Councillor Brian Silvester                (Leader of the Council in the Chair)

Councillor Rachel Bailey                 (Portfolio Holder for Planning)

Councillor David Brickhill                (Portfolio Holder for Economic Development)

Councillor Graham Fenton             (Portfolio Holder for Finance)

Councillor John Hammond             (Portfolio Holder for the Local Environment)

Councillor John Hatfield                  (Portfolio Holder for Human Resources)

Councillor Bill McGinnis                  (Portfolio Holder for Leisure)

Councillor Margaret Simon             (Portfolio Holder for Customers)

Councillor Ray Westwood               (Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods)

 

 

Councillors W T Beard, R Cartlidge, S W Hogben, M R Jones, M Roberts and M J Weatherill

 

 

Paul Ancell                (Chief Executive)

Lisa Carr                    (Principal Policy Officer)

Jennifer Cross           (Executive Director Treasury and Corporate Support)

Paul Goodwin            (Assistant Director Treasury and Corporate Support)

Chris Henshall           (Deputy Monitoring Officer)

Bill Howie                   (Democratic Services Manager)

Bernadette Hurst       (Assistant Chief Executive)

Carol Jones                (Democratic Services Officer)

David Marren              (Executive Director - Direct Services)

Su Turner                   (Local Strategic Partnership Manager)

Rachel Welch            (Human Resources Manager)

 

NOTE: The following Decisions should be read in conjunction with the corresponding reports which accompanied the Board Agenda issued on 30^th January 2007 together with revised report No. 15 (Strategic Grants to Voluntary Organisations) issued on 6^th February 2007.   The agenda and reports are available on the Council's Internet Website. www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk

 

 

Councillor Ray Westwood declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 16 (Community Grant Application) on the basis that he was a member of Wistaston Sports and Leisure (Soccer), the applicant.

 

No other Member made any declaration of interest in any item of business on the agenda.

 

The Board received the Statement of Decisions made at a meeting held on 11^th January 2007.

 

 

No decisions had been referred back to the Board for reconsideration.

 

 

The Performance and Overview Committees had been invited to comment on Board reports. Comments had been received from the Performance and Overview Committee (Organisation) and these were considered under the appropriate headings.

 

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor Graham Fenton, Portfolio Holder for Finance.

 

The report invited the Board to recommend to Council at its meeting on 21^st February 2007, approval of the Capital Programme and the setting of a sustainable Revenue Budget and Council Tax for 2007/2008, along with associated Scales of Fees and Charges.

 

 

 

(A)      The Capital Programme as shown in the Consultation Draft Budget (Section C);

 

 

(C)         The budget amendments listed at Appendix A, as tabled at the meeting;

 

(D)         The Board's budget variations listed at Appendix B, as tabled at the meeting;

 

(E)         The General Fund reserves floor and ceiling remain at £1,250,000 and £1,500,000 respectively to cover the assessed risks;

 

(F)          The amounts to be set in accordance with Sections 32-36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for the chargeable financial year commencing 1 April 2007 as the amounts of Council Tax for the Borough of Crewe & Nantwich be as set out in Appendix C, to be tabled at Budget Council on 21^st February 2007;   and

 

 

 

There were many options available to Members when considering the Council's Budget and these will no doubt have been further explored during the consultation period.

 

 

(a)     The Consultation Draft Budget 2007/2008 has been considered in various consultation exercises during January and February 2007.

 

(b)       The Budget includes services which contribute positively to the development of the built and natural environment.

 

(c)          The Budget considers the use of revenue resources, in the context of the Revenue Strategy 2005-2010.

 

(d)          The Budget includes activities which contribute positively, directly or indirectly, to reducing anti-social behaviour.

 

(e)          The Revenue Budget and Capital Programme contribute to the delivery of the four key corporate priorities, other service objectives and statutory responsibilities.

 

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor Graham Fenton, Portfolio Holder for Finance.

 

The report covered the various requirements of both the Prudential Code for Capital Finance and the Codes of Practice on Treasury Management.  These were professional codes, published by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), which supported appropriate legislation.

 

The Board was asked to recommend to Council approval of the Prudential Indicators and the Treasury Management Strategy and revised list of Approved Organisations for Investment.

