To consider the report of the Director of Service Delivery, (copy enclosed).
Minutes:
The Council considered the report of the Director of Service Delivery seeking Members’ consideration of the level of services to be provided going forward in relation to three areas.
It was noted that an addendum to the report was circulated prior to the meeting.
Citizens Advice Bureau:
Following the Officers’ presentation of the report, Members’ considered the options as set out in the report relating to the future amount of grant funding to be provided to the Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB), including the possible implications and risks to customers as set out in the report.
Councillor B E Harker proposed that the Council agree option three. In seconding this proposal, Councillor A S Fluker, proposed a further amendment to it requesting that a review be undertaken in nine months. This was duly seconded.
Members’ discussed the proposal and alternative options which were set out in the report.
Councillor S J Savage declared a further non-pecuniary interest in this item of business.
A lengthy debate ensued. A number of points both in favour and against the proposition were raised and the current work of the CAB highlighted. During the discussion a point of order was raised by Councillor R G Boyce requesting that the question be put.
In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor Miss M R Lewis requested a recorded vote.
The Chairman put the amendment to Councillor Harker’s proposal by Councillor Fluker, to approve Option Three as set out in the report with a review in nine months, to the vote. The voting was as follows:
For the recommendation:
Councillors Miss A M Beale, R G Boyce, Mrs P A
Channer, R P F Dewick,
P G L Elliott, A S Fluker, Mrs B D Harker, B E Harker, M W Helm, J
V Keyes,
R Pratt, A K M St. Joseph, S J Savage, Rev. A E J Shrimpton, Mrs M
E Thompson.
Against the recommendation:
Councillor B S Beale, M S Heard, Miss M R Lewis and Mrs N G F Shaughnessy.
Abstention:
Councillors Mrs B F Acevedo and N R Pudney.
The Chairman then put the amended proposal, to approve Option Three as set out in the report with a review in nine months, to the vote. The voting was as follows:
For the recommendation:
Councillors Miss A M Beale, R G Boyce, Mrs P A
Channer, R P F Dewick,
P G L Elliott, A S Fluker, Mrs B D Harker, B E Harker, M W Helm, J
V Keyes,
R Pratt, S J Savage, Rev. A E J Shrimpton, Mrs M E Thompson.
Against the recommendation:
Councillor B S Beale, M S Heard, Miss M R Lewis and Mrs N G F Shaughnessy.
Abstentions:
Councillors Mrs B F Acevedo, N R Pudney and A K M St. Joseph.
Tourism
Following the Officers’ presentation of the report, Members’ considered the options as set out in the report relating to the future provision of tourism related activity.
Councillor A S Fluker referred to delivery of the Future Model and the resilience of the Council. He then proposed that the Council agree Option 2B as set out in the report. This proposal was duly seconded.
A debate ensued, Members commented on the proposal and its impact. The Chairman then put the proposition in the name of Councillor Fluker to approve Option 2B as set out in the report. Upon a vote being taken this was agreed. Councillor Miss M R Lewis requested that it be recorded that she had abstained from voting on this matter.
Economic Development
Following the Officers’ presentation of the report, Members’ considered the options as set out in the report relating to the level of economic development services to be provided by the Council.
At this point Councillor A S Fluker proposed that in the interest of delivering the Council’s future model and in order to make the Council sustainable and resilient, without increasing the tax burden on residents that Option Two as set out in the report be agreed. This proposal was duly seconded and upon a vote being taken was agreed.
RESOLVED
(i) that in relation to future grant funding to the Citizens Advice Bureau from April 2019 option three as set out in the report, be approved subject to a review in nine months’ time.
(ii) that the future provision of tourism related activity by the Council move to a digital service with a one year grant to Burnham-on-Crouch Town Council (option 2B as set out in the report), be agreed;
(iii) that the level of economic development services to be provided by the Council in future years be reduced as set out in option two of the report.