Agenda and minutes

The Chairperson welcomed everyone to the face-to-face meeting and noted that those councillors attending via Teams would not be in attendance formally or able to vote.

The Council will hear any person who wishes to address it in accordance with the Standing Orders. The Chairperson will select the order of the matters to be heard.

Each person will be limited to a period of five minutes for public participation and deputations and three minutes for petitions.  This section of the meeting must not exceed 30 minutes and discussion must not refer to a current planning application.  

The Council will also receive questions from the public and provide answers thereto, subject to the Chairperson being satisfied that the questions are relevant to the business of the meeting.  

Requests must be submitted in writing to the Assistant Director Legal & Governance and Monitoring Officer, or to the officer mentioned at the top of this agenda letter, by noon on the day before the meeting and the request must detail the subject matter of the address.

The Chairperson invited Joe Tristram to speak on the subject of the bus franchise scheme which involved local authorities suspending deregulated bus services and take on the running of the services themselves.

Mr Tristram recognised the benefits to bus services users that the Bus Service Improvement Plan would bring but asked that North Somerset Council consider taking over the bus franchise so that the council would be in charge of bus services that were important to the lives of local people but also a significant area of concern regarding the local area’s CO₂ output.

The Chairperson thanked Mr Tristram for his statement.

A Member must declare any disclosable pecuniary interest where it relates to any matter being considered at the meeting. A declaration of a disclosable pecuniary interest should indicate the interest and the agenda item to which it relates. A Member is not permitted to participate in this agenda item by law and should immediately leave the meeting before the start of any debate.

If the Member leaves the meeting in respect of a declaration, he or she should ensure that the Chairperson is aware of this before he or she leaves to enable their exit from the meeting to be recorded in the minutes in accordance with Standing Order 37.

None declared.

10 January 2023, to approve as a correct record (attached)

Resolved: that the minutes be approved as a correct record.

A minor amendment changing “Executive Member” to Councillor Porter was noted at Question 7, paragraph 4 of the Appendix.

The agenda item number mentioned in the heading of the individual extract refers to the agenda of the relevant Executive meeting. All Members have received the agenda papers and are commended to review them prior to the Council meeting.

(1)      EXE75   Medium Term Financial Plan 2023-2027 (MTFP) and Revenue Budget for 2023-24 (Agenda Item 14) (draft minute extract and report attached)

Note: The published Equality Impact Assessments (EIAs) that underpin the 2023/24 budget savings plans can be found at Appendix 3 to the Executive report. Councillors are asked to familiarise themselves with the EIAs in advance of the meeting.

(2)      EXE76 Treasury Management Strategy 2023-24 (Agenda Item 15) (draft minute extract and report attached)

(3)      EXE77 Capital Strategy 2023-28 and Capital Budget 2023-24 (Agenda Item 16) (draft minute extract and report attached)

Note for Councillors:

Council is requested to consider item 5 (1) above together with the following report (item 6) which contains the Council Tax charges for the Council and the precepting authorities for 2023/24.

If changes are approved to the recommendations from the Executive, alterations to the recommended Council Tax resolution as contained within the following report might be required.  In this case Council will be requested to adjourn to enable the figures in the Council Tax resolution report to be recalculated and re-circulated.

With the agreement of the Chairperson, Councillor Cartman presented the Executive finance references and the council tax setting reports en bloc, that is: Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24; Capital Strategy 2023-2028 and Capital Budget 2023/24; Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) 2023-2027 and Revenue Budget Update 2023/24 and Council Tax Setting 2023/24.  It was noted that a named vote would be required on the budget decision and that an update report had been published containing the precept demand from outside bodies not available at the time of the publication of the original report.

In presenting the Executive references and reports, Councillor Cartman expressed his thanks to officers and members for the work on the budget.  He acknowledged that progress had been made over the previous four years, but much remained to be done.  He added that the budget was based on the guiding principles of the council – “Open, Fairer, Greener” – and advised that it resulted from cross-party collaboration and compromise.

