Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Mrs. J. Dyer M. B. E.

The Chief Executive requested that the best wishes of the staff be sent to Councillor Mrs. Dyer for a speedy recovery.

No declarations of interest were received.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6th October 2010 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 Audit Board held on 27th September 2010 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 Scrutiny Board held on 28th September 2010 were submitted. In relation to the recommendation at Minute No. 22/10 regarding arrangements for concessionary fares, the Leader reported on the latest position and it was noted that the option of travel before 9.30am may not be open to the Authority.   

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the minutes be noted;

(b)       that in relation to recommendation contained at Minute No 22/10 regarding the use of bus passes before 9.30am, in any consultation the option of pre 9.30am travel be not supported in view of the likely additional cost.    

(a)       To receive and note the minutes

(b)       To consider any recommendations contained within the minutes

The minutes of the meeting of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 5th October 2010 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 Shared Services Board held on 14th October 2010 were submitted.

The Chief Executive referred to Minute No. 4 relating to the ICT section of the Shared Services Progress Report, and stated that following requests from Members, the Members of both Authorities would retain their current separate Email addresses whilst officers would move to a single domain name.

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 Performance Management Board held on 18th October 2010 were submitted.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the minutes be noted; and

(b)       that in relation to the recommendation contained at Minute No. 32/10 regarding a proposed debate on the idea of the Big Society, no debate take place at present, but that consideration be given as to how this could take place at a later stage when more detailed information is available.   

Councillor G. N. Denaro reported on a Member Development Assessment he had undertaken in Newcastle under Lyme.

Councillor Mrs. M. A. Sherrey JP reported on a Compact Awards event she had attended at Worcestershire County Council.

The Leader reported that he wished to defer this item at present as additional information had very recently been received from the Trust which required further consideration.

The Cabinet considered a report on a proposed Arts and Events Strategy 2010 – 2013.

It was noted that the new Strategy outlined the priorities for Arts and Events within Bromsgrove and identified many key partners with whom the Council could work to deliver its priorities and vision for the arts in the District.  

RESOLVED:            that the Arts and Events Strategy 2010 – 2013 be approved.

Consideration was given to a report on the proposed enhancement of play facilities at Charford Recreation Ground, such improvements to be funded by way of Section 106 monies arising from the development of land at Villiers Road, Charford. It was reported that the monies would be the subject of “claw back” by the Developer if they were not utilised by 11th April 2010. 

It was noted that it was intended to provide an improved and enhanced skate park facility which would meet the needs of local children and young people and address any potential health and safety concerns arising from informal adaptation of the facility by users of the Recreation Ground.

RECOMMENDED:

(a)       that the scheme to enhance play facilities at Charford Recreation Ground, by way of improvement to the existing skate park, be included in the Capital Programme for 2010/2011 and that the scheme be funded from available Section 106 monies; and

(b)       that the work be undertaken prior to the “claw back” point being reached.       

The Leader invited the Chairman of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Board, Councillor S. R. Colella to introduce the report of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Board following their Inquiry into reported crime and disorder issues around the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) at Swanslength, Alvechurch.

Councillor Colella reminded members that following the receipt of three public petitions, one calling for removal of the MUGA and two supporting its retention, the issue had been referred by the Cabinet to the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Board and that an Inquiry had been subsequently been undertaken. Interviews had taken place with a variety of stakeholders and partners including a number of local residents. Officers had provided reports and information to the Joint Board and Members had also carried out site visits.

Councillor Colella referred to the eleven recommendations from the Joint Board, including the main recommendation that the MUGA be retained.

The Portfolio Holder for Community Services, Councillor M. J. A. Webb responded by thanking the Joint Board for its very thorough and detailed investigation of the matter and stated that he was particularly pleased that local children who used the facility had attended some of the meetings and had participated in the local democratic process.

Councillor Webb referred to paragraph 6.15 of the report and indicated it may be appropriate to look again at the Council’s procedures to consider where improvements in processes may be achieved. It was important to ensure that the fullest information was provided to officers. 

Councillor Webb stated that he would be pleased to attend the next meeting of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Board on 23rd November 2010 in order to formally report back to the Board the Cabinet’s response to each of the recommendations within the report.

Following discussion of the recommendations it was

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the response to each of the recommendations within the report of the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Board be as set out below:

Recommendation One

That the Alvechurch MUGA be left in situ.

Cabinet Response

 This was agreed.  

 Recommendation Two

That the Community Safety Officers for Alvechurch make periodic house calls to vulnerable residents living in close proximity to the MUGA. 

Cabinet Response

That the Community Support Officers be requested to continue to make periodic house calls to vulnerable residents living in close proximity to the MUGA.

