A minutes silence was held as a mark of respect for John Armstrong, former Human Resources Manager, and Martin Smith, Head of Housing Business Development, both valued and respected members of staff, who had sadly recently died.

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

Members were advised by the Monitoring Officer of those circumstances where a personal and/or prejudicial interest need not be declared viz: nomination to outside bodies by the Council provided that no prejudicial interest arise.  It was noted that Board members did not receive remuneration and therefore need not declare a interests.

No Declarations of Interest were received. 

Report to follow.

Consideration was given to a report of the Chief Executive (for copy see file of minutes) the purpose of which was to formally communicate to the Council the results from the Housing Stock Transfer Ballot and to seek approval to set up Sedgefield Borough Homes as a Registered Social Landlord.

It was explained that, following approval by Council in October 2007 for Large Scale Voluntary Transfer to a standalone Registered Social Landlord, the Council had been formally consulting with its secure and introductory tenants on a proposal to transfer its housing stock and associated assets to Sedgefield Borough Homes, an independent, not-for profit social landlord which would be registered with the Housing Association.

The ballot which was undertaken by the Electoral Reform Society commenced on 4^th July 2008 and ended on 1^st August 2008.

The percentage of tenants  taking part in the vote was 66.7% with 74.2% supporting the proposal and 25.8% not supporting the proposal.

Members expressed there appreciation to the Director of Housing, the Chief Executive and Management Team and all staff involved in the process, for the work which had been undertaken.

RESOLVED:  1. That the Council proceeds with the proposed transfer to Sedgefield Borough Homes subject to the Council’s final approval of the valuation, the terms of the transfer contract and to the obtaining of all necessary statutory consents.

2. That an application be made to the Department for Communities and Local Government for all necessary statutory consents in respect of the proposed transfer at the appropriate time.

3. That the Council’s Chief Executive or nominated deputy be authorised to consider and resolve all matters on behalf of the Council in relation to the proposed transfer to Sedgefield Borough Homes.

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 3 of Schedule 12a of the Act.

Report to follow.

Consideration was given to a report of the Chief Executive (for copy see file of minutes) advising members on the work to be undertaken to support the transfer of the housing stock to Sedgefield Borough Homes, providing a summary of estimated costs and appointing consultants to provide core advice.

RESOLVED:             That the report be received and the recommendations contained therein adopted.