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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, 18 AUGUST 2011
PRESENT: Ms J A Jenkins – Chairman
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Mr A C Bavington
Mr N A Bennett
Mrs S Carpendale
Mr A J Hinton
Mr P J Holbrook |
Mrs A K Pollard
Mr N A Ridley
Mrs S M Wigglesworth
Mr L H Young |
Mrs J Antill was unable to be present.
31 - Substitutes
32 - Declaration of Interests
33 - Minutes
34 - Petitions
35 - Questions from Members
36 - Issues Arising from Overview and Scrutiny Committee
37 - Recommendation and Reports from Committees
38 - Work Plan
39 - Babergh Development Framework - Submission Draft Core Strategy Document (2011 - 2031)
40 - National Grid: Stage Two Draft Statement of Community Consultation (SoCC)
41 - Planning Performance Agreements
42 - Exclusion of the Public (which term includes the press)
43 - Applications for Voluntary Redundancy (Exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 4 of Part 1)
It was noted that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 5, a substitute was in attendance as follows:-
Mr P J Holbrook (substituting for Mrs J Antill)
Mr N A Ridley and Mrs S M Wigglesworth each declared a personal interest in Minute No 40 below (National Grid: Stage Two Draft Statement of Community Consultation) by virtue of living close to the proposed route but stated that they were able to speak and vote on the matter.
Mr P J Holbrook, Mr A C Bavington and Ms J A Jenkins each declared a personal interest in Minute No. 40 below by virtue of living in the vicinity of the proposed route but stated that they were able to speak and vote on the matter.
Mrs A K Pollard declared a personal interest in Minute No. 40 in her capacity as a Suffolk County Councillor but stated that she was able to speak and vote on the matter.
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2011 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
None received.
None received.
None received.
2010/2011 Annual Governance Statement (AGS) – Revised Local Code of Corporate Governance – (Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee Minute No 18)
Members were advised that the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee at its meeting on 12 July 2011 agreed the 2010/11 Annual Governance Statement for signature on behalf of the Council, and proposed changes to Babergh’s existing Local Code of Corporate Governance. Members had before them the revised Code (Appendix B to Paper L49) which showed, in italics, the proposed changes reflecting an update on best practice, as set out by CIPFA, relating to the role of the Chief Financial Officer in Public Sector Organisations. The principles and format of the Code remained the same, and Mr D M Busby, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee, introduced that Committee’s recommendation that the proposed revised Code be approved.
Strategy Committee was further advised that the revised Code sets out principles defining the core activities and behaviours expected of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the governance arrangements needed to support them. Members were aware that these arrangements were already substantially in place as part of Babergh’s existing governance framework and arrangements. The changes to the Code were consistent with the Chief Executive’s Senior Management proposals for an integrated staffing structure for Babergh and Mid Suffolk. The Council’s overall governance arrangements would be kept under review as part of the integration process and Members would be advised accordingly of any proposed changes that required consideration.
During the discussion, it was agreed that some minor amendments required for clarity would be made by the Director of Finance and notified, for information, to Strategy Committee Members.
RESOLVED
That the revised Local Code of Corporate Governance in Appendix B to Paper L49, which incorporates recent changes as a result of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s “Statement on the Role of the Chief Financial Officer in Public Sector Organisations” be approved, subject to the Director of Finance being authorised to make any minor amendments for clarity.
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper L54) on items identified for the Strategy Committee. Members were aware that the Work Plan will be revised to incorporate minor amendments reported to the meeting.
RESOLVED
That the Work Plan set out in Paper L54 be noted.
The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper L55) asking Members to recommend the Council to approve, for consultation purposes, the Submission Draft Core Strategy new (local) plan document (Appendix (a) to Paper L55).
Rich Cooke, the Planning Policy Manager, in presenting Paper L55 emphasised the importance of having an adopted local planning framework in place in order to avoid the National Planning Policy Framework being the default position. He referred to the broad strategic approach of the Draft being in general conformity with Regional Planning Policy, which was still relevant, notwithstanding the Government’s 2010 statement on the removal of the Regional Spatial Strategy and which had led to a significant review of the Core Strategy from that originally presented to Members. He also referred to the current Strategy being ‘jobs led’ rather than housing being the main focus as in previous strategies. The Chairman on behalf of Members thanked the Planning Policy Manager and his team for their hard work in producing the draft document, and for the Member engagement and other informal consultations which had fed into the Draft.
The recommendations contained in paragraph 2 of Paper L55 were proposed and seconded. During the course of the ensuing debate, Members raised various matters to which Mr Cooke responded.
An amendment was proposed and seconded to set up a Task Group as part of Member involvement with the process. Members carefully considered the amendment but felt that Officers should continue to engage with all Members in the development of the Core Strategy. The amendment was lost on being put to the vote.
RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL
(1) That the proposed Submission Draft Core Strategy document, attached as Appendix (a) to Paper L55, be approved for public consultation.
(2) That the Head of Natural and Built Environment be authorised to make any revisions to the Draft Core Strategy prior to consultation, subject to the revisions not altering the fundamental substance or intent of the Strategy.
(3) That the arrangements for public consultation in Appendix (b) to Paper L55 be noted.
At this point the meeting adjourned for refreshments at 12.55 p.m. and resumed at 1.25 p.m. when the following Members were present:-
Ms J A Jenkins – Chairman
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Mr A C Bavington
Mr N A Bennett
Mrs S Carpendale
Mr A J Hinton
Mr P J Holbrook |
Mrs A K Pollard
Mr N A Ridley
Mrs S M Wigglesworth
Mr L H Young |
The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper L56), asking Members to agree a response to the SoCC produced by National Grid for Stage Two of the Bramford to Twinstead project. Members also had before them the wording of a suggested additional recommendation (circulated prior to the commencement of the meeting) which made reference to the Strategy Committee’s decision of 11 February 2010 – Minute No 98 (Minute No 98 from February 2010 Strategy Meeting).
In considering Paper L56, Members were aware that the Council will be consulted on the detailed route alignment at a later date. They welcomed National Grid’s intention to include a programme of Community Forums in the consultation process, which the Committee had previously requested, and agreed that it would be useful to remind National Grid of the Council’s previously stated position in response to the initial consultation on suggested routes.
The Chief Planning Control Officer then advised Strategy Committee of an invitation from Suffolk County Council for representatives of Councils affected by National Grid’s proposals to hold joint discussions on the progress of the project, with a view to establishing whether there was common ground which could form the basis of a joint response through the consultation process. Members agreed that it would be useful to participate, and agreed that the Council should be represented by the Chairman, together with a representative from the other twelve Members whose Wards were affected by the proposals. Members noted that the other Councils had indicated that they would be represented by a few key Members.
RESOLVED
(1) That National Grid be informed that the arrangements outlined in the draft Statement of Community Consultation for Stage Two of the Bramford to Twinstead project are acceptable and the District Council fully supports the establishment of the Community Forums to enable direct engagement with the potentially affected communities.
(2) That National Grid be asked to set out clear milestones for key consultations during Stage Two of the project and be urged to come to an early view, for the benefit of the local community, on (a) the possible selection of Corridors 2a or 2b within the Hintlesham area, and (b) the undergrounding of the whole route.
(3) That National Grid be reminded that Babergh District Council’s position continues to be as stated in Minute No 98 (a) (b) and (c) of the Strategy Committee meeting held on 11 February 2010.
(4) That the Chairman of Strategy Committee, together with a representativedrawn from the other twelve Members whose Wards are affected by the proposals, be appointed to represent Babergh District Council at discussions to be held with representatives of Suffolk County, Essex County, Braintree and Mid Suffolk District Councils in September. Further, that the Chairman be asked to meet with the relevant Members to enable agreement to be reached on a representative.
The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper L57) seeking Committee authority to enter into Planning Performance Agreements with the promoters of national infrastructure projects that may have a bearing upon Babergh.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Solicitor to the Council be authorised to enter into a Planning Performance Agreement with National Grid in relation to the Bramford to Twinstead project and East Anglian Offshore Wind in relation to the East Anglian One project.
(2) That subject to consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Strategy Committee the Solicitor to the Council be authorised to enter into future Planning Performance Agreements on other national infrastructure projects should the need arise.
(3) That in each case the Planning Performance Agreements should contain explicit safeguards to expressly ensure that there is no perceived risk that decisions of the District Council are prejudiced or fettered.
RESOLVED
That pursuant to Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public 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.
The Committee was also satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.
The Chief Executive introduced Paper L58, a joint report by the Directors of Corporate Services and Finance, informing Members of applications for voluntary redundancy approved by her, and seeking Committee authority to the funding position as set out in the report.
RESOLVED
(1) That it be noted that the Chief Executive has approved that the posts listed below be made redundant following applications for voluntary redundancy, subject to an effective termination date (following the entitled notice period) on or before 31 March 2012 being agreed:-
Post Numbers: AA101, BB201, CC001, CC101, CC401, DD201, GG401.
(2) That, subject to further consideration being given to the approach to sharing costs and savings when the revised business case is considered by Members in October/November, approval be given to the funding position detailed in sections 3.4 to 3.8 of Paper L58.
The meeting adjourned for refreshments between 11.05 a.m. and 11.20 a.m.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 2.50 p.m.
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Chairman
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