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 correct records the Minutes of the meetings held on 25^th October 2007 (copy herewith) and 1^st November 2007 (to be circulated).

The Minutes of the meetings held on 25^th October and 1^st November 2007 were confirmed as correct records and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Director of Housing.

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

It was explained that the Large Scale Voluntary Transfer project would require a significant financial commitment to provide for expert consultant services, staffing resources and other costs in the pre and post ballot phases.

It was noted that it would be necessary to appoint a Lead Consultant, Legal Consultant, Independent Tenants Advisor and Communications Consultant to assist the Council in undertaking the project. 

Specific reference was made to the other key elements needed to take forward the project, which included the establishment of a LSVT team, the implementation of the communications strategy and the updating the Council’s stock condition survey.  

It was pointed out that in the event of a successful transfer, the costs, estimated at £411,525, would all be recovered from any capital receipts associated with the sale of stock to the new Registered Social Landlord.  However, in the event of a no vote, the costs would fall upon the Council and those costs not related to consultation would fall to be met from the General Fund.  The estimated split was 60% to the Housing Revenue Account and 40% to the General Fund and reserves would be earmarked.

Members noted that to ensure the corporate co-ordination of the project, regular reports would be made to the Council’s Management Team, which would act as a Project Board.  Management Team would submit further reports to Cabinet from time to time and could seek additional approvals for resources, where necessary.

RESOLVED :      1.      That the following consultants be appointed for the Large Scale Voluntary Transfer up to the ballot:

·        Lead Consultants - Savills

·        Legal Consultants - Trowers and Hamlins

·        Independent Tenants Advisor - Priority

        Estates Project

·        Communications - IPB Communications

                        2.                        That the resources identified in Section 5 of the

                              report be approved to support the LSVT project. Management Team to monitor the project corporately and report to Cabinet from time-to-time and where necessary, seek further approval for resources.

                        3.      That a risk based assessment be undertaken of the staffing resources needed to deliver the LSVT.  The assessment to be used to identify the skills and competencies required within the LSVT implementation team.

Report of Assistant Chief Executive.

The Lead Member for Social Regeneration and Partnerships presented a report seeking approval to carry out community appraisals in all wards within the Borough and to appoint a consultant via the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) a process to assist the completion of the appraisals.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was reported that the appraisals would provide locality specific information to fit with the strategic and performance management intelligence being held, whilst linking with the Town and Parish Councils that were undertaking Parish Plans to achieve limited economies of scale.

Specific reference was made to paragraph 3.7 of the report with regard to the community appraisals linking with the Council’s Area Forums to ensure that a customer focus was always maintained.

It was envisaged that the cost of the appraisals would be £173,000 over a 12 month period that would straddle two financial years and would be met from the Community Regeneration Revenue Budget and the Local Strategic Partnership.

RESOLVED :            1.            That Community Appraisals be undertaken for all wards within the Borough.   

                        2.            That the Official Journal of the European Union process be undertaken to appoint a consultancy to complete the Community Appraisals throughout the Borough.

Minutes of meeting held on 23^rd October 2007.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd October 2007.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

With regard to Minute No: H&S.17/07 Overview and Scrutiny Review Report - Tourism within the Borough - Progress and Action Plan - it was noted that the three year free admission was currently being discussed with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport and not Durham County Museum Service as stated in the Minutes.

RESOLVED :      That the report be received.

Published on 9^th November, 2007.

The key decisions detailed in these Minutes will be implemented on Monday 19^th November, 2007 five working days after the date of publication unless called in by three Members of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee in accordance with the call in procedure rules.