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Frankwell Quay
Shrewsbury
SY3 8HQ
CABINET
Meeting of the Cabinet to be held in the Council Chamber, The Guildhall, Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury on Monday 11th December 2006 at 6.30 p.m.
Membership: Councillor Nutting (Leader)
Councillors Armstrong, Bebb, Mrs Jones, Owen, Price, Rees, Roberts, Ms Wild and Mrs Williams
Committee Officer Responsible: - Ken James Tel: 01743 281033
AGENDA
1. MINUTES - 13th and 21st November 2006
Recommendation:
That the Minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet held on 13th and 21st November 2006 be confirmed as a correct record and be signed by the Leader.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & DISPENSATION
To receive any declarations of members' interests in any matters that 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 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.
REFERENCES FROM SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
5. HOMELESSNESS PROVISION
To consider the following recommendation from the Scrutiny Committee held on 14th November 2006:
"That it be recommended to Cabinet that consideration be given to the Council signing up to the Local Area Agreement in respect of Housing to improve the service to secure future reward grant.
Reason:
To maximise potential reward grants that may be available and to enhance partnership working in relation to Housing / Homelessness provision within the area covered by the Local Area Agreement to facilitate a reduction in the number of homelessness cases."
6. DESTINATION MANAGEMENT PARTNERSHIP FOR SHROPSHIRE
To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive, together with the recommendations from the Scrutiny Committee held on 29th November 2006 thereon. (Improving Economic Well Being)
Officer Recommendations:
(a) That Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council commits to participation in the new Destination Management Partnership as proposed in Option 3 set out in the report and requests the Deputy Chief Executive to identify a Borough Council officer to serve on the Board of the new Destination Management Partnership .
(b) That Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council continues its participation in Shropshire Tourism for the time being (until changes in the structure and membership of the latter organisation have been determined) and nominates an elected member for a directorship on the board of Shropshire Tourism to be presented to the AGM in January. (The current director from SABC is Cllr. David Roberts).
Reason:
Option 3 represents the best opportunity for a sustainable and effective Destination Management Partnership for Shropshire.
Portfolio Holder Recommendations:
The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Roberts, supports the recommendations.
Scrutiny Committee Recommendations:
That it be recommended to Cabinet that this Council's engagement in the Destination Management Partnership be approved subject to the questions of empowerment being satisfactorily addressed by the Board at the initial meetings and also to there being an assurance that there would be sufficient provision for the scrutiny of performance of the Destination Management Partnership.
Reason:
The partnership would enable the Borough Council to achieve economic well being and fulfil the aims of the Community Strategy.
7. SHROPSHIRE AND TELFORD PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SPORTS PARTNERSHIP
To consider the following recommendation from the Scrutiny Committee held on 29th November 2006:
"(a) That this Committee was satisfied with the performance of the Shropshire and Telford Physical Activity Sports Partnership and the Council's involvement with that partnership be continued.
(b) That the following be recommended to Cabinet:
That additional funding be identified to progress co-ordinated working with relevant organisations to support the provision of opportunities for socially disadvantaged groups within the Borough.
Reason:
The partnership would enable the Borough Council to create a safe and healthy and sustainable community and fulfil the aims of the Community Strategy."
MATTERS RELATING TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE POLICY FRAMEWORK
8. GENERAL FUND AND TOWN ONLY BUDGETS
(Microsoft Excel format, 8Mb)
To consider a report of the Head of Finance and Corporate Management Team.
(Key Decision - Overview Committee/Council)
(Forward Looking and Confident Organisation)
9. CAPITAL PROGRAMME AND RESOURCES
To consider a report of the Head of Finance and Corporate Management Team.
