Minutes for Council meeting, Jan 27 2009, 7.30PM

<div class="mgLinks"> <ul class="mgActionList"> <li><a href="http://www.kingston.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/committeeminutes/moderngov.htm?mgl=mgMeetingAttendance.aspx&ID=5336" class="external" title="Link to attendance details for the meeting of CouncilTuesday 27 January 2009 7:30 pm">Attendance details</a></li> <li> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/g5345/Agenda%20frontsheet%20Tuesday%2027-Jan-2009%2019.30%20Council.pdf?T=0" class="external" title="Link to agenda frontsheet pdf file">Agenda frontsheet PDF 56 KB </a> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/g5345/Agenda%20frontsheet%20Tuesday%2027-Jan-2009%2019.30%20Council.pdf?T=0&CT=2" class="external" title="Link to agenda html file">View agenda as HTML</a> </li> <li><a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/g5345/Public%20reports%20pack%20Tuesday%2027-Jan-2009%2019.30%20Council.pdf?T=10" class="external" title="Link to agenda reports document pack pdf file">Agenda reports pack PDF 242 KB </a></li> <li> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/g5345/Public%20minutes%20Tuesday%2027-Jan-2009%2019.30%20Council.pdf?T=11" class="external" title="Link to printed minutes pdf file">Printed minutes PDF 103 KB </a> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/g5345/Printed%20minutes%20Tuesday%2027-Jan-2009%2019.30%20Council.pdf?T=1&CT=2" class="external" title="Link to minutes html file">View minutes as HTML</a> </li> </ul> </div><div class="mgContent"> Venue: Guildhall, Kingston upon Thames. <a href="http://www.kingston.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/committeeminutes/moderngov.htm?mgl=mgLocationDetails.aspx&RID=1" class="external" title="Link to directions to Guildhall, Kingston upon Thames"> View directions</a> Contact: Wendy Windmill 020 8547 5020 Fax: 020 8547 5125 e-mail: <a href="mailto:Wendy.Windmill@rbk.kingston.gov.uk" class="external">Wendy.Windmill@rbk.kingston.gov.uk</a> Items No. Item <a name="AI11965"></a>48. MINUTES <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 23 December 2008. </div> </div> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 23 December 2008 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor. </div> </div> <a name="AI11966"></a>49. MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> a) Holocaust Memorial Day The Mayor attended a service at City Hall today commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day. The Royal Borough’s own local commemoration of the day took place on Sunday 25 January when the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, attended a ceremony organised by the Inter Faith Forum. The Mayor thanked those Councillors and officers who supported the event and the Inter Faith Forum for organising it. b) Congratulations The Mayor congratulated the following people who live or work in the Royal Borough and who were recognised in the New Year’s Honours List. Mr John Lulham, MBE Dr Doron Swade MBE Mrs Irene Clark MBE Ms Alison Finch MBE and Ms Gill Jonson OBE. He also mentioned Richard McCarthy, CBE who, though not currently a Royal Borough resident was born and educated in the Royal Borough and is the son of John McCarthy. The Mayor congratulated one of his chaplains, Rabbi Charley Baginsky, on the birth of her son Joshua, a few days ago. C) Mayor’s Charity Events A charity lunchtime concert, drinks and meal will take place on Sunday 22 February in aid of the Mayor’s Charities, Combat Stress and the Forces Children’s Trust. The concert, to be performed by the Elmbridge Choir, takes place at the Rose Theatre, followed by drinks in the Parlour to be attended by a slightly more select gathering, and then lunch at Frère Jacques. The Mayor anticipates that around 10 London Mayors will attend and Members are also invited to participate. </div> </div> <a name="AI11967"></a>50. TOPICAL STATEMENTS <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> To deal with Statements requested under Standing Order No. 6(9) from the Leader of the Council or Executive Members. Each Statement is restricted to a maximum of four minutes and contributions will then be taken from up to five speakers one of which will be the Leader (or nominated representative) of the Party Group making the request. The Member making the statement will then have an opportunity to respond to the debate. Details of the Statements requested for this meeting will be circulated. </div> </div> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> There were no requests for topical statements. </div> </div> <a name="AI11968"></a>51. PETITIONS <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> A Member of the Council or a member of the Public may present a petition to the Council on a matter in relation to which the Council has powers, duties or which affects the Royal Borough. </div> </div> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> The following petitions were presented in accordance with Standing Order No. 7 by Councillor David Fraser: <ul> <li class="MsoNormal">on behalf of residents of Meadcroft, New House, and Wheatcroft, Sheephouse Way, requesting that the Council install double glazing to their properties.