Agenda and minutes

Please advise the Democratic Services Team on 01629 761133 or email committee@derbyshiredales.gov.uk of any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors: Jason Atkin, Michele Morley, Andrew Shirley and Clare Gamble.

To propose that a Member of the Council be elected Chairman.

It was moved by Councillor Garry Purdy, Seconded by Councillor Susan Hobson and

RESOLVED

That Councillor Sue Bull be elected Chairman of the Council for the year 2022/2023.

Voting

32 For

0 Against

2 Abstentions

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

To propose that a Member of the Council be appointed Vice-Chairman.

It was moved by Councillor Garry Purdy, Seconded by Councillor Mark Salt and

RESOLVED

That Councillor Andrew Shirley be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Council for the year 2022/2023.

Voting

32 For

1 Against

1 Abstentions

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

a)    To propose that a Member of the Council be appointed to the position of Civic Chairman, with seconding and supporting speeches.

b)    Speech in reply by the newly appointed Civic Chairman.

c)    The Civic Chairman will propose a vote of thanks to the retiring Civic Chairman.

It was moved by Councillor Helen Froggatt, Seconded by Councillor Tom Donnelly and

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

That Councillor Graham Elliott be elected Civic Chairman of the Council for the civic year 2022/2023.

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

The duly elected Civic Chairman was invested with the Chain of Office and expressed his thanks to the retiring Civic Chair and Members for their vote of confidence.

To propose that a Member of the Council be appointed Deputy Civic Chairman, with seconding and supporting speeches.

It was moved by Councillor Tom Donnelly, Seconded by Councillor Mark Wakeman and

RESOLVED

That Councillor Jason Atkin be appointed Deputy Civic Chairman of the Council for the civic year 2022/2023.

Voting

19 For

9   Against

6   Abstentions

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

The duly elected Deputy Civic Chairman was invested with the Chain of Office and thanked Members for their vote of confidence.

Announcements of the Leader of the Council.

As we enter the final year of this Council Term, I am sure that we are all looking forward to next May! Some more than others! I need to bring to your attention a real and serious concern that the Chief Executive Paul Wilson has brought to the attention of myself and Deputy Leader, Councillor Sue Hobson, with regard to the problems of recruiting staff at this morning’s CEX meeting. Paul is unable to be with us this evening because he is on Lord Lieutenant’s duties. The Authority, like many other Local Authorities in the Country is facing serious recruitment issues and in addition in retaining staff. This issue has been raised in circulations by the LGA and DCN. This is yet another casualty of the Pandemic.

The latest loss is the Legal Services Manager, Lee Gardner who is moving to a neighbouring Authority and we can only wish him the very best for his future. We are currently without an Audit Team, adverts for posts are having to be sent out on more than one occasion due to a lack of applications or persons unsuitable for the position advertised. You will be aware of the problems that Karen faced in recruiting much needed and qualified accounting staff. Fortunately we have been successful in securing the services of a good Officer to replace Paul Frith. We thank Paul for his hard work and indeed all other staff who have worked hard for this organisation but for different reason have left us. Not only is the cost of living having an effect, but the main issue is the fact that the Private Sector can afford to pay more for our valuable staff, and who can blame them if they move on for financial reasons.

It is vital therefore that we look after our present staff, and whilst this message has been put out by me on previous occasions, I have to say that there is an additional need now due to the extra the pressures that our staff are under and I have to appeal to you once again to consider if the email or question is necessary. I note for example an exchange of emails between certain Members and James when I came back of annual leave. It was patently clear from the content of his email that James was under high pressure to get reports completed for the annual meeting, and now sadly, he has had to depart to Ireland for a family funeral. I am sure you will agree with me when I say that our thoughts are with him.

