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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 4 NOVEMBER 2010
PRESENT: Mr N A Ridley – Chairman
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Mrs J Antill
Mr M P Booth
Mrs S Carpendale
Mr A J Hinton
Ms J A Jenkins |
Mr R E Kemp
Dr M R Miller
Mr R W Thake
Mrs S M Wigglesworth |
Mr N A Bennett was unable to be present.
Mr D M Busby – Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee attended the meeting in order to present the Committee’s recommendations referred to in Minute No 68(a) below (Significant Business Risks Refresh).
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61 Additional Item of Business
62 Substitutes
63 Declaration of Interests
64 Minutes
65 Petitions
66 Questions from Members
67 Issues arising from Overview and Scrutiny Committees
68 Recommendations and Reports from Committees
69 Recommendations and Reports from Task Groups, Panels etc.
70 Work Plan
71 Approval of the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Local Investment Plan
72 Proposal for a Joint Suffolk and Norfolk Local Enterprise Partnership
73 2010/11 Capital Programme
The Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 provides that an item of business may not be considered by a Committee unless it is included on an Agenda. The Act does however make provision for an exception to the general rule to be made where by reason of special circumstances the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.
The Chairman advised that a situation had arisen where it had become necessary for the Committee to consider an item (to seek approval in principle to support the creation of a joint Suffolk and Norfolk Local Enterprise Partnership) and that he was satisfied that there were good reasons for dealing with this at the meeting as a matter of urgency. Details of the item were circulated as Paper K141.
It was noted that in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 5, a substitute was in attendance as follows:-
Mr R W Thake (substituting for Mr N A Bennett)
Mrs J Antill declared a personal interest in Paper K129 (Minute No. 69(b)) in her capacity as a Trustee of Sudbury Citizens Advice Bureau but indicated that her interest was such that she was able to speak and vote on the matter.
Mr R E Kemp declared a personal interest in Paper K129 (Minute No. 69(b)) in his capacity as a non-voting board member of Sudbury Citizens Advice Bureau but indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the matter.
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 September 2010 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
The Director of Corporate Services reported that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13, a petition had been submitted to the Chief Executive relating to:-
Council Owned Property in Chelmondiston
Petition signed by approximately 20 Babergh residents in relation to a Council owned property in Chelmondiston. Issues raised by the signatories are being addressed by the Head of Community Development under his delegated powers. In accordance with Council Procedure Rules, receipt of the petition will be reported to the Council meeting on 13 December 2010.
None received.
None received.
(a) Significant Business Risks Refresh (Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee Minute No.38)
Mr D M Busby, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee presented the Committee’s recommendations relating to the proposed revisions to the Council’s Significant Business Risks. The Director of Finance responded to questions. Members noted that the word ‘day’ on page 9 of Appendix A of Paper K100 should read ‘say’.
The Chief Executive in response to questions from Members referred to the current climate in which the Council is operating and the effect of the consequent challenges on the assessment of risk. Members were made aware that the mitigation measures for the seven significant risks identified (compared to ten previously) are set out in the Management Action Plans for each risk and that risk assessments in future Committee reports will continue to be based on these. They also noted that a key mitigation measure in relation to risks associated with the proposed merger with Mid Suffolk is clear communication and dialogue with all those affected.
RESOLVED
(1) That the revised significant business risks and the risk scenarios set out in Appendix A to Paper K100 be approved.
(2) That the changes to the risk ratings set out in Appendix B to Paper K100 be confirmed.
(3) That the Council’s Significant Business Risk Register be updated accordingly.
(4) That the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee continues to monitor the management of these risks as part of the Performance Management Framework.
(b) Policy on Unreasonable and Unreasonably Persistent Complaints (Standards Committee Minute No.22)
The Deputy Monitoring Officer introduced the recommendation of the Standards Committee. In response to a Member’s question, the Chief Executive confirmed that Ward Members would normally receive information on complainants through the normal channels, subject to there being no legal or data protection bar to so doing.
RESOLVED
That the policies for dealing with unreasonable behaviour by complainants and with unreasonably persistent complainants set out in Appendix 1 and Appendix 2 to Paper K116 be adopted, together with the suggested guidance.
(a) Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Needs in Babergh - Update
Mr A J Hinton, a Member of the Gypsy and Traveller Working Group (GTAWG), introduced Paper K128 which provided updated information on the requirement to deliver pitches in Babergh District and to report on progress in implementing the terms of reference set by Strategy Committee for the Working Group.
He also referred to an amended recommendation 2.2 circulated to Members prior to the meeting which clarified the process for identifying and confirming an appropriate site. The Chairman reported the receipt of comments received from the Ward Member, Peter Holbrook.
