Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors D W Ball, N A Cenci, M Goonan, E M Harsant, I E Lockington, and J E Macartney.

It was RESOLVED:-

that the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 26^th September 2012 be confirmed as a true record.

It was RESOLVED :-

that the Order of Business be confirmed as printed on the agenda.

  Military Matters

The Mayor was looking forward to welcoming the 1^st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment home from Afghanistan when they march through Ipswich on their homecoming parade on Monday 5^th November 2012 at 12.30pm.

On Friday 9^th November, local schoolchildren will place poppy crosses on graves in the Fields of Honour at the Old Cemetery. The Mayor and the Deputy Mayor will be present for this service which starts at 10.30am.

On Sunday 11^th November the Mayor hopes to see many of you at the Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph in Christchurch Park. Again, the service gets under way at 10.30am.

The Mayor was privileged to welcome the Soldier Ride UK at Christchurch Park when they came to Ipswich recently, organised by the British Limbless Ex Service Men’s Association.  A group of 30 amputee servicemen, women and veterans from the US and UK joined forces to conquer a 250-mile cycling trek to raise awareness of the challenges they face after injury. 

The signing of the Military Covenant in Suffolk took place at Suffolk County Council’s offices in early October and Ipswich Borough Council was pleased to support this initiative. 

         Thank You

Ipswich has enjoyed a wonderful array of events this summer, including The Queen’s Jubilee celebrations in Christchurch Park, the Olympic Torch, Ipswich Maritime, Larkin Gowen Half Marathon, and the Ipswich Skyride to name but a few.  All these events have been supported by local volunteers, and Mayor and her Consort had the opportunity to meet some of them recently to thank them for their help and hard work.  The Mayor was looking forward to meeting the Crucial Crew volunteers in November. 

         Ipswich’s History

As the mayoral year progresses, the Mayor was learning more and more about the history of Ipswich and the Civic Regalia, she was privileged to share this with young guests when they visited the Mayor’s Parlour.  The Mayor also recently welcomed a group from the 44^th Ipswich Brownies as well as the School Council from The Oaks School in Ipswich.  

The launch of the Women’s History Trail took place recently at the Tourist Information Centre and the Mayor was very pleased to be invited to attend, and to learn more about the town. 

         Purple Flag Award

The Mayor and her consort recently took part in the launch of National Purple Flag Week.   Purple Flag is an accreditation scheme administered by the Association of Town and City Centre Management. The accreditation recognises excellence in town and city centre management and has a focus on the night-time economy but also includes the day-time economy too.  Purple Flag encompasses everything that goes into making a town centre thrive, from transport, shopping, safety, to public spaces and events.   Ipswich has been awarded Purple Flag status – Well done Ipswich!

Farewell

It was sad to hear the news that Jack Chapman, former Chairman of The Ipswich Society passed away recently.  The Mayor had the honour of presenting him with a special Mayor’s Award  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations granted.

The appropriate Members of the Council answered questions on the subjects specified below, notice of such questions having been given in accordance with Standing Orders (Rules of Procedure) (Sections 9):

1.       Mr P Evans                          Councillor Martin                  Wind Turbine Development

2.       Mr P Evans                         Councillor Ellesmere            Wind Turbine Presentation

3.       Mr H Shreuder                     Councillor Martin                  Wind Turbine

4.       Councillor Debman              Councillor Smart                  Parking Enforcement

5.       Councillor Debman              Councillor Jones                  Road Works Town Centre

6.      Councillor C Stewart           Councillor Jones                 Site at St Margaret’s Green

7.      Councillor C Stewart            Councillor Jones                 Development on Crane’s Site

8.      Councillor Carnall                 Councillor Jones                  Road Works Town Centre

9.      Councillor Pope                  Councillor Cook                  Mobile Communication Devices

10.    Councillor Pope                  Councillor Smart                 Annual Review of Hackney 

                                                                                                Carriage Fares.

