Decision Summary. Group Business Managers will say if any Members are unable to be present.

Transcription

1 Decision Summary Committee: Council Date: 5 December 2007 Committee Clerk: Adrian Johnson Tel: Announcements by the Mayor and the Chief Executive To note. Announcements by the Mayor: * Council were advised that the Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment together with a delegation from the Regiment would be invited to a reception in the New Year with a view to the Regiment marching through Huddersfield in October * Council were advised of the receipt of gifts arising from the visit of Councillor Dodds to China. * The Mayor invited Councillor Bolt to inform Council of the receipt of two awards, namely a Gold Award as part of the Green Apple Environmental Awards process and the receipt of 1st Prize in the Mobility Category the European Greenways Awards. * The Mayor advised Council that seasonal drinks would be available for all Members at the Council tea and took the opportunity to extend best wishes to all people present for the forthcoming New Year. Announcement by the Chief Executive: * Chief Executive advised the Council of changes that had been agreed to the order of the Agenda for the meeting. 2. Apologies Group Business Managers will say if any Members are unable to be present. Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Grunsell, N Hussain, Hardcastle, Mayet, McBride, Lyons and Taylor. 3. Minutes of the previous Meeting of the Council held on 26 September 2007 To agree and authorise the Mayor to sign as a correct record. The Minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2007 were agreed as a correct record.

2 4. Interests Members will say if they have any interests personal or prejudicial in items included on this Agenda. Please see attached schedule. 5. Petitions Any Member of the Council can present a petition. In Accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 the Council will refer that petition to the appropriate Head of Service for investigation and report thereon to Cabinet or any appropriate Committee and Council. Councillor M Hussain submitted a petition regarding road safety issues on Huddersfield Road, Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury, at the junction of William Street and Huddersfield Road. Councillor Iqbal submitted a petition on behalf of residents of St Michael's Mount and Glebe Gate in Thornhill, Dewsbury, calling for the Highways Service to investigate traffic congestion and road safety issues caused by the new entrance at Thornhill Community Science College from St Michael's Mount. Councillor D Woodhead submitted a petition regarding the proposed development of Albion Mills, at the junction of Mill Moor Road and Owlar Bars Road, Meltham. Councillor Cooper submitted petitions regarding objections to a proposed housing development to the rear of Orchard Terrace, Primrose Hill, Huddersfield (Planning Application 2007/94393). It was agreed that the petitions be referred to the appropriate Officer for investigation and report thereon to Cabinet or appropriate Committee on action taken. 6. Council Information and Discussion Session - Housing Green Paper The Council will receive a presentation. Contact: Kim Brear After receiving a presentation a discussion took place on the Housing Green Paper.

3 7. To consider any matters referred by Cabinet, a Cabinet Committee or a Committee to Council for approving/noting (Council Procedure Rule 44(2)(b) applies) Items 8-12 refer. (Any references additional to those listed below will be circulated at Council under this heading) See items set out below: 8. Reference from Cabinet of 28 November 2007 as to Draft Kirklees Partnership Community Cohesion Strategy Council is asked to support the proposed process for taking the Strategy forward. Contact: David Bundy / Karen Johnson Council agreed to note the presentation of Councillor Iqbal and give its support to the process for taking the strategy forward. 9. Reference from Cabinet of 31 October Update of Medium Term Financial Plan To receive a presentation and consider the updated Medium Term Financial Plan as a provisional budget strategy for the next three years. Contact: Dick Hewitson / Robin Goater Council received a presentation from the Director of Finance on the Council's Medium Term Financial Plan. 10. Reference from Cabinet of 31 October 2007 as to Electronic Payment at Point of Order - Pest Control Services Council is asked to note the delegation to the Assistant Director (Environment), in consultation with the Cabinet Member, of authority to introduce electronic payment systems in Environmental Services as appropriate. Contact: Richard Forster Council agreed to note the amendment to the delegation scheme relating to the Electronic Payment at Point of Order in Pest Control and other associated systems in Environmental Services, as set out in the report.

