Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

Additional Papers

One set of Additional Papers had been circulated which contained a minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 7th April 2015 in relation to the pre-scrutiny of the Redditch Market report.  These would be considered with the Redditch Market report which appeared at item 6 of the main agenda pack.

Work Programme

It was noted that the Equal Opportunity Policy report which was due to be considered at the meeting that evening had been deferred until June to ensure the trade unions had opportunity to consider this.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meetings of the Executive Committee held on 10^th March and the special meeting held on 30^th March 2015.

(Minutes attached)

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meetings of the Executive Committee held on 10th March and 30th March 2015 be agreed as correct records and signed by the Chair.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 3^rd March 2015.

There are no recommendations to consider, the Obesity Task Group report at minute no.87 was considered at the meeting of the Executive Committee on 10th March.

(Minutes attached)

The Committee received the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 3rd March 2015.

It was noted that there were no recommendations to consider as the recommendation at Minute No. 87 relating to the Tackling Obesity Task Group – Final Report had been dealt with by the Executive as its last meeting.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 3rd March 2015 be received and noted.

To consider the enclosed report outlining initial activity to review the operation of the outdoor market in Redditch.

The Committee received a report which sought approval for the North Worcestershire Economic Development & Regeneration Service to invite informal expressions of interest from market operators for the future management of Redditch Outdoor Market.  Officers highlighted an error in recommendation 2.1 of the report, which stated Bromsgrove Outdoor Market instead of Redditch Outdoor Market.

The results of any expressions of interest received would be reported to a future meeting of the Executive Committee.  Those results, together with the outcomes of soft market testing and the views of existing market operators, would help inform decisions on the future management of the Market and whether or not to procure an external market operator.   

Members noted the recommendations of the 7th April 2015 Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Committee’s request to be allowed to see a copy of the consultant’s report. 

It was noted that Officers had explained at the Overview and Scrutiny meeting that it had been agreed at the Portfolio Holders’ Briefing that the consultant’s report would not be considered until later in the process, when there was a decision for Members to make on the future operation and management of the market.  As Members were not being asked to make any such decision at this stage it was felt premature to circulate or consider the report.

The consultant’s report would be considered by Members at the appropriate time and consultation on any options would take place with the public and market traders, in the best interests of the market.  A Member commented that they would be interested to know the cost of the consultant’s report. 

RESOLVED that

1)            North Worcestershire Economic Development & Regeneration Service invite informal expressions of interest from market operators for the future management of Redditch Outdoor Market;

2)            a report on the outcome of the process be brought to a future meeting of the Executive Committee; and

3)            the recommendations from the 7th April 2015 Overview and Scrutiny meeting in relation to the pre-scrutiny of the Redditch Outdoor Market report be received and noted.

To consider the enclosed report proposing the adoption of a local mortgage rescue scheme.

Members were asked to approve a Local Mortgage Rescue Scheme (‘the Scheme’) for the Council.

Officers presented the report and advised that the Scheme would be a last resort for those who were being threatened with repossession and facing homelessness.

Members noted the financial elements of the Scheme detailed in the report.  A budget of £500k had been included in the Housing Revenue Account for 2015/16 to facilitate the purchase of suitable properties and associated ancillary costs.

Members thanked Officers for the work they had put into developing the Scheme and were proud that the Council had this in place.

RESOLVED that

Redditch Borough Council’s Mortgage Rescue Scheme – Policy and Procedure, as detailed at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Worcestershire Regulatory Services Joint Committee meeting held on 19^th February 2015.

The Committee received the minutes of the meeting of the Worcestershire Regulatory Services Shared Services Joint Committee held on 19th February 2015.

It was noted that there were no recommendations to consider.

One of the Members who had been present at the meeting stated that there had been a lively debate at Minute No. 38/14 (Creating and Delivering a Sustainable Regulatory Partnership for Worcestershire), relating to membership and voting changes.

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Worcestershire Regulatory Services Shared Services Joint Committee held on 19th February 2015 be received and noted.

The Committee received, under Additional Papers, the minute and recommendations of the 7th April 2015 Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to the Committee’s pre-scrutiny of the Redditch Market report.  This was considered under agenda item 6 – Redditch Market (Minute No. 131 refers).

RESOLVED that

the minute and recommendations of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 7th April 2015 be received and noted.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Planning Advisory Panel had, owing to a clash with the Staff Awards, previously been re-scheduled and would be taking place the following evening, Wednesday 15th April 2015.

RESOLVED that

the report and update be noted.