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 Taylor.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Debbie Taylor.

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 Leader advised that she had accepted the following matter as Urgent Business:

Item 12 – WETT Regulatory Service – Delegation to Joint Committee.

The Leader advised that she had accepted the following matter as Urgent Business:

Item 12 – WETT Regulatory Service – Delegation to Joint Committee.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 31st March 2010.

(Minutes attached)

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 31st March 2010 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 31st March 2010 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the adoption of the Council Plan 2010 to 2013 incorporating the vision, values, priorities, the strategic action plan and key performance indicators.

(Report attached)

RESOLVED that

the Council Plan 2010-13 be deferred for consideration at a future meeting of the Committee.

(Officers undertook to circulate a definition of the acronym GV to Members of the Committee following the meeting.

It was agreed that the Plan be deferred to allow time for amendments to be made to reflect Members’ comments on layout and content)

The Committee received a report setting out the draft Council Plan for 2010-13, a three year strategic plan for the Council. The Plan set out the targets relating to the Council’s priorities and the proposed actions to achieve those targets.

Officers reported that the trend in performance management was now towards reporting on the direction of travel against indicators rather than setting specific and often arbitrary targets. Some Members expressed a preference for the inclusion of definite targets to obtain an understanding of how the Council was performing. There were a number of comments on the format and layout of the Plan including a proposal that a glossary be appended.On a specific point, Officers undertook to circulate a definition of the acronym GV to Members of the Committee following the meeting. Given that there were a number of outstanding matters to be resolved, it was agreed that the Plan be deferred to allow time for amendments to be made.

RESOLVED that

the Council Plan 2010-13 be deferred for consideration at a future meeting of the Committee.

To consider the Council’s response to Stratford-on-Avon District Draft Core Strategy consultation.

Appendix 2 to this report contains exempt information as defined in S.100 of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, as it relates to potential negotiations for the acquisition of land or property.

(Report attached)

RESOLVED that

1)         the response from Redditch Borough Council to the Stratford-on-Avon Consultation Core Strategy (Appendix A) be retrospectively endorsed; and

2)         the Officer response be supplemented to include reference to an alternative area of land for possible employment use.

(During the consideration of this item, Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information. It was therefore agreed to move to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed which related to potential negotiations for the acquisition of land or property)

Retrospective approval was sought for a response to the consultation on the Stratford–on-Avon Draft Core Strategy. The response had previously been considered at a meeting of the Planning Advisory Panel. It was noted that changes at a national level might lead to Regional Spatial Strategies being phased out at some point in the future. Officers confirmed that, should this situation arise, previous discussions with neighbouring authorities regarding overspill development from Redditch might need to be revisited. Officers suggested that endorsement of the response was prudent given that no decisions had been announced in this regard as yet.

RESOLVED that

1)         the response from Redditch Borough Council to the Stratford-on-Avon Consultation Core Strategy (Appendix A) be retrospectively endorsed; and

2)         the Officer response be supplemented to include reference to an alternative area of land for possible employment use.

(During the consideration of this item, Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information. It was therefore agreed to move to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed which related to potential negotiations for the acquisition of land or property)

To consider a factual update of the Employment Land Review; this ensures that the Local Development Framework evidence base is up to date.

(Report attached – Appendix available on the Council’s website and in the Group rooms. A map will be displayed at the meeting for Members’ information)

RECOMMENDED that

1)         the Employment Land Review as attached in Appendix A to the report be endorsed as part of the Local Development Framework Evidence Base; and

2)         for the 2010/11 period onwards, Authority be delegated to Officers (Head of Planning and Regeneration) to review and annually update the Employment Land Review, subject to there being no indication that policies need to be reviewed.

Members’ endorsement was sought for an update of the Employment Land Review for 2009/10 to replace the Review for the previous year. It was noted that this was a factual monitoring document produced by the Council.

RECOMMENDED that

1)         the Employment Land Review as attached in Appendix A to the report be endorsed as part of the Local Development Framework Evidence Base; and

2)         for the 2010/11 period onwards, Authority be delegated to Officers (Head of Planning and Regeneration) to review and annually update the Employment Land Review, subject to there being no indication that policies need to be reviewed.

