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

No declarations of interest were declared.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on

20^th January 2005.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 20^th January, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.    

Overview and Scrutiny Committee 3 at its meeting on 1^st February 2004 will receive a presentation on the above from Fire and Rescue Service Officers.  The committee’s views will be presented to Cabinet to enable a formal response to the consultation to be agreed and forwarded to the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service before the closing date on 4^th February 2005.  Correspondence received from the Fire and Rescue Service is attached for members’ information.

Consideration was given to correspondence received from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service regarding the above initiative. (For copy see file of Minutes)

It was reported that County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority had consulted the Council regarding its proposals to develop two new Community Fire Stations in Spennymoor and Bishop Auckland and build a Regional Life Skills Centre in the North East.

Members noted that if the proposals went ahead, it was intended that Spennymoor Fire Station would be relocated to a new site on Green Lane Industrial.  As part of the relocation, one whole time appliance and crew from Durham Fire Station would be relocated to the new station at Spennymoor to provide whole time cover and one of the two existing retained (part -time) appliances and crew from Spennymoor would be removed.

It was pointed out that as the proposed new site offered easy access to the A167, firefighters at the new Spennymoor station would be required to respond to incidents in the Durham area when necessary and greater use would be made of the existing retained appliance and crew at Durham.

It was noted that Overview and Scrutiny Committee 3, at its meeting on the 1^st February 2005, had as part of the consultation process received a presentation from George Herbert, Brigade Manager - Full Service and Allan Wood, Area Manager regarding the initiative and had recommended that the proposals be supported without prejudice to future planning applications.

RESOLVED :            That the proposals be supported without prejudice to future planning applications.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st February 2005.

Consideration was given to the minutes of Overview and Scrutiny Committee 3 held on 1^st February 2005.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

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

Joint report of Director of Neighbourhood Services and Head of Strategy and Regeneration

Consideration was given to a report regarding the formal response to be submitted to the North East Assembly in respect of the above consultation document.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was explained that the consultation draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) set out a long-term strategy for spatial development in the North East to 2021.  Once approved , the strategy would form part of the statutory development plan for the Borough.  The Council’s Local Development Framework would have to be in general conformity with the Spatial Strategy.

Members noted that the Strategy sought to place most new development within conurbations and main towns within the Tyne and Wear and Tees Valley Way Growth Strategy.  Both the Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS) and Northern Way Growth Strategy placed Sedgefield Borough within the Tees Valley City Region.

The report gave details of the key issues raised by the draft strategy for Sedgefield Borough, which were the introduction of City Regions, development potential at NetPark, the need to provide for a stable population and the recognition and promotion of planned Housing Market Restructuring Programmes.  A draft formal response to the consultation document was attached as Appendix 1 to the report.

RESOLVED :   That the statement attached as Appendix 1 on the Regional Spatial Strategy, be approved as the formal response of the Council to the North East Assembly’s consultation.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services.

The Lead Member for Regeneration presented a report regarding the above.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was explained that the design work for the improvement of the pedestrian link between the Asda store and High Street had been completed and approval had been received from the County Durham Economic Partnership to progress the construction of the work. 

It was pointed out that the immediate construction of the whole of the project had been prevented as a result of conflict with the construction of the gymnasium to the Leisure Centre. It was proposed that in order to maximise expenditure in relation to grant funding in the 2004/5 financial year, the works should be undertaken in two phases.  Phase 1 to be carried out with immediate effect and phase 2 to commence in the 2005/06 financial year, upon the completion of external works to the Leisure Centre.

Members noted that Seymour (Civil Engineering Contractors) Limited had recently completed the Spennymoor High Street Improvement Scheme on behalf the Council.  The contract had been secured in open competitive tender and the works were of a similar nature to those for the Asda/High Street Pedestrian Link.

It was therefore proposed that in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 8, the Council should enter into negotiations with Seymour (Civil Engineering) Contractors Limited with regard to establishing terms and costs for the provision of the proposed pedestrian link.

