Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Marcus Barrett, Hayward Burt, Jenny Kenton, Sarah Lindsay, Stephen Page, Dean Ruddle, Garry Shortland, Gerard Tucker and Derek Yeomans. 

To approve and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday, 16^th November 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16^th November 2017, copies of which had been previously circulated, were approved as a correct record of the meeting and signed by the Chairman.

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (as amended 26 February 2015), which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests, Members are asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and whether or not such personal interests are also "prejudicial") in relation to any matter on the Agenda for this meeting.

Members are reminded that they need to declare the fact that they are also a member of a County, Town or Parish Council as a Personal Interest.  Where you are also a member of Somerset County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council within South Somerset you must declare a prejudicial interest in any business on the agenda where there is a financial benefit or gain or advantage to Somerset County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council which would be at the cost or to the financial disadvantage of South Somerset District Council. 

There were no declarations of interest from Members present.

Mr Bud Budzynski asked if it was possible to open Thorne Lane, Yeovil to traffic on Friday 26^th January, prior to the Yeovil Town/ Manchester United football match at Huish Park football ground to ease traffic congestion in the area. 

The Leader of Council agreed to speak to Somerset County Council Highways Department the following day to ask if it was possible to do this. 

The Chairman congratulated Yeovil Town Football Club on reaching the fourth round of the FA Cup and on its forthcoming match with Manchester United on Friday 26^th January.

The list of Chairman’s engagements were noted. 

(Voting: 46 in favour, 0 against, 3 abstentions)

The Leader of Council advised that it was essential that SSDC needed to be involved in this Joint Committee.  He hoped for the modest costs involved, to bid for growth money from the Government and have greater influence over the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). 

In response to questions, the Leader confirmed that:-

·         Other Councillors had accompanied him to previous meetings and he would use his best endeavours to ensure any interested Councillor could attend the meetings along with him.

·         The SSDC contribution towards administration of the Joint Committee was £1,400 and SSDC needed to be part of this Joint Committee in order to be a voice at the meetings and attempt to shape its future direction. 

·         Each of the 19 partner authorities would have an equal vote at the Joint Committee meetings.

During a brief debate, Members agreed that SSDC should be involved in the Joint Committee and agreed that it was worthwhile joining for the £1,400 administration fee. 

At the conclusion of the debate, the majority of Members were content to confirm that SSDC join the Heart of the South West (HotSW) - Joint Committee.

(Voting: 46 in favour, 0 against, 3 abstentions)

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Legal Services advised that the scheme was updated each year and no significant changes were proposed in the 2018/19 scheme.  Some minor changes were proposed for working people and disabled people and a disregard for bereavement support payments and the income for part-time firefighters.  He noted that the Council Tax collection rate had increased in the last few years and the deadline for setting a Council Tax Support Scheme had been moved to 11 March in future years which would allow the option for the scheme to be agreed alongside the Council’s Budget report.

In response to a question, the Lead Specialist - Vulnerable Customers advised that up to the third quarter of the year, 90 applications to the Hardship Scheme had been received and £14,000 in relief had been allocated.  He expected this to rise to around £16,000 by the end of the financial year, which would be within the £30,000 budget.

At the conclusion of the debate, Members were content to confirm the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2018/19. 

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

(The Lead Specialist (Legal) left the room during consideration of this item)

The Chief Executive advised that there were 3 designated officer posts within the Council which were appointed by Full Council.  He said Angela Watson, (Lead Specialist (Legal)), had been Acting Monitoring Officer for 2 months and previously she had been the Deputy Monitoring Officer for 8 years.  He was pleased to recommend she be confirmed permanently in the post and noted that she would appoint a Deputy in due course. 

In response to a question, the Chief Executive said that her future workload was key, and, he was working with her to help her take on the extra caseload which could include additional staff resource.  

There was no debate and Members unanimously confirmed Angela Watson as the Council’s Monitoring Officer.  

On her return to the room Members congratulated Mrs Watson on her appointment to Monitoring Officer for the Council.

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

The report of Executive Decisions was noted.

Councillor Tony Lock, Vice-Chairman of the Audit Committee, presented the report of the Committee. 

In response to a question, the Director for Strategy and Commissioning confirmed that SSDC had an action plan and was on track to comply with the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) by May 2018.  The Vice-Chairman of the Audit Committee, confirmed that information had been sent to all Members by email recently.

The report of the Audit Committee was noted.

Councillor Sue Steele, Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee, presented the report of the Committee.  She noted that the Council’s Car Parking Strategy was not out of date, as reported in the Agenda, and, asked for new members to join the Transformation – Customer Accessibility Task and Finish review. 

The report of the Scrutiny Committee was noted.

There were no Motions submitted by Members.

There were no Motions submitted by Members.

Members noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Full Council would take place on Thursday, 22^nd February 2018 in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil commencing at 7.30 p.m.

There were no questions submitted under Procedure Rule 10.

There were no questions submitted under Procedure Rule 10.