Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations made.

It was moved by A. McKeown and seconded by Councillor Greenhalgh that the minutes of the Annual meeting held on 15 May 2019 be approved as a correct record.

The motion was carried and the Mayor was authorised to sign the minutes.

The Mayor announced that a Christmas collection for his charities would take place at the next Council meeting in lieu of sending Christmas cards and that his Ball would take place on 14 March 2020.

It was moved by Councillor Collins and seconded by Councillor Todd that:

Climate Change is an existential threat.  Humans have already caused irreversible climate change, the impacts of which are being felt around the world.  Global temperatures have increased by 1?C  from pre-industrial levels.  Atmospheric CO₂ levels are above the 400 parts per million (ppm).  This far exceeds the 350 ppm deemed to be safe for humanity.  Extreme weather events have already caused damage and destruction in this country. Locally the effects of climate change are seen in falling water levels and erratic weather conditions affecting farming and infrastructure.  Natural habitats, wildlife and biodiversity are in peril not only from Climate Change but also from human intervention, which in turn is increasing the effects of the climate and biodiversity crises.

Scientists warn that we have little over a decade to implement urgent action to reduce and limit CO₂ emissions before we reach a global tipping point. Action is required at international, national and local level to achieve the carbon reduction levels needed.  Councils around the world and in UK are responding by declaring a Climate Emergency and committing the resources to address this emergency.

This Council pledges to:

1.    Declare a Climate Emergency

2.    Make High Peak Borough Council carbon neutral in its internal operations and the services it delivers by 2030, and work with partners to achieve this target across High Peak

3.    Call on the UK Government to provide the powers and resources to make the 2030 target possible.

4.    Work with partners across the county and region to deliver this new goal through all relevant strategies

5.    Work to mitigate the biodiversity crisis in its actions across the Borough

6.    To address this emergency, establish a cross-party working group to assist in investigation, prioritisation, drafting and delivery of a plan including targets for CO2 reduction, working with officer support and drawing on wider expertise.

7.    To include a cross section of local people in drawing up this plan. 

8.    To report back to Council by end of March 2020 with this plan

9.    Ensure that all Council committees and scrutiny panels consider the impact on climate change and the natural environment when taking decisions and reviewing policies.

10. Review progress against the target and report back every six months. 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Ashton and seconded by Councillor Kemp that this Council pledges to:

1. Declare a Climate Emergency

2. Aspire to make High Peak Borough Council carbon neutral in its internal operations and the services it delivers by 2030, and work with partners to achieve this target across High Peak

3. Call on the UK Government to provide the powers and resources to make the 2030 target possible.

4. Work with partners across the county and region to deliver this new goal through all relevant strategies

5. Work to mitigate the biodiversity crisis in its actions across the Borough.

The Council therefore resolves to:

6.    Respond to the Climate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20/20

It was moved by Councillor A. McKeown and seconded by Councillor Greenhalgh that the Council’s vision, aims, objectives, influencing objectives and priorities be approved.

When put to the vote, it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was moved by Councillor Thrane and seconded by Councillor Cross that the Annual Treasury Management Report 2018/19 be approved.

When put to the vote, it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was moved by Councillor Thrane and seconded by Councillor Cross that the Treasury Management position as at 30th June 2019 be noted.

When put to the vote, it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was moved by Councillor Quinn and seconded by Councillor Roberts that the revised Code of Conduct as attached at Appendix 3 to the report be approved.

When put to the vote, it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was moved by Councillor A. McKeown and seconded by Councillor Greenhalgh that:

1.    A politically balanced sub-committee (comprising 7 councillors for which substitutes would be permitted), chaired by the Leader of the Council, be appointed  to conduct a review of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny function performed by its select committees.

2.    Any revised arrangements be proposed to Council and implemented following Annual Council on 14 May 2020.

When put to the vote, it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was moved by Councillor Barrow and seconded by Councillor Ashton that:

1.    The model Disciplinary Procedure and Guidance for the Chief Executive in accordance with the JNC Conditions of Service Handbook for Chief Executives be adopted.

2.    The same Disciplinary Procedure and Guidance for other officers who hold a statutory role (Section 151 Officer and Monitoring Officer) as recommended by the JNC for Chief Executives be adopted.

3.    An Investigating and Disciplinary Committee (IDC) be established in accordance with the JNC for Chief Executives Conditions of Service Handbook. The IDC should consist of an equal number of members from both High Peak Borough Council (HPBC) and Staffordshire Moorlands District Council (SMDC), as a result of the Chief Executive and other statutory officers being jointly employed by the two councils.

4.    An elected member (the Chair of the IDC) with the designated power to suspend the Chief Executive and other statutory officers in an emergency be appointed.

5.    The Council’s constitution be updated to comply with the JNC Conditions of Service Handbook for Chief Executives

When put to the vote, it was RESOLVED accordingly.