Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Dave Bulmer, Sarah Dyke, John Field, Sarah Lindsay, Graham Oakes, Stephen Page, Shane Pledger, Peter Seib, Sue Steele and William Wallace.

To approve and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday, 19^th May 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2016, 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 (adopted July 2012), 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. A DPI is defined in The Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 (SI 2012 No. 1464) and Appendix 3 of the Council’s Code of Conduct. A personal interest is defined in paragraph 2.8 of the Code and a prejudicial interest is defined in paragraph 2.9.

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.  As a result of the change made to the Code of Conduct by this Council at its meeting on 15th May 2014, 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.  If you have a prejudicial interest you must comply with paragraphs 2.9(b) and 2.9(c) of the Code.

Councillor Anna Groskop declared a personal interest in agenda item 7 – Heart of the South West Devolution Bid – as she had voted on the item as a County Councillor. She noted she would abstain from voting for that item.

Ms V Cornelius, referred to a recent Council press release about the hoard of Roman coins found at Yeovil Recreation Centre. She noted the Community Heritage Access Centre was located on an unattractive industrial estate and viewing was by appointment. She queried if there were any plans to re-open a museum in Yeovil.

Councillor Sylvia Seal, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, provided a response noting that there were no plans to re-open a museum in Yeovil.

The Chairman reminded members of two forthcoming Portfolio Holder briefing events on 22 July and 28 July.

The list of Chairman’s Engagements was noted.

(Voting: 44 in favour, 2 against, 1 abstention)

The Leader of Council introduced the report and noted details of costs and governance arrangements were still unknown. He explained the report was asking members to support the principle and to continue discussions with government. He felt now was not the time to leave discussions as there was a wish to get the best deal for Somerset.

During discussion, Councillor Mike Lewis on behalf of the Conservative group, expressed concern that if recommendation A, as detailed in the agenda was agreed, then government may think the Council is committed. He suggested deleting the wording referring to agreeing to sign up to the principle of creating a Combined Authority, and also that the word only at the end of recommendation B was moved to the middle of the sentence.

At the conclusion of discussion, it was agreed to amend the wording of recommendations A and B as suggested. The Leader noted that if the change of wording created an issue with the other authorities then he would bring back a report to the August meeting.

(Voting: 44 in favour, 2 against, 1 abstention)

The Leader of Council, as Portfolio Holder for Strategy and Policy, introduced the report as detailed in the agenda report and highlighted key elements.

During discussion comments were made regarding:

·         High target set for Chard regeneration and disappointed for people of Chard that there has been slow progress

·         PI030 - could other groups be added for the indicator

·         There had been a significant increase in the number of complaints compared to the figures of the previous two years but there was no explanation as to why.

In response to comments made, the Leader of Council agreed to provide information to explain the spike in the number of complaints and would get clarity regarding PI030 – the details to be circulated to members via email.

Members were content to note the report.

Councillor Derek Yeomans, as Chairman of the Audit Committee, noted all information was detailed in the report and highlighted that the value of dividends from a property fund had decreased following the Referendum.

There was no debate and Members were content to note the report. 

The Leader of Council noted that the Conservative group now wished to appoint Councillor Neil Bloomfield to the Scrutiny Committee and not Councillor David Norris as detailed in the agenda report.  The Leader also informed members that Councillor Clare Aparicio Paul had been appointed to the Somerset Waste Board instead of Councillor Angie Singleton, noting that the appointment had to be an Executive member.

There was no debate and members were content to confirm the appointments.

(Voting: Unanimous)

The Assistant Director (Legal and Corporate Services) advised that a valid request had been received from Brympton Parish Council to increase the number of Parish Councillors. The necessary public consultation would be conducted by a Community Governance Review and he highlighted the process and timeframes involved.

There was no discussion and members unanimously agreed to a Community Governance Review of the Parish of Brympton being undertaken.

(Voting: Unanimous)

The report of Executive Decisions was noted.

Councillor Derek Yeomans, Chairman of the Audit Committee, introduced the report and asked if members had any questions. There were no questions and the report of the Audit Committee was noted.

Councillor John Clark, Vice-Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee presented the report and highlighted the comments made regarding the new Boards. He also noted it would be important to scrutinise the proposals coming forward regarding a combined authority.

There were no questions and the report of the Scrutiny Committee was noted.

Proposal - In the wake of the recent killing of Jo Cox MP and the less savoury rhetoric of some in the referendum campaign, this council wishes to make it clear that we, the councillors, are proud to represent a vibrant and diverse community.  We totally condemn any form of racism, intolerance, bigotry or xenophobia.  Hate crimes have no place in our society and we will do all we can to prevent them.  The residents of South Somerset, whatever their race, creed, age, colour or sexuality are equal and shall be treated as such.

(Voting: Unanimous)

The following motion was submitted by Councillor Crispin Raikes:-

In the wake of the recent killing of Jo Cox MP and the less savoury rhetoric of some in the referendum campaign, this council wishes to make it clear that we, the councillors, are proud to represent a vibrant and diverse community.  We totally condemn any form of racism, intolerance, bigotry or xenophobia.  Hate crimes have no place in our society and we will do all we can to prevent them.  The residents of South Somerset, whatever their race, creed, age, colour or sexuality are equal and shall be treated as such.

Councillor Crispin Raikes, commented he hoped the motion was self explanatory, and made reference to recent hate crime statistics in the area as provided by Avon & Somerset Police.

Councillor Amanda Broom noted she had been dismayed by comments made by some members of the public in her community regarding migrant workers. She suggested another paragraph was added to the motion so that as a Council a clear message was being stated. She also asked that SSDC provide a clear guide as to what steps the Council will take to tackle such behaviour, and read out a statement outlining the points.

During discussion members suggested some slight changes to the wording of the original motion. Councillor Crispin Raikes was content to accept the changes and the additional wording of Councillor Amanda Broom. The motion, as amended, was seconded and on being put to the vote was carried unanimously.

There were no questions submitted under Procedure Rule 10.

There were no questions submitted under Procedure Rule 10.

Councillor Mike Lewis, as leader of the Conservative group, expressed his regret regarding the change of date for the September meeting, as several members would be absent.

The Leader of Council apologised for any inconvenience, but noted all members had been consulted about the change of date. He referred to an email that had been circulated confirming the date would change to the 1^st September 2016 as only four members had indicated they would not be able to attend a meeting on that date.

Members noted the next meeting of the Full Council would take place on Thursday 18th August 2016 in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil commencing at 7.30pm.