Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will draw attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out under Note 8.

The Chairman drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure, as set out on the agenda.

At this point in the meeting declarations of interest are received from Members in any of the agenda items under consideration at the meeting. Members are asked to complete the green interest forms circulated to groups in their pre-meetings (which will be announced at the Council Meeting) to indicate:

(a) The agenda item number in which they have an interest to declare.

(b) The nature of their interest.

(c) Whether their interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest or an other interest,  (as defined in Part 2, A and B of the Code of Conduct and Rules for Registration of Interests)

Any Member who needs to clarify any matters relating to the declaration of interests is recommended to seek advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officeror a member of his staff before the meeting to expedite dealing with the item during the meeting.

Councillor Will Sandry declared an ‘other’ interest in the ‘Protect our NHS’ statement under item 7, as a Council appointed member of Sirona Community Interest Company (CIC).

Councillor Paul May declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in the ‘Protect our NHS’ statement under item 7, as the B&NES Non-Executive Director on Sirona CIC.  Councillor May left the Chamber for the duration of this item.

The Chairman made the customary announcements regarding mobile phones, webcasting and Councillors accessing meeting papers on their ipads.

He asked the Council to stand for a minute’s silence in recognition of the lives lost and all those affected by the recent tragedy in Nice.

There were no items of urgent business; however, the Chairman took the opportunity to wish the Leader a happy birthday.

On a motion from Councillor Tim Warren, seconded by Councillor Eleanor Jackson, it was

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meetings of 12^th May 2016 and 29^th June 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Democratic Services Manager will announce any submissions received. The Council will be invited to decide what action it wishes to take, if any, on the matters raised in these submissions. As the questions received and the answers given will be circulated in written form there is no requirement for them to be read out at the meeting. The questions and answers will be published with the draft minutes.

Statements were made by the following people;

Pam Richards made a statement and presented a petition on behalf of Protect our NHS BANES (1550 online signatures, 259 local paper ones).  Pam expressed concern about the current procurement process for local health and social care services.  Full details can be read in the statement which has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and attached to the online minutes.  In response to a question from Councillor Vic Pritchard as to whether the consultation process had been robust and thorough, Pam responded that she did consider it had, but it was too expensive and complex.  Councillor Sarah Bevan asked if Pam was aware of any bias, to which Pam responded that there were appropriate guidelines for any procurement process, but that she was concerned the Council was doing this in the first place.  Councillor Jonathan Carr noted that Virgin Care Ltd run similar services in other parts of the country and asked Pam if she considered them to be fit and suitable to run the service, to which Pam responded that Councillors may be aware of serious incidences in the press and she did have concerns. The Chairman thanked Ms Richards for her statement which was referred to the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care & Health.

John Branston made a statement concerning the proper application of planning procedure in relation to siting of purpose-built student accommodation. Full details can be read in the statement which has been placed on the Council’s Minute book and attached to the online minutes.  Councillor Patrick Anketell-Jones asked whether John considered any  particular part of the process was not transparent and John responded that he did, in particular the pre-application planning process.  The Chairman thanked Mr Branston for his statement which was referred to the Cabinet Member for Homes and Planning.

Susan Charles from WWISE, the Warm Water Inclusive Swimming and Exercise Network, made a statement calling for further consideration to be given to the design of Bath and Keynsham Leisure Centre pools to accommodate the pressing needs of various demographic groups for warm water swimming.  She felt that the Council was failing to capitalise on this opportunity, despite giving a commitment in 2011 to give this proper consideration.  In response to a question from Councillor Tim Warren about whether Susan had contacted the St Monica’s Trust, she responded that she hadn’t yet done so, but that that would apply only to residents, and she was thinking of the needs of all.  Councillor Tim Ball asked if Susan recognised that some people specifically needed cold water for swimming and she replied that both options should be available.  In response to Councillor Lin Patterson, Susan explained that the relevant Council strategies she had referred to in her statement were the Health & Wellbeing Strategy, the Fit for Life initiative, the Children & Young People’s policy and the B&NES Equality Policy.  Councillor Sarah Bevan asked if it was depth or temperature which was key, and Susan responded that it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

This report updates the Council on the Bath City Forum’s Terms of Reference and requests that it determine arrangements for the Vice Chair of the Forum, which has now been referred to Council for determination.

The Council considered a report regarding the Bath City Forum’s Terms of Reference and requesting determination of the arrangements for the Vice Chair of the Forum.

