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, 27 SEPTEMBER 2007
Quick Links
- Item 50 - Substitutes
- Item 51 - Declaration of Interests
- Item 52 - Minutes
- Item 53 - To Receive Notification of Petitions in Accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13
- Item 54 - Questions from Members
- Item 55 - Issues Arising from Overview and Scrutiny Committees
- Item 56 - Recommendations and Reports from Committees
- Item 57 - Recommendations and Reports from Task Groups
- Item 58 - Audit Commission Annual Governance Report
- Item 59 - Work Plan
- Item 60 - Capital and Asset Management Strategy
- Item 61 - Off-Street Parking Places - Rural Villages and Small Car Parks
- Item 62 - Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Draft Management Plan (2008-2013)
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 |
Mr R E Kemp
Dr M R Miller
Mr H N Todd
Mrs S M Wigglesworth |
Mr C M Spence was unable to be present.
Mr D M Busby and Mr D L Wood attended the meeting in order to present the recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees (Stewardship) and (Community Services) respectively.
It was noted that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 5 a substitute was in attendance as follows:-
Mr A J Hinton (substituting for Mr C M Spence)
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Mr N A Bennett and Mr H N Todd subsequently declared personal interests in the item referred to Minute No. 56(e) below by virtue of their respective memberships of Sudbury Town Council and Great Cornard Parish Council but indicated that their interests were such that they were able to speak and vote on the matter concerned.
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RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 August 2007 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
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None received.
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None received.
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None received.
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Members had before them Papers G81 and G94 which had been considered by the respective Committees.
Mr D M Busby, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee presented the recommendations of that Committee and outlined the background to its consideration of the key variations. Mr D L Wood made comments as Vice-Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee.
During the course of the debate it was agreed that a process should be introduced to secure additional Member involvement in setting targets, and an additional motion was moved on this issue, together with the joint recommendation of the two Committees. An amendment was agreed to the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee recommendation regarding Action Plans to include those of the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee being reported to the Service and Financial Planning Group.
RESOLVED
(1) That the key variations as set out in paragraph 5.16 of Paper G81 and paragraph 5.17 of Paper G94 be noted, on the understanding that Action Plans will be drawn up to deal with the potential variations as appropriate, with the Overview and Scrutiny Committees monitoring their respective plans.
(2) That the Action Plans of both Overview and Scrutiny Committees be reported to the Service and Financial Planning Group.
(3) That the Officers be asked to work with the Overview and Scrutiny Committees to devise a process for the setting of targets in such a way as to strengthen Member involvement in this aspect of the process, prior to the Strategy Committee approving targets on an annual basis. Further that the suggested process be reported for approval to the Strategy Committee.
Members had before them Paper G83 which had been considered by both Overview and Scrutiny Committees. Their respective recommendations were introduced by Mr D M Busby and Mr D L Wood and Members agreed with the view of the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee that an Action Plan in relation to street cleansing should be considered by the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee. Members also agreed that an Action Plan was required to address performance in relation to sports and leisure. The recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee in relation to street cleansing was not moved. The joint recommendation of both Committees was accepted for a focus on the handling of complaints generally.
RESOLVED
(1) That complaints handling be focused on as a priority issue for improvement.
(2) That Action Plans for improving satisfaction with (a) street cleansing and (b) sports and leisure be submitted to the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee.
Members had before them Paper G92, the report of the Housing Panel to the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee.
During the course of the discussion on this item it was noted that Recommendation (9) should have included a specific reference to the Council’s Service and Financial Planning process.
RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL
(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:-
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Land at 28 Cornerth Crescent, Great Cornard
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Land to the rear of Garrards Road, Elmsett
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Land at Palfrey Heights Brantham
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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
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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 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.
(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. Furthermore, 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.
RESOLVED
(1) That a new streamlined grant making process to replace the existing varied and numerous grant/funding schemes (as set out in Section 5.4 of Paper G93) be launched in April 2008.
(2) That the Head of Community Development be authorised to make minor changes to the process in consultation with the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee.
(3) That a new grants policy be developed as referred to in paragraph 5.5 of Paper G93.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Head of Natural and Built Environment be authorised to publicise and consult stakeholders and relevant authorities on the Council’s draft Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Enforcement Strategy as set out in Appendix 1 to Paper G95.
