Councillors and Decision Making

To confirm the minutes of the Borough Council held on 25th September 2008.

(i) To note the Mayoral Engagements undertaken since the Council Meeting held on 25th September 2008. (ii) Awards and Presentation: (a) Telford Olympians (Mickey Bushell and Ricky Balshaw - Silver Medal Winners at the Beijing Paralympics) (b) "Highly Commended" Award from the Society of Chief Architects for Local Authorities for Shortwood School in the Civic Building of the Year Award.

To receive the report of the Head of Audit & Democracy

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

To receive the report on the Cabinet Decisions made since the last meeting of the Council on 25th September 2008. Cabinet Members may speak on these decisions and Members may ask questions of the relevant Cabinet Member for the purposes of clarification only. Members are asked to note the additional delegations to officers granted at those meetings.

To consider the report of the Head of Planning & Environment

(a) The minutes of the meeting of the Council Constitution Committee held on 29th September 2008 contain the recommendations as Minute No. CCC-04. A copy of the minutes and the report of the Corporate Director: Resources are attached as Appendices F1 and F2. (b) The minutes of the Council Constitution Committee held on 10th November 2008 contain recommendations at Minute Nos. CCC-08 & CCC-09. A copy of the minutes and reports of the Head of Audit & Democracy and of the Head of Finance are attached as Appendices G1, G2 and G3. (c) The minutes of the Standards Committee held on 9th October 2008 contain recommendations at Minute No. ST-11. A copy of the minute and the report of the Corporate Director: Resources are attached as Appendices H1 & H2.

to consider the report of the Head of Audit & Democracy

To note the following resolved Minutes: Scrutiny Commission 1 - 3rd November 2008 (Appendix J) Scrutiny Commission 2 - 4th November 2008 (Appendix K) Scrutiny Commission 3 - 7th October & 5th November 2008 (Appendices L1 & L2) Scrutiny Commission 4 - 7th October & 6th November 2008 (Appendices M1 & M2) Scrutiny Management Board - 2nd & 21st October 2008 (Appendices N1 & N2) Audit Committee - 16th September & 30th October 2008 (Appendices O1 & O2) Standards Committee - 9th October 2008 (Appendix P) Plans Board - 3rd & 24th September, 8th & 29th October 2008 (Appendices Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4) Licensing Committee - 22nd September & 21st October 2008 (Appendices R1 & R2)

To answer questions received under Council Procedure Rule 11.

(a) Councillor D.G.Allen will move, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12, the following Motion. Gurkhas have played an active front line part in the British Army's activities in tmes of war and peace for nearly 200 years, serving and fighting alongside citizens of this Borough in the service of Britain. In this period approximately 300,000 Gurkhas have fought alongside British soldiers, with 45,000 of them being either killed or wounded. The Government announced in September 2004 a change in immigration rules that allowed Gurkhas who had served in the British Army to settle in Britan with their families. This Council notes wit hconcern, however, that this offer has only been extended to cover those Gurkhas who had served at least four years and been discharged after 1st July 1997. Given the exceptional service that they have given to Britain, this Council is asked to support Gurkhas and their families being given fast track eligibility for either the right to remain or citizenship. This Council, therefore: (i) Urges Telford & Wrekin Members of Parliament to support Early Day Motions that seek to extend Gurkha rights; (ii) Agrees to write to the Prime Minister demanding that all retired Gurkhas who fought in the British Army get the right to citizenship as well as a fair deal on pensions. This Motion will be seconded by Councillor V.A.Fletcher. (b) Councillor A.J.Eade will move, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12, the following Motion: "Telford & Wrekin Council notes the recent Health Review and is committed to working with its partners and the public to ensure that the provision of NHS services and high quality, specialist hospital services here meet the current and future needsa of the communities of the Borough and East Shropshire, as well as being of the highest clinical quality. The Motion will be seconded by Councillor R.K.Austin.