4 11. Reference from Licensing and Safety Committee of 12 November 2007 as to Renewed Licensing Policy Council is asked to note the results of consultation on the Draft Licensing Policy and approve the submitted revised document. Contact: Jonathan Barrett Council noted the results of the consultation on the Draft Licensing Policy and approved the Licensing Policy as attached to the considered reports. 12. Reference from Council Business Committee of 8 November 2007 as to Polling District and Polling Station Review 2007 Council is asked to note, for information, approved changes made to Polling Districts and subsequent changes to Polling Stations to take effect at all future elections. Contact: Susan Hutson Council agreed to note the approved changes to Polling Districts, and subsequent changes to Polling Stations to take effect at future elections. 13. The Kirklees Comprehensive Performance Assessment Council is asked to receive the Corporate Performance Assessment report and put on record its appreciation of all the work by staff, partners, Councillors and local people that has contributed to such an outstanding result. Contact: Dave Harris Council noted the Comprehensive Performance Assessment report and placed on record its appreciation to all the work by staff, partners, Councillors and local people which had contributed to the Authorities outstanding result.

5 14. To receive the Minutes of meetings of Cabinet and Cabinet Committee (a) Cabinet (Blue Pages) (b) Joint Cabinet/Personnel Committee (Blue Pages) (c) Cabinet Committee - Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (Blue Pages) (Council Procedure Rules 12 and 44(2)(b) apply) That the Minutes of Cabinet and Cabinet Committees be received. Councillor Palfreeman gave a statement to Council in relation to the International Children's Day Celebrations. Councillor Light gave a statement to Council relating to the loss of data during transfer from the Council to Government. At this point, Councillor Light answered written questions with regard to the transfer of data (see attached schedule). 15. Oral Questions to Cabinet Members on their Portfolios (a) The Leader of the Council (Councillor R Light) (b) Children's Services Portfolio (Councillor J Dodds) (c) Corporate Services and Governance Portfolio (Councillor A Palfreeman) (d) Finance and Business Services Portfolio (Councillor D Hall) (e) Health and Adult Services Portfolio (Councillor M Bates) (f) Leisure and Neighbourhood Services Portfolio (Councillor E Smaje) (g) Regeneration Portfolio (Councillor K Sims) (h) Safer and Stronger Communities Portfolio (Councillor K Iqbal) (i) Transportation and Green Services Portfolio (Councillor M Bolt) Please see attached schedule. 16. To receive Minutes of Meetings of other Committees (a) Area Committees Advisory Committee (White) (b) Audit Committee (Green) (c) Council Business Committee (Blue) (d) Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee (Aqua) (e) Planning and Highways Committee (Cream) (f) Standards Committee (Salmon) (Council Procedure Rules 12 and 44(2)(b) apply) The Minutes of other Committees were received.

6 17. Alteration to the Substitutes Panel To consider revising the makeup of the Substitutes Panel to reconstitute it on a ratio of 7:7:7:1:1:1. Contact: Adrian Johnson Agreed to the reconstitution of the Substitutes Panel on a ratio of 7:7:7:1:1: Oral Questions to Chairs of Committees on matters within the Terms of Reference of the respective Committee and to the Council's nominated Spokespersons for (a) Kirklees Active Leisure and (b) Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing To consider oral questions. Item not considered due to meeting terminating at 9.00 pm. 19. Written Questions by Members and any Oral Questions of an Urgent Nature To consider. (a) Any questions submitted previously to Cabinet or any Cabinet Committee which have not been answered at the meeting due to time constraints. (b) Any written questions submitted by Members (Referred to at Council Procedure Rule 5(i)(k) by 12 noon on Tuesday 4 December 2007 in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13. (c) Any oral questions of an urgent nature which comply with Council Procedure Rule 13(9). (A schedule of any written questions received will be circulated at the Council meeting, together with the written reply where this has been received in time. In those cases where the reply is not included an oral reply will be given at the meeting) Item not considered due to meeting terminating at 9.00 pm.

7 20. Deputations To receive deputations pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 9. (a) To receive a deputation in relation to the Council Complaints Procedure. (b) Any other deputations. (a) Council received a deputation on behalf of parents and children of East Bierley and Birkenshaw Schools regarding the Schools for the Future Agenda and changes to education provision in that area. (b) Council received a deputation on behalf of residents of Orchard Terrace, Primrose Hill, regarding an application for housing development on land to the rear or Orchard Terrace. (c) Council received a deputation regarding reductions to bus services in the Holme Valley South Ward. (d) Council received a deputation calling for the provision of a play area at Corn Mill Fields, Slaithwaite. It was agreed that comments made by the deputations be noted. 21. Questions by Members of the Public To answer questions (if any) by members of the public pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 11. No questions were asked.

