To notify the Chairman of any items that appear 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 24^th November 2005.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 24^th November 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Chief Executive Officer.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval to revise the staffing structure of the Strategy and Regeneration Division of the Chief Executives Department in order to implement the Housing Land Capital Receipts Strategy that had been agreed by Cabinet on 30^th June 2005.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

The report gave details of the proposed creation of a new Capital Programmes Section to oversee the commissioning role, manage relationships with strategic partners, develop projects, monitor activities associated with the delivery of the Programme and to provide a link to local communities and partners on the progress of schemes.  It also outlined changes to the job description and contract status of one existing member of staff.

RESOLVED :            1.            That the staffing structure for the Strategy and Regeneration Division of the Chief Executives Department be revised, as detailed in the report, namely the creation of the following posts (above Scale 6)

                           i)   Capital Programmes Manager (POL)

                           ii)   Programme Development and Appraisal Officer (2) (POC)

                           (iii)   Community Project Development Officers (2) (POA)

                        2.            That the existing fixed term post of Town Centre Manager for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor, be partially changed to reflect a development focus.

Report of Head of Strategy and Regeneration.

The Lead Member for Regeneration presented a report regarding the Community Regeneration Budget for 2005/06.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

The report outlined the way in which the Community Regeneration Budget would be used in 2005/06 to assist local community based partnerships and initiatives, contribute to the wider economic, social and environmental regeneration of the Borough and to assist partnerships and community groups to obtain match funding to help them complete their projects.

It was pointed out that the level of funding available for 2005/06 amounted to £55,000, which included £15,000 carried over from 2004/05.

Members noted that a large element of the budget would be used to commission consultancy work on behalf of the partnerships throughout the Borough to provide community appraisals covering all the Borough’s non priority wards.

RESOLVED :         That the use of the Community Regeneration Budget for 2005/06, as detailed in the report, be approved.

Report of Director of Leisure Services.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval to change the Council’s leisure centre facility programming between the hours of

3.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. Monday to Friday, to allow the development of sporting opportunities for young people after the school day.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Members noted that the need to increase participation and ensure that pathways were available for talented athletes to maximise their potential was referred to in national, regional and the Council’s own sports planning documents.

Appendix 1 to the report showed the existing programming of leisure centre sports halls and identified an indicative programme for the development of sport, should room be made available to allow that to happen.

It was pointed out that the proposed change in the programme would not result in the loss of opportunities for adult 5-a-side football, which currently accounted for 50% of all sports hall time, as discussions had taken place with other facility providers to identify spare capacity that could be made available for community use.

RESOLVED :   That working within the existing budgets the proposed sports development programme outlined in the report

                        be implemented by March 2007.

Report of Director of Resources.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of the Council’s IEG5 statement, which needed to be submitted to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister by Monday 19^th December 2005.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Siobhan Walsh, E- Government Officer attended the meeting to give a presentation regarding the Council’s approach to e-Government and the progress made to date.

Members noted that the Council had met the target of 100% for all customer facing services to be delivered through electronic means by the 31^st December 2005.

RESOLVED :      That the contents of IEG5 Statement be agreed.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th November 2005 and the special meeting held on 28^th November 2005.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meetings of Overview and Scrutiny 3 Committee held on 8^th and 28^th November 2005.  (For copies see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :      That the Committee’s recommendation be received and appropriate action be taken.

To consider the minutes of the following meetings:

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the following meetings:

Area 3 Forum            -            9^th November 2005

Area 4 Forum             -            15^th November 2005

(For copies see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :            That the reports be received.

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 as defined in Paragraph 1 of Schedule 12a of the Act.

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

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval to alter the existing staffing structure of the Leisure Services Maintenance Team to improve its effectiveness and make efficiency savings.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

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

Published on 9^th December, 2005.

The key decision contained in these Minutes will be implemented on Monday 19^th December, 2005 unless they are called in by five Members of the appropriate Overview and Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the call in procedure rules.