(1)       Members should switch off mobile devices unless:-

They are expecting an urgent call, in which case they should use the vibrate mode for incoming calls and messages

They are using a mobile device to read the Council agenda

(2)       Members should treat each other with mutual respect, should listen to what Members say and should not interrupt or disrupt Member speeches or addresses or questions by members of the public.

(3)       Council Business should be conducted through the Lord Mayor.

(4)       When the Lord Mayor stands to speak, all Members should sit down.

(5)       Members when speaking, should speak directly into the microphone and refrain from moving around when speaking as this affects the audibility of their voice, and they should also consider sitting when speaking.

ORDER OF BUSINESS FOR COUNCIL ON 18 FEBRUARY 2013

Council will be asked to agree to take items 1-7 and all of the Budget related items (items 10-13), and addresses and questions associated with them, and item 22 concerning the Sites and Housing Plan, and addresses and questions associated with it at this meeting, and to take all other business at a meeting of Council on 25 February 2013.

Council is also being asked to adopt the attached procedure (page 1) of this Briefing Note) for dealing with the Budget debate.

To be signed as a correct record by the Lord Mayor.  The Constitution does not permit any “matters arising”

Pages 1-56 of the main Council agenda.

Guidance on this is contained within the main agenda.  Members’ attention is drawn to Section 23 of the Constitution.

If Members have queries about possible interests, would they please discuss them with the Monitoring Officer, before the meeting commences.

Advance apologies for absence have been received from Councillors Mick Haines and Val Smith.

Questions and statements may be made on any announcements by the Lord Mayor

Questions and statements may be made on any announcements by the Sheriff

NOTE: for items 9 and 10 combined, the Constitution sets a time limit of 45 minutes.  If there is insufficient time to take all of the questions, the Constitution says that a written response will be given.

The following members of the public have submitted requests to address Council along with the text of their address and have up to 5 minutes each to make their address.

(1)       Sean Feeney - Sites and Housing Plan: Inspector's report (address     attached)

A response to Sean Feeney’s oral address, is attached to this Briefing Note.

There are no questions for this meeting of Council.

See pages 57-66 of the main Council agenda.

CITY EXECUTIVE BOARD RECOMMENDATIONS – ITEMS 11 TO 14

See pages 67-218 of the main Council agenda report submitted to the City Executive Board on 13^th February 2013.

The following information is attached to this Briefing Note:

(1)       Extract from the minutes of the City Executive Board held on 13^th February 2013;

(2)       The Liberal Democratic Group’s Alternative Budget proposals;

            Comment from Nigel Kennedy, Head of Finance

I have reviewed the alternative budget submitted by the Lib/ Dem Group to Council on 18^th February and I confirm that the budget does balance and could be implemented. The strategy makes use of a £100k reduction in contingencies to use for one-off expenditure. The Council would normally review all such contingencies at year end and whilst the reduction only represents a 1% reduction in forecast contingencies, my Section 151 report on the Adequacy of Reserves and Balances does take into account budgeted contingencies and therefore there is a degree of risk, albeit limited, should these contingencies drop below this recommended level.

Nigel Kennedy

Head of Finance

(3)       Amendment to the Budget by Councillor Jean Fook’s

(4)       The Green Group’s Alternative Budget proposals

See pages 219-276 of the main Council agenda for the report submitted to the City Executive Board on 13th February 2013.

Extract from the minutes of the City Executive Board held on 13^th February 2013 attached to this Briefing Note.

See pages 277-304 in the main Council agenda for the report submitted to the City Executive Board on 13^th February 2013.

Extract from the minutes of the City Executive Board held on 13^th February 2013 attached to this Briefing Note.

See pages 305-350 of the main Council agenda for the report submitted to the City Executive Board held on 13^th February 2013.

Extract from the minutes of the City Executive Board held on 13^th February 2013 attached to this Briefing Note.

For City Executive Board minutes of 19^th December 2012 and the Single Executive Member Decision, Board Member Finance and Efficiency, minutes of 25^th January 2013 – See pages 351-358 of the main Council agenda.

No reports or recommendations where submitted.

None submitted.

None submitted.

No petitions were submitted for consideration at this meeting.

The Constitution provides for a total time of 90 minutes for this agenda item.  Members’ speeches are subject to a maximum of 3 minutes.

Council is reminded that Motions must, by the Constitution, be about things the Council is responsible for or something that directly affects people in the City.

No Motions on Notice submitted.

See pages 359-600 of the main Council agenda.