</li> </ul> <ul> <li class="MsoNormal">requesting the Council to end speculation about plans to move or close Old Malden library, and instead, to bring more services to the library.</li> </ul> The petitions will be referred to the Maldens and Coombe Neighbourhood Committee. </div> </div> <a name="AI11969"></a>52. MOTIONS <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> In accordance with (Standing Order No 8(a)), one Motion will be debated per Council meeting which has been put forward by the Opposition. Motion to be debated: Prudential Borrowing Proposed by Councillor Nick Kilby Seconded by Councillor Ian George “Considering the present financial situation this Council will not support further prudential borrowing in the next financial year 2009/2010 and asks the Executive to present its plans to reduce the existing debt to ensure that Council tax payers are not burdened with even higher interest payments in the future” </div> </div> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> (1) Councillor Nick Kilby proposed and Councillor Ian George seconded the following motion: “Considering the present financial situation this Council will not support further prudential borrowing in the next financial year 2009/2010 and asks the Executive to present its plans to reduce the existing debt to ensure that Council tax payers are not burdened with even higher interest payments in the future” (2) After debate the Motion was put to the meeting and was declared lost. </div> </div> <a name="AI11970"></a>53. <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s16355/written%20questions.pdf" class="external" title="Link to document 'QUESTIONS' pdf file">QUESTIONS PDF 146 KB </a> <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> To receive replies to questions of which notice has been given under Standing Order No. 6 (1&2). Questions may be addressed to the Mayor, Executive Members, the Leader of the Council, the Leader of the Opposition, Chairs of the Overview Commission and Scrutiny Panel, Standing and Neighbourhood Committees and Members representing the Council on Outside Bodies. </div> </div> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> By Councillor Rolson Davies To Councillor Penny Shelton, Executive Member for Housing Question: What efforts is Kingston making to assess and meet the fuel poverty, future climate change and energy conservation needs for elderly and vulnerable people living in Kingston and what arrangements will there be to advise people on measures to improve energy conservation in all Kingston's properties? Reply Thank you for this question. The Council is actively engaged in schemes designed to assist vulnerable households (including the elderly). In particular the Coldbusters Scheme provides grants for energy efficiency measures including central heating, insulation, draught proofing and replacement boilers to households receiving specified benefits. The scheme is funded regionally and by the Council’s capital programme. In 2007/08 there were 160 grants totalling almost a half a million pounds. In 2007/08 as well the Council spent £1.61 million on its own housing stock; this was mainly central heating and boilers as well as general efficiency works and windows and doors. Two phases of a home visiting service which pro-actively targets vulnerable households have been carried out. Our partners in the Coldbusters Scheme, the Creative Environmental Networks (CEN), are the party concerned and a third phase is due to start next month. This service provides home visits by appointment, face-to-face assessment of need, and referral to grant schemes and other complimentary services such as fire safety checks and benefit entitlement checks. Since 2001, 739 households have received grants and over 2,000 energy efficiency measures have been installed through the Council’s working with EAGA, the body which administers the Government’s Warmfront Scheme. Working in partnership with the Energy Savings Trust Advice Centre there have been two large scale mailings within the Borough during 2008 funded by the Energy Saving Trust and approximately two thirds of households in the borough have been offered advice and home energy checks. All respondents have received a bespoke energy report containing recommendations and contact points. A Fuel Poverty Focus Group has met twice and Age Concern, the Pension Service, National Energy Action, CEN and a range of Council stakeholders have been invited to participate in the Group The Government now requires a report on fuel poverty and to meet this CEN have undertaken a fuel poverty survey and the results are expected in early February. This will form the baseline for future targets and for 2009/10 planned activities. In 2009/10 it is planned to:- <ul> <li class="MsoNormal">Prepare the Fuel Poverty Strategy setting out the current position and proposing practical actions. This will add value to existing activities and develop new responses.