milton keynes council agenda 22nd may 2013

7/30/2019 Milton Keynes Council Agenda 22nd May 2013

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Democratic Services,Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, CentralMilton Keynes, MK9 3EJ

Tel: (01908) 691691 Fax: (01908) 252456 Hays DX 31406 Milton Keynes

Democratic Services

SUMMONS TO THE ANNUAL MEETING(BUSINESS) of the MILTON KEYNES

COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY 22 MAY 20137.30 PM

COUNCIL CHAMBER, CIVIC OFFICES

CENTRAL MILTON KEYNES

David HillChief Executive

For more information about the meeting please contact Simon Heap on (01908)252567 or by e-mail [email protected]

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Health and Safety

Please take a few moments to familiarise yourself with the nearest available fire exit,indicated by the fire evacuation signs. In the event of an alarm sounding during themeeting you must evacuate the building immediately and follow all instructionsprovided by the fire evacuation officer who will identify him/herself should the alarmsound. You will be assisted to the nearest designated assembly point until it is safe

to return to the building.Mobile Phones

Please ensure that your mobile phone is switched to silent or is switched offcompletely during the meeting.

Agenda

Agendas and reports for the majority of the Councils public meetings can beaccessed via the Internet at: http://cmis.milton-keynes.gov.uk/cmiswebpublic/ Wi Fiaccess is available in the Councils meeting rooms.

Recording of Meetings

The proceedings at this meeting may be recorded for the purpose of preparing theminutes of the meeting.

Comments, Complaints and Compliments

Milton Keynes Council welcomes comments, complaints and compliments frommembers of the public in order to make its services as efficient and effective aspossible. We would appreciate any suggestions regarding the usefulness of thepaperwork for this meeting, or the conduct of the meeting you have attended.

Please use the slip below by detaching it and passing it to the Committee Manager.Alternatively the slip can be returned by post to Democratic Services, Milton KeynesCouncil, Civic Offices, 1 Saxon Gate East, Milton Keynes, MK9 3EJ , or you can e-

mail your comments to [email protected]

If you require a response please leave contact details, ideally including an e-mailaddress.

A formal complaints / compliments form is available online at http://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/complaints/ or is obtainable at the meeting from the CommitteeManager.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Meeting Attended: Council

Date of Meeting: 22 May 2013

Comments:.

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Contact details:..

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http://cmis.milton-keynes.gov.uk/cmiswebpublic/mailto:[email protected]://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/complaints/http://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/complaints/http://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/complaints/http://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/complaints/mailto:[email protected]://cmis.milton-keynes.gov.uk/cmiswebpublic/


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AGENDAItem No:

1. Procedure

(a) Apologies(b) Minutes

To approve, and the Mayor to sign as a correct record, the Minutes ofthe meetings of the Council held on 20 March 2013 (Item 1)(Pages 7 to 24).

(c) Disclosure of Interests

Members to disclose any personal or prejudicial interests they mayhave in the business to be transacted and officers to disclose anyinterest in contracts to be considered by the Council.

(d) Announcements

To receive any announcements.

2. Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and Local Government(Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990

The Council is required by the above Regulations to review the basis ofallocation of seats amongst the Political Groups either at its Annual Meeting,or as soon as practicable thereafter, or following by-election. In making itsreview, the Council is required, so far as reasonably practicable, to comply

with the following principles:

(a) Not all seats on each Committee are to be allocated to the sameGroup.

(b) The majority of seats is to be allocated to a particular Group if thenumber of persons belonging to that Group is a majority on the Council.

(c) Subject to the above paragraphs, the number of seats on theCommittees allocated to each Group should bear the same proportionto the total of all the seats on the Committees as that borne by thenumber of Members of that Group to the Membership of the Council.

(d) Subject to paragraphs (a) to (c) above, that the number of the seats onthe body which are allocated to different political groups bears thesame proportion to the number of all the seats on that body as is borneby the number of members of that group to the membership of theCouncil.

The Conservative Group holds 37.26% of the seats on the Council, theLabour Group 29.41% of the seats and the Liberal Democrat Group 29.41%of the seats. Also one seat on the Council is currently occupied by anIndependent Member (1.96%) and there is one vacancy (1.96%).

The Council is requested to note the report.

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Accountable Officer: Geoff Snelson (Director of Strategy) - MK252665

Background Papers: None

3. Appointment of Deputy Leader / Cabinet

To note the Leaders appointments to the position of Deputy Leader of theCouncil and the Cabinet, up to a maximum of 9 plus the Leader.

