| 63 | Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ellis, Spencer and P. Allan |
| 64 | The Mayor presented Association of Public Service Excellence (APSE) awards to Leisure staff for Best Performer (Westdale Lane Community Centre) and Most Improved Performer (Arnold Hill Community Centre). |
| 66 | Councillors WJ Clarke and Payne declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in item 8 (iii) |
| 67 | No questions were received |
| 68 | No questions were received |
| 69 | (a) Local Authority Mortgage Scheme
In respect of minute no. 77 of the meeting of the Cabinet 12th January 2012, on the motion of Councillor W.J. Clarke and seconded by Councillor Payne that the recommendations contained therein be adopted, the Mayor put the proposition to the meeting and declared the same carried and it was:-
i) the power to agree to offer an indemnity for qualifying mortgages, as set out in the deed, under section 442 of the Housing Act 1985, be delegated to the Chief Financial Officer.
ii) a cash-backed scheme provided by Lloyds Banking Group be adopted, on the basis that firstly this provider had the most experience of the LAMS, having been involved with Sector from the outset in its design, and secondly that this lender was currently the only one accepted under the existing terms of the council's approved counterparty list.
iii) the LAMS Policy attached at Appendix 1 be approved as the basis for a LAMS Scheme for Gedling Borough Council, to be known as the "Lend a Hand Scheme".
iv) the Chief Executive be authorised to execute the deed indemnifying the Council Solicitor and Monitoring Officer on behalf of the Council.
v) Council approve the adoption of the LAMS Policy and, subject to the completion of all necessary legal documentation to the satisfaction of the Council Solicitor and Monitoring Officer, and approval of the capital programme, approve the deposit of £1m with Lloyds Banking Group.
(b) Prudential Code Indicators
In respect of minute no. 78 of the meeting of the Cabinet 12th January 2012, on the motion of Councillor W.J. Clarke and seconded by Councillor Payne that the recommendations contained therein be adopted,
the Mayor put the proposition to the meeting and declared the same carried and it was:-
RESOLVED:
to approve the Prudential and Treasury Indicators for 2012/13 to 2014/15 as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, which had been set with due reference to CIPFA's Prudential Code, under the Local Government Act 2003.
c) Localism Act: Pay Policy Statement
In respect of Minute no. 33 of the meeting of the Appointments and Conditions of Service Committee 9th February 2012, on the motion of Councillor W.J. Clarke and seconded by Councillor Payne that the recommendations contained therein be adopted,
the Mayor put the proposition to the meeting and declared the same carried and it was:-
RESOLVED: to approve the proposed Pay Policy Statement and method of implementation.
(Councillor Boot left the meeting at 7.30pm) |
| 70 | Consideration was given to a report of the Chief Executive, copies of which had been previously circulated, setting out proposals to improve the process whereby questions and comments were invited from Members on minutes of meetings and delegated decisions included on the agenda. |
| 71 | Consideration was given to a report of Stephen Bray, Corporate Director, copies of which had been previously circulated, seeking agreement for the Council's submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) with regard to future size of the Council. |
| 72 | Consideration was given to a report of Stephen Bray, Corporate Director, copies of which had been previously circulated, setting out recommendations from the Independent Remuneration Panel with regard to the level of Members' allowances to be payable for 2012/13. |
| 73 | Consideration was given to a report of Stephen Bray, Corporate Director, copies of which had been previously circulated, setting out proposals for changes to membership of the Licensing Act Committee. |
| 74 | In accordance with Standing Order 11(1), a number of comments were made and responded to by the appropriate Cabinet Member or Committee Chair. |
| 75 | NOTICE OF MOTION
Upon a Notice of Motion received in the name of Councillor W.J. Clarke a proposition was moved by Councillor W.J. Clarke and seconded by Councillor Payne in the following terms: -
Re: Local Government finance settlement
To note the significant reduction in our Revenue Support Grant (allocated to Gedling Borough Council from central government) from £8.011m in 2010/11 to £6.954m in 2011/12 and to £6.135m in 2012/2013 - equating to a cash reduction over 2011/12 and 2012/13 of £1.88m (23.5%) and a real terms reduction of £2.3m (28.7%).
To note the disparity and unfairness in cumulative cuts to local authority areas across England: Gedling Borough has received a reduction in revenue spending of £44 per person over the period 2011-13 (including in year cuts 2010-11) whilst Basingstoke & Deane Borough had received a reduction in revenue spending of £0 per person over the same period.
To note Chair of the Local Government Association, Sir Merrick Cockell's recent comments on council budgets: "these decisions must be based on local priorities and councillors know they will be judged solely by the people they represent when the votes are cast in the next local elections."
That a letter outlining our concerns, seeking clarification on the government's priorities and position on the above matters as well as challenging the evident unfairness should be sent by the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Secretary of State for Communities & Local Government.
That a letter be sent to the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council by the Leader & Deputy Leader of the Council supporting the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government on his correspondence to Nottinghamshire County Council stating that ‘on the face of it, the cuts that your council have made to its grant aid budget for voluntary sector groups appear to be disproportionate.' That the letter also further supports the Secretary of State, Eric Pickles MP by outlining to Nottinghamshire County Council that we would be ‘grateful if you could reconcile your council's decision on funding the voluntary & community sector to the strategic guidance.'
After discussion, and on the requisition of two members, the motion was put to a named vote and was carried.
For the motion
Councillors: Ainley, R. Allan, Bailey, P. Barnes, S. Barnes, Beeston MBE, Blair, Brooks, W.J. Clarke, Collis, Creamer, Feeney, Fox, Glover, Gregory, Hewlett, Hollingsworth, Hope, Key, Lawrence, Mc Cauley, Miller, Paling, Payne, Pulk, Quilty, Truscott, Weisz, Wheeler.
Against the motion
Councillors: B. Andrews, P. Andrews, Barnfather, Bexon, G. Clarke, Ellwood, Gillam, Hewson, Hughes, Nicholson, Parr, Pepper, Poole, Powell, Prew - Smith, Tomlinson, Tunnicliffe |