(Key Decision - Overview Committee/Council)
(Forward Looking and Confident Organisation)
MATTERS TO BE RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL
10. SHREWSBURY SPORTS VILLAGE
To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy).(Council)
(Create a Safe and Healthy and Sustainable Community)
Officer Recommendations:
(a) That Cabinet recommends to Council the allocation of an additional £132,500 funded from capital receipts to complete the following works at Shrewsbury Sports Village:
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Climbing wall access ladder | |
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Sports Hall Floor | |
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Visibility Splays | |
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Toucan Crossing | |
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Street lighting | |
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Decontamination/ boot washing | |
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Radiant heating panels in Squash Court | |
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Artificial Pitch dividing nets |
(b) That the Chief Executive be delegated to recover costs where he considers appropriate from contractors, relevant agencies or other bodies including where necessary pursuing legal action.
Reason:
To complete outstanding works at Shrewsbury Sports Village to enable it to operate at full potential.
Portfolio Holder Recommendations:
The Portfolio Holder for Capital Projects Councillor Armstrong states, It must be remembered that this scheme has received the total of £1.8 million funding to deliver a much needed improvement to our sporting portfolio. With an additional £700,000 promised for further facilities.
To be able to achieve this funding and hit the external time scales associated with this funding and with the full knowledge of the risks associated with a two stage tender and delivering a scheme that had not been fully designed at the commencement of the contract I continue to support the majority of the decisions taken by the board.
Though in hindsight we could be accused of rushing into the deal to achieve other funding bodies time lines, both physical and political, it still means that we have achieved a net reduction in the cost of the scheme of around £3 million by going down this required contractual route. The preferred route of SABC is to agree maximum guaranteed contracts and this is the case and process for the Theatre and other schemes currently under construction or at the planning stage so this situation will not and can not occur again.
Though not with out fault the project board have and are doing their best to overcome these issues and I would expect that other parties associated with this project should accept their part of the responsibility.
As with any situation it is easy to cast blame without remembering the good, these are issues that we will be overcome and all involved will move on from. What we will not forget is that the Shrewsbury Sports Village is a facility without rival in the region and as such is, and will play its part for a long time ahead in getting people into sport, getting them active and keeping them healthy.
As for my own position if placed in the same position again I would still go down this route but in hind sight I would not of appointed the contractors we did and will not recommend their use again by SABC or any other body I am associated with.
11. REPLACEMENT OF MOBILE ELEVATED WORK PLATFORM
To consider a report of the Technical Services Manager.
(Council)
(Create a Safe and Healthy and Sustainable Community)
Officer Recommendations:
(a) That authority be granted to purchase a new Mobile Elevated Work Platform.(b) That a sum of £40,000 be allocated for the purchase.
(c) That a supplementary estimate be approved for purchase, to be funded from interest and balances.
Reason:
This item is essential to ensure continued safe working.
Portfolio Holder Recommendations:
The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Bebb will submit his views at the meeting.
MATTERS TO BE RESOLVED AND IMPLEMENTED SUBJECT TO ANY CALL-IN
12. COUNCIL TAX BASE CALCULATION 2007/2008
(Forward Looking and Confident Organisation)
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To consider the recommendation of the Head of Finance as follows:
Officer Recommendation:
(a) That the Council Tax Base for 2007/2008 be set at 34,653.71.
(b) That the amount of the Council Tax Base for each area (parish) within the Borough be the amount calculated for 2007/2008 and shown on the Council Tax Base document.
Reason:
To comply with statutory requirements to determine the Council Tax Base for 2007/2008 and notify the major precepting authorities of the tax base by 31st January 2007.
Portfolio Holder Recommendations:
The Leader, Councillor Nutting will submit his comments at the meeting
13. SHREWSBURY SUMMER SEASON 2006
To consider a report of the Destination Shrewsbury Manager.
(Non Key Decision - Scrutiny Committee)
(Forward Looking and Confident Organisation)
Officer Recommendation:
(a) That the success of the 2006 Summer Season be acknowledged and thanks be expressed to all involved.(b) That the continuation of the Summer Season in 2007 be welcomed.
(c) That the work currently being undertaken by Destination Shrewsbury to establish a firm financial basis for the Summer Season be acknowledged.
