BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL
COUNCIL MEETING
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON TUESDAY, 30 OCTOBER 2007
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PRESENT: Mr R W Thake – Chairman
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Mrs J Antill
Mr C W Arthey
Mr P K Beer
Mr N A Bennett
Mr M P Booth
Mr J C Brand
Mr D M Busby
Mrs S Carpendale
Mr J R B Cave
Mrs S P Clarke
Mr P G Gibson
Mr D G Grutchfield
Mr A J Hinton
Mr P J Holbrook
Mr B D Hurren
Ms J A Jenkins
Mr L S Johnson
Mr P Jones
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 M Newman
Mr N A Ridley
Mr B Riley
Mr C A Roberts
Mr D C Rose
Mr J R A Sayers
Mr R C Smith
Mr C M Spence
Mrs C A Todd
Mr H N Todd
Mr D M Walton
Mr A J Ward
Mr G S White
Mrs S M Wigglesworth
Mr D L Wood
Mr L H Young |
Mr A F D W Osborne was unable to be present.
The proceedings were opened with Prayer.
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2007 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
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None declared at this point in the meeting.
Mr D L Wood and Mr C M Spence subsequently declared personal interests in the item referred to in Minute No. 53 – State of the District Debate – by virtue of their membership of the Suffolk Police Authority but indicated that their interests were such that they were able to speak and vote on the matter in question.
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None received.
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The Chief Executive introduced Paper G120A asking Members to consider the need for a review of the Council’s Constitution and to agree arrangements for conducting any such review. The recommendations in paragraph 2 of the report were moved and during the course of the ensuing debate an amendment to recommendation 2.1 was proposed and seconded to extend the proposed review to cover all available options rather than Leader and Cabinet model only. On being put to the vote the motion was lost and the recommendations in paragraph 2 of Paper G120A were accepted. Names of Members to serve on the proposed Task Group were put forward by the Group Leaders in accordance with the composition suggested under recommendation 2.3.
RESOLVED
(1) That a review be undertaken to consider the relative merits of the Council’s current streamlined committee decision-making arrangements compared with a move to a Leader and Cabinet executive decision-making structure.
(2) That the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee be requested to add this review to their Work Plan for 2007/08.
(3) That, subject to any additional or alternative proposals arising out of further discussions at the Political Leaders’ Group, as referred to at paragraph 5.7 of Paper G120A, a Constitution Review Member Task Group be set up comprising four members of the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee plus one Member from each of the three political groups, and supported by officers.
(4) That the Terms of Reference for the Constitution Review Task Group be as set out at Appendix (a) of Paper G120A.
(5) That the following Members be appointed to serve on the Constitution Review Member Task Group:-
Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee Members
Mr D M Busby (Liberal Democrat)
Ms J A Jenkins (Conservative)
Mr C A Roberts (Liberal Democrat)
Mr G S White (Conservative)
Political Group Members
Mr N R Ridley(Conservative)
Mrs S M Wigglesworth(Independent)
Mr D L Wood(Liberal Democrat)
Further that the following be appointed as substitute Members for their respective groups:-
Mr C M Spence (Conservative)
Mr N A Bennett (Liberal Democrat)
Mr J C Brand (Independent)
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Mr N A Ridley, Chairman of the Corporate Plan Working Group introduced Paper G121A which invited Members to discuss the issues raised through consultation with a view to developing those issues through the Corporate Plan. He also reported on the results of the event held the previous evening involving stakeholders and partners.
Members considered in some detail the topic/issues listed in Appendix 1 to Paper G121A and identified particular areas for further or additional consideration through the Corporate Plan process.
RESOLVED
That the issues contained in Appendix 1 to Paper G121A, together with those identified in the course of the debate be considered further as part of the 2008/09 Corporate Plan and budget process and that the Corporate Plan Working Group be asked to develop the issues, paying due regard to the Suffolk Community Strategy Themes.
The Meeting adjourned for lunch at 1.05 p.m. and resumed at 1.45 p.m. when the following Members were present:-
Mr R W Thake – Chairman
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Mrs J Antill
Mr M P Booth
Mr J C Brand
Mr D M Busby
Mrs S Carpendale
Mrs S P Clarke
Mr P G Gibson
Mr A J Hinton
Mr P J Holbrook
Ms J A Jenkins
Mr L S Johnson
Mr P Jones
Mr D H Keane |
Mr B L Lazenby
Dr M R Miller
Mrs M O Munson
Mr N A Ridley
Mr C A Roberts
Mr D C Rose
Mr J R A Sayers
Mr H N Todd
Mr D M Walton
Mr A J Ward
Mr G S White
Mrs S M Wigglesworth
Mr L H Young |
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Mr N A Ridley Chairman of the Strategy Committee in introducing that Committee’s recommendations referred to minor changes to the wordings which had been included for clarification and are shown below in italics:-
Recommendation (1) – 2nd bullet point
Land to the rear of Garrards Road, Elmsett (site is now known as Downlands)
Recommendation (2)
To develop the land adjacent to No. 2 The Street Monks Eleigh as social housing instead of selling it on the open market
Recommendation (4)
That the Head of Community Development be delegated authority to approve any minor amendments (changes to number of units, tenure mix, the partner RSL, estimated start/completion dates and deletion of failed schemes) in the approved Affordable Housing Programme in consultation with the Housing Panel, such delegation to exclude land where Ministerial consent for the sale is required under Article 4(17) of the Council’s Constitution.
