The Minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2008 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Margaret Court and Joan Hartfield.  Apologies for lateness were also received from Councillor Helen Senior.

(a)       Youth Service Minibus

The Mayor reported that, as part of the wider strategy for youth engagement, the Sutton Youth Service had recently taken delivery of a new vehicle called an URBIE.  This stood for Urban Information & Education.  The vehicle was a mobile youth minibus which could be used to engage with young people in areas where they located themselves rather than relying on them to come to the youth service.  The vehicle is fully accessible to wheel chair users and met the recent low emission laws.  The Youth Service intended to use the bus to both raise its profile amongst young people, as a flexible tool to meet and engage a wide range of young people and promote the youth service at events across the borough and in local schools.

(b)       Comprehensive Performance Assessment

The Mayor reported that Sutton was now one of the highest performing councils in the country after retaining its 4 star status and was, for the first time, being rated as "improving strongly" in the annual Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) announced by the Audit Commission in February.  Sutton was one of thirteen councils in the country to have this top rating.  The Mayor and Councillors showed their appreciation to the staff who had helped to achieve that status.

(c)       Visit by Government Minister

The Mayor reported that a government delegation which included the Children, Schools and Families Minister Lord Adonis, had visited the borough recently and met Sutton families with disabled children to hear how plans to transform disabled children’s services were taking shape in the borough.  Sutton was one of just twenty one local authorities that had been chosen as a pathfinder for short breaks funding from the Government’s Aiming High for Disabled Children programme.  This meant that the Council and its partners would be able to fund more and better schemes to allow parents to take a short break from their caring role from April this year.

(d)       Hackbridge Week

The Mayor reported that a week long programme of workshops and events had marked a successful Hackbridge Week last week. The event aimed to stimulate community involvement in making that area the first zero carbon neighbourhood in the country.

(e)       Take Part Take Pride

It was noted that this year’s Take Part, Take Pride week would run from 7 July 2008.  Anyone who wished to involve groups or individuals from their local community needed to contact Robin Campbell in the Communications Team.  It was hoped to make this year’s event the best ever. 

(f)        Institute of Customer Service Awards

The Mayor reported that Darren Ford, who had worked in the Civic Offices since 2003 and was in a wheelchair, had proved that there were no barriers to success and had received a prestigious award from the Institute of Customer Service. 

(g)       Camden Junior School

The Mayor reported that Camden Junior School, Carshalton had become the first primary school in Sutton to achieve the Nace Challenge Award for excellence in provision for able,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 201.

The results of the Cheam Ward By Election on 28 February 2008 will be reported at the meeting.

The Mayor reported that the results of the Cheam Ward by election on 28 February 2008 were as follows:

Kathleen Allen                                   Labour Party                                106 votes

Francis Rowland Day                       UK Independence Party             260 votes

Wendy Grace Laurie Mathys           Liberal Democrats                      1454 votes

Jonathan David Pritchard                The Conservative Party              1541 votes

Jonathan Pritchard had been elected as a Councillor.  The Mayor congratulated him on his election and hoped that he found the role fulfilling and rewarding.

7.16pm

a)         Asked by Members of the Public

b)        Asked by Councillors

(a)       Questions from Members of the Public

One member of the public asked a question and supplementary question and received replies as set out in Appendix A to these Minutes.

(b)       Questions from Councillors

Seven Councillors asked questions and supplementary questions and received replies as set out in Appendix B to these Minutes.

To appoint Judy McDaid of the Durand Close Residents Association (Substitute Caroline Walden) as a Special Advice to serve on the St. Helier, The Wrythe and Wandle Valley Local Committee until the annual meeting of the Council in May 2008.

(a)       St. Helier, The Wrythe and Wandle Valley Local Committee

Councillor Ruth Dombey moved and Councillor Sue Stears seconded and it was

            Resolved:  That Judy McDaid (substitute Caroline Walden) of the Durand Close Residents Association be appointed as a Special Adviser to the St. Helier, The Wrythe And Wandle Valley Local Committee until the annual Council meeting in May 2008.

(b)       Appointment to Committees

The Mayor had agreed to the following items being brought forward as a matter of urgency to ensure that representation on Committees could be maintained.

Councillor Ruth Dombey moved and Councillor Sue Stears seconded and it was

            Resolved: (i) That Russell Gough be appointed as a Special Adviser to the Sutton Local Committee until the annual Council meeting in May 2008;

            (ii)  That Councillor Jonathan Pritchard be appointed to serve on the Sutton South, Cheam and Belmont Local Committee and the Appeals Committee until the annual Council meeting in  May 2008.

