Meeting documents

Cabinet
Thursday 6 October 2005 6.30 pm

Date:
Thursday, 6th October, 2005
Time:
6.30 pm
Place:
Reception Room, Civic Centre, Arnot Hill Park, Arnold
 

Attendance Details

ItemDescriptionResolution
105 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE.
Business for item 105
 
106 TO APPROVE AS A CORRECT RECORD THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 22 SEPTEMBER 2005.
 RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the above meeting be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
107 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
Business for item 107
 
108 PUBLIC SERVICE RESTRUCTURING
Business for item 108
RESOLVED:

To note the report and to agree that it be referred to Scrutiny Chairs for their consideration.
109 GEDLING COMMUNITY STRATEGY 2005/06 - 2007/08 - FINAL DRAFT
Business for item 109
RESOLVED:

To recommend adoption of the Strategy as amended to the Council on 26th October 2005, subject to changes made at the Gedling Partnership Board on 12th October.
110 PARKS AND OPEN SPACES DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Business for item 110
RESOLVED:

1.To instruct officers to provide a copy of the ten-year delivery plan for outline approval by Cabinet.

2.To agree that, twelve months prior to project implementation, residents living within 800 metres of a development site will be consulted and if necessary the project plan amended.

3.To agree the inclusion of Members on project teams for developments within their Ward areas.
111 PROPOSED MERGER OF NOTTINGHAM CITY HOSPITAL AND QUEENS MEDICAL CENTRE NHS TRUSTS - TRENT STRATEGIC HEALTH AUTHORITY CONSULTATION
Business for item 111
RESOLVED:

To note the information.
112 FORWARD PUBLICITY PLAN - AUTUMN/WINTER 2005
Business for item 112
RESOLVED:

To note the report.
113 MEMBERS' QUESTIONS TO PORTFOLIO HOLDERS
Business for item 113
 
114 REPORT OF HEAD OF FINANCE
Business for item 114
RESOLVED:

To approve the Council's response to the Formula Grant Distribution Consultation 2006/07, as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report.
115 CONCESSIONARY FARES CHANGES
Business for item 115
RESOLVED:

That, subject to the appropriate funding being allocated, Cabinet approve:-

1)the basis for the new one year Concessionary scheme from April 2006 based on option 3.

2)the publication of the new scheme by 1 December 2005;

3)new Partnership agreements with the District Councils and Transport Operators;

4)a review of the scheme during 2006/07 and the preparation of proposals in autumn 2006 for a permanent scheme from April 2007
116 PROGRESS REPORTS FROM PORTFOLIO HOLDERS
Business for item 116
RESOLVED

To note the report.
117 FORWARD PLAN 01 NOVEMBER 2005 - 28 FEBRUARY 2006.
 RESOLVED:

To approve the Forward Plan.
118 ANY OTHER ITEMS WHICH THE CHAIRMAN CONSIDERS URGENT.
Business for item 118
RESOLVED:

To note the report.
The meeting closed at 8.15 pm.

Attendance Details

Present:
I.S. Gollop (Chairman), R.F. Spencer, P. Feeney, W.H. Golland, V. McCrossen, R.J. Nicholson, R.A. Poynter
Observers:
A.J. Gillam, G.J. Griffiths, J.M. Parr (a)

Business

Business
ItemBusiness
105An apology for absence was received from Councillor Parr.
107None declared.
108The Chief Executive submitted a report that referred to the proposed restructuring of the Primary Care Trusts in Nottinghamshire and the publication of a review by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary on the structure of police forces in England and Wales which had concluded that police forces should move towards a more ‘strategic' organisation, coupled with a strengthening of the neighbourhood policing role performed by the basic command unit.

Members were also reminded that the Minister for Communities and Local Government had also announced in September that he had postponed reform of local government finance and the council tax revaluation until consideration had been given to the functions and future role of local government.

All of the above issues plainly had far reaching implications for public services in Gedling, joint work undertaken by the various agencies working in the Borough and services provided on a joint basis, as well as potentially for the Council itself. Further reports would be presented as more details emerged of proposals in the various areas of review.

Given the very tight timescales involved, it would be difficult to secure full Cabinet involvement at every stage, but it was important to ensure that all Members were kept informed and that the Council were in a position to respond effectively to any consultation and to engage as actively as possible with the process. It was recommended that a copy of this report be referred to Scrutiny Chairs in order that they might consider whether and to what extent the Scrutiny Committees should be involved.
109The Chief Executive submitted a report that outlined proposed changes to the Draft Gedling Community Strategy, following recent consultation with partner agencies and the community.

The report had been written for consideration at the Gedling Partnership Executive meeting on 29th September and for consideration by the Cabinet on 6th October for approval by Council, given the statutory responsibility the Council had for producing a Community Strategy.

A verbal update from the Gedling Executive Partnership meeting was given at the meeting.
110Councillor Wendy Golland submitted a report that advised Members of work being undertaken to provide a development plan for parks and open spaces and to agree a consultation process for implementation of the plan.
111The Policy Officer submitted a report that informed members of the proposed merger of the Nottingham City Hospital and Queens Medical Centre NHS Trusts, and the public consultation process which was now under way.
112The Head of Cabinet Office submitted a report that informed members of proposed publicity initiatives planned for coming months and of the related proposals to support delivery of the IDeA/LGA "Reputation" agenda.
113Councillor P.G Barnes asked Councillor Poynter for improvements to the sound system in the Council Chamber.

Councillor Poynter indicated that a budget bid in the sum of £25 - 50,000 would be included in the estimates for consideration by Council. If the bid were successful, then the replacement of the system could commence in April 2006.
114The Head of Finance submitted a report that set out the Budget and Service Plan Process for 2006/07.

The report sought Members views on the proposed response to the Government's Formula Grant Distribution Consultation for 2006/07.
115The Head of Finance submitted a report that informed Cabinet of the preferred option for concessionary fares provision in Nottinghamshire from April 2006.

The report also sought approval to enter into agreements with scheme partners and transport providers and to publish the new scheme on 1 December 2005. The proposals in the report followed a major policy change introduced by Central Government which would have significant implications for Nottinghamshire.
116The following progress reports on items within their purview were received from Portfolio Holders:-

E Government and Member Services

Problems with down time - Core IT system
Member Information Officer leaving the Authority - review of post

Development and Regeneration

Arnold Master Plan proceeding
Consultation with Business Forum regarding proposed car park charges
31 October - Business Crime Awards
Local Plan - planning applications now being received

Housing

Stock Transfer progressing
Low Demand Units under consideration

Leisure

King George 5th, Standhill Road and Burton Rd Recreation Grounds all subject to Budget bids
Willow Park scheme decided upon
Tenders accepted for Standhill, Muirfield and Newstead play area - consultations to be held with schools.
Proposals for New Bye Laws progressing to safeguard open spaces.
Problems of cycling in Parks.
New edition of the bulletin to be issued.

Finance

Problems with the Housing Benefit System
Problems with employee payments
Council Tax revaluations deferred.
Budget process to be considered by Scrutiny Committees

Agenda 21 Crime and Community Development

Replacement ASBO Co-ordinator appointed
Public meetings with residents of College Road and Edison Way
PCSOs to be given additional powers under pilot scheme
Police to be asked to be more pro-active in dealing with Anti Social Behaviour
118CONFIDENTIAL REPORT - EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC AND PRESS

RESOLVED:

That under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the ensuing report on the grounds that the report involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Scheduled 12A of the Local Government Act 1972

The Head of Finance submitted a report that updated members on the Council's collection procedures following recent member and media enquiries regarding recovery of Council Tax arrears.