Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Jane Bryson, Dexter Bullock and Tricia Clough.

Members should declare the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and Non Statutory Interest as defined by the Members’ Code of Conduct in respect of:

a)  any business on the agenda

b)  any urgent additional items to be considered

c)  any matters arising out of those items

and if appropriate, withdraw from the meeting at the relevant time.

There were no declarations made at the meeting.

To receive any announcements that the Chair of the Council may desire to lay before the meeting.

The Chair was sad to report the recent passing of former Councillor Alan Tomlinson. The Chair spoke about how Alan represented Bolsover District Council and Blackwell Parish Council for many years and was the Bolsover District Councillor for the Blackwell ward from 1979 to 2015 and was Deputy Leader of Bolsover District Council from 2003 to 2015. He felt he was an instrumental voice throughout his time as a Member and always had the best interests of his constituents at heart. Alan held many positions during his time as a Councillor and was heavily involved with finance, economic development, leisure, supporting businesses, Council events and civic engagements.

The Chair stated that everyone’s thoughts and condolences were with Alan’s family, and the funeral would take place on 1pm Thursday 11^th November 2021 at Swanwick crematorium.

The Chair informed Members that an Honorary Alderman presentation event had been arranged to honour the 7 former Councillors awarded Honorary Alderman status at the Council meeting in March 2021. The event would take place at Van Dyk By Wildes Hotel in Clowne on 5pm Wednesday 1^st December 2021, and further details on the event had been circulated via letters to all Members.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 8^th September 2021 as a correct record.

Councillor Tom Kirkham referred to Minute Number CL38-21/22 (Minutes of Previous Meeting) of the draft 8^th September 2021 minutes, and he believed the date quoted for the sale of the land at Glapwell was incorrect. The Chair stated that the Solicitor would investigate the exact date of the sale and ensure the minutes included the correct date.

Councillor Steve Fritchley (Leader of the Council) referred to a paragraph at the end of Minute Number CL46-21/22 (Local Government Reorganisation) which read: “In response to a query from Councillor Peter Roberts regarding funding, the Leader explained that he did not have the answer going forward.” Councillor Steve Fritchley did not believe he stated this. The Chair confirmed this would be removed.

Subject to these amendments, the minutes were moved by Councillor Ray Heffer and seconded by Councillor Derek Adams.

RESOLVED that the minutes of Council on 8^th September 2021 be approved as a true and correct record.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8, to allow members of the public to ask questions about the Council’s activities for a period of up to thirty minutes.  A question may only be asked if notice of twelve clear working days has been given.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8, Members of the Public were able to ask questions to an Executive Member about the Council’s activities for a period of up to 15 minutes.

No questions were submitted to this meeting of Council under Rule 8 of the Council Procedure Rules.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9, to allow Members to ask questions about Council activities.  A question may only be asked if notice of twelve clear working days has been given.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9, Members of Council were able to ask questions about the Council’s activities to either the Chair of the Council, Chairman of a specific Committee or a relevant Portfolio Holder.

No questions had been submitted by Members of Council under Council Procedure Rule 9 and were considered in order of submission.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, to consider motions on notice from Members.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, Councillors were able to submit Motions on Notice for consideration at meetings of Council.

The Chair indicated that no motions had been submitted.

To receive a report from the Executive with details of any Key Decisions taken under special urgency provisions or Key Decisions which were exempt from Call In.

The Governance Manager presented a report to inform Council of one decision taken under urgency provisions within the Council’s Executive Procedure Rules. Appendix 1 to the report explained the decision, which was taken by the Section 151 Officer on 29^th September 2021 to obtain retrospective approval for the annual renewal of the insurance policies.

The recommendation to note the report was moved by Councillor Duncan McGregor (Deputy Leader of the Council) and seconded by Councillor Steve Fritchley (Leader of the Council).

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

(Monitoring Officer/Governance Manager)

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

Councillor Clive Moesby (Portfolio Holder – Finance) presented a report regarding the decision for whether the Council should opt-in to the national arrangement for the procurement of external audit, or procure external audit services independently. The report recommended that opting-in to the national scheme would be in the best interests of the Council, for the reasons summarised in section 2.10.

The recommendation in the report was moved by Councillor Clive Moesby and seconded by Councillor Duncan McGregor.

RESOLVED that Council agrees to accept the invitation to become an opted-in authority for the audit years 2023/2024 to 2027/2028 for the purposes of the appointment of our auditor under the provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the requirements of the Local Audit (Appointing Person) Regulations 2015.

(Section 151 Officer)

To give consideration to the change in political proportionality and  requests for changes to Committee Seats for the remainder of the Municipal Year.

Councillor Steve Fritchley (Leader of the Council) presented a report to make amendments to the appointment of Members to the Council’s Committees and Advisory Groups for the 2021/22 Municipal Year following a change to the Council’s political groups affecting proportionality.

It was moved by Councillor Steve Fritchley and seconded by Councillor Tom Munro to:

1. Remove Councillor Liz Smyth from Employee Appeals Committee and replace her with Councillor Deborah Watson (with Councillor Ray Heffer as substitute).

