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 29^th June 2006.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 29^th June 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services.

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

It was explained that site investigations undertaken by consultants on behalf of Sedgefield Borough and Durham County Councils, had indicated that an area of open space at Bessemer Park, Spennymoor fell within the definition of ‘Contaminated Land’ and Sedgefield Borough Council was required under Part IIa of the Environmental Protection 1990 to determine the land as “Contaminated”. 

The report explained the consequences of determination and the financial implications. 

 Members noted that there was no evidence of any harm having arisen from the site and the determination would allow the Council to apply for funding from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to remediate the land.

It was pointed out that two separate determination documents needed to be prepared as Sedgefield Borough Council and Durham County County each owned part of the affected area and the sites had been subject separate site investigations.

RESOLVED :   1.   That the two sites be determined as ‘Contaminated Land’ and placed on the Public Register of ‘Contaminated Land’.

                        2.   That remediation solutions be sought to break the identified pollution linkages.

Joint report of Director of Neighbourhood Services and Head of Strategy and Regeneration.

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

Members were reminded that the Council had commissioned consultants in April 2005 to develop a Masterplan for the three priority neighbourhoods of Dean Bank, Ferryhill Station and (West) Chilton.

The report set out the proposed scope and direction of the intervention highlighted in the Masterplan and identified the projected costs for the redevelopment of sites across the three priority neighbourhoods.

RESOLVED :         1.         That the Masterplan report be accepted.

                        2.         That progression to the next phase of the Masterplan process relating to detailed consultations be approved.

                        3.         That the additional costs incurred in the development of the Masterplan be accepted.

                        4.         That further reports be considered relating to the implementation of the Delivery Plan and staffing arrangements for the delivery of capital investment.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval to increase the capacity of the Community Services Division of Neighbourhood Services Department to enable the delivery of housing renewal in the three priority communities.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

The report also gave details of the new Licensing Scheme in relation to the selective licensing of private rented sector properties for which the powers had been in place since April 2006.

RESOLVED :      1.      That the following posts be added to the establishment :

Ø      Private Sector Renewals Manager (POC)

Ø      Private Sector Renewal Officer (SO1)

                        2.      That the Chief Executive approves the following, which relates to posts up to Scale 6.

Ø        Private Sector Renewal Officer (Scale 6) x 2

Ø        Private Sector Renewal Support Officer                (Scale 3) x 1

Ø        Private Sector Licensing Officer (Scale 6)

Ø        Private Sector Support Officer (Scale 3)

                        3.      That a separate report be presented on the new role in relation to community cohesion and engagement with the Council, and funding options.

Joint report of Director of Neighbourhood Services and Head of Strategy and Regeneration

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

The report set out the result of the Single Housing Investment Programme Round 2 bid and the proposed capital programme for 2006/7, taking account of the bid outcome and resources allocated from the Council’s Major Regeneration Capital Programme.  It also provided information on the outturn of the Private Sector Capital Programme for 2005/06.

It was pointed out that the Private Sector Capital Programme would require a change of focus in view of recent changes in legislation and policy around disrepair and decent homes in the private sector.  Details of which were outlined in the report.

RESOLVED :         That the Private Sector Housing Capital Programme 2006/07 be approved.   

Report of Review Group.

Councillor B. Hall, Chairman of the Review Group, presented the findings of the above Review (for copy see file of Minutes), which had examined the way Area Forums currently operated, evaluated their effectiveness and considered how they could be improved.

Specific reference was made to the Group’s conclusions and recommendations.

RESOLVED :         1.         That the report be received.

                        2.         That the recommendations be considered and          response and action plan be reported to a future          meeting of Cabinet.

Report of Review Group.

Councillor B. Meek, Chairman of the Review Group, presented the findings of the Review, (for copy see file of Minutes) which examined the recruitment and retention of the staff at Sedgefield Borough Council. 

It was explained that the purpose of the review was to quantify staff turnover at Sedgefield Borough Council and compare levels to those of other authorities, both locally and nationally.  It also sought to identify whether there were particular posts or sections where recruitment was difficult.

Members noted the Group’s conclusions, recommendations and Chairman’s comments.

RESOLVED :      1.      That the report be received.

                        2.      That the recommendations be considered and the response and Action Plan be reported to a future meeting of Cabinet.

Minutes of the meeting held on 13^th June 2006.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting held on 13^th June 2006.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :           That the report 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 Paragraph1 of Schedule 12a of the Act.

To consider the recommendation made by the Chief Officer Appointments Panel at its meeting on 12^th July 2006.  A copy of the minutes will be circulated at the meeting.

Consideration was given to a copy of the minutes of the meeting of Chief Officers Appointments Panel held on 12^th July 2006.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

RESOLVED:              That Cabinet has no objection to Ian Brown being appointed by Council as Head of Housing Management.

Published on 14^th July, 2006

The key decisions contained in these Minutes will be implemented on Monday 24^th July, 2006  five working days after the date of publication unless they are called in by three Members of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the call in procedure rules.