Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive the apologies of any Member who is unable to attend this meeting.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor C MacMillan.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor C MacMillan.

To invite Councillors to declare any interests they may have in items on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest.

1.         To give notice of any items for future meetings or for the Forward Plan, including any scheduled for this meeting, but now carried forward or deleted; and

2          any other relevant announcements.

(Oral report)

The Chair advised that the following items of business, scheduled on the Forward Plan to be dealt with at this meeting, had been rescheduled to a later meeting:

·        Business Centre Review

·        Easemore Road Community House – Options Appraisal

·        Dial-a-Ride Business Case Review

·        Feasibility Study – Garden Waste Collection

·        Shopmobility Business Case Review

·        Joint Worcestershire Scrutiny into Flooding Task and Finish Group Recommendations

·        Redditch Borough Council Establishment

·        Equalities Mapping

The Chair advised that the following items of business, scheduled on the Forward Plan to be dealt with at this meeting, had been rescheduled to a later meeting:

·        Business Centre Review

·        Easemore Road Community House – Options Appraisal

·        Dial-a-Ride Business Case Review

·        Feasibility Study – Garden Waste Collection

·        Shopmobility Business Case Review

·        Joint Worcestershire Scrutiny into Flooding Task and Finish Group Recommendations

·        Redditch Borough Council Establishment

·        Equalities Mapping

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 16th and 22nd September 2009

(Minutes attached)

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 16th and 22nd September 2009 be confirmed as correct records and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 16th and 22nd September 2009 be confirmed as correct records and signed by the Chair.

To set guidelines for the coming year’s budgets.

(Report attached)

RECOMMENDED that

the proposed Budget Preparation Guidelines and timetable, as detailed at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

(Officers were requested to add briefings for Shadow Portfolio Holders to the timetable at similar timescales to those for Portfolio Holders.)

Members considered a report which recommended guidelines for the preparation of the 2010/11 estimates and the projections for 2011/12 and 2012/13 for endorsement prior to issue to budget holders.

Officers were requested to add briefings for Shadow Portfolio Holders to the timetable at similar timescales to those for Portfolio Holders.

RECOMMENDED that

the proposed Budget Preparation Guidelines and timetable, as detailed at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

To consider the recommendation that the Council sign up to the West Midlands Biodiversity Pledge.

(Report attached)

RECOMMENDED that

Redditch Borough Council sign the West Midlands Biodiversity Pledge to assist in meeting its duties under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC) 2006.

(A Member requested that Council be recommended to support the 10:10 initiative to reduce carbon emissions by 10% by the end of 2010.  The Chair replied that although she agreed that there was support in principle for the initiative, a final decision would not be made until further information, in the form of a report to this Committee, had been made.)

The Committee received a report that informed it about the West Midlands Biodiversity Pledge (WMBP) and the Council’s duties under the National Environmental and Rural Communities Act (2006).  Approval was sought for the Council to become signatories to the Pledge.

Members were informed that the West Midlands Biodiversity Partnership and the West Midlands Local Government Association have been jointly promoting the WMBP as a means of raising awareness of the duties imposed on Local Authorities in Section 40 of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006), commonly known as the Biodiversity Duty. 

By signing the pledge Redditch Borough Council would be acknowledging:

a)                 that biodiversity and the natural environment play a vital role in enhancing wellbeing and quality of life;

b)                 the Council’s duty under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (2006) to have regard to the purpose of conserving biodiversity in carrying out its functions;

c)                  the social, health, environmental and economic benefits which come from biodiversity;

d)                 the opportunities for Local Government to lead the drive to conserve and enhance biodiversity at a local level.

Officers reported that all Local Authorities in the West Midlands Region had been invited to become signatories to the Pledge and that by the end of January fifteen Local Authorities had done so.

A Member requested that Council be recommended to support the 10:10 initiative to reduce carbon emissions by 10% by the end of 2010.  The Chair replied that although she agreed that there was support in principle for the initiative, a final decision would not be made until further information, in the form of a report to this Committee, had been made.

RECOMMENDED that

Redditch Borough Council sign the West Midlands Biodiversity Pledge to assist in meeting its duties under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act (NERC) 2006.

To consider the proposed priorities for Redditch Borough Council 2010 – 2013.

(Report and Appendices 1 and 2 to follow) 

(The Corporate Strategy – Redditch Profile 2009 is available on the website.)

RECOMMENDED that

1)                 the Vision and Priorities, detailed in paragraph 5.6 of the report, be adopted namely;

a)                 Vision - an enterprising community which is safe, clean and green.

b)                 Priorities

                                                  i)                  Enterprising Community which is defined as a vibrant and vital Borough where its population is well educated, has high skill levels and is healthy and fit.  Housing is excellent and varied and the community is served by a prosperous town centre and has access to first class leisure facilities.  The Council’s voice is influential and respected by residents, partners, other governmental agencies and suppliers.  The Town’s economy provides sufficient high quality jobs for residents with good levels of pay and reward.

                                                ii)                  Safe – the Council will work in partnership with other agencies through the Redditch Community Safety Partnership to reduce crime and disorder.  The Council will identify key projects to build community confidence and allow residents and visitors to be safe and feel safe.

                                              iii)                  Clean and Green – to develop attractive open spaces, taking enforcement action against littering, fly tipping and other behaviour detrimental to the environment where appropriate and supporting measures to tackle climate change.

The above three priorities to be underpinned by:

Well Managed Organisation – in order to deliver efficient and effective services and achieve the Council’s priorities and outcomes, the Council needs to be a well managed organisation.

2)                 the revised Corporate Performance Indicators, attached at Appendix 2 of the report ; be adopted and

3)                 the revised values, as set out in paragraph 5.8 and shown below, be adopted.

a)                 we place a value in Partnership working, ensuring that these partnerships add value to service delivery and provide Redditch with a strong voice both locally and regionally.

b)                 we are Fair in the decisions that we make.  We value probity and fairness and strive to understand the needs of all communities, embracing a diverse range of needs and showing respect at all times.

c)                 we are Responsive and Accountable.  We believe in customer focus and aim to deliver a standard of service that our customers require whilst being open and honest about the decisions we make.  We aim to achieve greater value for money through smarter practices and new technology.

d)                 we value feedback through Communication and Consultation.  We listen and act appropriately, and will enable and provide support for people to become involved in the services we deliver.’

Members received a report which sought to confirm the Council’s Vision and Priorities for 2010/13 prior to an update of the Corporate Plan, which would link to the key themes of the Local Area Agreement (LAA).  The Committee also considered the Council’s revised Corporate Indicators for 2009/10.

The Committee was informed that a comprehensive analysis of Redditch had been carried out based on demography, survey results and other data. This profile of Redditch had been designed to:

a)                 provide the current position regarding key service areas and priorities in Redditch:

b)                 provide a context for Redditch Borough Council’s Corporate Plan for the financial years 2010 to 2013: and

c)                  identify the emerging priorities on which the Council should focus.

RECOMMENDED that

1)                 the Vision and Priorities, detailed in paragraph 5.6 of the report, be adopted namely;

a)                 Vision - an enterprising community which is safe, clean and green.

b)                 Priorities

                                                  i)                  Enterprising Community which is defined as a vibrant and vital Borough where its population is well educated, has high skill levels and is healthy and fit.  Housing is excellent and varied and the community is served by a prosperous town centre and has access to first class leisure facilities.  The Council’s voice is influential and respected by residents, partners, other governmental agencies and suppliers.  The Town’s economy provides sufficient high quality jobs for residents with good levels of pay and reward.

                                                ii)                  Safe – the Council will work in partnership with other agencies through the Redditch Community Safety Partnership to reduce crime and disorder.  The Council will identify key projects to build community confidence and allow residents and visitors to be safe and feel safe.

                                              iii)                  Clean and Green – to develop attractive open spaces, taking enforcement action against littering, fly tipping and other behaviour detrimental to the environment where appropriate and supporting measures to tackle climate change.

The above three priorities to be underpinned by:

Well Managed Organisation – in order to deliver efficient and effective services and achieve the Council’s priorities and outcomes, the Council needs to be a well managed organisation.

2)                 the revised Corporate Performance Indicators, attached at Appendix 2 of the report ; be adopted and

3)                 the revised values, as set out in paragraph 5.8 and shown below, be adopted.

a)                 we place a value in Partnership working, ensuring that these partnerships add value to service delivery and provide Redditch with a strong voice both locally and regionally.

b)                 we are Fair in the decisions that we make.  We value probity and fairness and strive to understand the needs of all communities, embracing a diverse range of needs and showing respect at all times.

c)                 we are Responsive and Accountable.  We believe in customer focus and aim to deliver a standard of service that our customers require whilst being open and honest about the decisions we make.  We aim to achieve greater value for money through smarter practices and new technology.

d)                 we value feedback through Communication and Consultation.  We listen and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 162.

To consider a proposal to introduce Introductory Tenancies.

(Report attached)

RECOMMENDED that

the Council adopts the use of Introductory Tenancies for all new tenants with effect from January 2010.

The Committee received a report which sought the adoption of Introductory Tenancies for all new tenants with Redditch Borough Council.

Officers reported that an Introductory Tenancy was one which would last initially for a twelve month period during which time the tenant would effectively be on probation.  At the end of the twelve month period, if the Introductory Tenancy had been conducted satisfactorily, it would automatically become secure.  In the event that further help or support was required the Introductory Tenancy could be extended for a further six months.

Members were informed that evidence from Social Landlords who had adopted Introductory Tenancies had found that they had assisted in identifying vulnerable clients who might be at risk of losing their tenancy.  This had enabled help and support to be provided at an early stage to sustain the tenancy.  It had also been found to be effective in assisting landlords to tackle persistent or serious antisocial behaviour more quickly and without involving victims in court.

Consultation had taken place with positive feedback from the Community Forum and Neighbourhood Groups.

RECOMMENDED that

the Council adopts the use of Introductory Tenancies for all new tenants with effect from January 2010.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 23rd September and 1st October 2009

There is a recommendation in the minutes of the meeting on 1st October; however this has already been considered and resolved upon by the Executive Committee.

(Minutes attached)

RESOLVED that

1)                 the minutes of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 23rd September and 1st October 2009 be noted; and

RECOMMENDED that

2)                 a)         the proposed policy for the Award of contracts to Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations not be approved; and

b)                 the Policy for Funding of Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations, which was approved by full Council on 22nd June 2009, remain unchanged.

(The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee attended to clarify the intentions of that Committee.)

The Committee received the Minutes of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 23rd September and 1st October 2009.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee attended to clarify the intentions of that Committee on their recommendation regarding the Policy for the Award of Contracts to Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations included in Minute 75 of their meeting held on 23rd September 2009.

Members noted that the recommendations in Minute 87 of the meeting held on 1st October 2009 had been considered and resolved upon at the Executive Committee meeting held on 7th October 2009.

RESOLVED that

1)                 the minutes of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 23rd September and 1st October 2009 be noted; and

RECOMMENDED that

2)                 a)         the proposed policy for the Award of contracts to Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations not be approved; and

b)                 the Policy for Funding of Voluntary and Community Sector Organisations, which was approved by full Council on 22nd June 2009, remain unchanged.

To receive and consider any outstanding minutes or referrals from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Executive Panels, Neighbourhood Groups, etc. since the last meeting of the Executive Committee, other than as detailed in the items above.

There were no Minutes of Referrals for discussion.

There were no Minutes of Referrals for discussion.

To consider, for monitoring / management purposes, an update on the work of the Executive Committee’s Advisory Panels and similar bodies, which report via the Executive Committee.

(Report attached)

RESOLVED that

the report be noted.

(Members were advised that meetings of the Constitutional Review Working Party and the Member Development Steering Group would be arranged in November.)

Members considered the report on the work of the Executive Committee’s Advisory Panels and similar bodies.

Members were advised that meetings of the Constitutional Review Working Party and the Member Development Steering Group would be arranged in November.

RESOLVED that

the report be noted.

To consider an update on the actions arising from previous meetings of the Committee.

(Report attached)

RESOLVED that

the report be noted.

(Officers were asked to include all minuted actions in the report.)

Members considered a report on Action Monitoring.

Officers were asked to include all minuted actions in the report.

RESOLVED that

the report be noted.