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

Members had no interests to declare. 

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st September 2005.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 1^st September, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

Report of Director of Leisure Services.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval to undertake work identified by the National Playing Fields Association (NPFA)to meet existing safety standards and performance indicators for local equipped areas of play.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was explained that an analysis of the NPFA Annual Audit of Fixed Play Areas Report had highlighted twelve play areas in need of more extensive work that fell outside the annual repair and maintenance budget for playground equipment.  The specific requirements for each play area and proposals for their future development, taking account of public consultation were detailed in Appendix 1, with the estimated costs set out in Appendix 2.

Members’ attention was also drawn to the proposals to relocate the play area at Tudhoe South, Spennymoor and to remove equipment from six sites.

RESOLVED :            (1)                        That as part of the allocation of £350,000 for play sites in 2006/07, £70,000 be allocated to re-site the play area in Tudhoe South , Spennymoor and £100,500 to complete repair work to a further 11 play sites, scheduled in the report.

                        (2)                        That the repair work to the 12 sites, valued at £100,500, be scheduled within the 2005/06 financial year.

                        (3)                        That the schedule for the removal of play equipment from 6 of the 12 play sites, identified in the report, be approved.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of the draft Statement of Community Involvement for public consultation.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was reported that the draft Statement of Community Involvement detailed how the Council intended to engage with those who had an interest in matters relating to development in their area and the preparation of local development documents.  The Statement was seen by the Government as very important in its aim of developing a more inclusive planning system.

It was pointed out that the Submission Draft Statement of Community Involvement would be published for a statutory six weeks consultation period and would undergo a public examination if any objections were received to suggest that the Statement failed the tests of soundness.

Members noted that the Statement would be submitted to Council for adoption subject to the conclusion of the public consultations/examination.

RESOLVED :            That the draft Statement of Community Involvement at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved for public consultation.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of the Draft Residential Extensions Supplementary Planning Document for public consultation.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was explained that Sedgefield Borough had experienced a significant increase in household extension applications over the past few years and there was clear evidence that the Council’s existing Supplementary Planning Guidance Note 4, adopted in 2000, had become out-of-date and required review.  Final year students from the University of Newcastle had therefore been commissioned to identify national best practice and make recommendations to help develop a revised Supplementary Planning Document.  Council officers had subsequently refined the work to suit local circumstances.

The Draft Residential Extensions Supplementary Planning Document provided detailed advice and guidance on general design principles, porches, forward, side, rear, rural and roof extensions, conservatories, dormer windows, garages, outbuildings, walls, fences and other material considerations.

It was pointed out that the draft document would be published for a statutory period of six weeks, however it would not be subject to independent examination.

RESOLVED :            That the Draft Residential Extensions Supplementary Planning Document at Appendix 1 to the report, be approved for public consultation.     

Report of Director of Resources.

The Leader of the Council presented to a report regarding the above. (For copy see file of Minutes).

The report gave details of the approved budget for the main portfolios for the first four months of 2005/06, actual income and expenditure, projected probable outturn for 2005/06 based on spend to date and known commitments as well as variance between the annual budget and the projected probable outturn.

With regard to the General Fund, it was expected that balances amounting to £587,000 would be used compared to an original forecasted use of £800,000.

It was reported that an overspend of £183,000 was predicted in respect of the Housing Revenue Account before the refund of LSVT expenses from Sunderland Housing Group.

Members noted that the Training and Employment Service was anticipated to make an operating loss in the region of £95,000 in line with the initial budget forecast.

RESOLVED :   (1)   That the financial position for 2005/06 be noted.

                        (2)   That further reports be submitted to Cabinet detailing the position as at 30^th September 2005, 31^st December 2005 and final outturn as at 31^st March 2006 in line with the Budgetary Control Monitoring Arrangements 2005/06.

                        (3)   That detailed reports be submitted to future Strategic Working Groups in order to monitor progress throughout the year.

Report of Director of Resources.

Consideration was given to a report reviewing the progress made to date in meeting the Council’s spending targets and outlining developments that had occurred during the financial year which have had an impact on the overall capital programme.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was reported that a gross total of £3.284m had been spent in the first four months to 31^st July 2005.  Additional grants and contributions of £0.236m had been received resulting in a net spend position of £3.048m or 20% of the revised net Capital Programme.

The report gave details of progress that had been made on major capital projects during 2005/06 and the total level of capital resources likely to be available to finance the 2005/06 capital programme.

RESOLVED :   (1)   That the four month spend position to 31^st July   2005 be noted.

                        (2)            That further reports be submitted to Cabinet detailing the position as at 30^th September 2005, 31^st December 2005 and final outturn as at 31^st March 2006 in line with the budgetary control monitoring arrangements 2005/06.

                        (3)            That detailed project based reports be submitted to all future Strategic Working Groups in order to monitor progress throughout the year.

Report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services.

The Lead Member for Community Safety presented a report seeking approval to establish a dedicated Neighbourhood Warden Streetsafe Unit.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was proposed that Streetsafe Unit would have the same core duties and training as the main Neighbourhood Warden Service, however it would focus on response to signal crimes, joint initiatives with partner agencies and mobile CCTV operations.

The report also gave details of a pilot scheme for Neighbourhood Wardens, working with Sedgefield Borough Housing Department with funding support from the Housing Revenue Account.

RESOLVED :      (1)      That a Neighbourhood Warden Streetsafe Unit be established with a particular focus on signal  crime, joint  initiatives with partner agencies and mobile CCTV operations.

                        (2)      That a pilot be introduced for the remainder of 2005/06 providing Neighbourhood Warden Services to York Hill and Tudhoe Moor, Spennymoor on behalf of the Housing Department and that any subsequent planned expansion of this service be considered within the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2006/07 - 2008/09.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th July 2005.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting held on 12^th July 2005.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

With regard to Minute No.OSC(3)4/05, it was intended that the Annual Overview and Scrutiny Report would be submitted to the meeting of Council on 30^th September 2005.

RESOLVED :           That the report be received.