Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors M Emmens,   L Hartshorne, C D Huckerby, C Hunt, J Lilley and P Parkin.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any items on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time. 

Members were requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

There were no declarations of interest made at this meeting. 

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the attached Minutes of the Annual Council meeting held on 20 May 2019.  

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting of the Annual Council held on 20 May 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Vice Chair of the Council announced that the Chair of Council was unable to be present at the meeting as she was recovering from a broken leg.  All Members present sent their best wishes for a speedy recovery. 

The Vice Chair further announced that on behalf of the Chair she had attended an inaugural meeting at County Hall with the Chair of Derbyshire County Council and the Buxton Military Tattoo. 

As the former Chair had been unable to attend the previous meeting of Council the Vice Chair took the opportunity to present Councillor J Ridgway with a book commemorating some of her memories from her year in office.  She also expressed her thanks to Councillor J Ridgway for the good work and charity fund raising she had undertaken over the previous 12 months.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 8 to allow members of the public to ask questions about the Council’s activities for a period up to fifteen minutes.  The replies to any such questions will be given by the appropriate Cabinet Member.  Questions must be received in writing or by email to the Monitoring Officer by 12 noon seven clear working days before the meeting.

No questions have been submitted under Procedure Rule No 8 for this meeting.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 8 members of the public were allowed to ask questions about the Council’s activities for a period of up to 15 minutes.  The replies to any such questions will be given by the appropriate Cabinet Member.  Questions must be received in writing or by email to the Monitoring Officer by 12 noon seven clear working days before the meeting.   

No questions from the public had been submitted.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 9.2 to allow Members to ask questions about Council activities.  The replies to any such questions will be given by the Chair of the Council or relevant Committee or the appropriate Cabinet Member.  Questions must be received in writing or by email to the Monitoring Officer by 12 noon seven clear working days before the meeting. 

(a)      Question submitted by Cllr Tracy Reader to Cllr Martin Thacker MBE, Leader of the Council:-

          “In times of austerity and Council budgets being squeezed can the Leader of the Council tell us how much it is costing the Council to rebrand and to also redecorate the Council corridors?” 

(b)      Question submitted by Cllr Nigel Barker to Cllr Charlotte Cupit, Portfolio Holder for Environment:-

          “Given that the Local Plan process has been paused, what assurances can you give the residents of North East Derbyshire that this will not lead to more opportunistic development in the District?”

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 9.2 Members were permitted to ask the Chair of the Council or relevant Committee or the appropriate Cabinet Member questions about Council activities. 

Two questions had been submitted by Members under Procedure Rule 9.2 for this meeting. 

(a)             Question submitted by Cllr Tracy Reader to Cllr Martin Thacker MBE, Leader of the Council:-

“In times of austerity and Council budgets being squeezed can the Leader of the Council tell us how much it is costing the Council to rebrand and to also redecorate the Council corridors”?

Councillor T Reader was invited to ask her question of Councillor M E Thacker MBE as set out in the agenda for the meeting. 

In responding to the question Councillor M E Thacker MBE advised that redecoration had taken place to areas of the Mill Lane building in accordance with the programme of repairs and maintenance of the building agreed and designated by the previous Administration.  This was at a cost of £500. 

Councillor M E Thacker MBE clarified that the Council had not be re-branded.  Under the Labour Administration re-brand away from using the Council’s Coat of Arms had incurred significant cost and also removed links to the Council’s heritage.  In re-adopting the branding of the Council using the Coat of Arms the Conservative Administration had restored the civic identity of the Council as established during re-organisation in the 1970s.  Councillor M E  Thacker MBE confirmed that a large Coat of Arms, that had been mounted at the previous Council building located at Saltergate, Chesterfield, had been abandoned during the move to Mill Lane in Wingerworth.  This Coat of Arms had now been re-located to the Council building at a cost of £1,400.  Re-adoption of the previous branding was taking place within existing resources and budgets. 

SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION

In exercising her right to ask a supplementary question of the Leader of the Council, Councillor T Reader queried whether the Leader considered the work undertaken to-date was value for money. 

In his response the Leader of the Council expressed his view that the expenditure made to move the Coat of Arms to Mill Lane was a cost of rectifying a mistake made by the previous Administration. 

(b)             Question submitted by Cllr Nigel Barker to Cllr Charlotte Cupit, Portfolio Holder for Environment:-

“Given that the Local Plan process has been paused, what assurances can you give to the residents of North East Derbyshire that this will not lead to more opportunistic development in the District”? 

Councillor N Barker was invited to ask his question to Councillor C Cupit as the Portfolio Holder for Environment. 

Councillor C Cupit in responding to his question advised that the pause in the Local Plan process would allow Members and Officers to take stock of the implications of the areas within the Plan that the Administration were unhappy with and Council would be advised in due course of the next steps to be taken. 

In regard to opportunistic development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 10 to consider Motions on notice from Members.  Motions must be received in writing or by email to the Monitoring Officer by 12 noon seven clear working days before the meeting. 

(a)      Motion proposed by Cllr Ross Shipman and seconded by Cllr David Hancock

            “Council notes:-

·             That the impacts of climate breakdown are already causing serious damage around the world.

·             That the ‘Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5^oC’, published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in October 2018, (a) describes the enormous harm that a 2^oC average rise in global temperatures is likely to cause compared with a 1.5^oC rise, and (b) confirms that limiting Global Warming to 1.5^oC may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society and the private sector.

·             That all governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to act, and local governments that recognise this should not wait for their national governments to change their policies. 

·             That strong policies to cut emissions also have associated health, wellbeing and economic benefits.

·             That, recognising this, a growing number of UK local authorities have already passed ‘Climate Emergency’ motions.

Council therefore resolves to:-

·             Declare a ‘Climate Emergency’ that requires urgent action.

·             Make the Council’s activities net-zero carbon by 2030.

·             Achieve 100% clean energy across the Council’s full range of functions by 2030.

·             Make use of the newly announced grant scheme administered by the Forestry Commission; which can fund the implementation of a tree planting scheme to help reduce air pollution and carbon emissions across North East Derbyshire.

·             Ensure that all strategic decisions, budgets and approaches to planning decisions are in line with a shift to zero carbon by 2030.

·             Support and work with all other relevant agencies towards making the entire area zero carbon within the same timescale.

·             Ensure that political and Chief Officer leadership teams embed this work in all areas and take responsibility for reducing, as rapidly as possible, the carbon emissions resulting from the Council’s activities, ensuring that any recommendations are fully costed and that the Executive and Scrutiny functions review council activities taking account of production and consumption emissions and produce an action plan within 12 months, together with budget actions and a measured baseline. 

·             Request that Council Scrutiny Panels consider the impact of climate change and the environment when reviewing Council policies and strategies. 

·             Work with, influence and inspire partners across the District, County and region to help deliver this goal through all relevant strategies, plans and shared resources by developing a series of meetings, events and partner workshops.

·             Request that the Council and partners take steps to proactively include young people in the process, ensuring that they have a voice in shaping the future. 

·             Request that the Executive Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Climate Change convenes a Citizens’ Assembly in 2019 in order to involve the wider population in this process.  This Group would help develop their own role, identify  ...  view the full agenda text for item 92.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 10 to consider Motions on Notice from Members.  Motions must be received in writing or by email to the Monitoring Officer by 12 noon seven clear working days before the meeting. 

(a)             Motion proposed by Councillor R Shipman and seconded by Councillor D Hancock

                     “Council notes:-

·             That the impacts of climate breakdown are already causing serious damage around the world.

·             That the ‘Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5^oC’, published by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in October 2018, (a) describes the enormous harm that a 2^oC average rise in global temperatures is likely to cause compared with a 1.5^oC rise, and (b) confirms that limiting Global Warming to 1.5^oC may still be possible with ambitious action from national and sub-national authorities, civil society and the private sector. 

