Agenda item

To receive and consider recommendations from the Executive and the Standards and Audit Committee.

Councillor Murray moved and Councillor Whitehand seconded the reception and adoption of the report and recommendations of the meeting of the Standards and Audit Committee held on 8 March 2018.

Councillor Bittleston moved and Councillor Kemp seconded the reception and adoption of the report and recommendations of the meeting of the Executive held on 22 March 2018

standards and audit committee – 8 march 2018

Review of arrangements for dealing with Standards Allegations under the Localism Act 2011.

The recommendation before the Council proposed amendments to the Council’s arrangements for dealing with Standards Allegations under the Localism Act 2011 and was introduced by Councillor Murray.

RESOLVED

That the Council’s arrangements for dealing with Standards Allegations under the Localism Act 2011 be amended as set out in the appendix to the report.

executive – 22 March 2018

Notices of Motion

The Council had before it the recommendation of the Executive to approve the Notice of Motion submitted by Councillor Johnson as follows:

“The Council

a)      notes the national campaign ‘Changing Places’ which encourages the provision of public toilets which are accessible for people with such profound disabilities that they need additional facilities not met by the standard accessible toilets; and

b)      agrees to incorporate into the Victoria Square development the provision of a toilet which conforms to the standards requested by the Changing Places campaign.”

Resolved

That the Council notes the action sought by the Motion has already been taken.

PARKING STANDARDS SUPPLEMENTARY PLANNING DOCUMENT (SPD)

Councillor Bowes introduced the recommendations of the Executive in respect of the adoption of the Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document and responded to the questions raised by the Members of the Council.

Resolved

That  (i)    the various representations to the Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document consultation together with the Officers’ response and recommendations, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be noted;

          (ii)   subject to the proposed modifications, the Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document in Appendix 2 to the report be adopted for the purposes of managing development across the Borough;

          (iii)  the requirements of the Parking Standards Supplementary Planning Document should apply to all relevant planning decisions on and after the date of adoption, in this case 5 April 2018; and

          (iv)  authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, to approve any changes to reflect new information before the SPD is adopted.

SELF-BUILD AND CUSTOM HOUSEBUILDING GUIDANCE NOTE

The recommendations before the Council proposed the adoption of the draft Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Guidance Note and were presented by Councillor Bowes.

Resolved

That  (i)    the draft Self-build and Custom Housebuilding Guidance Note, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be adopted as Guidance Note to provide useful advice for individuals and organisations who wish to acquire serviced plots for self build and custom housebuilding; and

          (ii)   authority be delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, to approve any amendments to the draft Guidance Note to reflect new information before it is approved, and thereafter to make sure that the Guidance Note is regularly reviewed to bring it up to date.

MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL STRATEGY

(NOTE:  In light of reference made to Dukes Court during the discussion and In accordance with the Officer Procedure Rules, the Chief Executive, Ray Morgan, and the Head of Democratic and Legal Services, Peter Bryant, declared an interest in the following item arising from their positions as Directors of the Dukes Court Property Company.  The interest was such that speaking was permissible.)

Councillor Azad introduced the recommendations of the Executive in respect of the Medium Term Financial Strategy and responded to the points raised by Councillors. 

Resolved

That the Medium Term Financial Strategy report be approved and the Executive authorised to prepare an Investment Strategy for consideration as part of the Budget process for 2019/20 which would generate sufficient income to avoid reduction in services for local people.

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005

Councillor Mrs Hunwicks introduced the recommendations of the Executive in respect of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005, noting the key role played by the Climate Change Working Group.

Resolved

That  (i)    the Council issue fixed penalty notices for offences under Part 2 of Section 3 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005;

          (ii)   the level of fixed penalty notices shall be set at £100 per penalty notice where it is considered that a person has committed an offence under Part 2 of Section 3 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005;

          (iii)  authority be delegated to the Assistant Director (Place), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environmental and Well Being Services, to vary all environmental fixed penalty notice charges in accordance with the legislation; and

          (iv)  authority be delegated to the Assistant Director (Place) to authorise any persons to issue fixed penalty notices for an offence under Part 2 of Section 3 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

Fixed Notice (FPN) Policy for Littering from Vehicle Offences

Concern was expressed over the wording of recommendation (iii) and the reference to “authorise any persons to issue fixed penalty notices”.  However, it was explained that standard wording adopted by the Council for delegations had been used.

Resolved

That  (i)    the Council issue fixed penalty notices for the offence of littering from vehicles under section 88A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 from 6 April 2018;

          (ii)   the level of fixed penalty notices shall be set at £100 per fixed penalty notice, such penalty to be reduced to £50 if paid within 14 days as provided for under section 6 of the Littering From Vehicles Outside London (Keepers: Civil Penalties) Regulations 2018;

          (iii)  authority be delegated to the Assistant Director (Place) to authorise any persons to issue fixed penalty notices from 6 April 2018 for littering from vehicles under section 88A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990; and

          (iv)  from 6 April 2018 the level of fixed penalty notices shall be set at £100 per penalty notice where it is considered that a person has committed an offence under section 88 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990.

GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (GDPR)

In considering the recommendations of the Executive, it was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had reviewed the Executive report on General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) at its meeting on 26 March 2018 as part of its pre-decision scrutiny role.  The Committee had drawn attention to the importance of the new Regulation and the need for training for Elected Members, and had resolved to note the report.

Resolved

That  (i)    the progress made on compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation, as well as the need for further work, be noted;

          (ii)   the draft new Data Protection Policy be adopted; and

          (iii)  Peter Bryant (Head of Democratic and Legal Services/ Monitoring Officer) be appointed Data Protection Officer.

Housing Allocations Policy 2018

Councillor C S Kemp, Portfolio Holder for Housing, introduced the recommendations of the Executive for the adoption of a fully revised Housing Allocations Policy.

Resolved

That  (i)    the Housing Allocations Policy, as set out in the Appendix 3 to the report, be adopted; and

          (ii)   the Strategic Director, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, be delegated authority to make minor amendments to the Policy as part of an annual review.