4. Appointments to Committees/Groups/Panels

To determine the number of Members and Membership to form the followingCommittees/Groups/Panels, in accordance with the political balance on theCouncil, if applicable:

(a) Appeals Commission

(b) Audit Committee

(c) Children and Young People Select Committee(d) Community Safety, Crime and Policing Select Committee

(e) Constitution Commission

(f) Corporate Affairs and Performance Select Committee

(g) Corporate Parenting Panel

(h) Development Control Committee

(i) Economy, Growth and Regeneration Select Committee

(j) Environment and Transport Select Committee

(k) Executive Scrutiny Panel

(l) Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee

(m) Health and Wellbeing Board

(n) Housing and Communities Select Committee

(o) J oint Negotiating Committee (Employers Side)

(p) Licensing Committee

The membership should be the same as the Regulatory Committee.

(q) Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

(r) Regulatory Committee

The membership should be the same as the Licensing Committee.

(s) Standards Committee

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5. Appointment of Co-opted Members

(a) Children and Young People Select Committee

(i) To consider appointing the following voting Co-opted Membersto the Children and Young Peoples Select Committee:

1 representative of the Oxford Diocesan Board of Education -Vacant

1 representative of the Northampton Diocesan SchoolCommission - Vacant

1 representative of parent governors in primary schools Vacant

1 representative of parent governors in secondary schools

Mr S Pritchard1 representative of parent governors in special schools Dr S Chakrabarti

(ii) To authorise the Children and Young People Select Committeeto appoint co-opted members to any vacancies.

(b) Health and Adults Social Care Select Committee

To consider appointing Mr Alan Hastings (Healthwatch) as a voting Co-opted Member to the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee.

6. Appointments to Other Bodies Buckinghamshire and Milton KeynesFire Authori ty

The Council is asked to appoint five Members as the Councilsrepresentatives to the Fire Authority, in accordance with the BuckinghamshireFire Services (Combination Scheme) Order.



7. Appointment to Thames Valley Police and Crime PanelTo review the Councils appointment to the Thames Valley Police and CrimePanel.

The Council is currently represented by Councillor P Geary. The appointmentis until 2016.



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8. Appointment to Outside Organisations

The Council is requested to authorise the Director of Strategy, in consultationwith Group Leaders, to agree the appointment of Members to OutsideOrganisations, with the exception of those appointed by the Cabinet.



9. Leaders Execut ive Scheme of Delegation

To receive the Leaders Executive Scheme of Delegation (Item 9) (to follow)

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MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL 20 MARCH 2013 PAGE 1

L:\Committee\2013-14\COUNCIL\01. 15 MAY 2013\15-05-13_ITEM01_MINUTES - 20-03-13.doc

ITEM 1

Minutes of the meeting of the MILTON KEYNES COUNCIL held on WEDNESDAY20 MARCH 2013 at 7.30 pm

Present: Councillor Morris (Mayor)Councillors Alexander, Bald, Barney, Bint, Brackenbury, Bradburn,Bramall, Brock, Brunning, M Burke, Coventry, Dransfield, Eastman,Edwards, Exon, A Geary, P Geary, Hawthorn, Hopkins, Hoyle, J ury,Kennedy, Klein, Legg, Marland, D McCall, I McCall, McDonald,McKenzie, McLean, Middleton, Miles, ONeill, Richards, Small,

Tallack, Venn, Wales, Wallis, Webb, Wharton, White and Zealley

Apologies: Councillors S Burke, Ferrans, Long, Maric, Shafiq, C Williams andP Williams and Alderpersons Bristow, Ellis, E Henderson,I Henderson, Howell and Lloyd

Also Present: 30 members of the public

CL94 MINUTES

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 20 February2013, be approved and signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

CL95 ANNOUNCEMENTS

(a) Errol Ray and Helena Hardwick

The Mayor announced the recent deaths of Errol Ray, theCouncils first Chief Executive, and Helena Hardwick PastMayoress and wife of Alderman Bruce Hardwick.

The Council stood in silence as a mark of respect.

(b) Invest MK

The Mayor also announced the release ofthe new Invest MKCorporate Video, which was shown to the Council.

CL96 DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST

Councillor Brock disclosed a personal interest in Item 5(b)(ii) (NHSPrivatisation) as a Council representative to the Council ofGovernors of the Milton Keynes NHS General Hospital.

Councillor Wales disclosed a pecuniary interest in Item 5(b)(ii) (NHSPrivatisation) as an employee of Milton Keynes Citizens Newspaperand withdrew to the public gallery during consideration of that Item.

Councillor Morris disclosed a pecuniary interest in Item 4 (StatutoryPay Policy) as her partner was a senior officer of the Council, andleft the Council Chamber during consideration of that Item.

Councillor Bradburn disclosed a pecuniary interest in a question tobe asked of the Leader of the Council at member Question Time,

relating to Her Majestys Revenue and Customs proposal to close itsnetwork of enquiry centres.