</li> </ul> <ul> <li class="MsoNormal">There will be further meetings of the Fuel Poverty focus group to co-ordinate activities, seek partnerships and to gain external funding.</li> </ul> <ul> <li class="MsoNormal">continue engagement will be with the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre to lever as much benefit as possible, such as full funding of marketing and outreach work.</li> </ul> <ul> <li class="MsoNormal">a second fuel poverty survey will be undertaken to measure performance against the target, and</li> </ul> <ul> <li class="MsoNormal">subject to funding approval, the plan is to expand the Coldbusters Scheme to help more ... <a href="http://www.kingston.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/committeeminutes/moderngov.htm?mgl=mgAi.aspx&ID=11970" class="external" title="Link to view the full item text for item 53., QUESTIONS">view the full minutes text for item 53.</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> <a name="AI12008"></a>54. <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s15833/A%200%20Council%20Tax%20Base%20Cover%20Report.pdf" class="external" title="Link to document 'DETERMINATION OF THE COUNCIL TAX BASE FOR 2009/10' pdf file">DETERMINATION OF THE COUNCIL TAX BASE FOR 2009/10 PDF 68 KB </a> <ul class="mgActionList"> <li> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s15833/A%200%20Council%20Tax%20Base%20Cover%20Report.html?CT=2" class="external" title="Link to A 0 Council Tax Base Cover Report html file">View item 54. as HTML 24 KB</a> </li> </ul> <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> Report by the Strategic Director of Finance </div> </div> Additional documents: <ul class="mgBulletList"> <li> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s15834/A%201%20Council%20Tax%20Valuation%20Bands%20-%20Annex%201.pdf" class="external" title="Link to document 'A 1 Council Tax Valuation Bands - Annex 1' pdf file">A 1 Council Tax Valuation Bands - Annex 1 , item 54. PDF 32 KB </a> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s15834/A%201%20Council%20Tax%20Valuation%20Bands%20-%20Annex%201.html?CT=2" class="external" title="Link to A 1 Council Tax Valuation Bands - Annex 1 html file">View as HTML (54./2) 9 KB</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s15835/A%202%20Council%20Tax%20Base%20Annex%202.pdf" class="external" title="Link to document 'A 2 Council Tax Base Annex 2' pdf file">A 2 Council Tax Base Annex 2 , item 54. PDF 48 KB </a> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s15835/A%202%20Council%20Tax%20Base%20Annex%202.html?CT=2" class="external" title="Link to A 2 Council Tax Base Annex 2 html file">View as HTML (54./3) 58 KB</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s15836/A%203%20Council%20Tax%20Base%20Annex%203.pdf" class="external" title="Link to document 'A 3 Council Tax Base Annex 3' pdf file">A 3 Council Tax Base Annex 3 , item 54. PDF 46 KB </a> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s15836/A%203%20Council%20Tax%20Base%20Annex%203.html?CT=2" class="external" title="Link to A 3 Council Tax Base Annex 3 html file">View as HTML (54./4) 52 KB</a> </li> </ul> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> The Local Government Finance Act 1992 requires the Council to determine its Council Tax Base for the 2009/10 financial year before 31 January 2009. This will enable RBK to notify the tax base to precepting authorities before they finalise their precept. RESOLVED that 1. the council tax discount granted to owners of second homes and empty properties continue to be 10%; and 2. in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992, the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 1992, the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 1999, the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003 and the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2003, the amount calculated by the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council as its Council Tax Base for the financial year 2009/10 shall be 61,238 band D equivalents for the whole Borough and 1,333 band D equivalents for