(d) That all avenues of funding for the Summer Season continue to be actively sought.
Reason:
The Shrewsbury Summer Season increases base levels of attendance for arts and cultural events which will transfer to Shrewsbury Theatre Severn when open.
Portfolio Holder Recommendations:
The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Roberts, supports the recommendations.
14. AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS - PROJECT INITIATION DOCUMENT
To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Monitoring Officer).
(Non Key Decision - Scrutiny Committee)
(Create a Safe and Healthy and Sustainable Community)
Officer Recommendations:
That the Project Initiation Document for Affordable Housing Projects be approved and that the Senior Responsible Owner be authorised to let all necessary contracts to complete the schemes subject to the requirement to maximise the number of affordable dwellings constructed and make a 4% return on capital invested.
Reason:
To contribute to the Council's stated aim of delivering 500 affordable dwellings.
Portfolio Holder Recommendations:
The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Price, will submit his comments at the meeting.
15. SINGLE FIXED PENALTY NOTICES FOR ENVIRONMENTAL OFFENCES
To consider a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Policy).
(Non Key Decision - Scrutiny Committee)
(Create a Safe and Healthy and Sustainable Community and Improving Environmental Well Being)
Officer Recommendations:
(a) That Authority is granted to West Mercia Police to authorise suitably competent personnel as determined by the Police and employed directly by West Mercia Police to issue fixed Penalty Notices on behalf of the Borough Council for offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and the Clean Neighbourhoods Act.(b) That the Chief Executive is authorised to put into place the appropriate systems to administer Fixed Penalty Notices Shropshire wide at no additional cost to Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council.
Reason:
To increase the powers available to West Mercia Police personnel to tackle environmental crime and quality of life issues.
16. WEEPING CROSS DEPOT
Further to Minute 169/06, to consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.
(Non Key Decision - Scrutiny Committee)
(Forward Looking and Confident Organisation)
17. NEW MEADOW - CAR PARKING
To consider a report of the Chief Executive.
(Non Key Decision - Scrutiny Committee)
(Improving Environmental Well Being)
ITEMS RAISED BY MEMBERS
18. 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.)
(Non Key Decision - Scrutiny Committee)
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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 that stage. |
19. OLD MARKET HALL, THE SQUARE
A member will request Cabinet to consider the erection of a flagpole at The Old Market Hall in The Square.
(This item is placed on the agenda at the request of Councillor Wagner.)
20. FAIRS IN THE QUARRY
Two members will raise with Cabinet their concerns about fairs continuing to be held in The Quarry.
(This item is placed on the agenda at the request of Councillors Wagner and S. Williams.)
Current Policy
The Deputy Chief Executive will refer to the attached current policy on travelling fairs and circuses within The Quarry.
21. SISTER CITY RELATIONSHIP
A member will refer Cabinet to the attached letter received from Lithgow City Council, New South Wales, Australia.
(This item is placed on the agenda at the request of The Mayor.)
22. URGENT MATTERS
To consider any matters certified as urgent by the Chief Executive.
23. EXEMPT ITEMS
The Chief Executive will report that the following items relate 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 items on the grounds that they could involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 and 6 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.
24. BROMLEY HOUSE
To consider an exempt report of the Housing Manager.
The recommendations are set out in the exempt report.
Exempt Reports are not available to the public.
25. LAND AT SUNDORNE
To consider an exempt report of the Housing Manager.
The recommendations are set out in the exempt report.
Exempt Reports are not available to the public.
26. INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY - NOBOLD LANE, SHREWSBURY
To consider an exempt report of the Technical Services Manager.
The recommendations are set out in the exempt report.
Exempt Reports are not available to the public.
27. HOTEL DEVELOPMENTS - POTENTIAL SITES
To consider a joint exempt report of the Chief Executive and Deputy Chief Executive.
The recommendations are set out in the exempt report.
Exempt Reports are not available to the public.