Agenda 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 Brandon Clayton.

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

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)

There were no Leader’s Announcements.

At this point in the meeting Councillor Chance raised the following:

·        whether Councillor Gandy had completed the compulsory Chair’s training prior to the meeting.  The Chief Executive confirmed that the Chair’s training was in the process of being arranged and that in these circumstances Councillor Gandy could continue to chair the meeting.

·        Proposed a motion that Item 7 and 8 be discussed in public session on the grounds that an important principle regarding support of third sector organisations was involved.  The motion was seconded and a vote taken.  The motion was defeated.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on the 12th April 2011.

(Minutes attached)

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 12th April 2011 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the final report of the Road Gritting Short, Sharp Review Task and Finish Group.

(Report attached)

Councillors Robin King and Simon Chalk attended the meeting to present the final report of the Gritting Short, Sharp Review Group.  

Members were informed that the Group had made 13 recommendations that had been designed to help improve road gritting and winter service arrangements in Redditch during periods of inclement weather.

The Group recognised that Worcestershire County Council (WCC), as the responsible authority for gritting and highways maintenance, had worked hard during December 2010 to minimise the impact of unprecedented weather conditions on the highways in the County.

The aim of the review had been to help WCC to continue to improve winter service arrangements by contributing a local perspective about actions that could be taken to improve conditions in Redditch for the future.

The Committee were informed that the Group had made a number of recommendations about relevant sections of the County Council’s website.  It was noted that following presentation of the report for the consideration at the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in April alterations had been made to the Council’s website.  These alterations had addressed some, though not all, of the Group’s concerns.

Councillor King thanked all members of the Group and, in particular, former Councillor Graham Vickery who had initially chaired the Group.  He also thanked the Head of Environmental Services and his team, and the Overview and Scrutiny Support Officer for their support in the production of the final report.

The Chair informed members that a meeting had been arranged for the beginning of July with WCC’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport.  She reported that it was her intention to take a copy of the final report to the meeting for discussion.

RESOLVED that

1)                 the report be noted;

2)                 the Executive Committee receive an update following the meeting with WCC’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Highways and Transport. 

The Council Plan sets out the vision for Redditch Borough Council including its strategic priorities.  It details the key deliverables that will contribute to achieving each of the agreed priorities.

The comments and recommendation of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the Council Plan are attached at Item 10 on this agenda.

(Report attached)

The Committee received a report on and copy of the draft Redditch Council Plan 2011-14 for approval.

Officers reported that the Council Plan, and associated Action Plan, had been developed to reflect the Council’s vision as ‘an enterprising community, which is safe, clean and green’ as well as a fourth overarching priority to be a well-managed organisation.

Members noted the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee from their meeting on 13th April when they considered the draft plan for pre-scrutiny.

RECOMMENDED that

The Council Plan 2011 – 2014, attached at Appendix 1 of the report, be approved.

To consider a review of the lease and associated rent of 21 and 21a Salters Lane.

[The report and appendix contain 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 they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).  In view of this it is anticipated that discussion of these matters will take place after the exclusion of the public.]

(Report attached)

Members agreed a further 3 year lease with associated terms on 21 and 21a Salters Lane.

[During consideration of this item Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information. It was therefore agreed to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed relating to the financial affairs of any particular body (including the authority holding that information.)]

To consider a review of rent for Unit 1, Matchborough Centre.

[The report and appendix contain 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 they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).  In view of this it is anticipated that discussion of these matters will take place after the exclusion of the public.]

(Report attached)

Members agreed the continuation of a concessionary rent agreement and the terms thereof in relation to Unit 1, Matchborough House.

[During consideration of this item Members discussed matters that necessitated the disclosure of exempt information. It was therefore agreed to exclude the press and public prior to any debate on the grounds that information would be revealed relating to the financial affairs of any particular body (including the authority holding that information.)]

To consider making the site of Park House (150 Evesham Road) surplus to requirements.

[The report and appendix contain 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 they contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).  In view of this it is anticipated that discussion of these matters will take place after the exclusion of the public.]

(Report attached)

Members considered a report requesting that the site of the former Park House (150 Evesham Street) be declared surplus to requirements and made available for disposal.

RECOMMENDED that

1)                 the site of the former Park House (150 Evesham Street) be declared surplus to requirements; and

RESOLVED that

2)                 Local Councillors consult residents and feedback ideas for the future use of the site; and

3)                 a further report be submitted to the Executive Committee at the meeting scheduled for 2nd August 2011 regarding the disposal and future use of the site.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on the 13th April 2011.

There are recommendations to consider.

(Minutes attached)

The Committee received the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13th April 2011.  Members noted the recommendations regarding the pre-scrutiny of the Redditch Council Plan 2011 – 2014 as noted in Minute 6 above.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 13th April 2011 be received and noted.

To receive and consider any outstanding minutes or referrals from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Executive Panels 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.

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)

The Committee received an update on the work of the Executive Committee’s Advisory Panels and similar bodies.

The following was noted:

·        Procurement Steering Group – date to be arranged: and

·        Planning Advisory Panel – next meeting – 28th June

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.

Should it be necessary, in the opinion of the Chief Executive, to consider excluding the public from the meeting in relation to any items of business on the grounds that exempt information is likely to be divulged it may be necessary 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 matter on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 (A) of the said Act, as amended:

·        Review of Lease – 21 and 21a Salters Lane (as detailed at Minute 6 above); and

·        Review of Lease – Unit 1 Matchborough House (as detailed at Minute 7 above).