8 22. Motion Submitted in Accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14 as to 100 Years of Women's Rights To consider the following Motion in the names of Councillors K Pinnock, A Denham and T Woodhead: 'The Council notes that: This year marks the 100th Anniversary of women having the right to stand for local Council elections. * That in August 1907, the Government passed the Qualification of Women Act, allowing women to put themselves forward for election as local Councillors, for the first time. * That early pioneers across the Kirklees area included Mrs Mary Blamires who was elected to Huddersfield Council in 1923, and Mrs Margaret Watts, elected to Dewsbury Council, also in the 1920's. This Council therefore: * Records its thanks for the significant contribution that female Councillors of all political persuasions have made to the political and civic life of the Kirklees area, and This Council resolves to: Support all efforts to encourage more women, from all ages and backgrounds, to put themselves forward for the role of Councillor, so they can continue the work of campaigning for improvements in their local communities.' Motion approved.

9 23. Motion Submitted in Accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14 as to Climate Change To consider the following Motion in the names of Councillors A Cooper, J Stewart Turner and G Simpson: 'This Council believes: We need to reduce the UK's carbon emissions by around 90 per cent by 2030, to have a fighting chance of staving off devastating climate change. This means cutting our carbon emissions at about 9 per cent a year. That we need to take a 'Contraction and Convergence' approach to tackling climate change - Contraction and Convergence is based on two principles: contraction of global carbon emissions and convergence of per capita carbon emissions across the global population. This approach is supported by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. Contraction and Convergence provides the only strategic framework for emissions reduction as well as balancing the use of carbon-based fuel equitably between the world's peoples. This Council supports: The aims of the Climate Change March in Huddersfield on the 1 December which called on the Government to adopt tougher targets with relation to climate change and firm plans to deliver on those targets. This Council therefore agrees to: Produce a costed plan with a timetable to deliver a 90% reduction in carbon emissions in Kirklees by This plan will aim to cover both carbon emissions resulting from Council operations and also per capita carbon emissions for the Kirklees population.' Amendment approved in relation to Motion at 23 and the Motion scheduled for consideration at Item 29 - See attached.

10 24. Motion Submitted in Accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14 as to Renewable Energy Targets To consider the following Motion in the names of Councillors A Cooper and R Light: 'This Council notes: the proposed removal of the target for renewable energy in new developments in the Secretary of State's recommended changes to the draft Yorkshire and Humber Regional Spatial Strategy. that the target was established in consultation with all key regional agencies and local authorities. It had successfully passed through the Examination in Public stage and was endorsed in the recommendations put forward by the Independent Panel. that only 5 months earlier a similar policy in the North East Regional Spatial Strategy passed through virtually unchanged in the Secretary of State's list of proposed changes to that document. that once the Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change is published it may become more difficult for Councils to implement the modest 10% minimum renewable energy targets in new developments. that as a percentage renewable energy target, the policy encourages greater energy efficiency in new developments and is a driver to reduce carbon emissions. that the policy had been proven to be effective by those Councils already implementing this policy such as the London Borough of Croydon, which had now applied it to over 130 planning applications. This Council calls on the Chief Executive to write to the Minister for Housing and Planning, calling on the Minister to: give an unequivocal statement that the forthcoming Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change will allow Councils to set minimum 10% renewable energy targets in new development reconsider her recommendation to delete the renewable energy target in new development from the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Spatial Strategy.' Motion approved.

11 25. Motion Submitted in Accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14 as to Plastic Bags Pollution To consider the following Motion in the names of Councillors K Pinnock and J Smithson: 'This Council: 1. Recognises the serious pollution and damage to the environment caused by plastic carrier bags from supermarkets and other retail outlets, with over 100 million bags used annually in the Kirklees area alone; 2. Notes the serious nuisance caused by plastic bags in terms of general litter and blocked drains. Council also notes that a levy on plastic bags has reduced consumption in the Republic of Ireland by 95%. This Council calls upon: * The Chief Executive to write to government calling for legislation introducing a plastic bag levy, to cut litter and plastics consumption in the Kirklees area; * Kirklees Council to take action towards becoming the first Metropolitan District Council to become a plastic bag free area.' Motion approved.

