Agenda and minutes

Please note: if the alarm sounds, everyone at the meeting should please exit the building via the way they came in, via the main entrance lobby area, and then the front ramp. Please then assemble on the paved area in front of the building on College Green by the flag poles.

If the front entrance cannot be used, alternative exits are available via staircases 2 and 3 to the left and right of the Council Chamber. These exit to the rear of the building. The lifts are not to be used. Then please make your way to the assembly point at the front of the building.

Please do not return to the building until instructed to do so by the fire warden(s).

The Lord Mayor welcomed all attendees to the meeting, and made a safety announcement in relation to the fire/emergency evacuation procedure.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bowden-Jones, Goulandris, Hance, Keen, and Melias.

a. To agree the minutes of the Full Council meeting held on 8 November 2016 as a correct record.

b. To agree the minutes of the Extraordinary Full Council meeting held on 29 November 2016 as a correct record.

a. Minutes – Full Council – 8 November 2016

On the motion of the Lord Mayor, seconded by Councillor Abraham, it was

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Full Council held on 8 November 2016 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Lord Mayor.

b. Minutes – Extraordinary Full Council – 29 November 2016

On the motion of the Lord Mayor, seconded by Councillor Eddy, it was

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Extraordinary Full Council held on 29 November 2016 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Lord Mayor.

To note any declarations of interest from the Mayor and councillors.  They are asked to indicate the relevant agenda item, the nature of the interest and in particular whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Any declaration of interest made at the meeting which is not on the register of interests should be notified to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion.

None.

To receive and note any announcements from the Lord Mayor.

Alderman Iris Gillard

The Lord Mayor informed members of the recent death of Alderman Iris Gillard.

Councillor Abraham then addressed the Full Council, paying tribute to Alderman Gillard’s life and her work as a former councillor and as an Alderman.

The Full Council then observed a minute’s silence in memory of Alderman Iris Gillard.

Please note:

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

Public forum items should be e-mailed to democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk

Public forum items can be about any matter the Council is responsible for or which affects the city.

Please note that the following deadlines apply to this meeting:

a. Public petitions and statements: Petitions and written statements must be received by 12 noon on Monday 12 December 2016 at latest. One written statement per member of the public is permitted.

b. Public questions: Public questions must be received by 5.00 pm on Wednesday 7 December 2016 at latest. A maximum of 2 questions per member of the public is permitted.

Public petitions:

The Full Council received and noted the following petition:

Petition PP 01 – “Lower the speed limit on the Portway at Hotwells”

Petition organiser – Becky Gilbert

Public statements:

The Full Council received and noted the following statements (which were also referred to the Mayor for his consideration/information):

PS 01 - Jendayi Serwah – Representation of Afrikan heritage communities in Bristol

PS 02 - David Redgewell – Transport issues

PS 03 - Tom Hathway – Motion 2 – Affordable housing strategy

PS 04 - Nigel Biggs – Tall buildings policy

PS 05 - Christina Biggs & Martin Garrett – Transport / devolution / joint spatial plan

PS 06 - Elinor Ni Chathain – Motion 2 – Affordable housing strategy

PS 07 -             Olivia Nunn – Motion 2 – Affordable housing strategy

PS 08 – Elisabeth Winkler – Motion 2 – Affordable housing strategy

PS 09 - John Sergeant – Motion 2 – Affordable housing strategy

PS 10 – Edward Bowditch - Congestion

Within the time available, statements were presented by individuals present at the meeting.

Public questions:

The Full Council noted that the following questions had been submitted:

PQ 01 - Ashley Hill station

- submitted by Martin Garrett

PQ 02 - Temple Meads bus stops

- submitted by Martin Garrett

PQ 03 - Getting safely to and from Oasis Academy Brightstowe

- submitted by Head Girl, Oasis Academy Brightstowe

PQ 04 - Getting safely to and from Oasis Academy Brightstowe

- submitted by Head Boy, Oasis Academy Brightstowe

PQ 05 -            Trees at Bedminster Green

- submitted by Dianne James

PQ 06 -            Council tax arrears

- submitted by Michael Owen

PQ 07 - Bristol wood recycling project / Cattle Market Road site                

- submitted by Kaleb Debbage

PQ 08 -            Bedminster Green development

- submitted by Nick Townsend

PQ 09 -            Controlled parking zones

- submitted by Edward Bowditch

Within the time available, the Mayor responded to the following questions (also responding to supplementary questions when asked): PQ 01, PQ 02, PQ 03, PQ 04, PQ 05, PQ 07 and PQ 08.

Please note:

Up to 10 minutes is allowed for this item.

Petitions notified by councillors can be about any matter the Council is

responsible for or which directly affects the city.