There is now additional pressure on Steve Capes Team due to the fact of Government providing this Authority with £1.9million to spend up to 2025 under the Shared Prosperity Fund. A three tier Prospectus has to be raised as to how we spend such monies and initially the thought is that this should cover the themes of:

1.         Towns & Public Realm

2.         Business

3.         People

My strong view  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6/22

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting of the Council held on 27 April 2022 as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

It was moved by Councillor David Chapman, Seconded by Councillor Mark Wakeman and

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 27 April 2022 be approved as a correct record.

Voting

33 For

0   Against

1   Abstentions

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any interests they may have in subsequent agenda items in accordance with the District Council’s Code of Conduct. Those interests are matters that relate to money or that which can be valued in money, affecting the Member, her/his partner, extended family and close friends. Interests that become apparent at a later stage in the proceedings may be declared at the time.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive the results of the by-election for the Carsington Water Ward held on 5 May 2022.

The Council received a report on the results of the by-elections to the District Council for the Carsington Water ward held on 5 May 2021

The Deputy Monitoring Officer gave a brief summary of the report informing members the following member had been duly elected:

            Carsington Water ward – Janet Rose 

The new Councillor was given the opportunity to introduce herself and was welcomed to the Council.

It was moved by Councillor Colin Swindell, Seconded by Councillor Dermot Murphy and

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

That the result of the by-election to the District Council for the Carsington Water ward held on 5 May 2022 be noted.

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

To elect a Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council for the 2022/23 municipal year.

The Council received a report to consider the election of the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council for the 2022/23 municipal year.  The Council has historically appointed a Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council by the convention that the posts would be filled by the Leader and Deputy Leader of the largest political group on the Council.

It was moved by Councillor David Chapman, Seconded by Councillor Tom Donnelly and

RESOLVED

That Councillor Garry Purdy be elected Leader of the Council for the civic year 2022/2023.

Voting

21 For

0   Against

13 Abstentions

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

It was moved by Councillor Helen Froggatt, Seconded by Councillor Richard Bright and

RESOLVED

That Councillor Sue Hobson be elected Deputy Leader of the Council for the civic year 2022/2023.

Voting

21 For

0   Against

13 Abstentions

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

It was moved by Councillor Mark Salt, Seconded by Councillor Steve Flitter and

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to amend the Council Procedure Rules to include the annual election of the Leader of the Council and Deputy Leader of the Council at the Annual Meeting.

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

Members received a report with the recommendations of the Constitution Working Group in respect of proposed amendments to various parts of the Constitution and seeking the Council’s approval and adoption of the proposed revisions.

It was moved by Councillor Garry Purdy, Seconded by Councillor Mark Wakeman and

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

That consideration of Item 11 be deferred to the meeting of Council to be held on the 28 July 2022.

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

To consider the membership of political groups on the Council, the overall political balance of the Council and the entitlement of political groups to seats on committees for the 2022/23 municipal year.

The Council considered a report on the updated membership of political groups on the Council, the change to the political balance of the authority following the by-election held on 5 May 2022 and the revised entitlement of political groups to seats on committees for the 2022/23 municipal year.

Following the recent By-Elections the political balance of the Council was:

It was moved by Councillor Jason Atkin, seconded by Councillor Chris Furness and

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

1.   That the operation of four political groups on the Council and the detail of their designated Leaders be noted:

-     Conservative Group and Cllrs Bright, Elliott and Salt – Councillor Garry Purdy

-     Green and Independent Group – Councillor Neil Buttle

-     Independent Group – Councillor Colin Swindell

-     Labour Group – Councillor Mike Ratcliffe

-     Liberal Democrat Group – Councillor Steve Flitter

2.   That special responsibility allowances be paid to the Leader of the Council, Deputy Leader of the Council, and group leaders of the two largest opposition groups in accordance with the Members Allowances Scheme at Part 6 of the Constitution.

3.   That the Council notes, and agrees, the entitlement of the membership of the political groups and that such entitlements have been reflected in the allocations to Committees.

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

To appoint Members to serve on committees in accordance with each political group’s entitlement to seats.

The Council considered the appointment of members to serve on committees for the 2022/23 municipal year in accordance to each political group’s entitlement.

