Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve, and the Mayor to sign as correct records, the Minutes of the meetings of Council held on 22 November 2023 and 5 December 2023.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on 22 November 2023 and 5 December 2023 be approved and signed by the Mayor as correct records.

Councillors to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests, other registerable interests, or non-registerable interests (including other pecuniary interests) they may have in the business to be transacted, and officers to declare any interests they may have in any contract to be considered.

Councillor Bell advised, for the purpose of transparency, that with regard to Item 6(a) Motion 1 – Demand the Government hold an inquiry into the shortage of ADHD medication, that she had ADHD.

The Mayor made announcements in respect of: King Charles the III’s New Year’s Honours list; the recent death of Val Williamson BEM; the Milton Keynes Breakers basketball team; and the deadline for Ward Based Budgets.

Any petitions received by the deadline of 7.30 pm on Monday 22 January 2024 will be reported at the meeting.

The Council received a petition from Kevin Vickers on behalf of local residents requesting that Milton Keynes City Council call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

The Leader of the Council agreed to consider the petition appropriately, on behalf of the Council.

ACTIONS:

The Leader of the Council, noting that  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL79

To receive questions and provide answers to questions received from members of the public by the deadline of 7:30 pm on Monday 22 January 2024 and any urgent questions agreed by the Mayor.

Questions were received from two members of the public.

Michael Allsopp was unable to attend the meeting but the Mayor agreed for his question to Councillor Townsend to be submitted, as follows - can you give me a reason why - since September 2023, you have not allowed the  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL80

None.

None.

Councillor Marland moved the following recommendation which was seconded by Councillor McLean:

“That the Council makes the Emberton Neighbourhood Plan pursuant to the provisions of Section 38(A)(4) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004.”

The recommendation was agreed by acclamation.

RESOLVED:

That the Council makes the Emberton  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL83

Councillors to ask questions of the Leader, a Cabinet Member, the Chair of any Committee, or the Leader of a Political Group on the Council.

Questions were received from Councillors Trendall, Whitworth, Oyakhire, Verma, Hearnshaw, D Hopkins, Bell, McQuillan, K Bradburn and McLean.

Question from Councillor Trendall to Councillor D Hopkins (Leader of the Conservative Group)

Councillor Trendall asked Councillor D Hopkins, did he agree that it was irresponsible and misleading for a conservative campaign  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL84

The motions are set out in full below:

Councillor Bell moved and Councillor J Carr seconded the following motion:

“1.    That this Council notes that:

a)      In September 2023, the NHS issued a National Patient Safety Alert (NatPSA) about the shortage of certain medication used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

b)      The shortage of medication has  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL86

Councillor Mahendran moved the following motion which was seconded by Councillor Marland:

“1.    That Milton Keynes is a thriving place that has consistently welcomed people from diverse backgrounds that have enhanced our city and contributed to the dynamism of our economic and social fabric.

2.             That this Council notes that:  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL87

To consider a report on proposed changes to the Council’s constitution.

The Mayor moved the following recommendation which was seconded by the Deputy Mayor:

“1.    That in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 21.2, the following recommendation, having been proposed and seconded, stand adjourned to the next ordinary meeting of the Council:

a)      That revised Rule 19.5 of the Council Procedure Rules  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL88

To consider a report on the Council’s Council Size Submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England.

The Mayor moved and the Deputy Mayor seconded the following recommendations:

“1.    That Council note the prepared overall local government electorate forecast of 220,000 by 2030.

2.             That given the forecast increase in local government electorate by 2030, the Council confirms its position:

a)      that ‘no increase’ to the Council’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL89

To consider a report on the Scheme of Councillors’ Allowances for 2024/25.

The Mayor moved and the Deputy Mayor seconded the following recommendation:

1.             “That the recommendations of the IRP to index allowances by 4.48% be noted and agreed for 2024/25 only.

2.             That the revised Scheme of Councillors’ Allowances attached at Annex A to the report be agreed to take  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL90

All Councillors have a budget of £1,000 to spend on Ward based issues, giving them the ability to make contributions to projects carried out in their local communities by local organisations.

For the period 1 April 2023 to 9 January 2024, applications totalling £14,600 (Ward Based Budget) have been approved.  Details of the applications are attached.

Contact Officer: Siobhan Pitkin (Business Support & Civic Events Manager) - 01908 252426.

Background Papers: None

The Mayor moved and the Deputy Mayor seconded the following recommendation:

“That the report be noted”.

The recommendation was agreed by acclamation.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

In accordance with Access to Information Procedure Rule 17.4, to note that the Provisions for Special Urgency, as set out in Access to Information Procedure Rule 16, which provides for key decisions to be taken within the usual 5-day notice period, subject to the agreement of the Chair/Vice-Chairs of the Scrutiny Management Committee, was not used during the period 1 September 2023 to 31 December 2023.

The Council is also advised that Scrutiny Procedure Rule 16(j), which provides for the call-in procedure to not apply with the agreement of the Chair and Vice-Chairs of the Scrutiny Management Committee, was not used during the period 1 September 2023 to 31 December 2023.

Contact: Peter Brown (Head of Democratic Services) - 01908 253671

Background Papers: None

The Mayor moved and the Deputy Mayor seconded the following recommendation:

“That the report be noted”.

The recommendation was agreed by acclamation.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

The Mayor closed the meeting at 9.01pm