Agenda and minutes

Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972 requires a record be kept of the Members present and that this record form part of the minutes of the meeting. Members who cannot attend a meeting should tender apologies to the Town Clerk.

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors F Kharawala and T Morris.

i)     Under the Localism Act 2011 (sections 26-37 and Schedule 4) and in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct, Members are required to declare any interests which are not currently entered in the Member’s Register of Interests or if he/she has not notified the Monitoring Officer of it.

(ii) Should any Member have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in an item on the agenda, the Member may not participate in consideration of that item unless a Dispensation has first been requested (in writing) and granted by the Council (see Dispensation Procedure).

Councillor Harvey declared a personal interest as a member of the South East Area Arts Council.

No pecuniary interests were declared and no dispensations were requested.

To receive questions and statements from members of the public in respect of any item of business included in the agenda, as provided for in Standing Order No.s 3(f) and 3(g).

There were no questions from the public.

(a)  To receive and approve as a correct record the minutes of the Policy and Finance Committee meeting held on 20 June 2022 (attached) in accordance with Standing Order 12.

(b)   To receive information updates on matters arising from the previous meeting (if appropriate).

The Committee received the minutes of the Policy & Finance Committee Meeting held on 20 June 2022.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Policy & Finance Committee held on 20 June 2022 be approved as a correct record and were signed accordingly.

To receive the minutes of the following and to consider any recommendations contained therein: 

i)       Personnel Sub-Committee 4 July 2022

Recommendation at 100/PR (Learning & Development Policies; see attached)

ii)      Community Safety Sub-Committee 11 July 2022 (to follow)

(a)   The Committee received the draft minutes of the Personnel Sub-Committee meeting held on 4 July 2022.

RESOLVED to receive the draft minutes of the Personnel Sub Committee meeting held on 4 July 2022.

RECOMMENDED to Council to approve the Learning & Development Policy and Procedure and the Councillor Learning & Development Policy.

(b)   The Committee received the draft minutes of the Community Safety Sub-Committee held on 11 July 2022. A brief verbal update was given regarding liaison with Bedfordshire Police and Central Bedfordshire Council over antisocial behaviour issues.

RESOLVED to receive the draft minutes of the Community Safety Sub-Committee meeting held on 11 July 2022.

Representatives of The Townlands Trust (responsible for the upkeep of the Leighton Buzzard Market Cross) will attend to provide information and seek a financial contribution to the preparation of a schedule of conservation work on the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

By invitation, two representatives of the registered charity Leighton Buzzard Townlands Trust gave the Committee a presentation on their work to ensure the conservation of the historic Market Cross, a scheduled Ancient Monument subject to the highest level of protections. The Trust had commissioned an expert architect to undertake an initial report and geological assessment, which would eventually inform a programme of conservation work aimed at preventing any further deterioration in the condition of the monument.

Costs for conservation works were as yet unknown but could be significant and the Town Council was asked to consider supporting the Trust in sourcing external funding for these important works. It was agreed that the Market Cross was a symbol of the town, telling its history since the fifteenth century and should be preserved if possible.

It was agreed to discuss this further at the next meeting. Members of the Trust were thanked for their presentation.

Further to discussion at the previous meeting:

(a)        To receive and consider revised wording for the “purpose” of the South Side working party in its Terms of Reference:

To continue to represent and share the views of the local community, businesses and interest groups in pressing the landowning interests to work collaboratively in the timely and early delivery of this important town centre site. To press Central Bedfordshire Council as the majority landowner and policy maker to deliver solutions to address evidenced local needs and in doing so, unlock the development potential for this site and the wider town centre.

(b)        To receive and consider any response received from Central Bedfordshire Council following the resolution made at the previous meeting.

(c)         To consider next steps in respect of land south of the High Street and the remit of the South Side working party (report from Cllr R Goodchild to follow).

a)            Further to discussion at the previous meeting, the Committee received draft revised wording for the purpose of the South Side Working Party for consideration.

RESOLVED to approve the revised wording regarding the purpose of the South Side Working Party as set out in its Terms of Reference, as follows:

To continue to represent and share the views of the local community, businesses and interest groups in pressing the landowning interests to work collaboratively in the timely and early delivery of this important town centre site. To press Central Bedfordshire Council as the majority landowner and policy maker to deliver solutions to address evidenced local needs and in doing so, unlock the development potential for this site and the wider town centre.

