Agenda and minutes

To confirm and sign the minutes of 9 January 2020.

The minutes of the meeting of 9 January 20 were confirmed and signed, subject to the following amendments.

·         Councillor Booth highlighted that C55/19 (point 4), should read, that there was a motion which was considered by ’Council’ in May 2019.

·         Councillor Booth stated that C58/19 (point 6), should read ‘democratic’.

For information only.

Councillor Mrs Mayor drew member’s attention to the civic activities undertaken by herself and the Vice-Chairman in the weeks preceding Full Council.

The Chairman thanked those members that attended the Twinning Association Annual General Meeting and Tea Party, which took place on 22 January. The event was well received, with several new members joining the association. The Chairman added that the Tea Party is vital to securing sponsors to host visitors from Stadt Nettetal in 2021 when they next visit Fenland.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda, due to the absence of the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Michelle Tanfield.

Members asked questions of Portfolio Holders in accordance with Procedure Rules 8.1 and 8.2 as follows:

·         Councillor Booth addressed Councillor Boden, for an update with regard to parish street lighting which was discussed earlier at Cabinet.  Councillor Boden stated that he had contacted the Parish Clerks over the last few months to obtain feedback which has concluded that the Parishes would prefer if the Council took control of their street lighting and also assume responsibility for all future expenditure and for the council to reimburse them for the expenditure they have already incurred. Councillor Boden added that he has received some detailed and helpful information from members of the Council, including information from Councillor Humphrey who had provided an additional proposal for Cabinet to consider. As a result of this information, an amendment to the motion on the subjectat today’s Cabinet meeting, in order to ensure that those parishes which have the worst proportion of number of street lights to concurrent grant receive additional monies. This amendment to the motion was passed at Cabinet today.

·         Councillor Patrick addressed Councillor Tierney with regard to the Wisbech Customer Services Centre and asked whether he could be provided with some information concerning the reduction in footfall, since the centre moved to the Boathouse. Councillor Tierney stated that he is aware that there has been a significant reduction, however this reduction in customers is due to the fact that may customers now carry out their enquiries on line as opposed to face to face. Councillor Tierney agreed to obtain statistics for Councillor Patrick as requested.

·         Councillor Bligh asked Councillor Boden if he could provide an update with regard to the review on the bus service and in particular the number 46 route. Councillor Boden stated that whilst he is not able to answer the question directly, the Mayor of the Combined Authority is keen to ensure that the more rural areas of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are better served by public transport alternatives than they are currently.

·         Councillor Wicks addressed Councillor Murphy and congratulated the ‘Get it Sorted’ team on the amount of information being passed to members and residents concerning recycling. Councillor Wicks stated that the bin collection day calendar, along with other items of literature which are distributed to all residents in Fenland cannot be recycled.  He added that it would be beneficial to have the diary of collection dates placed on the district council website. Councillor Murphy stated that the collection dates are already on the council’s website.

·         Councillor Yeulett highlighted that he had seen an article on the Cambs Times newspaper concerning the initiative of the £100,000 houses and he asked Councillor Mrs Laws whether she can confirm whether the council supports the proposal. Councillor Mrs Laws confirmed that the council is very much in favour of the initiative. She added that she has attended meetings along with Councillor Hoy and Councillor Benney, as well as a meeting with Charles Roberts from East Cambridgeshire District Council. She stated that the process  ...  view the full minutes text for item C65/19

Councillor Tierney presented a motion regarding the proposal of an incinerator facility in Wisbech and stated that.

This Council understands that there is a proposal to build an Incinerator Facility in Wisbech.

Incinerators are actually wasteful.  They burn much of what it otherwise recyclable and their demand for fuel can sometimes result in a reduction in recycling due to their need to bid for more and more waste.  This means that it becomes typical for incineration to lead to a reduction in recycling and discourages efforts to preserve resources and creates incentives to generate more waste.

Waste Incineration is not a renewable source of energy.  Incinerator companies are marketing “waste-to-energy” as a source of renewable energy.  But unlike other renewables the fuel does not come from infinite natural processes.  On the contrary, it is source from finite resources. 

Burning waste produces toxic emissions.  Burning waste is hazardous for citizens’ health and the environment. Even the most advanced technologies cannot avoid the release of vast amounts of pollutants that contaminate air, soil and water, and end up entering the food chain. Incinerators are major emitters of carcinogenic pollutants as well tiny particles of dust that can lead to decreased lung function, irregular heartbeat, heart attacks, and premature death.

Burning waste creates less employment opportunities than recycling.  Incinerators offer relatively few jobs when compared to recycling.  The large footprint of a huge Incinerator could clearly produce more jobs as regular manufacturing space.  The idea that the Incinerator is a valuable job creator for local people is bluster.

The World is embracing Zero Waste, and Incineration is a backwards step.  “Waste-to-energy” is often described as a good way to extract energy from resources, but in fact it works against the circular economy, producing toxic waste, air pollution and for those that are concerned about Climate Change - contributing to it. 

