To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors WLS Bowen, AW Johnson, RI Mathews, RL Mayo and D Summers..

Agenda item 10 – Appointment of vice-chairman of the general overview and scrutiny committee.

Councillor CA Gandy and Councillor AJW Powers declared pecuniary interests and left the meeting for the duration of this item.

Agenda item 7 – Notice of motion 2 – Additional 2% precept in respect of adult social care. 

Councillor ACR Chappell declared a non-pecuniary interest for the motion because he was a care worker.

To approve and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2015 and of the extraordinary meeting held on 16 October 2015.

Councillor LW Tawn requested a correction to minute no 20 –he had declared a non-pecuniary interest not as a director of the Old Market but as an owner of a business at the Old Market.

RESOLVED:

a)    that the minutes of the meeting held on the 25 September 2015 as amended be confirmed  as a correct record and signed by the chairman; and 

b)   that the minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on the 16 October be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the chairman.

Council noted the chairman’s announcements as printed in the agenda papers.

The chairman offered congratulations to Councillor Lester and his wife on the birth of their daughter.

The chairman reported the receipt of three petitions relating to:

-       Schools transport policy

-       Road safety in Tump Lane, Much Birch Herefordshire

-       Ross on Wye library

The chairman reported that on the 16 December he had facilitated visits by a group of young people to present a production of Frozen at the children’s ward, Herefordshire Hospital, Brookfields, Black Marston School, Barrs Court School and the Martha Trust.

A copy of the public questions and written answers, together with supplementary questions asked at the meeting and their answers, is attached to the minutes at appendix 1.

To consider a petition received bearing more than 7,000 signatures and therefore requiring debate by Council.

Council was asked to consider a petition received bearing more than 7,000 signatures and therefore requiring debate by Council.

Council debated the petition in accordance with the procedure set out on page 56 of the agenda papers.

The petition for Ross on Wye Library was presented by Clare West on behalf of the Ross Library Development Group and the following points were highlighted:

• the service is used by all ages
• the service and building Is not just about books
• the building provides a public space for meetings.
• the service contributes to social cohesion
• the service provided internet access

Councillor H Bramer, cabinet member for contracts and assets, proposed the motion that:  this Council be asked to formally respond to the petition, and in doing so particularly to consider sustaining a library service in Ross-on-Wye and other market towns working closely with the local community and library development groups.

The cabinet member commented that ongoing dialogue is continuing with user groups.

Councillor JA Hyde seconded the proposal.

In the course of the debate the following principal points were made:

·         Any response by the executive should consider the county as a whole.

·         Concerns were expressed that the existing service would be replaced by a less efficient and reduced model.

·         Market town libraries also supported community/parish services.

·         Library buildings did not have to be seen as only offering library services

 The chairman thanked the Ross Library Development Group for the petition.

RESOLVED: That the executive be asked to formally respond to the petition, and in doing so particularly to consider sustaining a library service in Ross-on-Wye and other market towns working closely with the local community and library development groups.

To consider Notices of Motion.

Motion 1 - road markings

Councillor NE Shaw proposed the motion. The motion was seconded by councillor A Seldon.

Councillor Shaw highlighted that the current policy of waiting until work is required was not sufficiently responsive to public concerns about conditions.  The motion if passed would enhance road safety.

In discussion the following principal points were made:

• The standard of road markings done in recent years had been of poor quality.

• The current method of requests for work through locality stewards was working and there must be a sensible approach taken with repairs with regard to costs.

Councillor P Rone cabinet member transport and roads confirmed that the motion only related to repairs to existing workings and was not a fast track for new road markings.  Any new request would be required to go through the usual channels i.e. locality stewards.

The motion proposed that a:‘…request by parish council, headmaster or emergency services officer through the ward councillor…’

An amendment was proposed to substitute the word ‘through’ with ‘copied’ with the view being that this amendment would enhance communication. The proposer of the motion confirmed that he was content with this amendment.