that part of the Borough which is defined by the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act 1871. Reason for decision To set the Council Tax Base for the 2009/10 financial year as required by the Regulations. </div> </div> <a name="AI11971"></a>55. APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE STANDING ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (SACRE) <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> A. Appointments to the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) - Sikh representative At the request of the Kingston Sikh Association, The Standing Advisory Council for RE at its meeting on 17 December 2008 has recommended that Gurmeet Singh Narula be appointed as Sikh representative on the SACRE, with Nirmal Singh acting as his deputy. The Council is RECOMMENDED to approve these appointments. B. Other Appointments To consider any requests for appointments which may be submitted. </div> </div> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"> <div class="Section1"> RESOLVED that Gurmeet Singh Narula be appointed as Sikh representative on the SACRE, and Nirmal Singh be appointed as his deputy. </div> </div> <div class="mgHelpLine"> </div> </div> 2009-06-28T10:17:43+01:00

4354

Meeting

Minutes

3426 Attendance details Agenda frontsheet PDF 56 KB View agenda as HTML Agenda reports pack PDF 242 KB Printed minutes PDF 103 KB View minutes as HTML Venue: Guildhall, Kingston upon Thames. View directions Contact: Wendy Windmill 020 8547 5020 Fax: 020 8547 5125 e-mail: Wendy.Windmill@rbk.kingston.gov.uk Items No. Item 48. MINUTES To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 23 December 2008. Minutes: RESOLVED that the minutes of the meet...

<div class="mgLinks"> <ul class="mgActionList"> <li><a href="http://www.kingston.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/committeeminutes/moderngov.htm?mgl=mgMeetingAttendance.aspx&ID=5336" title="Link to attendance details for the meeting of CouncilTuesday 27 January 2009 7:30 pm">Attendance details</a></li> <li><a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/g5345/Agenda frontsheet Tuesday 27-Jan-2009 19.30 Council.pdf?T=0" title="Link to agenda frontsheet pdf file">Agenda frontsheet <img src="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" alt="pdf icon" /> PDF 56 KB </a> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/g5345/Agenda frontsheet Tuesday 27-Jan-2009 19.30 Council.pdf?T=0&CT=2" title="Link to agenda html file" class="mgAltDocFormatLnk">View agenda as HTML</a> </li> <li><a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/g5345/Public reports pack Tuesday 27-Jan-2009 19.30 Council.pdf?T=10" title="Link to agenda reports document pack pdf file">Agenda reports pack <img src="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" alt="pdf icon" /> PDF 242 KB </a></li> <li><a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/g5345/Public minutes Tuesday 27-Jan-2009 19.30 Council.pdf?T=11" title="Link to printed minutes pdf file">Printed minutes <img src="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" alt="pdf icon" /> PDF 103 KB </a> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/g5345/Printed minutes Tuesday 27-Jan-2009 19.30 Council.pdf?T=1&CT=2" title="Link to minutes html file" class="mgAltDocFormatLnk">View minutes as HTML</a> </li> </ul> </div><div class="mgContent"> Venue: Guildhall, Kingston upon Thames. <a href="http://www.kingston.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/committeeminutes/moderngov.htm?mgl=mgLocationDetails.aspx&RID=1" title="Link to directions to Guildhall, Kingston upon Thames"> View directions</a> Contact: Wendy Windmill 020 8547 5020 Fax: 020 8547 5125  e-mail:  <a href="mailto:Wendy.Windmill@rbk.kingston.gov.uk">Wendy.Windmill@rbk.kingston.gov.uk</a> <table class="mgItemTable" id="mgItemTable" summary="Table of agenda items"> <caption class="mgSectionTitle">Items</caption> <tr> <th scope="col" class="mgHide" abbr="No">No.</th> <th scope="col" class="mgHide" abbr="Item">Item</th> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI11965"></a>48.</td> <td> MINUTES <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 23 December 2008. </div> </div> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 23 December 2008 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor. </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI11966"></a>49.</td> <td> MAYOR'S ANNOUNCEMENTS Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> a)             Holocaust Memorial Day   The Mayor attended a service at City Hall today commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day.  