Shrewsbury & Atcham
Borough Council

 CABINET

Meeting of the Cabinet to be held in the Council Chamber, The Guildhall, Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury on Monday, 12th December 2005 at 6.30 p.m.

Membership: Councillor Nutting (Leader)

Councillors Armstrong, Bebb, Cooke, Mrs Holyoak, Mrs Jones, Owen, Price, Roberts, and Mrs Williams

Committee Officer Responsible: Penny Chamberlain Tel: 01743 281035

MEMBERS ARE REMINDED THAT THE RECORD OF EVERY DECISION THAT THE CABINET MAKES MUST INCLUDE THE REASONS FOR THE DECISION AND ANY ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED.

WILL MEMBERS ALSO NOTE THAT THE REPORTS WILL NOT BE CIRCULATED AGAIN, AND SHOULD BE RETAINED FOR FURTHER REFERENCE IF THE MATTERS ARE CONSIDERED BY THE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE AND ALSO IF THE MATTER IS REFERRED TO THE OVERVIEW COMMITTEE AND COUNCIL.

NOTE: Please note that the Chief Executive and Head of Finance will be in the Council Chamber from 5.30 pm for any members of Council who would like any questions answered in relation to the budget reports which will be sent out next week. There have been requests by some members for a presentation or seminar on the financial position, but due to the Christmas period this may be difficult to arrange. Cabinet will have the opportunity to debate the report at the meeting and the scrutiny process of the recommendations from Cabinet will enable further discussions with the two statutory officers to take place in January prior to the final report on the budget being submitted to Cabinet in February. (With the agreement of the Leader, Fay Easton of the Shrewsbury Enterprise Partnership will also be making a short presentation to members at 6.15 pm on "Shrewsbury Town Centre – A Business Improvement District: The First in Shropshire.")

A G E N D A

1. MINUTES – 14^TH November 2005

Recommendation:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 14^th November 2005 be confirmed as a correct record and be signed by the Leader.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

To receive any declarations of members' interests in any matters which are to be considered at this meeting and to receive any dispensations which will be relied upon.

(a) Personal (b) Personal and Prejudicial

(When members are declaring a personal interest, or a personal and prejudicial interest in respect of which they have a dispensation, they should specify the nature of such interest. Members should leave the room if they have a personal and prejudicial interest in respect of which they do not have a dispensation.)

4.  PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

To deal with any questions from members of the public.

MATTERS RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE POLICY AND BUDGET FRAMEWORK

5. GENERAL FUND AND TOWN ONLY BUDGETS

              

To consider a report of the Head of Finance.

(Key Decision - Overview Committee/Council)

(Forward Looking and Confident Organisation)

6. CAPITAL PROGRAMME AND RESOURCES 

     

To consider a report by the Head of Finance.

(Key Decision – Overview Committee/Council)

(Forward Looking and Confident Organisation)

Officer Recommendations:

(a)  That the revised Capital Programme set out in the draft Budget Book 2006/2007 be approved.

(b)  That revenue savings be identified to meet the anticipated budget shortfall over the next 2 years (as set out in the Revenue Budget report) to enable contracts to construct the New Entertainment Centre to be finalised.

(c)  That in respect of provision of housing the Council acknowledge the £12.5 million figure that was identified in the transfer consultation document as being the figure that was to be the subject to grant referred to therein.

(d)  That whilst the Council's intention in terms of the grant was to use social housing grant, due to the Government having withdrawn that facility the Council seek to identify other ways of meeting that financial commitment.

(e)  That the cash and land totalling £4 million in the provision of 118 dwellings be noted.

(f)  That the Council recognise the additional value which has been made against that figure being £220,000 for two dwellings at Wilcott, £500,000 land purchase at Sundorne, circa £500,000 value of Derfald House, undervalue sale of land at Corporation land at Underdale Road circa £400,000, provision of two houses at cemetery and two at Copthorne Road Nursery value £600,000, Abbey Foregate property value £750,000, Moston Road shops development circa £1 million, use of salt store land at Underdale Road circa £1 million, house on Copthorne bank circa £180,000 being a total to date of £5.15 million.

(g)  That once the Council has balanced its medium term revenue budget and financed the New Entertainment Venue then £4 million be made available from sale of asset proceeds without requiring 4% interest return.

(h)  That £4 million be set aside as a contingency for major capital expenditure on Council assets.