12 26. Motion Submitted in Accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14 as to Honouring the Covenant To consider the following Motion in the names of Councillors K Pinnock, J Smithson and D Woodhead: 'This Council supports the Royal British Legion's Honour the Covenant' campaign, which calls on the government to honour its duty of care to members of the armed forces. Council calls upon: * The Chief Executive to write to the Secretary of State for Defence expressing the Council's support for the Royal British Legion's campaign and calling on the government to honour the historic military covenant; * The Chief Executive to instruct relevant officers to develop proposals for investment in mental health services which will benefit both ex-service personnel and members of the wider community. These services should provide support and opportunities for those suffering from mental health conditions including combat stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety, which particularly affect current and retired members of the armed forces. * This Council to declare that it is minded to vire 500,000 from the recurring elements of underspend in the budget for Adult Social Services to fund these proposals, subject to confirmation at the Annual Budget Council meeting.' Motion approved. 27. Motion Submitted in Accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14 as to Kirklees Greenways To consider the following Motion in the names of Councillors M Bolt and R Light: 'This Council congratulates all Officers and Members involved, as well as Sustrans for their award winning hard work involved in developing the Greenway network in Kirklees since This Council acknowledges the successful partnership and effort which has resulted in Kirklees Greenways being judged the best in Europe by the European Greenway Association. However, this Council regrets the decision taken by the Labour Government in the recent rail white paper which failed to strategically protect rail lines against development. This Council believes this lack of Government vision potentially removes the potential for future developments such as light rail, guided buses, and Greenway corridors both locally and nationally. This Council, therefore, calls on all local Kirklees MPs to exert any influence they may have with their Government to revisit and reappraise this deplorable lack of foresight.' Motion approved.

13 28. Motion Submitted in Accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14 as to Webcasting Council Meetings To consider the following Motion in the names of Councillors A Cooper and G Simpson: 'This Council notes that the new Council Chamber is technically capable of broadcasting Council meetings on the Internet. This Council believes that people in Kirklees who may be unable to attend Council meetings should be able to watch proceedings of meetings from their own home or if they so wish from any appropriate web enabled computer. This Council requests officers to bring forward costed proposals to webcast all Full Council and Planning Meetings held in Huddersfield Town Hall at the earlies opportunity' Motion approved.

14 29. Motion Submitted in Accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14 as to Climate Change

15 To consider the following Motion in the names of Councillors K Pinnock and J Smithson: 'This Council believes: * That there is an urgent and irrefutable need to reduce UK carbon emissions by 90%, as part of an international 'contraction and convergence' approach to tackling climate change. * That the current government target of a 60% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050 is too low. Council notes that a 90% reduction in carbon emissions is achievable through concerted supranational, national and local action (as outlined in the Liberal Democrat policy paper 'Zero Carbon Britain'). Now that the argument about the reality and seriousness of climate change has been won, there is an urgent need to focus on practical actions including: * Replacing the government's Climate Change Levy with a simple carbon tax; * Replacing Air Passenger Duty with a pollution charge, and ruling out all planned airport expansions, including those currently planned at Heathrow and Stansted; * Setting a target for 30% of the UK's electricity to come from clean (nonnuclear), non-carbon emitting sources by 2020, rising to 100% by 2050; * All gas used in heating to be from renewable sources and therefore zero carbon; * The promotion of more decentralised energy systems and microgeneration; * Introduce a target of zero carbon cars, with an effective system of penalties and incentives to ensure compliance; * Ensure that all freight vehicles run on electricity, biofuels or other renewable fuels; * Set national targets to reduce carbon emissions from the UK's housing through energy efficiency measures; * Ensure that all new homes have to be built to the Greenhouse standard by 2011, and upgrade the standard thereafter to deliver increased energy efficiency standards; * Ensure the existing UK housing stock is completely updated; * Require all public companies to report annually on their energy performance and set clear, enforceable targets for improvement; * Promote a shift from road and air transport to rail, including a presumption against the building of new roads; * Charge road freight on a per mile basis; * Give local areas greatly increased power and responsibility over bus services; * Introduce a dedicated Cabinet Committee on climate change, and place a legal duty on government ministers to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality. Council calls upon the Chief Executive to Write to the Prime Minister calling for a more ambitious target for carbon emission reductions to be set for the UK and changes in legislation in accordance with the policy objectives set out above; Council notes that Kirklees has taken significant steps to reduce its own carbon

16 Amendment approved - See attachment at Item 23.