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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, Penrith

Items
No. Item

Cl/46/11/19

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Beaty, Chambers, Fearon and Thompson.

Cl/47/11/19

Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of the existence and nature of any private interests, both disclosable pecuniary and any other registrable interests, in any matter to be considered or being considered.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Eyles gave a personal explanation in that he was recording the meeting for personal purposes.

Cl/48/11/19

Minutes

RECOMMENDATION that:

 

1.    the public minutes Cl/32/09/19 to Cl/45/09/19; and

 

2.    the confidential minutes Cl/45/09/19  

 

of the meeting of Council held on 12 September 2019 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record of those proceedings (copies previously circulated).

Minutes:

RESOLVED that:

1.     the public minutes Cl/32/09/19 to Cl/45/09/19; and

2.     the confidential minutes Cl/45/09/19

of the meeting of the Council held on 12 September 2019 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record of those proceedings.

Cl/49/11/19

Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

The Chairman updated members on his attendance at recent events:

 

·       15 October 2019 Erasmus and Celebration Evening - Appleby Grammar School; and

 

·       4 November 2019, The Heart of Eden Benefice; Church of St Lawrence, Appleby.

The Vice Chairman attended the Winter Droving VIP celebration event, Penrith on 26 October 2019.

The Chairman reported that on the 17 October 2019, Eden District Council’s Tourism Team held the eighth annual Eden Tourism Summit on behalf of the Eden Tourism Network.

The RSPCA have awarded Eden District Council’s community wardens a gold standard for their stray dog service in its annual PawPrints Awards, for the ninth consecutive year.

On the 11 November 2019 the Housing Team will be hosting the Council’s first ‘Landlords Forum’ which will enable private rented landlords find out more about energy performance certificates, empty properties, benefits and housing options.

The Chairman’s Carol Concert will take place at 6.30pm on Monday 16 December 2019 in St Andrew’s Church, Penrith. The service will be followed by refreshments.  A collection will be made, with proceeds going to the Oaklea Trust, Project Edenside and the Great North Air Ambulance.

Due to the resignation of Councillor John Owen a by election for Shap district ward will be held on Thursday 14 November 2019. The Chairman thanked Councillor Owen for his services to Eden District Council.

The Chairman confirmed the deadline for electoral registration for the UK Parliamentary General Electionwhich will be held 12 December 2019.

The Chairman asked Members to be mindful when corresponding via email with a view to reducing the number of unnecessary messages circulated.

Cl/50/11/19

Questions by the Public

To receive questions from the public under Rule 10 of the Constitution

 

Minutes:

No questions were received from the public under Rule 10 of the Constitution.

Cl/51/11/19

Questions by Members

To receive questions from Members under Rule 12 of the Constitution

 

Minutes:

The following questions were received from Members under rule 12 of the Constitution:

 

1.               Councillor R Orchard asked the following question of the Leader:

 

“What information were you given prior to supporting the Chief Executive’s action to instruct the Directors of Heart of Cumbria Ltd not to convene meetings or make resolutions until at least 5 November 2019?”

 

The Leader responded as follows:

 

“I had been kept informed of progress in respect of the Heart of Cumbria review, that was conducted by the former Strategic Advisor for People and Place.

 

Part of the purpose of that review, was to ensure that future company governance arrangements were fit for purpose. This required company documentation to be reviewed on the basis of external legal advice.

 

I understand that it was not possible to have had that documentation ready before 5 November, hence the decision by the Chief Executive to exercise urgent powers under the Constitution, in respect of this matter. I am satisfied that no purpose would have been served by having the AGM without this documentation.

 

In this context, I was consulted upon and agreed with the decision by the Chief Executive to take the action referred to.”

 

Councillor Orchard then asked a supplementary question querying why this explanation was not given to the former Directors of the Heart of Cumbria at the time and what was being done to ensure the Council’s interests were being protected.

 

The Leader responded that she would supply a written answer.

 

2.               Councillor R Orchard asked the following question of the Leader:

 

“When will the AGM for Heart of Cumbria Ltd be held and will members of this Council be able to attend?”

