Agenda and draft minutes

This was the last of two meetings of Forest Heath Council before it’s dissolution on 6 May 2019.  As a result, the minutes of the meeting remain as drafted following the meeting and cannot be confirmed by the Council and signed by the Chair.  This is consistent with all other dissolved Committees and bodies.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the Council meeting held on 19 December 2018 (copy attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 December 2018 were unanimously received as a correct record and were signed by the Chairman. 

Report No: COU/FH/19/001

The report was noted.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Ruth Allen.

Councillor Louise Marston was also unable to attend the meeting.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest not entered in the Authority's register or local non pecuniary interest which they have in any item of business on the agenda (subject to the exception for sensitive information) and to leave the meeting prior to discussion and voting on an item in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest.

None were declared.

Report No: COU/FH/19/002

Council Procedure Rule 8.2 states that ‘the Leader of the Council will introduce the statement and members may ask the Leader questions on the content of both his/her introductory remarks and the written report. All questions will be answered immediately by the Leader or by the relevant Cabinet Member if the Leader refers any question to him or her, unless sufficient information to give an answer is not available. In these circumstances the member asking the question will receive a response in writing within five working days of the Council meeting at which the question was asked.’

8.3 - A total of 30 minutes will be allowed for questions and responses. There will be a limit of five minutes for each question to be asked and answered. The member asking the original question may put a supplementary question arising from the reply so long as the five minute limit is not exceeded.

The Leader presented his statement to the meeting as set out in Report No COU/FH/19/002.

He highlighted that this was to be his last statement as Forest Heath District Council’s Leader and he considered it to have been both an honour and a privilege to have served as such.

The Leader gave thanks to all his fellow Councillors and Officers and spoke in support of the imminent formation of the West Suffolk Council.

The Deputy Leader gave thanks to the Leader and recognition for his instrumental leadership and guidance.

Councillor Victor Lukaniuk drew attention to the reference within the Leader’s statement to the homes needed for future generations.  He stressed the importance of including residential developments within Brandon, mindful of the restrictions currently imposed by Stone Curlew habitats.

The Leader responded that he would be happy to work with both Brandon Ward Members and Natural England in respect of this matter, in the future.

Council Procedure Rule 6 Members of the public who live or work in the District are invited to put one question of not more than five minutes duration.  A person who wishes to speak must register at least fifteen minutes before the time the meeting is scheduled to start.*

(Note: the maximum time to be set aside for this item is 30 minutes, but if all questions are dealt with sooner, or if there are no questions, the Council will proceed to the next business.)

Each person may ask one question only.  A total of five minutes will be allowed for the question to be put and answered.  One further question will be allowed arising directly from the reply provided that the original time limit of five minutes is not exceeded.

Written questions may be submitted by members of the public to the Service Manager (Democratic Services) no later than 10.00am Tuesday 19 March 2019.  The written notification should detail the full question to be asked at the meeting of the Council.*

*For further information, see the Public Information Sheet attached to this agenda.

There were no questions or statements from members of the public. 

Report No: COU/FH/19/003

Referrals from Joint Executive (Cabinet) Committee: 12 March 2019

1.           Treasury Management Report 2018-2019 and Investment Activity (1 April – 31 December 2018)

Cabinet Member: Councillor Stephen Edwards

2.       West Suffolk Joint Pay Policy Statement: 2019/2020

          Cabinet Member: Councillor Stephen Edwards

          (For ease of reference, Appendix 1 to Report No: CAB/JT/19/015 is      attached to this Referrals Report at Appendix 1)

3.       Newmarket Cinema and Restaurant Development: Outline Business     Case

          Cabinet Member: Councillor Lance Stanbury

          (For ease of reference, Report No: CAB/JT/19/018 is attached to          this Referrals Report at Appendix 2 together with CAB/JT/19/018’s      Exempt Appendix A which is also attached to this Referrals Report         at Exempt Appendix 3)

The Council considered the referrals report of recommendations from the Joint Executive (Cabinet) Committee as set out in Report No COU/FH/19/003 in respect of:

1.   Treasury Management Report 2018-2019 and Investment Activity (1 April – 31 December 2018)

(Joint Executive (Cabinet) Committee: 12 March 2019)

Councillor Stephen Edwards, Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance, presented this referral item.

On the motion of the Cabinet Member, seconded by Councillor David Bowman and with the vote being unanimous, it was

RESOLVED:

That the Treasury Management Report for 2018-2019 for the period 1 April to 31 December 2018, as detailed in Report No: PAS/FH/19/008, be approved.

2.   West Suffolk Joint Pay Policy Statement

(Joint Executive (Cabinet) Committee: 12 March 2019)

Councillor Stephen Edwards, Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance, presented this referral item.

On the motion of the Cabinet Member, seconded by Councillor Ruth Bowman and with the vote being unanimous, it was

RESOLVED:

That the West Suffolk Joint Pay Policy Statement for 2019/2020, as contained in Appendix 1 to Report No: CAB/JT/19/015, be approved.

3.   Newmarket Cinema and Restaurant Development: Outline Business Case

(Joint Executive (Cabinet) Committee: 12 March 2019)

Councillor Lance Stanbury, Cabinet Member for Planning and Growth, presented this referral item.

Councillor Andrew Appleby spoke in support of the proposal but questioned the appropriateness of the site due to potential traffic/parking issues and the impact the development could have on existing restaurant premises.

In response, the Cabinet Member explained that thorough market testing had been undertaken on a number of potential sites.  A key consideration of the preferred site was the fact that the Council owned The Guineas Shopping Centre.

Councillor Appleby proposed an amendment to the recommendation, in that the report be deferred to enable further consideration to be given to alternative sites within the town.  This was duly seconded by Councillor David Palmer.

