To notify the Chairman of any items that appear in the agenda in which you may have an interest.

It was noted that Councillor R.S. Fleming would be declaring interest in a personal interest in Item No 6 - Quality Parish and Town Council Scheme.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 30^th September 2004.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 30^th September 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Head of Strategy And Regeneration.

The Lead Member for Regeneration presented a report setting out the usage of Neighbourhood Renewal Fund (NRF) monies in the Borough during 2003/04 and identifying the planned use of funds until March 2006.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

It was reported that NRF expenditure in 2003/04 of £1.25m had levered in £1.84m in match funding.  The resources had been spent on services in the targeted wards to improve the quality of life and life chances of residents in the Borough.

Members noted that NRF funding of £2,347,800 had been identified for the remainder of the programme to support the themed Service Improvement Plans until March 2006.

RESOLVED:   That the Local Strategic Partnership’s commitment of Neighbourhood Renewal Funds during 2003/04 and the planned use over 2004 to 2006 be accepted.

Report of Head of Strategy and Regeneration

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval to appoint consultants to assist in preparing Neighbourhood Renewal Action Plans for Ferryhill Station, Dean Bank, Ferryhill and the western area of Chilton.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

It was explained that the Action Plans would provide a suitable development framework to guide investment decisions and actions on new housing investment, housing improvements, clearance of unfit and surplus to demand properties, environment improvements and the provision or improvement of community facilities such as shops, schools health facilities and community buildings.

RESOLVED:      1.      That suitable experienced consultants be commissioned to assist in preparing Neighbourhood Renewal Action Plans for Ferryhill Station, Dean Bank, Ferryhill and the western area of Chilton.

                        2.      That the Chief Executive Officer, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be authorised to approve the Brief for the commission and the appointment of the preferred company on the recommendations of the Project’s Steering Group.

RECOMMENDED.      That Councillors K. Noble and W. Waters be

TO COUNCIL            appointed to serve on the Project’ s Steering Group, supported by senior officers from the Chief Executives’, Resources and Neighbourhood Services Departments.

N.B. In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Members Code of Conduct Councillor R S Fleming declared a personal interest in the following item and did not leave the meeting.

Report of Chief Executive Officer.

Consideration was given to a report which set out the progress made in respect of the Quality Parish and Town Council Scheme and proposed the adoption of a Charter to support positive working relationships with all Parish and Town Councils.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

RESOLVED:                        1.                        That the proposed Charter be supported.

2.            That the proposed Charter be referred to Council for approval.

3.            That the Charter Working Group develops protocols to ensure that the principles of the Quality Scheme and various aspirations contained in the Charter are achieved.

Report of Street Scene Manger.

The Lead Member for Environment presented a report seeking approval for the Council to enter into a partnership arrangement with Durham County Council regarding the use of Chilton depot as a base for winter maintenance activities.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

It was explained that the Borough Council had undertaken winter maintenance for a number of years under an agency arrangement, however from the 2004/05 financial year the County Council took back full highway responsibility for the provision and consequently required a base in the Chilton area from which to operate its gritting routes.

RESOLVED:      1.      That an agreement between the Borough Council and Durham County Council for the use of Chilton Depot as a base for operations for winter maintenance and for the storage of salt during the year be authorised.

2.            That the negotiated annual charges of £4,000 for the area occupied and £2,500 for the shared use of the loader on the site be approved.

3.            That the adaptations to security and fencing, to the value of approximately £3,600, be funded by Durham County Council, as a one-off cost.

4.            That the partnership approach regarding the development of interim protocols and quid pro quo arrangements to facilitate the overall agreement be approved.

Report of Head of Strategy and Regeneration.

The Lead Member for Regeneration presented a report seeking approval to introduce a revised Shop Front Improvements Grant Scheme for Spennymoor Town Centre as a means of increasing the grant take up rate and thereby enhancing the vitality of the Town Centre.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

It was explained that as the take up of grant assistance under the existing Shop Improvements Grant Scheme for Spennymoor Town Centre had been limited, a review had been undertaken to coincide with the approval by One NorthEast of a major programme of works for the town centre.  

The report gave details of the objectives and key elements of proposed scheme, how it would operate and the resource implications. 

RESOLVED:      That the revised Spennymoor Town Centre Shop Front Improvements Grant Scheme, as set out in the report, be approved.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 31^st August 2004.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee 1 held on 31^st August 2004.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

RESOLVED:      That the Committee’s recommendations be noted and appropriate action be taken.

To consider the minutes of the following:

Consideration was given to the minutes of the following:

• Area 3 Forum - 15^th September 2004
• Area 4 Forum - 21^st September 2004

(For copies see file of Minutes)

RESOLVED:                  That the reports be received.

RESOLVED:             That in accordance with Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 7, 8 and 9 of Schedule 12a of the Act.

Report of Head of Marketing.

Consideration was given to a report regarding the selection of a partner to deliver the Festive Entertainment Programme at Spennymoor Leisure Centre for the period of 2005 - 2009.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

RESOLVED:      That the recommendation detailed in the report be adopted.

Report of Director of Resources.

Consideration was given to a report regarding the sale of 1.10 hectares (2.72 acres) of land at the Former Nursery Site, Burn Lane, Newton Aycliffe for residential development.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

RESOLVED:      That the recommendation detailed in the report be adopted

Report of Director of Resources.

Consideration was given to a report regarding the sale of plots of land at Highland Gardens, Shildon.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

RESOLVED:      That the recommendations detailed in the report be adopted.