Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve, and the Mayor to sign as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 24 January 2024.

RESOLVED:

That with the correction to minute CL89 (Electoral Review – Council Size Submission) amending the wording ‘The recommendations were agreed’ to read ‘Recommendations 1, 2 and 4 were agreed by acclamation.  On being put to the vote, recommendation 3 was carried’, that the Minutes of the meeting of  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL93

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.

The Council was advised that as any payment of, or liability to pay, Council Tax did not create a disclosable pecuniary interest as defined in the national rules; all councillors were eligible to take part in the business of setting the Council Tax or precept.

The Mayor made announcements in respect of the ‘pre-election period’, the Olney Pancake Race and the recent death of the Rt Rev Dr Alan Wilson, Bishop of Buckingham.

Any petitions received by the deadline of 7.30 pm on Monday 19 February 2024 will be reported at the meeting.

None Received.

To receive questions and provide answers to questions received from members of the public by the deadline of 7:30 pm on Monday 19 February 2024 and any urgent questions agreed by the Mayor.

Questions were received from two members of the public.

Parish Councillor Roy Adams asked Councillor Townsend, would the Council earmark a reserve for funds to build a community centre on Galley Hill in the current financial year?

Councillor Townsend indicated that as advised previously there was £20,000 set aside in  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL97

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

The Mayor moved the following recommendations which were formally seconded by the Deputy Mayor:

“1.    That revised Rule 19.5 of the Council Procedure Rules (shown with track changes), be agreed.

2.      That all councillors will attend mandatory refresher training in interests before the end of May 2024.”

The recommendations were  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL99

Council Tax Base 2024/25 (Funding Contribution to Parish and Town Councils) That the proposed 2024/25 funding contribution to parish and town councils of £0.325m, as set out in Annex E1, be noted, and recommended to Council for approval as part of the final Budget in February 2024.

That the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme, as adopted by the Council on 22 February 2023, be continued for 2024/25, with amendments that reflect changes to related benefits and to the Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Prescribed Requirements) Regulations; retaining the delegation to the Director Finance and Resources to make technical legislative changes be recommended to Council for approval.

Councillor Townsend moved the following recommendations which were formally seconded by Councillor Marland:

“1.    That the Council approved revisions to the Local Council Tax Policy to:

a)      charge a premium of 100% on properties that are empty for a period of between 1 and 2 years from 1 April 2024,  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL101

To consider the Council Budget for 2024/25 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2024/25 to 2027/28.

Note 1: A copy of the report considered by the Cabinet, along with an addendum and revised Annex I, are included in the agenda. All other annexes and supplementary papers are available here, or on request.

Note 2: A report which outlines changes to the Cabinet’s Budget Report, responds to the Budget and Resources Scrutiny Committee Report, sets out the additional recommendations that the Council must adopt when setting the level of Council Tax and includes confirmation of the precepts from the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority and Parish / Town Councils will be circulated under separate cover in advance of the Council meeting.

Councillor Marland moved the recommendations from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 6 February 2024, together with recommendations relating to the precepts from the Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner, the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority and parish/town councils, necessary for the Council to adopt when setting the  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL102

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.

None received.

None received.

None received.

The Mayor closed the meeting at 20.36.