Upon being put to the vote and with 4 voting for the motion, 20 against and with 1 abstention, the Chairman declared it lost.

The Cabinet Member then moved the recommendation and this was seconded by Councillor Robin Millar.  With 22 voting for the motion, 2 against and with 1 abstention, it was

RESOLVED:

          That:-

1.   The project objectives to continue to work towards bringing a cinema and restaurant development to the heart of Newmarket be endorsed.

2.   The Outline Business Case for the development of a 3 or 4 screen cinema, as contained in Exempt Appendix A to Report No: CAB/JT/19/018, be approved;

3.   A budget of up to £190,000 be approved, funded by Strategic Priorities and MTFS reserve, to deliver the further design and study work as set out in paragraph 6.1 and Table 11 of the Outline Business Case; and

4.   An additional £20,000 be approved, funded by Strategic Priorities and MTFS reserve, to undertake a condition and options review of the Guineas multi-storey car park.

Questions to Chairmen on the business transacted by their Committees since the last ordinary meeting of Council:

Development Control Committee                   2 January 2019

                                                                   6 February 2019

Overview & Scrutiny Committee                    10 January 2019

                                                                   14 March 2019

Licensing & Regulatory Committee                29 January 2019

Performance & Audit Scrutiny Committee      31 January 2019

There were no questions to Chairmen of other Committees.

The Council will consider any urgent questions on notice that were notified to the Service Manager (Democratic Services) by 11am on the day of the meeting.  

There were no urgent questions on notice. 

Report No: COU/FH/19/004

The Leader presented this report which sought to recognise the history and achievements of Forest Heath District Council.

On the motion of the Leader, seconded by Councillor Ruth Bowman and with the vote being unanimous, it was

RESOLVED:

That:-

1.   Thanks be given to all who had contributed to the achievements of Forest Heath District Council since its formation on 1 April 1974; and

2.   A token of appreciation be awarded to the following Councillors to recognise each having served at least 4 terms on Forest Heath District Council:

Councillor Nigel Roman – 40 years

Councillor Carol Lynch – 28 years

Councillor Stephen Edwards – 20 years

Councillor Chris Barker – 16 years

Councillor Rona Burt – 16 years

Councillor Robin Millar – 16 years

The Chairman invited Councillor Ruth Bowman to address the meeting in respect of the Council’s recognition of the six District Councillors with commendable length of service.

Following which the Chairman presented each with a plaque and a long service certificate, and each recipient acknowledged their award in turn.

As there will be no further meetings of Forest Heath District Council prior to its dissolution on 31 March 2019, the Council will be asked to consider separate Votes of Thanks to the retiring Chairman and Vice-Chairman who will remain in office until 31 March 2019.

Note: The current Chairman and Mayor of St Edmundsbury Borough Council will be the nominated civic representatives of the new West Suffolk Council until the new Council’s Annual General Meeting on 22 May 2019. 

(a)     Retiring Chairman      

(At this point, the Vice-Chairman will take the Chair.)

Councillor James Waters will move,

"That the Council, in recognising the most able and diligent manner in which the retiring Chairman, Councillor Brian Harvey has carried out the duties of Chairman of the District during the past year, record its thanks and deep appreciation of his services as Chairman.”

Councillor David Bowman will second.

The Vice-Chairman will then put the motion to the vote and, on its being carried by a show of hands the Vice Chairman will then present Councillor Brian Harvey with his past Chairman’s Badge. Councillor Harvey will then acknowledge his year in office.

(The Chairman will then re-take the Chair.)

(b)     Vice-Chairman

Councillor Rona Burt will move,

"That the Council, in recognising the most able and diligent manner in which the retiring Vice-Chairman, Councillor Chris Barker has carried out the duties of Vice-Chairman of the District during the past year, record its thanks and deep appreciation of his services as Vice-Chairman.”

Councillor Carol Lynch will second.

The Chairman will then put the motion to the vote and, on its being carried by a show of hands, Councillor Chris Barker will then acknowledge his year in office.

At this point the Vice Chairman took the Chair for the first part of this agenda item.

As there would be no further meetings of Forest Heath District Council prior to its dissolution on 31 March 2019, the Council was asked to consider separate votes of thanks to the retiring Chairman and Vice-Chairman.

On the motion of the Leader, seconded by Councillor David Bowman and with the vote being unanimous, it was

RESOLVED:

That the Council, in recognising the most able and diligent manner in which the retiring Chairman, Councillor Brian Harvey has carried out the duties of Chairman of the District during the past year, record its thanks and deep appreciation of his services as Chairman.

The Vice Chairman then awarded Councillor Harvey with his past Chairman’s badge and invited him to acknowledge his year in office.

The Chairman then re-took the Chair.

On the motion of Councillor Rona Burt, seconded by Councillor Carol Lynch and with the vote being unanimous, it was

RESOLVED:

That the Council, in recognising the most able and diligent manner in which the retiring Vice-Chairman, Councillor Chris Barker has carried out the duties of Vice-Chairman of the District during the past year, record its thanks and deep appreciation of his services as Vice-Chairman.

The Chairman invited Councillor Barker to acknowledge his year in office. 

The Chairman will make his closing remarks to signify the dissolution of Forest Heath District Council, which will be replaced by the creation of West Suffolk Council from 1 April 2019.

The Chairman made his closing remarks to signify the dissolution of Forest Heath District Council, which would be replaced by the creation of West Suffolk Council from 1 April 2019.

The Chairman gave thanks to his fellow Members and Officers.  Specific mention was made to the Vice Chairman for his support whilst the Chairman recovered from an operation. 

Lastly, the Chairman wished all retiring Members well and invited all present to join him for refreshments in the Members’ Room.