Councillors and Decision Making

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on the 24/01/2013

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest and should leave the room prior to commencement of that item.

The Leader of the Council may give an oral report on matters of significance to the Borough, comment upon the Cabinet decisions or make any announcements.

To note the Mayoral Engagements undertaken since the Council meeting held on 24th January, 2013.

To receive any questions from the public which have been submitted under the public questions scheme. The session will last no more than 15 minutes with a maximum of 2 minutes allowed for each question and answer. Questions can be asked of The Leader and Cabinet Members.

To consider the reports listed below which are being considered by Cabinet on 28 February and will be contained within the separate Budget document. a) Overview & Revenue Budget (D1) b) Capital Programme (D2) c) 2013/14 Treasury Strategy & Treasury Update (D3) d) Prudential Indicators (D4) e) Council Tax Formal Resolution for 2013/14 (D5) • * Appendices D1-D5 To Follow after Service & Financial Planning papers have been approved by Cabinet on 28 February.

(a) 19 February Council Constitution Committee – Constitution Revisions The minutes of the meeting of Council Constitution Committee held on 19 February 2013 contain the following recommendations at Minute number CCC-4. A copy of the report of the Assistant Director: Law, Democracy & Public Protection is set out at Appendix E1. 1) The changes to Part 4 – Rules of Procedure, Section 6 of the Constitution, Financial Regulations, as shown in Appendix 1 of the report; 2) The changes to Audit Committee Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix 2 of the report; 3) The changes to the constitution reflecting the changes to the ethical framework for councillors, as shown in Appendix 3 of the report; 4) The changes to the constitution reflecting new regulations regarding Notices of Key Decisions shown in Appendix 4 of the report 5) The re-establishment of the Speaker’s role and associated amendments to the Constitution as set out in paragraph 3.5 and Appendix 5 of the report (b) 19 February Council Constitution Committee – Health and Wellbeing Board & Health Scrutiny The minutes of the meeting of Council Constitution Committee held on 19 February 2013 contain the following recommendations at Minute number CCC-5. A copy of the report of the Assistant Director: Social Care Specialist is set out at Appendix E2. 1) To establish the Health and Wellbeing Board as a Committee of the Council , agree membership and terms of reference as set out in the report; 2) That delegated authority be given to the Council’s Monitoring Officer and Assistant Director: Law, Democracy and Public Protection, in consultation with the Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board and Chair of Council Constitution Committee to make any necessary amendments and recommendations following any further regulations or guidance; 3) To delegate the health scrutiny power vested in Council under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 to the relevant Scrutiny Committee and agree the changes to the constitution as set out in the report and appendices; 4) To agree the changes to Scrutiny arrangements resulting from the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 as set out in the report and appendices. (c) 13 February Personnel Board – Publication of the Council’s Pay Policy Statement The minutes of the meeting of Personnel Board of 13 February 2013 contain the following recommendation at Minute number PEB-31 contain the following recommendation. A copy of the report of the Assistant Director: Customer & People Services is set out at Appendix E3 That the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2013/14, as amended, be approved for publication on the Council’s website on 1 April 2013.

To receive a verbal update from Councillor R. Sloan, Chairman of the Boundary Review Committee on the LGBCE Borough boundary review.

To note the following resolved Minutes: Audit Committee – 29 January (F1); Licensing Committee – 16 January and 23 January (G1 and G2); Plans Board – 16 January and 6 February (H1 and H2).

To answer questions received under Council Procedure Rule 10. N.B. In accordance with the provisions of Council Procedure Rule 10.3 there will be a maximum of 30 minutes allowed for questions and answers. Any question not answered within the 30 minute time limit will receive a written reply within 5 working days.

a) Councillor M.G.Ion will move, in accordance with Council procedure rule11, the following motion: This Council urges the government to take immediate action to counteract the proliferation of legal loan sharking by ensuring that a bill introducing a cap on the amount of interest that can be charged on short-term and payday loans is scheduled for debate during this parliament. The Council also urges the government to further strengthen consumer protections by ensuring a breach of these rules would make any loan agreement unenforceable by the lender. “That this Council resolves to seek an urgent amendment of the Welfare Reform Act 2012 in order to repeal changes to Housing Benefit, commonly known as ‘Bedroom Tax’, and instructs the Leader of the Council to write to the Secretary of State asking him to rethink his plans which would adversely affect 660,000 tenants nationally including 2613 of the poorest and most vulnerable in Telford and Wrekin Council agrees that the Bedroom Tax will place an intolerable financial burden on households in the Borough, many of whom include working or disabled occupants and/or children living in poverty. Council rejects The Government’s rationale that tenants who are under-occupying will be able to downsize to alternate properties as there is not sufficient housing in the Borough to facilitate this The motion will be seconded by Councillor R.A. Overton b) Councillor D.R.W. White will move, in accordance with Council procedure rule11, the following motion: Council believes the provisions of the ‘Bedroom Tax’ are inconsistent and fail to consider the additional needs of many households with regards to disabilities; adaptation’s made to homes, foster carers, parents of serving military or parents who share custody of their children. The motion will be seconded by Councillor S. Davies.

Car parks are highlighted on the Campus Plan (download to the right). Car Park 4 (pink) provides general parking which will be monitored by security staff. Access to Car Park 4 is available from both Furrows Island and the Bucks Head traffic lights; there is a pathway to the Reception area. Car Park 6 (blue) provides parking for those with mobility issues. Due to the road system, access to Car Park 6 is only available from the Bucks Head traffic lights end of Haybridge Road. Direction signs to the Haybridge Restaurant will be in place (inside and outside the venue) and visitors will also be directed from Reception.