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

The following Councillors indicated that they would be declaring a prejudicial interest in the following items:

Councillor Mrs. A.M. Armstrong - Item No. 5 - Local Improvement Programme - Family/Community Support Area - Tudhoe Grange School - Governor of Tudhoe Grange School

Councillor A. Hodgson - Item No. 6 - Local Improvement Programme - Hackworth Park Tennis Courts Redevelopment - Board Member of Groundwork East Durham 

Councillor K. Noble - Item No. 6 - Local Improvement Programme - Hackworth Park Tennis Courts Redevelopment - Board Member of Groundwork East Durham and Item No. 10 - NETPark - Proposed Land Disposal and Future Investment - Member of the Advisory Board of NETPark.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 11^th January 2007.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 11^th January 2007 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 to begin the procurement process to source and install variable speed drives to Leisure Centre plant and machinery, which had been assessed to achieve a reduction in energy consumption of specific plant by up to 49%. (For copy see file of Minutes)

The anticipated installation costs of 38 variable speed drives was in the region of £129,000.

It was explained that by agreeing to the project in advance of the capital programme spending plans for 2007/08 for the Leisure and Culture portfolio, full year cost savings were more likely to be made.

RESOLVED :      1.      That the procurement process to source and install variable speed drives begins immediately.

                        2.      That a report outlining the Capital Programme spending plans for the Leisure and Culture portfolio in the 2007/08 financial year be submitted to Cabinet as soon as possible.

Report of Head of Strategy and Regeneration.

N.B. In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Members’ Code of Conduct, Councillor Mrs. A.M. Armstrong declared a prejudicial interest in the above item and left the meeting for the duration of discussion and voting on the item.

The Lead Member for Social Regeneration and Partnership presented a report regarding a Local Improvement Programme application from Tudhoe Grange for funding to provide children and families with a venue specifically designed for their use where they could access appropriate services confidentially  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Members noted that the application had been supported by Area 1 Forum at its meeting on 11^th December 2006.

RESOLVED :            That the application for Local Improvement Programme funds based upon the information provided be approved.

Report of Head of Strategy and Regeneration.

N.B. In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Members’ Code of Conduct, Councillor A. Hodgson declared a prejudicial interest in the above item and left the meeting for the duration of discussion and voting on the item.

N.B. In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Members’ Code of Conduct, Councillor K. Noble declared a prejudicial interest in the above item and left the meeting.

Consideration was given to a report regarding a Local Improvement Programme application from Shildon Town Council to redevelop the existing tennis courts and improve access to the courts at Hackworth Park, Shildon.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Members noted that the application had been supported by Area 4 Forum.

RESOLVED :            That the application for Local Improvement Programme funds based upon the information provided be approved.

Report of Head of Strategy and Regeneration.

Consideration was given to a report regarding the proposed creation of a fixed term project based post, which was to be externally funded through the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was noted that the post would concentrate on partnership and project-based activity which would progress the twin agendas of Community Health Promotion and also link strongly with the Community Enterprise aspect of the Authority’s and the Local Strategic Partnership’s Prosperous ambitions.

RESOLVED :   That the creation of a fixed term project post to deliver the Food and Health Agenda be approved.

Minutes of the meeting held on 9^th January 2007.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting held on 9^th January 2007.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

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

To consider the minutes of the following:

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the following meetings:

(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 item of business on the grounds that it may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12a of the Act.

Joint report of Chief Executive and Director of Resources.

The Leader of the Council presented a report seeking approval for the Council to contribute resources towards a number of key projects at Netpark.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

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

Published on 2^nd February, 2007

Any key decisions contained in these Minutes will be implemented on Monday 12^th February, 2007 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.