The Royal Borough’s own local commemoration of the day took place on Sunday 25 January when the Mayor and Deputy Mayor, attended a ceremony organised by the Inter Faith Forum. The Mayor thanked those Councillors and officers who supported the event and the Inter Faith Forum for organising it.   b)     Congratulations               The Mayor congratulated the following people who live or work in the Royal Borough and who were recognised in the New Year’s Honours List.               Mr John Lulham, MBE             Dr Doron Swade MBE             Mrs Irene Clark MBE             Ms Alison Finch MBE and             Ms Gill Jonson OBE.               He also mentioned Richard McCarthy, CBE who, though not currently a Royal Borough resident was born and educated in the Royal Borough and is the son of John McCarthy.               The Mayor congratulated one of his chaplains, Rabbi Charley Baginsky, on the birth of her son Joshua, a few days ago.   C)     Mayor’s Charity Events   A charity lunchtime concert, drinks and meal will take place on Sunday 22 February in aid of the Mayor’s Charities, Combat Stress and the Forces Children’s Trust. The concert, to be performed by the Elmbridge Choir, takes place at the Rose Theatre, followed by drinks in the Parlour to be attended by a slightly more select gathering, and then lunch at Frère Jacques. The Mayor anticipates that around 10 London Mayors will attend and Members are also invited to participate. </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI11967"></a>50.</td> <td> TOPICAL STATEMENTS <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> To deal with Statements requested under Standing Order No. 6(9) from the Leader of the Council or Executive Members.  Each Statement is restricted to a maximum of four minutes and contributions will then be taken from up to five speakers one of which will be the Leader (or nominated representative) of the Party Group making the request.  The Member making the statement will then have an opportunity to respond to the debate.   Details of the Statements requested for this meeting will be circulated. </div> </div> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> There were no requests for topical statements. </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI11968"></a>51.</td> <td> PETITIONS <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> A Member of the Council or a member of the Public may present a petition to the Council on a matter in relation to which the Council has powers, duties or which affects the Royal Borough. </div> </div> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> The following petitions were presented in accordance with Standing Order No. 7 by Councillor David Fraser:   <ul style="margin-top:0cm"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left">on behalf of residents of Meadcroft, New House, and Wheatcroft, Sheephouse Way, requesting that the Council install double glazing to their properties.</li> </ul>   <ul style="margin-top:0cm"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left">requesting the Council to end speculation about plans to move or close Old Malden library, and instead, to bring more services to the library.</li> </ul>   The petitions will be referred to the Maldens and Coombe Neighbourhood Committee. </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI11969"></a>52.</td> <td> MOTIONS <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> In accordance with (Standing Order No 8(a)), one Motion will be debated per Council meeting which has been put forward by the Opposition.    Motion to be debated:  Prudential Borrowing   Proposed by Councillor  Nick Kilby Seconded by Councillor  Ian George   “Considering the present financial situation this Council will not support further prudential borrowing in the next financial year 2009/2010 and asks the Executive to present its plans to reduce the existing debt to ensure that Council tax payers are not burdened with even higher interest payments in the future” </div> </div> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> (1)            Councillor Nick Kilby proposed and Councillor Ian George seconded the following motion:   “Considering the present financial situation this Council will not support further prudential borrowing in the next financial year 2009/2010 and asks the Executive to present its plans to reduce the existing debt to ensure that Council tax payers are not burdened with even higher interest payments in the future”   (2)       After debate the Motion was put to the meeting and was declared lost. </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI11970"></a>53.</td> <td> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s16355/written questions.pdf" title="Link to document 'QUESTIONS' pdf file" class="mgAiTitleLnk">QUESTIONS <img src="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 146 KB </a> <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> To receive replies to questions of which notice has been given under Standing Order No. 6 (1&2).   