RESOLVED: The executive cabinet member responsible should reconsider the blanket approach in respect of road markings and special road treatments outside schools; fire, police and ambulance stations; pedestrian crossings and any other locations historically associated with serious or fatal accidents. That in such circumstances a request by a parish council, headmaster or emergency services officer copied to ward councillor be prioritised by our highways maintenance partner and delivery of an agreed scheme on the ground be effected within 3 calendar months unless delayed for reasons justified by the cabinet member responsible e.g. adverse weather, re-surfacing being scheduled within the next 12 months, closure or consolidation of a location, other traffic scheme (TRO or otherwise) being imminent.

Motion 2 – Additional 2% precept in respect of adult social care.

Councillor J Stone proposed the motion with a minor alteration to the wording of the motion which was seconded by councillor PA Andrews.    

Councillor Stone made the following principal points:

• Any increase in council tax is never welcome however if this motion is not passed savings would have to be secured elsewhere which would increase existing pressures on other services.

• Hereford has a higher percentage of residents over the age of 65 compared to the national figure – 23% and 17% respectively.

 In discussion the following principal points were made:

• The opportunity should be welcomed to use the extra money to maintain and improve services.

• The wider issue of care funding would not be solved by the additional 2% levy and other actions would continue to be required including delivery of savings and increasing economic growth in the county.

• There should be clear demonstration of how the extra money should be spent.

• The additional costs of service delivery in rural areas  should be recognised.

RESOLVED:  This Council requires the executive to consider accepting the additional  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

To approve the proposed capital programme for 2016/17 to 2019/20 inclusive, as proposed by Cabinet on 3 December 2015.

The deputy leader of the council presented the draft capital programme for 2016/17 to 2019/20 inclusive, as proposed by cabinet on 3 December 2015.

In the course of the discussion the following principal points were made:

• Confirmation would be provided regarding the mechanism for valuation of Brockington prior to sale.

• Car parking places were being reduced during construction of the link road and consideration could be given to using Hereford Bus Station to develop additional parking facilities.

• Expenditure on smallholdings would be kept to a minimum pending disposal of the estate.

·         A briefing would be provided on the impact of the sale of the smallholding estate on the debt to asset ratio.

RESOLVED: That the 2016/17 to 2019/20 capital programme as set out at in the report be approved.

To approve revisions to the council tax reduction scheme as proposed by Cabinet on 3 December 2015.

Council was invited toapprove revisions to the current council tax reduction (CTR) scheme as proposed by cabinet on 3 December 2015

 In the course of the discussion the following principal point was made:

·         Members were aware of struggling families and the council’s hardship fund could be more widely publicised on the council website and by council staff.

RESOLVED: That

(a)      the following revisions to the CTR scheme be approved:

    I.        reduce the maximum level of CTR subsidy from 84% to 80% for certain claimants;

   II.        protect CTR at 84% where the claimant is in receipt of either severe disability premium or carers allowance, or households with a child under the age of five;

  III.        a claimant who lives in a property above band C would have their CTR capped at 80% of a band C equivalent property in their parish;

 IV.        the amount of capital, excluding property, above which claimants cannot claim CTR be reduced from 16k to 6k and;

(b)       the revised CTR scheme is implemented for the financial years 2016/17 and     2017/18.

To consider the appointment of a vice-chairman of the General Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor CA Gandy and Councillor AJW Powers declared pecuniary interests and left the meeting for the duration of this item.

Nominations for the appointment of vice-chairman of the general overview and scrutiny committee were received as follows, and a vote held in accordance with the council procedure rules:

Councillor Gandy – proposed by councillor Morgan, seconded by councillor R Phillips

Councillor Powers - proposed by councillor Harvey, seconded by councillor Lloyd-Hayes.

RESOLVED: That Councillor Gandy be elected vice chairman of the general overview and scrutiny committee.

The deputy leader of the council presented a report on the activities of cabinet since the meeting of Council in September.

In discussion the following principal points were made:

·         Councillor Price, cabinet member for infrastructure, confirmed that there were ongoing discussions with Planning Officers on how to fund ongoing maintenance of public open spaces across the county established as part of new developments.

·         Capital raised through asset disposal could not support revenue staffing costs but would contribute to the county as a whole.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.

A copy of the Member questions and written answers, together with supplementary questions asked at the meeting and their answers, is attached to the Minutes at Appendix 2.