BURNLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL BURNLEY TOWN HALL Tuesday, 15th December 2009 PRESENT MEMBERS His Worshipful The Mayor (Councillor John Harbour) in the Chair: Councillors Zaheer Ahmed, Bill Bennett, Gordon Birtwistle, Justin Birtwistle, Charlie Briggs, Lynne Briggs, Bill Brindle, Charlie Bullas, Frank Cant, Ida Carmichael, Julie Cooper, Derek Dawson, Peter Doyle, Roger Frost, Iris Gates, Allen Harris, Karen Heseltine, Michael Heys, Imtiaz Hussain, John Jones, Anne Kelly, Wajid Khan, Margaret Lishman, Maureen McCaffrey, Peter McCann, Mohammed Malik, Elizabeth Monk, Darren Reynolds, Paul Reynolds, Martin Smith, Jeff Sumner, Andrew Tatchell, David Thomson, Linda White and Sharon Wilkinson. OFFICERS Steve Rumbelow - Chief Executive David Brown - Director of Environment Mick Cartledge - Director of Community Services Nick Aves - Director of Resources Mike Cook - Director of Regeneration & Housing Tom Forshaw - Head of Chief Executives Office Jeremy Richards - Communications Officer Imelda Grady - Democracy Officer Elaine Newsome - Democracy Officer David Farrar - Mayor’s Officer 76. Minutes The Minutes of the ordinary meeting of the Council held on the 21st October 2009 were confirmed and signed by the Chair. 77. Declaration of Interest Councillor Elizabeth Monk declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute No. 78 and took no part in the debate. Councillor Jeff Sumner declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute No. 78 and took no part in the debate. Full Council 15th December 2009 Page 1 of 8 78. Public Question Time Mr John Rowe addressed the Council under the Request To Speak Policy on the purchase of Wood Top School, Accrington Road, Burnley Councillor Elizabeth Monk addressed the Council under the Request to Speak Policy on the proposed level of grant funding to Burnley and District Citizens Advice Centre. It was moved by Councillor Gordon Birtwistle and seconded by Councillor Charles Bullas that: Item 14 on the agenda, Burnley and District Citizens Advice Service be brought on to the public agenda and considered at Item 6(a)1. On being put to the vote the motion was declared to be carried and it was RESOLVED ACCORDINGLY. 79. Notices of Motion It was moved by Councillor John Jones and seconded by Councillor Sharon Wilkinson that: “For the sake of the environment this Council asks that all supermarkets and self-service stores within the Borough charged a minimum of 3 pence per plastic carrier bag to the customer. The mover and seconder of the motion accepted an amendment proposed by Councillor Roger Frost and seconded by Councillor Margaret Lishman to insert the words “and that customers be urged to take their own bags to supermarkets and stores when undertaking their shopping.” On being put to the vote the motion as amended was declared to be carried and it was RESOLVED ACCORDINGLY. It was moved by Councillor Julie Cooper and seconded by Councillor Frank Cant: “This Council recognises the achievements of Burnley and District Citizens Advice Bureau and the vital role they play in ensuring that local citizens receive appropriate advice with their problems. In particular the Council acknowledges the recent improved service levels that have been recorded with the number of clients rising from 412 per month in April and May to 720 per month in September and October. This is particularly important at this time as the needs of the community are rising as the effects of the credit crunch are widely felt. The Council would like to thank BDCAS for their efforts and reassure them that Burnley Borough Council will continue to fund their work at current Full Council 15th December 2009 Page 2 of 8 levels.” On being put to the vote the motion was declared to be lost. 80. Burnley and District Citizens Advice Bureau (BDCAS) With reference to Minute No. 125 (8th December 2009) of the Executive consideration was given to the 2010/11 level of grant support to BDCAS. RESOLVED 1. That approval be given to an allocation of £105,285 to BDCAS in the 2010/11 financial year. 2. That approval be given to a further in principle grant allocation grant of a maximum of £77,500 in the 2011/12 financial year. 81. Report from the Independent Remuneration Panel on the Members’ Allowance Scheme for 2010/11 Mr Terry Hephrun, member of the Independent Remuneration Panel presented the panels report. Consideration was given to the findings of the Independent Remuneration Panel in respect of the Members’ allowance scheme for 2010/11 as required by the local authorities (Members Allowances) (England) Regulation 2003. RESOLVED That the report be noted and the panel be thanked for their report. 