 

It was noted that the Performance and Overview Committee (Organisation) had supported the recommendation.

 

 

(A)         That the Prudential Indicators for 2007/2008 in Appendix A of the report be approved; and

 

 

 

Potential options were identified in the report, but not recommended.

 

 

(a)     The Local Government Act 2003 requires the Council to follow the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance. The Prudential Code requires the Council to set a range of indicators for 2007/2008 and subsequent years as part of the budget-setting process.

 

(b)     In addition to the relevant prudential indicators, the Code of Practice on Treasury Management requires the Council to formulate a Treasury Management (Borrowing and Investment) Strategy for 2007/2008 and to report Treasury Management performance.

 

(c)     The objective of the professional codes is to provide a framework for Local Authority Capital Finance and Treasury Management which will ensure that:

 

-          Capital expenditure plans are affordable;

-          All external borrowing and other long-term liabilities are within prudent and sustainable levels;

-          Treasury Management decisions are taken in accordance with professional good practice;

-          In taking such decisions the Council is accountable; and

-          The framework supports local strategic planning, asset management planning and proper option appraisal.

 

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor Ray Westwood, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods.

 

The report informed Members that the Social Inclusion Strategy, which was the first produced by the Borough Council, focused on identifying and supporting traditionally excluded groups within the Borough.

 

The Board was asked to approve the Strategy.

 

 

 

 

(a)          Amend the Strategy and make other recommendations; or

 

(b)          Decline to accept the Strategy.

 

 

(a)          Whilst it is not a statutory requirement, it is considered good practice for a local authority to produce a Social Inclusion Strategy as it demonstrates a recognition of the barriers which are faced by some sectors of the community.

 

(b)          It provides an evidence base to support recommendations made to address the actions identified, and consultation carried out on some of the themes may provide additional supporting evidence for other strategy or policy development.

 

(c)           Failure to implement the Strategy may result in sectors of the community remaining excluded and result in a "piecemeal" approach to issues via other strategies.

 

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor John Hatfield, Portfolio Holder for Human Resources.

 

The Disability Discrimination Act 2005 placed a duty on all public authorities to promote disability equality by imposing general and specific duties. 

 

The report contained details of the draft Disability Equality Scheme and the Board was asked to approve it.

 

It was noted that the Performance and Overview Committee (Organisation) had supported the recommendation.

 

 

 

 

None considered. 

 

 

(a)          It is a statutory requirement under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 that a Disability Equality Scheme be published.

 

(b)          The Scheme has been developed with the involvement of various groups representing the disabled.  They will continue to be consulted regularly.

 

(c)          The preparation of the Scheme will mainstream disability equality into the Council's policies and practices, improving services which the Council provides and promoting the Council's commitment to equality and diversity.

 

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor John Hatfield, Portfolio Holder for Human Resources.

 

The report detailed the proposed new pay and grading structure and associated work arrangements/benefits package for the organisation with effect from 1^st June 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

To amend the proposals for further consultation with the unions.

 

 

The new pay and grading structure will provide the Council with a fair and sustainable system based on appropriate job evaluation and will eradicate unfair differences in terms and conditions and ultimately enable the Council to mitigate against any equal pay claims from employees.

 

158.       PROGRESS REPORT ON THE COMMUNITY AND NEIGHBOURHOOD RENEWAL STRATEGIES

 

The Local Government Act 2000 and the subsequent White Paper placed a responsibility on local authorities to produce a community strategy in partnership with other agencies to improve the social, economic and environmental well-being of an area.  The latest Community Strategy was launched in January 2006, followed shortly afterwards by the Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy.

 

The Board noted the joint report of Councillor Brian Silvester, Leader of the Council and Councillor Ray Westwood, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods.

 

159.       2006/2007 FINANCIAL MONITORING REPORT   TO 31^ST DECEMBER 2006

 

The Board received the report of Councillor Graham Fenton, Portfolio Holder for Finance.

 

The report provided Members with information in relation to actual expenditure and income in the current financial year, for the period 1^st April to 31^st December 2006.

 

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor John Hatfield, Portfolio Holder for Human Resources.