·             That all governments (national, regional and local) have a duty to act, and local governments that recognise this should not wait for their national governments to change their policies. 

·             That strong policies to cut emissions also have associated health, wellbeing and economic benefits.

·             That, recognising this, a growing number of UK local authorities have already passed ‘Climate Emergency’ motions. 

Council therefore resolves to:-

·             Declare a ‘Climate Emergency’ that requires urgent action.

·             Make the Council’s activities net-zero carbon by 2030.

·             Achieve 100% clean energy across the Council’s full range of functions by 2030. 

·             Make use of the newly announced grant scheme administered by the Forestry Commission; which can fund the implementation of a tree planting scheme to help reduce air pollution and carbon emissions across North East Derbyshire.

·             Ensure that all strategic decisions, budgets and approaches to planning decisions are in line with a shift to zero carbon by 2030. 

·             Support and work with all other relevant agencies towards making the entire area zero carbon within the same timescale. 

·             Ensure that political and Chief Officer leadership teams embed this work in all areas and take responsibility for reducing, as rapidly as possible, the carbon emissions resulting from the Council’s activities, ensuring that any recommendations are fully costed and that the Executive and Scrutiny functions review council activities taking account of production and consumption emissions and produce an action plan within 12 months, together with budget actions and a measured baseline.

·             Request that Council Scrutiny Panels consider the impact of climate change and the environment when reviewing Council policies and strategies. 

·             Work with, influence and inspire partners across the District, County and region to help deliver this goal through all relevant strategies, plans and shared resources by developing a series of meetings, events and partner workshops. 

·             Request that the Council and partners take steps to proactively include young people in the process, ensuring that they have a voice in shaping the future. 

·             Request that the Executive Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Climate Change convenes a Citizens’ Assembly in 2019 in order to involve the wider population in this process.  This Group wold help develop their own role, identify  ...  view the full minutes text for item 92.

Report of Councillor C Cupit, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Climate Change

Council considered a report of Councillor C Cupit, Portfolio Holder for Environment, which sought approval of the proposed Climate Change Action Plan 2019-30, which formed part of the Council’s Transformation Programme.

As outlined earlier in the meeting the ambition of the Plan was to achieve 80% carbon reduction measured against our 2014 base line by 2030.  This target, whilst ambitious, was realistic given the challenges and the Authority’s capabilities. With this in mind, the action plan and targets within would be reviewed regularly with a comprehensive review undertaken annually for the lifetime of the Plan.  The Plan would change and flex as new opportunities arose which may support, and most likely further, the ambition for carbon reduction. 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor M Thacker MBE, thanked officers for their excellent work on developing the Plan which had great potential and tied in with not only the Conservative manifesto but agreed targets at a County, regional and national level.  He further wished to offer his thanks to the Partnerships Co-ordinator for his work on projects associated with this. 

Councillor T Reader echoed positive comments about the report and for the officer time dedicated to developing it, as well as their guidance under the previous Administration. 

RESOLVED – That proposed Climate Change Action Plan 2019-30 be adopted. 

To consider the Scrutiny Annual Report for the 2018/19 municipal year.

Council considered the Annual Report submitted by the Overview and Scrutiny Committees which provided examples of the work undertaken during the previous municipal year, the current Scrutiny Reviews that were underway, and the plan for the forthcoming year. 

RESOLVED – That the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report be accepted.

To consider and approve the Council’s Pay Policy Statement

Council considered a report of Councillor A Dale, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Council Services, which asked Council to consider and approve for publication the draft Pay Policy Statement attached as Appendix 1 to the report. 

Members noted that the Pay Policy Statement for the Council had now been reviewed and updated for 2019/20 and included the application of the recently approved pay award, agreed nationally for 2019/20. 

RESOLVED – That the Pay Policy Statement 2018/19 attached as Appendix 1 to the report be approved.