To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 31 May 2011.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 31 May 2011 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following amendment:-

• Members in Attendance – add Councillor Mrs Barker as present.

To receive any matters of communication from the Chairman.

The Chairman, by virtue of the authority vested in him in accordance with Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, had agreed to allow an item on the Luton and southern Central Bedfordshire Core Strategy – Memorandum of Understanding with Luton Borough Council on continued joint workingto be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency. 

The Chairman advised Members that a question had been raised by a member of the public, Mr Konstantinidis, at the Audit Committee meeting on 27 June 2011.  The question had been referred to the Executive and the Executive Member for Corporate Resources explained that a written response would be provided to Mr Konstantinidis. 

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

No petitions were received.

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.

No members of the public had registered to speak.

To receive the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 July 2011 – 30 June 2012.

that the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012 be noted.

RESOLVED

that the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012 be noted.

To seek agreement to the adoption of the Strategy and Masterplan as a Supplementary Planning Document.

That the Biggleswade Town Centre Strategy and Masterplan be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document as part of the Local Development Framework for Central Bedfordshire (North).

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Member for Sustainable Communities Planning and Strategy that set out the Biggleswade Town Centre Strategy and Masterplan as a Supplementary Planning Document as part of the Local Development Framework for Central Bedfordshire (North). 

Reason for decision:  To enable the Town Centre Strategy and Masterplan to provide a strategic lead to the improvement and regeneration of Biggleswade Town Centre.

RESOLVED

that the Biggleswade Town Centre Strategy and Masterplan be adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document as part of the Local Development Framework for Central Bedfordshire (North).

This report outlines the requirement by Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (BRCC) for a loan of up to £500,000 from Central Bedfordshire Council to support cash flow in the delivery of the Rural Development Program for England (RDPE) for the Greensands Ridge area.

1.      That the loan as set out in 2. below is approved on the basis that the arrangements will have no adverse impact on the approved 2011/12 Revenue Budget and that this arrangement is not covered by the Treasury Management Strategy and is therefore within the approval powers of the Executive.

2.      That using the powers available under Section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000, a loan facility of up to £500,000 be approved to enable Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity to fulfil its role as the accountable body on behalf of the Greensand Ridge Local Action Group in the delivery of the European Funded Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Greensand Ridge Rural Development Programme (2008-13).

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources outlining the requirement by Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity (BRCC) for a loan of up to £500,000 from Central Bedfordshire Council to support cash flow in the delivery of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) for the Greensands Ridge area.

The Executive Member for Corporate Resources moved the following revised recommendations, which were duly seconded:

“1.     that the loan as set out in 2. below is approved on the basis that the arrangements will have no adverse impact on the approved 2011/12 Revenue Budget and that this arrangement is not covered by the Treasury Management Strategy and is therefore within the approval powers of the Executive; and

2.      that using the powers available under Section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000, a loan facility of up to £500,000 be approved to enable Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity to fulfil its role as the accountable body on behalf of the Greensand Ridge Local Action Group in the delivery of the European Funded Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Greensand Ridge Rural Development Programme (2008-13).”

Members were advised that the Central Bedfordshire Together Board at its meeting on 5 July 2011 had supported the use of its resources to support the interest costs of the proposed loan.  At this meeting partners expressed a desire for the Rural Development Programme in Central Bedfordshire to be focussed towards young unemployed people, wherever possible.

Reason for decision:  To enable continued delivery of the RDPE Greensand Ridge Rural Development Programme.

RESOLVED

1.      that the loan as set out in 2. below is approved on the basis that the arrangements will have no adverse impact on the approved 2011/12 Revenue Budget and that this arrangement is not covered by the Treasury Management Strategy and is therefore within the approval powers of the Executive; and

2.      that using the powers available under Section 2 of the Local Government Act 2000, a loan facility of up to £500,000 be approved to enable Bedfordshire Rural Communities Charity to fulfil its role as the accountable body on behalf of the Greensand Ridge Local Action Group in the delivery of the European Funded Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) Greensand Ridge Rural Development Programme (2008-13).

To seek approval to a variation of the existing Capital Scheme to enable procurement processes to commence for a replacement Integrated Children’s System. This will replace the existing ICT system.

This item was discussed after the resolution to exclude the Press and Public from the meeting, please see Integrated Children's System Replacement - Business Case below for further details.

This item was deferred to minute no. E/11/34 and considered in conjunction with the Business Case, as this item contained information about the financial or business affairs of the Council.

The report proposes the opportunity for Central Bedfordshire Council to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding regarding continued joint working with Luton Borough Council on plan-making.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

1.      To note the current position in respect of the Core Strategy as outlined in the report and the terms of the draft Memorandum of Understanding, in order to facilitate continued joint working between Luton Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council.

2.      To authorise the Chief Executive, following consultation with the Leader of the Council, to approve the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding following further discussions with Luton Borough Council.

The Executive considered a report on the proposed arrangements for Central Bedfordshire Council to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding, attached at Appendix A, regarding continued joint working with Luton Borough Council on plan-making.

The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development moved the following revised recommendations, which were duly seconded:

“1.     to note the current position in respect of the Core Strategy as outlined in the report and the terms of the draft Memorandum of Understanding, in order to facilitate continued joint working between Luton Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council; and

2.      to authorise the Chief Executive, following consultation with the Leader of the Council, to approve the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding following further discussions with Luton Borough Council.”

