BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL
STRATEGY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE STRATEGY COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON THURSDAY 29 JULY 2010
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27 - Substitutes
28 - Declaration of Interests
29 - Minutes
30 - Petitions
31 - Questions from Members
32 - Issues Arising from Overview and Scrutiny Committees
33 - Recommendations and Reports from Committees
34 - Recommendations and Reports from Task Groups, Panels etc.
35 - Workplan 2010/11
36 - Integration of Legal Services Teams
37 - Reform of Council Housing Finance System
38 - 2010/11 Capital Programme
39 - Disposal of East House and Adjacent Land
40 - Action Out of Meeting
41 - Babergh Development Framework: Core Strategy (Initial Consultation Document on District Growth)
42 - Babergh Development Framework - PPG17 - Open Space Sport and Recreation Strategy
PRESENT: Mr N A Ridley – Chairman
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Mrs J Antill
Mr N A Bennett
Mr M P Booth
Mrs S Carpendale
Mr A J Hinton
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Ms J A Jenkins
Mr P Jones
Dr M R Miller
Mrs S M Wigglesworth |
Mr R E Kemp was unable to be present.
It was noted that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No.5, a substitute was in attendance as follows:-
Mr P Jones (substituting for Mr R E Kemp)
None declared.
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2010 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
None received.
None received.
None received.
Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee Minute No.17(b) – Finance Performance Management – Quarterly Monitoring Report
Members had before them an explanatory note (circulated prior to the commencement of the meeting and attached as Appendix 1 to these Minutes) in connection with the recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee.
The Head of Contract and Asset Management explained the reason for the recommendation to increase the target for Performance Indicator BV63 – the Energy Efficiency Rating for Local Authority Housing (or “SAP” rating). Members noted that a rating of 65 or above represents high energy efficiency. They also noted that the proposed targets were considered to be challenging but achievable and affordable within the approved budget, and would have a positive impact in reducing both “fuel poverty” for the Council’s most vulnerable tenants and carbon emissions. Members were therefore asked to accept the recommendation in line with the Committee’s responsibility for target setting.
RESOLVED
That the targets for indicator BV63 (Energy Efficiency of Local Housing Stock which is measured by what is known as a ‘SAP rating’) be amended as set out in paragraph 8.8 of Paper K37 as follows:-
The target of 64.25 for 2010/11 be increased to 65.25, with future targets for 2011/12 and 2012/13 of 65.5 and 65.75 respectively.
Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Member Integration and Merger Review Board – High Level Business Case
Mr N Ridley, one of the Babergh representatives on the Review Board, introduced Paper K61 asking Members to consider the recommendation of the Board and make an appropriate recommendation to the Council meeting on 31 August 2010.
The Chief Executive then gave an overview of the current position and both she and Mr Ridley responded to questions from Members. Members noted the intention to hold a further workshop jointly with Mid Suffolk Councillors on a date to be arranged. During the course of the debate reference was made to areas requiring further consideration including the following:-
· The need to make on-going savings regardless of the outcome of any integration/merger proposals
· The key role of the Political Groups in articulating the Council’s vision
· All aspects of a merger, including potential barriers, must be identified and evaluated
· Differences and similarities in culture between the two Councils and their Districts
· How can we further assist our Parish Councils and Members in their locality/community roles
Overall, Members concluded that the findings of the Board to date had established the case for undertaking further detailed work into the feasibility of the two linked scenarios of service integration and the creation of a single new Council.
RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL
That Scenario 1 (single Chief Executive and Management Team to support both Councils) as a stand alone option be discounted and further investigations be undertaken into the feasibility of both Scenario 2 (as Scenario 1, together with a single overall officer structure to support both Councils) and Scenario 3 (creation of a single new Council), together with the preparation of timetables for implementation, as recommended in paragraph 2.1 of Paper K61.
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper K62) on items identified for the Strategy Committee.
RESOLVED
That the Work Plan set out in Paper K62 be noted.
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper K63) seeking Committee approval for the two Legal Teams and the Monitoring Officer function for Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils to be integrated under a single staff structure, with early implementation.
He explained that the proposal was for the integration of the two teams but that the specific detail would be piloted over a six month period. Changes to the operation of the arrangements could then be made during or after that period as a result of the experience gained. Any such changes would be with a view to furthering the core principles of securing resilience and savings and in particular relate to such items as changes to the number of days on which staff would work at different offices (paragraph 6.6 of Paper K63) and changes to the employing authority after the six month pilot. The need for all Members and other key service users to be aware of the pending changes and to be provided with the information on whom to contact, where and when, had been identified to ensure that a high level of service is provided. Members noted that information on these aspects would be distributed as a matter of priority.
RESOLVED
That the two Legal teams and Monitoring Officer function for Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils be integrated under a single staff structure with implementation taking place at the earliest possible date.
