TO:      THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL 


                                                                                                                    8 December 2008

Dear Sir/Madam

A Meeting of the Babergh District Council will be held in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Corks Lane, Hadleigh on TUESDAY, 16 DECEMBER 2008 AT 9.30AM.

The proceedings will be opened with a short prayer for those Members who choose to participate.

Yours faithfully

Andrew Hunkin

Director of Corporate Services

ITEM

BUSINESS

                                                       PART I

	1	MINUTES To confirm and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 October 2008 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 a petition as detailed below.  There can be no debate or comment upon this matter at the Council meeting:- Former Sugar Beet Site Sproughton Petition signed by approximately 250 residents of the District opposed to any future ‘Heavy Industrial’ Development.  The petition will be reported to the Development Committee at its meeting on 10 December 2008 and will be taken into account when any planning brief is prepared or planning application submitted.
	6	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.
	7	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).
Paper H157	8	TIMETABLE OF MEETINGS 2009/2010 Members are asked to approve the draft timetable (Paper H157 attached) prepared by the Director of Corporate Services, and which has been the subject of consultation with Management Team, Heads of Service and the Political Group Leaders.
	9	REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES (a)       Economic Prosperity Delivery Partnership Board The Director of Corporate Services to report that Babergh District Council has been asked to appoint a Member representative on the above Partnership, which is due to hold its first meeting on 9 December 2008.  An interim appointment of Mr J R B Cave has been made under delegated powers to enable Babergh to be represented at the meeting.  The Partnership will be responsible for the delivery of economic prosperity outcomes and Local Area Agreement (LAA2) targets within the Community Strategy.  Actions must be SMART and reflect the needs of different localities in relation to economic development, planning and affordable housing. The Board is expected to meet quarterly at various locations in the County on a rotational basis – the suggested timing is 4pm to 6pm.  Babergh’s Political Group Leaders have been asked to consider their nomination(s) in the usual way, and the Conservative Group has nominated Richard Cave, currently the Babergh representative on the Suffolk Development Agency (substitute – Brian Riley).  Any other nominations will be reported at the meeting.  Members will be asked to make an appointment of a representative and a substitute for the remainder of the current term of office. (b)       Culture and Sport Delivery Partnership Board (formerly the Suffolk Cultural Network) The Council’s representative on the Suffolk Cultural Network is the Member Champion for Arts and Culture (currently Mrs S M Wigglesworth).  The Network will now be referred to as the corresponding LAA Delivery Partnership, and will be responsible for the promotion of activity within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport’s definition of culture, focussing on LAA and other targets relating to adult participation in, and volunteering for, cultural and sporting activities. Members are asked (i) to confirm the appointment of the Member Champion for Arts and Culture as the Council’s representative on the Culture and Sport Delivery Partnership Board for the remainder of the current term of office and (ii) to appoint a substitute member, also for the remainder of the current term of office.
	10	EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC (WHICH TERM INCLUDES THE PRESS) To consider whether pursuant to Part 1 of Schedule 12(A) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public should be excluded from the meeting 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 author of the report proposed to be considered in Part II of the Agenda is satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
		PART II
Paper H158	11	MUNICIPAL MUTUAL INSURANCE LIMITED –v- BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL AND OTHERS INSURANCE LITIGATION (Exempt information by virtue of Paragraphs 2 and 5 of Part 1) Report by the Solicitor to the Council attached.

For further information on any of the Part 1 items listed above, please contact Linda Sheppard on 01473 826610 or via email at committee.services@babergh.gov.uk