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BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON THURSDAY 25 JUNE 2009
PRESENT: Ms J A Jenkins – Chairman
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Mrs J Antill
Mr C W Arthey
Mr M P Booth
Mr J C Brand
Mr D M Busby
Mrs S P Clarke
Mr B D Hurren
Mr L S Johnson
Mr D H Keane
Mr R E Kemp
Mr B L Lazenby
Mr J A B Long |
Dr M R Miller
Mrs M O Munson
Mr A F D W Osborne
Mr N A Ridley
Mr C A Roberts
Mr D C Rose
Mr R C Smith
Mrs C A Todd
Mr H N Todd
Mr A J Ward
Mr R Whiting
Mr D L Wood |
The following Members were unable to be present:- Mr P K Beer, Mr N A Bennett, Mrs S Carpendale, Mr J R B Cave, Mr P G Gibson, Mr D G Grutchfield, Mr A J Hinton, Mr P J Holbrook, Mr P Jones, Mr M Newman, Mr B Riley, Mr J R A Sayers, Mr C M Spence, Mr R W Thake, Mr D M Walton, Mr G S White, Mrs S M Wigglesworth and Mr L H Young.
The proceedings were opened with a short prayer for those Members who had chosen to participate.
19 - Minutes
20 - Declaration of Interests
21 - Chairman's Announcements
22 - To Receive Notification of Petitions in Accordance with Council Procedure Rule No.13
23 - Recommendations and Reports from Committees
24 - Questions by the Public
25 - Questions from Members
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 April 2009 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
None declared.
None advised.
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13, it was noted that the following petitions had been received:
Application No. B/09/00316 – Erection of Development Centre and Associated Landscaping Works – The Old School, School House, Stratford St Mary
Petition, objecting to the proposed development, signed by approximately 34 residents of the District.
The petition was reported to the Development Committee at its meeting on 6 May 2009.
Application No. B/09/00028 – Retention of Micro Brewery and Ancillary Offices, White Horse Inn, Mill Green, Edwardstone
Petition, in support of the proposed development signed by approximately 133 residents of the District.
The petition was reported to the Development Committee at its meeting on 6 May 2009.
Application under the 2003 Licensing Act - Favorite Chicken, Sudbury
Petition, in support of the application for extended opening hours, signed by approximately 68 residents of the District.
The petition was reported to and considered by the Licensing Sub Committee at its meeting on 14 May 2009.
(a) Councillor Call for Action (Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee Minute No. 12)
Mr D M Busby introduced Paper J25 which had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee be appointed the Council’s Crime and Disorder Committee for the purposes of the Police and Justice Act 2006 and that the Constitution be updated accordingly as detailed in paragraph 5.11 of Paper J25.
(2) That the implementation of the CCfA in the protocol attached as Appendix A to Paper J25 be adopted and that the Constitution be updated accordingly as detailed in paragraph 5.11 of Paper J25.
(b) 2008/09 Financial Outturn and Statement of Accounts (Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee)
Mr D M Busby introduced Paper J42, including the revised Appendix 1, which had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee. He also referred to the replacement pages for the revised Appendix 1 to Paper J42 which had been circulated prior to the meeting.
It was noted that one of the recommendations related to the Director of Finance being authorised to make any necessary appropriate amendments and this would include any spelling, grammatical or any numbering errors.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Statement of Accounts for 2008/09, subject to audit as set out in the revised Appendix 1 to Paper J42 (including the replacement pages 29, 59, 60 and 61 circulated prior to the meeting) be approved.
(2) That the Director of Finance be authorised to make any appropriate amendments to the accounts to reflect any changes that are necessary prior to publication.
(3) That the Revenue Budget and Capital Programme carry forward requests referred to in Appendices 2 and 3 of Paper J42 be approved. Further that it be noted that these may be reduced or reallocated to other priorities following the further review referred to in Paper J42.
(4) That the Treasury Management Performance for 2008/09 as set out in Appendix 4 to Paper J42 be noted.
Question from Mr B Loftus to Chairman of Strategy Committee
Paper H103 regarding the Hadleigh Leisure Facility presented to the Strategy Committee on 18 September 2008 stated that due to financial constraints the accommodation schedule would be revised downwards in four key areas and one of the reductions would be in the number of stations in the Fitness Studio which would be reduced from 35 to 30 (5.5.4). It also stated that “It should be noted that there may be minor changes to the accommodation schedule during the detailed design phase, but the four key areas will not be altered.” (5.5.7)
I have recently been informed by the Project and Programme Executive for the Hadleigh Leisure Facility that “The exact number of gym stations will be determined by the operator in conjunction with the proposed supplier of the equipment. It could be as low as 30 or as high as 35.”
As these statements directly contradict each other, can you please clarify which statement is correct?
Response from Chairman of Strategy Committee
The proposed Hadleigh community facility, for which there is very strong local support, represents one of the biggest capital investments ever undertaken by the council. If it proceeds the £2M facility will provide a range of spaces for local people including a community space, a social area with an emphasis on young people, a dance studio and a fitness suite.
The original accommodation schedule was based on an assumed mix of equipment and the recommended space required for each station. Last September, Strategy Committee (Paper H103) agreed to a revised accommodation schedule to reduce costs. With the reduction in the area available for the room, we factored in that the number of stations would have to be reduced pro rata (ie from 35 to 30). This may still be the case, but there is a possibility that, if and when the Hadleigh Community Facility project moves into the detailed design phase, the operator may be able to source differing types and sizes of gym stations that take up less space than originally assumed at the start of the project. As Mr Loftus has already been advised this could realistically be as high as 35, but if not the number of stations should be no lower than 30.
Supplemental question
As Paper H103 is still current, is this another example of things being ‘Baberghised’ where ‘will not be altered’ now means the same as may be altered and could this account for the fact that Babergh has just been announced as the council in the East of England where the residents have the lowest level of satisfaction with their council.
Response
The previous answer fully explained the Councils position on this matter. With regard to the satisfaction levels of residents with their Council I am pleased to say that the Central Office for Information has reissued amended National Place Survey figures which now put Babergh as top of Suffolk Councils for value for money and second best for residents’ satisfaction.
None received.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 10.15 a.m.
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Chairman
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