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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 12 JANUARY 2006
PRESENT: Mr N A Ridley – Chairman
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Mr N A Bennett
Mr M P Booth
Mrs S P Clarke
Mr J J Quinlan
Mr D J Read |
Mr C M Spence
Mr H N Todd
Mrs S M Wigglesworth
Mr L H Young |
Ms J A Jenkins attended the meeting in order to present the recommendations of the Overview & Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee referred to in Minute Nos. 104(a), 104(b) and 108 below.
99 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
None declared.
100 MINUTES
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meetings held on 10 and 30 November 2005 be confirmed and signed as a correct record subject to the deletion of the name Mr D J Read from those present at the 30 November meeting.
101 PETITIONS
None received.
102 QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS
None received.
103 ISSUES ARISING FROM OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEES
(OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY RULES 33 AND 34)
None received.
104 RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
(a) Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee Minute No. 54 – Risk Management Action Plans
RESOLVED
That the Risk Management Action Plan set out in Appendix 2 to Paper E200 be approved, subject to the Head of Finance being authorised to make minor amendments to reflect any issues in Appendix 1 that were not fully covered.
(b) Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee Minute No. 57 – Progress on Procurement Strategy
RESOLVED
(1) That progress on implementing the Council’s Procurement Strategy and savings achieved to date and estimated in the future as set out in Paper E209 be noted.
(2) That the proposed Action Plan in relation to the IdeA fitness check as set out in Appendix 2 to Paper E209 be approved, subject to these being prioritised in order to match the available resources.
(c) Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee Minute No. 50 – Review of Procedures for Rechargeable Works
RESOLVED
That the improved procedures listed in paragraph 4.7 of Paper E215 be implemented wherever relevant to rechargeable works or shared costs.
(d) Budget 2006/07 – Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee Minute No.6
It was noted that the recommendations contained within the Minute referred to above were to be considered under Minute No. 109 below.
105 WORK PLAN
The Acting Head of Legal and Administrative Services submitted a report (Paper E236) on items identified for future meetings of the Strategy Committee. It was noted that a report on a Review of Staffing Structures was to be submitted to either the February or March meeting.
RESOLVED
That the Work Plan set out in Paper E236 (as amended) be noted.
106 RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS FROM TASK GROUPS/PANELS
Working From Home Policy
Mr H N Todd, in his capacity as a Member of the HR Panel, presented that Panel’s report (Paper E245) recommending the adoption of a Working From Home Policy for Babergh employees under the Council’s Going Forward Together – Flexible Working Policies.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Working From Home Policy, attached as an Appendix to Paper E245, be adopted with immediate effect.
(2) That a review of the Policy be undertaken one year after implementation.
107 BABERGH MATTERS – RESIDENTS’ QUESTIONNAIRE
The Corporate Support Manager submitted a report (Paper E237) advising that the Autumn edition of Babergh Matters included a questionnaire asking residents their views on a number of priority areas where Members agreed that more information was needed.
The questionnaire had a response rate of nearly 16%, the data has been weighted against the 2003 mid year population figure to give a data set that is demographically accurate for age against the population of the District. This has provided useful information on a range of issues.
Members were requested to discuss the issues that have been raised through the Babergh Matters consultation exercise and, bearing in mind inclusions already made to the 2006/07 Corporate Plan decide whether any further action is required.
RESOLVED
That the report be noted.
108 COUNCIL HOUSING – REVENUE BUDGET AND CAPITAL PROGRAMME
Geoff Kistner, Corporate Director and the Head of Finance submitted a report (Paper E238) on the Revenue Budget and Capital Programme for Council Housing. It was noted that the average rent increase for 2006/07 will be 5% which is in line with the Government’s rent restructuring requirements.
RESOLVED
That the draft Council Housing Revenue Budget 2006/07 and the Revised Budget for 2005/06 as set out in Appendix A to Paper E238, the charges for services for 2006/07 as set out in Appendix B to Paper E238 and the draft Council Housing 3 Year Capital Programme as set out in Appendix C to Paper E238 be approved for consultation with the Housing Panel and the Tenants Forum and for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Committees prior to returning for final consideration by this Committee on 9 February 2006 which would make recommendations to the Council on 23 February 2006.
109 GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND COUNCIL TAX
Mr C M Spence declared a personal interest by virtue of his Membership of Suffolk County Council but indicated that he would speak and vote on the matter concerned.
Geoff Kistner, Corporate Director and the Head of Finance submitted a Report (Paper E239) asking the Committee to consider the draft General Fund Budget and level of Council Tax for 2006/07. The report and draft budget reflected the outcome of very careful and detailed consideration by Officers and Members of the Service and Financial Planning Member Group and a joint meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.
Ms J A Jenkins as Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee informed the Committee how the Members involved in this had arrived at their recommendations.
During consideration of this item it was accepted that Officers should not be requested to investigate making further savings. It was also accepted that further information providing clarity on operational and support service costs would be provided to the following meeting.
