Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors G. N. Denaro and M. J. A. Webb.

The Chairman requested that the Cabinet’s best wishes for a speedy recovery be conveyed to Councillor G. N. Denaro.

No declarations of interest were received.

The minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 1st October 2008 and 22nd October 2008 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes be approved as a correct record.

(a)       To receive and note the minutes

(b)       To consider any recommendations contained within the minutes

The minutes of the meeting of the Performance Management Board held on 21st October 2008 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes be noted.

(a)       To receive and note the minutes

(b)       To consider any recommendations contained within the minutes

The minutes of the meeting of the Audit Board held on 29th September 2008 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes be noted.

Consideration was given to the Bromsgrove Sport and Active Recreation Strategy 2009 to 2012.  The Strategy stated the Vision and Values for the delivery of sport and active recreation in the local area. 

RESOLVED that the Bromsgrove Sport and Active Recreation Strategy 2009 to 2012 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

The Cabinet considered a report on the proposed increase in the Council’s Capital Programme for 2008/09 to facilitate the refurbishment and enhancement of the play area at Lickey End Recreation Ground. 

RECOMMENDED:

(a)               that the Capital Programme for 2008/09 be amended to include the sum of £50,000, to be funded from the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) grant, in respect of the refurbishment/enhancement of the Lickey End Recreation Ground on the basis set out in the report; and

(b)               that the Capital Programme for 2008/09 be amended to include the sum of £15,000, to be funded from Capital Receipts, in respect of enhancing the accessibility of the facilities at Lickey End Recreation Ground on the basis set out in the report.

The Cabinet considered a report on the proposed increase in the Council’s Capital Programme for 2008/09 to fund the purchase of new Christmas lights.  Over the last 3 years due to wear, tear and age the Christmas lights had diminished significantly.  The installation of the new Christmas lights would contribute towards the regeneration of Bromsgrove Town Centre.

RECOMMENDEDthat the Capital Programme for 2008/2009 be amended to include the sum of £27,000 to fund the Capital elements of the Christmas lights and that this be funded from the Local Authority Business Grant Initiative.

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update regarding the proposals for redevelopment of the market hall site within the wider town centre regeneration project.  The report reminded Members of the options which had been available with regard to the future of the market hall site.   Appendix 2 of the report gave details of the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) procurement process.

RECOMMENDED:

(a)       that the market hall site be marketed in accordance with the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) procurement process under a long lease and that specific conditions be placed on the marketing and development of the site in accordance with the issues and options consultation, spatial report results and wider commercial advice;

(b)       that authority be delegated to the Executive Director (Partnerships and Projects), the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services and the Head of Financial Services to undertake the marketing in accordance with (a) above; and

(c)        that with effect from 1st March 2009 the market hall be closed and officers be tasked with developing a programme that will maximise the letting potential of this site during the intervening period; and that in the event that no interim letting arrangements are achieved, an interim report be presented to the Council to review this option.

(a)       To receive and note the minutes

(b)       To consider any recommendations contained within the minutes

The minutes of the Local Development Framework Working Party held on 23rd October 2008 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes be noted.

The minutes of the meeting of the Shared Services Board held on 28th October 2008 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes be noted.

Consideration was given to a report on the second phase of the Spatial Project modernisation programme.  During the past two years since Members had approved the Spatial Project Business Case, the Authority had undergone a considerable amount of change.  Many of these changes had, or were likely to, impact on the original scope of phase two of the Spatial Project and had resulted in a revised approach and reworking of the scope for phase two. 

RECOMMENDED:

(a)               that the Capital Programme for 2008/09 be amended to include the sum of £101,700 to be funded by capital receipts;

(b)               that the revised scope for phase two including the purchase and implementation of ‘SmartPoint’ software be approved, subject to (a) above being approved; and

(c)               that the implementation of this software be scheduled to follow the conclusion of phase one be approved, subject to (a) above being approved.

Consideration was given to a report on the review of the Communications Strategy, originally written in 2006 and updated annually. The review recognised the progress made over the last year and set out how the Council could improve communications even further.

RESOLVED that the updated Communications Strategy Review 2008 set out at Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

Consideration was given to a report on the Community Engagement Strategy. The new Community Engagement Strategy attached at Appendix 1, set out ways in which the Council would engage with its communities.  The Community Engagement Toolkit attached at Appendix 2, provided a toolkit for officers on the steps to take in planning and executing community engagement activities. The Annual Community Engagement Plan attached at Appendix 3 set out the planned community engagement activities for 2008-09.

