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 John Hammond            (Portfolio Holder for the Local Environment)

Councillor John Hatfield                (Portfolio Holder for Finance)

Councillor Bill McGinnis                (Portfolio Holder for Leisure)

Councillor Jacquie Weatherill        (Portfolio Holder for Human Resources)

Councillor Ray Westwood             (Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods)

 

 

Councillors R Cartlidge, W T Beard, M Roberts, S Roberts and S W Hogben.

 

 

Paul Ancell                 (Chief Executive)

Ralph Bason              (Electoral Registration Officer)

Paul Burns                 (Business Development Manager Direct Services)

Lisa Carr                    (Policy and Performance Officer)

Jenny Cross               (Executive Director, Treasury and Corporate Support)

Paul Goodwin            (Assistant Director, Accountancy and Audit)

Chris Henshall           (Borough Solicitor and Monitoring Officer)

Vikki Jeffrey               (Head of Housing)

Lucy Johnson            (Visitor Economy Development Manager)

Gareth Roberts          (Economic Development and Estates Manager)

Amanda Sherratt       (Health and Safety Officer)

Joanne Smith            (Democratic Services Officer)

           

NOTE: The following Decisions should be read in conjunction with the corresponding reports which accompanied the Board Agenda issued on 17^th July 2007.   The agenda and reports are available on the Council's Internet Website. http://www.crewe-nantwich.gov.uk/

 

 

Councillor R Westwood declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda Item 20 (Homelessness Contract) on the basis that he was a Member of the Wulvern Housing Board. 

 

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 27^th June 2007.

 

 

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

 

 

The Scrutiny Committees had been invited to comment on Board reports. Comments had been received from the Organisation Scrutiny Committee,   and these were considered under the appropriate heading.

 

29.         WULVERN HOUSING GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS RECOMMENDATION OF THE ORGANISATION SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

 

At its meeting held on 31^st May 2007, the Board considered the report of Councillor Margaret Simon, Portfolio Holder for Customers which contained details of Wulvern Housing's consultation on its proposals for changes to its governance.  The Board agreed to defer a decision and refer the matter to the Organisation Scrutiny Committee. 

 

The Organisation Scrutiny Committee held a special meeting on 25^th June 2007 and the Board was invited to consider the recommendations made at that meeting in respect of Wulvern Housing Governance Arrangements.

 

 

 

 

             

Members do not agree to Wulvern Housing's proposal.

 

 

Wulvern Housing Board was consulting the Local Authority on proposed changes to its rules to allow it to reduce the Board membership from 15 to a maximum of 12. This complies with the National Housing Federation Code of Governance.

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor John Hammond, Portfolio Holder for the Local Environment.

 

Notice of the proposal to make an Off-Street Parking Places Order, to introduce a system of Pay and Display for parking at Edleston Road Car Park, Crewe, had been advertised in accordance with statutory requirements. 

 

One objection to the proposal had been received, and the Board was asked to consider the objection together with the response given in the report.

 

 

(A)     Not to sustain the objection for the reasons given in the report; And

 

 

 

To sustain the objection and as a result not approve the making of the Order.

 

 

(a)       The proposal to amend the car park order was advertised in accordance with statutory requirements.

 

(b)       The proposal should increase availability of car parking spaces for shoppers in the area and warden patrols should improve safety and security in the car park.

 

             

The Board received, for information, the report of Councillor John Hammond, Portfolio Holder for the Local Environment.

 

The report provided information in respect of the on-going preparatory work being undertaken as part of the procedure to introduce Decriminalised Parking Enforcement.  This involved the amendment and consolidation of the existing Off-Street Parking Places Order.    

 

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor Margaret Simon, Portfolio Holder for Customers together with an amended recommendation tabled at the meeting.

 

The Boundary Committee had published its final recommendations in respect of the Electoral Review of Crewe and Nantwich.  The final recommendations would be made to the Electoral Commission to make an Order.   The Commission would not make an Order before 7^th August 2007 which effectively would be the date by which further representations should be made.

 

The Council had asked the Electoral Commission for an extension to the deadline for representations to allow full Council to comment on the proposals. However the Electoral Commission was not prepared to agree to an extension.

