Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors Steve Ashton, Suria Aujla, Hayward Burt, Nicola Clark, Shane Collins, Nick Cottle, Martin Dimery, Andrew Govier, Ross Henley, John Hunt, Val Keitch, Andy Kendall, Harry Munt, Tessa Munt, Graham Oakes, Peter Seib, Gill Slocombe, Andy Sully and Gwil Wren.

Although apologies had been received, Councillors Steve Ashton, Suria Aujla, Nick Cottle, John Hunt, Tessa Munt, Graham Oakes and Gwil Wren attended the meeting online.

To approve the minutes from the previous meeting.

Councillor Fothergill requested that the names were added to the recorded vote taken at the previous meeting.  The details would be added and the minutes updated.

Resolved that the minutes of Full Council held on 26 September 2024, with amendment, be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive and note any declarations of interests in respect of any matters included on the agenda for consideration at this meeting.

(The other registrable interests of Councillors of Somerset Council, arising from membership of City, Town or Parish Councils and other Local Authorities will automatically be recorded in the minutes: City, Town & Parish Twin Hatters - Somerset Councillors 2023 )

Councillorspresent atthe meetingdeclared thefollowing interestsin their capacity as a Councillor of a Town or Parish Council or any other Local Authority:-

The following councillors declared additional interests on Agenda Item 7 – Non-Domestic Rating Discretionary Rate Relief and Hardship Policy 2025-26: Councillors Mike Best, Mike Caswell, Mark Healey, Marcus Kravis, Nick O’Donnell, Steven Pugsley, Tony Robbins and Diogo Rodrigues.

The following councillors declared additional interests on Agenda Item 14 – Motions on Notice: Councillors Alan Bradford, Norman Cavill and Philip Ham.

The Chair to advise the Committee of any items on which members of the public have requested to speak and advise those members of the public present of the details of the Council’s public participation scheme.

For those members of the public who have submitted any questions or statements, please note, a three minute time limit applies to each speaker and you will be asked to speak before Councillors debate the issue.

We are now live webcasting most of our committee meetings and you are welcome to view and listen to the discussion. The link to each webcast will be available on the meeting webpage, please see details under ‘click here to join online meeting’.

Public questions were received from:-

·       Pierre Fox – Misuse of Highways by hunting groups

·       Pip Sheard and Marian Nieuwenhuizen – Petition – Cycling

·       Seth Dellow – CTR Scheme and Celebration Mile

·       Paul Partington – Rights of Way

·       Trevor Challenger – Petition – Bus Services

·       Andrew Lee – Public Participation

·       Sue Isherwood – Highways

·       Nigel Behan – Budget

The questions and responses provided are attached to the minutes in Annex A.

To receive and note the Chair’s Announcements including events detailed on the Chair’s Information Sheet.

The Chair of Council, Councillor Mike Best, referred to the events detailed on the Chair’s Information Sheet, circulated and published with the agenda.

The Chair of Council highlighted that Agenda Item 19 – Report of the Chief Executive would be moved to be debated after Agenda Item 7 and that Agenda Item 10 – Local Housing Authority Housing Fund had been withdrawn from the agenda.

Council observed a minute’s silence in memory of former Taunton Deane Borough Councillor Janet Reed. Councillors paid tribute to her at the meeting, including Councillors David Fothergill and Gwil Wren.

Council observed a minute’s silence in memory of former Somerset County Councillor John Sharpe.  Councillors paid tribute to him at the meeting.

The Chair of Council welcomed the newly elected Councillors, Hayward Burt and Nick O’Donnell.

To consider the recommendations from the Leader and Executive.

Councillor Liz Leyshon proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Bill Revans.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

1)    Agree and approve the increase to income band thresholds by the September 2024 CPI rate of 1.7% in line with the percentage increase to state benefits as implemented by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

2)    Agree for the Leader to write to the Minister for Local Government to explore the case for Somerset Council’s Council Tax to be raised by more than the referendum limit, due to Exceptional Financial Support, low Council Tax base and rate, increasing demand, and taking into account Government’s requirement that plans be in place to protect vulnerable people.