Recommendation Three

That the Alvechurch Community Together (ACT) Trust consider extending the opening hours of the Alvechurch Youth Club until the later time of 10pm in the evening for the older teenagers to actively discourage young people from socialising around the MUGA area late in the evening. 

Cabinet Response

This was agreed but wording to be amended to relate to “the Lounge” Drop in Centre.

Recommendation Four

That the Alvechurch Youth Club carry out targeted outreach work on the MUGA itself to engage with the young people who use the site as a social meeting point in the evening after dusk.

          Cabinet Response

Amend to “that ACT youth workers be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82.

The Cabinet considered a report which gave an update on the Town Centre Regeneration Programme and in particular proposed the resurfacing of the High Street and the upgrading of the Public Realm in the Primary Shopping Area.

Following discussion it was

RECOMMENDED:

(a)       that an additional £1,000,000 be included within the 2010/2011 Capital Programme to fund the majority of the upgrading of the Public Realm and resurfacing work in the High Street, with this being financed from the balance of capital receipts arising from the sale of industrial units (£500,000) together with a contribution from Worcestershire County Council from the sale of capital assets within the Town Centre (£500,000);

(b)       that a further sum of £500,000 be included within the 2011/2012 Capital Programme once a final assessment can be made of the monies available from the Section 106 Agreement with Sainsburys;

(c)        that the sum of £5,000 be allocated to the revenue budget from balances in order to extend the Regeneration Programme into 2010/2011;

(d)       that it be noted that a further report will be submitted in due course seeking approval for the final contribution of £500,000 arising from future asset disposals in the Town Centre.       

The Executive Director (Section 151 Officer) gave a presentation on the latest situation regarding the Authority’s financial position 2011/12 to 2013/14.

The presentation included the impact as far as it was known to date of the Comprehensive Spending Review on the Authority’s finances, together with the impact of local issues such as shortfall of income on car parking and planning fees.

It was noted that the budget gap at the present time for 2011/12 was £600,000 but it was stressed that measures were being taken to reduce this gap and that officers would continue to work with Members with the aim of achieving a balanced budget.  

RESOLVED  that the current financial position be noted.      

The Portfolio Holder for Community Services, Councillor M.J.A. Webb referred to the background to this issue in particular the reasons why pay on foot had been introduced and the impact on usage and revenue which had resulted from changes in tariffs.

Whist it was the aim of the Authority to re-introduce the ten minute incremented tariff, it was likely this would significantly reduce the revenue generated and the Authority had to ensure that the impact of any changes introduced was affordable and sustainable in the current economic situation.

Councillor Webb also explained that additional financial information and detailed car park usage figures had been produced and that more time was required to consider this information fully.

Following discussion it was

RESOLVED  that consideration of this issue be deferred and that a report including the additional information be considered as soon as possible.

Consideration was given to a report on the Council’s performance and financial position as at September 2010.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that it be noted that 59% of Performance Indicators were stable or improving;

(b)       that it be noted that 59% of Performance Indicators which had a target were meeting their target as at the month end and 76% were projected to meet their target at the year end;

(c)        that the performance figures for September 2010 as set out in Appendix 2 to the report be noted;

(d)       that the successes and areas for potential concern as set out in section 4.1.1 of the report be noted;

(e)       that the current financial position on both the revenue and capital budgets as detailed in the report be noted and that officers be requested to consider actions to enable the predicted overspend to be mitigated as far as possible;

(f)         that the budget virements as listed in Appendix 6 to the report be approved;

(g)       that the detailed information on compliments and complaints as set out in Appendix 7 to the report ne noted;

(h)        that a new earmarked reserve of £20,000 be established in respect of Voice Recognition Analysis within the Benefits Section.   

(The Leader agreed to the consideration of this item as a matter of urgency as a decision was required prior to the next meeting of the Cabinet).

The Leader reported on the latest position regarding Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP).

The Worcestershire bid had not been accepted by the Government and it was proposed that Bromsgrove now seek to join the Birmingham and Solihull LEP. It was stated that if in the future it became clear that Authorities could be part of more than one LEP and the Worcestershire bid was eventually approved, then Bromsgrove would also look to join this partnership.

 It was felt to be important to seek to join the Birmingham and Solihull LEP at an early stage in order to be able to participate fully in its development.   

RECOMMENDED:

(a)       that in the light of the Government’s decision not to accept the Worcestershire LEP proposal, Bromsgrove District forms part of the Birmingham and Solihull LEP in order to ensure that the business and economic interests of the businesses and residents within the District can be properly and adequately represented in the important early stages of the LEP’s development; and

(b)       that it be recognised that the Government’s position on membership of LEP’s  continues to change, particularly in relation to whether a Council can be represented on more than one LEP and in that regard, if at any future date the Worcestershire is accepted then Bromsgrove be similarly represented on the Worcestershire LEP.