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

No declarations of interest were made.

The Leader of the Council made reference to the official opening of the Locomotion National Railway Museum at Shildon the previous week. He thanked and congratulated the Director and staff of Leisure Services Department and all other staff of the authority who had been involved in the development of the Museum and organising the event.  The Museum had already received more visitors than anticipated and he hoped that its success would go from strength to strength.  

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 14^th October 2004.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14^th October were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Head of Strategy and Regeneration

Consideration was given to a report setting out the progress to date in developing the Second Generation Local Public Service Agreement (LPSA 2 ) for County Durham and the resource implications for Sedgefield Borough.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

RESOLVED:      That the priorities for performance improvement set out in the draft LPSA 2 Strategy for County Durham be supported and those priorities be taken into account in the Council’s Corporate Plan preparation process.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval to add the post of

Anti Social Behaviour Reduction Co-ordinator for the Sedgefield Borough Crime and Disorder Partnership to the establishment of Neighbourhood Services Department of the Council.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

Members noted that funding for the post would be met in full from Durham Constabulary Basic Command Unit resources, which were deployed by the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership.

RESOLVED:      That a post of Anti Social Behaviour Reduction

                        Co-ordinator for the Sedgefield Borough Crime and Reduction Partnership be added to the establishment of Neighbourhood Services Section of Neighbourhood Services Department at Scale SO2 on a fixed term up to 1^st March 2006.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services, together with a draft copy of the Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy.  (For copies see file of Minutes)

It was reported that the Licensing Act 2003 transferred responsibility for liquor licensing to Local Authorities and replaced existing legislation relating to the licensing of entertainment and provision of late night refreshment.  The transitional provisions were scheduled to commence on 7^th February 2005, with the full change to take place in November 2005.

The Act required the Licensing Authority to prepare and publish a Licensing Policy every 3 years, which outlined in detail how the Local Authority intended to approach its various licensing duties when considering any application.  Members noted that the Government had recently announced that licensing policies must be published by no later than 7^th January 2005.

It was pointed out that the draft Statement of Licensing Policy, attached to the report, had been sent out to various outside bodies and persons for comment as part of the consultation process. The closing date for responses was 29^th November 2004. 

RESOLVED:      That a further report be submitted to Cabinet after the end of the consultation period.

Joint report of Chief Executive Officer and Director of Resources.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval to install an automatic parking barrier at the entrance to the Members’ car park, at the Council Offices, Green Lane, Spennymoor .  (For copy see file of Minutes)

RESOLVED      That North East Automation be appointed to install an automatic parking barrier in the sum of £3,838 plus the costs incurred in connecting to a 240v mains supply.

Minutes of the meeting held on 14^th September 2004.

The minutes of the meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2 held on 14^th September were considered. (For copy see file of Minutes)

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

Published on 29^th October, 2004

These Minutes contain no key decisions and therefore will be implemented with immediate effect.