3)    Agree and approve the CTR and associated EH scheme for 2025/26 as set out in this paper.

4)    Conditional upon the Local Government Financial Settlement, and associated Household Support Fund announcement, this Council commit itself to:

1.    Further increased support to the Exceptional Hardship fund to target help at those impacted by those changes - with particular attention given to households identified as disproportionately affected.

2.    Include details regarding information and signposting to additional support through both council tax billing documents and through making additional contact with every impacted household.

The Council further agree that, should additional funding capacity become available and the budget balanced in a sustainable way, the impact of those changes would be addressed to minimise or if possible remove them through the provision of a one-off grant or similar.

The Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Finance, Procurement and Performance, Councillor Liz Leyshon, introduced the report which the Executive considered and endorsed at its meeting on 2 December 2024.

The report detailed the consultation exercise carried out on the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (CTR) for the financial year 2025-26 and explained why the changes had been proposed for the new criteria for the scheme.  It also highlighted that the Council was required by law to set a CTR scheme in advance of each financial year.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·       Councillors thanked officers for their work on the report.

·       Councillors raised concern for those claimants who lived in the deprived areas of the county and requested that officers investigated mitigation measures for those most impacted by the changes.

·       Councillors requested that a communications plan be put in place to ensure that mitigation measures were highlighted to all those who would need additional support.

The Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Finance, Procurement and Performance agreed and advised that she was looking into the mitigation measures and would look to bolster the Exceptional Hardship Fund with the Household Support Fund.  The Lead Member was also happy for councillors to approach her with any ideas to improve the mitigation measures in place.

·       Councillor Tom Deakin proposed an amendment which would replace recommendation 4, which was seconded by Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts:-

4)    Conditional upon the Local Government Financial Settlement, and associated Household Support Fund announcement, this Council commit itself to:

1.    Further increased support to the Exceptional Hardship fund to target help at those impacted by those changes - with particular attention given to households identified as disproportionately affected.

2.    Include details regarding information and signposting to additional support through both council tax billing documents and through making additional contact with every impacted household.

The Council further agreed that, should additional funding capacity become available and the budget balanced in a sustainable way, the impact of those changes would be addressed to minimise or if possible remove them through the provision of a one-off grant or similar.

The amendment was approved by Councillor Liz Leyshon, as proposer of the report and Councillor Bill Revans, as the seconder, so became part of the substantive motion.

·       Councillors raised concern that the CTR Scheme was being set prior to the Council Tax Rates for 2025-26.

The Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Finance, Procurement and Performance advised that the CTR Scheme had to be approved prior to the end of December 2024 to enable the relief to be added to claimants’ accounts.

·       Councillors raised further concern that other support funds were being used as a temporary fix for the CTR Scheme mitigations and that they were expecting too much from those extra support funds and that they were not confident they would deliver.

The Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Finance, Procurement and Performance agreed that we had to be careful when using the Household Support Fund, as the money could only  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.

To consider the recommendations from the Leader and Executive.

Councillor Liz Leyshon proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Bill Revans.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

1)    Approve that the Non-Domestic Rating Discretionary Rate Relief and Hardship policy is amended to prevent Private Schools from applying for assistance in anticipation of the changes to the Local Government Finance Act 1988. The recommended wording was to be found in Appendix D of the policy and stated: ‘The ratepayer must not fall within the definition of a Private School. For business rates purposes, ‘Private Schools’ were defined by HM Treasury as schools at which full time education was provided for pupils of compulsory school age where fees were payable.’

2)    Delegate authority to the Council’s Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Monitoring Officer to make any additional amendments as necessary to ensure the wording aligned with that Act once such amendments came into force.

3)    Approve to reduce the relief percentage within the policy for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure sector for 2025/26 from 75% to 40% as a result of changes to Central Government policy.

4)    Approve to end Local Newspaper Relief in line with Central Government policy.

The Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Finance, Procurement and Performance, Councillor Liz Leyshon, introduced the report which the Executive considered and endorsed at its meeting on 2 December 2024.

The report detailed the review carried out on the Non-Domestic Rating Discretionary Rate Relief and Hardship Policy (NDRDRR) for 2025-26.  The review was required due to legislative changes proposed by Central Government and to ensure that the aims and objectives of the scheme were not adversely affected by the proposed changes in legislation.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·       Councillors Mike Best, Mike Caswell, Mark Healey, Marcus Kravis, Nick O’Donnell, Steven Pugsley, Tony Robbins and Diogo Rodrigues left the room for the debate.

·       Councillors raised concerns on the negative impacts that the scheme would have on local public schools.

The Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Finance, Procurement and Performance understood their concerns and had spoken to a local head teacher, who advised that they had prepared for the changes in the rates but not the changes to the national insurance.

·       Councillors proposed a letter be written to Central Government expressing the concerns raised by councillors and rate payers.

·       Councillors queried what would happen if the recommendations were not approved.

The Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Finance, Procurement and Performance advised that if the Council did not approve the recommendations now, then the changes would be put in place once Central Government implemented the scheme which would mean that the Council would be forced to re-bill all the impacted rate payers.

·       Councillors raised concerns for those rate payers in the leisure and retail sector who were already struggling to keep premises open and viable for business.

Councillor Liz Leyshon proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Bill Revans.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

1)    Approve that the Non-Domestic Rating Discretionary Rate Relief and Hardship policy is amended to prevent Private Schools from applying for assistance in anticipation of the changes to the Local Government Finance Act 1988. The recommended wording was to be found in Appendix D of the policy and stated: ‘The ratepayer must not fall within the definition of a Private School. For business rates purposes, ‘Private Schools’ were defined by HM Treasury as schools at which full time education was provided for pupils of compulsory school age where fees were payable.’

2)    Delegate authority to the Council’s Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Monitoring Officer to make any additional amendments as necessary to ensure the wording aligned with that Act once such amendments came into force.

3)    Approve to reduce the relief percentage within the policy for Retail, Hospitality and Leisure sector for 2025/26 from 75% to 40% as a result of changes to Central Government policy.

4)    Approve to end Local Newspaper Relief in line with Central Government policy.

Meeting adjourned at 3.40pm

Meeting restarted at 4.05pm

To consider the recommendations from the Chief Executive.

This report will be considered after agenda item 7.

The Chief Executive, Duncan Sharkey, introduced the report which detailed a settlement sum that required approval as part of the implementation stage of the Council’s organisation restructure.  The report required Full Council approval as stated in the Localism Act 2011, due to the proposed financial settlement for an officer leaving the council exceeded £100,000.

Councillors thanked the post holder for all their hard work and were happy to support the recommendations.

Councillor Bill Revans proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Mandy Chilcott.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved:-

      i.         The case for applying exemption information provisions as set out in the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A and therefore treat the attached confidential Appendix A (the main report) in confidence, as it contained information relating to any individual, information which was likely to reveal the identity of any individual and information relating to the financial and business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information), and as the case for the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing that information.

     ii.         To pass a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting where there was any debate or discussion regarding exempt information in Appendix A

    iii.         The recommendations as set out in Appendix A.

To consider the recommendations from the Leader and Executive.

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Mandy Chilcott.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

·       Agree to the program of PSTP replacements where costs for the program were equal to or below the value of the LNMF funding received.

·       Approve a supplementary budget of £1m to the HRA Capital Programme, that would be fully funded by the MHCLG Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund.

The Lead Member for Communities, Housing Revenue Account, Culture and Equalities and Diversity, Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts, introduced the report which detailed that a significant proportion of the package sewage treatment plants no longer functioned effectively and were putting the council at risk of breaching environmental laws and regulations.  The report sought to use Local Nutrient Mitigation Funds to carry out the replacement works to reduce the risks of causing pollution events, inconvenience to households and number of related complaints.

Councillors spoke in support of the report and were happy to support the recommendations.

Councillor Federica Smith-Roberts proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Mandy Chilcott.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

·       Agree to the program of PSTP replacements where costs for the program were equal to or below the value of the LNMF funding received.

·       Approve a supplementary budget of £1m to the HRA Capital Programme, that would be fully funded by the MHCLG Local Nutrient Mitigation Fund.