Questions may be addressed to the Mayor, Executive Members, the Leader of the Council, the Leader of the Opposition, Chairs of the Overview Commission and Scrutiny Panel, Standing and Neighbourhood Committees and Members representing the Council on Outside Bodies. </div> </div> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> By Councillor Rolson Davies To Councillor Penny Shelton, Executive Member for Housing   Question: What efforts is Kingston making to assess and meet the fuel poverty, future climate change and energy conservation needs for elderly and vulnerable people living in Kingston and what arrangements will there be to advise people on measures to improve energy conservation in all Kingston's properties?   Reply Thank you for this question. The Council is actively engaged in schemes designed to assist vulnerable households (including the elderly). In particular the Coldbusters Scheme provides grants for energy efficiency measures including central heating, insulation, draught proofing and replacement boilers to households receiving specified benefits. The scheme is funded regionally and by the Council’s capital programme.  In 2007/08 there were 160 grants totalling almost a half a million pounds.   In 2007/08 as well the Council spent £1.61 million on its own housing stock; this was mainly central heating and boilers as well as general efficiency works and windows and doors.   Two phases of a home visiting service which pro-actively targets vulnerable households have been carried out.  Our partners in the Coldbusters Scheme, the Creative Environmental Networks (CEN), are the party concerned and a third phase is due to start next month. This service provides home visits by appointment, face-to-face assessment of need, and referral to grant schemes and other complimentary services such as fire safety checks and benefit entitlement checks.   Since 2001, 739 households have received grants and over 2,000 energy efficiency measures have been installed through the Council’s working with EAGA, the body which  administers the Government’s Warmfront Scheme.   Working in partnership with the Energy Savings Trust Advice Centre there have been two large scale mailings within the Borough during 2008 funded by the Energy Saving Trust and approximately two thirds of households in the borough have been offered advice and home energy checks. All respondents have received a bespoke energy report containing recommendations and contact points.   A Fuel Poverty Focus Group has met twice and Age Concern, the Pension Service, National Energy Action, CEN and a range of Council stakeholders have been invited to participate in the Group   The Government now requires a report on fuel poverty and to meet this CEN have undertaken a fuel poverty survey and the results are expected in early February. This will form the baseline for future targets and for 2009/10 planned activities.   In 2009/10 it is planned to:- <ul style="margin-top:0cm"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left">Prepare the Fuel Poverty Strategy setting out the current position and proposing practical actions.  This will add value to existing activities and develop new responses.</li> </ul>   <ul style="margin-top:0cm"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left">There will be further meetings of the Fuel Poverty focus group to co-ordinate activities, seek partnerships and to gain external funding.</li> </ul>   <ul style="margin-top:0cm"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left">continue engagement will be with the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre to lever as much benefit as possible, such as full funding of marketing and outreach work.</li> </ul>   <ul style="margin-top:0cm"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left">a second fuel poverty survey will be undertaken to measure performance against the target, and</li> </ul>   <ul style="margin-top:0cm"> <li class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left">subject to funding approval, the plan is to expand the Coldbusters Scheme to help more  ...  <a href="http://www.kingston.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/committeeminutes/moderngov.htm?mgl=mgAi.aspx&ID=11970" title="Link to view the full item text for item 53., QUESTIONS">view the full minutes text for item 53.</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI12008"></a>54.