To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 18 March 2013.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2013 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to showing Cllr Egan as being in attendance.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

None were declared.

To receive any matters of communication from the Chairman.

The Chairman welcomed Marcel Coiffait the new Community Services Director and congratulated the following on being appointed to their new roles:

·        Deb Clarke, Director of Improvement and Corporate Services

·        Gerard Jones, Assistant Director of Children’s Services

·        Elizabeth Saunders, Assistant Director of Commissioning, Adult Social Services.

The Chairman announced that the Council had won the prestigious Public Sector People Manager’s award for its recruitment campaign for Social Workers which resulted in 23 social workers being hired.

The Chairman advised that Broadband Delivery UK had increased the grant for the project being progressed by Central Bedfordshire in conjunction with Bedford and Milton Keynes by £800,000 to achieve the 90% target for the delivery of Broadband to the area. 

To consider petitions received in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

1)      ePetition - Age Range Changes in Dunstable – 177 signatures.

In accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Annex 2 of Part 4 of the Constitution, the Executive received the following petition:-

1.      Petition to request Central Bedfordshire Council to arrange a public meeting that would address the short and long term consequences of the age range changes currently proposed and submitted by different schools in Dunstable

Mr Tinch presented an e-petition with a total of 178 signatures urging the Council to arrange a public meeting that would address the short and long term consequences of the age range changes currently proposed and submitted by different schools in Dunstable.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services thanked Mr Tinch for providing copies of the information discussed at a meeting held on 13 May.  In addition, the Executive Member confirmed that Central Bedfordshire would be holding a meeting on 22 May in the evening to consider the issue.

To receive the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 May 2013 to 30 April 2014.

That the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 June 2013 to 31 May 2014 be noted.

RESOLVED

that the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 June 2013 to 31 May 2014 be noted.

To respond to general questions and statements from members of the public in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Appendix A of Part A4 of the Constitution.

The following statement was received in accordance with the Public Participation Scheme:

1.      Cllr John Westbury, Eggington Parish Council

         Cllr Westbury, of Eggington Parish Council, spoke to Agenda item 8 ‘East of Leighton Linslade Framework Plan’.  Cllr Westbury raised questions about the impact on the local community of Eggington and surrounding villages should the Framework Plan be approved.

         The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development explained that the Framework was a high level plan which would provide technical guidance for development management purposes.  There had been 132 responses to the consultation with 50 responses opposed to the Framework and 82 responses in favour or making constructive suggestions to the Framework.

The report proposes that the Executive adopt the Framework Plan as Technical Guidance for Development Management purposes.  Please note Appendix A is to follow.

That the Leighton Linslade Framework Plan be adopted as technical guidance for Development Management purposes.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development that proposed the East of Leighton Linslade Framework Plan be adopted as technical guidance for development management purposes.  The Plan would guide development and set out the vision and the aims expected of what was a significant development at Leighton-Linslade.

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development thanked Members for sharing their knowledge of local issues.  He assured that the issues raised would be considered as part of the development process. 

Reason for decision:  To provide planning guidance to the development of the East Leighton Linslade Strategic Allocation, proposed to be allocated in the Development Strategy for Central Bedfordshire.

RESOLVED

that the Leighton Linslade Framework Plan be adopted as technical guidance for Development Management purposes.

The report proposes that the Executive acknowledge the grant funding from the Department for Transport for the above cycle route and approve its inclusion in the Capital Programme.

That the inclusion of funding obtained from Central Government as part of the Government’s Cycle Safety Fund in the Capital Programme be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development that acknowledged the grant funding of £125,000 from the Department for Transport’s Cycle Safety Fund for the Cycle Route between Cranfield Village and Cranfield University and Technology Park and proposed its inclusion in the Capital Programme.  This initiative had to be delivered in the period 2013/14.

Reason for decision:  To enable commencement of work so that funding is not put at risk.

RESOLVED

that the inclusion of funding obtained from Government as part of the Government’s Cycle Safety Fund in the Capital Programme be approved.

The purpose of this report is to request Executive approval of the Housing Asset Management Strategy.

That the Housing Assessment Management Strategy (HAMS) be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing that set out the proposed Housing Asset Management Strategy.  The Strategy addressed the use of land, buildings, new development, disposals, and physical regeneration that would be aligned to Council led initiatives to take forward economic and social regeneration to maximise the impact that could be achieved.

Reason for decision: To enable detailed plans for maintenance, improvement regeneration and new build of the Council’s housing stock, together with new business initiatives, to be progressed.

RESOLVED

that the Housing Assessment Management Strategy (HAMS) be approved.

To approve a budget for project management and design team services so that the Council can consider the feasibility of delivering a new leisure centre in Flitwick.

1.      That in accordance with the Council’s Code of Procurement Governance and the procurement strategy set out in paragraphs 22 – 30 in the report,  procurement of consultancy support for project management and design team services be approved.

2.      That the use of funding from existing schemes within the Capital Programme be approved as set out in paragraph 7 of the report.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services that proposed the procurement of a consultant in project management and design team services to enable the Council to consider the feasibility of delivering a new leisure centre in Flitwick. 

The Chairman of the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee requested that the consultants report be reviewed by Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee prior to consideration by the Executive.  Concerns were raised about the amount of expenditure todate and the length of time the negotiations with Flitwick Town Council have taken.  The Assistant Executive Member for Sustainable Communities - Services confirmed that the consultants report would be reviewed by Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee prior to the Executive.

The Chairman declared a personal interest in the item as his son was a member of the sports centre.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to consider the options for a new leisure centre in Flitwick.