The deadline for the notification of petitions to this meeting is 12 noon

on Monday 12 December 2016 at latest.

The Full Council received and noted the following petitions:

Petition CP 01 – “Save the school crossing patrols in Bristol”

Petition presented by Councillor Phipps

Petition CP 02 – “Traffic calming measures on York Road, BS5”

Petition presented by Councillor Pickersgill

Petition CP 03 – “Harden Road car park”

Petition presented by Councillor Jones

ADJOURNMENT – At this point, the Lord Mayor advised that the Full Council meeting would adjourn for a 20 minute refreshment break.

To note the treasury management mid-year report for 2016-17.

The Full Council considered the treasury management mid-year report 2016-17.

Councillor Cheney, Cabinet member for Finance, Governance and Performance moved the report and the recommendation set out therein.

Councillor Barry Clark seconded the report

Following debate, it was:

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To agree, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012 that the amount calculated by Bristol City Council as its council tax base for the financial year 2017-18 shall be 124,083.

The Full Council considered a report seeking approval of the amount to be calculated by Bristol City Council as its council tax base for the financial year 2017-18.

It was noted that further to the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board’s consideration of this matter (meeting held on 8 December 2016), a supplementary note had been circulated providing additional information in relation to student council tax exemptions and comparing previous council tax base forecasts against actuals, as requested by the Board.

Councillor Cheney, Cabinet member for Finance, Governance and Performance moved the report and the recommendation set out therein.

Councillor Smith seconded the report.

Following debate, upon being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED (57 members voting in favour, none against, and with 1 abstention):

That it be agreed that in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, the amount calculated by Bristol City Council as its council tax base for the financial year 2017-18 shall be 124, 083.

To approve the strategy for the flexible use of capital receipts.

The Full Council considered a report seeking approval of the strategy for the flexible use of capital receipts.

Councillor Cheney, Cabinet member for Finance, Governance and Performance moved the report and the recommendation set out therein.

Councillor Mead seconded the report.

Following debate, upon being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED (53 members voting in favour, none against, and with 1 abstention):

That approval be given to the strategy for the flexible use of capital receipts as set out in paragraphs 14 - 18 of the report.

To approve the updated Minimum Revenue Provision policy as set out in appendix B of the report.

The Full Council considered a report seeking approval of an updated minimum revenue provision policy.

Councillor Cheney, Cabinet member for Finance, Governance and Performance moved the report and the recommendation set out therein.

Councillor Brook seconded the report.

Following debate, upon being put to the vote, it was

RESOLVED (53 members voting in favour, none against, and with 2 abstentions):

That approval be given to the updated minimum revenue provision policy as set out in appendix B of the report.

To confirm the recommendation of the Audit Committee to accept Public Sector Audit Appointments’ (PSAA) invitation to ‘opt in’ to their sector led scheme to enable the PSAA to appoint an external auditor to audit Bristol City Council’s financial statements for 5 financial years commencing 1 April 2018.

The Full Council considered a report from the Audit Committee seeking approval of arrangements for the appointment of the Council’s external auditor, for the 5 financial years commencing 1 April 2018.

Councillor Mead, Chair of the Audit Committee moved the report and the recommendation set out therein.

Councillor Stevens, Vice-Chair of the Audit Committee seconded the report.

RESOLVED:

That Full Council confirms the recommendation of the Audit Committee to accept Public Sector Audit Appointments’ (PSAA) invitation to ‘opt in’ to their sector led scheme to enable the PSAA to appoint an external auditor to audit Bristol City Council’s financial statements for 5 financial years commencing 1 April 2018.

To agree that the terms of reference of the Human Resources Committee be amended to delegate to the committee the responsibility of agreeing the salary of the Senior Coroner for the Avon coroner area.

The Full Council considered a report from the Human Resources Committee seeking agreement that the terms of reference of the committee be amended to delegate to the committee the responsibility of agreeing the salary of the Senior Coroner for the Avon coroner area.

Councillor Godwin, Chair of the Human Resources Committee moved the report and the recommendation set out therein.

Councillor O’Rourke, Vice-Chair of the Human Resources Committee seconded the report.

RESOLVED:

That the terms of reference of the Human Resources Committee be amended to delegate to the committee the responsibility of agreeing the salary of the Senior Coroner for the Avon coroner area.

To consider motions as follows:

1. Bristol’s schools funding

Motion submitted/to be moved by: Cllr Gary Hopkins, Liberal Democrat, Knowle ward

“Council views with great concern the impending cuts in funding to Bristol schools’ budgets.

