To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 10 December 2013.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2013 be confirmed as  a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

None were declared.

A number of residents in Central Bedfordshire had been recognised in the New Year 2014 Honours List:

·         Shirley-Anne Crosbie, Headteacher at The Chiltern School, Caddington became an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for her services to the education of Children with Special Needs;

·         Hazel and Derek Phillips, Foster Carers became Members of the Order of the British Empire for services to children and families;

·         Peter Mead became a Medallist of the Order of the British Empire for services to the community and to a charity in Pulloxhill;

·         Susan Young became a Medallist of the Order of the British Empire for voluntary services to the community in Pulloxhill; and

·         Gillian Wood, District Secretary and District Scout Council became a Medallist of the Order of the British Empire for services to children.

The Chairman announced that the Swimming Pool at Houghton Regis Leisure Centre would be reopening following the award of a new leisure management contract.

No petitions were received.

There was no public participation.

To receive the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 February 2014 to 31 January 2015.

That the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 February 2014 to 31 January 2015 be noted.

RESOLVED

that the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 February 2014 to 31 January 2015 be noted.

The report proposes the draft Budget for 2014/15 and updates the Medium Term Financial Plan as previously approved by Council in February 2013.

That the draft budget proposals for 2014/15 be approved as the basis for consultation with the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and other interested parties.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that proposed the draft Budget for 2014/15 and updated the Medium Term Financial Plan as previously approved by Council in February 2013.  The proposals took account of the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement for 2014/15 which had been announced on 18 December 2013. 

Reason for decision:  To enable consultation on the draft Budget 2014/15 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2014-2018 prior to recommendations by the Executive and full Council in February 2014.

RESOLVED

that the draft budget proposals for 2014/15 be approved as the basis for consultation with the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and other interested parties.

The report proposes the Draft Capital Programme (excluding HRA) for the four years from 1 April 2014.

That the draft Capital Programme for 2014/15 to 2017/18 be approved as the basis for consultation with the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and other interested parties.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that proposed the Draft Capital Programme (excluding the Housing Revenue Account) for the four years from 1 April 2014.  The Capital Programme continued to include a number of large projects, including the requirement to provide Schools Places, the enhanced waste disposal facilities and the proposed Woodside Link.  The development of Flitwick Leisure Centre had also been added to the Medium Term Financial Plan as a reserve scheme. 

Reason for decision:  To enable consultation on the Capital Programme for the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan 2014 – 2018 and associated Prudential indicators.

RESOLVED

that the draft Capital Programme for 2014/15 to 2017/18 be approved as the basis for consultation with the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and other interested parties.

The report sets out the financial position of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).  There are proposals concerning the debt strategy, investment potential and increases to rents. 

That the draft Housing Revenue Account budget proposals for 2014/15 be approved as the basis for public consultation and to engage with tenants.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources and the Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing that set out the financial position of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).  The report contained proposals concerning the debt strategy, investment potential and increases to rent.

In response to questions, the Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing explained that the increase in rent was consistent with the Government’s Rent Convergence.  From 2015/16 all rents would be increased by the Consumer Prices Index plus 1%.  The Council was investigating the opportunities to build new social housing. 

Reason for decision:  To facilitate effective financial management and planning for the HRA under self-financing.

RESOLVED

that the draft Housing Revenue Account budget proposals for 2014/15 be approved as the basis for public consultation and to engage with tenants.

The report sets out the proposed distribution for the Dedicated Schools Grant – School Block.

1.      That the responses to the School Funding Consultation 2014/15 be noted.

2.      That the final proforma be approved for submission to the Education Funding Agency (EFA) by the 21 January 2014.

3.      That the distribution of the Dedicated Schools Grant – Schools Block for 2014-15 be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Children’s Services that set out the proposed distribution for the Dedicated Schools Grant – School Block.  The proposals had been subject to a full consultation process with all Maintained Schools and Academies and more recently considered and recommended for approval by the Schools Forum.

In a response to a question, the Executive Member for Children’s Services was still concerned at the very low level of per pupil funding Central Bedfordshire received from Government.  The F40 Group and the Local Government Association were still lobbying Government about this.

Reason for decision:  To enable the schools individual budgets to be issued by 28 February 2014 as required.

RESOLVED

1.         that the responses to the School Funding Consultation 2014/15 be noted;

2.         that the final proforma be approved for submission to the Education Funding Agency (EFA) by the 21 January 2014; and

3.      that the distribution of the Dedicated Schools Grant – Schools Block for 2014-15 be approved.

The report proposes approval of the Planning Enforcement Plan that sets out the principles to which the planning enforcement function of the Council will be delivered.

That the Planning Enforcement Plan as set out at Appendix A to the report be adopted, subject to clarifying paragraph 3.2 within the Plan.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development that set out the Planning Enforcement Plan and the principles that would guide the work of the Planning Enforcement Team.

In response to questions, the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development confirmed that the Plan would be circulated to Town and Parish Councils in Central Bedfordshire.  He agreed to clarify paragraph 3.2 to ensure that it was recognised that a complainant may occasionally make an initial contact with ward, parish or town Councillors to report a breach of planning control before it was passed to the Planning Enforcement team for action.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to adopt the Planning Enforcement Plan that was in line with recommendations in the National Planning Policy Framework.

RESOLVED

that the Planning Enforcement Plan as set out at Appendix A to the report be adopted, subject to clarifying paragraph 3.2 within the Plan.

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 sets out the background and current position with the Co-op in relation to their remaining leasehold interest on the former retail property in Houghton Regis that burnt down in 2006.

1.      To delegate to the Director of Improvement and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources, the authority to agree the best terms available through mediation for the authority.

2.      In the event that mediation is unsuccessful, delegate to the Director of Improvement and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources, the authority to begin litigation.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the background and current position with the Co-op in relation to their remaining leasehold interest on the former retail property in Houghton Regis that burnt down in 2006 and the potential remedies and legal processes the Council was now looking to pursue.

Reason for decision:  To secure and regain control of the site to enable future redevelopment and prevent the blight effect of the site in the town centre.

RESOLVED

1.      to delegate to the Director of Improvement and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources, the authority to agree the best terms available through mediation for the authority; and

2.      in the event that mediation is unsuccessful, delegate to the Director of Improvement and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources, the authority to begin litigation.