7.47pm

In accordance with Notice given, Councillor Ruth Dombey will move the following Motion

“This Council deplores the Post Office's proposal to close five post offices in the Borough - 3, Hillfield Parade Bishopsford Road,  213 Carshalton Road, 7-9 Seymour Road, 131 Wrythe Lane, and 143 Gander Green Lane. 

Given the Council's plans to develop a sustainable community in the Hackbridge /Mitcham Junction area this Council particularly deplores the proposal to close the Seymour Road post office which sits at the centre of the area the Council wishes to develop as a sustainable community.  The Council notes that only two years ago the postmaster spent a substantial sum following guidance provided by the Post Office to make this branch fully DDA compliant and strongly opposes the loss of such a branch in a relatively poor area of the Borough with a significant elderly population.

The Council resolves to respond to the Post Office Ltd's consultation opposing the further closure of post offices in Sutton borough which are vital to supporting sustainable communities.”

In accordance with Standing Order 11.22 the Motion will be dealt with at this Council meeting.

In accordance with notice given, Councillor Ruth Dombey moved the following Motion:

“This Council deplores the Post Office's proposal to close five post offices in the Borough - 3, Hillfield Parade Bishopsford Road,  213 Carshalton Road, 7-9 Seymour Road, 131 Wrythe Lane, and 143 Gander Green Lane. 

Given the Council's plans to develop a sustainable community in the Hackbridge /Mitcham Junction area this Council particularly deplores the proposal to close the Seymour Road post office which sits at the centre of the area the Council wishes to develop as a sustainable community.  The Council notes that only two years ago the postmaster spent a substantial sum following guidance provided by the Post Office to make this branch fully DDA compliant and strongly opposes the loss of such a branch in a relatively poor area of the Borough with a significant elderly population.

The Council resolves to respond to the Post Office Ltd's consultation opposing the further closure of post offices in Sutton borough which are vital to supporting sustainable communities.”

Councillor Paddy Kane seconded the Motion.

In accordance with Standing Order 11.22 the Motion was deferred for consideration later in the meeting.

To receive any petitions, which will either be dealt with at this Council meeting or stand referred for consideration by appropriate Committees of the Council. 

(a)            Transport for London’s Red Route Parking Policy

The Chief Executive reported the receipt of a petition which called on Transport for London to review its parking policy on red routes in North Cheam and asked that a sensible, simple working policy to address parking in an area with a single 20 or 30 minute rule to cover all bays with no differentiation between parking and loading bays.  This would keep traffic flowing, keep the district shopping centre viable and benefit the local residents.  

The petition was referred to the Cheam North and Worcester Park Local Committee for consideration and report.

(b)            Sutton Garden Suburb Conservation Area

The Chief Executive reported the receipt of a petition from the Sutton Garden Suburb Residents Association which called upon the Council to stand by its current policy of protecting the Woodend allotments site as a green, open space within the Sutton Garden Suburb Conservation Area and to exclude the site from any further consideration for residential development under the Local Development Framework.

The petition was referred to the Strategic Planning Group for consideration and report.

7.50pm

To receive and consider the following recommendations of Committees

Further to Minutes 1132/07 and 118/08, the Committee considered the proposed revenue budget and capital programme for all the Council’s services.  The report also gave details of the government’s financial settlement and the Council’s overall financial position.  It proposed a total level of revenue and capital expenditure for 2008/09 and projected forward a three-year forecast of Council spending. 

The report also recommended the level of Council Tax for 2008/09 for adoption by Full Council on 3 March 2008.  An increase of 3.4% was being recommended, which was lower than any of the neighbouring boroughs, despite Sutton’s poor government grant allocation.  This low level of increase had been made possible by the efficiency measures and service transformations that had been introduced across the Council, without adversely affecting the Council’s services or their delivery.

Additional information regarding the levies from the Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, the London Pension Fund Authority and the Environment Agency, and the approved Greater London Authority precept had been received since the budget papers had been circulated.  The impact of this additional information on the draft budget was explained in amended pages that had been circulated separately (Updated Annexes Rev 3 and Rev 4 refer). 

Officers across the Council were commended for their input and achievements.  Councillor John Drage and the whole Resources team were also thanked for their hard work and leadership in preparing the budget.

