Minutes for Executive meeting, Nov 4 2009, 10.00AM official page

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2009.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 7 October 2009 were signed as a correct record.

Councillors/Staff to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda, in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

10.       Senior Management Team.

            David Martin; Personal and Prejudicial; Due to his being on the Senior Management Team.

10.       Senior Management Team.

            Harry Dyke; Personal and Prejudicial; Due to his being on the Senior Management Team.

10.       Senior Management Team.

            Paul Bramley; Personal and Prejudicial; Due to his being on the Senior Management Team.

10.       Senior Management Team.

            Sharon Thompson; Personal and Prejudicial; Due to her being on the Senior Management Team.

Councillors J MacLeod and A Smith attended the meeting under Standing Order Number 36.

To answer questions from members of the public – 2 days notice of which must have been given in writing or by electronic mail.

None received.

The Leader informed those present that there had been some speculation from the press of late surrounding the number of Allerdale Borough Councillors in relation to ward size. The Council had contacted the Boundary Commission and had been told that they would be in Cumbria for a review in 2011 which would not be in time for the upcoming 2010 and 2011 elections. Any of their recommendations would then come in to force in time for the 2015 elections.

The subject of the decision:

The Interim Director of Customer Services and the Head of Regeneration submitted a report which sought to provide members with an update on a number of suggested courses of action to offset the negative impacts of the recession.

Members noted that 13 out of the remaining 23 action areas had now been completed (56%).

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To provide an update of progress to date in implementing courses of action to offset the impacts of the recession.

The decision:

Resolved – That the contents of the report and progress made towards the completion of the Recession Planning Programme Management Plan be noted.

The subject of the decision:

The Head of Environment submitted a report to inform members of the strategic priorities agreed by the CDRP Strategy Group in the Strategic Assessment (2008-11), refreshed in 2009, and the draft budget for its implementation in 2009/10.

Members noted that the strategic priorities were Violent Crime, Domestic Abuse, Criminal Damage and Antisocial Behaviour, Casualty Reduction, Drugs and Alcohol, Public Perception and Engagement, Neighbourhoods and Localities and Burglary which had just been introduced as a new priority theme.

Funding for the work of the CDRP came from Cumbria County Council and the Home Office where funding was channelled through mainstream Police Basic Command Unit (BCU) budgets. The funding streams were coordinated within the CDRP Budget Strategy but only the County Council Safer and Stronger Communities funds resources came through Allerdale Borough Council’s accounts.

Alternative options considered:

Not to accept the recommendations and not become a signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding.

The reason for the decision:

To formalise the arrangements for the control of the West Cumbria CDRP budget for 2009/10 and safeguard the Council’s position as the body responsible for overseeing the expenditure.

The decision:

Resolved – That;

a)     The amendment to the West Cumbria Crime and Disorder Strategic Assessment and its strategic priorities (2008-11) be noted and the 2009/10 budget be agreed

b)     The Council becomes a signatory to the Memorandum of Understanding (subject to confirmation of the terms of the Appendix)

c)      The Council accounts for the use of funding received from Cumbria County Council, supporting the Partnership by completing the necessary financial returns.

The subject of the decision:

The Director of Partnerships and Community and the Regeneration Strategy Services Manager submitted a report which sought to update on progress toward meeting the local authority requirements to provide accommodation for the Gypsy and Traveller Community.

Members noted that The Housing Act 2004, S225 placed a requirement upon local authorities to conduct a Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation Assessment (GTAA) to identify land for new Gypsy sites by 2007. Each regional assembly area in England had assessed the GTAA’s findings and allocated pitch numbers that each authority would need to provide.

For Allerdale this meant a total of 20 residential pitches and 5 transit pitches.

Those present noted the update report and agreed that they saw Scrutiny playing a crucial role when looking for the requested sites.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To note progress made and to consider recommendations.

The decision:

Resolved – That the contents of the report and progress made towards the requirement to make the provision be noted.

The subject of the decision:

The Interim Democratic Services Co-ordinator submitted a report which asked members to agree to a change in the Allerdale member representative appointed to sit on the Health Sub-committee of West Cumbria Strategic Partnership outside body.

Those present noted that Councillor Standage wished to stand down as the Councils representative on the outside body and that Councillor Hunter was nominated as the obvious replacement as he was already the representative on the Health and Well Being Scrutiny Committee outside body. Councillor McCarron-Holmes was nominated as the substitute representative for the same reasons.    

Alternative options considered:

Not to have Council representation on the outside body.

The reason for the decision:

To approve a change to the membership and ensure that Allerdale Borough Council had representation on the outside body.

The decision:

Resolved – That Councillor Standage be replaced by Councillor Hunter on the Health Sub-Committee of West Cumbria Strategic Partnership outside body be agreed.

“That under Section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the 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 part 1 of Schedule 12 (a) of the Act.”

P Bramley, H Dyke, D Martin and S Thompson all declared a prejudicial interest and left the room for this item.

The subject of the decision:

The Chief Executive submitted a report which sought the agreement of the remuneration of the Senior Management Team.

Those present noted that due to the new Strategic Managers roles being substantially different from the current Directors and Heads of Service they needed to be independently evaluated. This work had been carried out by the North West Employers Organisation (NWEO).

Alternative options considered:

Not to accept the recommendations from NWEO.

The reason for the decision:

To agree salary scales for the new Senior Management Team following a reduction in the number of senior managers.

The decision:

Resolved - That;

a)     The maximum salaries proposed by the North West Employers Association for the new Senior Management Team be agreed

b)     The recommendation for each of the posts of Deputy Chief Executive and Strategic Managers comprise three increments starting at £4,000 below the maximum proposed

c)      The posts of Deputy Chief Executive and Strategic Manager fall within the purview of the Joint Negotiating Committee for Chief Officers.