Councillors S J Anderson, H Bettison, A R Bowlas, A E Breckons, G M Elliott, H E Elliott, C G Hallam-Baker, E I Hunter, J D Lockie, D McClymont, G E Miller, A H Murray, J M F Nesbit, R J Patterson, L W Robson, J N Simpson, F I Simpson, J E Smith, J W Stephenson, J Waterhouse and M J Young.
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APOLOGIES:
Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors D G R Buckle, W N Ferguson, G P Horsburgh, C M Liddell-Grainger and W G R Weeks.
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1. DECLARATION OF INTEREST
No declarations were made.
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2. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL HELD ON 23RD SEPTEMBER 2004.
DECISION: To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on 23rd September 2004, Minutes 252 – 263, pages 1 – 5.
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3. MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS
No announcements were made under this item by the Mayor.
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4. DRAFT IMPROVEMENT PLAN
Prior to consideration of the report, Members received a presentation on the key components of the Improvement Plan from members of the Improvement Board. These included :
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• Introduction and overview – The Mayor, Councillor A Hughes
• Leadership – Councillor J D Lockie
• Culture Change – John McLuckie, Improvement Project Team Leader
• Vision and Priorities – Jane Pannell, Chief Executive
• Getting Things Done – Councillor D McClymont
• Partnerships – Councillor A E Breckons
• Resources – Councillor J W Stephenson
A debate with Members followed the presentation.
DECISIONS : (i) To agree the adoption of the draft Improvement Plan; (ii) to agree a supplementary estimate of £25,000 to be disbursed at the discretion of the Improvement Board for the remainder of the financial year; and (iii) to agree that a detailed budget bid be submitted for the year 2005/06.
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5. DELEGATED AUTHORITY ON ACCOUNTS
DECISIONS: (i) To note the proposed changes to the Accounts; (ii) to agree the Revised Statement of Internal Control to be signed by the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive; (iii) to delegate the signing of the Accounts to the Mayor and Head of Finance (Accountancy and Audit) in consultation with the Chief Executive; (iv) to delegate the signing of the Statement of Corporate Governance to the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive; and (v) to receive the signed accounts at the next meeting of the Council.
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6. CAR PARKING REVIEW SUB-COMMITTEE
DECISIONS : (i) To agree the membership of the Car Parking Review Sub-Committee as follows :
Councillor A R Bowlas (independent)
Councillor A B Douglas (New Labour Independent)
Councillor W N Ferguson (Liberal Democrat)
Councillor E I Hunter (Liberal Democrat)
Councillor D McClymont (Liberal Democrat)
Councillor J M F Nesbit (Conservative)
Councillor F I Simpson (Conservative)
Councillor J W Stephenson (Conservative)
Councillor M J Young (Conservative)
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(ii) to request that the terms of reference, a work programme and meetings arrangements for the Sub-Committee be agreed at the first meeting of the Sub-Committee; and (iii) that these be reported to the next appropriate meeting of the parent committee (Policy (Environment) Committee) for approval.
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7.POST OF SENIOR LICENSING OFFICER
(i) OFFICER AUTHORISATION TO APPEAR IN LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
(ii) SCHEME OF DELEGATED POWERS
DECISIONS : (i) To authorise the Senior Licensing Officer to appear on the Council’s behalf in Magistrates Court proceedings, pursuant to Section 223 of the Local Government Act 1972; and (ii) to delegate to the Senior Licensing Officer the powers currently delegated to the Director of Environment, relating to the licensing matters set out in the report and to amend the Scheme of Delegation in the Council’s Constitution accordingly.
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8. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CITY AND TOWN SHERIFFS OF ENGLAND AND WALES –- 23RD TO 25TH SEPTEMBER 2005 AT BERWICK-UPON-TWEED
DECISIONS: To agree to underwrite the cost of holding the Annual General Meeting of the National Association of City and Town Sheriffs of England and Wales during September 2005 up to a maximum value of £6000, the costs to be met from a supplementary estimate from the Council’s 2005/06 budget.
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9. RESIGNATION : COUNCILLOR J N SIMPSON
DECISION : To note the resignation of Councillor J N Simpson and to formally record the Council’s grateful thanks for his service as a Member and indeed as an officer of the authority for a period of over 40 years.
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336
ADDITIONAL ITEM : RESIGNATION OF COUNCILLOR G P HORSBURGH
DECISIONS : (i) To note the resignation of Councillor G P Horsburgh and to formally record the Council’s grateful thanks for his service as a Member; and (ii) to note that a date will be set in due course for a combined by-election in respect of the casual vacancies which have arisen in Shielfield and Spittal Wards.
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10. APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE BODIES
DECISION : To appoint Councillor A E Breckons in the role of substitute to Councillor A Hughes as the Council’s representative on the Northumberland Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Health.
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11. POST OFFICES IN BERWICK-UPON-TWEED
DECISIONS : (i) To note the report; (ii) to request that the Borough Secretary makes arrangements for the Mayor and Deputy Mayor to meet with Post Office managers in order to obtain a firm commitment regarding a range of unresolved issues, including opening dates for new post offices; closure dates; appointment of managers; availability of incentives packages; road safety; and continuity of service; and (iii) to request that the Mayor and Deputy Mayor report back to the next meeting of the Council on the outcome of their meeting with Post Office managers.
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12. THE APPOINTMENT OF A HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT CHAMPION
DECISIONS : (i) To appoint Councillor G E Miller as the Council’s Historic Environment Champion for the remainder of the municipal year; and (ii) to request that Councillor Miller attends the regional HELM Seminar in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 29th November 2004 together with the Director of Regeneration and Development.
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13. MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF COMMITTEE
DECISION: That the recommendations of Committee be approved and the Minutes adopted as proceedings of the Council in respect of:
(a) Planning : 5th October : Minutes 266 – 272
[Note : It was resolved that the Minutes be amended to show that Councillor A H Murray had in fact declared an interest in Item 3 : Enforcement Item : Ideal Carpets, North Road, Berwick-upon-Tweed, Minute 270 : 04/05 refers].
[Note : With regard to Minute 35 : 04/05 – Urban Nesting Seagulls – it was resolved : (i) Not to commission a further report from Dr Coulson; (ii) to circulate Dr Coulson’s previous report to all Members; (iii) to request that officers convene a meeting of all Members to informally discuss the content of the Coulson report and any other relevant information to be provided by officers; (iv) to request that the meeting be held prior to the next meeting of the Council, with a view to the outcome of the meeting being reported to the next meeting of Council; and (v) to request officers’ views on the inclusion of a condition in planning applications that all roofs be bird-proofed to prevent nesting.
(c) Town Committee : 21st October : Minutes 286 – 304
(d) Policy (Corporate Services and Regeneration): 27th October : Minutes 305 – 324
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14. QUESTIONS
No questions had been received from Members or Members of the Public.
DECISIONS : (i) To note the report; and (ii) to request that officers arrange for representatives from the train operating companies and Strategic Rail Authority to attend an Extraordinary Meeting of Council to discuss their proposed bids (and issues arising) for the East Coast Main Line franchise, and to extend invitations to the meeting to representatives from Scottish Borders Council and Alnwick District Council.