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CL97 QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC - HOUSINGISSUES

(a) Spare Room Subsidy

The Mayor, on behalf of Mrs J Bobey, asked Councillor PGeary, the Cabinet Member for Communities, if he couldindicate how many pensioner households which were exemptfrom the bedroom tax were considered to be under occupyingtheir Council homes.

Councillor P Geary indicated that the records were not easilyavailable. However, he understood that the Council had atleast 1,000 tenants of pensionable age living in family sizehousing and those households were likely to be underoccupying their homes, but these would be exempt from thenew social housing size criteria.

(b) Spare Room Subsidy

The Mayor, on behalf of Mr E Bobey, asked Councillor PGeary, the Cabinet Member for Communities,how many newCouncil homes does the Council intend to build between April2013 and the year end March 2014.

Councillor P Geary indicated that the Council intended tocomplete the construction of 12 new Council homes in theperiod, which was in addition to at least one property cominginto the housing portfolio from Barley Hurst School, andpossibly others. Also the Council had a budget that wouldsee up to 14 other properties move through the planning

stage and into construction during the year, although thesewere unlikely to be completed and occupied before the end ofMarch 2014.

Councillor P Geary also indicated that, in addition, over thenext 10 years, through the regeneration work that wasunderway, an estimated further 800 Council owned propertieswould be delivered.

(c) On-Street Car Parking, Wolverton Railway Station

Mr M Galloway, referring to a potential delegated decision to

make the one-way working and on-street parking onHaversham Road by Wolverton Rail Station, permanentasked Councillor Bint, the Cabinet Member for Transport andHighways, to consider withdrawing the proposal to allowmeaningful consultation, which should include adjoining WardMembers and parish and town councils, before making freshproposals.

Mr Galloway, in asking his question, referred specifically tothe potential level of charges and available methods ofpayment.

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Councillor Bradburn stated that as private sector schoolsexisted it would be wrong to try and limit the choice availableto parents, and he would be surprised if Councillor Dransfieldsupported limiting the choice available to parents.

Councillor Dransfield asked a supplementary question whichwas answered by Councillor Bradburn.

(c) Question from Councillor Wallis to Councillor Hopkins(Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Enterprise)

Councillor Wallis asked Councillor Hopkins, in light ofproposals for the Central Milton Keynes Crown Post Office tomove to the Theatre District, for his views on the proposedmove.

Councillor Hopkins indicated that he was not aware of thebackground to the proposed move but agreed to look into theproposal to move the Central Milton Keynes Crown PostOffice and respond to Councillor Wallis.

Councillor Wallis asked a supplementary question which wasanswered by Councillor Hopkins.

(d) Question from Councillor Brackenbury to Councillor Brock(Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health andWellbeing)

Councillor Brackenbury, referring to the Blue Badge parkingscheme asked Councillor Brock if she was aware of thecharge for a badge and how much it cost the Council toadminister the scheme.

Councillor Brock indicated that she understood the fee to bein the region of 6.00, which she recognised did not meet thefull cost of the Scheme, which was accordingly subsidised bythe Council. Councillor Brock undertook to confirm the exactfigures.

Councillor Brackenbury asked a supplementary questionwhich was answered by Councillor Brock.

Councillor Brock also undertook to request officers to look atthe appropriateness of charging for Blue Badges, bearing in

mind the costs of administering the scheme.

(e) Question from Councillor Marland to Councillor Bint (CabinetMember for Transport and Highways)

Councillor Marland asked Councillor Bint if he could advise asto the final settlement costs and any overspend for contractsrelating to Secklow Gate Bridge and Wolverton StationRefurbishment.

Councillor Bint indicated that he would provide a writtenresponse.

Councillor Marland asked a supplementary question whichwas answered by Councillor Bint.

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(f) Question from Councillor Barney to Councillor Hopkins(Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Enterprise)

Councillor Barney asked Councillor Hopkins for an update onprogress in introducing improved Broadband across MiltonKeynes, but particularly in Walton Park Ward.

Councillor Hopkins undertook to provide Councillor Barney

with details of the plans for the role out of high speedBroadband across Milton Keynes, and also pointed out that anumber of Members briefings were currently being arrangedon the issue.

(g) Question from Councillor Legg to Councillor Bint (CabinetMember for Transport and Highways)

Councillor Legg asked Councillor Bint to indicate how muchhad been spent on carriageway resurfacing works andpotholes in West Bletchley over the last three years.

Councillor Bint indicated that he would supply Councillor Leggwith a written response.

Councillor Legg asked a supplementary question which wasanswered by Councillor Bint.

