratford Labour Galley Hill Residents Association - 278 For printed pencils and bookmarks for all residents in the area and students at the local school. 28/02/19 Wilson, Charlie Stony Stratford Labour Stony Stratford Town Council - To 400 support Stony Stratford in Bloom with a project to restart the gardening sessions at St Mary & St Giles School. Total 45012.16

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