 

The Leader responded as follows:

 

“The AGM for Heart of Cumbria Ltd was held on Tuesday 5th November 2019 at 7.30pm at the Town Hall. All members of the Council were informed of the meeting by email and invited to attend, in order to observe proceedings.”

 

There was no supplementary question.

 

3.               Councillor R Orchard asked the following question of the Leader:

 

“What arrangements for scrutiny of Heart of Cumbria Ltd and holding the Directors of the Company to account will be put in place?”

 

The Leader responded as follows:

 

“The Directors of the Company are accountable to the Council (as a corporate body) as shareholder.

 

The shareholder function is exercised by the Executive and the roles of the Council and the Company are clearly set out in a Governance Agreement which both parties have agreed to sign up to.

 

The Board of Directors made clear at the AGM, that they were willing to make themselves available to the Scrutiny Co-ordinating Board and/or Housing and Communities Scrutiny Committee, should the appropriate request be made.”

 

Councillor Orchard then asked a supplementary question querying whether it was in the best interest of residents to keep information from Members.

 

The Leader responded that she understood that the Heart of Cumbria would be considered at the Scrutiny Co-ordinating Board meeting scheduled for 16 January 2020.  ...  view the full minutes text for item Cl/51/11/19

Cl/52/11/19

Motions on Notice pdf icon PDF 95 KB

To consider a motion on notice under Rule 13 of the Constitution

 

Minutes:

Proposed by Councillor Lynch

Seconded by Councillor Eyles

 

That Eden Council enters into a consultation exercise with its residents with a view to amending the rules on the size of memorial plaques allowed in Eden District’s cemeteries, that Members be encouraged to publicise this consultation amongst their constituents, and upon completion of this consultation a report be brought before council to enable a decision to be made by Members on changing the rules.

 

In accordance with Rule 13 (f) of the Council Procedure Rules the Motion was automatically referred to the next meeting of the Executive for consideration.

Cl/53/11/19

Council Plan 2019 - 2023: Leader pdf icon PDF 3 MB

To consider report CE16/19 from the Chief Executive which seeks approval for the adoption of the Council Plan 2019-2023.

 

RECOMMENDATION that the Council Plan as attached to this report at Appendix A be adopted.

Minutes:

Members considered report CE16/19 from the Chief Executive which sought approval for the adoption of the Council Plan 2019-2023.

 

Proposed by Councillor Taylor

Seconded by Councillor Eyles

 

and RESOLVED that the Council Plan 2019-2023 be adopted.

Cl/54/11/19

One Eden Case for Change: Leader pdf icon PDF 366 KB

To consider report CE15/19 from the Chief Executive which is attached and which seeks to update members on the purpose of the One Eden Programme which is to transform Eden District Council into an organisation which is sustainable and fit for the future. It should be a Council that delivers services to meet customer’s needs - residents, businesses and partners. Additionally, the Council will have a workforce with the skills and capacity to ensure that customers’ needs are met and that the organisation is well managed and effective.

 

RECOMMENDATION that:

 

1.    the Case for Change be agreed; and

 

2.    that a business case for the One Eden programme be submitted to Council in February 2020 and shall include the detailed financial implications of the One Eden Programme.

 

Minutes:

Members considered report CE15/19 from the Chief Executive which updated members on the purpose of the One Eden Programme which was to transform Eden District Council into an organisation which was sustainable and fit for the future. It should be a Council that delivers services to meet customers’ needs - residents, businesses and partners. Additionally, the Council was to have a workforce with the skills and capacity to ensure that customers’ needs are met and that the organisation was managed and effective.

 

Proposed by Councillor Taylor

Seconded by Councillor Robinson

 

and RESOLVED that:

 

1.  the Case for Change be agreed; and

2. a business case for the One Eden programme be submitted to Council in February 2020 and shall include the detailed financial implications of the One Eden Programme.

Cl/55/11/19

Review of Polling Districts, Polling Places and Polling Stations: Resources Portfolio Holder pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To consider report G71/19 from the Director of Corporate Services which seeks to advise Members of the outcome of the review of polling districts recently carried out by the Director of Corporate Services, in his capacity as the Returning Officer.