(h) Question from Councillor Tallack to Councillor Bint (CabinetMember for Transport and Highways)

Councillor Tallack asked Councillor Bint why the scheduleddelegated decision regarding the implementation ofreductions to bus service subsidies had been cancelled and

what would be the next stage in implementing the reductions.Councillor Bint indicated that he did not believe he had thepower, or that it was necessary, to take a decision the Councilhad already taken.

Councillor Tallack asked a supplementary question whichwas answered by Councillor Bint.

(i) Question from Councillor Bramall to Councillor D McCall(Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group)

Councillor Bramall, noting that Councillor Shafiq had given his

apologies for the meeting, asked Councillor D McCall whyVanessa McPake had not attended in his place.

Councillor D McCall indicated that Vanessa McPake was amember of the public and not a councillor.

Councillor Bramall asked a supplementary question whichwas answered by Councillor D McCall.

(j) Question from Councillor D McCall to Councillor Bint (CabinetMember for Transport and Highways)

Councillor D McCall, referring to his previous questions about

missing road signs in Milton Keynes, noted that officers hadinformed him that they were aware of 110 missing signs and

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hoped that the majority would be replaced by the end of thefinancial year. Councillor D McCall asked Councillor Bint howmany signs had now been replaced bearing in mind theproximity of the end of the financial year.

Councillor Bint indicated that he would provide a writtenresponse giving details of the programme of road sign

replacement, including road signs replaced over the last year.(k) Question from Councillor Coventry to Councillor P Geary

(Cabinet Member for Communities)

Councillor Coventry asked Councillor P Geary if the Councilhad sufficient properties available to allow tenants who werecurrently on benefits to downsize to a property of anappropriate size and if not how long would it take to enablesuch tenants to be appropriately housed.

Councillor Coventry also asked what measures would betaken if such tenants fell into rent arrears as a result ofreductions in their benefits where the Council was unable tohouse them in an appropriately sized property.

Councillor P Geary indicated that advice would be madeavailable to tenants who fell into rent arrears as to the bestway forward which could involve moving property if possibleand desirable to the tenant. He was unable to advisecurrently on the availability of properties as he was not awareof what properties were vacant, or when properties were likelyto become vacant.

However, Councillor P Geary undertook to advise CouncillorCoventry as to the number of Council Tenants potentiallyaffected by the spare bedroom tax and whether the Councilwould be able to accommodate all those tenants in anappropriately sized house if the tenants wished.

Councillor Coventry asked a supplementary question whichwas answered by Councillor P Geary.

(l) Question from Councillor A Geary to Councillor Coventry(Chair of the Housing and Communities Select Committee)

Councillor A Geary asked Councillor Coventry if he wouldrepeat his commendation of the current Administration forbuilding Council homes and indicate how many Councilhomes had been built under the previous Labour and LiberalDemocrat Administrations and the last Labour Government.

Councillor Coventry indicated that he understood that 12 newCouncil homes were to be built this year, and that the lastLabour Government had seen the largest increase in socialrented properties the country had ever seen, many of whichwere in Milton Keynes.

Councillor A Geary asked a supplementary question whichwas answered by Councillor Coventry.

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(m) Question from Councillor Miles to Councillor A Geary (Leaderof the Council)

Councillor Miles asked Councillor A Geary what actions hewould be taking to address the situation and any reputationaldamage to the image of Milton Keynes arising from a failureto meet any of the targets relating to the care of older persons

in a recent inspection.Councillor A Geary pointed out that the reports referred toservices which were at that time provided by Milton Keyneshospital and he indicated that he would respond in moredetail once he had looked at the findings.

Councillor Geary stated that he believed it unhelpful for anopposition leader to run the city down in such a way andwould welcome working in a collaborative manner with theopposition groups to resolve any problems and work to furtherenhance the citys reputation and promote a positive image.

Councillor Miles asked a supplementary question which wasanswered by Councillor A Geary.

CL100 FIRE SERVICE PRIVATISATION

Councillor Edwards moved the following motion, which wasseconded by Councillor ONeill:

"1. That this Council:

(a) is deeply concerned that the Government is consultingon a proposal to allow Fire and Rescue Authorities tocontract out their full range of services to a suitableprovider;

(b) recognises that the essence of privatisation is oftenreduced working security and poorer pay andconditions for front line staff; and

(c) recognises that privatisation invariably leads tofragmented public services driven by profit and notpublic service.

2. That the Council condemns the Tory/Liberal Democrat

Government fixation with privatisation, under-valuing publicservices and thereby threatening public safety.

3. That the Council agrees to:

(a) instruct the Chief Executive to make a submission tothe consultation review rejecting privatisation and theinevitable break up of an integrated fire and rescueservice;

(b) arrange a meeting with the Buckinghamshire Fire andRescue Authority to secure assurances that the

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service will not beprivatised;

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(c) request the Mayor, in consultation with Group Leaders,to call a special meeting of the Council to establish anall-party local campaign with the Fire Brigade Union tofight privatisation, if assurances are not secured; and

(d) commission an independent study of the long term fireand rescue needs of Milton Keynes including the

provision of future new fire stations and that the ChiefExecutive report his findings to Full Council within 4months.

