Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

Councillor Mrs. J. M. L. A. Griffiths declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 8 (Artrix Operating Trust – Service Level Agreement), as a member of the Operating Trust of Bromsgrove Arts Centre. During consideration of this matter Councillor Mrs. Griffiths left the room.

Councillor Mrs. M. A. Sherrey JP declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 8 (Artrix Operating Trust – Service Level Agreement), as a member of the Operating Trust of Bromsgrove Arts Centre. During consideration of this matter Councillor Mrs. Sherrey left the room.

Councillor R. D. Smith declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 8 (Artrix Operating Trust – Service Level Agreement), as a member of the Operating Trust of Bromsgrove Arts Centre. During consideration of this matter Councillor Smith left the room.

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 30th April 2008 were submitted.

RESOLVED  that the minutes be approved as a correct record.

The minutes of the Scrutiny Steering Board held on 29th April 2008 were submitted.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the minutes be noted; and

(b)       that in future the need for Portfolio Holders to attend meetings of the Scrutiny Board be determined at the Briefing Meeting held prior to each meeting of the Board.   

The minutes of the Performance Management Board held on 20th May 2008 were submitted.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the recommendation contained in minute 8/08(a) be extended to request Portfolio Holders to prioritise as many key points from the Quality of Life survey as they feel appropriate for inclusion in their respective service plans in due course;

(b)       that the composition and governance structure of the proposed Hagley and Rural Area Committee be referred to the Audit Board for consideration; and

(c)        that the remainder of the minutes of the meeting be noted.

The minutes of the meeting of the Local Development Framework Working Party held on 29th May 2008 were submitted.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the minutes of the meeting be noted and the recommendations be approved; and

(b)       that in relation to minute 8/08 (Bromsgrove Town Centre Area Action Plan Issues and Options Consultation), the authority to approve the consultation documents be delegated to the Chairman of the Local Development Framework Working Party in order to avoid delaying the consultation process.

The Cabinet considered a report relating to the possible of introduction of a reduced charge of ten pounds if the car park excess charge was paid within one working day. The cost implications of the proposal were considered and it was noted that a report relating to Civil Parking Enforcement was scheduled for consideration by Cabinet in July 2008. Following discussion it was

RESOLVED  that no action be taken at present to amend the excess charge rate payable under the existing scheme but that consideration be given to the amendment of the rate payable as part of the forthcoming report on Civil Parking Enforcement.   

The Cabinet considered a report on the proposed introduction of a Service Level Agreement between the Council and the Artrix Operating Trust relating to the provision of services at the Artrix. It was intended that a Service Level Agreement would formalise the Council’s relationship with the Artrix and would assist with driving performance improvements.

RESOLVED: 

(a)       that the requirement for a Service Level agreement with the Artrix Operating Trust be approved;

(b)       that authority to agree the detail of the Service Level Agreement in line with the draft attached to the report and with the various Agreements, Declarations of Trust and Trust Deeds relating to the Artrix, be delegated to the Head of Street Scene and Community in consultation with the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services and the relevant Portfolio Holders.          

Consideration was given to the report on the options for the future of the Gypsy and Travellers site at Houndsfield Lane, Wythall. The report set out the need to address issues relating to the future management and maintenance of the site together with the possible refurbishment which may be required. It was noted that a Gypsy and Traveller Assessment commissioned by the South Housing Market Area Partnership had recently been undertaken.  

RESOLVED  that officers be requested to further investigate options 3 and 4 set out in the report and to report back to Cabinet on the potential terms which could be negotiated in relation to the transfer of the Houndsfield Lane Caravan site to an alternative organisation.   

The Cabinet considered a report on a proposed increase in the Council’s Capital Programme for 2008/2009 to facilitate the refurbishment and enhancement of the play area at Briar Close, Lickey End prior to adoption by the Council. It was noted that the cost of the works required in order to bring the play area to an acceptable standard was £28,000 which would be met by the company which had developed Hamilton Gardens, Lickey End. In order to ensure there was no delay in undertaking the necessary works it would however be necessary to include the cost of the works within the Capital Programme for 2008/2009.

RECOMMENDED   that the Capital Programme for 2008/2009 be amended to include the sum of £28,000 in respect of the refurbishment/enhancement of the Briar Close Play area on the basis set out in the report.     

Consideration was given to the updated Improvement Plan Exception Report for March 2008, together with the corrective action being taken.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the revisions to the Improvement Plan Exception Report and the corrective action being taken be noted; and

(b)       that it be noted that of the 135 actions highlighted within the Plan for March 2008, 86.7% of the Plan was on target (green), 7.4% was one month behind (amber) and 1.5% was over one month behind (red). 4.4% of actions had been rescheduled or suspended with approval.

Consideration was given to a report seeking views on the Government’s consultation paper “Prosperous Places: Taking Forward the Review of Sub National Economic Development and Regeneration”.  

RESOLVED  that the proposed responses to the consultation document as set out in section 4.2 of the report be endorsed and forwarded to the Department for Communities and Local Government.    

The Cabinet considered a report on the findings of the second Customer Panel Survey undertaken in February/March 2008. Following discussion it was

RESOLVED  that the results of the survey be noted and utilised by Portfolio Holders and officers to assist with the review of the Council’s corporate priorities and key deliverables and in the annual business planning process.