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

It was noted that Councillor W. Waters would be declaring a personal and prejudicial interest in Item No. 6 - Large Scale Voluntary Transfer (LSVT) Council Appointments to the Shadow Board as he had applied to be a member of the Shadow Board.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 6^TH December 2007.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th December 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Joint report of Director of Neighbourhood Services and Assistant Chief Executive.

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

Members were reminded that Cabinet at its meeting on 14^th December 2006 had authorised the commissioning of a Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment.  The report, which had now been received, gave information on the socio-economic situation of residents, levels of unfit properties and types of disrepair and provided a clear steer to refine the Council’s programmes detailed in the original Masterplan. 

Specific reference was made to paragraphs 3.10 and 3.15 of the report, which detailed key features of the Dean Bank and West Chilton areas, identified through the Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment and the financial support to be offered to residents.

RESOLVED :         1.         That the acquisition of 14 - 19 Newcomen Street, Dean Bank and 6 Norman Terrace, Chilton be endorsed.

                        2.         That the local lettings policy adopted in Faraday & Stephenson Street, Dean Bank which suspended lettings of Sedgefield Borough Council Housing stock in those streets, be endorsed.

                        3.         That the Director of Resources be granted delegated powers to agree the purchase of such properties as required for the purposes of Deed swap for affected residents.

                        4.         That the Director of Resources be granted delegated powers to grant a discretionary relocation payment of up to £25,000 in exceptional circumstances as outlined in paragraph 3.16 of the report.

                        5.         That recommendations numbers: 3 and 4 be incorporated into the next version of the Council’s Constitution.

Report of Assistant Chief Executive.

The Lead Member for Learning and Employment presented a report seeking approval to appoint DTZ consultants to undertake the Spennymoor Area Action Plan in a format that would allow integration with the emerging Local Development Framework. (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was reported that the plan would help direct investment and new development, recognising the potential for change and improvement across the town anticipated on the back of new residential development.

RESOLVED :      That  DTZ Consultants (Company B) be appointed  to undertake the Spennymoor Action Plan at a cost of £99,435 in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 28.

Report of Director of Housing.

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

Further to CAB.103/07 of the meeting held on 22^nd November 2007, consideration was given to a report regarding the appointment of elected members and tenant representatives to the Shadow Board.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :     1.         That the following be appointed as the Council’s representatives on the Shadow Board:

·  Councillor Mrs. E.M. Paylor

·  Councillor J. Robinson J.P.

·  Councillor B. Stephens

·  Councillor W. Waters

·  Councillor T.F. Forrest (Reserve)

2.         That the appointment of Bernd Bangel, Joanne Jackson, Emily Jones and Alan Cargill as tenant representatives on the Shadow Board be noted. 

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval for the Council’s Advice and Homelessness Strategy 2007/2010, which had been developed to take account of national, regional and local issues and priorities. (For copy see file of Minutes)

It was noted that strategy focused on a range of issues in particular, the recent success achieved in delivering the prevention and support agenda that had reduced the level of homelessness applications made to the Borough Council.

RESOLVED :   That the Sedgefield Borough Housing Advice and Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2007-2010 be adopted.

Report of Chief Executive.

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

The Transition Plan outlined the Council’s arrangements to develop with partners the new unitary authority for County Durham up to April 2009 and to manage effectively the transition period. The Plan was a rationalisation of the Council’s Corporate Plan 2007 - 2010, associated Medium Term Financial Plan and Organisational Development Plan.  It set out the Council’s key priorities for service improvement, constitutional, legal, financial and human resources implications and the key capital projects to be progressed.

RESOLVED :            1.            That the Transition Plan be recommended to Council as an amendment to the Corporate Plan.

                        2.            That Council be recommended to amend the Council’s Constitution to give the Chief Executive a revised remit to facilitate the Transitional process as set out in paragraph 4.4 of the report.

                        3.            That Council be recommended to give delegated authority to the Chief Officers Appointments Panel to make changes to the pay and conditions of Chief Officers as may be deemed necessary through the transition process.

Report of Director of Resources.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of a timetable for making proposals to Council for the adoption of the 2008/09 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 timetable as shown on the appendix attached to the report, be approved. 

Minutes of the meeting held 27^th November 2007.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting held  on 27^th November 2007.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :            That the report be received.

To consider the Minutes of the following:

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the following meetings:

Area 4 Forum             -            20^th November 2007

Area 5 Forum            -            27^th November 2007

(For copies see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :           That the reports be received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th December 2007.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th December 2007.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

RESOLVED :           That the report be received.

Published on 21^st December 2007.

The key decision contained in these Minutes will be implemented on Monday 7^th January 2008, 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.