Ian Tippett responded to Members’ questions in relation to the current use of the temporary site, and to the work being undertaken generally in accordance with the processes previously agreed by the Committee.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Council enables the provision of one permanent Gypsy and Traveller pitch in the Babergh District in accordance with the findings of the Babergh Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment of 2007.
(2) That
(a) the GTAWG uses the agreed identification and delivery procedure to assess the suitability of the temporary site at Lilleyfields Sackers Green Newton to be a permanent Gypsy and Traveller pitch and
(b) if the site is deemed suitable in accordance with (a) above, and provided planning permission is granted for permanent use, then the site be confirmed as Babergh’s one pitch as referred to in Resolution (1) above.
(3) That in the event that the site at Lilleyfields as referred to at (2) above cannot be delivered, the GTAWG uses the agreed identification and delivery procedure to identify and assess the suitability of an alternative site for Strategy Committee to consider.
(4) That the GTAWG considers transit pitch needs in Babergh and works with Suffolk County Council and neighbouring Local Authorities to identify and agree the level of need for such pitches. Further, that a report be made to Strategy Committee with a recommendation for transit pitch delivery in Babergh.
(b) Interim Strategic and Financial Planning Report
Mr N A Ridley Chairman of the SFP Task Group introduced Paper K129 relating to the current position on the Strategic and Financial Planning Work being undertaken. The Deputy Chief Executive made reference to a letter received from South Suffolk Leisure in relation to savings and service provision issues, which are the subject of ongoing discussions.
During the course of the debate Members made reference to areas which they wished the SFP Task Group to consider further and these were incorporated into recommendation 2.4 of Paper K129 (Resolution (4) below). They also noted that new and innovative approaches would be considered in relation to the future provision of publicly accessible toilet facilities. The Committee’s thanks were recorded for the hard work and co-operation of the staff in progressing the necessary work relating to the considerable savings suggestions shown in the report.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Committee endorses the approach taken on the strategic direction in relation to developing savings proposals and achieving the appropriate balance between priorities and service provision set out in sections 5.11 and 5.12 of Paper K129.
(2) That the overall financial prospects for the Council’s Budget for the years 2011/12 to 2013/14 as outlined in sections 5.13 to 5.16 of Paper K129 be noted.
(3) That the current position on achieving further potential savings and efficiencies and how this will feed into the 2011/12 Budget, as set out in sections 5.17 to 5.25 of Paper K129, and the conclusions in section 5.40 of the report be noted.
(4) That the savings and efficiencies proposals set out in Appendix A be endorsed and, subject to further work on these and other potential areas including excess charges; the tourism budget; asset management; Community Achievement Awards Event and Member training being undertaken by the Strategic and Financial Planning Task Group, that these be incorporated in the Draft Budget proposals that are submitted to the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committees meeting on 7 December 2010.
(5) That the proposed transfer of the management of Sudbury Tourist Information Centre to Sudbury Town Council upon the terms set out in sections 5.26 to 5.29 of Paper K129 be approved.
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper K130) on items identified for the Strategy Committee.
RESOLVED
That the Work Plan set out in Paper K130 be noted.
Mrs S M Wigglesworth, representing Babergh on the Joint Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council Local Investment Plan Working Group, introduced Paper K131 advising Members of the content of the Draft Plan and seeking approval for this to be implemented in partnership with Mid Suffolk District Council.
Members noted that a correction would be made to the number of Babergh Councillors referred to in the Plan and improved maps would be provided together with such other minor amendments being made as may be necessary.
RESOLVED
(1) That the draft Local Investment Plan attached at Appendix (a) which includes the priority list of schemes for the Babergh District be approved subject to the Head of Community Development being authorised to make such minor amendments as necessary prior to publication.
(2) That the appointment of Councillor Sue Wigglesworth as the Babergh District Council Member on the joint Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Council Local Investment Plan Working Group be confirmed.
Members had before them the report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Paper K141) which was circulated prior to the commencement of the meeting, the Chairman having agreed that the report should be included in the agenda as an additional item of business.
RESOLVED
(1) That Babergh supports the creation of a Joint Suffolk and Norfolk Local Enterprise Partnership.
(2) That the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chairman of Strategy Committee, be authorised to agree the details of a proposed bid to Government for the creation of a Local Enterprise Partnership for Suffolk and Norfolk.
The Head of Contract and Asset Management submitted a report (Paper K132) seeking approval to implement a scheme within the Council’s HRA and to authorise further design work on a General Fund project at Kingfisher Leisure Centre.
RESOLVED
That expenditure from the Council’s Housing Revenue Account and General Fund be approved to carry out the proposed work outlined in the table in paragraph 5.1 of Paper K132.
Note: The meeting adjourned for refreshments between 11.05 a.m. and 11.30 a.m.
The business of the meeting concluded at 1.15 p.m.
Chairman
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