Councillor Dransfield moved the following amendment which wasseconded by Councillor Hawthorn, on which a recorded vote wasrequested:

That all the words after That this Council be deleted and replacedwith the following:

1. notes the Labour Partys policy positions on Mutuals before

the last General Election, as referenced in the Guardianarticle dated 11 November 2009;

2. notes the hysteria that is being created by the ShadowMinister for Communities and Local Government (ChrisWilliamson MP) and the Fire Brigades Union over thedecision by the Labour-controlled Cleveland Combined FireAuthority (13 Labour, 5 Conservative, 3 Independent and 2Liberal Democrat) to explore options including a public sectoremployee-led mutual, as set out in a press release dated 20September 2012 from Cleveland Combined Fire Authority;

3. notes that the Cleveland Chief Fire Officer, Ian Hayton,stated, It would be absolutely wrong to suggest that a publicsector, employee-led mutual is privatisation and it is merescaremongering to suggest so, adding, the brigadespurpose was not to make money but to keep communitiessafe;

4. notes that the Fire Minister and Minister for the Cabinet Officestated, attempts to characterise employee-led mutualisationas privatisation are wrong, as set out in their press releasedated 14 February 2013;

5. notes that the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes FireAuthority has not received a request by employees to set up amutual;

6. notes that the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes FireAuthority, which is responsible for the fire service that servesMilton Keynes, will remain statutorily responsible for thispublic service which is one of the best value in the countryand, as long as its costs are low and the service provisionreliable, is unlikely to risk adverse public reaction byintroducing mutualisation of its vital emergency response

teams.

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The voting was as follows:

FOR: Councillors, Bald, Barney, Bint, Bramall,Brock, Brunning, Dransfield, A Geary,P Geary, Hawthorn, Hopkins, Hoyle,

J ury, Kennedy, Klein, McDonald,McLean, Morris, Small and Wharton (20)

AGAINST: Councillors M Burke, Coventry, Edwards,Legg, Marland, McKenzie, Middleton,Miles, ONeill, Venn, Wales, Wallis,Webb, White and Zealley (15)

ABSTENTIONS: Councillors Alexander, Brackenbury,Bradburn Eastman, Exon, D McCall, IMcCall, Richards and Tallack (9)

The amendment was declared carried.

On being put to the vote the substantive motion was declared

carried with 20 Members voting in favour, 14 Members votingagainst and 10 Members abstaining from voting.

The Council heard from a member of the public during considerationof this item.

RESOLVED -

That this Council:

1. notes the Labour Partys policy positions on Mutuals beforethe last General Election, as referenced in the Guardian

article dated 11 November 2009;2. notes the hysteria that is being created by the Shadow

Minister for Communities and Local Government (ChrisWilliamson MP) and the Fire Brigades Union over thedecision by the Labour-controlled Cleveland Combined FireAuthority (13 Labour, 5 Conservative, 3 Independent and2 Liberal Democrat) to explore options including a publicsector employee-led mutual, as set out in a press releasedated 20 September 2012 from Cleveland Combined FireAuthority;

3. notes that the Cleveland Chief Fire Officer, Ian Hayton,stated, It would be absolutely wrong to suggest that a publicsector, employee-led mutual is privatisation and it is merescaremongering to suggest so, adding, the brigadespurpose was not to make money but to keep communitiessafe;

4. notes that the Fire Minister and Minister for the Cabinet Officestated, attempts to characterise employee-led mutualisationas privatisation are wrong, as set out in their press releasedated 14 February 2013;

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6. notes that the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes FireAuthority has not received a request by employees to set up amutual; and

7. notes that the Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes FireAuthority, which is responsible for the fire service that servesMilton Keynes, will remain statutorily responsible for this

public service which is one of the best value in the countryand, as long as its costs are low and the service provisionreliable, is unlikely to risk adverse public reaction byintroducing mutualisation of its vital emergency responseteams.

CL101 MILTON KEYNES HOSPITAL

Councillor Marland moved the following motion, which wasseconded by Councillor Venn:

1. That this Council notes the launch of a campaign by the

Citizen newspaper to highlight the need for a new largerAccident and Emergency Unit at Milton Keynes Hospital.

2. That this Council is concerned about the:

(a) staff shortages at Milton Keynes Hospital highlightedby the Care Quality Commission;

(b) pressures upon the hospital Accident and EmergencyUnit department highlighted in Parliament on 15

J anuary 2013;

(c) financial constraints on the Hospital;(d) negative impact of Government reorganisation at a

time of growing demand;

(e) potential damage to services from the Governmentsemphasis on privatisation of the NHS; and

(f) findings from the Mid-Staffordshire public inquiry whichhighlighted that many patients were let down by aculture that put cost-cutting and target-chasing aheadof the quality of care.

