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

It was noted that Councillor K. Noble would be declaring a prejudicial interest  regarding the Council’s representation at a conference which was to be considered under Item 11 - Any Other Business.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 14^th July 2005.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14^th July 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Head of Strategy and Regeneration

Consideration was given to a report, which outlined Durham County Council’s proposals for the structure of the Children’s Services Authority for County Durham and sought approval of a response to the County Council’s consultation paper.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was explained that Durham County Council, as Children’s Services Authority was leading on the implementation of the Every Child Matters (ECM) Agenda and was engaging with relevant partners, including District Councils. In June 2005 the County Council issued a consultation paper, which each partner organisation under the Children’s Act was requested to consider and offer a formal response by 5^th September 2005.

The consultation paper sought agreement to the establishment of a Children’s Executive Board, which would be accountable for the strategic development, planning and commissioning of children’s services; joint funding and resourcing of services and the monitoring and reviewing of performance management standards.  It would be accountable to Durham County Council as the Children’s Services Authority and all members would also be accountable individually within their own organisation.  The format of the Children’s Executive Board would either be a trust or a partnership.

At local level, the consultation paper suggested the development of Local Children’s Boards which would be responsible for the local development, commissioning and planning of services to deliver and implement services to meet local needs and priorities for children and to support the strategic direction of the Executive Board.

Member’s attention was drawn to the key points in the Council’s draft response.

RESOLVED :   That the response to the County Council’s consultation paper on establishing the structure of a Children’s Service Authority for County Durham be approved.

Report of Chief Executive Officer.

The Lead Member for Regeneration presented a report seeking approval for Sedgefield Borough Business Service (SBBS) to operate a revised financial incentives package from April 2005.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

The report analysed the impact of existing financial incentives operated by SBBS and Key Business Support Agencies and outlined proposals for a revised package.

It was explained that the proposed package would enable SBBS to support a broader range of businesses, thereby helping to support the continued competitiveness and diversification of the economy - key activities contained within the Prosperous Economy Section of the Sedgefield Borough Community Strategy.  The proposals also reflected the need to add value to the existing schemes operated by ONE North East; County Durham Development Company and Business Link County Durham, thereby avoiding duplication.

RESOLVED :   That the proposal for SBBS    to operate the revised package of financial incentives from April 2005 be supported.

Report of Chief Executive Officer

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of the first three year Action Plan, which had been developed through Sedgefield Borough Local Strategic Partnership in support of the Community Strategy for the Borough.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

The Action Plan set out the key issues and challenges for partners to address in the development and delivery of services.

The report outlined the development process for the Plan, how it would be performance managed, how progress would be reported to stakeholders and the local community as well as how it would be refined and developed in future. 

RESOLVED :            (1)            That the first three year Action Plan, prepared in support of the Borough’s Community Strategy, be approved.

                        (2)            That authority to approve amendments to the Action Plan be delegated to the Chief Executive Officer, in consultation with the Local Strategic Partnership Chair.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st June 2005

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting held on 21^st June 2005.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :            That the report be received.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 6^th July 2005

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th July  2005.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :            That the report be received.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 14^th June 2005

 Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting held on 14^th  June 2005.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :            That the report be received.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 28^th June 2005.

 Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting held on 28^th June 2005.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :            That the report be received.

N.B.   In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Members ‘ Code of Conduct, Councillor K. Noble declared a prejudicial interest in the above item and left the meeting for the duration of discussion and voting on the item.

The Leader of the Council sought approval for the Lead Member for Regeneration to represent the Council at the APSE National Seminar ‘Excellence, Efficiencies and Neighbourhoods’ at Glasgow from

6^th - 9^th September 2005.

RESOLVED :            That the Council be represented at the APSE National Seminar ‘Excellence, Efficiencies and Neighbourhoods’ at Glasgow from 6^th - 9^th September 2005 by the Lead Member for Regeneration

Published on 29^th July 2005

The key decision contained in these Minutes will be implemented on Monday 8^th August 2005, five working days after the date of publication unless they are called in by five Members of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee, in accordance with the call in procedure rules.