On a motion from Councillor Bob Goodman, seconded by Councillor Joe Rayment, it was

RESOLVED

1.  To note that the Bath City Forum has proposed a number of changes to the Terms of Reference agreed by Council for the Forum in July 2015, as set out in paragraph 5.3 of the report;

2.  To note that, in accordance with the decision of the Council, the Chief Executive has, in consultation with Group Leaders, agreed the changes proposed by the Bath City Forum to its Terms of Reference, with the exception of the proposal that the Vice Chair of the Forum be a co-opted Member; and

3.  To agree that the Vice Chair of the Forum be a co-opted Member.

[Notes;

1.  During debate, an unsuccessful amendment was moved by Councillor Jonathan Carr (seconded by Councillor Lin Patterson) calling for the Chairperson of the Forum to be from a different political group than the 2 previous Chairs.  This was put straight to the vote following a proposal from Councillor Eleanor Jackson (seconded by Councillor Tim Warren) and passed, that the question now be put.  The amendment from Councillor Carr was lost, with 2 Councillors voting in favour, 3 abstentions and all other Councillors voting against.

2.  The substantive motion was carried with 54 Councillors voting in favour and 2 Councillors abstaining.]

To consider and recommend for approval an extension of the current indemnity to be granted to members and officers of the Council.

The Council considered a report recommending an extension of the current indemnity to be granted to Members and officers of the Council, as recommended by the Standards Committee.

On a motion from Councillor Tim Warren, seconded by Councillor Dine Romero, it was unanimously

RESOLVED to adopt the indemnity to Members and officers in the terms set out in the appendix to the report.

In February 2012 the Council adopted the 2011 edition of the CIPFA Treasury Management in the Public Services: Code of Practice, which requires the Council to approve a Treasury Management Strategy before the start of each financial year, review performance during the year, and approve an annual report after the end of each financial year.  This report gives details of performance against the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Plan for 2015/16.

The Council considered a report giving details of performance against the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Investment Plan for 2015/16.

On a motion from Councillor Charles Gerrish, seconded by Councillor Paul May, it was unanimously

RESOLVED

1.  To note the 2015/16 Treasury Management report to 31^st March 2016, prepared in accordance with the CIPFA Treasury Code of Practice; and

2.  To note the 2015/16 Treasury Management Indicators.

This report sets out several proposed amendments to the Constitution, following discussions with the Constitution Working Group.  The report also suggests an addition to the Council’s Code of Conduct.

The Council considered a report setting out several proposed amendments to the Constitution, following discussions with the Constitution Working group.  The report also proposed an addition to the Council’s Code of Conduct.

On a motion from Councillor Tim Warren, seconded by Councillor Robin Moss, it was unanimously

RESOLVED

1.  To approve the amendments to the Council’s Constitution as set out in Appendix 1 to the report; and

2.  To approve the additional wording for the Council’s Code of Conduct as set out in paragraph 5.4 of the report.

This report advises Council of the arrangements for the secondment of Ashley Ayre to the post of Chief Executive and seeks approval for his designation as Head of Paid Service with effect from 1st September 2016.  It also appoints the Council Solicitor, Head of Legal and Democratic Services to be the Returning Officer.

The Strategic Director – People & Communities, and the Monitoring Officer, left the Chamber for consideration of this item on the agenda.

The Council considered a report advising of the arrangements for the secondment of Ashley Ayre to the post of Chief Executive, and seeking approval for his designation as Head of Paid Service with effect from 1^st September 2016.  The report also sought approval for the appointment of Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer.

During debate, Councillors paid tribute to the current Chief Executive, Dr Jo Farrar as this was her last Council meeting.

On a motion from Councillor Tim Warren, seconded by Councillor Dine Romero, it was unanimously

RESOLVED

1.  to note the secondment of Ashley Ayre to the post of Chief Executive on a spot salary of £151,500.00 per annum within the approved pay range;

2.  to approve the designation of the postholder as Head of Paid Service under section 4 of the Local Government & Housing Act 1989 with effect from 1^st September 2016; and

3.  to approve the designation of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Council Solicitor as Returning Officer and Electoral Registration Officer, with effect from 1^st September 2016.

The Chairman made reference to the questions from Councillors Joe Rayment and Eleanor Jackson, and agreed responses, which had been circulated to the meeting.

Councillor Joe Rayment made a statement calling upon Councillors to be mindful of language they used in the Chamber and refrain from making negative comments about age or other protected characteristics.  Members took on board his comments.