Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

Members declared interests with regard to the following agenda items:

10. Chairman's Allowance.

Councillor Colin Clarke, Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, as Chairman of Council for the municipal year for 2012/13 and therefroe a potential recipient of the Chairman's allowance should the payment of one be agreed.

Councillor Lawrie Stratford, Conflict, as Vice-Chairman of Council for 2012/13, which by convention becomes Chairman the following year. Whilst this did not provide a conflict currently, due to the potential conflict Councillor Stratford confirmed he would remain in the meeting but would abstain from voting.

To receive communications from the Chairman and/or the Leader of the Council.

The Chairman reported that it was his sad duty to advise Members that David Maxwell Turner former County and District Councillor and father of Councillor Nicholas Turner had passed away yesterday. Council observed a period of silence in memory of former Councillor David Turner.

Councillor Wood, Leader of Council and Councillor Cartledge, Leader of the Opposition both paid tribute to David Maxwell Turner.

The Chairman to report on any requests to submit petitions or to address the meeting.

There were no petitions or requests to address the meeting.

The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

There were no items of urgent business.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of Council held on 16 May 2012.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2012 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

a)         Minutes of Executive, Lead Member Decisions and Executive Decisions not included in the Forward Plan

The Leader of the Council to formally propose that the minutes of the meetings of the Executive and Lead Member Decisions as set out in the Minute Book (circulated separately) be received and to report that since the last meeting no decisions have been taken by the Executive which were not included in the Forward Plan.

b)         Minutes of Committees

The Leader of the Council to formally propose that the minutes of committees as set out in the Minute Book (circulated separately) be received.

a)                 Minutes of the Executive, Lead Member Decisions and Executive Decisions made under Special Urgency

Resolved

That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive and Lead Member decisions as set out in the Minute Book be received and that it be noted that since the last meeting of Council, there had been no decisions that were subject to the special urgency provisions of the Constitution.

b)                 Minutes of Committees

Resolved

That the minutes of Committees as set out in the Minute Book be received.

a)         Written Questions

            To receive any written questions and answers which have been submitted with advance notice in accordance with the constitution. A written response to the question will be circulated at the meeting.

b)         Questions to the Leader of the Council

The Chairman to invite questions to the Leader of the Council (including any matters arising from the minutes).

Following a response to their question being provided members will be entitled to a follow up or supplementary question.

c)         Questions to Committee Chairmen on the minutes

The Chairman to invite questions to Chairmen of Committees on any matter arising from the minutes of their committee (if any).

a) Written Questions

There were no written questions.

b) Questions to the Leader of the Council

Questions were asked and answers received on the following issues:

Maternity facilities at the Horton Hospital: Councillor Cartledge

Flood Insurance and DEFRA: Councillor Cartlegde        

Olympic Torch Relay in the Cherwell District: Councillor Turner

Member Champions: Councillor Macnamara

Roll out of Brighter Futures across district: Councillor Macnamara

Council Tax Benefit Reforms: Councillor Beere

Council newspapers: Councillor Dhesi

Housing under occupation: Councillor Woodcock

Congratulating Sir Tony Baldry: Councillor Mallon

Bicester Town Centre Redevelopment: Councillor Hughes

RAF Bicester: Councillor Sames

Public amenity tip Bicester area: Councillor Sibley

Free School Upper Heyford: Councillor Sibley

Orchard Way Development: Councillor Cartledge

Free School Upper Heyford: Councillor Macnamara

c) Questions to Committee Chairmen on the minutes

There were no questions to Committee Chairman on the minutes of meetings.

To debate any motions which have been submitted with advance notice, in accordance with the constitution.

There were no motions.

The Resources and Performance Scrutiny Board is due to report back on proposals for a Chairman’s Allowance following the referral of this matter to them at Annual Council. The Resources and Performance Scrutiny Board is not due to meet until after the publication of this agenda and their recommendations will be circulated as soon as they are available.

The Head of Law and Governance submitted a report which sought to consideration of the recommendations of the Resources and Performance Scrutiny Board in relation to the proposal to pay an allowance to the Chairman of Cherwell District Council.

It was agreed that standing orders be waived for the duration of this agenda item to allow the Head of Law and Governance to provide clarification on allowances and the validity of a proposed amendment.

In the course of debate views both for and against the proposal were expressed, however it was noted that the proposals had been given detailed consideration by the Resources and Performance Scrutiny Board and had cross party support.

Resolved

(1)               That an allowance of £2000 be paid to the Chairman of the Council with effect from the municipal year 2012/13.

(2)               That the Resources and Performance Scrutiny Board recommendations detailed below be agreed:

(1) That an allowance of £2000 be paid to the Chairman of Cherwell District Council for the municipal year 2012/13 with immediate effect

(2) That the scheme of reference for the Chairman's allowance (annex to the minutes, as set out in the minute book) be adopted.

(3) That officers be requested to review the Chairman's budget operating period so that it is aligned with the municipal year as opposed to the financial year.

Report of Head of Law and Governance

Summary

To enable Council to ensure compliance with the Localism Act 2011 by ratifying the code of conduct previously adopted at the May 2012 Council meeting. Also to take the opportunity to confirm the arrangements for the handling of complaints alleging misconduct by District, Town and Parish Councillors that have been prepared by the Head of Law and Governance pursuant to delegated authority previously granted.

Recommendations

Council is recommended to:

(1)               Approve the arrangements for dealing with complaints of Councillor misconduct appended to this report.

(2)               Ratify the adoption of the code of conduct at appendix 1 to the arrangements previously resolved at the May 2012 Council meeting.

(3)               Note the intention of the Head of Law and Governance to bring a report to the October meeting of Council to seek approval to the appointment of two independent persons to the Standards Committee and possible revisions to the adopted code of conduct.

The Head of Law and Governance submitted a report to enable Council to ensure compliance with the Localism Act 2011 by ratifying the code of conduct previously adopted at the May 2012 Council meeting. The report also sought confirmation of the arrangements for the handling of complaints alleging misconduct by District, Town and Parish Councillors that had been prepared by the Head of Law and Governance pursuant to delegated authority previously granted.

Resolved

(1)               That the arrangements for dealing with complaints of Councillor misconduct (annex to the minutes as set out in the minute book) be approved.

(2)               That the adoption of the code of conduct (annex to the minutes as set out in the minute book) previously resolved at the May 2012 Council meeting be approved.

(3)               That the intention of the Head of Law and Governance to bring a report to the October meeting of Council to seek approval to the appointment of two independent persons to the Standards Committee and possible revisions to the adopted code of conduct be noted.