To seek endorsement of the Winyates Green Triangle Transport Assessment as part of the evidence base for the Local Development Framework.

(Report attached – Appendix available on the Council’s website and in the Group rooms)

RESOLVED that

the Winyates Green Triangle Transport Assessment prepared by Morgan Tucker Consulting Engineers  (November 2009) (Appendix A to the report) be endorsed as part of the Local Development Framework Evidence Base.

The Committee received a Transport Assessment for the Winyates Green Triangle site undertaken by consultants on behalf of the Council.

The assessment had indicated the preferred option for the access to the site although Officers noted that, even should Stratford-on-Avon District Council agree to development of the site, there may be practical considerations that could prevent employment-related development going ahead.

RESOLVED that

the Winyates Green Triangle Transport Assessment prepared by Morgan Tucker Consulting Engineers  (November 2009) (Appendix A to the report) be endorsed as part of the Local Development Framework Evidence Base.

To endorse the Worcestershire Supporting People Strategy 2010 to 2013 which informs and embeds the commissioning intentions and priorities for helping the most vulnerable and excluded to contribute to the wider society within Worcestershire.

(Report attached – Appendix available on the Council’s website and in the Group rooms)

RECOMMENDED that

1)         the Supporting People Strategy 2010/13 attached at Appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

RESOLVED that

2)         Officers bring a report to a future Executive Committee on the financial impact to the Council of any possible future Supporting People funding cuts

Members considered a new Supporting People Strategy for the three year period 2010-13. Officers highlighted changes that were being made nationally to the Programme over the life of the Strategy, such as the removal of ring-fencing of funding for grants and administration. There were a number of contracts through Supporting People operated by the Council and the risk to the Council’s financial resources and service provision from possible future funding cuts was drawn to Members’ attention.

RECOMMENDED that

1)         the Supporting People Strategy 2010/13 attached at Appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

RESOLVED that

2)         Officers bring a report to a future Executive Committee on the financial impact to the Council of any possible future Supporting People funding cuts.

To report on the actual expenditure and overspend for asbestos removal in 2009/10 and seek approval for additional capital funding in 2010/11.

(Report attached)

RECOMMENDED that

1)         funding of the shortfall in the Asbestos Removal Capital contract budget 2009/10 in the sum of up to £120,000 be approved;

2)         up to £175,000 additional Capital funding for Asbestos Removal for the years 2010/11 and 2011/12 be approved;

3)         funding from the Housing Revenue Account for the cost of borrowing for the above bids estimated at £15,500 for 2010/11 and £28,000 for 2011/12 be approved; and

RESOLVED that, subject to the Council’s approval of the budgetary implications, as specified separately above, and consequent adjustment of the Capital Programme

4)         approval be given to incur up to the expenditure detailed in 1 and 2 above for the purposes detailed in the report, in accordance with Standing Order 41; and

5)         Officers review the procurement of the contract for the removal of asbestos.

(Officers were requested to include a detailed update on asbestos removal as a separate appendix to the forthcoming half-yearly report on the Housing Capital Programme)

The Committee received a report setting out a request for additional capital funding to account for an overspend in 2009/10 and a projected increase in spending in 2010/11 and 2011/12 on asbestos removal.

It was reported that recent changes in guidelines had impacted heavily on budgets, with a greater need to call upon the services of specialist contractors. The range of materials now dealt with through these more stringent processes had been expanded. Members were content that the additional funding was required to deal with the removal of asbestos but were concerned that the matter had not been brought to their attention sooner.  To this end, Officers were requested to include a detailed update on asbestos removal as a separate appendix to the forthcoming half-yearly report on the Housing Capital Programme.