To consider the recommendations from the Leader and Executive.

Councillor Liz Leyshon proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Diogo Rodrigues.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

a)    Approve the mid-year borrowing and investment position and that all treasury activities had been carried out in accordance with the approved Treasury Management Strategy, within the Prudential Limits, and in line with the full delegations to the Section 151 officer.

b)    Approve the report as being in compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management.

c)    Approve the revised Flexible Capital Receipts Policy for 2023/24 and 2024/25 as set out as Appendix B.

The Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Finance, Procurement and Performance, Councillor Liz Leyshon, introduced the report which provided a mid-year review of the Council’s treasury activities and noted that all borrowing and investment activities had been undertaken in accordance with the approved strategy.

Councillors spoke in support of the report, thanked officers for their work and were happy to support the recommendations.

Councillor Liz Leyshon proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Diogo Rodrigues.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

a)    Approve the mid-year borrowing and investment position and that all treasury activities had been carried out in accordance with the approved Treasury Management Strategy, within the Prudential Limits, and in line with the full delegations to the Section 151 officer.

b)    Approve the report as being in compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management.

c)    Approve the revised Flexible Capital Receipts Policy for 2023/24 and 2024/25 as set out as Appendix B.

To consider the recommendations from the Leader of the Council.

The item was withdrawn from the agenda.

To consider recommendations from the HR Committee.

Councillor Theo Butt Philip proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Bill Revans.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to approve the award of a 2.5% pay increase to the Chief Executive for 2024/25.

The Lead Member for Transformation, Human Resources and Localities and the Chair of the Human Resources Committee, Councillor Theo Butt Philip, introduced the report, which sought approval for the Chief Executive’s pay award for 2024-25.

Councillors spoke in support of the report and were happy to support the recommendations.

Councillor Theo Butt Philip proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Bill Revans.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to approve the award of a 2.5% pay increase to the Chief Executive for 2024/25.

To consider the report from the Monitoring Officer.

Councillor Bill Revans proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Mandy Chilcott.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

·       Paper A

Approve the appointment of Councillor Steven Pugsley to the vacancy on the Scrutiny Committee - Corporate and Resources and to appoint Councillor Pugsley as the Chair of the committee.  To also approve the removal of Councillor Diogo Rodrigues from the committee and be replaced by Councillor Bob Filmer.

·       Paper B

Note the decision taken by the Chief Executive on 30 October 2024 to grant a leave of absence for Councillor Slocombe.

·       Paper C

Note the recent by-election results and the changes to the political balance of the Council.

The Monitoring Officer, Alyn Jones, introduced the report which detailed an appointment to the Scrutiny Committee for Corporate and Resources, a delegated decision for a member dispensation and the changes to the political proportionality following two by-elections.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·       The following additional changes were also highlighted, that Councillor Diogo Rodrigues be removed from the Scrutiny Committee for Corporate and Resources and that Councillor Bob Filmer be added to the committee.

·       The Leader of the Council thanked Councillor Filmer for his hard work as the previous Chair of the Scrutiny Committee for Corporate and Resources.  He also welcomed the new councillors and passed on his best wishes to Councillor Slocombe.

Councillor Bill Revans proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Mandy Chilcott.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

·       Paper A

Approve the appointment of Councillor Steven Pugsley to the vacancy on the Scrutiny Committee - Corporate and Resources and to appoint Councillor Pugsley as the Chair of the committee.  To also approve the removal of Councillor Diogo Rodrigues from the committee and be replaced by Councillor Bob Filmer.

·       Paper B

Note the decision taken by the Chief Executive on 30 October 2024 to grant a leave of absence for Councillor Slocombe.

·       Paper C

Note the recent by-election results and the changes to the political balance of the Council.

To consider the recommendations from the Constitution and Governance Committee.

Councillor Theo Butt Philip proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Emily Pearlstone.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to consider the review of Part B and approve the proposed amendments set out in Appendices 2 and 3.

The Lead Member for Transformation, Human Resources and Localities, Councillor Theo Butt Philip, introduced the report which detailed the introduction of a policy for the retention of committee meeting recordings.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·       Councillors queried whether the minutes would be kept if the recording was being deleted.