Reason for decision:  To enable progress to be made on important Local Development Framework documents.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

1.      to note the current position in respect of the Core Strategy as outlined in the report and the terms of the draft Memorandum of Understanding, in order to facilitate continued joint working between Luton Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council; and

2.      to authorise the Chief Executive, following consultation with the Leader of the Council, to approve the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding following further discussions with Luton Borough Council.

To consider the consultation on Central Bedfordshire’s draft approach to parking management.

That the proposals to consult the wider community on the draft Approach to Parking Management be approved, including seeking the views of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee, before reporting back to a future Executive meeting.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services that sought approval to consult with the wider community on the draft Approach to Parking Management. 

The Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee had set up a Task Force to consider the draft Approach to Parking Management as part of the consultation process.  Members were aware of the parking problems in Dunstable and Sandy.  The Chairman of the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee confirmed that the Task Force would consider the views of local residents across Central Bedfordshire. 

Reason for decision:  To involve the community and key stakeholders in developing an approach to parking management for Central Bedfordshire.

RESOLVED

that the proposals to consult the wider community on the draft Approach to Parking Management be approved, including seeking the views of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee, before reporting back to a future Executive meeting.

The report provides information on the Provisional Outturn for 2010/11, subject to audit.

1.         To note the report and that the draft outturn position has improved since December 2010.  This report is consistent with the draft Annual Financial Statements recently submitted to the Audit Committee. They are subject to any matters arising from the formal audit.

2.         That the proposed transfer to General Fund and Earmarked Reserves as set out in Appendix D to the report be approved.

3.         That the capital programme be revised to reflect the slippage into 2011/12, removal of closed prior year schemes and the reprofile of the budget to ensure a focus on prioritisation.

4.         That the National Non Domestic Rate debt be written off as outlined in paragraph 7.3 of the report.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that provided information on the Provisional Outturn for 2010/11, subject to audit.  Members noted the positive 2010/11 provisional outturn and that Central Bedfordshire Council was the first local authority within the local Audit Commission operational area to submit its International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) compliant 2010/11 Statement of Accounts for review.

Reason for decision:  To facilitate effective financial management and planning.

RESOLVED

1.         to note the report and that the draft outturn position has improved since December 2010.  This report is consistent with the draft Annual Financial Statements recently submitted to the Audit Committee. They are subject to any matters arising from the formal audit;

2.         that the proposed transfer to General Fund and Earmarked Reserves as set out in Appendix D to the report be approved;

3.         that the capital programme be revised to reflect the slippage into 2011/12, removal of closed prior year schemes and the reprofile of the budget to ensure a focus on prioritisation; and

4.         that the National Non Domestic Rate debt be written off as outlined in paragraph 7.3 of the report.

To report on Quarter 4 performance and, therefore, the 2010/11 outturn position for Central Bedfordshire Council’s key performance indicator set.

That the Quarter 4 Performance Report setting out the Council’s overall performance position be noted.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out an overview of quarter 4 performance and the 2010/11 outturn position for Central Bedfordshire Council’s key performance indicator set.

Reason for decision:  To ensure a rigorous approach to performance management across Central Bedfordshire Council.

RESOLVED

that the Quarter 4 Performance Report setting out the Council’s overall performance position be noted.

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(s) 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED

that under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 the Press and Public were excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that consideration of the item was likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To seek approval to dispose of Steppingstones Hostel, Lancot Drive, Dunstable.

That the Steppingstones Hostel, Lancot Drive, Dunstable be sold as detailed in the report.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources that sought consent to dispose of Steppingstones Hostel, Lancot Drive, Dunstable.  This property had previously been used by Adult Social Care to provide residential services to Aragon Housing Association Ltd for the provision of residential services for people with learning difficulties.

Reason for decision:  To dispose of a surplus property for it to be utilised to provide accommodation for people with learning disabilities whose welfare is the responsibility of the Council.

RESOLVED

that the Steppingstones Hostel, Lancot Drive, Dunstable be sold as detailed in the report.

To consider the business case for the replacement of the Integrated Children’s System.  This document is referred to in agenda item 9.

1.         That the variation to the existing capital scheme be approved as proposed in the exempt Business Case and that procurement processes be commenced for an Integrated Children’s Services replacement system.

2.         That the tendering process include the opportunity for implementation partners to bid for a review of work practices at the same time as the system implementation to generate additional efficiencies on a risk and reward basis.

3.         That authority to procure a replacement system for Children’s Services be delegated to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources that sought approval to a variation of the existing Capital Scheme to enable procurement processes to commence for a replacement Integrated Children’s System.  Members noted that the new system would replace the existing ICT system in Children’s Services.

The Deputy Executive Member for Corporate Resources responded to questions from Executive Members on the financial details and the arrangements for records transfer.

Reason for decision:  To enable Officers to commence the procurement process for the replacement of an integrated children’s system and thus ensure children’s services continue to provide for the safeguarding of children in Central Bedfordshire.

RESOLVED

1.         that the variation to the existing capital scheme be approved as proposed in the exempt Business Case and that procurement processes be commenced for an Integrated Children’s Services replacement system;

2.         that the tendering process include the opportunity for implementation partners to bid for a review of work practices at the same time as the system implementation to generate additional efficiencies on a risk and reward basis; and

3.                  that authority to procure a replacement system for Children’s Services be delegated to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources.