To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 12 May 2009.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 12 May 2009 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To consider proposals, if any, to deal with any item likely to involve disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraph(s) of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 prior to the exclusion of the press and public.

There was no disclosure of exempt information.

To receive the following petition in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Annex 2 in Part 4 of the Constitution:

(i)                 Proposed Plots for Gypsy and Traveller Sites in Houghton Regis

            A petition has been received from Councillor David Jones on behalf of residents in Houghton Regis objecting to the disproportionate allocation of gypsy and traveller sites to Houghton Regis and requesting the drawing up of alternative proposals.

To deal with general questions and statements from members of the public in accordance with the scheme of public participation set out in Appendix A to the Public Participation Scheme.

There were no questions or statements from members of the public in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Appendix A to the Public Participation Scheme.

The Chairman announced that she was going to take Agenda Item 13 – Developing Ultra Low Carbon Vehicles in Central Bedfordshire as the first item of business.

The report responds to the Executive for information and approaches to develop electric vehicles in Central Bedfordshire and suggests how the Sustainable Communities Act could facilitate the growth and delivery of this technology at local level.

1.         That the Executive notes and supports work to promote low carbon vehicles business and research activity across Central Bedfordshire as detailed in the submitted report.

2.                  That a Sustainable Communities Act 2007 bid be prepared for submission to the LGA to support a carbon reduction programme having had regard to input from the Local Strategic Partnership Carbon Reduction Group.

3.         That a further report be brought back to the next meeting of the Executive to prioritise short and longer term resource neutral actions that can be undertken to support the development of ultra low carbon vehicle technologies.

Further to Minute No. E/08/144 of the Executive meeting held on 12 May 2009, the Executive considered a report of the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development setting out approaches to develop electric vehicles in Central Bedfordshire.  The report also set out suggestions as to how the Sustainable Communities Act could facilitate the growth and delivery of this technology at local level.

Introducing the report the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development reminded the Executive that the report before it had been generated as a result of a specific request of Cllr Lawrence (Minute No. E/08/144 refers) on whether Central Bedfordshire would put forward any proposals under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007.

The submitted report comprised three parts - local activities; local car production; and actions and options for the Executive to consider under the Sustainable Communities Act.

The Executive recognised that significant amount of innovative and exciting  activity was already going on across Central Bedfordshire, including work to promote low carbon vehicle business and research activity, which it fully supported.  Members also recognised the importance of Millbrook Proving Ground continuing as a viable activity in the area and the need to increase public support for its retention and expansion. 

The Executive noted that in looking at ideas for submission it must promote sustainable communities as defined in the Act and it must be something that the Government could do, and was not already doing. Recognising that ideas must be community led and being consious of the vast amount of work already going on the Executive agreed that in parallel to considering what the authority could bid for it should have regard to input from the Local Strategic Partnership Carbon Reduction Group.

Reason for decision:  The report is at the request to the Director of Sustainable Communities at the Executive meeting held on 12 May 2009.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the Executive notes and supports work to promote low carbon vehicles business and research activity across Central Bedfordshire as detailed in the submitted report.

2.                  That a Sustainable Communities Act 2007 bid be prepared for submission to the LGA to support a carbon reduction programme having had regard to input from the Local Strategic Partnership Carbon Reduction Group.

3.         That a further report be brought back to the next meeting of the Executive to prioritise short and longer term resource neutral actions that can be undertaken to support the development of ultra low carbon vehicle technologies.

To consider the Preferred Options for the Luton and South Bedfordshire Local Development Framework Core Strategy and respond to the consultation accordingly.

That the Executive supports the Luton and South Bedfordshire Core Strategy Preferred Options.

The Executive considered a report from the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development detailing a proposed response to the Luton and South Bedfordshire Joint Technical Unit’s consultation on the Preferred Options for the Luton and South Bedfordshire Local Development Framework Core Strategy.

Introducing the report the Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development clarified that the Preferred Options set out the spatial development strategy for the area and associated policy.  The Government’s growth agenda required significant new development is delivered in the area. The Preferred Options paper would enable the authority to deliver and manage the Government’s required growth levels for the area, ensuring delivery was carried out in the most sustainable way.  The key objectives of the Preferred Options included the provision of a framework of strategic transport infrastructure; concentrating development within existing urban areas and the main conurbation first; strategic urban extensions; and, delivering locally appropriate rural development.

Reason for decision:  The preferred options will provide for the growth requirements of the Luton and South Bedfordshire area in the most sustainable way.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive supports the Luton and South Bedfordshire Core Strategy Preferred Options.

[Note: this decision is exempt from call-in as the Luton and South Bedfordshire Joint Technical Unit deadline for responses expired on 12 June.  An extension to this deadline had been granted to enable the Executive to consider the preferred options.  The decision was therefore urgent and exempt from call-in as any delay caused by the call-in process could result in the Councils views not being taken into account and prejudice the Councils interest.]

The report outlines the options for the future of special schooling in the east of Central Bedfordshire in the light of the recommendations of the SEN Review, and asks the Executive to consider initiating a consultation on these options.

That the Council carries out a formal consultation on the options for the future of special schooling in the east of Central Bedfordshire during Autumn 2009, in order to inform the Executive’s future decision making.

The Executive considered a report from the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services outlining options for the future for special schooling in the east of Central Bedfordshire in the light of recommendations of the SEN Review.  An addendum to the report was also tabled setting out prospective numbers for Hitchmead and Sunnyside Schools for September 2009 as at 22 June 2009.

The Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services advised the Executive that agreement was being sought to start a consultation process in the Autumn on the first stage of developing special schooling in the east of Central Bedfordshire.  Whilst four options were identified, as detailed in the report, the consultation process allowed respondents to submit suggestions for consideration alongside the identified options.

The Executive noted that the decision to go out to consultation was the result of the recommendations of the SEN Review carried out by Bedfordshire County Council’s Executive which were endorsed by the Central Bedfordshire Transition Task Force – Children, Young People and Families on 6 June 2008 endorsed the recommendations of the SEN Review.  The Task Force also endorsed the concept of Area Special Schools, described in Appendix 1 of the submitted report.

Responding to comments and questions the Portfolio Holder advised the Executive that this was the first stage of the consultation process, consulting widely with a broad range of interested parties.  Statutory consultation on any specific options would follow once a report had been brought back to the Executive outlining the responses and identifying preferred options.

In noting that a consultation process had already been set up to consult ward Members on the proposal, the Executive agreed that this should be broadened to include consultation with neighbouring ward Members.  It was noted that the consultation document would be circulated to all Councillors.

Reason for decision:  So that the Council discharges its duty to consult in order to secure the future of special school provision in an efficient way that meets the needs of children and young people with complex needs.

RESOLVED:

That the Council carries out a formal consultation on the options for the future of special schooling in the east of Central Bedfordshire during Autumn 2009, in order to inform the Executive’s future decision making.

The report proposes that the Executive give consent to Bedfordshire Police for the implementation of a Dispersal Order in Flitwick under Part 4 of the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003.

That Bedfordshire Police be given consent for the implementation of a Dispersal Order in Flitwick under Part 4 of the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003.

The Executive considered a report from the Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities seeking consent for Bedfordshire Police to implement a Dispersal Order in Flitwick under Part 4 of the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003.

The Portfolio Holder advised that Bedfordshire Police had made an application for a Dispersal Order to cover the Coniston Road area of Flitwick to support a reduction in the number of incidents in the town centre area.  The order had been requested for a period of six months.

During consideration of the report, Members sought assurance that the supporting exit strategy for the Dispersal Order which identified diversionary activities that would be taking place in conjunction with the Dispersal Order, would be properly delivered.

Reason for decision:  The Dispersal Order for Flitwick gives Bedfordshire Police additional powers to address long standing anti social behaviour issues in the area.

RESOLVED:

That Bedfordshire Police be given consent for the implementation of a Dispersal Order in Flitwick under Part 4 of the Anti Social Behaviour Act 2003.

This report seeks approval for the Information Governance and Security Policy which is the final policy document in the Council’s suite of information management policies to be presented to the Executive.  This Policy incorporates the Statement of Application of Information Management Policies to elected Members at Annex A to the Policy.

1.         That the Information Governance and Security      Policy, attached at    Appendix A to the submitted report, be approved.

2.                  That responsibility for the insertion of changes requested by the Executive be delegated to the Assistant Director Policy, Partnerships & Performance and the Assistant Director Property & ICT in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Portfilio holder for Business Transformation.

The Executive considered a report from the Portfolio Holder for Business Transformation seeking approval to an Information Governance and Security Policy which formed part of the Council’s suite of information management policies which had been circulated with the Chairman’s Briefing notes and replaced the report attached to the agenda papers. 

The Executive noted the following changes that had been included in the revised report:-

• A new opening sentence had been added to the introduction of the Policy stating that “This Policy sets a new culture of information use in Central Bedfordshire, with the Council operating to a default principle of its information being open, transparent and in the public domain – except wherefore legislative reasons, access to/use of information is restricted.”

• A new opening sentence had been added to Responsibilities - Section 3 of the policy – stating that “The ultimate responsibility for ensuring open and transparent use of the Councils information rests with the chief information officer (the Director of Business Transformation).”

• Annex A containing the Statement of Application of Information Management policies to elected Members set out in the original report had been deleted.  With the first three listed priorities being geared more towards staff, individual policies would be developed for Members for acceptable use; Information and Records Management; and Data Protection Policy.

