Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

Mr. K. Dicks declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 18 relating to the Joint Chief Executive Appraisal Process and left the meeting during the consideration of the item.

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 7th October 2009 were submitted.

RESOLVED  that the minutes be approved as a correct record.

"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 following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Act, as amended, the relevant paragraph of that part, in each case, being as set out below, and that it is in the public interest to do so:-

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 1 of schedule 12A to the Act, as amended, the relevant paragraph of that part being as set out below and that it is in the public interest to do so.

                                    Minute No.                                                      Paragraph

                                       89/09                                                                 3

                                       90/09                                                                 3              

Consideration was given to a report relating to plot 31 Sherwood Road, Bromsgrove.  Following discussion it was

RESOLVED  that in order to release this Council from future financial costs, the freehold of land at 31 Sherwood Road, Aston Fields Industrial Estate, Bromsgrove together with the associated underleases be disposed of at the market rate either through negotiation with the head lessee, private treaty or by tender.   

Consideration was given to a report relating to 8 industrial sites off Sherwood Road, Aston Fields, Bromsgrove. Following discussion it was

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the freehold of the 8 industrial sites off Sherwood Road, Aston Fields, Bromsgrove be disposed of either by private treaty to the sitting tenant or through a commercial auction with a reserve price as set out in the report; and

(b)       that the proceeds of the sale be placed in an account earmarked for repairs and renovations rather than being utilised for new Capital projects.         

(At this point the meeting reverted to public session)

The minutes of the meeting of the Scrutiny Board held on 29th September 2009 were submitted.

RESOLVED  that the minutes be noted.

Consideration was given to a report on the review of the Communications Strategy. During the discussion it was noted that the Overview Board had considered the Communications Strategy at its meeting on 3rd November 2009, particularly in the light of a forthcoming investigation into improving Residents’ satisfaction with the Council.  The Chairman of the Overview Board reported on the following recommendations of the Board in relation to the Strategy.

(a)       That the Mosaic System be purchased to enable communications on a variety of issues to be targeted to various groups of residents across the District.

            The Assistant Chief Executive confirmed that a budget bid had been submitted on the basis of the introduction of the Mosaic system for a one year trial period, following which time the success of the system would be evaluated.

(b)       That a simple, easy to read breakdown of the Council’s responsibilities and service provision be produced periodically at key times of the year with a view to informing residents how resources are allocated according to residents’ priorities and the Council’s budget allocations, with emphasis on value for money.  

            This approach was welcomed provided it could be achieved in a cost effective manner.

(c)        That more focus be given to communications with local neighbourhoods and communities outside the Town Centre.

            The Assistant Chief Executive referred to work planned with focus groups and organisations such as Parish Councils. There were a number of low cost solutions which it was intended to employ to address this issue. 

(d)       That linkages be enhanced between the Communications Strategy and Council services communications needs and other strategic service plans.

            The need for a consistent approach was fully recognised.

(e)       That defined strategic communications processes be established to enhance and facilitate appropriate communications for shared services, including appropriate shared costs and service to service arrangements.

            The importance of good communications in relation to shared services was recognised. It was emphasised that any costs were allocated on an equitable basis and met by each Council.

 RESOLVED   that the Communications Strategy be approved and the above comments be taken into account in implementing the strategy           

The minutes of the meeting of the Local Development Framework Working Party held on 15th October 2009 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 Performance Management Board held on 19th October 2009 were submitted.

RESOLVED  that the minutes be noted including the recommendations relating to the use of the Community Safety Partnership – Partnership Plan 2009-2011 and the Bromsgrove Profile to inform and assist with the Overview and Scrutiny Work Programme.

The minutes of the meeting of the Equality and Diversity Forum held on 13th August 2009 were submitted.

RESOLVED  that the minutes be noted.

The minutes of the meeting of the Local Strategic Partnership held on 14th September 2009 were submitted.

RESOLVED  that the minutes be noted.

The Cabinet considered a report on the current position on the Medium Term Financial Plan 2010/2011 to 2012/2013. The Head of Financial Services also gave a presentation of the latest position. Following discussion it was

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the current position be noted; and

(b)       that officers be requested to continue to investigate all options to balance the Medium Term Financial Plan and to mitigate the potential impact of redundancies across the Council.

