Agenda and draft minutes

Prayers were led by Bishop Norman.

A Minute’s silence was held in memory of the late Councillor Jackie Westrop who had passed away recently.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 30 January 2025 (previously circulated).

RESOLVED:   The Minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2025 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

Please indicate if there are any interests which should be declared.  A declaration of an interest should indicate the nature of the interest (if not already declared on the Register of Interests) and the agenda item to which it relates.  If a disclosable pecuniary interest is declared, the member should withdraw from the room whilst the matter is discussed.

There were none.

To receive Mayor’s communications and announcements.

None.

To receive any items of business which in the opinion of the Mayor are urgent. 

None

Non Budget related recommendations from Cabinet on 4 February 2025

CAB119:        Community Governance Review Terms of Reference - Burnham Market

CAB120:        Community Governance Review request by petition - Hilgay

CAB125:        Conservation Areas Committee

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Councillor Beales proposed the following non Budget related recommendations from Cabinet on 4 February 2025, seconded by Councillor Ring:

CAB119:       Community Governance Review Terms of Reference - Burnham Market

CAB120:       Community Governance Review request by petition - Hilgay

CAB125:       Conservation Areas Committee

RESOLVED:That the above non budget related items from the Cabinet meeting on 4 February 2025 be approved.

To receive public questions in accordance with procedural rule 20.

There were none.

Pursuant to Minute CAB 121  : Financial Strategy2025/2029of the Cabinet Meeting held on 4 February 2025, the “Financial Plan 2024/2029 and Council Tax Resolution 2025/2026” the document attached as a supplementary to the agenda for consideration and decision includes an updated summary of the Financial Plan 2025/2029, the County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner - Council Tax for 2025/2026 and details of Parish Precepts and Internal Drainage Boards levies for 2025/2026. 

The updated Recommendations 1-13, following the final Financial Settlement are set out on pages 17-20 on this agenda for members consideration.

The 3 amendments being proposed to the Financial Strategy are attached at Appendix 3, pages 23-26   of the report.

NOTE:In accordance with Statutory Instrument 2014 No. 165, Local Government, England, The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, any decision taken on the Council’s Budget or Council Tax setting must be taken with a recorded vote.

Click here to view the recording of this item on YouTube

Pursuant to Minute CAB 121 : Financial Strategy2025/2029of the Cabinet Meeting held on 4 February 2025, the “Financial Plan 2024/2029 and Council Tax Resolution 2025/2026” the document attached as a supplementary to the agenda for consideration and decision included an updated summary of the Financial Plan 2025/2029, the County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner - Council Tax for 2025/2026 and details of Parish Precepts and Internal Drainage Boards levies for 2025/2026. 

In accordance with Statutory Instrument 2014 No. 165, Local Government, England, The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, any decision taken on the Council’s Budget or Council Tax setting must be taken with a recorded vote.

Councillor Morley proposed the updated Budget and Council Tax Resolution recommendations 1-13 and spoke in support of them.

Councillor Beales seconded the budget and reserved the right to speak.

Councillor Long spoke on the budget

Councillor Bone proposed the following as an amendment:

“The Labour Group would like to propose the following three amendments that will be drawn down from the Invest to Save Transformation reserve, as we believe that our proposals would generate an improvement to services, deal with anti-social behaviour in the town centre and generate further revenue for the council.

Labour would like to propose that this ringfenced money could be used for a up to 25K aside to investigate the feasibility and business case for a multi-purpose bus/van that can be used to deliver services via Alive to more rural parts of the borough ensuring we serve all residents. There will be indicative costs of about up to £100K for the start-up and the revenue could be incorporated into Alive existing revenue providing a purpose-built vehicle to provide existing services and more. But this will meet the corporate plan objectives. Despite some services already being provided by other agencies this will be an enhancement to help collaboration with partners and ensuring we reach parts we haven’t previously been able to reach. We would hope that later in the year that this will become a priority for the Borough.

It could also go forward to provide CSAS training for council enforcement officers, to be able to deal with ASB and be able to issue PNP's. To work in partnership with police and keep some services provided by external agencies in house. Detail of proposal is attached to document as Appendix 3a.

Anti-social cycling is a problem in the town centre, and we believe there would benefit for a dirt bike track to be introduced in the walks beside the basketball court that would greatly reduce young people riding bike through the town. We would like to propose that a feasibility study is carried out to explore the potential of up to 25K.”

This was seconded by Councillor Ware.

Council debated the amendment and following a sum up by Councillor Morley the amendment was put to a recorded vote:

CAB122  :        Capital Strategy 2025/26

CAB123  :        Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26

CAB124:            Members Allowances 2025-29

CAB126  :        Capital Programme and Resources 2025/2029

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Councillor Beales proposed that CAB124 be taken before CAB 122, 123 and 126.  This was agreed.

Councillor Beales proposed CAB124: Members Allowances 2025-29, seconded by Councillor Ring.  Council debated the recommendations and at the request of Councillor Everett, with the required number of supporters a recorded vote was held on the recommendations:

CAB124: Members Allowances 2025-29 was carried.

Councillor Morley proposed the following en bloc, seconded by Councillor Beales:

CAB122  :       Capital Strategy 2025/26

CAB123  :       Treasury Management Strategy 2025/26

CAB126  :       Capital Programme and Resources 2025/2029

RESOLVED:   The budget related recommendations from Cabinet on 4 February 2024 were agreed.