It was noted that when taking the three Member policies referred to above through a future meeting of the Executive, a statement would also be included on implications for Members regarding Freedom of Information, Environmental Information Regulations and Re-use of Public Sector Information.  It was further noted that because of the removal of the three Member policies referred to in recommendation C of the original  report which sought approval of the Statement of Application of Information Management Policies to elected Members had been removed.  A paragraph had been added to the covering report explaining that specific policies would be developed for Members in these three areas.

Reason for decision:  Central Bedfordshire Council has a need to meet a number of national standards and legal requirements relating to information and its management.  Compliance is ensured and evidenced through an approved suite of information management policies of which the Information Governance and Security Policy that is the subject of this report is one element.  The Policy is also a prerequisite of the Government Connect Code of Connectivity (CoCo).

RESOLVED:

1.         That the Information Governance and Security Policy, attached at          Appendix A to the submitted report, be approved.

2.                  That responsibility for the insertion of changes requested by the Executive be delegated to the Assistant Director Policy, Partnerships & Performance and the Assistant Director Property & ICT in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Portfolio holder for Business Transformation.

The report proposes the approval of the Food Law Enforcement Service Plan 2009-2010,the Age Restricted Sales Plan 2009-2010 and the Health and Safety (as a Regulator) Service Plan 2009-2010.

1.         That the Food Law Enforcement Service Plan 2009-2010, the Age Restricted Sales Plan 2009-2010 and the Health and Safety (as a Regulator) Service Plan 2009-2010 attached as Appendices A, B and C respectively to the submitted report be approved.

2.         That the Assistant Director Community Safety and Public Protection, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, be given delegated authority to  undertake any necessary minor amendments to the plans prior to publication.

The Executive considered a report from the Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities proposing the approval of the Law Enforcement Service Plan 2009-2010, the Age Restrictive Sales Plan 2009-2010 and the Health and Safety (as a Regulator) Service Plan 2009-2010, together with a tabled addendum to the report detailing a number of typographical changes made to the Health and Safety Service Plan since publication of the agenda.

Reason for decisions:  So that the Service continues to meet its obligations with respect to its relevant enforcement responsibilities in 2009-2010 in accordance with statutory guidance.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the Food Law Enforcement Service Plan 2009-2010, the Age Restricted Sales Plan 2009-2010 and the Health and Safety (as a Regulator) Service Plan 2009-2010 attached as Appendices A, B and C respectively to the submitted report be approved.

2.         That the Assistant Director Community Safety and Public Protection, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Safer and Stronger Communities, be given delegated authority to  undertake any necessary minor amendments to the plans prior to publication.

To report on the Business Improvement Plan progress, (formerly know as the Consolidation Plan) requested at the Executive of the 12th May 2009.

1.         That the key activities in the development of the Business Transformation Plan be noted.

2.         That the longer term Business Transformation Strategy, including an update on progress made on the Business Improvement Plan and efficiencies identified, be brought to the Executive in the Autumn.

The Executive considered a report from the Portfolio Holder for Business Transformation reporting on the Business Improvement Plan progress (formerly known as the Consolidation Plan) requested at the Executive meeting on 12 May 2009.

Introducing the report the Portfolio Holder emphasised that a key element in moving the new Council forward was embedding a business transformation culture throughout the authority.  Business Transformation Champions had therefore been added to each of the three spending directorates to help embed this culture throughout the authority. 

Reason for decision:  So that the Executive can understand the scope and development of the Business Transformation Plan and monitor the progress on business improvement activities.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the key activities in the development of the Business Transformation Plan be noted.

2.         That the longer term Business Transformation Strategy, including an update on progress made on the Business Improvement Plan and efficiencies identified, be brought to the Executive in the Autumn.

To receive a report giving details of decisions taken by directors on grounds of urgency.

That the report detailing a decision taken by the Director of Business Transformation on grounds of urgency be noted.  

The Executive received a report from the Leader of the Council detailing a decision taken by the Director of Business Transformation on grounds of urgency following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Business Transformation.

Reason for decision:  The procedure for reporting decisions (including urgent decisions) taken by Directors following consultation with the appropriate Portfolio Holder is set out in the Councils Constitution (H3 Scheme of Delegation to Directors, paragraph 3.5 and Appendix A).  The Code of Practice for taking such decisions required details of the decisions taken by Directors to be reported to the appropriate Committee.

RESOLVED:

That the report detailing a decision taken by the Director of Business Transformation on grounds of urgency be noted. 

To receive the Forward Plan for the period 1 July 2009 to 31 June 2009 to be published on 15 June 2009.  

The Forward Plan for the period 1 July 2009 to 31 August 2010 was received.