RESOLVED

1.      that in accordance with the Council’s Code of Procurement Governance and the procurement strategy set out in paragraphs 22 – 30 in the report,  procurement of consultancy support for project management and design team services be approved; and

2.      that the use of funding from existing schemes within the Capital Programme be approved as set out in paragraph 7 of the report.

This report outlines seven projects within the New School Places Programme 2013/14 – 2017/18 where local pressures of demographic growth require new school places to be provided from September 2015.

1.      That the commencement of informal consultation and the publication of statutory notices for the proposal to expand Russell Lower School, Ampthill from its current capacity of 300 places to provide a total of 450 places with an implementation date of September 2015 be supported.  That the school be invited to prepare a business case, the outcome of which will be subject to approval by the Council’s Executive in its final determination in December 2013.

2.      That the commencement of informal consultation and the publication of statutory notices by the School’s Governing Body for the proposal to expand St Andrews CofE VC Lower, Biggleswade from its current capacity of 450 places to provide a total of 750 places across two sites  with an implementation date of September 2015 be supported.  That the school be invited to prepare a business case, the outcome of which will be subject to approval by the Council’s Executive in its final determination in December 2013.

3.      That the Academy of Holywell Middle School be invited to prepare a business case, the outcome of which will be subject to approval by the Council’s Executive in December 2013 and to undertake consultation and approval processes required as an Academy by the Education Funding Agency to expand from its current capacity of 544 places to provide 720 places with an implementation date of September 2015.

4.      That the Academy of Cranfield Lower School be invited to prepare a business case, the outcome of which will be subject to approval by the Council’s Executive in December 2013 and to undertake consultation and approval processes required as an Academy by the Education Funding Agency to expand from its current capacity of 300 places to provide 450 places across two sites with an implementation date of September 2015.

5.      That the academy of St Marys Lower School be invited to prepare a business case, the outcome of which will be subject to approval by the Council’s Executive in December 2013 for commencement of the proposed expenditure as outlined in the New School Places Programme, attached at Appendix A to the report, to expand from its current capacity of 225 places to provide 300 places with an implementation date of September 2015.

6.      That the detailed capital business case attached at Appendix B to the report and the proposals of Bedfordshire East Multi Academy Trust to:

(a)    expand the Academy of Robert Bloomfield Middle School to provide 840 permanent places with an implementation date of September 2015; and

(b)    expand Etonbury Academy from its current capacity of 480 places to provide a total of 600 middle schools places and a further 300 places to serve the upper school age range with an implementation date of September 2014 be approved.

         Thereby approving the commencement of the projects and related expenditure, subject to Education Funding Agency approval of the Etonbury Academy proposal and the granting of relevant Planning permissions.

7.      That the detailed capital business case attached at Appendix C to the report,  ...  view the full decision text for item 11.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Children’s Services that outlined seven projects within the New School Places Programme 2013/14 – 2017/18 where local pressures of demographic growth required new school places to be provided from September 2015 and one project within the New School Places Programme with a target completion date of September 2014.

Reason for decision:  To ensure the Council continues to meet its statutory obligations to provide sufficient school places and also to meet the legal requirements placed on the Council by the Education and Inspections Act 2006 regarding proposals to expand maintained schools.  Commitment to expenditure and final approval of the proposals set out in recommendations 1-5 would be determined by the Council’s Executive in December 2013, informed by the outcome of the consultation exercises, Education Funding Agency approvals where relevant, and business cases which would be prepared by each School or Academy.

RESOLVED

1.      that the commencement of informal consultation and the publication of statutory notices for the proposal to expand Russell Lower School, Ampthill from its current capacity of 300 places to provide a total of 450 places with an implementation date of September 2015.  The school would also be invited to prepare a business case, the outcome of which would be subject to approval by the Council’s Executive in its final determination in December 2013;

2.      that the commencement of informal consultation and the publication of statutory notices by the School’s Governing Body for the proposal to expand St Andrews CofE VC Lower, Biggleswade from its current capacity of 450 places to provide a total of 750 places across two sites  with an implementation date of September 2015 be supported.  The school would also be invited to prepare a business case, the outcome of which would be subject to approval by the Council’s Executive in its final determination in December 2013;

3.      that the Academy of Holywell Middle School be invited to prepare a business case, the outcome of which would be subject to approval by the Council’s Executive in December 2013 and to undertake consultation and approval processes required as an Academy by the Education Funding Agency to expand from its current capacity of 544 places to provide 720 places with an implementation date of September 2015;

4.      that the Academy of Cranfield Lower School be invited to prepare a business case, the outcome of which would be subject to approval by the Council’s Executive in December 2013 and to undertake consultation and approval processes required as an Academy by the Education Funding Agency to expand from its current capacity of 300 places to provide 450 places across two sites with an implementation date of September 2015;

5.      that the academy of St Marys Lower School be invited to prepare a business case, the outcome of which would be subject to approval by the Council’s Executive in December 2013 for commencement of the proposed expenditure as outlined in the New School Places Programme, attached at Appendix A to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To consider whether to pass a resolution under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the Press and Public from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that the consideration of the item is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED

that in accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The report proposes to seek approval to make the Central Bedfordshire Council (London Road Retail Park) Compulsory Purchase Order 2013 in order to acquire interests in the land comprising the existing London Road Retail Park. 

That the course of action contained in recommendations 1 and 2 of the exempt report be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that sought approval for the proposed Central Bedfordshire Council (London Road Retail Park) Compulsory Purchase Order 2013 in order to acquire interests in the land comprising the existing London Road Retail Park.

Reason for decision:  In order to avoid further delay and in accordance with the advice contained within paragraph 24 of Circular 06/2004 it is considered sensible to initiate the formal compulsory purchase process whilst continuing further negotiations with the relevant parties.

RESOLVED

that the course of action contained in recommendations 1 and 2 of the exempt report be approved.