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1 |
SUBSTITUTES AND APOLOGIES
Any Member attending as an approved substitute to report giving his/her name and the name of the Member being substituted.
To receive apologies for absence.
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2 |
DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Members to declare any interests as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.
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3 |
MINUTES
To confirm and sign the Minutes of the meetings held on 10 and 30 November 2005 as correct records.
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4 |
PETITIONS
The Acting Head of Legal and Administrative Services to report, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13, the receipt of any petitions submitted to the Chief Executive.
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5 |
QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS
The Chairman to answer any questions on 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 the Committee of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 15.4 – (a) and (b).
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6 |
ISSUES ARISING FROM OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEES
None received.
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Paper E200
previously
circulated |
7 |
RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
(a) Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee – Minute No. 54 – Risk Management Action Plans
The Head of Finance and Performance Review presented a report (Paper E200) setting out Risk Management Action Plans drawn up following the Risk Identification exercise carried out earlier in 2005. It was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee would be responsible for monitoring these on a quarterly basis.
Appendix 2 to Paper E200 set out Action Plans drawn up by Officers. Appendix 1 to Paper E200 set out Action Plans suggested by Members following the Strategy Committee meeting held on 15 September 2005.
It was accepted that the great majority of the issues in Appendix 1 were either reflected in the Risk Management Plans drawn up by Officers or were included in risks that had been agreed as being below the risk tolerance line. The Head of Finance and Performance Review agreed to amend Appendix 2 for those issues that were not already adequately reflected.
RECOMMENDED
(1) That the Risk Management Action Plans set out in Appendix 2 to Paper E200 be approved.
(2) That Members also consider Appendix 1 to Paper E200 and whether any amendments are felt to be necessary in relation to the Risk Management Action Plans set out in Appendix 2 to Paper E200.
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Paper E209
previously
circulated
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(b) Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee Minute No. 57 – Progress on Procurement Strategy
Mr H N Todd, Chairman of the Procurement Task Group, introduced a report (Paper E209) setting out progress on procurement strategy.
It was noted that the Task Group had already achieved savings in a number of areas, the largest being on waste collection. The establishment of the new Leisure Trust was also expected to reduce growth in expenditure.
Members noted that the Service and Financial Planning Group had accorded a high priority to a shared procurement resource whose key task would be to achieve a saving of £30,000 per annum on commodity purchases.
RECOMMENDED
(1) That progress on implementing the Council’s Procurement Strategy and savings achieved to date and estimated in the future as set out in Paper E209 be noted.
(2) That the proposed Action Plan in relation to the IDeA fitness check as set out in Appendix 2 to Paper E209 be approved, subject to these being prioritised in order to match the available resources.
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Paper E215
previously
circulated |
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(c) Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee Minute No. 50 – Review of Procedures for Rechargeable Works
The Head of Technical Services submitted a report by the Re-charges Study Group (Paper E215) setting out the findings of a review of the procedures used to re-charge Council tenants, lease holders and owners of former Council owned properties for any works where they have a payment liability. The Tenants Forum had been given an opportunity to comment on the Group’s recommendations. A paper setting out the Forum’s response was circulated at the meeting and subsequently numbered Paper E215A.
The Tenants Forum had requested that the Council consider making a payment to a tenant where a contractor fails to attend a pre-set appointment. The Head of Technical Services was asked to consider the appropriateness of this suggestion when letting new contracts.
The group was thanked for its hard work.
RECOMMENDED
That the improved procedures listed in paragraph 4.7 of Paper E215 be implemented wherever relevant to rechargeable works or shared costs.
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(d) Budget 2006/07 – Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee Minute No. 6
The recommendations contained within the Minute referred to above, are to be considered in Agenda Item No. 12.
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Paper E236
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8 |
WORK PLAN
Report by the Acting Head of Legal and Administrative Services attached. |
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Paper E245 |
9 |
RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS FROM TASK GROUPS/ PANELS
Working From Home Policy
Report by the HR Panel attached.
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Paper E237 |
10 |
BABERGH MATTERS! RESIDENTS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
Report by the Corporate Support Manager attached.
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Paper E238 |
11 |
COUNCIL HOUSING – REVENUE BUDGET AND CAPITAL PROGRAMME
Joint report from Geoff Kistner, Corporate Director and the Head of Finance attached.
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Paper E239
Paper E227 and E227A
previously
circulated |
12 |
GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND COUNCIL TAX
Report by Geoff Kistner, Corporate Director and the Head of Finance attached.
A joint meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees was held when the following recommendations to Strategy Committee were agreed:-
(1) That the General Fund Capital Programme for 2006/07, as set out in Appendix 1 to Paper E227, be approved.
(2) That the Council Housing Capital Programme for 2006/07, as set out in Appendix 2 to Paper E227, be approved.
(3) That the General Fund new revenue Service Priorities, as set out in Appendix 5 of Paper E227 and the General Fund Savings/Additional Income, as set out in Appendix 6 to Paper E227 as amended by Paper E227A, be approved.
(4) That the CAST budget and funding arrangements in the table in paragraph 4.17 of Paper E227 be approved, with any costs only being incurred with the agreement of the Strategy Committee and with staged reviews of the position every six months by full Council.
(5) That Revised Charges for 2006/07, as set out in Appendix 8 to Paper E227, be approved.
(6) That a Council Tax increase at the rate of inflation of 2.7% be approved.
These recommendations have been incorporated into Paper E239 and its appendices.
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Paper E240
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13 |
DRAFT 2006/07 CORPORATE PLAN
Report by the Corporate Support Manager attached.
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Paper E241 |
14 |
PENSION FUND VALUATION
Report by Geoff Kistner, Corporate Director attached.
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Paper E242
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15 |
2005/06 CAPITAL PROGRAMME – NON-COMMITTED SCHEMES
Report by the Head of Technical Services attached.
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Paper E243
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16 |
DRAFT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2006-09
Report by the Acting Head of Planning Policy and Economic Development attached.
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17 |
EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC (WHICH TERM INCLUDES THE PRESS)
To consider whether, pursuant to Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public should be excluded from the meeting for the business specified below on the grounds that if the public were present during this item, it is likely that there would be the disclosure to them of exempt information as indicated against the item.
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PART II |
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Paper E244
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18 |
HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT – TERM CONTRACTS FOR RESPONSIVE REPAIRS/DAY-TO-DAY MAINTENANCE AND WORKS TO VOID PROPERTIES (Exempt information by virtue of Paragraphs 8 and 9 of Part 1)
Report by the Head of Technical Services attached.
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