The collaboration was reflected in the long budget setting process and in the context of local government financial constraints.  Difficult decisions had been made and had been changed in response to consultation.  Councillor Cartman stated that the council’s aim was to protect services for its most vulnerable residents, achieve efficiencies where possible and deliver good value for money for the local taxpayer.  He added that the proposal to raise the council tax by 4.99% was in line with neighbouring authorities.

He highlighted that for the first time the council’s next expenditure was budgeted to be in excess of £200m due to increasing costs and demand pressures but £10m efficiency savings were proposed.  He added that the council had an ambitious capital programme for the following year which included the Bus Service Improvement Plan, the re-opening of the Portishead rail line, green initiatives and schools’ expansion.  He noted the council’s success in winning over £100m of inward investment.

In discussing the Executive reference and Council report, members expressed support for the finance strategy but also noted areas of concern.  Questions were raised around the level of council tax increase over the previous four years and concern was expressed over whether sufficient budget had been set aside for children’s and adults’ care services particularly if there was an increase in demand.  It was noted that salaries of care sector workers needed to be raised to retain current staff and attract new entrants into the sector in the face of a competitive market for carers.  Concern was raised over the lack of contingency which would require the use of one-off reserves or borrowing if demand outstripped the budget.  The lack of budget set aside for a contribution to infrastructure required to support new homes was highlighted.

Members raised questions around the depth and breadth of the consultation and engagement carried out with local residents and noted the desire for more cross-party working.  They added that whilst the council was an imaginative, ambitious and forward-thinking council, fair and sustainable funding for social care from  ...  view the full minutes text for item COU109

Councillor Cartman presented the reference from the Executive.

All the finance items were discussed together en bloc (see minute no. COU 109 above).

Motion: Moved by Councillor Cartman, seconded by Councillor Bridger it was

Resolved: that Council:

1)    Approved the Treasury Management Strategy for 2023/24, as described throughout the Executive report and shown in Appendix 1 to the report.

2)    Approved the Prudential Indicators for 2023/24, as shown in Appendix 2 to the Executive report and

3)    Approved the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2023/24, as shown in Section 3.5 of the Executive report.

Councillor Cartman presented the reference from the Executive.

All the finance items were discussed together en bloc (see minute no. COU 109 above).

Motion: Moved by Councillor Cartman, seconded by Councillor Bridger it was

Resolved: that the Council:

(1)  Approved the capital strategy 2023/24 to 2027/28 as outlined in the Executive Summary and detailed in Appendix 5 of the Executive report.

(2) Approved an increase to the capital programme of £137.554m for a range of new investments proposals as detailed in Section 4.2, and Appendix 3 of the Executive report, subject to confirmation of grant funding allocations.

(3) Approved the Commissioning Plan detailed in Appendix 4 of the Executive report for the procurement of the programme delivery plans associated with the Strategic Placemaking Projects (Levelling Up and Cultural Development Fund) outlined in Section 4.2 of the Executive report.

(4) Delegated authority to the S151 Officer for the approval and increase to the capital programme of up to £9.614m for the Strategic Placemaking & Development Programme schemes outlined in Section 4.3 of the Executive report, subject to confirmation of grant funding,

(5) Delegated authority to the S151 Officer in consultation with the appropriate Executive Member, for the period 30 March 2023 – 31 May 2023, to approve Commissioning and Procurement Plans up to £8m for the Strategic Placemaking and Development Programme Schemes outlined in Section 4.3 of the Executive report to ensure delivery of the programme will meet funding timescales and

(6) Delegated authority to the S151 Officer for the approval of the Commissioning and Procurement Plan for Clevedon school grant funded scheme.