The Lead Member for Transformation, Human Resources and Localities confirmed that the minutes would remain the legal record of the meeting and be kept in line with the legal retention periods.

·       Councillors supported the recommendations.

Councillor Theo Butt Philip proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Emily Pearlstone.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to consider the review of Part B and approve the proposed amendments set out in Appendices 2 and 3.

To consider the three motions contained in the attached report:

Motion A - Supporting Somerset Farmers and Food Producers

Motion B - Protecting British Family Farms and Preserving Rural Communities

Motion C - Food and Farming

Motion A

Councillor David Woan proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Oliver Patrick.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs expressing concern about the impact of the Government’s tax changes on the future of farming in Somerset.

Motion B

Councillor Faye Purbrick proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Lucy Trimnell.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

·       Declare opposition to the Labour Government’s changes to inheritance tax affecting family farms.

·       Write to the Prime Minister, Chancellor and the DEFRA Secretary, along with all Somerset MPs, outlining our opposition to this tax change and the scale of the impact to Somerset and our rural economy.

·       Advocate through all available means for the continued APR exemption of family farms to preserve the UK's food security, our rural communities, and environmental initiatives.

Motion C

Councillor Lucy Trimnell proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Faye Purbrick.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

1)    Recognise and note the significant contribution made to our local economy and food supplies by our hard-working farmers, particularly our meat and dairy producers who account for the majority of Somerset farming produce.

2)    Strengthen our partnerships with arable, livestock, and dairy farmers to support and enhance Somerset’s iconic countryside and would seek to oppose unnecessary additional pressures such as the hike in employers National Insurance contributions and Inheritance Tax on farmers.

3)    Make a commitment to support local farmers, growers, and the food and drink sector by ensuring, where possible, that food and beverages served at council-organised events were sourced from local suppliers. This would include meat and dairy, alongside fruit, vegetable and cereal products, reflecting the full diversity of Somerset's agricultural output.

4)    As part of Somerset Council’s efforts to address environmental priorities, the Council would explore ways to encourage residents to shop locally whenever possible. This would include promoting home-grown, affordable, and nutritious produce to reduce food miles, boost the local economy, and support our farming community.

Motion A

Councillor David Woan introduced the Motion to Council, which was seconded by Councillor Oliver Patrick.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·       Councillors highlighted the plea to help support local farmers.

·       Councillors fully supported the Motion, as farming was a diminishing sector and farmers quite often did not reach out for support.

·       Councillors were pleased to see interest raised in such an integral sector.

·       Councillors queried whether the new Economic Development Policy would include the food and farming sector.

The Leader of the Council spoke on the Somerset Growth Board and advised that they were looking for wider engagement and would pass on the comments made.

·       Councillors highlighted several concerns that faced farmers, including low income, land sales, ‘outsiders’ driving up land values and increasing cost of food.

Councillor David Woan proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Oliver Patrick.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to write to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs expressing concern about the impact of the Government’s tax changes on the future of farming in Somerset.

The Chair proposed a 30-minute time extension which was carried.

Motion B

Councillor Faye Purbrick introduced the Motion to Council, which was seconded by Councillor Lucy Trimnell.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·       Councillors thanked the Proposer and Seconder for bringing the Motion to Full Council and that they were aware of the impact on local farmers.

·       Councillors spoke on the challenges faced by local farmers.

·       Councillor Sarah Wakefield proposed some amendments to the wording of the recommendations, which was seconded by Councillor Oliver Patrick.

·       The meeting was adjourned at 5.20pm to allow for the Proposer, Seconder and the Monitoring Officer to decide on whether the amendments were classed as a substantial change.

·       The meeting restarted at 5.30pm. The Chair of Council advised that the decision was made that the amendments were deemed as a substantial change and that they had not been submitted ahead of the meeting and therefore would not be permitted.

Councillor Faye Purbrick proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Lucy Trimnell.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

·       Declare opposition to the Labour Government’s changes to inheritance tax affecting family farms.

