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

It was noted that Councillor A. Hodgson would be declaring a personal interest in Item 10 - Review of Printing Services as he was a member of the Employment Issues Panel.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 15^th September 2005.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 15^th September 2005 were confirmed as correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Arts Development Officer.

Consideration was given to a report regarding the above. (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was explained that in July 2005 Arts UK had been commissioned, with the financial support of the Arts Council of England, to establish whether there was a need for an Arts Resource within the Borough and if there was, how would such a resource be placed within the arts community and add value to the existing leisure centre accommodation.

Members noted that the feasibility study found that local people were supportive of and wanted an Arts Resource, and there were areas within Spennymoor Leisure Centre that could be developed into an Arts Resource, at reasonable cost.  The study also highlighted that the Arts Resource should not rely on ticket or other trading income.  It should aim to offer participatory education, arts development and training as its main thrust.  The study identified three costed options for investing in an Arts Resource, which ranged from £155,000 to £800,000.  Details of the scope of the work were included in Appendix 1 to the report.

It was proposed that a second stage study was required to provide more details of cost, design and structural issues, mechanical and electrical considerations and definitive resource implications.  The work, which would serve as evidence for submission for possible external lottery funding, was estimated at £20,000, however partnership funding of £5,000 could be available.

RESOLVED:             (1) That the findings of the feasibility study be noted.

(2)   That more detailed work be commissioned which would serve as evidence for submission for possible external lottery funding.

(3)   That a sum of £15,000 be allocated from Borough Council contingencies to move the feasibility study onto the second stage of the development.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services.

The Lead Member for Regeneration presented a report seeking approval of the statement attached at Appendix 1 to the report as the formal response of the Council to the North East Assembly’s consultation on the Submission Draft Regional Spatial Strategy (RSS). (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was explained that the Submission Draft Regional Spatial Strategy set out a long term strategy for the spatial development in the North East to 2021.  Once approved, the strategy would form part of the statutory development plan for the Borough.

It was pointed out that the Council had made comments at the consultation draft stage of the strategy on the introduction of City Regions, the development potential at NetPark, the need to provide for a stable population and ensure that the planned housing market restructure programmes were recognised and promoted.

Members’ attention was drawn to Appendix 1, which detailed the Council’s proposed response to the Submission Draft.  The statement focused on the Tees Valley City Region, housing provision and employment issues.

RESOLVED:             That the statement at Appendix1 to the report on the Submission Draft Regional Spatial Strategy be approved as Sedgefield Borough Council’s formal response to the North East Assembly’s consultation. 

Report of Director of Resources.

Consideration was given to a report setting out details of the proposed Spend Analysis project that was to be carried out to examine the procurement spend throughout the Council. (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was explained the procurement had a huge part to play throughout all elements of the new CPA process and was specifically targeted in the CPA framework.  Procurement was an underpinning component of both the Corporate Assessment and the Use of Resources areas and was likely to form an element of the Direction of Travel Assessment.

It was therefore proposed that a Spend Analysis project should be undertaken to assist in the preparation for CPA.  The project would identify what was strategic spend (long term investments or contracts) and what was practical (responsive buying to meet an immediate requirement).  It would define what mechanisms were in place or needed to be established to encourage and enforce the use of corporate contracts.

RESOLVED:             That the Spend Analysis project and the Project Organisation Structure at Appendix 1 to the report be approved. 

Report of Director of Resources.

Consideration was given to a report regarding the above. (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was explained that the report set out details of and proposed the introduction of an Occupational Health and Safety Management Strategy and System to promote health, safety and welfare, which would become the fundamental cornerstones of all the Council’s occupational and safety activities and processes. 

It was noted that the management system would provide the framework for managing occupational health and safety responsibilities and was based on the Health and Safety Executive HSG65 (Successful Health and Safety Management) and other internationally recognised standards that measure performance and ensure the achievement of continuous improvements and compliance with existing and future legislation.

RESOLVED:             That the following be approved:

a)     The Occupational Health and Safety Management System and Strategy (Appendix 1) as the basis for a structured approach for introducing and managing occupational health, safety and welfare across the Council.

b)     The existing baseline position reflected in the Gap Analysis Improvement Action Plan (Appendix 3).

c)      The proposed Occupational Health and Safety Hierarchical Communication System at Appendix 4.

d)     The proposed Future Occupational Health and Safety Work Programme (Appendix 5) which specifically identifies the key actions necessary for progressing the occupational management system and improving the public’s health and safety.

e)     The proposed reporting arrangements (Appendix 6).

To consider the minutes of the following meetings:

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meetings of Overview and Scrutiny Committee 1 held on 30^th August and 6^th September 2005 (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 meeting held on 5^th September 2005.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th September 2005 (For copy see file of Minutes).

With regard to Minute No. AF 8/05, specific reference was made to the length of time taken by the Council to remove graffiti from a garage in Spennymoor. It was reported that the graffiti had been removed from the premises on 9^th September 2005.  

RESOLVED:             That the report be received.

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

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 defined in paragraphs 1,7, 8 and 9 of Schedule 12a of the Act. 

Joint report of Director of Neighbourhood Services and Chief Executive Officer.

Consideration was given to a report detailing proposals regarding the use of Planning Delivery Grant to enable the Council to fulfil the requirements of Public Sector Agreement 6, which involved the completion of Local Development Frameworks by 2006, the implementation of ePlanning and performance at or above Best Value targets for Development Control by 2006. (For copy see file of Minutes)

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

N.B. In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Members’ Code of Conduct, Councillor A. Hodgson declared a personal interest in the following item and remained in the meeting.

Joint report of Chief Executive Officer and Director of Resources.

Consideration was given to a report setting out the findings of a recent procurement review of printing services within the Council (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was explained that the review had examined various options for procuring printing services and presented a series of options for consideration.

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

Joint report of Head of Strategy and Regeneration and Director of Resources.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval to sell 0.12 ha of land at Dean and Chapter Industrial Estate, Ferryhill  (For copy see file of Minutes)

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

The Chief Executive Officer left the meeting.

Minutes of the meeting held on 9^th September 2005.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the Employment Issues Panel held on 9^th September 2005 (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED:             That the report be noted.

Published on 30^th September 2005

The key decisions contained in these Minutes will be implemented on Monday 10^th October 2005, five working days after the date of publication unless they are called in five members of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the call in procedure rule.