(i)  That until the tendered costs of the New Entertainment Venue are determiend, new capital projects be considered only in cases of emergency/public safety/investment and protection of assets.

(j)  That the criteria for the purchase of Investment Assets as set out in the Policy Statement in Appendix D be adopted.

Reasons:

To safeguard the Council's long term financial position and ensure that sufficient capital resources are available to fund priority capital schemes.

Portfolio Holders Recommendations:

The Leader, Councillor Nutting, will submit his comments at the meeting.

7. FIT FOR PURPOSE FOR THE 21^ST CENTURY – CORPORATE PLAN, PERFORMANCE AND IMPROVEMENT PLAN

    

To consider a report of the Corporate Management Team.

(Non Key Decision – Overview Committee)

(Forward Looking and Confident Organisation)

Officer Recommendation:

That the three draft documents be passed to the Overview Committee for it to consult on them and carry out its review and report back to a special Cabinet at the end of March for Cabinet to consider and then make recommendations to Council in April 2006.

Reasons:

To faciliate the production of the Council's future plans with clear priorities and actions for the short and longer term.

MATTERS TO BE RESOLVED SUBJECT TO ANY CALL-IN

8. COUNCIL TAX BASE CALCULATION 2006/2007

(Forward Looking and Confident Organisation)

To consider the recommendation of the Head of Finance as follows:

Officer Recommendation:

(a)  That the Council Tax Base for 2006/2007 be set at 34,490.01.

(b)  That the amount of the Council Tax Base for each area (parish) within the Borough be the amount calculated for 2006/2007 and shown on the Council Tax Base document.

Reason:

To comply with statutory requirements to determine the Council Tax Base for 2006/2007 and notify the major precepting authorities of the tax base by 31^st January 2006.

Portfolio Holder Recommendations:

The Leader, Councillor Nutting will submit his comments at the meeting.

9. IMPLEMENTING ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT STATEMENT 2005

To consider a report of the ICT & Customer Services Manager.

(Non Key Decision – Call-In Committee)

(Forward Looking and Confident Organisation) (Statement – To Follow)

Officer Recommendations:

That the draft IEG5 Statement attached as Annex B to the report of the ICT and Customer Services Manager be approved and submitted to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Reason:

Submission of the IEG5 Statement will provide evidence of how the Council has used its IEG funding.

Portfolio Holder Recommendations:

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Owen, supports the officer recommendation.

10. PROCUREMENT OF A LEISURE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

    

To consider a report of the ICT and Customer Services Manager.

(Key Decision – Scrutiny Committee)

(Forward Looking and Confident Organisation)

Officer Recommendations:

That authorisation be given to procure a Leisure Management System from Gladstone MRM Ltd.

Reason:

To improve service delivery of sports and leisure services and support the Council in the achievement of its e-Government targets.

Portfolio Holder Recommendations:

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Owen, supports the officer recommendation.

11. ACCREDITATION ISSUES

    

To consider a report of the Director of Community Services.

(Non Key Decision – Scrutiny Committee)

(Improving Environmental Well Being)

12. HOUSING ALLOCATIONS POLICY

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy).

(Non Key Decision – Scrutiny Committee)

(Safe, health and sustainable community)

Officer Recommendations:

That with an amendment to the current policy of giving reasonable preference to non priority homeless persons who are unintentionally homeless with a local connection the housing allocations policy remains as approved by Cabinet in September 2004

Reasons:

(a)  To ensure that accommodation is secured for homeless households to whom the Council owes a statutory duty to provide housing.

(b)  To provide housing for those people who are homeless through no fault of their own and who without assistance are likely to end up rough sleeping.

Portfolio Holder Recommendations:

The Portfolio Holder for Housing, Councillor Mrs Williams, supports the officer recommendations.

13. ASSISTING ROUGH SLEEPERS

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy).

(Non Key Decision – Scrutiny Committee)

(Safe, healthy and sustainable community)

Officer Recommendations:

(a)  That officers continue to support the work of the Rough Sleepers Task Force within existing resources and through any grants obtained.

(b)  That the part time homelessness prevention officer approved at the time the homelessness service reverted to the Borough Council be appointed.

(c)  That the Council's housing allocations policy be amended to give reasonable preference to unintentional, homeless persons with local connection not in priority need based on date order.