3. That this Council:(a) welcomes the excellent work of Milton Keynes Hospital staff

against the backdrop of a difficult financial crisis caused byGovernment austerity measures, costly re-organisation and afailure to increase resources in line with demand;

(b) supports the Citizen Newspaper campaign for a largerAccident and Emergency Unit, however it believes this mustbe linked to extra nurses, other staff and resources toeffectively run a new larger Accident and Emergency Unit;

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(c) believes that the quality of care should be paramount and thatthis is affected by low staff levels and uncertainty anddisruption caused by Government driven re-organisation andcostly reviews;

(d) agrees to write to the Secretary of State for Health seekingextra funding for a larger Accident and Emergency Unit and

resources to ensure that a new Accident and Emergency Unitis properly staffed; and

(e) requests the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committeeto agree that the Health and Adult Social Care SelectCommittee receive a report, from the Chief Executive, at itsregular meetings, on the resourcing of the Accident andEmergency Unit including nursing numbers, other staff andrelated resources.

Councillor Coventry moved the following amendment which wasseconded by Councillor Miles and accepted by the mover of the

motion:

1. That the following additional Sub-Clause be added to Clause2 of the motion:

(g) privatisation of the excellent NHS Direct service inMilton Keynes and its replacement with a new servicebased on using fewer trained medical staff; and thatthe new privatised contractor may reduce standards ofadvice given the evidence from its other contractscovering Wiltshire, Bristol and Gloucestershire, whichin turn may put extra pressure on our excellent hardworking GPs, Accident and Emergency Unit andAmbulance Service and put patient safety at risk.

2. That the following new Sub-Clause be added to Clause 3 andas Sub-Clause (e) and the original Sub-Clause (e) re-letteredas (f):

(e) also agrees to ask both Milton Keynes MPs to write tothe Secretary of State for Health expressing concernabout the privatisation of NHS Direct and the potentialadverse impact this may have on patient safety, GPs,

the Accident and Emergency Unit and the AmbulanceService;

3. That the words Milton Keynes Hospital be added into theSub-Clause (f) of Clause 3 in front of the words ChiefExecutive.

Councillor Brock moved the following amendment which wasseconded by Councillor Bramall:

1. That in Clause 1:

(a) in line 1 the word notes be deleted and replaced with

welcomes;

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(b) in line 2 the words and local MPs be added after thewords Citizen Newspaper;

(c) in line 3 the words as supported by the Prime Ministerbe added after the words Emergency Unit; and

(d) in line 3 the words NHS foundation Trust (MKHFT)and the recent appointment of a full time ChiefExecutive be added after the words Milton KeynesHospital.

2. That the words and notes that details of additional nursingrequirements will be presented to the MKHFT board at itsMarch Meeting be added at the end of Clause 2(a).

3. That the words and notes that the existing provision wasoriginally built in 1984 to care for 20,000 patients per year, butsees now 70,000 (200 patients per day) be added at the endof Clause 2(b).

4. That the words and notes commissioners support for thesustainability of the local acute provision for the long term beadded at the end of Clause 2(c).

5. That Clause 2(d) be deleted and the remaining Sub-Clausesre-lettered accordingly.

6. That in new Clause 2(d) (original Clause 2[e]) all words afterthe words potential damage be deleted and replaced withthe words that misguided scaremongering about privatisationof the NHS has to public confidence and notes that MKHFT isseeking to join with another NHS partner, Bedford Hospital.

7. That in Clause 3(a) all words after the word staff be deletedand replaced with the words and MKHFTs commitment toget all clinical pathways working efficiently and to maximumeffect, supports the excellent partnership working to achievethat end, in addition to physical improvement in the builtenvironment across emergency care.

8. That in Clause 3(b) all words after the words newspapercampaign be deleted and replaced with the words for the re-provision of accident and emergency accommodation to

manage projected patient volumes and improve quality aspart of the Hospitals Common Front Door project.

9. That in Clause 3(c) all words after the word paramount bedeleted.

10. That in Clause 3(d) all words after the word Unit be deletedand replaced with the words and notes that following amotion to Cabinet in April last year, both the Leader of theCouncil and the Chief Executive wrote to the Prime Ministerand the Secretary of State for Health expressing how muchMilton Keynes Hospital was valued and that the Council

would wish to see these services supported and improvedinto the future, asking them to work to this aim.