He also referred to a further recommendation (included as recommendation 4(a) on the agenda and incorporated in resolution (4) below) which was required to enable the disposal to take place of the properties included in the Affordable Housing Programme.
Members accepted the recommendations of the Strategy Committee as amended and congratulated the Housing Panel and relevant Officers on the thoroughness of the 2007 review.
RESOLVED
(1) That the following Council owned sites be included within the Affordable Housing Programme for the development of new affordable housing, and that approval for the disposal of these sites be granted, subject to the appropriate terms and conditions:-
- Land at 28 Cornerth Crescent, Great Cornard
- Land to the rear of Garrards Road, Elmsett (site is now known as Downlands)
- Land at Palfrey Heights Brantham
- Land adjacent to 36-38, 44-46 and 45-47 Kingsland Shotley
(2) That the following amendments be made to the approved Affordable Housing Programme:
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To develop the land adjacent to No. 2 The Street, Monks Eleigh as social housing instead of selling it on the open market.
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To change the tenure mix at Rotheram Road, Bildeston to provide 8 houses for rent and 7 houses for shared ownership instead of 15 houses for shared ownership
(3) That the updated Affordable Housing Programme, as detailed in Appendix 1 to Paper G92, be approved.
(4) That the Head of Community Development be delegated authority to approve any minor amendments (including changes to number of units, tenure mix, the partner RSL, estimated start/completion dates and deletion of failed schemes) in the approved Affordable Housing Programme in consultation with the Housing Panel, such delegation to exclude land where Ministerial consent for the sale is required under Article 4(17) of the Council’s Constitution.
Further that, except in cases where Ministerial Consent is required to sell land under Article 4(17) of the Council’s Constitution, the Head of Contract and Asset Management be authorised in consultation with the Housing Panel to dispose on appropriate terms and conditions of all Council-owned property detailed in the Affordable Housing Programme approved from time to time by the Council, including
(a) the amendments referred to in (1) and (2) above
(b) the amendments incorporated in the updated Programme approved at (3) above and
(c) any future minor amendments to the approved Programme made under the delegation approved above.
(5) That delegated authority be given to the Head of Contract and Asset Management in consultation with the Head of Community Development to sell the Council owned cottages at Nos. 30 and 31 Thatched Cottages, Tattingstone on the open market in their present condition and for the proceeds of sale to be used, in the first instance, for the delivery of affordable housing in Tattingstone and its surrounding area, then, failing that, for affordable housing elsewhere in the Babergh District.
(6) That the Council works in partnership with a preferred Registered Social Landlord, selected by the Head of Community Development in consultation with the Housing Panel, to provide a Private Leasing Scheme in the Babergh District. Further, that the Council adopts a revision to its current grants and loans policy so that financial assistance is only given to those landlords who take part in the Private Sector Leasing scheme and landlords who are registered charities.
(7) That the Terms of Reference of the Hadleigh Swimming Pool Steering Group, approved by the Strategy Committee on 29 June 2006, be extended to enable the Steering Group to consider the future use of the disused Pavilion building and adjoining land on the Calais Street recreation ground.
(8) That the Housing Panel undertakes a feasibility study into the redevelopment and regeneration of the Council’s sheltered housing scheme at Tenterpiece, Lavenham in consultation with the local Member and reports back to Strategy Committee with its conclusions.
(9) That the temporary post of Homelessness Prevention Officer (Post No. CC210T) be made permanent; subject to the inclusion of the additional amount in the Council’s budget following consideration through the Service and Financial Planning process.
(10) That Babergh works with neighbouring local authorities to assess the best way of jointly meeting the accommodation needs of Gypsies and Travellers.
(b) Licensing Act 2003 Statement of Licensing Policy Review (Post Consultation) (Licensing and Appeals Committee Minute No.24)
Mr B L Lazenby Chairman of the Licensing and Appeals Committee introduced Paper G122, the revised Statement of Licensing Policy incorporating revisions following the receipt of consultation responses, for the three year period from January 2008.
RESOLVED
That the Statement of Licensing Policy (Paper G122) be adopted for the period from 7 January 2008 until 7 January 2011, or until such time as revision is required, whichever is the earlier.
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None received.
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None received.
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Mike Hammond, Corporate Director reported on a request for up to five Babergh Members to join Mid Suffolk District Council’s existing Waste Management Task Group with the intention of recommendations being made to both Babergh and Mid Suffolk early in 2008 on any changes required to arrangements under the Joint Waste Contract operated by the two Councils.
The Political Leaders Group had considered this matter and agreed that the Babergh representation should include the Member Champion for Waste Strategy together with one Member from each of the three political groups. Members decided that they wished to take up the fifth place on the Group and the following names were proposed for this position:-
Mr L S Johnson
Mr P J Holbrook
Voting for the fifth place was by show of hands. The names of the Political Group representatives were reported to the Meeting.
RESOLVED
That the following be appointed to serve on the Joint Waste Strategy Working Group with Mid Suffolk District Council for the remainder of the current municipal year:-
Liberal Democrat – Mr B D Hurren
Independent – Mr P Jones
Conservative – Mr H N Todd
Member Champion for Waste Strategy (Mr C W Arthey)
Mr L S Johnson
The business of the meeting was concluded at 2.55 p.m
Chairman
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Contact Information
Contact Linda Sheppard
Telephone 01473 826610
Email committeeservices@babergh.gov.uk
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