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

No declarations of interest were submitted. 

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 29^th July 2005

The Minutes of the meeting held on the 29^th July 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor reported that since the last meeting he had attended 26 functions and events including the opening of a National Play Day event at Trimdon Grange, Billingham Folklore Festival Civic Evening, a Charity Fun Day at Silverdale House Newton Aycliffe, Great Aycliffe Show and the opening of Durham and Northumberland Fuschia Society Annual Show at Spennymoor Leisure Centre. 

He also reported that he had attended the annual Charity Golf Tournament at Knotty Hill Golf Course, a basket ball match between Durham Wild Cats and Bradford Dragons at Spennymoor Leisure Centre, the Seve Trophy Golf Event at Wynyard Golf Club and Durham Constabulary Brass Band Concert at Shildon Civic Hall.

In addition the Mayor had attended a number of Civic Services, as well as Golden,  Diamond and 65^th wedding anniversaries and a hundreth birthday celebration.

The Mayor then reported that PC’s Andrew Wells, Tina Smith and John Lamb were present at the meeting to be presented with framed certicates to recognise the heroic actions of those officers in attempting to save lives in dangerous circumstances and without concern for their own safety.  Chief Superintendent Trounson read citations in relation to the incidents which had led to the awards.  PC Andrew Wells, and PC Tina Smith were presented with St John’s Ambulance Certificates. They also accepted certificates on behalf of their colleagues PC Richard Gatland and PC Helen Naylor who were unable to attend the meeting .

PC John Lamb was presented with a certificate from the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire .

Report of Director of Resources

Consideration was given to a report from the Director of Resources (For copy see File of Minutes) reviewing the Code of Practice for Treasury Management Activities which had originally been approved by Council in December 2002, and incorporating the necessary changes to the original Code to reflect developments which had taken place, impacting on current Treasury Management Activities, since that time.  

It was explained that the main developments, which had occurred since the Treasury Management Practice was first adopted in December 2002, included the introduction of the Prudential Framework for Capital Finance which set out a framework of self regulation of capital spending and required Councils to set and monitor Prudential Indicators.

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister had also issued new Guidance for local government investments under Section 15 (1)(a) of the Local Government Act 2003.  The Code had been revised to reflect that new guidance.

It was explained that the Code had also been amended to provide the required flexibility to review the Council’s investment strategy and ensure that maximum benefits were achieved from additional land sale resources.

The Council’s statutory responsibility under the Money Laundering Regulations 2003 to maintain procedures relating to its Treasury Activities for verifying and recording the identity of counterparties and reporting suspicions in relation to money laundering was also reflected in the revised Code.

RESOLVED:             That the revised code of Treasury Management Practice be adopted.

Report of Director of Resources

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Resources (For copy see File of Minutes) the purpose of which was to review the performance of the Council’s Treasury Management Activities during the 2004/2005 financial year.

The report set out details of the Councils performance and compliance with the strategy approved by the Council in February 2004 and detailed the effects of decisions taken and the transactions executed in the past year.  The report also confirmed that the Council had fully complied with its approved strategy, Treasury Management Practices and Local Code in 2004/5.

RESOLVED:             That the content of the Annual Review of Treasury Management be accepted.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services

A copy of the Draft Statement of Community Involvement is available in the Members Rooms, and on the Intranet and the Internet

Consideration was given to a report by the Director of Neighbourhood Services (For copy see File of Minutes) seeking approval to publish the Draft Statement of Community Involvement for consultation.

It was explained that the Draft Statement of Community Involvement detailed how the Council intended to engage with those who had an interest in matters relating to development in their area and the preparation of local development documents.  The Statement was seen by the Government as very important in its aim of developing a more inclusive planning system.

It was pointed out that the Statement of Community Involvement would be published for a statutory 6 week consultation period and would undergo a public examination if any objections were received to suggest that the statement failed the tests of soundness.

It was noted that Cabinet at its meeting on 15^th September 2005 had recommended the publishing of the Draft Statement of Community Involvement for the statutory period for public consultation.

RESOLVED:             That Council endorses the Cabinet recommendation to publish the Draft Statement of Community Involvement.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services

A copy of the Draft Residential Extensions Supplementary Planning Document is available in the Members Rooms, and on the Intranet and the Internet

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services seeking approval of the Draft Residential Extensions Supplementary Planning Document for consultation (For copy see File of Minutes).

It was explained that Sedgefield Borough had experienced a significant increase in residential extension applications over the past years and there was clear evidence that the Councils existing Supplementary Planning Guidance Note 4, adopted in 2000 had become out of date and required review. Final Year students from the University of Newcastle had been commissioned to identify national best practice and make recommendations to help the Borough to develop Supplementary Planning Documents.  Council officers had subsequently refined the work to suit local circumstances.

The Draft Residential Extensions Supplementary Planning Document provided detailed advice on general design principles and material consideration.

It was pointed out that the draft document was to be published for a statutory period of 6 weeks however it would not be subject to an independent examination.

It was explained that Cabinet at its meeting on 15^th September 2005 had recommended the publishing of the Draft Residential Extensions Supplementary Planning Document for the statutory period for consultation.

RESOLVED:      1.  That the Council endorses Cabinet

recommendations to publish the Residential   Extensions Supplementary Planning Document.

                                       2.  That a further report detailing responses received

   during the consultation exercise together with information on the next steps to be taken be submitted to a future meeting.

Report of Chief Executive Officer

Consideration was given to a report of the Chief Executive Officer presenting an Annual Overview and Scrutiny report for Members approval (For copy see File of Minutes).

In accordance with paragraph 6.03(C) of Part 2 of the Council’s Constitution each of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had to report annually to Council detailing their work over the previous year together with future programmes and working methods.

The report set out the Committees achievements to date,the Work Programmes for 2005  and proposed future developments and objectives.

RESOLVED:             That the Annual Overview and Scrutiny Report be approved.

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 items of business on the grounds that they may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part1 of Schedule 12a of the Act.

To consider the attached report together with the minutes of the Meeting of the Employment Issues Panel held on 9^th September 2005.

Consideration was given to a report which had been prepared by SOLACE Enterprises Ltd and the Minutes of the meeting of the Employment Issues Panel held on the 9^th September 2005 in relation to a request for early retirement.(For copies see file of Minutes)

RESOLVED:             That the request detailed in the report be approved.