Members had no interests to declare. 

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 27^th July 2007.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 27^th July 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 

Report of Head of Financial Services.

Consideration was given to a report regarding the supply of electricity to Green Lane Offices, Depot and Leisure Centres from 1^st October 2007.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

The report proposed that the Council as an associate member of the North East Purchasing Organisation (NEPO) should participate in NEPO’s electricity contract with N Power.  The proposal was designed to secure favourable prices within an increasingly expensive, complex and volatile market.

RESOLVED :            That the Council’s joins the NEPO contract with

 N Power for the supply of electricity to the large user sites with effect from 1^st October 2007.

Report of Head of Financial Services.

Consideration was given 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 2006/07, actual income and expenditure, projected probable outturn for 2006/07 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 £602,000 would be used compared to a budgeted use of £500,000.

It was reported that a breakeven position was predicted in respect of the Housing Revenue Account before the use of £100,000 of balances to fund the first year costs of the HRA Service Improvement Plan.

Members noted that the Training and Employment Service was anticipated to make an operating loss in the region of £125,000, which was a small reduction on the initial budget forecast.

Reference was made to the issue of Equal Pay, which the Council still had to deal with.  It was noted that discussions were currently taking place with the Unions and ACAS, however it was too early to give an indication of the likely cost of any claims to be met.

RESOLVED :      1.      That the financial position for 2006/07 be noted.

                        2.         That further reports be submitted to Cabinet detailing the position as at 30^th September 2006, 31^st December 2006 and the final outturn as at 31^st March 2007 in line with the budgetary control monitoring arrangements 2006/07.

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

Report of Head of Financial Services.

Consideration was given to a report detailing the progress made to date in meeting the Council’s spending targets, the carry forward approved by Council of commitments unspent on the 2005/06 capital programme, the available capital resources for financing the programme and new developments that had occurred since Council had approved the 2006/07 programme.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

Members were reminded that Council at its meeting on 30^th June 2006 had agreed for a number of outstanding commitments to be carried forward to 2006/07.  Since that meeting, an additional request had been received to re-phase the resources set aside for the 2006/07 Local Improvement Programme within the Major Regeneration Programme.

Reference was made to the table detailed in Paragraph 3.5 of the report, which showed the original approved 2006/07 Capital Programme, together with the carry forward commitments from 2005/06.  It also showed all approved external funding secured to date and the total Gross Budget, reflecting the total capital resources available for the year.

It was reported that a gross total of £4.2m had been spent in the first four months to 31^st July 2006 or 20% of the gross capital programme budget of £20.7m.

RESOLVED :   1.   The four months spend position to 31^st July 2006 be noted.

                        2.   That further reports be submitted to Management Team, Cabinet and all Strategic Working Groups detailing the position as at 30^th September, 31^st December 2006 and final outturn as at 31^st March in line with the budgetary control monitoring arrangements 2006/07.

                        3.   That the additional carry forward request of £116,750 in respect of the Major Regeneration Initiative Programme as highlighted in Paragraph 3.3 of the report, be approved.     

Report of Head of Financial Services.

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

It was reported that at some point in the future, Pandemic Flu could inevitably create a severe business continuity problem for the Council and it was therefore essential that preparatory work was undertaken to minimise, as far as practicable, the expected disruption to services provided by the Council, businesses and the voluntary sector within the Borough.

The report detailed the arrangements being made to address the potential problems.

RESOLVED :            That the information be noted and that a further report be considered in six months time.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services.

The Lead Member for Housing presented a seeking approval to adopt a revised Housing Renewal Assistance Policy 2006/07.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was noted that the existing Housing Renewal Assistance Policy had been reviewed to take account of the Council’s ambitions for private sector housing renewal in priority communities.

The report outlined the proposed changes, which included: refocusing grants on issues such as decent homes in the private sector, energy efficiency, increasing grant limits to reflect changes in building costs and strengthening claw back provisions.

RESOLVED :         That the revised Housing Renewal Assistance Policy 2006/07 be adopted from 14^th September 2006.

Report of Head of Strategy and Regeneration.

The Lead Member for Learning and Employment presented a report seeking agreement to investigate the feasibility of entering into a strategic alliance arrangement with Bishop Auckland College to provide a complimentary training service and in due course, centres of excellence for the different types of training, located at strategic sites within South West Durham.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

RESOLVED :            That the concept of a strategic alliance between the Council’s Training and Employment Services and Bishop Auckland College be endorsed and that officers investigate the feasibility of such an alliance and report their findings to Cabinet in due course.

To consider the minutes of the following:

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the following:

Overview and Scrutiny Committee 3                         -                        11^th July 2006

Overview and Scrutiny Committee 1                        -                        29^th August 2006

(For copies see file of Minutes)

With regard to Minute No.OSC(3)3/06 - Successful Town Centres - it was reported that Cabinet would be considering options for redevelopment and regeneration of both Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor Town Centres. 

RESOLVED : That the Committees recommendations be noted and appropriate action be taken.

To consider the minutes of the following:

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the following:

Area 3 Forum                         -                        5^th July 2006

Area 4 Forum             -       18^th July 2006

Area 5 Forum            -        25^th July 2006

(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 Paragraphs 1,7 and 9 of Schedule 12a of the Act.

Joint report of Director of Neighbourhood Services and Head of Financial Services.

Consideration was given to a report regarding provision of consultant support to the Council for the critical stages of the redevelopment of Hawkshead Place, Newton Aycliffe. (For copy see file of Minutes).

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

Joint report of Head of Financial Services and Chief Executive.

Consideration was given to a report outlining proposals for restructuring the Accountancy Services Team.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

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

Joint report of Director of Neighbourhood Services and Chief Executive.

Consideration was given to a report outlining proposals for revising the staffing structure of the Building Control Service.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

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

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

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the Chief Officer Appointments Panel held on 13^th September 2006.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

RESOLVED:             That Cabinet has no objection to Alan Smith being appointed by Council as Director of Resources.

Published on 15^th September 2006.

Any key decisions contained in these Minutes will be implemented on  Monday 25^th September 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.