RESOLVED that the Community Engagement Strategy set out at Appendix 1, the Community Engagement Toolkit set out at Appendix 2 and the Annual Community Engagement Plan set out at Appendix 3 to the report be approved.

Consideration was given to a report on the Local Strategic Partnership Sustainable Community Strategy Annual Report 2007/08.  The report detailed performance for the year 2007/08 against the priorities listed in the report and provided information about the performance of the Compact Steering Group and the Communications Theme Group. 

RESOLVEDthat the thanks of the Cabinet be conveyed to the officer involved in producing the report.

RECOMMENDED:

(a)       that the Bromsgrove Sustainable Community Strategy Annual Report 2007/08 at Appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

(b)       that the progress to date against each High Level Action Plan be noted.

The Cabinet considered a report on the Update of the Sustainable Community Strategy 2008-2011, which set out the overall strategic direction and long-tem vision for the economic, social and environmental well-being of a local area.  During the discussion the Portfolio Holder for Street Scene and Community referred to the need to ensure that the Strategy covered the needs of ‘looked after’ children.

RESOLVED that the Assistant Chief Executive requests the relevant Theme Group Chair to include the needs of ‘looked after’ children in the Children and Young People High Level Action Plan as set out in the report.

RECOMMENDED that the updated Sustainable Community Strategy 2008-2011 be approved and that it be noted that the document had been updated to reflect the new Local Area Agreement 2008-2011. 

Consideration was given to the updated Improvement Plan Exception Report for August 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 approved;

(b)       that it be noted that, for the 118 actions highlighted within the Plan for August, 81.4 percent of the Plan was on target (green), 3.4 percent was one month behind (amber) and 14.4 percent was over one month behind (red).  0.8 percent of actions had been re-scheduled or suspended, with approval.

Consideration was given to a report on the current position on the Medium Term Financial Plan (revenue budgets) for 2009-2010 to 2011-2012, including proposed pressures and savings.  During the discussion on budget pressures, Members requested officers to categorise the Customer Service Centre funding required as a high priority not unavoidable.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that, subject to the comment in the preamble above, the unavoidable and high pressures identified in Appendices A and B of the Report, together with those categorised as medium and low as shown at Appendix C of the report, be noted;

(b)       that officers continue to review the pressures and savings with the aim of balancing the budget for 2009-2010 and 2011-2012; and;

(c)        that officers investigate all options to mitigate the potential impact of redundancies across the council.

RESOLVED that under Section 100 I of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the items of business the subject of the following minutes on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of "Exempt Information" as defined in part I of the Schedule 12A to the Act, as amended, the relevant paragraphs of that part being set out below, and that it is in the public interest to do so:-

            Minute No                               Paragraphs

            101/08                                                4

            102/08                                                4

Consideration was given to a report on the review of the Planning and Environment Services Department, having regard to the requirements of the 3 year financial plan 2007/2011.  Following discussion to clarify with officers the benefits and efficiencies of the operational changes set out in the report it was

RESOLVED that the operational changes set out in Appendix 1 of the report be noted and that the structural changes set out in Appendix 2 of the report be implemented by 1st April 2009.

RECOMMENDEDthat the Council approve the release of balances to fund the costs associated with the redundancy and early retirement as set out in the report, subject to any redeployment opportunities that may be available.

Consideration was given to a report that provided an update on the work to develop a future strategic direction for the Worcestershire Hub and sought endorsement for the proposed approach for Bromsgrove District Council.  Following discussion it was

RECOMMENDED:

(a)       that the Council agree from 1st April 2009 to fund the realignment and subsequent reduction of County Council Hub contributions of £76,000 and that this bid be ranked as a high priority within the Medium Term Financial Plan;

(b)       that the Council agree from 1st April 2009 to adopt Stage One of the proposal, to establish a single telephone contact centre for County Council enquiries, whilst retaining district telephony at the local Hub Customer Service Centre; and

(c)        that the Council endorses the vision and staged approach for the future development of the Worcestershire Hub, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report and that consideration of Stage Two and Three of this proposal be carried out at a time appropriate to the Council's needs, with robust business cases, including an assessment of costs, risks and benefits to Bromsgrove customers.