 

As a result of the Data Quality and BVPIs 2006/2007 audit undertaken by Baker Tilly (external auditors) during July-August 2006, the final draft report had been issued stating that the authority had achieved a Level 3 award, out of a grading system of 1 to 4, with 4 being ranked as performing strongly.   Notwithstanding this, there were a number of recommendations raised by the auditors, which had now been included in the Action Plan of the draft Data Quality Strategy 2007-2010.

 

 

             

 

None considered.

 

 

The Strategy was the Borough Council's first Data Quality Strategy;  there is no legal requirement to prepare such a strategy but adherence to it would ensure that the authority's data quality would be of a high standard and will inform appropriate operational decisions in the way services are planned, managed and undertaken.

 

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor John Hatfield, Portfolio Holder for Human Resources.

 

The report gave details of the results of the key basket of performance indicators for the third quarter of the financial year and were submitted for the Board's attention, together with the 2005-2006 quartile positioning summary and proposed target forecasts for the period 2007-2011.

 

It was noted that the Performance and Overview Committee (Organisation) had supported the recommendation.

 

 

 

 

 

To amend the performance targets for the period 2007-2011.

 

 

The authority is required to prepare performance information which is up-dated annually.  The Board considers the annual up-dates and also sets performance targets.

 

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor Margaret Simon, Portfolio Holder for Customers.

 

The report set out a proposed three-year Consultation Programme, gave details of progress on the 2006/2007 Consultation Programme and provided brief information on the proposed three-year Consultation Plan 2007-2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To delete or make alternative proposals for non-statutory consultation.

 

 

(a)       The preparation of a three-year consultation programme will improve planning and ensure adequate resources are in place to deliver Council services.

 

(b)      T he Programme is in line with the Council's commitment to secure improvements in the way in which residents are surveyed and consulted, the quality of the information obtained and the use of that information to improve the quality and relevance of services provided.

 

(c)       Continued improvements in the Council's approach to consultation is expected to result in noticeable improvements to Council services and to the borough as a whole.

 

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor Ray Westwood, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, submitted with the agenda. 

 

The Advisory Panel met on 1^st February 2007 and its recommendations had been included in a further report issued under separate cover on 6^th February 2007.

 

Strategic grant awards in excess of £5,000 required approval by the Board.  The Portfolio Holder's Grants Advisory Panel had made recommendations for the annual award of core funding (running costs) to voluntary organisations for 2007/2008, which met the criteria approved by the Borough Council.

 

 

 

(A)            The Strategic Grants over £5,000 listed in Appendix 1 of the report be awarded; and

 

(B)            The grant in respect of the Central Community Group be subject to receipt of satisfactory accounts.

 

 

Not to award or to amend the grants listed in the report.

 

 

(a)       Grant applications were assessed by Officers in line with the objectives reflected in the Community Strategy and the applicants were offering services which gave significant benefit to the community.

 

(b)       The grants will assist the Voluntary Organisations with their core costs and are within the Council's existing budget provision.

 

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor Ray Westwood, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods had been granted delegated power to determine applications under the Grants Scheme (up to £5,000).  Councillor Ray Westwood had declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the Community Grant Application for Wistaston Sports and Leisure (Soccer) on the basis that he was a member.  The application had, therefore, been referred to the Board for decision, as the body by which the delegation had been made.

 

 

 

             

(a)          Award a grant of a different amount; or

 

(b)          Decline the application.

 

 

The grant is within existing budget provision and meets the criteria.

 

 

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor Bill McGinnis, Portfolio Holder for Leisure.

 

The Council worked in partnership with a number of organisations to provide community development activities.  Details of the work undertaken by partners, on the Council's behalf, were contained in Service Level Agreements which were refreshed annually.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)     To approve different amounts of funding; or

 

(b)     Not to approve the Service Level Agreements for 2007-2008.

 

 

(a)     The agreements have implications affecting the sustainability of the organisations concerned. The funding that CNBC provides forms part of a comprehensive funding stream for each of the three organisations and reflects partnership working with the voluntary sector, private sector, Arts Council England North-West and Cheshire County Council.

 

(b)     The activities provide opportunities for young people to become positively engaged in community activity that is stimulating and educational.

 

(c)     Appropriate services will be delivered through Service Level Agreements in accordance with the Community Strategy with particular reference to Culture and Leisure.   

 

 

........................................Signed