Councillors J K G Allen, H Bettison, J A Davidson, D W Donaldson, A B Douglas, B P E Gibson, W F Grant, P Herdman, A G Houghton, E I Hunter, J G Hutchinson, R E Hutchinson, A H Murray, G O’Connell, R J Patterson, J A Robertson, A S Rogerson, F I Simpson, J E Smith, D S Stewart, R J D Watkin, P S Watts and D Wilson.
250.
1. Declaration of Interest
The following declarations of interest were made by Members and Officers :
(a) Item 9 : Local Government Reorganisation
• Joyce Benton, Sergeant-at-Mace – personal and prejudicial interest
• David Cook, Borough Secretary – personal and prejudicial interest
• Councillor A B Douglas – personal and prejudicial interest
• Liam Henry, Borough Solicitor – personal and prejudicial interest
• Charles Oakley, Head of Finance - personal and prejudicial interest
• Councillor R J Patterson – personal interest
• Councillor J A Robertson – personal interest
• Councillor J E Smith – personal and prejudicial interest
• John Wilson, Personnel Manager – personal and prejudicial interest
[Note : It was agreed that the Chief Executive should remain in the meeting to provide advice and information to Members in respect of this item].
(b) Item 10 : Investing in Staff : Budget Variation
• Joyce Benton, Sergeant-at-Mace – personal and prejudicial interest
• David Cook, Borough Secretary – personal and prejudicial interest
• Councillor A B Douglas – personal and prejudicial interest
• Liam Henry, Borough Solicitor – personal and prejudicial interest
• Charles Oakley, Head of Finance - personal and prejudicial interest
• Councillor J E Smith – personal and prejudicial interest
• John Wilson, Personnel Manager – personal and prejudicial interest
[Note : It was agreed that the Chief Executive should remain in the meeting to provide advice and information to Members in respect of this item, and that the Personnel Officer should be invited to join the discussion to provide professional advice as appropriate].
(c) Item 12 : The Maltings
• Councillor F I Simpson – personal and prejudicial interest
• Councillor J E Smith – personal and prejudicial interest (after making a statement)
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251.
2. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors D M Beith, J D Peggs, T J Tyler and J Waterhouse.
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252.
3. Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Council held on 27th September 2007.
DECISION: To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Special Meeting of the Council held on 27th September 2007.
[Notes : (a) The Mayor informed the meeting that Item 11 : Head of Finance, had been withdrawn and would now be considered at the next Ordinary Meeting of the Council to be held on 1st November 2007; (b) It was proposed (Councillor P S Watts; seconded by Councillor G O’Connell) that Items 9, 10 and 12 be moved from Part Two of the Summons into Part One on the basis that these were important matters of public interest and that there was insufficient justification for these items to be debated in camera. The Borough Solicitor advised Members that Items 9, 10 and 12 had been scheduled for discussion under Part Two of the Summons because they contained potentially sensitive matters in relation to individual members of staff and, in relation to Item 12, to financial and business relationship issues concerning the board of The Maltings].
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253.
4. Mayor’s Communications
a) Special Meeting of the Council : Monday 22nd October 2007
The Mayor reminded Members that a Special Meeting of the Council (preceded by a presentation on Cittaslow) would be held in the Council Chamber at 6.00pm on Monday 22nd October 2007.
(b) Freedom Ceremonies
The Mayor reported that he had recently installed six new Freemen.
(c) Marks and Spencer : Opening of New Store in Berwick-upon-Tweed
The Mayor reported that he had formally opened the new Marks and Spencer store in Tweedmouth on 3rd October 2007.
(d) Civic Reception for visitors from Haan
The Mayor reported on a successful civic reception for visitors from the twin town of Haan, held on 27th September 2007. Gifts kindly presented to the Mayor by representatives of the Haan delegation had been put on display in the Ante-Room for Members to view.
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254.
5. Budget Process
DECISIONS : (i) To note the activities and milestones to complete the round of this annual business planning cycle at Berwick-upon-Tweed Borough Council; and (ii) to note that a draft Medium-Term Financial Strategy will now be reported to the Ordinary Meeting of the Council to be held on 1st November 2007.
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255.
6. Proceedings of Committee
DECISION : That the recommendations of Committee be approved and the Minutes adopted as proceedings of the Council in respect of:
a) Overview and Scrutiny Committee: 23rd August 2007, Minutes 175 – 186
b) Planning Committee : 4th September 2007, Minutes 187 - 191
c) Policy Committee : 5th September 2007, Minutes 192 – 212
[Note : Minute 206 : Request for Supplementary Funding : J4B ‘Advisor’ Grants and funding-finder software – funding of £1000 for this subscription was agreed].
d) Policy Committee: 26th September 2007, Minutes 213 – 230
[Note : Minute 223 : Improvements to Berwick Borough Museum and Art Gallery – supplementary funding of £10,200 was agreed].
e) Special Meeting of Council : 27th September 2007, Minutes 231 - 237
f) Overview and Scrutiny Committee : 4th October 2007, Minutes 238 – 248
[Notes : Minutes 242 (i) and (ii) : Discretionary Rate Relief and 245 (i) : Berwick Borough Local Strategic Partnership, which were recommendations to the Council, were agreed].
256.
7. Questions
No questions had been received for consideration under this item.
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257.
9. Local Government Reorganisation
DECISIONS : (i) To note the contents of the report and engagement proposals in the transitional process; (ii) to agree that officers be seconded to the Joint Implementation Team provided that the primary objective of maintaining services can be achieved; (iii) to agree that the Human Resources protocol and other protocols be delegated to the Chief Executive following consultation with the Mayor and Leader of the Council; (iv) to agree a sum of £100,000 delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Mayor, the Leader of the Council and other Group Leaders for urgent Local Government Reorganisation expenditure with subsequent detailed reports to Members; and (v) to request that a regular report be received at each meeting of the Council and that weekly bulletins be issued via the Weekly Listing.
[Note : Having previously declared an interest, Councillors A B Douglas and J E Smith, and the Sergeant-at-Mace, Borough Solicitor, Borough Secretary, Head of Finance and Personnel Officer left the meeting during consideration of the item set out above].
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258.
10. Investing in Staff : Budget Variation
DECISIONS : (i) To approve the allocation of up to an additional £50,000 across financial years 2007/8 and 2008/9 for up-skilling employees whose on-going employment is at risk following Local Government Re-organisation (LGR) in Northumberland; and (ii) to agree that spending against the sum be delegated to the Chief Executive.
[Note : Having previously declared an interest, Councillors A B Douglas and J E Smith, and the Sergeant-at-Mace, Borough Solicitor, Borough Secretary, Head of Finance and Personnel Officer left the meeting during consideration of the item set out above].
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259.
12. The Maltings
The Borough Solicitor provided Members with a comprehensive verbal update prior to consideration of the substantive report.
The Borough Solicitor also gave clear and concise advice to Members to exercise caution in making any reference to financial or regulatory matters connected with this item whilst the debate was taking place in public session.
DECISION : To receive a further report on this matter at the Ordinary Meeting of the Council to be held on 1st November 2007.
[Note : Having previously declared an interest, Councillors F I Simpson and J E Smith left the meeting during consideration of the item set out above; the latter did not return to the meeting].