82. Revision of the Redundancy, Redeployment and Pay Protection Policies With reference to Minute No. 127 (8th December 2009) of the Executive consideration was given to changes to the Council’s Redundancy Policy including the Redeployment Policy the Retention and Redeployment Policy (Disability, Injury or Ill Health) and the Pay Protection Policy. RESOLVED That approval be given to the changes to the Council’s Redundancy, Redeployment Retention and Redeployment (Disability, Injury or Ill-Heath) and Pay Protection Policies. 83. Gambling Act Statement of Principles With reference to Minute No. 126 (8th December 2009) ofthe Executive consideration was given to the Gambling Act Statement of Principles (Policy) for the period January 2010 to December 2012. RESOLVED That approval be given to the Gambling Act Statement of Principles for the period January 2010 to December 2012. 84. Purchase Assistance Loans With reference to Minute No. 130 (8th December 2009) of the Executive Full Council 15th December 2009 Page 3 of 8 consideration was given to the adoption of the Purchase Assistance Loans (Market Support Policy). RESOLVED That approval be given to the provision within the Council’s budget for the estimated costs of up to £5000 to be incurred in 2009/10. 85. Tourist Information Centre With reference to Minute No. 132 (8th December 2009) of the Executive consideration was given to an increase in the capital programme budget for the future delivery of the Burnley Tourist Information Centre. RESOLVED That approval be given to an increase in the capital programme budget to £48,311. 86. Weavers Triangle Regeneration Programme Budget With reference to Minute No. 131 (8th December 2009) of the Executive consideration was given to the budget for the Weavers Triangle Regeneration Programme. RESOLVED 1. That approval be given to the budget for the Weavers Triangle programme for the period to 2014/15 as submitted. 2. That approval be given to the revision to the Weavers Triangle budget for 2009/10 to £777,500. 87. Revenue Budget Savings Proposals 2010/11 With reference to Minute No. 134 (8th December 2009) of the Executive consideration was given to proposals for meeting efficiency, service priority and value for money savings as part of the process for producing the Council’s 2010/11 revenue budget. RESOLVED That approval be given to the £432,000 savings, amended as a result of the revised grant allocation to BDCAS, as submitted. 88. Fees & Charges 2010/11 With reference to Minute No. 135 (8th December 2009) of the Executive consideration was given to the proposed fees and charges from the 1st January 2010. RESOLVED 1. That approval be given to the proposed tariff of fees and charges from 1st January 2010. 2. That the Head of Finance in consultation with the relevant Head of Service be granted delegated authority to determine any new charges or changes to existing charges relating to the preparation and approval of the 2010/11 revenue budget. Full Council 15th December 2009 Page 4 of 8 3. That Executive Portfolio Members be granted delegated authority to amend fees and charges periodically in their own area on the basis that overall income in their portfolio area remains the same. 4. That the Head of Markets in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources and Director of Environment be granted delegated authority to adjust fees and charges in relation to the Market Service from time to time to reflect current trading conditions and the overall position of the Market. 89. Medium Term Financial Strategy – Use of Earmarked Reserves With reference to Minute No. 136 (8th December 2009) of the Executive consideration was given to the use of the Council’s earmarked reserves. RESOLVED 1. That the first call on any savings in the current financial year is to increase the balance in the financial instrument shortfall reserve up to £1m. 2. That any further sums that may be available are used to establish a pensions reserve. 3. That the local authority business growth incentive reserve and the local housing allowance reserve are closed at 31st March 2010. 4. That no amendment is made to the remaining earmarked reserves. 90. Amendments to Part 5 of the Constitution Consideration was given to amendments to Part 5 of the Council’s Constitution relating to Codes and Protocols. RESOLVED That approval be given to the revised Codes and Protocols in Part 5 of the Council’s Constitution for Parts 5.1, 5.3, 5.4 and 5.5 as submitted. 91. Calendar of Meetings 2010/11 Consideration was given to the proposed calendar of meetings relating to the 2010/11 municipal year. RESOLVED 1. That approval be given to the calendar of meetings for the 2010/11 municipal year as submitted. 2. That the Head of Chief Executives Office be granted delegated authority to add dates of the Lancashire Local to the 2010/11 municipal calendar. Full Council 15th December 2009 Page 5 of 8 92. Amendment to Part 3 of the Council’s Constitution Consideration was given to a report seeking approval for amended delegations to allow for Members to request planning applications be heard at Development Control Committee rather than determined by officers under the Scheme of Delegation.