Members

Mrs J Antill
Mr A C Bavington
Mr N A Bennett
Mrs S Carpendale
Mr A J Hinton

Ms J A Jenkins
Mrs A K Pollard
Mr N A Ridley
Mrs S M Wigglesworth
Mr L H Young

ITEM

BUSINESS

1

SUBSTITUTES AND APOLOGIES

Any Member attending as an approved substitute to report giving his/her name and the name of the Member being substituted.

To receive apologies for absence.

2

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

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

3

MINUTES

To confirm and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 July 2011 as a correct record.

4

PETITIONS

The Director of Corporate Services to report, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No.13, the receipt of any petitions submitted to the Chief Executive.

5

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS

The Chairman 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 the Committee of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No.15.4 (a) and (b).

6

ISSUES ARISING FROM OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEES

None received.

Paper L49 – App B

7

RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES

2010/11 Annual Governance Statement (AGS) – (Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee Minute No. 18

At the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee on 12 July, the Director of Finance introduced Paper L49 reviewing the Council’s Corporate Governance Arrangements as required by the Accounts and Audit (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2011 and seeking approval to the Annual Governance Statement.  The proposed AGS in Appendix A to Paper L49 was to be revised to further reflect the integration of our governance arrangements with Mid Suffolk in 2010/11 and beyond and a revised recommendation was circulated to that effect.  The Committee gave its approval to the revised recommendation, and the amended AGS will be signed on behalf of the Council by the Chief Executive and the Chairman of the Strategy Committee.

Members were also advised of proposed changes to the Council’s existing Code of Corporate Governance as outlined in Appendix B to Paper L49.  A copy of the Appendix is attached.

The Director of Finance to report to the Strategy Committee that, in September 2008, the Council approved and adopted a Local Code of Corporate Governance (the Code), which was consistent with the principles of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives (SOLACE) Framework ‘Delivering Good Governance in Local Government’

Strategy Committee is now asked to approve a revised Code which reflects an update on best practice as set out by CIPFA relating to the role of the Chief Financial Officer in Public Service Organisations.  The revised Code sets out the principles that define the core activities and behaviours that are expected of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the governance arrangements needed to support them.  These arrangements are already substantially in place as part of the Council’s existing governance framework and arrangements.  The changes to the Code are also consistent with the Chief Executive’s Senior Management proposals for an integrated staffing structure for Babergh and Mid Suffolk.

Members should note that the principles and format of the Council’s Code remain the same and that the changes compared to the existing Code are shown in italics. The Council’s overall governance arrangements will be kept under review as part of the integration with Mid Suffolk and Members will be advised accordingly of any proposed changes that require consideration.

The Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee

RECOMMENDED TO STRATEGY COMMITTEE

That the revised Local Code of Corporate Governance in Appendix B to Paper L49, which incorporates recent changes as a result of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s “Statement on the Role of the Chief Financial Officer in Public Service Organisations” be approved.

Paper L54

8

WORK PLAN

Report by the Director of Corporate Services attached.

Paper L55

9

BABERGH DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK – SUBMISSION DRAFT CORE STRATEGY DOCUMENT (2011-2031)

Report by the Head of Natural and Built Environment attached.

Paper L56

10

NATIONAL GRID: STAGE TWO DRAFT STATEMENT OF COMMUNITY CONSULTATION (SoCC)

Report by the Head of Natural and Built Environment attached.

Members are advised that Suffolk County Council has contacted the Councils of Babergh, Mid Suffolk, Braintree and Essex to establish whether they would be interested in joint discussions on the progression of the National Grid project, at a meeting to be held in the second half of September.  The indication from the other Councils is that they are likely to be represented by a Portfolio Member together with one or two others.

Babergh’s Political Group Leaders have been alerted to this invitation, and have been asked for their views on appropriate representation.  Whilst this is a matter on which the Strategy Members will be asked to express a view, the Chairman of the Committee suggests that the invitation to attend the first meeting should be extended to all Babergh Members whose Wards appear to be affected by current  National Grid proposals.  The position can then be reviewed after the initial meeting.

Any further information will be reported to the meeting and Members will be asked to consider an appropriate appointment(s).

Paper L57

11

PLANNING PERFORMANCE AGREEMENTS

Report by the Head of Natural and Built Environment attached.

12

EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC (WHICH TERM INCLUDES THE PRESS)

To consider whether, pursuant to Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the public should 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.

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 L58

13

APPLICATIONS FOR VOLUNTARY REDUNDANCY (Exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 4 of Part 1)

Report by the Director of Corporate Services attached.