The minutes of the meeting of the Shared Services Board held on 27th October 2009 were submitted.

RECOMMENDED   that a capitalisation direction be pursued with regard to expenditure on potential severance costs associated with the Single Management Team proposals.

RESOLVED  that the remainder of the minutes be noted.

The Leader gave an update on a meeting of the West Midland Leaders’ Board which he had recently attended.

Consideration was given to a report on the Council’s performance and financial position as at 30th September 2009. The Head of Financial Services and the Portfolio Holder for Resources referred to additional actions which were being taken to address the projected overspend on revenue at the end of the financial year. Following discussion it was

RESOLVED:

(a)       that it be noted that 62% of Performance Indicators were stable or improving;

(b)       that it be noted that 58% of Performance Indicators were achieving their year to date target;

(c)        that it be noted that 80% of Performance Indicators were predicted to meet their target at year end;

(d)       that the successes and areas for concern as set out in the “Council Summary” be noted;

(e)       that the current financial position on revenue and capital as detailed in the report, together with the proposed actions to mitigate the overspend on revenue be noted;

(f)         that the early release of previously approved earmarked reserves of £249,000 as set out in appendix 5 to the report be noted; and

(g)       that the budget virements contained in appendix 6 to the report be approved.

RECOMMENDED   that the 2009/2010 Capital Programme be reduced by £1,148,000 to take account of the projects listed in appendix 7 to the report, which for the reasons set out will not be delivered in 2009/2010, and that these projects be included in the 2010/2011 Capital Programme.   

Consideration was given to a report on the Sustainable Community Strategy 2010 – 2013.

RECOMMENDED   that the Sustainable Community Strategy 2010 – 2013 be approved.

The Cabinet considered the Annual Report of the Local Strategic Partnership.

RECOMMENDED   that the Annual Report of the Local Strategic Partnership be approved and the progress made to date in respect of each High Level Action Plan be noted.

The Cabinet considered a report on a review of the Council’s Statement of Gambling Principles which had been carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005.

RECOMMENDED   that the draft Statement of Gambling Principles be approved.

Consideration was given to a report on the revised Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy for Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the revised Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy for Herefordshire and Worcestershire be approved and adopted ;

(b)       that the County Council be requested to provide District Councils within the County with suitable additional financial support to assist the Authorities in working jointly towards meeting the goals set out in the Joint Strategy;

(c)        that authority be delegated to the Head of Street Scene and Community in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to undertake negotiations in relation to (b) above; and

(d)       that the County Council be requested to work with the District Councils to identify any efficiency savings in relation to waste collection and disposal arising from the Joint Strategy which can be shared amongst the Partners.

Consideration was given to the Improvement Plan Exception report for September 2009 together with the corrective action being taken.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the revisions to the Improvement Plan Exception report together with the corrective action being taken be approved;

(b)       that it be noted that for the 104 actions highlighted for September within the plan, 76 percent were on target (green), 8.7 percent were one month behind (amber) and 3.8 percent were over one month behind (red). In addition it was noted that 11.5 percent of actions had been reprogrammed or suspended with approval. 

The Cabinet considered a report on proposed arrangements for the Performance Development and Review (PDR)/ appraisal process for the Joint Chief Executive.

RECOMMENDED:

(a)       that with effect from 2010, the Joint Chief Executive’s PDR/appraisal be set and reviewed by a single panel comprising the Leaders of Bromsgrove District Council and Redditch Borough Council, facilitated by an external advisor and that targets specific to each individual Council be set by panels at each Council with joint targets being set by the Shared Services Board;

(b)       that it be noted that the composition of both informal soundings groups is to be determined by each individual Council and that the informal soundings group for Bromsgrove comprise the Leader, Deputy Leader and an Opposition Leader;

(c)        that the informal soundings groups and the formal appraisal panel be supported by a jointly agreed external facilitator and that the associated costs be split jointly between the two Councils; 

(d)       that it be noted that the report is also to be submitted to Redditch Borough Council for consideration and until the report has been approved by both Councils its provisions will not come into effect.