To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 6 April 2010.

RESOLVED

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 April 2010 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any announcements and matters of communication from the Chairman.

There were no communications.

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.

The Executive noted that Agenda Item No 8, Bathroom Refurbishments (Disabled Adaptations in Council owned housing) and Disabled Facilities Grants Contract 2010 – 2013 contained an Exempt Appendix with information that was not for publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part l of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.  Accordingly the Executive agreed that should there be a need to consider the document it could not be dealt with in the public part of the meeting and therefore the press and public would need to be excluded from the meeting during its consideration.

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

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:-

Petition against the proposed Gypsy & Traveller Site A6001, Hitchin Road, Henlow Camp adjacent to Derwent Lower School

Mr K Smith, representative of “Campaign Travellers” presented a petition to the Executive containing approximately 2,500 signatures from the residents of Henlow, Henlow Camp and Lower Stondon objecting to the proposed travellers site being situated next to Derwent School in Henlow. 

The Chairman thanked Mr Smith for presenting the petition to the Executive.  She explained that the petition would be passed to the Local Development Framework (LDF) Task Group and be taken into consideration alongside other representations as part of the Preferred Sites Consultation process that ended on 7 June 2010.  The results of the consultation exercise would then be considered at a public meeting of the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  The Chairman explained that Mr Smith, as lead petitioner, would be advised, in due course, of the date and time of the meeting so that he could attend.   

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 Part A4 of the Constitution.

There were no questions received in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation.

The report proposes to award the Bathroom Refurbishments (Disabled Adaptations in Council owned housing) and Disabled Facilities Grants Contract 2010 - 2013.

That the Bathroom Refurbishments (Disabled Adaptations in Council owned Housing) and Disabled Facilities Grants Contract 2010 – 2013, with an option of extending the contract for a further two years,  be awarded to:-

·              Contactor C – two lots (packages) made up of 1 lot for social housing and 1 lot for Disabled Facilities Grants.

·              Contractor F – 2 lots for Disabled Facilities Grants

·              Contractor I – 1 lot for Disabled Facilities Grants.

The Executive considered a report from Councillor Rita Drinkwater, Portfolio Holder for Housing proposing the award of the Bathroom Refurbishments (Disabled Adaptations in Council owned housing) and Disabled Facilities Grantscontract 2010 – 2013.

This report outlined the outcome of the tendering process which had resulted in the recommendation to award the contract to three contractors for the five lots in the contract; this provided improved value for money for the Council as well as delivering good quality and customer care for disabled clients.  Councillor Mrs Drinkwater explained that the new contract was due to commence on 1 July 2010 for three years, with an option to extend the contract for a further two years.

Reason for decision: To enable the Bathroom Refurbishments (Disabled Adaptations in Council owned Housing) and Disabled Facilities Grants Contract 2010 – 2013 contract to be let.

RESOLVED:

that the Bathroom Refurbishments (Disabled Adaptations in Council owned Housing) and Disabled Facilities Grants Contract 2010 – 2013, with an option of extending the contract for a further two years,  be awarded to:-

·              Contactor C – two lots (packages) made up of 1 lot for social housing and 1 lot for Disabled Facilities Grants.

·              Contractor F – 2 lots for Disabled Facilities Grants

·              Contractor I – 1 lot for Disabled Facilities Grants.

The report proposes the adoption of the Climate Strategy and approach of the Council to tackling climate change and adoption of the Carbon Management Plan which proposes specific actions to reduce the Council’s own carbon footprint.

[NOTE: Members are asked to retain the report for consideration at Council on 24 June 2010]

RECOMMENDED

that the Climate Change Strategy, attached at Appendix A to the submited report, be adopted.

The Executive considered a report from Councillor Tom Nicols, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Development proposing a Climate Change Strategy that would provide the framework on which the Council could take action to cut carbon, be more energy and fuel efficient, cut costs and be prepared for the impacts of a changing climate

(NOTE: A copy of the report had been circulated with the Executive agenda to all Councillors.)

