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

No declarations of interest were received.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 29^th September 2006

The Minutes of the meeting held on 29^th September, 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

The Mayor reported that since the last meeting she had attended 33 functions and events including charity evenings, civic functions and events, golden and diamond wedding anniversary celebrations and a hundredth birthday celebration.

She also reported that she had attended a talk for school children at Trimdon Library for Local Democracy Week, a primary school special needs water festival at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre, the official opening of Evans Incubation Centre at Newton Aycliffe and also the official opening of the Owen Willoughby Football Pitch at Trimdon.

In addition she had attended the 50^th Rededication Anniversary of St. Pauls Church, Spennymoor, an official welcome for pupils from Germany, Hungary and Slovakia, young achievers presentation awards at Spennymoor, Sunnydale Community College presentation evening, the Childrens Annual Safety Carousel Celebration Day at Sedgefield Racecourse and the Sid Chaplin Short Story Competition evening at Shildon.

The Mayor also made reference to two charity walks which were undertaken in support of her charity appeal and had raised £224.  She expressed her thanks and appreciation.

Report of Chief Executive

Consideration was given to a report of the Chief Executive (for copy see file of Minutes) relating to a further Review of the Constitution for the purposes of Article 16.

It was explained that the recommendations contained in the report were based on advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officer and meetings of the Constitutional Review Group.  They reflected areas where it was considered appropriate to make further changes namely modifications to officer delegations at Part 3c : Officer Delegations Made at the Request of Relevant officers.

Members were informed that further inclusions and amendments, in relation to the Council’s power as Licensing Authority, the Gambling Act 2005 and the delegation of some of those powers to officers, would be considered at a future meeting.

RESOLVED :      1.      That the amendments set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved and the Monitoring Officer be directed to :-

                                    a)            Amend the Constitution accordingly and make all necessary and consequential amendments.

                                    b)            To publish an amended version on the Council’s website.

                        2.      That it be noted that further amendments relating to the Authority’s function under the Gabling Act 2005 would be considered at a future meeting.

Report of Chief Executive

Consideration was given to the Annual Overview and Scrutiny report for Members approval.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

In accordance with paragraph 6.03 (c) Part 2 of the Council’s Constitution each of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees 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 2006/2007and proposed future developments and objectives.

RESOLVED :   That the Annual Overview and Scrutiny Committee report be approved.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services (for copy see file of Minutes) relating to the Council’s responsibilities under the Gambling Act 2005.

It was explained that under the Act, which received Royal Assent in April, 2005, local authorities had a range of new responsibilities relating to gambling.

Under the new legislation the Gambling Commission together with Councils share responsibility for matters previously regulated by Magistrates Courts.  The local authority had new powers to licence gambling premises in the Borough as well as issuing permits and other permissions.

The Council was also required, under the Act, to prepare and publish a Statement of Principles every three years, outlining how it intended to approach various licensing duties.  This had to be produced by 3^rd January, 2007.  The Council’s Statement of Principles had undergone a 12 week consultation exercise and had been considered by Overview and Scrutiny Committee 2 and Licensing Committee 2.

A further report would be submitted to Council making proposals for revisions to the remit of Licensing Committee 2 and the scheme of delegations to officers.

RESOLVED :      1.      That the Statement of Principles be approved.

                        2.      That a further report be submitted in respect of revision to the remit of Licensing Committee 2 and the scheme of delegations to officers.