Wisbech Roads will be heavily affected.  An Incinerator of the size proposed would create hundreds of additional large lorry journeys daily creating significant additional congestion and wear and tear on already busy roads. 

Wisbech Rail is under threat.  Wisbech’ long held hope to re-open its rail line has been champions by the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, the local MP and all local Councils.  Millions of pounds have been invested to get to the current point.  The proposed location of the Incinerator limits the potential options for a new rail station and cuts off part of the potential route it could take. 

In 2019, Wisbech Town Council’s motion to oppose the Incinerator project met with nearly unanimous support.  An original local campaign opposing the Incinerator has since been joined by a second Campaign doing the same thing.  Rallies, public meetings and large campaigns are in place.

Many Environmental Groups are opposed to Incineration due to the issues already discussed.  The public are overwhelmingly opposed to the building of an Incinerator in Wisbech.

The Incinerator proposal is of such a large size that it bypasses the usual Planning route through local Councils and  ...  view the full minutes text for item C66/19

For Council to consider and approve the Final Business Plan 2020-2021.

Members considered the Final Business Plan 2020-21 Report presented by Councillor Boden.

Councillor Boden stated that the report has been widely distributed and the main purpose of the document is to set out the key challenges and opportunities that the council has over the next 12 months. He added that the report was discussed at a recent Overview and Scrutiny meeting and as a result, a few changes were made to the document, in particular with regard to the indicator for recycling performance and also the statement for grade 1 agricultural land has been amended.

Councillor Boden stated that the plan presents some interesting and challenging opportunities for the council over the next 12 months.

Proposed by Councillor Boden, seconded by Councillor Mrs French and AGREED to approve the Final Business Plan 2021-2021.

To consider the Cabinet recommendations in relation to:

·           the General Fund Budget Estimates 2020/21 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020/21 to 2024/25;

·           the Council Tax levels for 2020/21;

·           the Capital Programme 2020-2023;

·           the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Capital Strategy and Annual Treasury Investment Strategy for 2020/21.

Members considered the General Fund Budget Estimates 2020/21 and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) report 2020/2021 to 2024/25 presented by Councillor Boden.

Councillor Mrs Mayor reminded members that this item would be subject to a recorded vote as set out in the Constitution.

Members asked questions and made comments as follows:

·         Councillor Yeulett thanked Councillor Boden for the summary and made reference to the comment that had been made with regard to challenges that are to come in the future, including a further funding review in areas that affect the council.  Councillor Yeulett also added that there are also challenges with regard to business rates moving forward. He stated that he has highlighted previously the issues surrounding councils investing in property companies and the difficulties in accessing their funds when they wish to do so.

·         Councillor Booth stated that he will be supporting the budget but made reference to page 76 of the council agenda pack, item 8.2, where the council net services expenditure is shown to rise on a year on year basis. He stated that if the council were business like in their approach as had the figure as a 0% rise, then savings would not need to be sought.

·         Councillor Boden stated that we do not know any further details of other financial aspects which may change in the next twelve months 

·         Councillor Boden stated that with regard to property investment, the council is not going to invest in property companies; it is going to invest in property funds which are carefully regulated and only those that have sufficient liquidity and are approved from the Section 151 Officer. 

·         Councillor Boden referred to the point that Councillor Booth had highlighted with regard to net services expenditure and the medium term financial strategy, is to make an estimate based on the council’s current financial position and to look at what the likely expenditure will be over the next few financial years.

·         Councillor Booth stated that he was expressing the view that the council does not have a policy in place which asks officers not to increase the budgets over the medium term financial period. Councillor Boden added that there is a policy in place which is enforced by officers and ensures that every service department reviews at its expenditure on a regular basis to ensure expenditure costs are kept to a certain level. The medium term financial strategy should be reflection of the policies that are in place. 

A Recorded vote was taken on the recommendation which was unanimous and adopted.

In Favour: Councillor Benney, Councillor Mrs Bligh, Councillor Boden, Councillor Booth, Councillor Connor, Councillor Cornwell, Councillor Count, Councillor Mrs Davis, Councillor Divine, Councillor Mrs French, Councillor Miss French, Councillor Hay, Councillor Hoy, Councillor Humphrey, Councillor Mrs Laws, Councillor Lynn, Councillor Marks, Councillor Mason, Councillor Maul, Councillor Meekins, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Patrick, Councillor Purser, Councillor Rackley, Councillor Seaton, Councillor Sutton, Councillor Tierney, Councillor Wallwork and Councillor Wicks and Councillor Yeulett.

Against: None

Abstentions: None

Members considered the Council Tax Resolution proposal presented by Councillor Boden.

Councillor Mrs Mayor reminded members that this item would be subject to a recorded vote as set out in the Constitution.

Proposed by Councillor Boden, seconded by Councillor Lynn and AGREED to pass the resolution set out in the report as follows:

·         To approve the Council Tax Resolution to reflect a 0% Council Tax increase for Fenland District Council for 2020/21.