Members had before them Paper K64 (joint report from the Director of Finance and the Head of Community Development – circulated with the agenda) together with suggested additional wording (circulated prior to the commencement of the meeting and attached to these Minutes as Appendix 2) in relation to the consultation response in Appendix A to the report.
Members were aware that the provisional consultation response set out in Appendix A had already been submitted subject to any comments the Committee might wish to make. Members approved the proposed additional paragraphs being added to the Council’s response and agreed that further work would be required on the implications of the proposals.
RESOLVED
(1) That the consultation response set out in Appendix A to Paper K64 be endorsed and that the additional wordings attached to the Minutes as Appendix 2 be added to that response.
(2) That further work be undertaken on the proposals in relation to the implications of the reform proposals, should they proceed, on the Mid Suffolk Integration and/or Merger and on any future approaches to Stock Option Appraisal.
The Head of Contract and Asset Management presented Paper K68 seeking approval to implement a scheme within the Council’s Housing Revenue Account.
RESOLVED
That expenditure from the Council’s Housing Revenue Account be approved to carry out the proposed scheme outlined in the table in paragraph 6.1 of Paper K68.
Note: Members were aware that further information would be provided shortly on possible changes to the level and cost of uncommitted schemes which require Committee approval.
The Head of Contract and Asset Management presented Paper K69 advising the Committee of progress regarding the disposal of East House and seeking approval to a revised approach.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Head of Contract and Asset Management be authorised to submit a planning application based on the proposals outlined in paragraph 7.2 of Paper K69.
(2) That, subject to the receipt of planning permission, the Head of Contract and Asset Management be authorised to dispose of East House and the building plots subject to:
(a) A consideration as agreed by the Council’s valuer
(b) Appropriate terms and conditions in order to protect the interests of the Council
(a) Free Swimming Programme
RESOLVED
That the information set out in Paper K70 be noted.
(b) Hadleigh Pool – Major Refurbishment
RESOLVED
That the information set out in Paper K71 be noted.
At this point the meeting adjourned for lunch at 12.35 p.m. and resumed at
1.30 p.m. when the following Members were present:-
Mr N A Ridley – Chairman
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Mrs J Antill
Mr N A Bennett
Mr M P Booth
Mrs S Carpendale
Mr A J Hinton |
Ms J A Jenkins
Mr P Jones
Dr M R Miller
Mrs S M Wigglesworth
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The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper K65) updating Members on the current situation at national level in respect of planning ahead for Babergh and seeking approval for a full and widespread public consultation exercise to take place in September/October 2010. Members also had before them Paper K65R (circulated prior to the commencement of the meeting) which contained revised recommendations together with the suggestion that the Committee might wish to make a recommendation to Council notwithstanding that this matter was within the Committee’s terms of reference to decide.
Members were informed of the background to the current proposals for public consultation as a result of the Government’s recent announcement providing greater clarity on its intentions and expectations of local authorities which are now considered sufficient to allow the Council to move forward.
Members were aware of the interest expressed by other Councillors in the proposals and agreed that it would be appropriate in this case to refer the matter to Council for a final decision. Members also accepted that the revised recommendations circulated in Paper K65R would make the proposals easier to understand in the public consultation whilst retaining the detail which stakeholders and others might require when considering their responses.
RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL
(1) That the overall content of the initial stage Core Strategy Growth Consultation (‘Issues, Context and Scenarios for Consideration’) document at Appendix A to Paper K65 be approved as the basis for public consultation. Further, that the consultation documents be in the form of a brief Executive Summary, with clear concise consultation questions, supported by a simplified version of Appendix A to be issued as a technical appendix to the Executive Summary.
(2) That notwithstanding the above revisions, the Head of Natural and Built Environment be authorised to make any further revisions to the Core Strategy consultation documents prior to consultation, subject to such revisions not altering the substance or intent of the document.
(3) That the public consultation proposals in paragraphs 6.3 and 6.19 of Paper K65 be noted.
The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper K66) setting out the background to the Strategy and seeking approval for it including the adoption of local standards of provision.
Members accepted the Draft Strategy attached as Appendix B to Paper K66 subject to the inclusion of additional wording to cover the following matters which arose during the course of the debate:-
· Further information relating to allotments
· Arrangements for voluntary bodies taking over the management of open space.
The contribution made to the development of the Strategy by the late Peter Berry was acknowledged and recorded.
RESOLVED
(1) That the recommended minimum standards summarised in Appendix A of Paper K66 be agreed and used to identify the need for financial contributions when determining planning applications for residential development.
(2) That the Open Space Sport and Recreation Strategy attached as Appendix B to Paper K66 be agreed subject to the inclusion of
(a) The additional information now available on allotments
(b) A section making reference to operational and management issues in relation to voluntary bodies such as trusts and local community organisations which take on the responsibility for areas of open space.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 3.35 p.m.
Chairman
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