2. Remove Councillor Liz Smyth from Employment and Personnel Committee and replace her with Councillor Deborah Watson.

Councillor Steve Fritchley stated that this would also mean rejecting the proportionality allocation numbers detailed in Appendix 1.

RESOLVED that:

(i) The proportionality set out in Appendix appointments to committees as set out in Appendix 1 be rejected;

(ii) The appointment to committees as set out in Appendix 2 be agreed with the following changes made:

1. Remove Councillor Liz Smyth from Employee Appeals Committee and replace her with Councillor Deborah Watson (with Councillor Ray Heffer as substitute);

2. Remove Councillor Liz Smyth from Employment and Personnel Committee and replace her with Councillor Deborah Watson.

(Monitoring Officer/Governance Manager)

To consider the work of the Member Development Working Group over the last municipal year.

Councillor Sandra Peake (Portfolio Holder – Housing) presented a report to consider the Member Development work that was undertaken during the municipal year 2020/21.

The recommendation to note the report was moved by Councillor Sandra Peake and seconded by Councillor Duncan McGregor.

RESOLVED that the Member Development Annual Report 2020/21 be noted.

(Governance Manager)

Report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

Councillor Clive Moesby (Portfolio Holder – Finance) presented a report to provide a Medium Term Financial Strategy to Members to allow them to set the four year strategic financial intention for the General Fund of the Council for the 2022/23 – 2025/26 MTFP process.

The six recommendations in the report were moved by Councillor Clive Moesby and seconded by Councillor Chris Kane.

RESOLVED that:

(i) Members approve the Medium Term Financial Strategy at Appendix 1.

(ii) The Council continues to fund the General Fund revenue base budget from the full amount of New Homes Bonus allocated by Government.

(iii) Council sets the strategic intention to continue to be a member of the Derbyshire Business Rates Pool while ever it is financially advantageous for the Council to do so.

(iv) Council sets the strategic intention to raise Council Tax by the maximum allowed in any given year, without triggering a Council Tax referendum, to endeavour to continue to deliver services. (The actual Council Tax for any given year will be decided by Council in the preceding March).

(v) The Council maintains a policy of a minimum level of Balances for the General Fund of £2m.

(vi) The Section 151 Officer continues with the LGI Financial Resilience Service subscription to Benchmark Bolsover District Council and thus demonstrate that requirements of the CIPFA Financial Management Code are being met.

(Section 151 Officer)

To move:- 

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following items of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).  [The category of exempt information is stated below each item].

Councillor Duncan McGregor moved and Councillor Ray Heffer seconded that the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following items of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).

On being put to the vote it was RESOLVED that the public be excluded from the meeting during discussion of the following items of business.

To consider the recommendations from Employment and Personnel Committee in relation to proposed structural changes requiring a growth in budget for Council approval.

[Paragraphs 1, 2 and 3]

Councillor Duncan McGregor presented a report for Council to give consideration to the proposals made and agreed at Employment and Personnel Committee on 23^rd September 2021 for changes to structure within the establishment. 

The recommendation in the report was moved by Councillor Duncan McGregor and seconded by Councillor Steve Fritchley.

RESOLVED that Council approves the growth in salary budgets as set out in the report as recommended by Employment and Personnel Committee.

(Governance Manager)

Report of the Leader of the Council to present next steps in the Senior Management Review.

TO FOLLOW

[Paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4]

Councillor Steve Fritchley (Leader of the Council) presented a reportto provide Council with an update on the Senior Management Review and seek approval to implement the proposed changes outlined within the report.

The Leader of the Council felt that the proposals in the report relating to the Senior Management Review presented an opportunity to enhance the flexibility of the Council’s management structure, and the proposal on a staff remuneration review would aim to give staff the reward they deserve.

Councillor Steve Fritchley moved and Councillor Duncan McGregor seconded the 8 recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED that Council approves:

(i) The disestablishment of the remaining 50% of the Joint Assistant Director of Transformation and Organisation post

(ii) The reallocation of services, previously falling to the Joint Assistant Director of Transformation and Organisation as outlined in Appendix 1

(iii) A review of the existing post of Leisure Operations Manager to take account of additional strategic duties

(iv) The establishment of a Bolsover District Council post of Assistant Director of Street Scene and the disestablishment of the BDC 50% element of the post of Joint Assistant Director of Street Scene

(v) The establishment of single Bolsover District Council post of Assistant Director of Corporate Governance and Monitoring Officer and the disestablishment of the BDC 50% element of the post of Joint Assistant Director of Corporate Governance and Monitoring Officer

(vi) A review of staff remuneration across all levels and grades within the Council

(vii) A review of remuneration of the Senior Management Team including the statutory posts

(viii) Delegation to the Council’s Head of Paid Service in consultation with the Leader to implement the proposals outlined within this report.

(Executive Director of Resources and Head of Paid Service)

The Chair informed Members that remembrance poppies were now on sale, and encouraged them to attend his laying of the wreath outside The Arc on 11^th November 2021.

The Chair stated he was going with Councillor Duncan McGregor for the awarding of a Queen’s Award in Stepney, and he was honoured to be invited to the presentation.

The Chair informed Members that a protest about Universal Credit would take place at Shirebrook market on 9.30am Friday 5^th November 2021.

The meeting concluded at 1055 hours.