It was moved by Councillor Richard FitzHerbert, seconded by Councillor David Hughes and

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

That Councillors be appointed to serve on the Committees of the Council in accordance with the wishes of the political groups as set out in appendix 1 of these Minutes.

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

To appoint Chairmen and Vice Chairmen to Committees.

The Council considered a report setting out the appointments to the positions of Chairman and Vice-Chairman to the various decision making bodies for the 2022-23 municipal year.

Nominations were moved and seconded as detailed in the table below and it was

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

That the following appointments be made to the positions of Committee Chairman and Vice-Chairman until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

To review the Council’s affiliations with outside bodies and consider nominations to act as the Council’s Representatives.

The Council considered a report that reviewed its affiliations with outside bodies and invited nominations to act as the Council’s representatives.

The Schedule attached at Appendix 2, gave the full list of outside bodies that required the Council’s consideration. The Council was asked to consider its nominations and any changes it wishes to make to those currently in place

The list of approved conferences and recommended representation was tabled in paragraph 2.1 of the report, which was submitted to confer approved duty status to cover Member attendance. 

At a previous meeting of Council it was agreed that Members should report back annually on their involvement with an outside body and that updates be sent to all Members of the Council.

It was moved by Councillor Chris Furness, seconded by Councillor Tom Donnelly and

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

That Council reviews the appointments to outside bodies identified in Appendix 2, and considers any changes it may wish to make to the current arrangements.

That the position of organisations where no indemnity insurance currently exists be noted accordingly.

That the Members identified in Appendix 2 be appointed to the relevant outside body to serve until the next Annual Meeting of the Council.

That the list of Conferences for 2022/23 be approved

That authority is delegated to the Director of Corporate and Customer Services in consultation with the Chief Executive and Directors, where relevant, to determine requests for attendance at other conferences based on the relevance of the subject matter and to the availability of finance.

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

To approve the calendar of meetings of Council and its committees in the 2022/23 municipal year.

The Council received a report to approve the Calendar of Meetings for the 2022/23 municipal year attached as Appendix 3.

Recommendation 1 – Approve the Calendar of meetings for 2022/23 municipal year

It was moved by Councillor Andrew Statham, seconded by Councillor Chris Furness and

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

The Calendar of Meetings for the 2022/23 municipal year be approved.

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

Recommendation 2 – Consider the continued recording and livestreaming of Council and Committee meetings.

Councillor Tony Morley proposed the deferment of consideration of this recommendation until a future meeting of Council, this was seconded by Councillor Richard Bright and

RESOLVED

That consideration of recommendation 2 be deferred until a future Council meeting

Voting

32 For

0   Against

1   Abstentions

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

To enable members of the public to ask questions, express views or present petitions, IF NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN, (by telephone, in writing or by email) BY NO LATER THAN 12 NOON OF THE WORKING DAY PRECEDING THE MEETING. As per Procedural Rule 14.4 at any one meeting no person may submit more than 3 questions and no more than 1 such question may be asked on behalf of one organisation.

There was no public participation.

Note:

“Opinions expressed or statements made by individual persons during the public participation part of a Council or committee meeting are not the opinions or statements of Derbyshire Dales District Council. These comments are made by individuals who have exercised the provisions of the Council’s Constitution to address a specific meeting. The Council therefore accepts no liability for any defamatory remarks that are made during a meeting that are replicated on this document.”

To review the success of the Local Projects Fund and grants awarded since its inception in October 2015 and consider examples of the projects supported in the 2021/2022 financial year and to review the terms and conditions for the award of funding.

Members received a report which included a review of the success of the Local Projects Fund and grants awarded since its inception in October 2015. The report also detailed examples of the projects supported in the 2021/2022 financial year and reviewed the terms and conditions for the award of funding.

Councillor Chris Furness moved recommendations 1 to 4 as set out in the report, this was seconded by Councillor Mark Salt.