Over the last 15 years, Bristol schools have dramatically improved, being previously judged one of the worst services it is now performing far better than equivalent areas. Huge effort, over a prolonged period, with all party support, has produced a dramatic positive change and over the last few years the pupil premium has helped to reduce inequalities in results and improve funding in Bristol schools.

The freezing of school budgets by the new government has presented challenges to schools but this is added to dramatically by the huge threat that the reallocation of school grants present.

Bristol will be the hardest hit authority in the country. A cut of £28m to the city’s schools’ budgets will see the loss of around 1000 teachers and teaching assistants. A loss on average of £577 per pupil in the city.

Bristol Cathedral Primary School, just recently praised as part of the Council’s Ofsted report, will see a funding cut of over £1600 per pupil, over a quarter of their funding. Ashley Down Primary school will see a funding cut of over £1000 per pupil and Oasis Academy John Williams over £700 per pupil.

Council also notes with concern the pressure on the SEN budget, that large cuts to SEN funding continue to be implemented to cope with increasing demand and underfunding by Westminster.

Council condemns the proposed cuts in Bristol’s schools funding by the Conservative Government.

Council calls on the Mayor and the Cabinet member for Education to meet with Government Cabinet Members and negotiate a better deal for Bristol’s schools.

Council requires the Mayor and Cabinet member to report back with a written report to Full Council within 4 months detailing the results of any talks, and the impact of any changes on Bristol’s schools.”

2. Affordable housing strategy

Motion to be moved / submitted by: Cllr Stephen Clarke, Green, Southville ward

“This Council notes that:

1.      The Mayor of London has set out a long-term strategic objective to make half of all new homes built in London affordable.

2.      In Bristol, the figure for permissions granted for affordable homes in 2015/16 is only 21% and, of those actually built, less than 10% were affordable.

3.      There have been a number of very high profile recent developments where the schemes have included very few affordable homes (culminating in the Chocolate Factory scheme in Easton which initially offered zero).

4.      The current viability reporting process which is used to decide on the percentage of affordable housing delivered through the planning system is secretive, open to varying interpretation and widely mistrusted by citizens affected by these decisions.

This Council believes that:

1.      The Mayor of Bristol should be no less ambitious than the Mayor of London in his vision for affordable homes in this city.

2.      The viability process  ...  view the full agenda text for item 76.

a. Motion 1 – Bristol’s schools funding

Councillor Hopkins moved the following motion:

“Council views with great concern the impending cuts in funding to Bristol schools’ budgets.

Over the last 15 years, Bristol schools have dramatically improved, being previously judged one of the worst services it is now performing far better than equivalent areas. Huge effort, over a prolonged period, with all party support, has produced a dramatic positive change and over the last few years the pupil premium has helped to reduce inequalities in results and improve funding in Bristol schools.

The freezing of school budgets by the new government has presented challenges to schools but this is added to dramatically by the huge threat that the reallocation of school grants present.

Bristol will be the hardest hit authority in the country. A cut of £28m to the city’s schools’ budgets will see the loss of around 1000 teachers and teaching assistants. A loss on average of £577 per pupil in the city.

Bristol Cathedral Primary School, just recently praised as part of the Council’s Ofsted report, will see a funding cut of over £1600 per pupil, over a quarter of their funding. Ashley Down Primary school will see a funding cut of over £1000 per pupil and Oasis Academy John Williams over £700 per pupil.

Council also notes with concern the pressure on the SEN budget, that large cuts to SEN funding continue to be implemented to cope with increasing demand and underfunding by Westminster.

Council condemns the proposed cuts in Bristol’s schools funding by the Conservative Government.

Council calls on the Mayor and the Cabinet member for Education to meet with Government Cabinet Members and negotiate a better deal for Bristol’s schools.

Council requires the Mayor and Cabinet member to report back with a written report to Full Council within 4 months detailing the results of any talks, and the impact of any changes on Bristol’s schools.”

Councillor Kent seconded the motion.

Councillor Pickersgill then moved that the motion be amended to read as follows:

“Council views with great concern the impending cuts in funding to Bristol schools’ budgets.

Over the last 15 years, Bristol schools have dramatically improved, being previously judged one of the worst services it is now performing far better than equivalent areas. Huge effort, over a prolonged period, with all party support, has produced a dramatic positive change and over the last few years the pupil premium has helped to reduce inequalities in results and improve funding in Bristol schools.

The freezing of school budgets by the new government has presented challenges to schools but this is added to dramatically by the huge threat to school grants at present. Along with most core cities, Bristol has been funded above the national average of all local authorities. However a move to a single national funding formula is likely to result in a substantial reduction in funding for Bristol schools.

The Council notes the previous coalition Government and the current Government have not increased  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.