(b)          The Committee received correspondence dated 25 July 2022 from Councillor K Collins of Central Bedfordshire Council in respect of land south of the High Street. Committee members expressed concern at the timescales and limitations of the work outlined in the letter and disappointment at the lack of comment regarding community needs in the town. It was agreed that the use of S106 monies for a feasibility study/social infrastructure needs analysis should be queried further as this was not believed to be a duplication of current work but an entirely different proposition, and for any update to be brought back to the next meeting.

RESOLVED to note the correspondence and to authorise the Town Clerk to reply on behalf of the Council.

(c)          The Committee received a report from Councillor R Goodchild regarding the proposal to instruct a consultant to develop up to four high level masterplan options looking at varying potential uses and concepts for land south of the High Street. The timescale was approximately five weeks and the cost would be £10,200 plus VAT plus £320 for a digital Ordnance Survey base to work from.

It was felt that an independent, professional view was needed on potential options for the site but agreed that more evidence might then be required to clarify community requirements and priorities. In accordance with the report and the recommendations set out therein, committee unanimously agreed the following:

RESOLVED:

i)             To use the £10,000 from the ear-marked reserve for consultation on town facilities as resolved by Council on 27^th June 2022 (9056/920) and draw down up to £570 from General reserves to meet the outstanding balance in respect of carrying out a scoping master plan exercise on land south of the High Street.

ii)      To request the Town Clerk to formally advise landowners of the Town Council’s intention to commission a professional consultancy to develop an indicative master plan involving their land.

To receive and note the schedule of June invoices paid in July 2022 (attached) (approved for payment by the Town Clerk and two bank signatories).

The Committee received schedules of payments for June 2022 which had previously been approved for payment by the Town Clerk and countersigned by two signatories.  There were no anomalies or matters of concern to draw to the attention of the Committee.

The schedule for June 2022 dated 8 July 2022 included BACS payments amounting to £253,242.90 (page numbers 3075-3085), including petty cash payments to Tactic of £96.84 and salaries of £104,932.93. A cash book report for June 2022, including details of all direct debit payments, was also received.

RESOLVED to receive the schedules of payments for invoices received in June 2022, paid in July 2022.

To receive and consider the Committee work plan and objectives for 2022-23 (attached).

The Committee received the Committee Work Plan and Objectives for 2022-2023.

RESOLVED to note the Committee Work Plan and Objectives for 2022-23.

To receive a budget monitoring report for the first quarter (April – June 2022) (attached).

The Committee received the budget monitoring report for the first quarter: 1 April – 30 June 2022. It was noted that utilities bills were paid by direct debit and although sometimes based on meter readings, these were sometimes estimates which then later resulted in credits back to the council. Utilities contracts were fixed but it was suggested that opportunities to move at a later date to a greener provider or to source grants to improve sustainability of town council buildings be investigated where possible. 

RESOLVED to note the report.

To receive and note a mid-year update report in respect of the Risk Register Action Plan for 2022-23 (attached).

The Committee received a mid-year update report regarding the Risk Register action plan for 2022-2023.  Actions for the current year were mostly underway and in progress. It was agreed that the risk of extreme heat should be added to the next year’s Risk Register given the recent very high temperatures which had potential to recur in future.

RESOLVED to note the report.

To receive the annual report on insurance claims for the period July 2021 – June 2022 (attached).

In accordance with its terms of reference, the Committee received a report outlining insurance claims for the period June 2021 – June 2022.

RESOLVED to note the report regarding the Town Council insurance policy and claims fore the annual period 30 June 2021 to 29 June 2022.

In accordance with the Committee work plan, to review the Council’s Consultation Procedure (current and proposed revised procedure attached).

The Committee received a proposed revision of its 2011 Consultation Procedure.

RESOLVED to approve the revised Consultation Procedure.

To receive and consider a proposed timeline and process for the 2023-24 budget setting process (report attached).

The Committee received and considered a report with a proposed timescale for the 2023-2024 budget setting process.

RESOLVED to note the proposed timetable for the 2023-2024 budget setting process.

