Your Council!Your Council

 

BOROUGH OF CREWE AND NANTWICH

COUNCIL MEETING

25TH JUNE 2008  

Despatch date: 17th June 2008


 

              

1.         APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE


2.         MINUTES

 

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Annual Council Meeting held on 14th May 2008. (2)


3.         PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

 

To consider questions and petitions received in accordance with the Question Time Procedure [Procedure Rule No. 31(2)] and to consider any supplementary questions. 


4.         MAYOR’S COMMUNICATIONS AND CIVIC ACTIVITIES

 

To receive the Mayor’s Communications and a resumé of Civic life in the Borough since the last Council meeting. (4)

 

 

(Note: At this point in the proceedings the Council will be invited to sit as a Committee of the Full Council.)


5.         DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

           

Members to declare any personal or prejudicial interests which they have in any item of business on the agenda, the nature of the interest, and, if necessary, to leave the meeting prior to discussion of that item.

Members who also serve as County, Town or Parish Councillors or are Members of the Shadow Authority for Cheshire East Council, are reminded of the need to make declarations in respect of any item which directly concerns the business of the appropriate authority.

Declarations are a personal matter for each Member to decide.  Whilst Officers will advise on the Code of Conduct and its interpretation, the decision to declare, or not, is the responsibility of the Member, based on the particular circumstances.


6.         CONSIDERATION OF ANY SCRUTINY COMMITTEE REPORTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

 

To consider any recommendations or reports from the Scrutiny Committees.

 

MATTERS REQUIRING A DECISION BY COUNCIL


7.                 FINANCIAL OUT-TURN AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS –       2008-2009

 

The Board, at its Special meeting held on 25th June 2008 considered the report of Councillor Graham Fenton, Portfolio Holder for Finance which presented the Statement of Accounts.

The Board was asked to recommend to Council approval of the Statement of Accounts 2008-2009.

 

 

The report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance will be included with the Board agenda for its meeting to be held on 25th June 2008. Members are asked to bring their own copy to the meeting.

 


8.         ANNUAL GOVERNANCE STATEMENT – 2007/2008

 

A revised Local Code of Corporate Governance, based upon the CIPFA/SOLACE framework, was authorised by the Board on 6th March 2008.

The new framework has been given statutory effect under the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2006.  With effect from 2007/2008, the framework introduces the requirement to produce an Annual Governance Statement, the form and content of which will obviate the requirement to prepare and publish a separate Statement on Internal Control.

At its meeting held on 23rd June 2008, the Audit Committee, was asked to recommend to Council the adoption of the Annual Governance Statement 2007-2008. 

 

The report of Councillor Graham Fenton, Portfolio Holder for Finance, is attached. (8)

 


9.                  TRANSITIONAL COSTS

The Cheshire Structural Changes Order places the responsibility for funding transitional costs incurred during the lead-up year upon the seven out-going Councils.

The estimated quantum of those has been calculated following requests to the Block-Leads to identify such costs. The Shadow Council will approve budgets for this first tranche of set-up costs.

The report of Councillor Graham Fenton, Portfolio Holder for Finance, submitted to the Special Board on 25th June 2008, contains details of estimated transitional costs in respect of the implementation of the unitary structure proposals for Cheshire East.  The report will enable Council to approve a budget for its share of those costs and the funding from either existing budgets or reserves.  Owing to some uncertainties, it is also proposed that delegated authority be granted to the Executive Director (Treasury and Corporate Support), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder.

           


10.             PLANNING APPLICATION NO. P08/0318 –  ERECTION OF NEW STORAGE UNIT WITH INTERNAL OFFICE SPACE AND SERVICING AREA – T I MIDWOOD, GREEN LANE, WARDLE.

 

At its meeting held on 29th May 2008, the Development Control Committee considered the above planning application. 

The Committee resolved to refer it to Council for approval as a departure from the Development Plan, subject to conditions as detailed in the report. 

The report of the Strategic Manager (Planning and Development) (10) is attached.


11.       PLANNING APPLICATION NO. P08/0504 – CONVERSION OF BARN TO FORM FOUR DWELLINGS, LITTLE HEATH BARN,

            CHESHIRE STREET, AUDLEM FOR MARKDEN HOMES

 

At its meeting held on 29th May 2008, the Development Control Committee considered the above planning application. 

The Committee resolved to refer it to Council for approval as a departure from the Development Plan, subject to conditions as detailed in the report. 

The report of the Strategic Manager (Planning and Development) (11) is attached.


12.      PLANNING ENFORCEMENT POLICY

 

A comprehensive review of the Council’s planning enforcement service has been undertaken.  As a result, a revised draft Policy was formulated which included a series of changes to the current working practices to improve the quality, efficiency and profile of the service. 

At its meeting held on 29th April 2008, the Development Control Committee resolved to recommend it to Council.

The report of the Head of Planning (Development Control) (12) recommends Council to approve the Planning Enforcement Policy, and that the policy be adopted from 1st August 2008.


13.       BOARD REPORT AND QUESTIONS TO THE BOARD AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS

 

Councillors may ask questions of the Board and Committee Chairs in accordance with Procedure Rule No. 9.  Members are reminded that questions should only be raised on matters which are being discussed by the Board or Committee. 

 

The Board Report is attached. (13)