NOTICE OF
MEETING
BOARD
DAY/DATE:
THURSDAY, 15TH NOVEMBER 2007
TIME:
6.00 PM
VENUE:
COUNCIL
CHAMBER
MUNICIPAL
BUILDINGS
EARLE STREET
CREWE
Despatch
date:
6th November 2007
Enquiries
to:
Joanne Smith
Tel: 01270 537032
Fax: 01270 537605
Board
Leader: Councillor B G
Silvester
Tel : 01270
567757
Fax: 01270 567757
e-mail: cllr.brian.silvester@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk
To: Board
Members (for attendance)
All other Members of the Borough Council
Management Team
Local Press and Radio
Notes for Members of the
Public
The Board consists of 10
elected Members and Councillor Brian Silvester, the Council Leader,
is the Chairman.
The Borough Council welcomes and
encourages members of the public to attend its Board, Committee and
Council meetings.
If you plan to attend, please report
to the Reception Desk in the Municipal Buildings, where you will be
provided with a Visitor’s Pass.
Car parking is not available at the
Municipal Buildings, but there are several town centre car
parks. There is a disabled access to the rear of the
Municipal Buildings, and this can be accessed through the side door
on Vernon Way. Please press the button for attention, and
someone will meet you and escort you through to the main reception
area.
You are asked to remain quiet whilst
the meeting is taking place, and to enter and leave the meeting
room, or public gallery of the Council Chamber, as quietly as
possible. Please ensure that if you have a mobile phone or
pager, it is switched off for the duration of the meeting.
You are not allowed to have drinks or
food in the meeting rooms, nor in the Public Gallery. A “No
Smoking” policy operates in the Municipal Buildings.
Fire Evacuation
If the fire alarm rings, you should
make your way to the nearest exit with your belongings, as quickly
as possible, and leave the building. Please follow any
instructions from staff about evacuation routes.
Copies of the agenda will be available
if you attend. Agendas are also made available on the Internet and
can be accessed via the Council’s website – see front page for
details.
On occasions, members of the press and
public will be excluded from the meetings when the business to be
transacted is of a confidential nature, for example, dealing with
individual people, contracts and financial affairs of other
parties.
If you require any further
information, please contact Joanne Smith (details on front
page).
Agenda Information
Items on the agenda have been grouped
together in 3 categories:
Category “A”
Key issues; constitutional matters; matters
having a strategic or significant community impact; new policy or
changes to existing policy
Category “B”
Performance Management issues
Category “C”
Organisational and other matters
The reports in
“Category “A” reflect the priorities identified in
the current Corporate Strategy which the Borough Council has set
itself to achieve continuous improvement in the environmental,
economic and social well being of the Borough of Crewe and
Nantwich. The Council’s four corporate priority areas are
underpinned by the following statements:-
Growing
Prosperity
·
Sufficient jobs available locally to meet the demands of population
growth and which are of particular quality and resilient to
economic downturn
Safer & Stronger
Communities
·
To ensure that no-one is disadvantaged by where they live.
·
To lead public agencies in providing an integrated service at
neighbourhood levels.
·
To achieve a significant improvement in the inequality index for
the Borough and reduce levels of anti-social behaviour and
crime.
Community
Leadership
·
A Council which organises itself and conducts its business so as to
maximise benefit and value to the people it serves and
represents
·
To achieve a significant improvement in overall satisfaction
levels
Making our Borough
Cleaner and Greener
·
A noticeable uplift in the appearance of the
Borough complemented by the enhancement of some key locations
and with a particular focus on tackling climate change
issues.
AGENDA
1.
Declarations of Interest
1.1
Any Members present (including non-Committee Members) to declare
any personal or prejudicial interest, and the nature of those
interests, which they have in any item of business on the agenda
and, if necessary, to leave the meeting prior to discussion of that
item.
1.2
Members who also serve as County, Town or Parish Councillors, are
reminded of the need to make declarations in respect of any item
which directly concerns the business of the appropriate
authority.
1.3
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.
2.
Board Decisions
2.1
To receive the Statement of Decisions made by the Board at its
meeting held on 20th September 2007. (Distributed
in the Record of Meetings issued on 1st October
2007)
3.
Reconsideration of Decisions
3.1
In accordance with Rule 14 of the Performance and Overview
Procedure Rules and Rule 2 of the Executive Procedure Rules
contained within the Council’s Constitution, Members are asked to
reconsider any decisions referred back to the Board.
