Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors L Bates, B Beale, M Clarke, K Gant, M McDermid and M Thurgood.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2012 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor R Pritchard)

To receive any declarations of Members’ interests (pecuniary and non-pecuniary) in any matters which are to be considered at this meeting.

When Members are declaring a pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest in respect of which they have dispensation, they should specify the nature of such interest.  Members should leave the room if they have a pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest in respect of which they do not have a dispensation. 

Anthony Goodwin Chief Executive gave the following announcement:

In terms of the Localism Act 2011 members with a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest are prohibited from participating in authority business.  However there are exceptions to such interests being considered prejudicial otherwise the Council would not be in a position, for example, to fix the rate of Council Tax.  Housing Benefit is another example where a member may have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest but for the purposes of deciding such benefit all members will be allowed to participate fully in the business before the Council tonight.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

Announcement by the Mayor

A reminder that the Mayors Carol Service is being held at 7pm at St Editha’s Church on Friday. Everyone is welcome.

Big thanks to the Democratic and Election Services Officer Linda Street and the team for buffet tonight and for all the work they have done throughout the year.

The Mayor attended St Georges Park Sutton and received a legacy certificate on behalf of the Leader and Chief Executive to implement in 2013. The legacy was read out and accepted by the Chief Executive on behalf of the Borough.

Announcement by the Leader of the Council

The Leader inadvertently called Councillor Seekings a liar at the State of Tamworth Debate. He apologised to Councillor Seekings.

Councillor Seekings accepted the apology unreservedly.

Announcement by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition

Councillor McDermid has raised £500 for Cancer Research for the Movember appeal. One in three people are affected by Cancer and this is a good cause to raise awareness of cancer. He thanked everyone for their support.

(i)                 To answer questions from members of the public pursuant to Procedure Rule No. 10.

(ii)               To answer questions from members of the Council pursuant to Procedure Rule No. 11

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL                NO.1

Under Procedure Rule No 11, Councillor John Faulkner asked the Leader, the following question:-

"When will we have a public apology from Councillor Michelle Thurgood for the inappropriate comments which she made at the Aspire & Prosper Scrutiny Meeting held on 29 August 2012 when she called into question the professionalism of a senior officer of this Council."

(Note: This question will be withdrawn if there is a sufficient public apology before the time for this question arrives)

The Leader of the Council gave the following reply:

Thank you Madam Mayor.

Firstly, I can confirm Councillor Thurgood has already apologised to the officer. This was also followed up by an email confirming the apology. All this took place within a week of the meeting. The officer requested time from Councillor Thurgood to consider the apology. To date, as far as I am aware Councillor Thurgood has had no response.

The interesting thing here is how would Councillor Faulkner be sure the officer in question is seeking a full public apology on the matter.  I could never accept that any officer of this Council would discuss a matter of one member of one of the political parties conduct with a member of another political party. This would surely be unethical and possibly in breach of the protocols of an officer. If that was the case myself and the Chief Executive will be having a conversation.

However, I refuse to believe that is the case at present and thus can only assume either Councillor Faulkner is trying to score political points or he genuinely believes an apology is the right thing to offer in a public sphere.

Accepting Councillor Faulkner believes it is the right thing to do and I offer no reason to imply otherwise, I can confirm I have had conversations with Councillor Thurgood, they were very easy conversations as Councillor Thurgood has already apologised both verbally and in writing.

When Councillor Faulkner submitted this question at 15:53 on the 6^th December, he did state in his email the question would be withdrawn if a public apology was made before tonight. Was it just unfortunate timing that the only public place to offer such an apology between the 6^th December and the 13^th December, well tonight, was a planning meeting on 11^th December and surely we can all agree planning committees are not the correct environment for non planning related announcements. Tonight Councillor Thurgood is abroad at the instruction of her employer thus can not facilitate this request this evening.

However, I can confirm to this chamber this evening emails have been exchanged this week between Councillor Faulkner and Councillor Thurgood on this matter and I suspect they have not quite seen eye to eye on the matter. Certainly not on biblical statements, concerning sermons on the mount. But the matter in question was confirmed.

Councillor Thurgood will apologise in a public meeting, but I suspect Councillor Faulkner is not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Core Services and Assets)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Core Services and Assets seeking Council approval for the proposed Local Council Tax Support Scheme for Tamworth from 1^st April 2013 was considered.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Core Services and Assets)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Core Services and Assets seeking Council approval for proposed amendments to Council Tax discounts and outline of several reforms to the Council Tax system arising from the Local government Finance Bill 2012 was considered.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Core Services and Assets)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Core Services and Assets on the Council Tax Base for the Borough Council 2013/14 was considered.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Core Services and Assets)

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Core Services and Assets presenting Members the Mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy was considered.

(Report of the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer)

The Report of the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer reviewing the governance process, ensuring compliance with statutory obligations, to obtain fit for purpose documents that will be intra vires, equitable and legal was considered.

(Report of the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer)

The Report of the Solicitor to the Council advising Members of the proposed amendments to the Corporate Policy governing the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 in light of the new requirements introduced by the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012 and seeking approval thereof was considered.