Report of Councillor Bridger (attached)

Councillor Bridger presented the report.  He advised that the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) process was running in parallel with the planning application process and that this report sought authorisation to use CPO powers to secure the land and rights required to deliver the additional mitigation requested by Natural England to support the local bat populations.  He added that negotiations with land owners would always be the preferred route but the CPO process was required by Homes England in order to draw down the funding at Stage 2.  He advised that it was anticipated that the planning application would come to the Planning and Regulatory Committee for determination in March.

Councillor Bridger highlighted the current funding position and noted that the council was working with Homes England to determine the effect of inflationary pressures and higher construction costs on the costs of the scheme but that the authority sought in the report had no material impact on the funding available to the council to deliver it.  He expected the resolution for a decision on Stage 2 funding to come later in the summer.

Members were encouraged to attend the meetings of the Place Policy and Scrutiny Panel where further details of this scheme and others related to the Housing Infrastructure Fund were given by officers. 

Motion: Moved by Councillor Bridger, seconded by Councillor Crew and

Resolved: that Council:

a)    noted that following decision COU37 taken on 12 July 2022 and decision of the Leader of the Council and the Executive Member for Major Infrastructure Projects 22/23 DP241, the Council made the North Somerset Council (Banwell Bypass and Southern Link) (Side Roads) Order 2022 (“SRO”), and the North Somerset Council (Banwell Bypass and Southern Link) Compulsory Purchase Order 2022 (“CPO”) (together, “the Orders”) on 6 October 2022 in order to deliver the Scheme.

b)    approved the area to be the subject of a supplemental compulsory purchase order (“the Supplemental CPO”) edged red on the plans at Appendix 1 (“the Supplemental CPO Plan”), which identifies the outline area of the additional land and rights to be acquired for the Scheme (“the Supplemental CPO Land”) by voluntary acquisition or compulsory purchase;

c)    authorised the making of the Supplemental CPO by the Council under sections 239, 240, 246 and 250 of the Highways Act 1980 in respect of all or part of the Supplemental CPO Land, which includes any land or rights that may be required for environmental enhancement and mitigation, flood compensation, replacement land provision or otherwise needed for the Scheme;

d)    authorised all necessary steps to be taken to secure the making, confirmation and implementation of the Supplemental CPO, including the publication and service of all notices, requisitions for information, statement of reasons and the preparation and presentation of the Council’s case at any public inquiry required to secure confirmation of the Supplemental CPO by the Secretary of State;

e)    noted, and gave due regard in determining whether or not to  ...  view the full minutes text for item COU112

Report of Councillor Hogg (attached)

Councillor Hogg presented the report and thanked officers for their work on the revised Travel Plan Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).  He gave the background to the need for Travel Plans from developers and noted they were required under national policy.

The council’s current Travel Plan SPD was 13 years’ old and in need of review to keep up with changing requirements including the Climate Emergency Strategic Action Plan.  Councillor Hogg noted a number of key changes as highlighted in the report including the use of “Modeshift STARS”,  an online platform where a Travel Plan could be stored, developed, managed and monitored over time.

In discussing the report, members considered the issues with legacy travel plans and requested that engagement with pedestrians and cyclists be put before that with car users.  A query was raised about how to match council resource to fluctuating demand if a developer asked for the council to deliver the required Travel Plan.

Motion: Moved by Councillor Hogg, seconded by Councillor McQuillan and

Resolved: that the Council adopted the revised Travel Plan Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) following public consultation.

Report of Councillor Solomon (attached)

Councillor Solomon presented the report noting that it would allow a quicker reaction to single Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) than currently.  They would still be subject to public consultation and groups of PSPOs would still come to the Executive for approval.

Motion: Moved by Councillor Solomon and seconded by Councillor Griggs and

Resolved: that decisions regarding Area Specific Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) be delegated to the Executive Member for Neighbourhoods and Community Services.

These have to be received by the Assistant Director Legal & Governance and Monitoring Officer by 12.00 noon on the day of the meeting. 

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Questions must relate to issues relevant to the work of the Executive. 