4.
Consideration of any Scrutiny
CommitteeReports and Recommendations
4.1
To consider comments/observations from the Scrutiny Committees on
reports that fall within their remit.
CATEGORY
A
Key Issues
5.
Corporate Strategy –
Review
5.1 Report of
Councillor Brian Silvester, Leader of the Council.
5.2 The
Council’s Corporate Strategy (2007-2012) was adopted earlier this
year and the report provides a mid-term review of progress on
the Corporate Strategy.
5.3
The Board is asked to receive the report for information.
5.4
Scrutiny Committees – All.
6.
2007-2012 Revenue
Strategy
6.1 Report of
Councillor John Hatfield, Portfolio Holder for Finance.
6.2 The report
presents Members with any amendments to the Medium Term Financial
Strategy for 2007-2012. It sets out the financial impacts of
delivery of the Council’s existing key policy commitments in terms
of revenue spending and the capacity to fund these.
6.3 The Board
is asked to recommend to Council that the updated Revenue Strategy
2007-2012 be
approved.
The updated Revenue Strategy has been provided for Board Members,
Scrutiny Committee Chairs and Group Leaders only. A copy is
available in the Members’ Room and will be published on the
Council’s website.
6.4 Scrutiny
Committee – Organisation.
7.
Capital
Investment Strategy 2007-2012
7.1 Report of
Councillor John Hatfield, Portfolio Holder for Finance.
7.2 The report
contains details of the updated Capital Strategy for
2007-2012. It also includes a review of the resources
allocated to existing projects which are underway and to new
proposals that have been scored and ranked using the Council’s
scoring framework.
7.3 The Board
is asked to recommend to Council approval of the Capital Strategy
2007-2012 and to agree that the Capital Programme be amended to
include the changes recommended in the Strategy.
The updated Capital Strategy has been provided for Board Members,
Scrutiny Committee Chairs and Group Leaders only. A copy is
available in the Members’ Room and will be published on the
Council’s website.
7.4 Scrutiny
Committee – Organisation.
8.
Licensing Act 2003 –
Statement of Licensing Policy
8.1 Report of
Councillor John Dwyer, Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities.
8.2 The
Licensing Act 2003 came into force in 2005 when the
Council took over the licensing of the sale of alcohol from
the courts. At its meeting on 5th January
2005 the Council approved a policy document known as the
Statement of Licensing Policy. Under the terms of the
Licensing Act the Council must review and renew the policy document
at intervals of not more than three years.
8.3 The Board
approved the revised draft Policy for consultation at its meeting
on 20th September 2007 and, following the consultation
period, is now invited to recommend approval of the Statement of
Licensing Policy to Council.
The Statement of Licensing Policy has been provided for Board
Members, Scrutiny Committee Chairs and Group Leaders only. A
copy is available in the Members’ Room and will be published on the
Council’s website.
8.4 Scrutiny
Committee – Community.
9.
Appeal
Contribution – Future Unitary Structures for Local
Government
Supplementary briefing
note
9.1 Report of
Councillor Brian Silvester, Leader of the Council.
9.2 The report asks
the Board to consider appropriate actions in light of the High
Court’s decision to dismiss the application by Congleton and
Shrewsbury & Atcham Councils to challenge the right of the
Secretary of State to continue with the proposed implementation of
Unitary Structures for Local Government.
9.3 The report
contains recommendations in respect of any appeal contribution to
Congleton Borough Council in relation to costs incurred in an
appeal to the Court of
Appeal.
9.4 Scrutiny
Committee – Organisation.
10.
Tax Base for Council
Tax and Discount For Second Homes
10.1 Report
of Councillor John Hatfield, Portfolio Holder for Finance.
10.2 The
report contains details of the Council Tax Base calculation
for the forthcoming financial year, together with the tax base
for each parish and Nantwich Town Council. It also
provides information on the level of discount on second homes for
determination.
10.3 The
Board is asked to recommend to Council, subject to
Cheshire County Council continuing with the agreement on
second homes taxation sharing, to:
(A) Approve the discount for second homes at 25%;
(B) Approve the Tax Base for the whole Borough (Appendix
A1);
(C) Approve the Tax Base for the parishes and Nantwich
Town Council (Appendix A2); or
In the event of the agreement not continuing, the above
be substituted with 50%, Appendix B1 and B2
respectively.