The Executive was advised that the Portfolio Holder had withdrawn his recommendation proposing the Carbon Management Plan (CMP) at this stage, pending further clarification of some of the cost information. It was confirmed that the CMP would be brought back to a future meeting of the Executive for approval.                                                                                                            

Introducing the report in the Portfolio Holder’s absence, Councillor Richard Stay, Portfolio Holder for Policy and Performance explained that the proposed Strategy was a high level framework that would enable the Council to embrace the climate change agenda.  The Strategy acknowledged that action needed to be taken now to avoid substantial costs later, both in inefficiencies, increased fuel and energy costs and in fines. 

The Strategy proposed that the Council:

·        Aim for a 35% reduction in its' own carbon footprint by 2015 and work towards an overall 60% reduction by 2020 (from the 2008/09 baseline). 

·           Work towards achieving level 4 (top level) of NI188 in relation to           preparing for the impacts of a changing climate by 2012/13. 

·          Continue to work towards the current LAA area emissions target of a   10.7% by 2011 and future targets.  

Members were advised that the Strategy would be delivered through the implementation of three supporting plans: the Carbon Management Plan (to be considered at a future meeting of the Executive); the Central Bedfordshire Area CO₂ Emissions Reduction Plan; and the Climate Change Adaptation Plan (both to be developed by the end of 2010/11).

Reason for decision: To enable the Council to fulfil legislative requirements; realise potential efficiency savings from taking action to reduce its carbon footprint and to prepare and protect the Council and its area from the impacts of a changing climate.

RECOMMENDED

that the Climate Change Strategy, attached at Appendix A to the submitted report, be adopted.

The report proposes a draft Single Equality and Diversity Scheme and recommends its adoption to full Council.

[NOTE: Members are asked to retain the report for consideration at Council on 24 June 2010]

RECOMMENDED

that the Draft Single Equality and Diversity Scheme for Central Bedfordshire, as set out in the submitted report, be adopted.

The Executive considered a report from Councillor Richard Stay, Portfolio Holder for Policy and Performance proposing a draft Single Equality and Diversity Scheme for Central Bedfordshire Council.              

(NOTE: A copy of the report had been circulated with the Executive agenda to all Councillors.)

The Portfolio Holder explained that public authorities had statutory duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination and promote equality of opportunity in respect of race, disability and gender.  In recent years, anti–discriminatory legislation had been extended to include age, religion or belief and sexual orientation. The government intended to streamline this legislation later in the year by introducing a single Equality Bill which would also include provisions on age and access to services.  

Members were advised that the draft Single Equality Scheme, which complied with the requirements of the new legislation, had three main dimensions:

• Central Bedfordshire Council’s vision and approach
• An Action Plan
• A toolkit of evidence and guidance to support managers in identifying issues and measuring outcomes.

Responding to comments, Councillor Stay explained that whilst the Council had already made good progress in setting the foundations for tackling inequality, further action would be taken, once the draft Scheme was approved, to articulate it to partners, stakeholders, local communities and employees  to ensure the policy direction and actions were delivered throughout the  whole organisation and beyond.   The Portfolio Holder clarified that any actions over and above the legal requirements would have cost implications and would have to come back to the Executive for consideration.  

During the ensuing discussion the Executive noted a concern about an inconsistency in life expectancy between men and women.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Reason for decision: To ensure that the Council complies with its statutory obligations.

RECOMMENDED

that the Draft Single Equality and Diversity Scheme for Central Bedfordshire, as set out in the submitted report, be adopted.

To consider a proposal received from Councillor Maurice Jones, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and People that the Council adopt a protocol as part of its planning policies for handling “Non Material Amendments Following a Grant of Planning Permission”.

[Note: Councillor Jones has asked that a protocol adopted by  Mid Devon District Council be circulated to Members of the Executive for information.]

That a report be submitted to a future meeting of the Executive on a protocol as part of Central Bedfordshire Council’s planning policies for handling “Non Material Amendments following a Grant of Planning Permission”.

Under Executive Procedure Rule 9.2, Part C4 of the Constitution, the Executive noted a request from Councillor Maurice Jones, Portfolio Holder for Finance, Governance and People that a protocol be adopted as part of Central Bedfordshire Council’s planning policies for handling “Non Material Amendments following a Grant of Planning Permission”.

RESOLVED

the Executive noted that a report would be brought to a future meeting of the Executive on a protocol as part of Central Bedfordshire Council’s planning policies for handling “Non Material Amendments following a Grant of Planning Permission”.