Reasons:

To improve the services and support for rough sleepers within the Council's existing budgets.

Portfolio Holder Recommendations:

The Portfolio Holder for Housing will advise Cabinet of her views at the meeting. The Portfolio Holder for Community Safety, Councillor Mrs Holyoak supports the officer recommendations. She has commented that cases of extreme hardship involving rough sleepers have recently been brought to her attention and she has asked for these issues to be investigated as a matter of urgency. She believes that the Borough Council is a caring authority and should be keen to demonstrate this through the financial investment and positive actions contained in these proposals.

14. LOCAL AREA AGREEMENT

To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy).

(Non Key Decision – Scrutiny Committee)

(Improving Environmental Well Being)

Officer Recommendations:

(a)  That Cabinet support the principle of strengthening partnership working through the Shropshire Local Area Agreement.

(b)  That, subject to the reward likely outweighing the resources required and lost opportunity of participating Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council actively contributes to the Local Area Agreement and the delivery of stretch targets in the areas of:

• Involving young people through leisure and recreation;

• Supporting older people through supporting people;

• Encouraging healthier lifestyles for young and old including indoor bowls;

• Affordable decent housing;

• Street scene including neighbourhood wardens and decriminalised car parking; and

• Crime and disorder.

Reason:

To ensure clarity in the role of Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council within the Local Area Agreement and to work in partnership to deliver the priorities for the people of the Borough.

Portfolio Holder Recommendations:

The Leader, Councillor Nutting recommends that the involvement of the Borough Council be limited to those areas of performance relating to indoor bowls decriminalisation of car parking, community support officers, street scene improvements and housing (if realistic targets can be agreed) and therefore supports the officer recommendation.

15. NEW DORRINGTON VILLAGE HALL AND SURGERY

    

To consider a report of the Director of Community Services.

(Non Key Decision – Scrutiny Committee)

(Improving Environmental Well Being)

Officer Recommendations:

(a)  That the request of Hope Edwards Institute Charity for the freehold transfer of land required for the development of a new community centre and medical practice be agreed, subject to necessary restrictions to ensure that any transferred land remains only available for village hall or recreational use.

(b)  That the right of access over land in the Borough Council's ownership be agreed, to facilitate access to the new facility and the recreational areas beyond.

(c)  That Hope Edwards Institute Charity be informed that at this time Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council considers this gift as its contribution to the overall scheme and no other additional funding is available.

Reason:

To facilitate the development of a new community centre and medical practice for the village of Dorrington.

Portfolio Holder Recommendations:

The Portfolio Holder (Councillor Roberts) will submit his comments at the meeting.

16. FLOATING RESTAURANT, FRANKWELL QUAY

Further to Minute 175/05, Cabinet is advised that the Council has initiated action against the company that owns the land where the Floating Restaurant is moored. The structure has been damaged recently by floodwaters and powers have been initiated under the Town and Country Planning Act to achieve its removal. A notice was served by hand on the company on 18^th November, which comes into effect on 23^rd December and which then allows a further 28 days for removal. A letter has been sent to the Environment advising them of members' views and seeking their comments on the matter. Any response will be reported to members at the meeting.

ITEMS RAISED BY MEMBERS

17. BIG ISSUES

To consider a report of the Chief Executive aimed at informing the members of the Cabinet in relation to the "Big Issues" affecting the Council.

(This item is placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Nutting.)

(Forward Looking and Confident Organisation)

Note: This report is submitted for Cabinet's information only. In the event of members wishing to consider making a decision on an issue then it will be necessary for a specific report to be submitted for consideration to the next Cabinet meeting. The Call-In Procedure Rules will then apply at this stage.

18. EXEMPT ITEM

The Chief Executive will report that the following item relates to exempt matters under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and will ask the Committee to pass the following resolution:

RESOLVED:

That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remaining item on the grounds that it could involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in 7, 8 & 9 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

19. LAND AT NETTLES LANE, FRANKWELL, SHREWSBURY

A member will seek an update on progress being made with developments relating to land at Nettles Lane, Frankwell.

(This item is placed on the agenda at the request of the Leader, Councillor Nutting.)

Guildhall,

Shrewsbury.

PC/02.12.05

 

 

 

Copies of the attached reports are available in large print on request from the Committee Section at The Guildhall, Dogpole, Shrewsbury, SY1 1ER Tel. 01743 281031