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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, 28TH APRIL 2005
PRESENT: Mr N A Ridley – Chairman
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Mrs E F Bates
Mr N A Bennett
Mr M P Booth
Mrs S P Clarke |
Mr C M Spence
Mrs S M Wigglesworth
Mr L H Young |
The following Members were unable to be present:- Mr A C Bavington, Mr D J Read and Mr H N Todd.
1 SUBSTITUTES
It was noted that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 5 a substitute was in attendance as follows:-
Mrs E F Bates (substituting for Mr D J Read)
2 ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED
That Mr N A Bennett be elected Vice-Chairman of the Strategy Committee for the ensuing year.
3 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Mr C M Spence declared a personal interest in Item No. 8 – Review of Sheltered Housing Accommodation due to a family connection with a tenant, but indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the matter concerned.
4 MINUTES
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 10th March 2005 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
5 PETITIONS
None received.
6 QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS
None received.
7 ISSUES ARISING FROM OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEES (OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY RULES 33 AND 34)
None received.
8 RECOMMENDATIONS FROM GROUPS/PANELS
Review of the Council’s Sheltered Housing Service
Mrs S M Wigglesworth, Chairman of the Housing Panel, presented Paper E11 which contained the Housing Panel’s recommendations and proposals for the future of the Council’s fifteen sheltered housing schemes. The Review document was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.
Mrs Wigglesworth referred to the reasons for the Review, and the Panel’s view that a phased approach should be taken on implementing its recommendations, with the opportunity for progress to be reviewed annually by the Committee.
Members noted that the reference to ‘internal’ in paragraph 2.5 of the report should read ‘internet’.
During the course of the discussion on the Panel’s recommendations, reference was made to various strategic aspects of the Review including the health and community care context, the links to complementary programmes through local agencies such as Primary Care Trusts and Local Strategic Partnerships, and the importance of developing Very Sheltered Housing provision. The Head of Housing explained the effect of the application of the Right to Buy rules on any Schemes which were being reduced in size, and Members noted that any car parking issues for Schemes would be reviewed as part of the Panel’s normal remit
RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL
(1) That the following Sheltered Schemes be reduced in size.
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Ash Street, Boxford
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Playford Court, Sudbury
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Hill House, Bildeston
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Hadleigh Central
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Parkers Way, Nayland
(2) That feasibility studies into improvement and/or redevelopment options for the following schemes be undertaken in the priority order shown, and that reports be prepared for Strategy Committee to determine proposals for:
(a) Clibbon House, Great Cornard
(b) Spring Street and Tenterpiece, Lavenham
(c) Angel Street, Hadleigh
(d) Ash Street, Boxford
(3) That a dedicated ‘Handyperson’ Scheme be introduced as a two-year pilot to undertake minor repairs and major cleaning works in the communal areas at the larger Sheltered Schemes, subject to a detailed cost evaluation.
(4) That, if and when the TV Licensing authority withdraws a tenant’s right to a concessionary TV licence fee as a result of the Sheltered Scheme review, the fees be paid from the HRA for the tenants affected.
(5) That a programme of improvement works be established for works at First Avenue, Sudbury and for security measures, internet surfing clubs and scooter parks at the larger Sheltered Schemes. Further that these improvements be funded from the Council’s existing Sheltered Units – General Improvements budget, already included in the Council’s HRA Business Plan.
(6) That the possibility of upgrading Playford Court Sheltered Scheme into a Very Sheltered Housing Scheme be investigated with Suffolk County Council.
(7) That (a) a programme of conversion/adaptations be established for works at William Wood House and Sydney Brown Court and (b) these improvements be funded from the Council’s existing Conversions/Adaptations budget already included in the Council’s HRA Business Plan.
(8) That the Head of Housing in consultation with the Head of Organisational Development be authorised to make all appropriate changes to the Sheltered Service staffing structure which become necessary as a result of the implementation of the Review.
(9) That sheltered tenants living at Schemes which are scheduled for any form of re-designation or remodelling be awarded priority status on the Transfer List.
(10) That the Council’s Lettings Policy be amended to allow the `Over 50`s` rule to apply to those Schemes being reduced in size.
(11) That the Housing Panel undertakes a review of the progress of the implementation of these recommendations, commencing in 2006.
9 STRATEGY COMMITTEE WORK PLAN
The Head of Legal and Administrative Services submitted a report (Paper E12) on items identified for future meetings of the Strategy Committee, and updated Members on some additional items which had been identified since the report was written.