 

 

(A)      That the Boundary Committee's final recommendations in respect of the Electoral Review for Crewe and Nantwich be noted; and

 

(B)     That all Members of the Borough Council be advised that any further representations should be submitted before the 7^th August 2007 deadline.

 

 

To make further representation to the Electoral Commission in respect of the final recommendations.

 

 

(a)     The Boundary Committee has concluded its review of the future electoral arrangements for Crewe and Nantwich and submitted the final recommendations to the Electoral Commission to make an order.

 

(b)     The Electoral Commission will not make an Order before 7^th August 2007 which effectively is the date by which any further representation should be made. 

 

 

The Board received, for information, the report of Councillor Jacquie Weatherill, Portfolio Holder for Human Resources.

 

The report summarised the performance activity of the key basket of Performance Indicators during the first quarter of the financial year 2007/08.

 

  34.        2007/08 FINANCIAL MONITORING REPORT TO 30^TH JUNE 2007

 

The Board received, for information, the report of Councillor John Hatfield, Portfolio Holder for Finance.

 

The report informed Members of the actual expenditure and income in the current financial year 2007/08 up until 30 June, compared with profiled budgets. It also detailed the projected out-turn for the financial year 2007/08.

 

 

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

 

The report recommended a revised Asset Management Plan.  This included the outcomes of the asset condition surveys which had provided reliable data to assist in planning the future maintenance programme.  The report also reflected on progress made in the management of the Council's assets.

             

 

(A)       That the draft Asset Management Plan be approved and further  consideration be given by the Board to the condition and performance data to enable the action plan to be developed; and

 

(B)       That the action plan be reported back to Board for approval before the Asset Management Plan is finalised and recommended to Council.

 

 

Various options were outlined in the report.

 

             

(a)       There is a requirement under the Comprehensive Performance Assessment to maintain an Asset Management Plan to ensure effective use of the assets held.

 

(b)       The Asset Management Plan will ensure that the Council's assets are managed strategically, effectively and are 'fit for purpose'.

 

 

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

 

The North West Regional Development Agency had produced a set of guidelines titled 'Great Destinations Guidelines, Advice and Fresh Ideas on Tourism for Local Authorities in England's North West' for Local Authority partners.  The guidelines set out the new and crucial role that Local Authorities in the region had to play in the continued success and prosperity of the region's tourism sector.

 

             

 

 

Not to adopt the guidelines set out in 'Great Destinations'.

 

 

(a)       Tourism has a recognised role in the economic development of both regional local economies supporting a growing sector and creating employment opportunities and rural diversification.

 

(b)       A more efficient use of existing resources is expected and an effective Visitor Economy Strategy and delivery plan will attract external funding resources and economic inward investment to the Borough.

 

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor Jacquie Weatherill, Portfolio Holder for Human Resources.

 

The Sex Discrimination Act placed a statutory duty on all public authorities.  This was known as the General Duty.  The Duty was supported by a set of specific duties, which included preparing and publishing a Gender Equality Scheme.

 

 

 

 

None.

 

 

(a)     The Equality Act 2006 amends the Sex Discrimination Act (SDA) to place a statutory gender duty on all public authorities as employers,   policy makers and service providers.

 

(b)     The Gender Equality Scheme 2007-2010 will ensure compliance with the SDA requirements, mainstream gender equality into the Council's policies and practices and promote the Council's commitment to Equality and Diversity.

 

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor John Dwyer, Portfolio Holder for Safer Communities.

 

The Food Standards Agency required, as part of its framework agreement for Local Authority Food Enforcement, every food authority to produce a Food Service Plan conforming with the requirements set out in the Framework Agreement.     The plan must be reviewed every year.

 

 

 

 

To amend the Food Service Plan for 2007/08 prior to recommending it to Council.

 

 

(a)          In March 2001 the Food Standards Agency (FSA) introduced an enforcement model for food authorities entitled the "Framework Agreement for Local Authority Food Law Enforcement".   The FSA requires each local authority to conform to the agreement, which is used as the basis for its audit protocol.

