To consider matters referred to the Council for determination, including:

A.  Report of the Interim Director of Finance

Council Tax Support Scheme

To give effect to the decision of the Council held on 17 December 2012 (minute 92 refers), the Council is requested to formally approve and adopt the Council Tax Support Scheme (to be circulated with the Council supplement).

In respect of B and C below, copies of the related reports can be provided for Council members on request.

B.  Employment and Appointments Committee – 20 December, 2012

Minute 52

Senior Management Restructure

C.  Cabinet – 20 December, 2012

Minute 149

Delegation on Employment Issues

The following items were considered by Cabinet and Employment and Appointments Committee at their meetings on 24 January. The relevant minutes will be provided in the Council supplement for the Council’s consideration.

D.  Cabinet – 24 January, 2013

Minute 165

Collection Fund 2012/2013

Minute 166

Council Tax Discounts – Annual Review

Minute 167

Council Tax Base

E.  Employment and Appointments Committee – 24 January, 2013

Minute 57

The Employment Contract of the Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service

The Leader of the Council thanked the many staff in the Department of Technical Services’ Highways Section for their commitment and hard work during the recent spell of cold weather.

A number of matters were submitted for approval by the Council, as follows:

A. The Council received a report from the Interim Director of Finance together with a full detailed Council Tax Support Scheme which the Council was requested to formally adopt, giving effect to the decision of Council on 17 December, 2012 (minute 92 refers).

B.  Employment and Appointments Committee – 20 December, 2012

Minute 52 - Senior Management Restructure

C.  Cabinet – 20 December, 2012

Minute 149 - Delegation on Employment Issues

D.  Cabinet – 24 January, 2013

Minute 165 - Collection Fund 2012/2013

Minute 166 - Council Tax Discounts – Annual Review

Minute 167 - Council Tax Base

E.  Employment and Appointments Committee – 24 January, 2013

Minute 57 - The Employment Contract of the Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service

Each matter was moved in turn by Councillor P Davies and seconded by Councillor G Davies and after some debate on items, A, B, C and E, and Councillor P Davies having replied, it was –

Resolved –

(1)  (55:7) (One abstention) - That the Local Council Tax Support Scheme, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be approved and adopted.

(2)  (62:0) (One abstention) – That minute 52 (Employment and Appointments Committee – 20/12/12) - Senior Management Restructure, be approved.

(3)  (55:7) (One abstention) – That minute 149 (Cabinet – 20/12/12) – Delegation on Employment Issues, be approved, but that the Chief Executive report quarterly, rather than annually to the Employment and Appointments Committee on the operation of the arrangements for conducting appeals.

(4)  (62:0) (One abstention) – That minute 165 (Cabinet – 24/1/13) - Collection Fund 2012 / 2013; minute 166 (Cabinet – 24/1/13) - Council Tax Discounts – Annual Review; and minute 167 (Cabinet – 24/1/13) - Council Tax Base, be approved.

Prior to a vote on item E (Minute 57 (Employment and Appointments Committee – 24/1/13) -The Employment Contract of the Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service), Councillor Green along with five Conservative Members, asked that a ‘card vote’ be recorded.

The Council divided as follows –

For the Motion (36) Councillors RL Abbey, J Crabtree, G Davies, P Davies, WJ Davies, D Dodd, P Doughty, S Foulkes, P Glasman, RJ Gregson, P Hackett, S Hodrien, M Johnston, AER Jones, C Jones, B Kenny, A Leech, M McLaughlin, CM Meaden, B Mooney, C Muspratt, S Niblock, T Norbury, D Realey, DE Roberts, J Salter, H Smith, PA Smith, W Smith, J Stapleton, M Sullivan, J Walsh, S Whittingham, I Williams, KJ Williams and J Williamson.

Against the Motion (26) Councillors C Blakeley, E Boult, A Brighouse, W Clements, T Cox, L Fraser, PN Gilchrist, JE Green, J Hale, T Harney, P Hayes, AC Hodson, K Hodson, M Hornby, P Kearney, SE Kelly, I Lewis, GD Mitchell, SR Mountney, Mrs C Povall, Mrs L Rennie, SL Rowlands, A Sykes, GCJ Watt, Mrs PM Williams and S Williams.

One abstention, Councillor GJ Ellis.

(5)  (36:26) (One abstention) – That minute 57 (Employment and Appointments Committee – 24/1/13) -The Employment Contract of the Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service, be approved.

The Chief Executive, having withdrawn from the chamber for the debate and vote on this item, then returned to the chamber. The Leader of the Council congratulated Mr Burgess on his permanent appointment. Mr Burgess thanked the Council for approving his permanent appointment and stated that he would continue to work with all political parties on the Council.