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Council Minutes

Date:
Thursday, 16th October, 2003
Time:
7.30 p.m.
Place:
St. Bede's School, Carlton Road, Redhill
 

Attendance Details

Present:
Councillor P.J. Circus (Mayor); Councillors Mrs. N.J. Bramhall, T.A. Breen, Mrs. M.P. Brewster, M.H.C. Buttery, B.C. Cowle, J.C. Dann, Mrs. F.D.M. Dixon, Mrs. D.E. Durward, J.M. Ellacott, R.K. Ellingham, Ms. S.M. Garnier, Mrs. M.H. Gates, S.A. Gates, Dr. L.R. Hack, K. Hagerty, N. Harris, N.D. Harrison, J.B.P. Jones, A.J. Kay, J.B. Kendall, Mrs. S.F. King, S.A. Kulka, A.M. Lynch, J.V. Lyndon Morgan, S.N.W. Marshall, J.A. Meech, Mrs. S.J.V. Merritt, M.J. Miller, Mrs. A.F. Milton, R.C. Newstead, G.L. Norman, M.G. Ormerod, D.J. Pay, J.H. Prevett, Mrs. D.A. Ross-Tomlin, E. Russell, B.J. Samuel, M.J. Selby, Mrs. J.M.A. Spiers, R.M. Stamp, Mrs. S. Stein, Mrs. J. Thomas, Mrs. R.S. Turner and C.T.H. Whinney.

Min NoDescriptionResolution
Part I
47 MINUTES
 RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 17th July, 2003 be approved as a correct record and signed, subject to the addition of Councillor A.M. Lynch to the list of those present.
48 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
 Councillors R.M. Bennett, R. Harper, R. Miah, F.J. Moore, Ms. E. Pinn and B.A. Stead.
49 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
 None
50 URGENT BUSINESS
 None
51 PETITION: NEW POND FARM
 In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, Councillor M.G. Ormerod presented a petition relating to New Pond Farm allotments and proposals to create a right of way with vehicular access. Councillor Ormerod briefly spoke on the petition which then stood referred, without debate, to the Executive.
52 PUBLIC QUESTIONS
 Three public questions were asked and responses given under Council Procedure Rule 13.
53 OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE: 30TH JULY 2003
 RESOLVED that the Recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 30th July, 2003 be adopted.
54 EXECUTIVE: 30TH JULY 2003
 RESOLVED that the Recommendations of the Executive held on 31st July, 2003 be adopted.
55 EXECUTIVE: 25TH SEPTEMBER 2003
Minute
RESOLVED that, with the above amendment, the Recommendations of the Executive held on 25th September, 2003 be adopted.
56 QUESTIONS BY MEMBERS
 Eight questions were asked and responses given under Council Procedure Rule 14.
57 STATEMENTS
 The Leader of the Council (Councillor Mrs. J.M.A. Spiers) reported on the successful culmination of work with the Police that had led to an Anti-Social Behaviour Order being obtained against a particular young person. The case had received national publicity in the Press and was a testament to the good partnership working that existed between the Police and the Council.

The Executive Member for Housing (Councillor Dr. L.R. Hack) reported that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister had recently approved the Council's Housing Strategy. Reigate and Banstead was one of only four Authorities in the South East to be in this position and the only one in Surrey. The Council would not have to submit another housing strategy for the next three years. Tremendous progress had been made in this area of work and the staff involved were thanked accordingly.
58 SEALING OF DOCUMENTS
 RESOLVED to:

(i) authorise the sealing of any Orders, Deeds or documents necessary to give effect to any matter contained in Minutes of the meetings held between 23rd July, 2003 and 1st October, 2003 (2003/04 Volume 3) and any previous Minutes; and

(ii) ratify the sealing of documents referred to in entries 77/03 to 91/03 in the Seal Register.
59 THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION CONSULTATION PAPERS ON THE MINIMUM AGE OF VOTING AND CANDIDACY AND CYCLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTIONS IN ENGLAND
Minute
RESOLVED that Councils should be elected on a thirds basis as at present and the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to submit a formal response to the Electoral Commission on the basis of the views expressed at the meeting.
60 LEADERS ANNOUNCEMENTS
 None.
61 MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS
 The Mayor reported on his business breakfast that had been held earlier in the day; this had been a successful new initiative. A Murder Mystery evening was planned for 31st October, 2003 and proceeds from this event would go to the Mayor's chosen charity. The Mayor made reference to a forthcoming RNLI event at the Town Hall, Reigate and hoped that Members would be able to attend and give their support.

Finally, the Mayor thanked St. Bede's School for hosting the meeting of the Council. The arrangements had worked well and he hoped that the many members of the public in attendance had enjoyed the meeting and the opportunity of seeing local democracy at work particularly through the public questions. All those in attendance were invited to light refreshments at the conclusion of the meeting.
The meeting closed at 9.38 pm.

Minute

Min NoMinute
55In relation to Minute 86, page 220 (Redhill Revitalisation Works - Consideration of Tenders) Councillor R.C. Newstead moved and Councillor Mrs. D.A. Ross-Tomlin seconded that in Recommendation (i) the figure of £130,000 be deleted and replaced with £121,000. On being put to the meeting the amendment was declared carried.
59Council received a report on two consultation papers issued by The Electoral Commission on (a) the minimum voting and candidacy age and (b) the cycle of Local Government elections in England.

The report set out background information and in relation to the voting and candidacy age issue, the arguments for change. On the cycle of elections, the report set out details on the current situation and dealt with the case for and against partial or whole Council elections.

Both consultation papers posed a number of specific questions and suggested responses were set out.

(a) The Minimum Voting and Candidacy Age
By way of an amendment to the Recommendation set out in the report, Councillor B.C. Cowle moved and Councillor Dr. L.R. Hack seconded that the Council should recommend to the Electoral Commission that the minimum voting age at all elections should be reduced to 16 and that the age for candidates should remain at 21.

The matter was debated during which reference was made to the responsibilities already placed on young people at the age of 16; the need for elected representatives to have some experience of adult life, citizenship forming part of the national curriculum, the importance of young people understanding the responsibilities associated with voting and consistency on the rights and responsibilities placed on young people particularly in relation to treatment under the criminal justice system.

The amendment upon being put to the meeting was declared carried, 22 voting for and 16 against. Council then

RESOLVED that the Electoral Commission be informed that the minimum voting age at all elections should be reduced to 16 and that the age for candidates should remain at 21 and the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to submit a formal response to the Commission on the basis of the views expressed at the meeting.

(b) The Cycle of Local Government Elections in England
By way of an amendment to the recommendation set out in the report, Councillor B.C. Cowle moved and Councillor Dr. L.R. Hack seconded that Councils should be elected on a thirds basis as at present.

The matter was debated during which it was noted that elections on a thirds basis had worked well in the past, ensured continuity/seamless change and allowed residents to express views on a regular basis. Elections every four years were considered to be more disruptive to staff and services. Overall, there were no compelling reasons to change the Council's current election by thirds arrangement. On costs, it was felt that these should not be a major consideration in determining the electoral cycles. The designation of an election day was supported.

The amendment upon being put to the meeting was declared carried. Council then