Agenda and minutes

To sign the Minutes of the meeting of the meeting of the Council held on 8^th February 2018.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 8th February 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Councillors Mrs J.S. Bray, R. Coad, J.S. Godden, Dr Z. Grant-Duff, A.C.J. Horwood, S. McKenna and T. Schofield.

To receive any declarations of interest.

None.

To consider any urgent business.

None.

To consider any questions received from members of the public under Council Procedure Rule 13.

None.

To consider any questions received from Members of the Council under Council Procedure Rule 14.

Three questions were asked and responses given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.15 and the Order paper circulated at the meeting. Details were as follows:

Note: For more information on responses to Council questions see this page on the Council’s website:

http://www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/downloads/download/441/full_council_questions_and_observations

To receive and consider the recommendations of the Council’s Executive.

The Council received Recommendations arising from the Executive meeting held on 29 March 2018.

RESOLVED that the Recommendations of the Executive, from its meeting on

29 March 2018, under:

a)    Minute 77 (Revised Contract Procedure Rules) be adopted;

b)    Minute 78 (Treasury Management Strategy 2018/19) be adopted;

c)    Minute 80 (Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme 2018/19) be adopted.

To receive any statement from the Leader of the Council, Members of the Executive, Chairmen of Committees or the Head of Paid Service.

Leader: Councillor V.W. Broad

Councillor V.W. Broad, Leader of the Council, highlighted some of the achievements that the Council had made during 2017/18 and referred to a number of priority areas for the Council to progress during 2018/19.  

Deputy Leader, Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services: Councillor Dr L. R. Hack

Councillor Dr L. R. Hack, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, provided an update on the Council’s gender pay gap figures. It was explained that there was a negative gap in favour of women and the following figures were noted:

- Women’s mean hourly rate was 4.5% higher than men’s.

- Women’s median hourly rate was 15.6% higher than men’s.

The Deputy Leader highlighted that whilst the Council had bucked the trend in terms of hourly pay, a gap had nevertheless been identified. It was noted work was ongoing to analyse reasons for the gap and that the Council would identify and publish any actions to be taken as a result.

The Council is informed that Councillor D. Jackson (Horley West ward) resigned from the Council on 16 March 2018.

Councillor Jackson’s period of office was due to expire in May 2019 so an election will be held at the forthcoming local elections on 3 May 2018 and the outcome reported to the Annual Council Meeting on 24 May 2018.

The Mayor informed Council that Councillor D. Jackson, Member for Horley West ward, had resigned from the Council on 16 March 2018.

As Councillor D. Jackson’s period of office was due to expire in May 2019 it was noted a by election would take place as part of the local elections on 3 May 2018 and the outcome reported to the Annual Council meeting on 24 May 2018.

To receive and consider a report on the boundary review proposal regarding ward boundary patterns, as set out in Annex 1 of the report and recommended by the Member Working Group.

Councillor Dr L.R. Hack, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Neighbourhood Services, informed the Council that the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE) had, earlier in the year, announced proposals to reduce the council size from 51 to 45 as part of its review of Reigate and Banstead’s Council size, electoral arrangements and ward boundaries.

In drawing ward boundaries it was noted that the Boundary Commission needed to balance the following statutory criteria:

-       Delivering electoral equality

-       Reflecting local community interests and identities

-       Promoting effective and convenient local government    

Councillor Dr L.R. Hack explained that the Council had established a cross party, Member Working Group, which had supported the Council’s activities in relation to the review. It was noted the group had worked with councillors from across the borough to develop a ward boundary proposal, set out in Annex 1 of the Report of the Head of Corporate Policy, Performance and Legal.  

The Deputy Leader paid tribute to Councillors and Officers who had supported the discussions and debate and highlighted that although the Working Group had not been unanimous in its support for the proposal, it had managed to balance the three statutory criteria well.      

Councillor Dr L.R. Hack moved the Recommendation as set out in the report which was seconded by Councillor J. M. Ellacott.

Councillor N.D. Harrison spoke on behalf of the Resident’s Association Group indicating the reasons why their Group could not support the proposal regarding Ward boundary patterns, set out in Annex 1, objecting to the proposal in relation to the impact of the proposed configuration of the communities for the Nork, Tattenhams and Preston areas. Concerns were raised by other Councillors regarding specific aspects of the proposal.

It was explained that LGBCE would consider all proposals and decide ward boundaries for the borough.  The LGBCE would publish a proposal in June 2018 for public consultation with final recommendations determined in November 2018. It was noted elections would be held for all Councillors to new ward boundaries in May 2019.  

During the discussion a number of issues were considered, including:

-       The importance of developing a proposal for ward boundaries that was in accordance with LGBCE guidance and criteria.

-       The consultation process which had been open to the public and managed by LGBCE. It was noted that the Council had prepared a communications plan to help raise awareness for residents and other stakeholders, including individual Councillors and Political Groups. 

-       The help and support provided to the Working Group by Officers. 

-       Concerns from some Members that there had been limited involvement from Councillors, not on the Working Group, in the development of the boundary review proposal.      

It was noted that both the Resident’s Association Group and Liberal Democrats had submitted alternative proposals to LGBCE.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 2.21.3, at the request of Councillors R. Harper, N.D. Harrison, M.J. Selby, B.A. Stead, C.T.H. Whinney and J. White, voting on the Recommendation was recorded as follows:

For (30): Mrs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 71.

To receive any announcements by the Leader of the Council.

Councillor V.W. Broad, Leader of the Council, noted that Councillors Dr Z. Grant-Duff, R.S. Mantle and D.J. Pay would stand down at the local elections in May 2018 and, on behalf of the Council, thanked each of them for their work and contributions to the Council.

To receive any announcements from the Mayor.

The Mayor reported on the following:

-       The St. George’s Day Dinner that was being held at Reigate Manor Hotel on Friday 20 April 2018;

-       That the Mayor’s Volunteer Awards nominations process for 2018 was live and Councillors were invited to encourage nominations for the awards that would culminate with a ceremony in July 2018.   

The Mayor closed the meeting by inviting Members and guests to join him for light refreshments in the Parlour after the meeting.