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11. That Clause 3(e) (new Clause 3[f]) be deleted and replacedwith:

notes that the Chief Executive of Milton Keynes FoundationTrust Hospital, Mr J oe Harrison, has been invited to attendthe next meeting of the Health and Adult Social Care SelectCommittee on 23 April 2013.

On being put to the vote the amendment was declared carried with29 Members voting in favour, 13 Members voting against and 0Members abstaining from voting.

The voting on the substantive motion was as follows:

(a) Clause 1 and 2 (a) to (e)

The clauses were declared carried unanimously.

(b) Clause 2 (f)

For: 23

Against: 19Abstentions:0

The clause was declared carried.

(c) Clauses 3 (a) to (d) and 3(f)

The clauses were declared carried unanimously.

(d) Clause 3 (e)

For: 23Against: 19

Abstentions:0The clause was declared carried.

RESOLVED -

1. That this Council welcomes the launch of a campaign by theCitizen Newspaper and local MPs to highlight the need for anew larger Accident and Emergency Unit, as supported bythe Prime Minister, at Milton Keynes Hospital NHS foundation

Trust (MKHFT) and the recent appointment of a full time ChiefExecutive.

2. That this Council is concerned about the:

(a) staff shortages at Milton Keynes Hospital highlightedby the Care Quality Commission and notes that detailsof additional nursing requirements will be presented tothe MKHFT board at its March Meeting;

(b) pressures upon the Hospital Accident and EmergencyUnit highlighted in Parliament on 15 J anuary 2013 andnotes that the existing provision was originally built in1984 to care for 20,000 patients per year, but seesnow 70,000 (200 patients per day);

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(c) financial constraints on the Hospital and notescommissioners support for the sustainability of thelocal acute provision for the long term;

(d) potential damage that misguided scaremongeringabout privatisation of the NHS has to public confidenceand notes that MKHFT is seeking to join with another

NHS partner, Bedford Hospital;(e) findings from the Mid-Staffordshire public inquiry which

highlighted that many patients were let down by aculture that put cost-cutting and target-chasing aheadof the quality of care; and

(f) privatisation of the excellent NHS Direct service inMilton Keynes and its replacement with a new servicebased on using fewer trained medical staff; and thatthe new privatised contractor may reduce standards ofadvice given the evidence from its other contracts

covering Wiltshire, Bristol and Gloucestershire, whichin turn may put extra pressure on our excellent hardworking GPs, Accident and Emergency Unit andAmbulance Service and put patient safety at risk.

3. That this Council:

(a) welcomes the excellent work of Milton Keynes Hospitalstaff and MKHFTs commitment to get all clinicalpathways working efficiently and to maximum effect,supports the excellent partnership working to achievethat end, in addition to physical improvement in thebuilt environment across emergency care;

(b) supports the Citizen newspaper campaign for the re-provision of accident and emergency accommodationto manage projected patient volumes and improvequality as part of the Hospitals Common Front Doorproject;

(c) believes that the quality of care should be paramount;

(d) agrees to write to the Secretary of State for Healthseeking extra funding for a larger Accident and

Emergency Unit and notes that following a motion toCabinet in April last year, both the Leader of theCouncil and the Chief Executive wrote to the PrimeMinister and the Secretary of State for Healthexpressing how much Milton Keynes Hospital wasvalued and that the Council would wish to see theseservices supported and improved into the future,asking them to work to this aim;

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(e) also agrees to ask both Milton Keynes MPs to write tothe Secretary of State for Health expressing concernabout the privatisation of NHS Direct and the potentialadverse impact this may have on patient safety, GPs,the Accident and Emergency Unit and the AmbulanceService; and

(f) notes that the Chief Executive of Milton KeynesFoundation Trust Hospital, Mr J oe Harrison, has beeninvited to attend the next meeting of the Health andAdult Social Care Select Committee on 23 April 2013.

(Councillor Brock disclosed a personal interest in this Item andCouncillor Wales disclosed a pecuniary interest and withdrew to thepublic gallery during consideration of the Item.)

CL102 BLACKLISTING

Councillor Wallis moved the following motion, which was seconded

by Councillor Marland:

1. That this Council believes Blacklisting is an unacceptablepractice which cannot be condoned.


(a) notes the GMB campaign to highlight that 3,213workers were blacklisted by construction firms and callfor all of those affected to be given an unreservedapology and compensation by the firms;

(b) notes that in 2009 the Information CommissionersOffice seized a database of 3,213 construction workersused by 44 companies to vet new recruits and keepout employment trade union and health and safetyactivists;

(c) notes that of the 3,213 workers identified on theblacklist only 194 have been informed that theyappeared on the list of the people identified asfeaturing on the blacklist, and 20 of these were basedor attempting to find work in Buckinghamshire;

(d) notes that some companies have admitted that theydid employ a system of blacklisting workers and haveapologised, but have refused to pay any compensationto those workers affected by this;

(e) is of the view that the construction firms whichengaged in blacklisting should apologise to those whohave been affected and denied jobs as a result of thelist;

(f) is of the view that the Information CommissionersOffice should inform all those who feature on the

blacklist; and

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(g) notes and welcomes the swift action already taken bythe Head of Corporate Procurement on this matter,including the amendment of the Councils terms andconditions of contract and other terms used, to reflectour rejection of any bidder who uses an illegalblacklist. Additionally the Council notes that allsuppliers registered on the procurement e-tenderingsystem have been sent a statement of the Councilsposition and all future bidders will be advised of this asthey engage with us on contracts.