·       Write to the Prime Minister, Chancellor and the DEFRA Secretary, along with all Somerset MPs, outlining our opposition to this tax change and the scale of the impact to Somerset and our rural economy.

·       Advocate through all available means for the continued APR exemption of family farms to preserve the UK's food security, our rural communities, and environmental initiatives.

Motion C

Councillor Lucy Trimnell introduced the Motion to Council, which was seconded by Councillor Faye Purbrick.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·       Councillor Bill Revans proposed the addition of the words ‘where possible’ to paragraph 3, which was accepted by the Proposer and Seconder.

·       Councillors were happy to support the recommendations.

Councillor Lucy Trimnell proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Faye  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

To consider the recommendations from the five Scrutiny Committees.

Councillor Leigh Redman proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Henry Hobhouse.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

a)    Note the report; and

b)    That the Constitution Part 6 – Scrutiny Terms of Reference be amended as follows: 1.17 REPORTING: A Scrutiny Committee could report and make recommendations to the Leader, the Executive or the Council, as appropriate, and to partner public bodies involved with Community Safety or the NHS. Each Committee report annually to Full Council on its work, its future work programme and recommendations for improving the way it carries out its functions, if appropriate.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Committee for Children and Families, Councillor Leigh Redman, introduced the recommendations contained within the report which proposed that each of the Scrutiny Committees report annually to Full Council.

Councillors highlighted the value of the scrutiny work carried out.

Councillor Leigh Redman proposed the recommendations, which were seconded by Councillor Henry Hobhouse.

Having been duly proposed and seconded, the Council Resolved to:-

a)    Note the report; and

b)    That the Constitution Part 6 – Scrutiny Terms of Reference be amended as follows: 1.17 REPORTING: A Scrutiny Committee could report and make recommendations to the Leader, the Executive or the Council, as appropriate, and to partner public bodies involved with Community Safety or the NHS. Each Committee report annually to Full Council on its work, its future work programme and recommendations for improving the way it carries out its functions, if appropriate.

To consider and note the report of the Leader and Executive.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Bill Revans, introduced the report which included a summary of the key decisions taken by the Leader and Executive between 13 September 2024 and 6 December 2024.

Councillors sought clarification on how the decisions were being recorded which would be made clearer in the next report.. 

The Council noted the report.

To receive and note the annual report.

The Lead Member for Transport and Waste, Councillor Richard Wilkins, introduced his annual report.

During the discussion, the following points were raised:-

·       Councillors raised concern on the stroke services and the connectivity between the mobile services and also the signal strength between the hospitals.

·       Councillors suggested that the Lead Member reports should be taken to the relevant Scrutiny Committee rather than Full Council.

·       Councillors highlighted the feedback provided from the waste surveys and the areas of improvements.

·       Councillors requested whether the impacts of road closures on local businesses could be included in the report.

·       Councillors highlighted the Placemaking Policies and concerns raised by the report.

·       Councillors gave an update on the work carried out after the recent storms and flooding.

The Council noted the report.

Councillors are required to give notice of any such question in writing to the Monitoring Officer no later than 5pm providing three clear working days’ notice before the meeting, in order to be guaranteed a written response. For this meeting the deadline is 5pm on Thursday 12 December 2024.

Details of any questions received will be circulated to all councillors prior to the meeting and made available at the meeting and on the Council’s website.

Any question received after 5pm on Thursday 12 December and no later than 9am 18 December may only receive a verbal response at the meeting or the Chair may direct them to the appropriate committee or the next meeting of the Council.

Questions may be asked without notice and councillors are limited to one minute to put their question. Supplementary questions can only be asked with the consent of the Chair. The Chair will determine the number of questions asked without notice and the total time allocated for this item.

Councillors are reminded of the opportunities outside of the Council meeting to raise matters directly with the Leader of the Council, Executive Lead Members or Directors. In addition, Councillors can raise questions at meetings of the Executive.

The Chair of Council, Councillor Mike Best, invited questions from the councillor for the Leader and Executive.

Member questions were received form:-

·       Councillor Leigh Redman – Equality Impact Assessment from the Peer Review.

The questions and responses provided are attached to the minutes in Annex B.