During debate, an amendment was proposed by Councillor Garry Purdy to include a fifth recommendation to increase the £900 allocated to each Councillor to grant aid to projects to £1000 per annum. This was seconded by Peter Slack and put to the vote as follows:

Voting

32 For

1   Against

0   Abstentions

The Chairman declared the amendment CARRIED.

The substantive motion, with the additional fifth recommendation, was then put to the vote and

RESOLVED

1.   That the report be noted.

2.   That the Local Projects Fund be continued in the 2022/2023 financial year, with all spend to be committed by December 2022 to avoid the pre-election period in the spring of 2023.

3.   That the terms and conditions of the Local Projects Fund detailed at Appendix 3 be approved.

4.   That, on this occasion, the underspend on the Local Projects Fund in the 2021/22 financial year be carried forward to contribute to funding for the events and projects in the district associated with the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

5.   That the £900 per annum currently allocated to each Councillor to grant aid to projects be increased to £1000 per annum.

Voting

32 For

0   Against

1   Abstentions

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

This report proposes that the Council agrees to carry out a number of Community Governance Reviews that will be required as a result of the new warding and parish arrangements proposed by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England and the impact of new housing developments across the district.

It is proposed that at the same time Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations are reviewed to make sure that they reflect the revised arrangements and the impact of new housing developments.

19:05 - Councillor Richard Bright left the meeting

Members considered a report proposing that Council agrees to carry out a number of Community Governance Reviews that will be required as a result of the warding and parish arrangements proposed by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England and the impact of new housing developments across the district.

It was proposed that at the same time as Polling Districts, Polling Stations are also reviewed to make sure that they reflect the revised arrangements and the impact of new housing developments.

It was moved by Councillor Colin Swindell, seconded by Councillor Steve Flitter and

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

1.   That authority be delegated to the Director of Corporate and Customer Services to carry out a review of polling districts, polling places and polling stations to make sure they reflect the revised warding arrangements and new residential developments constructed and occupied since the last review.

2.   That authority be delegated to the Director of Corporate and Customer Services to carry Community Governance Reviews arising from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England proposals and the impact of new residential developments.

3.   That any changes required as a result of these reviews be brought back to Council before 1 October 2022 to consider any proposed changes and any representations received before the arrangements are approved by Members.

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

To consider the arrangements for a review of the Members’ Allowances Scheme.

19:19 - Councillor Peter Slack left the meeting

Members received a report which detailed the arrangements for a review of the Members’ Allowances Scheme.

It was moved by Councillor Richard FitzHerbert, seconded by Councillor Chris Furness and

RESOLVED

1.   That authority be delegated to the Director of Corporate and Customer Services to commence a review of the Members’ Allowanced scheme in accordance with the Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003

2.   That Dr Declan Hall of DLG Research and Consultancy be appointed to carry out the review and be appointed as Chair of the Council’s Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) for a period of 12 months ending in May 2023.

3.   That approval be given to a waiver under Contract Standing Orders to appoint Dr. Declan Hall.

4.   That Mr David Willis be reappointed serve on the IRP for a further 4 years ending in May 2026.

5.   That authority be delegated to the Director of Corporate and Customer Services to recruit and select replacement Panel Members when future vacancies arise and then make a recommendation to the Council to fill these vacancies

Voting

26 For

0   Against

5   Abstentions

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

To authorise that the Common Seal of the Council be affixed to those documents, if any, required completing transactions undertaken by Committees or by way of delegated authority to others, since the last meeting of the Council.

It was moved by Councillor Mark Salt, seconded by Councillor Stuart Lees and

RESOLVED (Unanimously)

That the common seal of the Council be affixed to those documents, if any, required to complete transactions undertaken by Committees or by way of delegated authority to officers since the last meeting of the Council.

The Chairman declared the motion CARRIED.

Attachments:

Appendix 1 - Appointments to Committees

Appendix 2 - Appointments to Outside Bodies

Appendix 3 - Programme of meetings 2022-23