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, 24 NOVEMBER 2011
PRESENT: Ms J A Jenkins – Chairman
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Mrs J Antill
Dr M F M Bamford
Mrs S Carpendale
Mr A J Hinton |
Mr P Jones
Mr N A Ridley
Mr A J Ward
Mrs S M Wigglesworth |
The following Members were unable to be present:-
Mr A C Bavington, Mr N A Bennett, Mrs A K Pollard and Mr L H Young.
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63 Substitutes
64 Declaration of Interests
65 Minutes
66 Petitions
67 Questions from Members
68 Issues Arising from Overview and Scrutiny Committees
69 Recommendations and Reports from Committees
70 Work Plan for 2011/12
71 Section 106 Planning Obligations Guidance for Developers
72 Future of Housing Revenue Account Financing
73 Exclusion of Public (which term includes the Press)
74 Procurement of a Private Sector Leasing Scheme
It was noted that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 5, substitutes were in attendance as follows:-
Dr M F M Bamford (substituting for Mrs A K Pollard)
Mr P Jones (substituting for Mr L H Young)
Mr A J Ward (substituting for Mr N A Bennett)
None declared.
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 November 2011 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
None received.
None received.
None received.
Government Proposals to De-regulate Entertainment Activities from the Licensing Act 2003 (Licensing and Appeals Committee 10 November 2011)
Mr A J Ward, Vice-Chairman of the Licensing and Appeals Committee introduced Paper L94 asking Members to approve a draft response to the Government Consultation on proposals to de-regulate various entertainment activities.
During consideration of this matter it was agreed that a covering summary letter would also be submitted with the consultation document response.
RESOLVED
(1) That the draft response (as set out in Appendix A to Paper L94 and with the inclusion of the comments contained in Appendix D) to the Government’s consultation proposals to remove most entertainment activities from requiring licensing under the Licensing Act 2003
(a) be amended to take into account the aspects identified by the Licensing and Appeals Committee in relation to Question 12 and paragraph 6.4 and
(b) be approved as amended in accordance with (a) above, and submitted as Babergh District Council’s formal response to the consultation.
(2) That the Head of Natural and Built Environment be authorised to make any further minor or consequential amendments to the response.
The Joint Strategic Director (Corporate) submitted a report (Paper L105) on items identified for the Strategy Committee.
RESOLVED
That the Work Plan set out in Paper L105 be noted.
The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper L106) advising that the Suffolk Local Planning Authorities are in the process of revising and updating the Section 106 Planning Obligations Supplementary Guidance documents.
Drafts of the new documentation were agreed for consultation by the Strategy Committee in January 2011. Paper L106 outlined the results of the public consultation exercise undertaken by the County Council on behalf of all of the Suffolk Local Authorities.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Developers Guide to Infrastructure contributions in Suffolk appended to Paper L106, and its supporting documents, be agreed as non-statutory Supplementary Planning Guidance by this Council.
(2) That the Head of Natural and Built Environment be authorised:
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To adopt the final documents, including any amendments proposed by the editing team, unless he considers them to be of such significance that they should be brought to the attention of the Committee for consideration.
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To review and update this guidance on a periodic basis, subject to any major issues being brought to the attention of the Committee for its consideration.
The Director of Finance submitted a report (Paper L108) advising Members on the current position of the proposed self financing regime for Council housing and the housing revenue account, which replaces the current arrangements and the subsidy scheme, due to come into effect from April 2012.
Under the new self financing regime the Council would be taking on a share of the National Housing Debt in return for leaving the existing HRA subsidy scheme. As a result of this it is imperative that the Council has a business plan that can demonstrate its ability to meet the required investment standard to their existing stock and sustain balances without falling into deficit over the next 30 years.
RESOLVED
(1) That subject to further consideration of the overall proposed business plan, the position on maximising HRA rental income, maintaining the link with the rent restructuring regime as per paragraph 9.3.1. of Paper L108 be noted.
(2) That the issues relating to the debt and treasury management strategy as set out in paragraph 9.3.3 of Paper L108 be noted.
RESOLVED
That pursuant to Part 1 of Schedule 12A 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.
The Committee was also satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.
The Head of Community Development submitted a report (Paper L107) seeking an exemption to the Council’s Procurement and Contracts Procedure Rules to appoint a registered charity, Housing Action, to manage a private sector leasing scheme on behalf of the Council.
RESOLVED
(1) That Procurement and Contracts Procedure Rule 3.2.1 be disapplied to enable a contract to be entered into with Housing Action to manage a Private Sector Leasing Scheme on behalf of the Council without obtaining competitive quotations.
(2) That the Council terminates its existing contract with Havebury on terms and conditions as agreed by the Head of Community Development.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 11.10 a.m.
Chairman
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