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

No declarations of interest were received.

Report of Chief Executive, Director of Housing and Director of Resources

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval to appoint a strategic partner to undertake construction works from February 2008 to January 2013.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

The report provided details and results of the tender evaluation, including assessment of quality, cost and affordability.  It also set out a series of Human Resources issues, including the legal implications for the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) (TUPE) Regulations 2006 and the arrangements for applying the regulations in transferring Council employees to the preferred partner.

RESOLVED :   1.   That Mears Limited be appointed as Strategic Construction Partner for 5 years (with a two years option to extend subject to performance).

                        2.   That the employee-related contractual commitments provided by Mears Limited (detailed in Section 5 of the report) be incorporated within the contract.

                        3.   That the promises and pledges given by Mears Limited and referred to in Section 4 of the report be incorporated within the contract.

                        4.   That the Director of Housing, Director of Resources and Head of Organisational Development make the necessary arrangements to proceed with agreeing a mobilisation plan with Mears Limited.

                        5.   That the processes (detailed in Section 6 of the report) for dealing with the Human Resources implications of the contract be approved.

                        6.   That the Council provides an appropriate guarantee to the Durham County Council Pension Fund in respect of any pension fund deficit that may arise as a result of the implementation of this partnership arrangement.

Report of the Director of Resources

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

It was explained that the purpose of the report was to consider changes to the previously agreed capital programme for 2007/08 to reflect additional priorities and review schemes and their ‘appropriateness’ in the light of the Secretary of State’s decision to create a single unitary authority in County Durham, effective from April 2009.

The report represented the first stage of changes that would be required to deliver the Council’s plans and priorities in the run up to local government re-organisation.  A Transitional Plan was being prepared that would present a refocusing of priorities, including a full review of the Major Regeneration Capital Programme.  A review of the Council’s Housing Capital Programme was also being undertaken.

Members’ attention was drawn to Appendix 1 of the report regarding the introduction of the Neighbourhood Enhancement Programme, which would be operated on a ward basis to enhance the physical fabric of localities.  The Programme would allow Members to respond to issues of public concern.

A revision was proposed to the Capital Programme to allow additional funding to be allocated to areas of deprivation.  A schedule and map were circulated at the meeting to illustrate the proposal.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :   That the revised Capital Programme for 2007/08, incorporating additional allocation to reflect deprivation  be approved.

Published on 2^nd November 2007

The key decisions contained in these Minutes will be implemented on Monday 12^th November 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.