RECOMMENDED that

1)         funding of the shortfall in the Asbestos Removal Capital contract budget 2009/10 in the sum of up to £120,000 be approved;

2)         up to £175,000 additional Capital funding for Asbestos Removal for the years 2010/11 and 2011/12 be approved;

3)         funding from the Housing Revenue Account for the cost of borrowing for the above bids estimated at £15,500 for 2010/11 and £28,000 for 2011/12 be approved; and

RESOLVED that, subject to the Council’s approval of the budgetary implications, as specified separately above, and consequent adjustment of the Capital Programme

4)         approval be given to incur up to the expenditure detailed in 1 and 2 above for the purposes detailed in the report, in accordance with Standing Order 41; and

5)         Officers review the procurement of the contract for the removal of asbestos.

To seek approval for a public art project to celebrate and commemorate the spring industry in Redditch.

(Report attached)

RECOMMENDED that

1)         as part of the Borough Council’s commitment to the provision of public art, a project to celebrate and commemorate the spring industry in Redditch be approved.  The project will create a fitting and permanent artwork with in the town centre to reflect the positive contribution to the economy and community that the spring industry has provided; and

2)         a financial contribution of £2000 towards the programme be approved, to be funded from General Fund revenue balances.

The Committee received a report setting out the background to a proposed public art project relating to the spring industry in Redditch.

The Committee was informed that there were still a large number of companies engaged in spring manufacture in the town and they had been consulted on the proposal and a number had expressed their support for the project. Members were requested to release a small sum of money to facilitate design, layout and installation work on the proposed artwork, with the cost of the material and work being sourced from elsewhere, including NEW College.

Members were keen that all sources of funding be explored to optimise the opportunity that this scheme presented and to ensure that the artwork was of a suitably fitting standard.

RECOMMENDED that

1)         as part of the Borough Council’s commitment to the provision of public art, a project to celebrate and commemorate the spring industry in Redditch be approved.  The project will create a fitting and permanent artwork with in the town centre to reflect the positive contribution to the economy and community that the spring industry has provided; and

2)         a financial contribution of £2000 towards the programme be approved, to be funded from General Fund revenue balances.

To consider delegation to the Joint Committee which has been established to deliver this service on behalf of the participating Councils, the functions of the Regulatory service that are Executive functions.

(Report attached)

RESOLVED that

the functions of the Regulatory Service, insofar as they are Executive functions, be delegated to the Joint Committee of the Worcestershire Enhanced Two-Tier (WETT) Regulatory Service.

(This report had been accepted as a matter of Urgent Business – not included on the Forward Plan and was considered at the meeting as such, with the approval of the Chair, and in accordance with the Council’s constitutional rules and powers vested in the Chair by virtue of Section 100 (B) (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972 to agree matters of urgency being discussed by reason of special circumstances.

In this case the special circumstances were that the information, which was not included on the Forward Plan for this meeting, was required to be considered at the present meeting in order to make the necessary delegations prior to the commencement of the service at the beginning of June 2010.)

A request was considered to delegate the Committee’s functions that related to the Regulatory Service to the new Joint Committee which was overseeing the service on behalf of the participating Councils. Similar agreement had already been received in respect of Council and Licensing Committee functions.

There was some discussion of the level of accountability that the new Joint Committee would provide although it was also noted that joint working was an increasingly common feature of the local government landscape and residents were primarily concerned with service quality and not the deliverer of the service.

RESOLVED that

the functions of the Regulatory Service, insofar as they are Executive functions, be delegated to the Joint Committee of the Worcestershire Enhanced Two-Tier (WETT) Regulatory Service.

(This report had been accepted as a matter of Urgent Business – not included on the Forward Plan and was considered at the meeting as such, with the approval of the Chair, and in accordance with the Council’s constitutional rules and powers vested in the Chair by virtue of Section 100 (B) (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972 to agree matters of urgency being discussed by reason of special circumstances.

In this case the special circumstances were that the information, which was not included on the Forward Plan for this meeting, was required to be considered at the present meeting in order to make the necessary delegations prior to the commencement of the service at the beginning of June 2010.)

To consider irrecoverable debts to be written off.

The appendix to this report contains exempt information as defined in S.100 of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, as it contains the personal details of individuals. 

(Report attached)

RESOLVED that

the debts totalling £43,175.92 detailed in the schedule attached to the report be written off as irrecoverable.

