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 30^th November 2006.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 30^th November 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Director of Leisure Services.

The Lead Member for Leisure and Culture presented a report seeking approval in principle to the development of an Arts Resource at Spennymoor Leisure Centre.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was reported that an audit of arts provision in the Borough undertaken in 2004 had showed there was a clear gap in provision, and a further study, commissioned in 2005, had concluded that an Arts Resource would compliment existing provision and reflect the demands of professional artists, voluntary sector organisations and statutory organisations.     

It was pointed out that an Arts Resource could be developed between the Gymnastics Centre and the new Fitness Suite within Spennymoor Leisure Centre, which was in need of remedial work.  Appendix 1 to the report showed a footprint of the space that would be available for such a facility.

The estimated overall capital cost of the project was approximately £3m.

Members’ attention was drawn to section 4 of the report, which set out the sources of funding and the revenue implications.

It was pointed out that the Arts Resource would not be reliant on ticket sales, unlike stand alone theatres.  It would have a performing arts programme that could be tailored to the level of revenue costs acceptable to the Council.  

RESOLVED :   1.   That the development of an Arts Resource at Spennymoor Leisure Centre be agreed in principle.

                        2.   That the Council’s capital commitment to the project must be within the region of 20% of the total capital build costs and should not exceed £700,000.

                        3.   That the project will not be progressed beyond the feasibility stage until all capital funding from external sources is in place and there is full sign-off of the revenue implications of the project, both of which will be subject to further reports to Cabinet.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services.

The Lead Member of Housing presented a report seeking approval to procure specialist professional expertise to undertake Neighbourhood Renewal Assessments for the groups of properties affected in Dean Bank and Chilton West to support the delivery of the Master Plan.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :   1.   That an approach to procuring the specialist consultancy required to undertake the Neighbourhood Renewal Assessments required to support the delivery of the Master Plan during its first three years as detailed in the report be approved.

                        2.   That tenders be invited from those firms with the relevant expertise and specialist knowledge to carry out Neighbourhood Renewal Assessments as required to support the delivery of the Master Plan under procurement Procedure Rule 6.

                        3.   That a further report be presented on the outcomes of procurement.

Report of Solicitor to the Council.

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

The report made recommendations for the implementation of the findings of the report of the Office of Surveillance Commissioners. 

Specific reference was made to the revised corporate policy and procedures document which took account of best practice in leading authorities in the field, the recommendations of the Office of Surveillance Commissioners and consultations that had taken place with key officers within the Council.

RESOLVED :       1.      That the Corporate Policy and Procedures document on the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 be approved.

                        2. That Council be recommended as follows:

                                    (a)            that all surveillance exercises, including covert surveillance be conducted by the Council in accordance with the terms of the Act and the Corporate Policy and Procedures document.

                                    (b)            that only the Chief Executive shall be permitted to authorise a surveillance exercise, under Section 29 of the Act, involving use of covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) or any staff investigations in consultation with the Solicitor to the Council,

                                    (c).            that the report be referred to all officers conducting enforcement functions which may carry out covert surveillance; that the policy be available on the Council’s Intranet.

                                    (d)            that the Solicitor to the Council be authorised to take all necessary steps to conclude satisfactory arrangements as regards corporate procedures and raising awareness of the Corporate Policy and Procedures document with appropriate officers in the Council.

                                    (e)            that the Solicitor to the Council be authorised to oversee training arrangements on RIPA, to suspend authorisation of officers where further training is required and to generally keep the policy document up to date and be responsible for the regular review of the Central Register of Authorisations.

                                    (f)            that the Solicitor to the Council be responsible for an annual review report to Cabinet in February each year upon the operating of the Act; that the Central Register of Authorisations be similarly reviewed on a quarterly basis.

                                    (g)            that the effective date for the operation of the policy shall be 24th February 2007.

                                    (h)            that the Head of Environmental Services and Head of Housing Management and Public Health Services Manager be authorising officers for the purposes of Section 28 of the Act in relation to their duties and functions.

(i)     that the Council approves  all consequential changes to the Constitution (CE51/CE52 Officer Delegations refer).

Report of Head of Financial Services.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of a timetable for making proposals to Council for the adoption of the 2007/08 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 time table as shown on the appendix attached to the report 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).

 It was explained that the purpose of the review was to investigate what the Council was currently doing in relation to the management and control of sickness absence and to determine what could be done in the future.

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 the response and Action Plan be reported to a future meeting of Cabinet.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st November 2006.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting held don 21^st November 2006.

RESOLVED :            That the report be received.

Published on 15^th December 2006

Any key decisions contained in these Minutes will be implemented on Wednesday 27^th December 2006 five working days after the date of publication unless they are called in by five Members of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the call in procedure rules.