Agenda, decisions and draft minutes

To approve, and the Mayor to sign as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 21 February 2024.

RESOLVED:

That with the correction to minute CL102 (Council Budget 2024/25 and MTFP 2024/25 to 2027/28) amending the wording ‘The Mayor briefly adjourned the meeting between 8.10 pm and 8.25 pm’ to add the following words: ‘because of a power outage affecting Civic Offices and the wider area.

Upon the  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL105

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.

For transparency, Councillor Hussain advised that with regard to Item 6(c), Motion 3 – Taxi Drivers and White Ribbon Ambassadors, he did not believe that he had a Non-Registerable Interest but that he would leave the Chamber while the matter was discussed and decided.

The Mayor made announcements in respect of: the Loughton and Shenley by-election; the Civic Reception and Mayor’s Awards; the MK Festival of Running; the pre-election period, election materials for the elections on the 2 May, Ramadan; the recent death of Sir Peter Gregson and the retirement of Councillors McPake, Taylor  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL107

Any petitions received by the deadline of 7.30 pm on Monday 11 March 2024 will be reported at the meeting.

The Council received a petition from Councillor J Carr on behalf of local residents requesting the Council do all it can to ensure that the No 1 and 2 bus services were not withdrawn from use.

Councillor Marland advised that he would pass the petition information to officers and noted  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL108

To receive questions and provide answers to questions received from members of the public by the deadline of 7:30 pm on Monday 11 March 2024 and any urgent questions agreed by the Mayor.

Questions were received from four members of the public.

Paul Bartlett submitted a question but as he was not able to attend the meeting the Mayor requested that he was sent a written response.

Paul Ridley asked Councillor Darlington, could she confirm that the Council would be supporting World Autism  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL109

None.

None.

Statement of Pay Policy Financial Year 2024-25

That Council be recommended to approve the Pay Policy Statement.

The Council is required to adopt and publish its policy statement in accordance with Section 38(1) of the Localism Act 2011. The pay policy statement sets out the Council’s approach to pay. This ensures a clear and consistent approach is taken across the Council. It reflects the current practice of the Council.

A copy of the revised Statement is attached.

Councillor Townsend moved the following recommendation which was seconded by Councillor J Carr:

“That the Council agree the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/25.”

The recommendation was agreed by acclamation.

RESOLVED:

That the Council agree the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/25.

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: Bailey; D Hopkins; Lancaster, Bell; Nayee; Verma; R Bradburn; Oyakhire; Muzammil and D Hopkins.

Question from Councillor Bailey to Councillor Mahendran (Cabinet member for Climate, Sustainability and Innovation)

Councillor Bailey asked Councillor Mahendran, the Conservative Group recently asked Council to hire a consultant to look  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL113

The motions are set out in full below:

Councillor Nayee moved and Councillor R Bradburn seconded the following motion:

“1.    That this Council notes that:

a)      The Elections Act is a major piece of national legislation with local implications for the residents of this local authority, including the use of mandatory photographic voter ID at the polling station,  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL115

Councillor Trendall moved the following motion which was seconded by Councillor Oguntola:

“1.    That this Council notes that:

a)      there are over 400 play areas in Milton Keynes, which are an important factor in maintaining and improving the physical and mental health of our children;

b)      the more often and  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL116

Councillor Hussain left the Chamber while the motion was discussed and decided.

Councillor A Carr moved the following Motion which was seconded by Councillor Bell:

“1.    This Council notes that:

a)      Milton Keynes City Council became a White Ribbon Council in November 2022. This status shows our commitment to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL117

Councillor Geary moved the following motion which was seconded by Councillor Wardle:

“1.    That this Council acknowledges that:

a)            due to the ambitious nature of the New City Plan a significant proportion of the growth in the upcoming city plan is likely to have to be delivered in the rural  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL118

To consider the report on the Returning Officer’s Fees and Disbursements.

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

“That the schedule of fees and disbursements for Principal Area and Parish elections, as set out in the annex to the report, be adopted for 2024/25.”

The recommendation was agreed by acclamation.

RESOLVED:

That the schedule of fees and  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL119

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

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

“1.1  That the revised Councillors’ Planning Code of Good Practice be adopted.

1.2    That the Procedure for Public Participation at Planning Committee Meetings, be amended as set out in the annex to the report

1.3    That the  ...  view the full minutes text for item CL120

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 January 2024 to 29 February 2024.

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 January 2024 to 29 February 2024.

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.

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.

Details on applications for the period 1 April 2023 to 29 February 2024, are to follow.

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

Background Papers: None

The Mayor noted that £55,700 was distributed in Ward Based Budgets this year.

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 9.16 pm.