 

RECOMMENDATIONS that:

 

1.    the Polling Station for Greystoke (Little Blencowe) Polling District, be changed from Blencowe Village Hall to Greystoke Village Hall;

2.    the Polling Station for Calthwaite Polling District, be changed from Calthwaite School to All Saints Church, Calthwaite;

3.    the Polling Station for Plumpton Polling District, be changed from Plumpton School to the Pot Place, Plumpton;

4.    The Polling Station for Ainstable Polling District, be changed from the Ainstable Methodist Chapel Schoolroom to the Ainstable Church Institute;

5.    The Polling Station for Little Strickland Polling District, be changed from Lowther Parish Hall to Great Strickland Institute;

6.    The Polling Station for Penrith East Polling District be changed from Whelpdale Room, Mansion House, to the Parish Rooms, Penrith;

7.    The Polling Station for the Laithes ward of the Parish of Skelton Polling District, be changed from Blencowe Village Hall to Skelton Memorial Hall; and

8.    Electors for the Hunsonby Polling District be temporarily re-designated to Langwathby Village Hall, pending completion of renovation works to Hunsonby Community Centre.

 

Minutes:

Members considered report G71/19 from the Director of Corporate Services which sought to advise Members of the outcome of the review of polling districts recently carried out by the Director of Corporate Services, in his capacity as the Returning Officer.

 

Proposed by Councillor Greenwood

Seconded by Councillor Banks

 

and RESOLVED that:

1.  the Polling Station for Greystoke (Little Blencowe) Polling District, be changed from Blencowe Village Hall to Greystoke Village Hall;

2.  the Polling Station for Calthwaite Polling District, be changed from Calthwaite School to All Saints Church, Calthwaite;

3.  the Polling Station for Plumpton Polling District, be changed from Plumpton School to the Pot Place, Plumpton;

4.  the Polling Station for Ainstable Polling District, be changed from the Ainstable Methodist Chapel Schoolroom to the Ainstable Church Institute;

5.  the Polling Station for Little Strickland Polling District, be changed from Lowther Parish Hall to Great Strickland Institute;

6.  the Polling Station for Penrith East Polling District be changed from Whelpdale Room, Mansion House, to the Parish Rooms, Penrith;

7.  the Polling Station for the Laithes ward of the Parish of Skelton Polling District, be changed from Blencowe Village Hall to Skelton Memorial Hall; and

8.  electors for the Hunsonby Polling District be temporarily re-designated to Langwathby Village Hall, pending completion of renovation works to Hunsonby Community Centre.

Cl/56/11/19

Allocation of Seats

RECOMMENDATION that Council be asked to note the following changes in Committee places in line with the wishes of the Conservative Group:

 

1.    Scrutiny Co-ordinating Board: Councillor G Nicolson to replace Councillor J Owen on the Scrutiny Co-ordinating Board;

 

2.    Human Resources and Appeals Committee: Councillor K Beaty to replace Councillor J Owen on the Human Resources and Appeals Committee; and

 

3.    Planning Committee: Councillor D Wicks to replace Councillor G Nicolson on the Planning Committee; Councillor G Nicolson to replace Councillor D Wicks as a Standing Deputy.

 

Minutes:

Proposed by Councillor Connell

Seconded by Councillor Lawson

 

and RESOLVED that Council note the following changes in Committee places in line with the wishes of the Conservative Group:

 

1.   Scrutiny Co-ordinating Board: Councillor G Nicolson to replace Councillor J Owen on the Scrutiny Co-ordinating Board;

2.   Human Resources and Appeals Committee: Councillor K Beaty to replace Councillor J Owen on the Human Resources and Appeals Committee; and

3.   Planning Committee: Councillor D Wicks to replace Councillor G Nicolson on the Planning Committee; Councillor G Nicolson to replace Councillor D Wicks as a Standing Deputy.

Cl/57/11/19

Date of Next Scheduled Meeting

The next scheduled meeting of Council be confirmed as 9 January 2020.

Minutes:

The date of the next scheduled meeting was confirmed as 9 January 2020.