Agenda for Council meeting to be held on 24 February 2009

                                                                                                                     16 February 2009

Dear Sir/Madam

A Meeting of the Babergh District Council will be held in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Corks Lane, Hadleigh on TUESDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 2009 AT 9.30AM.

The proceedings will be opened with a short prayer for those Members who choose to participate.

Yours faithfully

Andrew Hunkin

Director of Corporate Services

ITEM

BUSINESS

                                                                       PART I

	1	MINUTES To confirm and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2008 as a correct record.
	2	DECLARATION OF INTERESTS Members to declare any interests as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.
	3	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive apologies for absence.
	4	CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
	5	TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE NO. 13 In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13, the Chief Executive will report the receipt of the petitions as detailed below.  There can be no debate or comment upon these matters at the Council meeting. North Street Car Park, Sudbury Petition signed by approximately 1000 residents in support of Siam Surgery staff being allowed to use North Street Car Park, Sudbury for excess of the 3 hour limit during surgery opening hours. The petition was reported to the Strategy Committee on 12 February 2009 who asked for the Head of Contract and Asset Management to submit a report to a future meeting. Application No. B/08/01785 – Retention of Access Gates and Gate Posts, 11 Water Street, Lavenham (a)     Petition dated 22 January 2009 Signed by approximately 26 residents requesting that the application be determined by the Development Committee. The petition was reported to the Development Committee at its meeting on 11 February 2009 when it was noted that the application had already been determined under the delegated powers, and the decision issued, prior to receipt of the petition. (b)    Petition dated 29 January 2009 Signed by approximately 53 residents objecting on the basis that the planning application was not taken to the Development Committee.  The petition was accompanied by a letter which will be replied to through the Council’s normal complaints’ procedure. The petition was reported to the Development Committee at its meeting on 11 February.  Members asked to be kept informed of the response to the issues raised.
Paper H201	6	BUDGET 2009/10 Report by the Director of Finance attached (Paper H201), together with the Policy and Budget Framework document. The Council is asked to pass the necessary resolutions in relation to the Budget and for the making and collection of Council Tax as set out in Paper H201and the relevant Appendices to that report. Note:   Attention is drawn to paragraph 5.18 of Paper H201 where the finally agreed precept requirements of both the Suffolk County Council and the Suffolk Police Authority will not be known until 23 February 2009. The Director of Finance will circulate at the meeting the final levels of Council Tax for 2009/10 based on the actual Suffolk County Council and Police Authority Precepts that are notified. Recommendations 10 and 11 of Paper H201 refer.
	7	QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC The Chairmen of Committees to answer any questions from the public of which notice has been given prior to the meeting in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 14.
	8	QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS The Chairman of the Council and the Chairmen of Committees and Sub-Committees to answer any questions on any matters in relation to which the Council has powers or duties, or which affect the District and which fall within the terms of reference of that Committee or Sub-Committee of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 15.4 (a) and (b).
Paper H202	9	REPORT OF THE INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL (IRP) FOR THE BABERGH DISTRICT – REVIEW OF THE MEMBERS’ ALLOWANCES SCHEME FOR THE PERIOD FROM 1 MAY 2009 The Director of Corporate Services to report that the IRP has carried out a review and its report is attached Paper H202.  The recommendations of the Panel are set out in full in paragraph 3 of the report. The Panel members’ previous report, on which the existing Members’ Allowances Scheme is based, was made to the Council in February 2007.  In the light of continuing uncertainty around LGR, the Panel has not undertaken a major review of the Scheme although this would obviously be required if, for instance, the outcome of LGR is for the status quo in Babergh. The Panel’s conclusions are that the RPI headline rate of inflation should be applied for a further period in accordance with paragraphs 1.2 and 1.3 of the Scheme, with the proviso that there is no change to the level of Allowances payable in the event that the March RPI is below 0%.
		Note In this connection, Members are advised that the December 08 RPI was 0.9% (the RPI was 3% in November 08, and provision has been made in the draft Budget for any increase in payments to Members to be based on this figure).  The January 09 RPI will be reported to the meeting. that all other aspects of the existing Scheme should continue in force until such time as the Scheme is varied (paragraph 1.1 of the Scheme).   THE INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL RECOMMENDS That the Council adopts the Panel’s recommendations as set out in Paragraph 3 of Paper H202 attached.
	10	PROPOSED HADLEIGH COMMUNITY FACILITY – COMMUNICATIONS AND PR STRATEGY The Strategy Committee at its meeting on 12 February 2009 considered the current position on the proposed development of a Hadleigh Community Facility, which has been agreed as the Council’s highest priority Capital Scheme. The Committee accepted the way forward recommended in Paper H198, including a proposed timetable.  During the discussion on this item, Members recognised the need for careful handling of the communication and public relations aspects and in particular the need to achieve clear public understanding of the key issues involved.  It was agreed to authorise the Chief Executive in consultation with the Chairman of Strategy Committee to develop a communications/PR Strategy to secure effective delivery of the key messages for endorsement, if necessary, by the Council. Members are asked to note the above. Members are further asked to note that in the event of Council approval being needed to the proposed approach, then the Chairman of the Council will be asked to agree to the addition of an item to this agenda for consideration as a matter of urgency.
	11	APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO SERVE ON THE SUFFOLK JOINT SCRUTINY WORKING PARTY FOR FLOOD RISK The Director of Corporate Services to report that Babergh District Council has been asked to appoint up to 2 Scrutiny Councillors to take part in a joint countywide Scrutiny Working Party for flood risk. The specific terms of reference and timescales are to be determined by the Working Party itself.  It is anticipated that a maximum of 6 meetings will be required and that they should be concluded by the end of 2009. Members will be asked to make an appointment of up to 2 representatives for the remainder of the current term of office or until such time as the Working Party has concluded its work, whichever is the earlier.

For further information on any of the Part 1 items listed above, please contact Steve Ellwood on 01473 825876 or via email at committee.services@babergh.gov.uk