8th March 2007 - Agenda

To All Members of the Strategy Committee

Mr N A Bennett
Mr M P Booth
Dr M R Miller
Mr J J Quinlan
Mr D J Read

Mr N A Ridley
Mr C M Spence
Mr H N Todd
Mrs S M Wigglesworth
Mr L H Young

To All Members of the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) and (Community Services) Committees – FOR INFORMATION

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 8 February 2007 as a correct record.

4

PETITIONS

The Head 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 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.

7

RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES

(a) Private Hire Licensing: Stretched Limousines Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 (Licensing and Appeals Committee Minute No. 5)

The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper F157) advising that the Council had resolved, in 2001 that the licensing of stretched limousines be reviewed after publication of government guidance. The guidance is now expected in 2007 and some brief information had been issued in October 2006.

However, there has been concern from Members as to whether any action is required now and Paper F157 highlighted the issues involved and options available to Members.

RECOMMENDED TO STRATEGY COMMITTEE

That the Council await the publication of further detailed national guidance from the Department for Transport for Licensing Authorities on the issues surrounding the licensing of stretched limousines before considering the matter further and that in the meantime the Council’s current policy, that such vehicles be deemed unsuitable for licensing, be continued. Further, that illegal use of any vehicle be dealt with through appropriate enforcement measures.

(b) Brown Bin Garden Waste Collection Service (Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Minute No. 44)

The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper F178) concerning the following Notice of Motion submitted to the Council on 19 December 2006 (Minute No. 66 refers).

“That Babergh District Council offers its brown bin garden waste collection service free to persons who are registered disabled on the basis that, because they may not have the physical ability to compost or dispose of their garden waste, they do not have the choice available to non-disabled persons and, therefore, have no alternative but to pay for a collection service.”

In the ensuing discussion the following were among the points noted:-

• The Council is under no statutory obligation to collect garden waste, and the relevant regulations empower waste collection authorities to make a reasonable charge where such a service is offered.

• In line with the Council’s strategic charging policy, appropriate reductions are applied for those in hardship, based on ability to pay. This is generally based on a benefits related means test.

• In the event of registered disability, and no other assistance being available in a household, steps are taken to help residents – for example, assisted bin collections.

RECOMMENDED TO STRATEGY COMMITTEE AND COUNCIL

That the Notice of Motion set out above be not accepted, and that the current arrangements for the collection of garden waste remain, with charges being reduced for qualifying individuals in accordance with the Council’s strategic charging policy.

Paper F198

8

RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS FROM TASK GROUPS/PANELS

(a) CAST

Report from the Cast Programme Board attached.

Paper F199

(b) E-Government Update

Report from the E-Government Steering Group attached.

Paper F200

9

WORK PLAN

Report by the Head of Corporate Services attached.

Paper F201

10

TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

Report by the Head of Finance attached.

Paper F202

11

EFFICIENCIES UPDATE

Report by the Head of Finance attached.

12

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC (WHICH TERM INCLUDES THE PRESS)

To consider whether, pursuant to Part I 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 F203

13

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

Report by the Head of Corporate Services attached.