(2) That the draft Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Enforcement Strategy set out in Appendix 1 to Paper G95 be adopted, subject to any necessary minor amendments by the Head of Natural and Built Environment arising from the consultation.
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(a) Review of Compensation Awards on Redundancy and Efficiency Grounds
Mr H N Todd, Chairman of the HR Panel, presented the Panel’s report (Paper G99). A copy of Unison’s views (Paper G109) on the recommendations of the Panel was circulated prior to the commencement of the meeting.
Notwithstanding Unison’s request for a multiplier of 2 to replace the suggested 1.5, Members accepted the Panel’s recommendations.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Council continues paying the statutory redundancy payment on the basis of an actual week’s pay.
(2) That the award of added years compensation and the (up to) 66 weeks lump sum compensation in cases of redundancy and interests of efficiency be removed.
(3) That an award of 1 ½ times the statutory redundancy payment as the total compensation in cases of redundancy for all employees with more than 2 years service be introduced.
(4) That the award of compensation in interests of efficiency cases be discontinued.
(b) CAST Programme Update Report
Mr H N Todd, Chairman of the CAST Board, introduced Paper G100 updating Members about progress on the CAST programme particularly in relation to the new front office arrangements, service satisfaction and business efficiencies gained.
RESOLVED
That the progress made and the current position be noted.
(c) Information Management Task Group (i-MTG) Update Report
Mrs J Antill, Chairman of the Task Group, introduced Paper G106, giving an update of progress made by the Group (formerly E-Government Steering Group) in the period from March 2007.
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.
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The Head of Finance introduced Paper G101 relating to the Audit Commission’s 2006/07 review of the Council’s Financial Statements and advising Members of amendments made to the accounts since they were approved by the Council in June 2007. Kevin Sharman, Audit Manager, was present at the meeting to answer Members’ questions. He also referred to various matters including the following:-
(a) The audit is now complete.
(b) Comments on the South Suffolk Leisure Trust in the context of the new SORP guidelines.
(c) Page 4, paragraph 4 – matters requiring the Committee’s attention.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Annual Governance Report of the Audit Commission attached to Paper G101 be accepted.
(2) That the amendments to the Council’s 2006/07 Statement of Accounts (as outlined in paragraph 5.5 of Paper G101) be noted.
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Members noted some minor changes to be incorporated into the next update of the Work Plan.
RESOLVED
That the Workplan set out in Paper G102 be noted.
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The Head of Finance and the Head of Contract and Asset Management introduced a joint report (Paper G103) requesting approval to a Capital and Asset Management Strategy for Babergh’s approach to capital investment and asset utilisation over the medium term.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Capital and Asset Management Strategy be approved subject to the views of the Service and Financial Planning (SFP) Group.
(2) That the SFP Group reviews the Strategy on an annual basis and that the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee scrutinises an annual report on any key issues.
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The Head of Contract and Asset Management submitted a report (Paper G104) seeking approval to the making of a draft Order without the proviso previously approved by the Strategy Committee that the restriction of parking over 24 hours would not apply to residents.
RESOLVED
(1) That notwithstanding the decision of the Strategy Committee contained in Minute No 49(1) of the meeting held on 28 September 2006, the Council in exercise of its powers under Section 35 of the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984, makes a Draft Order (as shown in Appendix A to Paper G104), and that the Draft Order be referred for formal consultation with Suffolk County Council (as the Highway Authority) and Suffolk Police, and any other person or body required to be consulted.
(2) That upon completion of the consultations referred to in Resolution (1) above, and providing that no material objections have been received and the Highway Authority gives its consent in accordance with Section 39 of the Road Traffic Regulations Act 1984, proposals to make The Babergh District Council (Off Street Parking Places) Rural Villages and Small Car Parks Order 2007, be published in accordance with statutory procedures.
(3) That the Solicitor to the Council be authorised to determine the date for the Order to come into effect following completion of the consultation procedures referred to in Resolution (1) above.
(4) That the Head of Contract and Asset Management be authorised to enter into discussions with Suffolk County Council regarding the development of a residents parking scheme for Sudbury.
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The Head of Contract and Asset Management submitted a report (Paper G105) seeking the Committee’s views on the Consultation Draft Management Plan for the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB.
RESOLVED
That the provisions in the Draft Management Plan for the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB and the Environmental Report referred to in Paper G105 be supported.
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Note: The meeting adjourned between 11.15 a.m. and 11.35 a.m. for refreshments.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 1.25 p.m.
Chairman
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