10.3
Scrutiny Committee – Organisation.
CATEGORY
B
Performance
Monitoring
11.
Best Value
Performance Indicators – Progress Report for Quarter 2 –
2007-2008
11.1 Report
of Councillor Jacquie Weatherill, Portfolio Holder for Human
Resources.
11.2 The
report summarises the performance activity of the key
basket of Performance Indicators during the second quarter of
the financial year 2007-08 (to 30th September) and the
Board is asked to note the report.
11.3
Scrutiny Committees – All.
12.
2007/08
Financial Monitoring Report – to 30th September
2007
12.1 Report
of Councillor John Hatfield, Portfolio Holder for Finance.
12.2 The
report informs Members of actual expenditure and income in
the current financial year 2007/08 up until 30th
September, compared to profiled budgets, and shows the
projected out-turn for 2007/08. The Board is asked to
receive the
report.
12.3
Scrutiny Committees – All.
CATEGORY
C
Organisational Matters
13.
Asset Management
Action Plan
13.1 Report
of Councillor John Hatfield, Portfolio Holder for Finance.
13.2 The
report recommends actions to deliver the Asset Management Plan
approved in July; this includes the outcomes of the asset condition
surveys, which have given reliable data to assist in planning
the future maintenance programme for the
Council’s buildings.
13.3 The
Board is asked to approve the actions detailed in the
report and make a recommendation to Council for approval of
the Asset Management Plan, together with the actions detailed
in the report (Appendix 1 and 2),
13.4
Scrutiny Committee – Organisation.
14.
Parliamentary
Polling District and Polling Places Review
14.1 Report
of Councillor Margaret Simon, Portfolio Holder
for Customers.
14.2 The
Electoral Commission requires the Council to conduct a review
of its Parliamentary Polling Districts and Polling Places.
At its meeting held on 20th September the Board
approved the process for consultation. Following the
consultation the Board is now asked to consider the draft
proposals and make recommendations to Council for final
approval.
14.3
Scrutiny Committee – Organisation.
15.
Revised Crewe &
Nantwich Empty Property Strategy
15.1 Report
of Councillor Rachel Bailey, Portfolio Holder
for Planning.
15.2 The
Housing Act 2004 came into force in April 2006 and gave additional
enforcement powers to deal with empty property in the form of
Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs). This, together with
the Government’s continued commitment to generally reduce the
numbers of empty properties nationally, means a revised
strategy is necessary.
15.3 The
Board is asked to approve the revised Crewe & Nantwich
Empty Property Strategy for public consultation, from
22nd November 2007 until 17th January
2008, as detailed in the draft Executive Summary.
15.4
Scrutiny Committee – Community.
16.
Air Quality Management Area –
Nantwich Road, Crewe
16.1 Report
of Councillor John Dwyer, Portfolio Holder for
Safer Communities.
16.2 Every
district authority is required by the Department
for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to review
and assess air quality in its area to determine whether it
meets the objectives laid down by DEFRA. Monitoring in
the Nantwich Road area of Crewe has revealed levels of
nitrogen dioxide that do not meet the objective levels.
A detailed assessment has been prepared for consultation
prior to the declaration of an Air Quality Management
Area.
16.3 The
Board is asked to approve the Detailed
Assessment of Nitrogen Dioxide for Nantwich Road, Crewe (2Mb)
for consultation prior to the declaration of an Air Quality
Management Area in accordance with its duties under the Environment
Act 1995.
The Local Air Quality Management Detailed Assessment has been
provided for Board Members, Scrutiny Committee Chairs and Group
Leaders only. A copy is available in the Members’ Room and
will be published on the Council’s website.
16.4
Scrutiny Committee – Community.
17.
Consolidation
and Amendment – Off-Street Parking Places Order
Addendum to
report
17.1 Report
of Councillor John Hammond, Portfolio Holder for
Local Environment.
17.2 The
report contains proposals for the consolidation and amendment of
the existing Borough of Crewe and Nantwich (Off-Street Parking
Places) Order.
17.3 The
Board is asked to:
(A) Approve the variations to the
Off-Street Parking Places Order 1995 in respect of the permit cost
for Gresty Road Car Park, Crewe and Excess Charges for use of
Disabled Persons’ Parking Bays, and to authorise the taking of all
necessary steps to bring the variations into operation; and
(B) Approve the making of the Borough of
Crewe and Nantwich (General) (Off-Street Parking Places)
(Consolidation) Order 2007, and to authorise the taking of the
necessary steps to bring the Consolidation Order into
operation.
