BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL
COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES OF AN EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF THE BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2007
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73 Declaration of Interests
74 To Receive Notification of Petitions in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13
75 Questions from Members
76 The Local Government White Paper – DCLG Pathfinder Bid Submission Working Draft
PRESENT: Mr R W Thake – Chairman
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Mr C W Arthey
Mrs E F Bates
Mr P K Beer
Mr M P Booth
Mr J C Brand
Mrs S P Clarke
Mr K Grimsey
Mr A J Hinton
Mr C J Hunt
Mr B D Hurren
Mr N H J Irwin
Ms J A Jenkins
Mr P Jones |
Mr D H Keane
Mr B L Lazenby
Mr N MacMaster
Dr M R Miller
Mr A E Pearce
Mr N A Ridley
Mr J R A Sayers
Mr C M Spence
Mr H N Todd
Mrs S M Wigglesworth
Mr D L Wood
Mr L H Young |
The following Members were unable to be present:- Mr A C Bavington, Mr N A Bennett, Mr D M Busby, Mrs S Carpendale, Miss J J Chapman, Mr D G Grutchfield, Mr P J Holbrook, Mr R E Kemp, Mr C D Kerr, Mr J A B Long, Mr J M Owen, Mr J J Quinlan, Mr D J Read, Mr J W Roberts, Mr D C Rose, Mrs W J Sadler, Mr G S White.
The proceedings opened with Prayer.
Mr P K Beer, Mr C M Spence and Mr D L Wood declared personal interests by virtue of their being members of Suffolk County Council but indicated that they were able to speak and vote in Minute No 76 below.
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None received.
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75 QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS
The Chairman of the Council referred to questions asked by Councillor Grutchfield which appeared on the Agenda together with answers shown in italics. The questions and answers are reproduced below.
Questions from Mr D G Grutchfield to the Chairman of the Council:
Can the Chairman update me on the following:
The number of people on Babergh Housing List?
Answer - 1799
What number of people have been rehoused this year?
Answer - 367 (up to Mid December 2006)
How does Babergh finance Social Housing?
Answer
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By the provision of free or discounted land when it is in our ownership.
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We have £100,000 for new affordable housing in the Council’s annual capital spending programme.
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Planning gain opportunities enabled by our affordable housing planning policies.
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We support Housing Association bids for Government Grant.
Does Babergh have nomination rights with housing associations either by numbers or percentages of properties?
Answer - Yes – up to 100% in most cases.
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Members had before them a copy of Paper F139 which was considered by the Council at its meeting on 19 December 2006, relating to the Government’s invitation for proposals to strengthen community leadership and achieve further efficiencies through a more radical approach in current two/three tier areas. Members were aware that the Council at its previous meeting had agreed to support and participate in the development of proposals for Suffolk through the pathfinder route. They were also aware that, regardless of the outcome of the Bid, the issues identified by the Government in the Local Government White Paper would have to be addressed by non-Unitary Councils. Patricia Rockall, Chief Executive presented the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Pathfinder Bid Submission Working Draft which had been circulated to all Members as Paper F155. The financial efficiency figures – “Indicative financials” – referred to on page 5 of the Draft were circulated prior to the meeting.
The Chief Executive informed Members that it was intended to insert a paragraph in the Working Draft making reference to the Babergh/Mid-Suffolk refuse contract partnership as a further example of Suffolk Councils working together. She reiterated the position regarding Ipswich Borough Council’s application for unitary status and the timetable for submission and consideration of the unitary and the pathfinder bids and confirmed that all the Suffolk Councils, with the exception at this stage of Ipswich Borough Council, were likely to endorse a Pathfinder Bid on the basis of the Working Draft document. During the course of the discussion on the Draft, Members identified various matters, including those listed below, which would require further attention when developing arrangements for enhanced working.
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Clarity, to achieve maximum understanding by the public
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The future role of/need for bodies such as Local Strategic Partnerships, Local Area Agreements, Block Boards and Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships, particularly in relation to democratic representation
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The need to avoid duplication
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Appropriate level of delegation to Parish Councils
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Responsibility for public rights of way
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Build on experience of County-wide Waste Strategy success
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Modesty of projected savings
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One size doesn’t fit all – need for an incremental approach
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Model must work regardless of political composition
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Future issues for Babergh regarding the Council’s Constitution and political leadership
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Clear role for front line/non executive Councillors
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Effect on existing sub-regional partnerships and relationships with Regional bodies such as the East of England Regional Assembly
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Allow for the considerable diversity which exists within Suffolk – e.g. not all partnerships would be county-wide
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Definition of ‘local’
RESOLVED
(1) That the Department of Communities and Local Government Pathfinder Bid Submission Working Draft (Paper F155) be endorsed for submission to Government subject to the inclusion of appropriate wording to cover the Mid-Suffolk/Babergh joint refuse contract.
(2) That the Chairman of Strategy Committee and the Chief Executive be authorised to sign the Pathfinder Bid Submission on behalf of Babergh District Council.
(3) That, should the Pathfinder Bid be approved, any detailed proposals be subject to internal and external consultation prior to ratification by full Council.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 9.55am
Chairman
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