11.    Mr K Algar                            Councillor Martin                Wind Turbine Proposed

                                                                                                 Application

It was RESOLVED:-

(i)            that the following categories of ‘local  choice’ Non-Pecuniary Interests (LNPIs) in respect of the Suffolk Code of Conduct be adopted:

1.    Anybody of which you are a member or in a position of general control or management and to which you are appointed or nominated by the Council;

2.    Anybody:

(a)  exercising functions of a public nature;

(b)  directed to charitable purposes; or

(c)  one of whose principal purposes includes the influence of public opinion or policy (including any political party or trade union);

of which you are am member and in position of general control of management;

3.    Any person from whom you have received a gift or hospitality with an estimated value of at least £25.

(ii)          that the Head of Legal and Democratic Services be authorised to make consequential changes to the Council’s Constitution.

It was RESOLVED:

(i)            that the appointment of the 8 individuals listed in Appendix 1 of the report be appointed as Independent Persons for the Borough Council for a period of 1 year, commencing on the date of this meeting, with an option on the part of the Council to extend any appointment for up to 2 years;

(ii)          that the joint administration arrangements detailed in the report in respect of the pool of Independent Persons be noted;

(iii)         that the Council’s Monitoring Officer arranges for a further targeted recruitment campaign to be undertaken (with a view to adding to/and or replacing all or some of the pool of Independent Persons), which takes into account the need to attract a greater number of applicants to the pool from more diverse backgrounds – the selection panel for this exercise is to be determined by the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Chief Executive and the Leader;

(iv)         that the Monitoring Officer reports back to Council on the outcome of the further recruitment campaign in due course.

IBC resolves to declare that Ipswich will serve as a “Town of Sanctuary” for genuine asylum seekers and refugees (sanctuary seekers) that are forced to flee from their own countries to avoid persecution or danger. To that end IBC will within current resources:-

·         Seek to be a welcoming town for refugees and those seeking sanctuary

·         Co-operate with Ipswich Town of Sanctuary movement to help develop policies and strategies with the community and organisations of Ipswich to support sanctuary seekers

·         Work with its staff to ensure that they understand the needs of those seeking sanctuary and are able to challenge misinformation in the wider community.

·         Look to promote ways of valuing sanctuary seekers through the offering of volunteer opportunities both in the wider Ipswich community and where possible within IBC.

It was MOVED by Councillor Martin and seconded by Councillor Cann that:

"IBC resolves to declare that Ipswich will serve as a “Town of Sanctuary” for genuine   asylum seekers and refugees (sanctuary seekers) that are forced to flee from their own countries to avoid persecution or danger. To that end IBC will within current resources:-

·         Seek to be a welcoming town for refugees and those seeking sanctuary.

·         Co-operate with Ipswich Town of Sanctuary movement to help develop policies and strategies with the community and organisations of Ipswich to support sanctuary seekers.

·         Work with its staff to ensure that they understand the needs of those seeking sanctuary and are able to challenge misinformation in the wider community.

·         Look to promote ways of valuing sanctuary seekers through the offering of volunteer opportunities both in the wider Ipswich community and where possible within IBC.

The motion was put to the meeting and CARRIED.

 It was RESOLVED:

that"IBC resolves to declare that Ipswich will serve as a “Town of Sanctuary” for genuine   asylum seekers and refugees (sanctuary seekers) that are forced to flee from their own countries to avoid persecution or danger. To that end IBC will within current resources:-

·         Seek to be a welcoming town for refugees and those seeking sanctuary.

·         Co-operate with Ipswich Town of Sanctuary movement to help develop policies and strategies with the community and organisations of Ipswich to support sanctuary seekers.

·         Work with its staff to ensure that they understand the needs of those seeking sanctuary and are able to challenge misinformation in the wider community.

·         Look to promote ways of valuing sanctuary seekers through the offering of volunteer opportunities both in the wider Ipswich community and where possible within IBC.

It was RESOLVED:

that Councillor Chisholm and Councillor Pope be removed as Trustees for the ISCRE Board of Trustees and Councillor Chisholm be appointed as Observer to the ISCRE Board of Trustees.