The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 impose an obligation on Local Authorities (after 25 February 2014) to record all votes on decisions on budget and council tax, with this in mind Members voted on this item as follows:

In favour of the proposal - Councillor Benney, Councillor Mrs Bligh, Councillor Boden, Councillor Booth, Councillor Connor, Councillor Cornwell, Councillor Count, Councillor Mrs Davis, Councillor Divine, Councillor Mrs French, Councillor Miss French, Councillor Hay, Councillor Hoy, Councillor Humphrey, Councillor Mrs Laws, Councillor Lynn, Councillor Marks, Councillor Mason, Councillor Maul, Councillor Meekins, Councillor Murphy, Councillor Patrick, Councillor Purser, Councillor Rackley, Councillor Seaton, Councillor Sutton, Councillor Tierney, Councillor Wallwork and Councillor Wicks and Councillor Yeulett.

Against: None

Abstentions: None

To remove the Cumulative Impact Assessment Policy

Members considered the proposed removal of the Cumulative Impact Assessment Policy (CIA) report to members presented by Councillor Humphrey

Members asked questions and made comments as follows:

·         Councillor Tierney stated that when the CIA was first proposed a number of years ago, he opposed the policy, as he did believe it would resolve the issues. He added that the community of Wisbech have requested that the issue of anti-social behaviour caused by street drinking needs to be addressed. He added that whilst he appreciates that the CIA policy was not introduced for that reason specifically; many people hoped it would address the issue, but it has not.

·         Councillor Tierney added that the policy protects businesses that are not operating correctly and prevents new businesses from opening. He added that it also distracts the council from addressing the problems it needs to deal with.

·         Councillor Tierney expressed the view that there needs to be policies in place that challenge the problems that Wisbech has. He added that Wisbech Town Council did not support the policy because in their opinion, the policy does not work and he will support the proposal of the removal of the Cumulative Impact Assessment Policy, so real measures can be taken to solve the problem.

·         Councillor Sutton stated that in his opinion, he does not agree with the comments made by Councillor Tierney. Councillor Sutton stated that the policy was never intended to stop street drinking. He added that the policy was introduced for licensing applications to prove that the three licensing objectives would not be affected and he added that he will not be supporting the proposal to remove the policy.

·         Councillor Hoy expressed the opinion that all premises in Wisbech that apply to sell alcohol are faced with objections from Public Health who have shown concerns over additional premises selling alcohol in Wisbech which will add to the cumulative effect. She added that street drinking has reduced slightly due to the work that the council has been undertaking and also a greater police presence. She stated that the homeless hub has also helped by engaging with the street drinkers.

·         Councillor Hoy expressed the view that she believes there is a solution to the problem and she will be working with the Cabinet members to find a satisfactory resolution.

·         Councillor Booth stated that in his opinion, the policy should not be removed. He added that the consultation responses that were received were in favour of keeping the policy, including Public Health. He added that he is pleased to hear that further work is being undertaken to try and find a solution. He stated that the policy is in place to be used in conjunction with other legislation, which in his opinion is not being utilised fully.

·         Councillor Benney stated that the purpose of the 2003 licensing act was to open up the sale of alcohol to the general public, to enable the public to choose when they drink. He expressed the opinion that the policy goes  ...  view the full minutes text for item C70/19

To advise Members of a change to the number of Cabinet meetings to be held within the municipal year and of other meeting arrangements.

Members considered the Constitutional Amendment report presented by Councillor Boden.

Members asked questions and made comments as follows:

·         Councillor Booth asked for clarification with regard to the review period over the frequency of the cycle of meetings. Councillor Boden clarified that a review will take place after 6 months.

·         Councillor Sutton stated that he broadly agrees with the changes. He expressed the view that he does have concerns with regard to the Planning Committee, meeting 5 weekly, as there are going to be extensions of time requests with regard to planning applications and his preference and proposal would be to have monthly meetings rather than 5 weekly.

·         Councillor Boden clarified that this item is to note and not to decide.

It was proposed by Councillor Boden, seconded by Councillor Connor and decided that that Council APPROVE the Constitutional Amendments.

Amy Brown, Deputy Monitoring Officer, left the Council Chamber at 17.45pm

To advise Members of the appointment of Amy Brown, Chief Solicitor as the Council's Deputy Monitoring Officer (DMO). 

Members considered the Notification of the Appointment of the Deputy Monitoring Officer report presented by Councillor Boden.

It was proposed by Councillor Boden, seconded by Councillor Miscandlon and decided that that Council APPROVE the recommendation.

Amy Brown, Deputy Monitoring Officer, entered the Council Chamber 17.46pm.

Members congratulated Amy Brown on her appointment.

Councillor Tierney was not present when members agreed to note this item.

The purpose of this report is for Council to adopt the Senior Manager Pay Policy Statement for 2020/21 attached to the report.

Members considered the Senior Manager Pay Policy Statement Report presented by Councillor Boden.

Members asked questions and made comments as follows:

·         Councillor Booth expressed the view that this is a policy and if members are minded then they can vote against the policy.

Proposed by Councillor Boden, seconded by Councillor Mrs French and AGREED to adopt the Senior Manager Pay Policy Statement for 2020/21 as required by the Localism Act 2011.