</td> <td> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s15833/A 0 Council Tax Base Cover Report.pdf" title="Link to document 'DETERMINATION OF THE COUNCIL TAX BASE FOR 2009/10' pdf file" class="mgAiTitleLnk">DETERMINATION OF THE COUNCIL TAX BASE FOR 2009/10 <img src="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 68 KB </a> <ul class="mgActionList"> <li><a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s15833/A 0 Council Tax Base Cover Report.html?CT=2" title="Link to A 0 Council Tax Base Cover Report html file">View item 54. as HTML 24 KB</a> </li> </ul> <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> Report by the Strategic Director of Finance    </div> </div> Additional documents: <ul class="mgBulletList"> <li> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s15834/A 1 Council Tax Valuation Bands - Annex 1.pdf" title="Link to document 'A 1 Council Tax Valuation Bands - Annex 1' pdf file">A 1 Council Tax Valuation Bands - Annex 1 , item 54. <img src="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 32 KB </a> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s15834/A 1 Council Tax Valuation Bands - Annex 1.html?CT=2" title="Link to A 1 Council Tax Valuation Bands - Annex 1 html file" class="mgAltDocFormatLnk">View as HTML (54./2) 9 KB</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s15835/A 2 Council Tax Base Annex 2.pdf" title="Link to document 'A 2 Council Tax Base Annex 2' pdf file">A 2 Council Tax Base Annex 2 , item 54. <img src="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 48 KB </a> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s15835/A 2 Council Tax Base Annex 2.html?CT=2" title="Link to A 2 Council Tax Base Annex 2 html file" class="mgAltDocFormatLnk">View as HTML (54./3) 58 KB</a> </li> <li> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s15836/A 3 Council Tax Base Annex 3.pdf" title="Link to document 'A 3 Council Tax Base Annex 3' pdf file">A 3 Council Tax Base Annex 3 , item 54. <img src="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/mgimages/logo-pdf-1.gif" height="10" alt="pdf icon" width="10" /> PDF 46 KB </a> <a href="http://moderngov.kingston.gov.uk/documents/s15836/A 3 Council Tax Base Annex 3.html?CT=2" title="Link to A 3 Council Tax Base Annex 3 html file" class="mgAltDocFormatLnk">View as HTML (54./4) 52 KB</a> </li> </ul> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> The Local Government Finance Act 1992 requires the Council to determine its Council Tax Base for the 2009/10 financial year before 31 January 2009.  This will enable RBK to notify the tax base to precepting authorities before they finalise their precept.   RESOLVED that   1.         the council tax discount granted to owners of second homes and empty properties continue to be 10%; and   2.         in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992, the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 1992, the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 1999, the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2003 and the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2003, the amount calculated by the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council as its Council Tax Base for the financial year 2009/10 shall be 61,238 band D equivalents for the whole Borough and 1,333 band D equivalents for that part of the Borough which is defined by the Wimbledon and Putney Commons Act 1871.   Reason for decision To set the Council Tax Base for the 2009/10 financial year as required by the Regulations.  </div> </div> </td> </tr> <tr> <td class="mgItemNumberCell"><a name="AI11971"></a>55.</td> <td> APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE STANDING ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (SACRE) <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> A.            Appointments to the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE)  - Sikh representative   At the request of the Kingston Sikh Association, The Standing Advisory Council for RE at its meeting on 17 December 2008 has recommended that Gurmeet Singh Narula be appointed as Sikh representative on the SACRE, with Nirmal Singh acting as his deputy.    The Council is RECOMMENDED to approve these appointments.     B.                Other Appointments   To consider any requests for appointments which may be submitted. </div> </div> Minutes: <div class="mgWordPara"><div class="Section1"> RESOLVED that Gurmeet Singh Narula be appointed as Sikh representative on the SACRE, and Nirmal Singh be appointed as his deputy. </div> </div> </td> </tr> </table> <div class="mgHelpLine"> </div> </div>

Minutes for Council meeting, Jan 27 2009, 7.30PM

2013-01-25T08:49:19+00:00

http://www.kingston.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/committeeminutes/moderngov.htm?mgl=ieListDocuments.aspx&CId=137&MId=5336&Ver=4 Minutes for Council meeting, Jan 27 2009, 7.30PM

http://openlylocal.com/documents/3426-Minutes-for-Council-meeting-Jan-27-2009-7-30PM