Agenda item

(a)         To receive a report in respect of the review of the Partnership Project list (attached, with the current list at Appendix A).

(b)         To receive and consider two Motions in respect of the review of the Partnership Project List:

1.      Proposed by Councillor C Palmer and seconded by Councillor S Jones, changes to the Partnership Project List as set out in the attached Appendix B.

2.      Proposed by Councillor S Owen and seconded by Councillor R Goodchild: That this Council resolves to adopt the revised Partnership Project List as per Appendix C attached and requests the Town Clerk to bring papers to each of the Council's Committees with "their" Objectives for further discussion.

(a)          Council received a report setting out the background to the creation of the current Partnership Project List and the process for review agreed by the Partnership Committee in June 2021. To date, three specific recommendations had come forward as follows:

From the Grounds & Environmental Services Committee meeting held September 2021: to remove numbers 24 (provision of a clubhouse and launching site for canoe club) and 26 (a woodland cemetery, adventure play area, campsite and parking at Rushmere Country Park) from the Partnership List.

From the Ouzel Valley Park steering group meeting held September 2021:

To include the park improvements identified by Central Bedfordshire Council in the Tiddenfoot Waterside Park Masterplan (2013).

It was noted that the report recommendations had now been superseded to some extent by the two Motions which had been submitted regarding proposed changes to the List.

RESOLVED to note the report.

(b)          Council received two Motions submitted by Councillors in respect of proposed changes to the Partnership Project List.

The first Motion was proposed by Councillor Palmer and seconded by Councillor Jones. It was proposed to revise the list into categories A B C and D.  Category A being projects which were primarily Town Council interest and pursued through the relevant Council Committees as part of their objectives.  Category B would be in partnership with Central Bedfordshire Council or significant partner where the Partnership Committee would take a central responsibility in connection with the relevant Town Council Committee if appropriate.  Category C list would be projects of interest to the Town but where realisation would rest with a third party, not Central Bedfordshire Council, and kept under review for appropriate action by the relevant Town Council Committee.  Category D projects should be deleted from the list.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Owen in respect of prioritising objectives, using sharper language, adding in additional projects and whether some projects ought to be under the direction of the Policy and Finance Committee. On further discussion, the amendment was withdrawn on the understanding that the standing committees could further review, revise and prioritise “their” projects and that the List would be kept under regular review.

Councillors Owen and Goodchild withdrew their Motion submitted in respect of proposed changes to the List.

On being put to the vote, the Motion proposed by Councillors Palmer and Jones was carried (15 in favour,1 against).

RESOLVED:

• That the existing Partnership Project List* be revised into categories A B C and D as set out in the proposal. 
• That those projects listed as Category A which have a sole or overwhelming Town Council interest be pursued through the relevant Town Council Committees as part of their objectives, subject to budget constraints within the 5 Year Financial Plan
• That those listed as Category B where Central Bedfordshire Council would be a necessary and significant Partner, form a Partnership List where the Partnership Committee should take a central responsibility albeit in some cases in conjunction with the relevant Town Council Committee
• That those projects listed as Category C which are of importance to the town but where realisation rests very largely with a third party (not Central Bedfordshire Council) are kept under review for any appropriate action by the relevant Town Council Committee(s).
• That those projects listed as Category D be deleted.
• that any new prospective projects be included in the list under the appropriate Category as and when they are endorsed by Council following a proposal from the relevant Town Council Standing Committee, and /or the Partnership Committee where Central Bedfordshire Council is the significant partner.