RESOLVED :   That the Director of Neighbourhood Services be authorised to enter into negotiations with Seymour (Civil Engineering Contractors) Limited to agree terms and costs for the construction of Phase 1 of the Asda/HighStreet footpath link

Report of Solicitor to the Council.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval to commit to a project with HM Land Registry to register all of the Council’s land title and property ownership records.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was explained that HM Land Registry was committed to achieving total registration within ten years and had contacted large landholders, such as local authorities, to ascertain details of their landholdings that needed registering.

Members noted that most district councils in Durham had already concluded such a project. The report gave details of the advantages of large

scale registration and the cost implications.

RESOLVED :         1.         That the scheme be approved and the Council’s Solicitor be authorised to enter into terms with HM Land Registry for the project to be completed within the 2004/05 financial year.

                        2.         That £30,000 be transferred from contingencies to meet  the cost.

Report of Chief Executive Officer.

The Leader of the Council presented a report (for copy see file of Minutes) regarding the Council’s representation at the following : -

a)            LGA Annual Cultural Services Conference 2005 “Broadening Horizons” to be held at West Ham United football stadium from 17^th - 18^th March 2005.                 

b)         Chartered Institute of Housing Conference 2005 to be held in Harrogate from 21^st to 24^th June 2005.

c)            LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition “Improving Life in Local Communities” to be held in Harrogate from 5^th - 8^th July 2005.

 RESOLVED :            1.            That the Lead Member for Culture and Recreation, plus one officer represent the Council at the LGA Annual Cultural Services Conference 2005.

                           2.            That the Council be represented at the Chartered Institute of Housing Conference by the appropriate Lead Member together with a Member from the rota and one officer.

                           3.            That the Chief Executive Officer, Leader and, Deputy Leader represent the Council at the LGA Annual Conference and Exhibition.

Report of Head of Strategy and Regeneration.

The Lead Member for Supporting People presented a report seeking approval to formally adopt the Sedgefield Borough Council Safeguarding Children Policy Procedures and Guidelines and to introduce a corporate training programme to support the implementation of the Policy.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was reported that the Policy sought to ensure that in discharging its functions, the Council would have full regard to the need to safeguard and promote the welfare of children.  The Policy outlined the roles and responsibilities of managers and staff in relation to the welfare of young children and young people with whom they came into contact through their work.

RESOLVED :       1.      That the Safeguarding Children Policy and Procedures be approved.

                        2.      That a Corporate Training Programme be introduced to support the implementation of the Policy.

Report of Head of Strategy and Regeneration.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval for the Council to make a financial contribution of £75,000 towards the building of two Children’s Centres at Stephenson Way Primary School, Newton Aycliffe and Timothy Hackworth Primary School, Shildon.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Members were reminded that the Sure Start Programme for Shildon and Newton Aycliffe which had been approved by the Government in May 2003, included a capital grant of £1 m to support the provision of two new Children’s Centres to serve children and families from four of the most deprived wards in the Borough.

It was explained that the estimated building costs associated with the delivery of the two Centres, at the desired specification, was £1,517,200 inclusive of VAT, and existing funding commitments totalled £1,336,700 leaving a residential funding gap of £180,500.

It was pointed out that the Centres could go forward to the tender stage if the Council made a contribution of £75,000, linked to the provision of the two Centres’ meeting rooms which would provide support to local communities and if £105,000 of the estimated £120,000 of furnishing and fitting costs for the Centres were met from the revenue budget.

Members supported the contribution as the scheme would help to address inequality, poor education attainment, social deprivation, poor health and low economic activity in the two communities.

RESOLVED :         1.         That a financial contribution of up to £75,000 be approved to support the development of two Childrens Centres as part of the Local Sure Start Shildo and Newton Aycliffe West Programme.

                        2.         That a planned capital programme of £1,517,200 (inclusive of VAT) be submitted to the Sure Start Unit on behalf of the Local Sure Start Shildon and Newton Aycliffe West Programme and agreement be sought from the Sure Start Unit to meet the non recoverable VAT on the expenditure supported by the Sure Start capital grant.

Published on 4^th February, 2005**********************