 

(b)          The Framework Agreement includes a requirement for every food authority to have in place a Food Service Plan, approved annually by the appropriate decision-making body of the Council.

 

 

The Board received, for information, the report of Councillor Jacquie Weatherill, Portfolio Holder for Human Resources. 

 

The report provided details of the main developments that had taken place in the area of health and safety during the year 2006 and gave an indication of the progress that had been made during the same period in the development of health and safety systems for the Borough.

 

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor Margaret Simon, Portfolio Holder for Customers together with an amended recommendation tabled at the meeting.

 

The scheme of Members' Allowances currently in operation (2006/2007) expired at the end of March 2007.  It was proposed that the 2006/2007 scheme be extended to form the 2007/2008 scheme and that an Independent Remuneration Panel be appointed to review the Scheme for 2008/2009.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)   To amend the scheme in line with the Average Earnings (excluding bonuses) Index as detailed in the report; or

 

(b)   To continue with the 2006/2007 scheme until such time as the Independent Remuneration Panel has concluded its review and made recommendations to Council.

 

 

The Scheme of Allowances currently in operation expired at the end of March 2007 and, under the present arrangements, an Independent Remuneration Panel is required to review and evaluate the schedule of payments during 2007. 

 

 

In accordance with Contract Regulations, the Executive Director (Direct Services) reported on tenders which had recently been invited and received.

 

 

 

 

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

       

The report detailed the position in respect of the Council's insurance provision and requested that Contract Regulations be waived for an extension to the current contract.  It also contained proposals for addressing capacity issues within the Council Tax section by appointing an additional Revenues Assistant.

 

It was noted that the Organisation Scrutiny Committee had given specific support to the addition of a member of staff on the establishment.

 

 

(A)       That the Council's Regulations as to Contracts be waived to extend the agreement to appoint Zurich Municipal as the Council's Insurance Providers for a term of 5 years from 31 March 2008, with the associated savings for the 2007/2008 financial year;

 

(B)      That an additional Revenues Assistant be appointed to the Council Tax Section; and

 

(C)      That any future requests for an increase in establishment posts to be dealt with as a separate Board report and not combined with the reasons related to the funding of the post.

 

 

As detailed in the report.

 

 

(a)          The Borough Council has a duty to maintain insurance cover for all areas of its operation. 

 

(b)          The introduction of an additional post in the Council Tax Section will enable the section to cope with the large increases in the work levels and have the capacity to develop new working practices to assist recovery and collection.

 

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor Jacquie Weatherill, Portfolio Holder for Human Resources.

       

The report detailed the temporary structure currently in place for the Income/Sundry Debtors Section and made recommendations for a permanent structure to be adopted.

 

 

 

 

Not to adopt the permanent structure for the section.

 

 

The establishment of a permanent structure for the Income/Debtors Section will maintain flexibility and allow development to begin on new working practices, leading to improved collection of outstanding debts.

 

45.      HOMELESSNESS CONTRACT  (PARAGRAPHS 1 & 3)

 

The Board considered the report of Councillor Rachel Bailey, Portfolio Holder for Planning, together with an additional recommendation tabled at the meeting.

       

The Board, at its meeting held on 31^st May 2007 made the following decision:

           

(A) That the Council's Regulations as to Contracts be waived to allow the current contract with Wulvern Housing to be extended for 12 months from 10^th March 2008;

 

(B) That the current terms, plus an increase for inflation, be used as a basis for negotiation with Wulvern Housing; and

 

(C) That, in the event of a failure to reach a negotiated price, the issue be referred back to the Board for re-consideration.

 

The report advised Members of the outcome of the negotiations.

 

 

(A)         That the budget for the extension of the current Homelessness Contract in 2008/09 should be increased by £67,142 to £203,660; and

 

(B)       That the Council sources a Homelessness Contract for the three-year period from 2009/10 as soon as practicable.

 

 

As detailed in the report.

 

 

(a)       The Council had a statutory responsibility to provide a homelessness and housing advice service.

 

(b)       Higher investment income is expected to be received into the General Fund due to recent interest rate rises and this has been identified as a source of funding which will meet the increased cost of this contract.

 

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