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 8^th December 2005.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 8^th December, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Director of Housing Services.

The Lead Member for Housing presented a report regarding the development of Choice Based Lettings.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was explained that the Government was of the view that choice of a home was essential to building sustainable communities and consequently had set a target for all local authorities to have a Choice Based Lettings scheme in place by 2010. 

Members noted that the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) was providing £4 million over three years  (2005/06 - 2007/08) to support the development of regional and sub-regional strategies for Choice Based Letting schemes in England.

The report gave details of the guidance issued by the ODPM and the position with regard to the development of a Choice Based Lettings scheme for Sedgefield Borough. 

RESOLVED :            1.            That the continued development of a sub-regional approach to Choice Based Lettings in partnership with other Durham Local Authorities and key partners as appropriate, including a second phase sub-regional bid to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for funding the development and implementation of a Choice Based Letting Scheme, be approved.

                        2.            That a further report be submitted on the financial implications and the outcome of the bid to the ODPM when resource implications become known.

                        3.            That the process and timetable outlined in the report for developing a Choice Based Letting Scheme be noted.

Report of Director of Leisure Services.

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

Members were reminded that Cabinet had requested that all leisure centre accommodation within the Borough be reviewed and consequently a consultation exercise had been undertaken in August and September 2005 with the users of the Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre, Shildon residents and Shildon Town Council to gather views regarding the accommodation located on the first floor of the centre.

Appendix 1 to the report showed the proposed changes to the accommodation to reflect the findings of the research.  The changes included the extension of the fitness suite to incorporate the space currently occupied by the second squash court and lounge, the redevelopment of the sauna suite into changing accommodation and the provision of a new fitness class activity area on the ground floor below the fitness suite.

It was pointed out that the bowling green would remain, subject to appropriate Heads of Term being agreed between the Borough Council and the Bowling Club.

RESOLVED :      1.      That the redevelopment proposals outlined in the report be approved in principle.

                        2.      That the Director of Leisure Services be authorised to negotiate appropriate Heads of Terms of a lease with the Bowling Club.

                        3.      That a further report be submitted to Cabinet outlining the development costs, funding partners and agreed Heads of Terms.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services.

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

It was explained that the Sedgefield Borough Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership had supported Durham Constabulary in a successful bid to roll out Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) in the Southern Force Area, including Sedgefield and Darlington. 

It was explained that Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras allowed tracking of suspect vehicles and could determine within seconds whether a vehicle had been stolen, was known to be involved in a crime or was untaxed. 

The capital cost of providing ANPR cameras at five sites throughout the Borough, the installation of ANPR technology in the Council’s Control Room, together with additional hardware upgrades in the Control Centre would be £85,000, which would be met by Durham Constabulary.  The funding would also support the Borough network of cameras by the addition of a new camera/location on the Chilton by-pass. 

It was proposed that the Borough Council should support the addition of the new camera, which would utilise new wireless technology by £7,000 from its 2005/06 Community Safety Capital Programme.

Members noted that the Council’s Control Room would undertake the monitoring of ANPR as part of the Borough’s commitment to shared community safety objectives.

RESOLVED :      1.      That the Council extends it partnership working with Durham Constabulary by the introduction of the ANPR initiative within the Borough.

                        2.      That the sum of £7,000 be allocated from the 2005/06 Community Safety Capital Programme to provide wireless CCTV connection to the Chilton By-pass.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services.

The Lead Member for Regeneration presented a report regarding the above upon which the Council had been invited to comment.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

It was explained that the document had been produced by Durham County Council to help prepare a new range of documents to replace the existing Minerals Local Plan.  The documents would follow the same format for preparation as the Council’s Local Development Framework.

Members’ attention was drawn to paragraphs 3.7 - 3.13 which provided commentary on the potential sites that had been included in the Minerals Issues and Options paper.

Concern was expressed that there was no mention in the report of the future working of Raisby Quarry and the traffic implications for the C24 road.  Reference was also made to fact that the northern extension of Aycliffe Quarry would bring quarrying operations closer to the Aycliffe Village Conservation Area and could adversely affect the quality of life of the residents of Aycliffe Village.

RESOLVED :            1.            That the comments made in the report be endorsed as a formal response of the Council to the County Council’s consultation.

                        2.            That arrangements be made to meet with representatives of Durham County Council to discuss the future working of Raisby Quarry and the traffic implications for the C24 road and the impact that the northern extension of Aycliffe Quarry would have on the quality of life of residents of Aycliffe Village.

Report of Director of Resources.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of a timetable for making proposals to Council for the adoption of the 2006/07 budget and the arrangements for consultation in accordance with Part 4 Section C of the Council’s Constitution.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :         That the timetable, as shown on the Appendix  attached to the report, be approved.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee 1 held on 22^nd November 2005.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

It was pointed out that the minutes of the meeting of Overview and Scrutiny Committee 3 held on 28^th November 2005 had been considered at the meeting of Cabinet on 8^th December 2005.

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

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 29^th November 2005.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting held on

29^th November 2005. (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :     That the report be received.