Members are requested to supply the Democratic Services Officer with a note of each question at, or just after, the meeting.  A summary note of each question will be included in an appendix to the minutes.

Oral questions were directed to members concerned and the summary notes and topics involved are contained in Appendix 1.

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The Chairperson noted that the meeting would be the last Council meeting for some members and she wanted to reflect on the last four years of the administration.  She added that those four years has been unprecedented in the challenges faced including the pandemic, online meetings, working from home, the war in Ukraine and the cost of living crisis.  She reflected that some of these challenges had brought about positive changes including the council’s policies now taking climate change into account, more walking and cycling and working together with the voluntary sector to set up North Somerset Together.

She added that she was very proud of the rainbow coalition and its achievements and the positive contributions from the opposition.  She thanked all members, the Chief Executive, officers and their teams for their support.  Members warmly applauded her words.

The Leader extended his sincere thanks to the Chairperson and her predecessors, Councillors Westwood and Shopland and to all those members not seeking re-election for their work and service to their residents and North Somerset.

The Chief Executive thanked all members for their work in supporting the residents of North Somerset and the support extended to officers and herself particularly through the challenges of the previous four years as the council continued to improve outcomes for residents, visitors and businesses.

She expressed thanks for the decades of service from those members standing down at the next election. 

(attached)

The Leader presented the Forward Plan.

Resolved: that the Forward Plan be noted.

Report of Councillors Crockford-Hawley, Cronnelly, Griggs, Richardson and Snaden (attached).

Councillor Richardson spoke on behalf of the Chairpersons of the Policy and Scrutiny Panels and thanked them and all members of the panels for their work in challenging and shaping the policies of the Executive.

He thanked Councillor Crosby as the previous Chairperson of the ASH Policy and Scrutiny Panel and all the officers who attended and provided reports.

He added that the joint report summarised the panels’ activities over the year and looked forward to future challenges.

Report of Councillor Gibbons (attached)

Councillor Gibbons presented the report and thanked members who had all been Corporate Parents over the previous years.

She noted particularly the participation of the care experienced young people in the Corporate Parenting Panel and the level of engagement the council had with them thanks to the involvement of the Young Director, Beth Swann.  She added that the meetings of the panel were open to all members and that every other meeting involved the young people themselves in discussions with councillors on themes and matters decided by the young people.  The panel made a point of listening to them and the council’s foster parents.  She noted a number of initiatives the council had undertaken to support young people but added that there would continue to be challenges in delivering change due to budget pressures.

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(1)      Avon Fire Authority

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(2)      Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel

          Oral report of Councillor Crew

(3)      West of England Combined Authority Joint Scrutiny Committee

          None

(1)      Avon Fire Authority

Councillor Davies provided an oral update to the meeting on the setting of the Fire Authority’s precept for the following year and the use of reserves to support the budget.

(2)      Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Panel

Councillor Crew provided an oral update to members on the setting of the budget for the following year and noted that the Chief Constable had given members a report on the work to be done in the following year.  The force would be at full establishment by the summer and the Home Office was funding an additional 80 officers.  There was a need for more detectives and with the budget increase, the Panel expected to see the Neighbourhood Teams operating fully.  The Chief Constable committed to having all teams operationally effective.

          Councillor Westwood noted that the work of the panel involved        monitoring the work of the Police and Crime Commissioner, not to         make decisions on the operation of the police force itself.  He added that there was a new commissioner for the area, Mark Shelford who was the national lead on digital and cybercrime.

Report of Assistant Director, Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer

The Solicitor presented the report noting the date change to the Annual Council Meeting in May.

For a matter to be considered as an urgent item, the following question must be addressed:  “What harm to the public interest would flow from leaving it until the next meeting?” If harm can be demonstrated, then it is open to the Chairman to rule that it be considered as urgent. Otherwise the matter cannot be considered urgent within the statutory provisions.

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