Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mrs. M. A. Sherrey JP.

Councillor G. N. Denaro declared a prejudicial interest in agenda items 8 and 9 (Bromsgrove Youth Capital Budget - Proposed Expenditure and Bromsgrove Play Action Plan respectively), as a Trustee of the Wythall Community Hall Trust.  During consideration of these matters Councillor Denaro left the room.  

Councillor Mrs. J. Dyer M.B.E. declared a prejudicial interest in agenda items 8 and 9 (Bromsgrove Youth Capital Budget - Proposed Expenditure and Bromsgrove Play Action Plan respectively), as a Trustee of the Wythall Community Hall Trust.  During consideration of these matters Councillor Dyer left the room.

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 5th September 2007 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes be approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the Scrutiny Steering Board held on 4th September 2007 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes be noted.

The Chairman of the Scrutiny Steering Board advised that he had no comments to make on behalf of the Scrutiny Steering Board on items to be considered at the meeting.

The minutes of the Audit Board held on 17th September 2007 were submitted.

In relation to minute 16/07 (External Audit Report to those Charged with Corporate Governance - Statement of Accounts for the Year Ended 31st March 2007), the Head of Financial Services advised that she since had spoken with the Council's external auditors on certain aspects of the report's supporting commentary and that the auditors had agreed to make the necessary amendments to this. 

It was noted that the Board's recommendation in relation to the Corporate Risk Register would be dealt with later in the meeting, during the Cabinet's separate consideration of this matter. 

RESOLVED that the minutes, together with the recommendation contained in the minutes in relation to the Corporate Risk Register, be noted.

The minutes of the Performance Management Board held on 18th September 2007 were submitted.

In relation to the recommendations at Minutes 34/07 (Monthly Performance Report - Period 4 (July 2007) and 36/07 (Customer Panel Survey), the Leader stated that these would be acted upon.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the minutes be noted; and

(b)       that, the recommendations contained in the minutes be noted and             approved.

Consideration was given to a report on proposed youth projects at Catshill and Wythall which were to be funded from the existing Bromsgrove Youth Schemes Capital Budget.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the provision of a Multi Use Games Arena at Catshill with the proposed location of the Shelley Close site be approved;

(b)       that the part funding of a Teenage Adventure Play Area as part of the Council's Big Lottery Application to be located in the Wythall area be approved; and

(c)        that authority be delegated to the Acting Head of Culture and Community Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Community Safety and Leisure Services and Ward Councillors, to agree the most suitable location and provision with local partners/organisations based on resident consultation.

The Cabinet considered the Bromsgrove Play Action Plan, which it was noted would support the delivery of the outcomes of the Worcestershire Play Strategy 2007 to 2010.  Members fully supported the Plan and requested that Officers implement this as soon as possible. 

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the Bromsgrove Play Action Plan and the action outlined within it be approved; and

(b)       that Officers update action following the completion of the PPG17 Audit of the District.

Consideration was given to the key findings of the first Customer Panel Survey which had taken place in June 2007.  It was noted that the Survey would be undertaken on an annual basis in order for improvements to be tracked and customer satisfaction levels monitored.  The recommendation of the Performance Management Board, as set out in minute 36/07, that Portfolio Holders work with their respective Heads of Service to ensure that all relevant key issues were taken back and included in the various Business Plans to further the Council's progress were noted.  The Leader stated that it was important for Councillors to assist in the process and to communicate with residents to try and to work towards making any necessary improvements for the 2008 Survey.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the findings of the first Customer Panel Survey be noted; and

(b)       that the Council work toward making any necessary improvements for the Customer Panel Survey for 2008.

The Cabinet considered the first exception report on the new Improvement Plan, together with the corrective action being taken.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the revised Improvement Plan Exception Report, together with the corrective action being taken, be noted; and

(b)       that it be noted that, for the 159 actions highlighted within the Plan for July, 95.6% of the Plan was on target (green), 3.2% was one month behind (amber) and 0.6% was over one month behind (red). 0.6% of actions had been re-scheduled or suspended with approval.

Consideration was given to the Corporate Risk Register, which it was noted had been recommended for approval by the Audit Board.

RESOLVED that the Corporate Risk Register be approved; and

RECOMMENDED that authority be delegated to the Head of Financial Services, in consultation with the Audit Board and the Portfolio Holder for Finance, to monitor, review and update the corporate and departmental registers.