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

Members were reminded that at the meeting of Council held on 6^th August 2008 advice had been given by the Monitoring Officer in relation to declarations of interest on outside bodies to which they were appointed by the Council.  At that meeting advice was given that Members of the Sedgefield Borough Homes Shadow Board did not receive remuneration and therefore need not declare an interest.

Councillors W. Waters and Mrs. E.M. Paylor, however, indicated that they would be declaring an interest in item 7 on the agenda as Members of the Shadow Board of Sedgefield Borough Homes and would be leaving the meeting.  Councillor J. Robinson, J.P., indicated that although he was not declaring an interest or leaving the meeting he would not take part in the discussion or voting on that item.

Councillor Mrs E. Maddison indicated that she would be declaring a personal and prejudicial interest in Item 6 on the agenda as a member of Spennymoor Town Council.

The Mayor reported that since the meeting on 16^th May 2008 he had attended 80 functions and events including :-Sedgefield Rotary Club Gala Evening at Sedgefield Racecourse, Durham Miners Gala, the opening of the national playday at Trimdon Grange, the unveiling of Chinese banners at The Locomotion and an official visit to Rheinhausen in Germany.

He had also attended a number of golden wedding and diamond wedding anniversary celebrations as well as a 65^th and a 70^th wedding anniversary celebration.  In addition he had attended a number of civic functions and events including “At Homes”, civic services and charity evenings.

The Mayor made particular reference to his annual charity golf tournament at Knotty Hill Golf Course when approximately £3,000 had been raised for his chosen charity, the Butterwick Hospice appeal.  He expressed his appreciation to those members of Leisure Services staff who had been involved in organising the event.

Report of Director of Resources. (copy to follow)

Consideration was given to a report regarding the Audit Commission’s audit of the 2007/8 annual Statement of Accounts (for copy see file of Minutes).

Paul Heppell and Ross Woodley from the Audit Commission were in attendance to present the report.

It was noted that there were a couple of material changes required to the Statement of Accounts which were detailed in paragraphs 17 to 21 and appendix 2 of the Annual Governance Report.  An additional page to the Annual Governance Report and a revised Letter of Representation were circulated (for copy see file of Minutes).

Members were informed that there were some non-trifling amendments which needed to be approved although they had no impact on the financial standing of the authority.  Details of the amendments were outlined at the meeting.

It was noted that the report had been considered by Audit Committee earlier that week when the report was recommended for Council approval.

Tribute was paid to the work which the Director of Resources and his officers had undertaken to complete the accounts and Members appreciation was expressed.

RESOLVED :            That the Statement of Accounts for the year ended 31^st March, 2008, as amended, be approved.

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services.

                  NB :          In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Member’s Code of Conduct, Councillor Mrs. E. Maddison declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item as a member of Spennymoor Town Council and left the meeting for the duration of the discussion and voting thereon.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services (for copy see file of Minutes) regarding the above.

It was explained that under the Town and County Planning (Local Development)(England) Regulations 2004 and the Town and County Planning (Local Development)(England)(Amendment) Regulation 2008, in order to take the document forward, the Borough Council must undertake consultation and part public participation.

Members were informed that DTZ had been commissioned by the Council to assist in the preparation of an Area Action Plan for Spennymoor Town Centre, the aim of which was to create a robust planning policy framework to facilitate the creation of a vibrant and progressive town centre.

It was explained that during the six week period of formal participation there would be a series of events where representatives of the local community could come forward with their views.  The method of consultation would be aligned to those in the statement of community involvement.

The Public Participation Report considered the key issues facing and series of options on how these could be addressed.

RESOLVED :            That the report be published for consultation

Councillor Mrs. E. Maddison then returned to the meeting.

Report of Chief Executive.

         NB :                In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Member’s Code of Conduct, Councillors W. Waters and Mrs. E. M. Paylor declared an interest in this item and left the meeting for the duration of the discussion and voting thereon.

                                 Councillor J. Robinson, J.P., remained in the meeting and took no part in the voting on the item.

Consideration was given to a report of the Chief Executive (for copy see file of Minutes) regarding the appointment of Chief Executive and Senior Management Team of Sedgefield Borough Homes.

The report provided an update on the recruitment and selection process for appointing the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team on Sedgefield Borough Homes and outlined the practical implications of appointments made prior to the transfer date.

RESOLVED :         That the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team of Sedgefield Borough Homes be employed by Sedgefield Borough Council until the transfer to Sedgefield Borough Homes.