Dear Sir/Madam

A Meeting of the Babergh District Council will be held in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Corks Lane, Hadleigh on TUESDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2007 AT 9.30 A.M.

The proceedings will be opened with Prayer.

Yours faithfully

Andrew Hunkin
Head of Corporate Services

Members are asked to bring with them to the meeting Paper G73 which has been previously circulated to Strategy Committee Members and made available on BEN.

A copy of Paper G73 is enclosed for Members of the Development and Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

ITEM

BUSINESS

 PART I

	1	MINUTES To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 31 July 2007 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.  There can be no debate or comment upon these matters at the Council meeting.
Paper G73	6	RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES Hadleigh Swimming Pool (Strategy Committee Minute No. 45) Mike Hammond, Corporate Director, presented a joint report by the Project and Programme Executive, the Head of Contract and Asset Management and the Head of Finance (Paper G73) advising Members of the findings of the Stage 2 report undertaken by SMC Charter Architects in respect of two options for a new Hadleigh Swimming Pool.  Members were aware that the outline business case attached to Paper G72 raised serious concerns as to the affordability of a new pool and the significant upwards impact this would have on Council Tax levels.  They considered the potential ways forward as set out in paragraph 5.5 of Paper G73 and took into account the views of the Hadleigh Swimming Pool Steering Group contained in paragraph 5.6 of the report.  Members agreed with the Steering Group’s conclusion in paragraph 5.6 (1), that a new Pool at a cost of £5.5 - £7.2M is unaffordable and RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL That the Council does not proceed with the construction of a new 25 metre x 6-lane swimming pool in Hadleigh.  Members also accepted the variation of Options 2 and 3 in paragraph 5.5 which were put forward by the Steering Group, as set out in paragraph 5.6 (2), together with the Group’s request for its Terms of Reference to be extended in relation to the studies proposed under Stages 1 and 2. The Committee resolved as follows, and specifically asked the Council to note its decisions when considering the above recommendation. (1)    That the proposals of the Hadleigh Swimming Pool Steering Group (as set out in para 5.6 (2) of Paper G73) that Babergh pursues a variation of Options 2 and 3, described in paragraph 5.5 of Paper G73, be accepted. (2)    That the Head of Contract and Asset Management in consultation with the Chairman of Strategy Committee be authorised to engage an independent expert conversant with the construction of swimming pools to conduct a structural assessment of Hadleigh Pool. (3)    That £45,000 be added to the capital programme in relation to the additional feasibility work and that this be funded from the Earmarked Capital Reserve of £775,000.  [Policy and Budget Framework 2007/08, page 36, line 29 refers]. (4)    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 studies detailed in Stage 1 and Stage 2 (para 5.6 (2) of Paper G73) and to make comments to the Strategy Committee and Council, as appropriate.
	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	APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT MEMBER TO STANDARDS COMMITTEE The Head of Corporate Services to report that interviews have been conducted for the independent member vacancy on the Standards Committee and the interview panel (comprising the Chairman of Standards Committee, Monitoring Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officer) recommends the appointment of Mr John (“Don”) Watson to serve on the Committee for a 2 year term of office. It is recommended: That subject to the receipt of satisfactory references, Mr J Watson be appointed to the Standards Committee as an independent member for a term of 2 years commencing on 1 October 2007.
Paper G98	10	APPOINTMENT OF REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES Note by the Head of Corporate Services attached.
	11	ATTENDANCE AT SUFFOLK LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SLGA) MEETINGS AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (LGA) ANNUAL CONFERENCE The Head of Corporate Services to report that the Political Leaders’ Group at its meeting on 25 July 2007 discussed arrangements for future attendance at SLGA meetings and the LGA Conference. It is recommended:- (1)    That it be accepted that all three Groups should be represented at SLGA meetings. (2)    That for the current term of office, attendees at SLGA meetings be the Chairman of Strategy Committee and the Leaders of the two other Groups and for the LGA Conference, the Chairman of Strategy Committee and Leaders of the three political Groups. (3)    That substitutes for SLGA meetings and the LGA Conference be the Vice-Chairman of Strategy Committee and Deputy Group Leaders as appropriate.

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