RECOMMENDED: That full Council:

Revenue Budget

(i) approves the Council’s revised estimates for 2007/08 as detailed in Section 4;

(ii) agrees that no revenue underspendings at 31 March 2008 be approved for carry forward to 2008/09 (paragraph 4.5)

(iii) approves the allocation of the Area Based Grant (paragraph 6.3)

(iv) notes the changes to the Concessionary Fares Scheme (paragraph 6.4);

(v) approves the Council’s draft revenue estimates 2008/09, prior to amendment for growth and reduction options;

(vi) agrees the arrangements for education services funded from the Dedicated Schools Grant (Section 7) and approves the Education Services savings and growth proposals detailed in Annex Rev 5;

(vii) notes the government’s warning on 2008/09 Council Tax levels and their threat to use capping powers (paragraph 10.4);

(viii) approves the growth and savings proposals set out in Section 11 and Annex Rev 2 for incorporating in 2008/09 estimates;

(ix) authorises Strategic Directors to progress the agreed growth and savings items without the need to seek further committee approval;

(x) agrees a central contingency of £3.5m (Section 13);

(xi) notes the precept level of the Greater London Authority, agreed by the London Assembly on 13 February 2008, and the resulting impact on this Council’s budget;

Council Tax

(xii) sets a Council Tax for 2008/09 based on a Sutton increase of 3.4% and the figures given in Updated Annex Rev 3, and in accordance with the draft resolution in Updated Annex Rev 4 as follows:

1.   That it be noted that at the meeting of 3 December 2007 the Council calculated the amount of 73,000 as its Council  ...  view the full agenda text for item 207a

In accordance with Notice given, Councillor Ruth Dombey moved and Councillor Paddy Kane seconded the following Motion:

“This Council deplores the Post Office's proposal to close five post offices in the Borough - 3, Hillfield Parade Bishopsford Road,  213 Carshalton Road, 7-9 Seymour Road, 131 Wrythe Lane, and 143 Gander Green Lane. 

Given the Council's plans to develop a sustainable community in the Hackbridge /Mitcham Junction area this Council particularly deplores the proposal to close the Seymour Road post office which sits at the centre of the area the Council wishes to develop as a sustainable community.  The Council notes that only two years ago the postmaster spent a substantial sum following guidance provided by the Post Office to make this branch fully DDA compliant and strongly opposes the loss of such a branch in a relatively poor area of the Borough with a significant elderly population.

The Council resolves to respond to the Post Office Ltd's consultation opposing the further closure of post offices in Sutton borough which are vital to supporting sustainable communities.”

Following debate, on being put to the vote on a show of hands, the Motion was adopted.

10.08 pm        The Mayor resumed the Chair.

The Council’s constitution was reviewed annually to ensure it continued to be up-to-date and reflect changes made elsewhere.  A number of amendments were submitted for approval as a result of this year’s review.  The Executive Head of Legal & Democratic Services had also carried out a more fundamental review of the document’s wording and format, and was recommending a number of amendments intended to make the constitution easier to read and more accessible. 

Senior officers and the Strategic Community Leadership Group had considered the proposals and their comments and recommendations had been incorporated into the report now submitted. 

RECOMMENDED: That full Council agrees the following changes to the Constitution:

(i) Revised Section 2 (Articles) as set out in Appendix A (paragraphs 2.7 to 2.13 in the report);

(ii) Revised Section 3 (Responsibility for Functions) as set out in Appendix B (paragraphs 2.18 and 2.19 in the report) and Appendix B2 (paragraphs 2.20 to 2.22);

(iii) Revised Section 4 (Standing Orders, Procedure Rules and Contract Standing Orders) as set out in paragraph 2.17 and Appendix C to the report;

(iv) Establish a new Statement of Accounts Committee, comprising five members appointed proportionally (3 LD and 2 C), to be responsible for approving the statement of accounts annually in June (paragraphs 2.14 to 2.16 in the report);

(v) Change the names of The Executive’s Advisory Groups as described in paragraph 2.23 of the report;

(vi) Delete Section 6 (Principal Statutes and Extracts) and agree that this information will be included in an Appendix to the Code of Conduct and given to councillors, other members and officers as part of that document;

(vii) Delete Section 9 (Democratic & Management Structure) and Section 10 (Vision and Values) as this information is readily available on the Internet and in other more appropriate documents;

(viii) Delegate authority to the Executive Head of Legal & Democratic Services to make other, minor cross-referencing and textual changes to the Constitution to ensure that revisions that are agreed are reflected throughout the document.

NOTE: Under the provisions of Standing Order 1.7, Recommendations (i), (iii) and (iv) above will stand adjourned, without discussion, until the next meeting of the Council on 12 May 2008.

Councillor Sean Brennan moved the reception of recommendations (ii), (v), (vi), (vii) and (viii) in Minute 168/08.  These recommendations were adopted.