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 22^nd November 2007.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd November 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive / Director of Neighbourhood Services.

The Lead Member for Environment presented a report regarding the above.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Members were reminded that the Council currently had an agreement with Durham County Council for the provision of a kerbside recycling service - the “Kerb-it” scheme, which was delivered under contract by Premier Waste Management Limited.  The contract would terminate on 31^st March 2008 and its terms and conditions did not contain an extension clause to allow the service to be extended.

It was explained that in order to meet the Council’s statutory obligations in respect of recycling targets and to satisfy residents expectations, Borough Council officers had been in discussion with service managers from Chester-le-Street, Durham City and Easington Councils regarding the joint procurement of a new kerbside recycling service from 1^st April 2008.

It was reported that five companies had submitted tenders and following a full evaluation, the officer group overseeing the procurement process had jointly selected a preferred bid i.e. the variant tender submitted by Greencycle Plc., in the sum of £54.57 per tonne of recyclate collected. 

The variant tender was based on the additional collection and recycling of mixed plastics and cardboard.

Details of the preferred tender were set out in Section 5 of the report.

It was noted that the anticipated net revenue cost for the provision of the service for 2008/09 was £51,000.  In addition to the annual revenue expenditure for the provision of the service, there would be a need for a one off purchase of re-usable plastic bags for the collection of mixed plastics and cardboard at a cost of approximately £50,000.

RESOLVED :      1.      That the variant tender submitted by Greencycle Plc in the sum of £54.57 per tonne of recyclate be accepted and approval be given to award a two year contract to Greencycle Plc for the provision of a Kerbside Recycling Service as described in its variant bid.

                        2.      That the Council purchases re-usable plastic bags for the collection of mixed plastics and cardboard as outlined in the report.

Report of Assistant Chief Executive.

The Lead Member for Learning and Employment presented a report regarding the proposal to merge the Council’s Training Service with Bishop Auckland College and to provide a Construction Training Centre of Excellence at Coulson Street, Spennymoor as part of the overall redevelopment of Bishop Auckland College.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

The report also set out the core business of the merged entity, the proposed activities of the Centre and sought approval for a Memorandum of Understanding to be entered into with Bishop Auckland College for that purpose.

The vision for the project was to facilitate a step change in both the quantity and quality of construction related training and to make a significant contribution to the social and physical regeneration of the borough.

Members noted that Section 24 of Local Government (Public Involvement in Health) Act 2007 placed limitations upon the Council’s ability to make financial commitments. Certain consents may be required from the Department of Communities and Local Government, the Durham County Council, in its role as transition authority, the Joint Implementation Team of Officers and the Implementation Executive, once established, and such other persons as the Council may be directed to consult.  

With regard to the structure and governance arrangements for the new entity, it was noted that the preferred option was for a joint board to be established to oversee operations. Formal appointments to the joint board would be the subject of a further report to take account of the Council’s constitutional requirements.

RESOLVED :      1.      That the progress made since September 2006 in the investigation of the feasibility of working with Bishop Auckland College be noted and the proposed merger as set out in the report, be endorsed.

                        2.      That agreement be given, in principle, to further development work being undertaken on the proposed Construction Training Centre and a report be submitted to Cabinet in due course, setting out the Council’s capital contribution to the project within the confines of the Medium Term Financial Plan.

3.      That approval be given for the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive to sign a Memorandum of Understanding as a clear statement of intent to work with Bishop Auckland College to merge the Council’s Training Centre with the College and to build a Construction Training Centre at Coulson Street as an integral part of the redevelopment of Bishop Auckland College. 

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services.

The Lead Member for Planning and Development presented a report regarding the above.   (For copy see file of Minutes).

The report sought approval to approach specialist consultancies to tender for the preparation of reports mapping sensitive areas for birds and plotting likely routes, of particular importance for feeding and breeding bird species to minimise the impact of developments that might arise as a result of the Borough Council’s Local Development Framework.  The cost of producing the document was estimated at £6,000 and neighbouring authorities had been approached to jointly commission the study to achieve efficiency savings.

RESOLVED : 1. That the Mapping Sensitive Areas for Birds Project

                               be commissioned.     

                        2.      That in view of the specialised nature of the project, specific consultancies be approached, instead of undertaking an open tender process.

Report of Director of Resources.

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

The report updated Members on progress with regard to the Gershon Efficiency agenda and the achievement of the efficiency targets set by the Department of Communities and Local Government.  It also gave details of the Council’s overarching strategy that had been developed for achieving efficiency gains and the actual progress made for the period 2005/06 to 2006/07.

Members’ attention was drawn to the table set out in Paragraph 3.5, which showed the targets and efficiencies achieved to date.  It was noted that a total of £1.243m of efficiency gains had already been delivered against a target of £0.833m to the end of 2006 - 07.

RESOLVED :         That the progress made by the Council in relation to the efficiency agenda and the achievement and monitoring of efficiency savings be noted.

To consider the minutes of the following:

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the following:

• Prosperous and Attractive Borough

           Overview and Scrutiny Committee -  6^th November 2007

• Strategic Leadership

           Overview and Scrutiny Committee -  20^th November 2007

(For copies see file of Minutes)

RESOLVED :           That the reports be received.

To consider the minutes of the following meetings:

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the following:

• Area 2 Forum - 6^th November 2007

• Area 3 Forum - 14^th November 2007

(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 involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12a of the Act.

Joint report of Chief Executive and Director of Resources.

The Lead Member for Learning and Employment presented a report seeking approval to sell 0.92 hectares of land on the former industrial land at Middridge Industrial Estate.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :           That the recommendation detailed in the report be

                                    adopted.

Published on 7^th December 2007.

The key decision in respect of item No. 5 will be implemented on Monday 17^th December 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.