17.4
Scrutiny Committee – Local Economy and Environment.
18.
Agreement with Cheshire County Council - Waste Performance
Efficiency Grant Funds
18.1 Report
of Councillor John Hammond, Portfolio Holder for the Local
Environment.
18.2
Cheshire County Council is in receipt of Waste Performance
and Efficiency Grant funding from DEFRA which it is are
prepared to pool and share with collection authorities. This
is subject to collection authorities entering into an
agreement with the County Council to apply the funds to
projects that will improve recycling rates and reduce the County
Council’s potential Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme
liability.
18.3 The
Board is asked to approve the sealing of the Service
Level Agreement between Cheshire County Council and Crewe
and Nantwich Borough Council.
18.4
Scrutiny Committee – Local Economy & Environment.
19.
All Saints
Churchyard, Nantwich - Maintenance
19.1 Report
of Councillor John Hammond, Portfolio Holder for the
local Environment.
19.2 The
report concerns the Council’s potential liability to maintain in
a good state of repair part of All Saints Cemetery, Nantwich,
which is currently the responsibility of St Mary’s
Church, Nantwich.
19.3 The
Board is asked to authorise the Executive Director,
Direct Services to offer to the Parochial Church Council that
the Borough Council will undertake the partial care management
and control of Part A and Part B of the All Saint’s
Churchyard, Nantwich under s9 Open Spaces Act 1906 in
consideration of their not giving a notice under s215
Local Government Act 1972 in respect of Part A.
19.4
Scrutiny Committee – Organisation.
20.
Report of the Executive Director,
Direct Services (For Information)
20.1 In
accordance with contract regulations, the Executive Director,
Direct Services reports on tenders that have recently been
invited and received.
21. Exclusion of Press
and Public
21.1 The
reports relating to the remaining items on the agenda have been
withheld from public circulation and deposit pursuant to Section
100(B)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that
these matters may be determined with the press and public
excluded.
21.2 The
Board may decide that the press and public be excluded from the
meeting during consideration of the following matters pursuant to
Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds
that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as
defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of
the
Act.
(Paragraph 3 Information relating to the financial or
business affairs of any particular person (including the authority
holding that information.)
22. Land At Minshull
New Road, Crewe (Paragraph
3)
22.1 Report
of Councillor David Brickhill, Portfolio Holder for Economic
Development.
22.2 The
Council has received a request for the purchase of an area of
Public Open Space located off Minshull New Road, Crewe, which is
identified as open space under Policy RT.1 in the adopted
local plan. The Board is asked to approve the
disposal of the land subject to the Open Space provisions and
planning approval.
22.2
Scrutiny Committee – Organisation.
23. Cash Collection
Service (Paragraph
3)
23.1 Report
of Councillor John Hatfield, Portfolio Holder for
Finance.
23.2 The
Board is requested to approve, in accordance with Regulation
6(a)(ii) of the Council’s Regulations Relating to Contracts,
to waive the requirement to formally seek tenders and
extend the current contractual arrangement until
31/03/09.
23.3
Scrutiny Committee – Organisation.
24. Health and Fitness
Suite Partnership Arrangements (Paragraph
3)
24.1 Report
of Councillor Bill McGinnis, Portfolio Holder for
Leisure.
24.2 The
Board is requested to approve, in accordance with Regulation
6(a)(ii) of the Council’s Regulations Relating
to Contracts, to waive the requirement to seek tenders and
to negotiate a two year contract for a period from
1st December 2007 for the supply,
servicing and marketing of health and fitness suites at the
Council’s leisure facilities at the Barony Park, Nantwich
Pool, Crewe Pool and Shavington Leisure Centre.
24.3
Scrutiny Committee – Organisation.
Additional Item
25. Post
Office Closures (Agenda item only – no report attached)
To discuss and re-confirm the Board’s
previous decision (Decision no 65 – 20th September 2007)
following the Government’s announcement on Post Office
Closures.
NOTE:
In accordance with the Health and Safety at
Work Act, the Council is required to notify those attending
meetings of the fire evacuation procedures. A copy has
previously been distributed to Members and instructions are located
in all rooms within the Civic Suite.
This agenda can be made available in larger
text on request