To receive and consider a proposed Flag Protocol (report attached).

The Committee received and considered a report to seek endorsement of the proposed flag protocol for the White House.

RESOLVED to endorse the Flag Protocol.

Further to the current consultation by Central Bedfordshire Council on “accessing services in Dunstable”, to receive a report and consider a formal response (attached).

The Committee received a report to advise of a current consultation being undertaken by Central Bedfordshire Council regarding access to services such as Customer Service and Housing. It was proposed that access would be primarily online, with a “pod” provided in Dunstable for those without internet access at home and the potential for face to face meetings still to take place when necessary at venues such as the Library. The Registrar service would remain unchanged at twice per week in Leighton Buzzard.

The Committee was advised that a small but consistent number of residents did come into the White House on a regular basis in order to speak to a person and that these were mainly residents without the ability or equipment to access services online. The Committee was in agreement that a formal response be submitted requesting a continued in-person presence in Leighton Buzzard or if this was not possible, the ability for residents to access CBC’s reporting systems via Library computers or via a pod in the Leighton Buzzard library.

RESOLVED to submit a consultation response seeking a continued face to face presence for Central Bedfordshire Council services in Leighton Buzzard.

To receive a report following the recent accessibility audits and the aspiration to develop a ten-year planned maintenance programme (attached) and to consider the recommendation/s contained therein.

The Committee received a report with an update of work carried out thus far in terms of ongoing improvements to the White House building and town council owned building assets.

RESOLVED:

(a)   To note the report.

(b)   To approve expenditure of £8,000 from the Facilities Improvements earmarked reserve (£86,952 available) for the purposes of creating a planned maintenance schedule.

Further to the resolution made by the Grounds & Environmental Services Committee on 6 June 2022 (Minute reference 185/PF), to receive a report in respect of remedial works to the Henry Finch Memorial Fountain in Linslade Recreation Ground and to consider the recommendations contained therein.

The Committee received and considered a report for funding of the partial refurbishment of the Henry Finch Memorial Fountain, further to discussion at the Grounds & Environmental Services Committee meeting held on 6 June 2022.

RESOLVED to endorse the funding of the partial refurbishment of the Henry Finch Memorial Fountain by allocating a maximum budget of £12,000 to be met from Grounds and Environmental Services Earmarked Reserve (9024/950) with available funding of £40,026.00.

Further to the Council resolution made 27 June 2022, to receive information and to consider any next steps.

The Committee received a report to consider potential options following the recommendation by Central Bedfordshire’s General Purposes Committee that no change be made to the Leighton Buzzard/Eggington boundary, which had now subsequently been endorsed by Central Bedfordshire Council at its meeting held on 21 July 2022.

It was agreed to write to Central Bedfordshire Council expressing disappointment with the process and outcome, querying the lack of acknowledgement of the Town Council’s response to the first stage of consultation, querying the lack of publication of reasons for the decision and expressing concerns over predetermination. In addition, clarification would be sought regarding the format/process of the agreed “12 month check in” following the decision.

RESOLVED to note the report and to authorise the Town Clerk to write to Central Bedfordshire Council as set out above.

The Committee may consider it appropriate to consider the following resolution should they consider that any discussion would be prejudicial to the public interests: that, under the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, the public be excluded on the grounds of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted which involves the likely disclosure of exempt information.  The public and press to withdraw from the meeting during consideration of detailed discussion regarding: Vandyke Road Update.

RESOLVED that, under the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960, the public be excluded on the grounds of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted which involves the likely disclosure of exempt information.  The public and press to withdraw from the meeting during consideration of detailed discussion regarding: land at Vandyke Road.

To determine next steps in respect of the above.

The Committee received an update report in respects of the sale of a small parcel of land at Vandyke Road to Central Bedfordshire Council and setting out the three options permitted by law for use of capital receipts. It was agreed by Committee that options be considered for capital expenditure rather than drawing down existing borrowings.

RESOLVED: 

(i)        To note the report.

(ii)          To endorse that the Grounds and Environmental Services Committee consider proposed projects for capital expenditure from capital receipts, with at least a proportion of funds used for improvements in the Vandyke Road area. Any recommendations to be taken to Council for authorisation.