3. That this Council resolves to:

(a) support the GMB campaign against the blacklisting ofconstruction workers;

(b) ensure that it is made clear to all constructioncompanies bidding for Council contracts that anyunlawful blacklisting of workers will not be tolerated;

and

(c) ask the Councils Assistant Director (Law andGovernance) to explore how to enable the Council tonot contract with companies which have engaged inblacklisting and have failed to pay compensation toworkers.

Councillor Bald moved the following amendment which wasseconded by Councillor A Geary and accepted by the mover of themotion:

That the following additional Sub-Clause be added to Clause 2 ofthe motion:

(g) notes and welcomes the swift action already taken by theHead of Corporate Procurement on this matter, including theamendment of the Councils terms and conditions of contractand other terms used, to reflect our rejection of any bidderwho uses an illegal blacklist. Additionally the Council notesthat all suppliers registered on the procurement e-tenderingsystem have been sent a statement of the Councils positionand all future bidders will be advised of this as they engage

with us on contracts.On being put to the vote the amended motion was declared carriedunanimously.

RESOLVED -

1. That this Council believes Blacklisting is an unacceptablepractice which cannot be condoned.

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(a) notes the GMB campaign to highlight that 3,213workers were blacklisted by construction firms and callfor all of those affected to be given an unreservedapology and compensation by the firms;

(b) notes that in 2009 the Information CommissionersOffice seized a database of 3,213 construction workersused by 44 companies to vet new recruits and keepout employment trade union and health and safetyactivists;

(c) notes that of the 3,213 workers identified on theblacklist only 194 have been informed that theyappeared on the list of the people identified asfeaturing on the blacklist, and 20 of these were basedor attempting to find work in Buckinghamshire;

(d) notes that some companies have admitted that theydid employ a system of blacklisting workers and haveapologised, but have refused to pay any compensationto those workers affected by this;

(e) is of the view that the construction firms whichengaged in blacklisting should apologise to those whohave been affected and denied jobs as a result of thelist;

(f) is of the view that the Information CommissionersOffice should inform all those who feature on the

blacklist; and

(g) notes and welcomes the swift action already taken bythe Head of Corporate Procurement on this matter,including the amendment of the Councils terms andconditions of contract and other terms used, to reflectour rejection of any bidder who uses an illegalblacklist. Additionally the Council notes that allsuppliers registered on the procurement e-tenderingsystem have been sent a statement of the Councilsposition and all future bidders will be advised of this as

they engage with us on contracts.3. That this Council resolves to:

(a) support the GMB campaign against the blacklisting ofconstruction workers;

(b) ensure that it is made clear to all constructioncompanies bidding for Council contracts that anyunlawful blacklisting of workers will not be tolerated;and

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(c) ask the Councils Assistant Director (Law andGovernance) to explore how to enable the Council tonot contract with companies which have engaged inblacklisting and have failed to pay compensation toworkers.

CL103 OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY ANNUAL REPORT

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committeepresented the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report, and in doingso, drew attention to the work undertaken by the various selectcommittees and review groups during 2012/13.

The Chair expressed his thanks to the Members and officers whohad been involved with and supported the overview and scrutinyprocess during the year

RESOLVED -

That the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report be received.

CL104 QUARTERLY REPORT ON SPECIAL URGENCY DECISIONS

The Council noted that in accordance with Access to InformationProcedure Rule 17.3, that the Provisions for Special Urgency, as setout in Access to Information Procedure Rule 16, were used onceduring the period 1 December 2012 to 28 February 2013, for theagreement to the Wolverton Station Settlement.

The Council also noted that in accordance with Overview andScrutiny Procedure Rule 16.1, the Chief Executive, when making the

decision on 1 March 2013, on the settlement of the WolvertonStation Contract decided, with the consent of the Chair of theOverview and Scrutiny Management Committee, to waive the call-inprocess as failure to make the decision would have seriouslyprejudiced the Councils interests by jeopardising the negotiatedsettlement.

THE MAYOR CLOSED THE MEETING AT 10:55 PM

milton keynes council agenda 22nd may 2013

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