RESOLVED
That the Work Plan set out in Paper E12 be noted.
10 REVISED CONTAMINATED LAND STRATEGY FOR THE BABERGH DISTRICT
The Head of Environmental Services submitted a report (Paper E13) asking Members to adopt for publication the revised Contaminated Land Strategy which was available in the Member’s Room and on the Council’s website. Members were aware that the revisions had been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 in relation to the identification of potential sites, the inspection of sites identified and remediation of any which might be determined as Contaminated Land under the legislation.
RESOLVED
That the revised Contaminated Land Strategy as referred to in Paper E13 be approved and adopted for publication.
11 PROCUREMENT OF COMPOSTING SERVICES
The Head of Environmental Services submitted a report (Paper E16) seeking Committee authority to enable the Council to procure composting services through its participation in the Suffolk Composting Partnership.
RESOLVED
(1) That the application of Contracts Procedure Rule No. 2(d)(i) be noted.
(2) That the Head of Legal and Administrative Services in consultation with the Head of Environmental Services be authorised to enter into an agreement for the composting of green waste at one or more of the sites provided as a result of the Suffolk Composting Partnership procurement exercises.
12 HAVEN GATEWAY BID FOR GROWTH AREA STATUS
The Head of Planning Policy and Economic Development submitted a report (Paper E14) asking the Committee to support a bid for the establishment of growth area status of the Haven Gateway Sub-Region, subject to certain key provisos. Members generally accepted the recommendation, but were concerned that the importance of the provisos should be emphasised when pursuing the bid.
RESOLVED
(1) That a bid to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to establish the growth area status of the Haven Gateway Sub-Region be supported, subject to:-
(a) it being clear that this support should not necessarily be seen as acceptance of higher levels of growth in Babergh in this or future reviews of the Regional Spatial Strategy.
(b) there being appropriate protection of the environment.
(c) access to jobs and services in Ipswich and Colchester being effectively maintained for Babergh residents.
(2) That the Haven Gateway Partnership be asked to stress the importance of the provisos set out in (a) to (c) to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister when making the bid.
13 REPORTS FROM MEMBERS
Members had before them the report from Richard Kemp, the Council’s representative on SPARSE (Paper E17). Mr Kemp was thanked for his report.
Members were asked to note that, following the inclusion of SPARSE in Ofcom’s list of stakeholders, SPARSE is responding to a consultation by Ofcom on rural phone issues. SPARSE is seeking the support of its member authorities for a response along the lines suggested in the emboldened text of Paper E17, and Members were asked to consider endorsing the SPARSE view.
RESOLVED
(1) That the report from Richard Kemp be noted.
(2) That Ofcom be advised that Babergh District Council endorses the SPARSE response on rural phone issues, as summarised in Paper E17.
14 EXCLUSION OF 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 these items, it is likely that there would be the disclosure to them of exempt information as indicated against each item.
15 LAND DISPOSAL AT ROCKALLS ROAD, POLSTEAD AND TAWNEYS RIDE, BURES (Exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 9 of Part 1)
Prior to the vote on the Exclusion of the Public (Minute No. 14 above) Mr C M Spence declared a personal interest in this item due to a family connection.
The Head of Housing presented the report (Paper E15) requesting Committee approval to sell properties at Rockalls Road, Polstead and Tawneys Ride, Bures to Housing Associations to enable these sites to be developed for new affordable housing in accordance with the Council’s decision on 26th February 2004.
RESOLVED
That the Head of Housing in consultation with the Head of Legal and Administrative Services be authorised to dispose of Nos. 23, 25 and 27 Rockalls Road, Polstead to Flagship Housing and Nos. 18 and 20 Tawneys Ride, Bures to Orwell Housing Association.
16 PLAY AREA OFF AUBREY DRIVE, SUDBURY (Exempt information by virtue of Paragraphs 7 and 8 of Part1)
The Head of Leisure and Community Services presented (Paper E18) asking Members to consider suspending Contracts Procedure Rule No 3 in connection with the play area off Aubrey Drive, Sudbury.
RESOLVED
That Contracts Procedure Rule No. 3 be suspended to enable a contract to be entered into with Recreational Supply Services Limited without obtaining competitive tenders to move and complete the play area at Aubrey Drive, Sudbury and carry out various remedial works to bring the area up to an acceptable standard for adoption by the Council.
The business of the meeting was concluded 10.35 a.m.
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Chairman
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