RESOLVED
That the Draft Budget attached to Paper E239, the proposed use of general fund resources set out in the table in paragraph 4.9 and the CAST Budget and funding arrangements as summarised in the table in paragraph 4.11 (on the understanding that any costs on the CAST project will only be incurred with the agreement of the full Council and with regular six monthly reviews of the position by the full Council) be approved for consideration by the Overview and Scrutiny Committees prior to returning for final consideration by this Committee on 9 February 2006 which would make recommendations to the Council Meeting on 23 February 2006.
The meeting adjourned for lunch at 12.55pm and resumed at 1.35pm when the following Members were present:
Mr N A Ridley – Chairman
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Mr N A Bennett
Mr M P Booth
Mrs S P Clarke
Mr J J Quinlan
Mr D J Read |
Mr C M Spence
Mr H N Todd
Mrs S M Wigglesworth
Mr L H Young |
110 DRAFT CORPORATE PLAN FOR 2006/07
The Corporate Support Manager submitted a report (Paper E240) advising that the Corporate Plan is revised on an annual basis to ensure it contains the actions necessary to achieve the Council’s priorities.
It was noted that the first draft of the 2006/07 Corporate Plan, attached as Appendix 1 to Paper E240 had been updated with reference to a number of matters outlined in paragraph 1.2 of Paper E240. The Corporate Plan required more detailed work and a timetable was outlined in paragraph 1.3 of Paper E240.
Also attached to the report were Appendices relating to actions approved arising from the State of the District Debate and areas identified for improvement under Performance Indicators.
During consideration of this matter the appropriate Officers were to investigate the inclusion in the Corporate Plan matters relating to the inadequate road infrastructure surrounding Sudbury and the Hadleigh (North) Ward’s position in the Deprivation Index.
RESOLVED
That the amendments proposed to the Corporate Plan and the action proposed for inclusion in the Corporate Plan as outlined in Paper E240 and its Appendices be noted.
111 DRAFT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2006-2009
The Acting Head of Planning Policy & Economic Development submitted a Report (Paper E243) advising that attached to the Report was a draft Economic Development Programme for 2006/07 – 2008/09 for approval for the document to go out to consultation to local businesses and organisations.
During consideration of this item under the key area “Place development, including infrastructure” mention would be made to an improved road structure for Chilton and Sudbury.
On page 18 of the Draft Strategy an additional bullet point would be included in the first paragraph relating to Babergh working with Suffolk County Council in working towards a Sudbury Western Bypass as soon as possible, to monitor new traffic reduction schemes in Sudbury and to promote appropriate transport improvements across the district through the Local Transport Plan.
RESOLVED
That subject to the amendments referred to above the Draft Economic Development Programme 2006/07 – 2008/09 be approved for consultation purposes and reconsidered at the meeting to be held on 11 May 2006.
112 PENSION FUND VALUATION
Geoff Kistner, Corporate Director submitted a Report (Paper E241) advising that the interim valuation of the Pension Fund at 31 March 2005 shows that the estimated deficit has reduced over the last year as a result of investment experience and contributions, but after allowances made for increased longevity there is no overall change to the deficit.
RESOLVED
That the existing level of Pension Fund contributions required under the Suffolk County Council’s Funding Strategy Statement be continued.
113 2005/06 CAPITAL PROGRAMME – NON COMMITTED SCHEMES
The Head of Technical Services submitted a Report (Paper E242) requesting approval to carry out non-committed schemes on:-
§ Decent homes improvements
§ Sheltered housing general improvements
§ Badly neglected properties
§ Paths and walls
The Head of Leisure and Community Services also requested that expenditure from the Council’s General Fund be approved to carry out a scheme of improvements to the Tourist Information Centre at Lavenham.
RESOLVED
That the non-committed schemes outlined in Paper E242 be approved.
114 EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC (WHICH TERM INCLUDES THE PRESS)
RESOLVED
That pursuant to Section 100A(4) 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.
115 HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT – TERM CONTRACTS FOR RESPONSIVE REPAIRS/DAY TO DAY MAINTENANCE AND WORKS AT VOID PROPERTIES (Exempt Information by Virtue of Paragraphs 8 and 9 of Part I)
The Head of Technical Services submitted a Report (Paper E244) requesting approval to extend the current term maintenance contracts for reactive repairs and works to void properties for a two year period beyond the 31 March 2006.
It was agreed that the Procurement Task Group be requested to investigate contracts available for bidding to “local contractors”.
RESOLVED
(1) That the “responsive repairs/day to day maintenance” currently being carried out by Trevor Benton Limited, be extended for two years from 1 April 2006 until 31 March 2008.
(2) That the works to “void properties” contract currently being undertaken by L J Norman Builders Limited be extended for two years from 1 April 2006 until 31 March 2008
NOTE: The meeting adjourned between 10.55 a.m. and 11.20 a.m. for refreshments.
The meeting was concluded at 2.15 p.m.
Chairman
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