1

MINUTES

To confirm and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 1 August 2006 as a correct record.

2

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Members to declare any interests as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.

3

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

To receive apologies for absence.

4

CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS

5

TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE No.13

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No.13, the Chief Executive will report the receipt of any petitions.

Paper
F59 previously circulated

6

RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES

The Housing Panel’s 2006 Housing Review (Strategy Committee Minute No. 31(b))

Mr C J Hunt, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee presented the recommendations of that Committee.

Members approved the updated Affordable Housing Programme (Appendix 1 of Paper F59) and all necessary changes resulting from the Sheltered Housing Review (para 11 of Paper F59), the Supporting People Review, and to meet the requirements of the Single Status Agreement. The Housing Panel was asked to undertake a feasibility study into options for the future use of Stour House Reception Centre and to submit a proposed response to the Gypsy and Travellers Needs Asessment, to be the subject of reports to future meetings of the Committee.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

(1) That delegated authority be given to the Head of Contract and Asset Management in consultation with the Head of Community Development to sell the land adjoining No. 2 The Street, Monks Eleigh and for the proceeds of sale to be used, in the first instance, for the delivery of affordable housing in Monks Eleigh, then, failing that, for affordable housing elsewhere in the Babergh District.

(2) That delegated authority be given to the Head of Contract and Asset Management in consultation with the Head of Community Development to transfer the land adjoining No. 5 Bury Road, Alpheton to a Registered Social Landlord partner at a discount of up to 100% for the delivery of affordable housing.

(3) That delegated authority be given to the Head of Contract and Asset Management in consultation with the Head of Community Development to transfer Nos. 25 and 26 Harpers Estate Nayland to Flagship Housing Group at a discount of up to 100% for the delivery of higher density new affordable housing to meet local housing needs.

(4) That, when submitting ‘Growth’ theme bids for Social Housing Grant, the Head of Community Development be authorised to offer a proportion of any subsequent properties funded through this route to out-of-area nominations; the percentage of such nominations to be agreed with the Housing Corporation.

(5) That the current annual ‘mini’ Housing Stock Option Appraisal be discontinued and instead, a full Housing Stock Option Appraisal be commissioned in 2009/10 or earlier if the Annual Review of the HRA Business Plan indicates this is necessary.

(6) That the Council’s Choice Based Lettings Scheme (CBL) be based on Colchester Borough Council’s scheme and a report be prepared for Strategy Committee in 2007 detailing an implementation plan for Babergh’s CBL Scheme.

7

QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

The Chairmen of Committees to answer any questions from the public of which notice has been given no later than midday two working days before the day of the meeting in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No.14.

8

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS

The Chairman of the Council and the Chairmen of Committees and Sub-Committees to answer any questions on any 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 that Committee or Sub-Committee of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No.15.4(a) and (b).

9

MEMBERSHIP OF LICENSING AND APPEALS COMMITTEE

The Head of Corporate Services to report that consideration of the Labour Group’s notice that its representative on the Licensing and Appeals Committee, Jim Quinlan, was to be replaced by Nick Irwin was deferred at the last meeting of the Council to enable the Group to look again at its proposal.

The current position will be reported at the meeting.

10

APPOINTMENT OF MEMBER CHAMPIONS/REPRESENTATION ON OUTSIDE BODIES

(a) Children and Young People - Appointment of a Member Champion and a representative to County-wide Member Forum

The PLG has given consideration to the role and linkages of Member Champions to the Strategy Committee and various representational roles. A report will be submitted to the Strategy Committee suggesting a clear framework for making appointments by the new Council in 2007. In the meantime, PLG’s view is that the appointment of new Champions should be delayed until the first meeting of the Council after the May 07 elections with the exception of the Member Champion for Children and Young People.

The Head of Corporate Services to report that District Councils have an important role to play in meeting the Government’s agenda to improve outcomes for children and young people. The Council has a number of duties under the Children Act 2004 and is involved with partners, notably the County Council, on a range of issues including safeguarding, the Suffolk Children’s Trust Partnership and the implementation of the ‘Having My Say’ strategy. A progress report on Babergh’s involvement in this agenda was submitted to the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee at its meeting on 5 September.

At a seminar earlier this year on the role of District Councils in improving outcomes for children (hosted by the Improvement and Development Agency) it was agreed that a County-wide member Forum be established. The first meeting of the Forum, in the form of a seminar, will be held in late November and attendance at the Forum would be one of the duties of the Council’s Member representative. The Forum is expected to meet approximately 3 times per annum.

In view of the importance of the children and young people’s agenda and the need for all District and Borough Councils to have Member representation on the Forum, the Council is asked to consider appointing a Member Champion and also to appoint that person to serve as the Council’s representative on the Forum for the remainder of the current term of office.

(b) Health and Safety Member Champion

At its meeting on 18 April 2006, the Human Resources Panel nominated David Rose, a Member of the Panel, to be the Health and Safety Member Champion following Tony Bavington’s ceasing to be a member of the Human Resources Panel. Consideration of the Panel’s recommendation was put on hold to await the further discussion of the role of Champions referred to in (a) above. The HR Panel has confirmed that it wishes to restate its nomination of David Rose. I n making this recommendation, the members of the Panel were aware that the Council at its meeting on 14 October 2003 agreed to appoint the Chairman of the HR Panel as Member Champion. Bearing in mind the likely timetable for the implementation of any new appointment process, the Council is asked to consider appointing David Rose as Health and Safety Member Champion for the remainder of the current term of office.