Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor B Spurr (substituted by Councillor A Dodwell).

(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).

Members were asked to declare any interests, including the nature of those interests, which they had in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.  No pecuniary interests were declared.

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(h).

G Croxford and J Gelder, representing Community Action Bedfordshire Trading Ltd gave a presentation to committee in respect of the concessions for Parson’s Close Recreation Ground. A number of questions were asked for clarification on points including status of the organisation, financial matters and community engagement.

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: concession fees 2020-21.

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: concession fees 2020-2021.

J Gelder and G Croxford left the meeting.

To receive documentation (to follow) and to consider any changes to concession fees for 2020-21.

The Committee received two documents in respect of the concessions for Parson’s Close Recreation Ground and gave consideration to the request from Community Action Bedfordshire Trading Ltd to waive concession fees for 2020-21 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Discussion took place with a number of suggestions being put forward for consideration. On being proposed and seconded, a resolution was agreed unanimously.

RESOLVED to waive the concession fees for the financial year 2020-21 for Parson’s Close Recreation Ground on the basis that:

(i)           The Council recognises the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic during 2020-21 and

(ii)          The Council recognises the broader community benefit of the Café in the Park initiative and supports the intention to keep the Café open throughout the winter to help to address loneliness and social isolation issues.

 RESOLVED to form a Task and Finish Group comprising Councillors V Harvey, S Jones, F Kharawala, T Morris and P Snelling to work with officers to review concession arrangements going forward, including asking Community Action Bedfordshire Trading Ltd for a plan/strategy to continue providing wider benefit to the community in future.