(During the consideration of this item, Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information. It was therefore agreed to move to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed which contained the personal details of individuals.)

The Committee considered writing off 15 cases of irrecoverable debt where all appropriate debt recovery actions had been taken by Officers.

RESOLVED that

the debts totalling £43,175.92 detailed in the schedule attached to the report be written off as irrecoverable.

(During the consideration of this item, Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information. It was therefore agreed to move to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed which contained the personal details of individuals. There is nothing exempt, however, in this record of proceedings)

To receive the minutes of the meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 17th and 22nd March and 7th April 2010.

There are recommendations for the Executive Committee to consider.

(Minutes attached)

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 17th and 22nd March and 7th April 2010 be received and noted.

(Members noted that the one outstanding recommendation, that relating to the discontinuation of the Community Safety Advisory Panel, had already been acted upon at the Annual Meeting of the Council and therefore no longer required determination.)

Members noted that the one outstanding recommendation, that relating to the discontinuation of the Community Safety Advisory Panel, had already been acted upon at the Annual Meeting of the Council and therefore no longer required determination.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 17th and 22nd March and 7th April 2010 be received and noted.

To consider recommendations from the Shared Services Board meeting on 20th April 2010.

(Minutes and draft Framework Agreement attached)

Framework Agreement

RECOMMENDED that

1)         the overarching Strategic Alliance / Shared Services Framework Agreement, as amended, be approved;

2)         the Leader of each Council be authorised to sign it on behalf of that authority;

Economic Regeneration and Development in North Worcestershire

3)         the four principal recommendations from the Inspira report 'Review of Economic Regeneration & Development - Strategy & Arrangements be agreed as amended; and

RESOLVED that

4)         the delivery of a North Worcestershire Economic and Regeneration service by a single team hosted by Wyre Forest District Council be approved; and

5)         an Implementation Plan be agreed between the three Councils with effect from 1st October 2010 or such other date as may be agreed by the three Councils, this Implementation Plan to deal with those matters set out in paragraph 4.27 of the report submitted to the Board.

Members considered the recommendations of the Shared Services Board meeting on 20th April, including that relating to a Framework Agreement between the two Councils.

Framework Agreement

RECOMMENDED that

1)         the overarching Strategic Alliance / Shared Services Framework Agreement, as amended, be approved;

2)         the Leader of each Council be authorised to sign it on behalf of that authority;

Economic Regeneration and Development in North Worcestershire

3)         the four principal recommendations from the Inspira report 'Review of Economic Regeneration & Development - Strategy & Arrangements be agreed as amended; and

RESOLVED that

4)         the delivery of a North Worcestershire Economic and Regeneration service by a single team hosted by Wyre Forest District Council be approved; and

5)         an Implementation Plan be agreed between the three Councils with effect from 1st October 2010 or such other date as may be agreed by the three Councils, this Implementation Plan to deal with those matters set out in paragraph 4.27 of the report submitted to the Board.

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 or referrals under this item.

There were no minutes or referrals under this item.

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.

It was noted that the Community Safety Advisory Panel could be removed from the list of Panels in the report.

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.

RESOLVED that

the report be noted.

It may be necessary, in the opinion of the Chief Executive, to consider excluding the public from the meeting in relation to the following items of business on the grounds that exempt information is likely to be divulged. It may be necessary, therefore, to move the following resolution:

“that, under S.100 I of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following matter(s) on the grounds that it/they involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraphs (to be specified) of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (A) of the said Act, as amended.”

RESOLVED that

under S.100 I of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following matters on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (A) of the said Act, as amended.

Stratford-on-Avon District Draft Core Strategy – Consultation Response (as detailed at Minute 6 above); and

Irrecoverable Debts (as detailed at Minute 13 above).

RESOLVED that

under S.100 I of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following matters on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (A) of the said Act, as amended.

Stratford-on-Avon District Draft Core Strategy – Consultation Response (as detailed at Minute 6 above); and

Irrecoverable Debts (as detailed at Minute 13 above).