| 126 | An apology for absence was received from Councillor Gillam. |
| 128 | None declared. |
| 129 | The Head of Legal and Democratic Services reported that the Electoral Commission had issued a consultation paper on the conduct of periodic electoral reviews raising 14 questions. The full consultation paper was attached at Appendix 1 to the report. Views were being sought on five areas:
i. The statutory criteria for conducting reviews;
ii.Timing and scheduling of reviews;
iii. Issues and information considered during a review;
iv. Electorate forecasts;
v. Review processes.
The consultation questions were set out in the paper and Cabinet considered responses to be made. |
| 130 | The Head of Cabinet Office reported that on 6 September 2005, the Audit Commission had published three papers relating to CPA and District Councils.
The three papers covered: -
i. Scores and analysis of performance of all district councils assessed under CPA during 2003 and 2004.
ii. A summary of lessons learned from CPA for district councils.
iii. Consultation on the future framework for district council CPA
A summary of the three papers was submitted for information at Appendix A to the report.
The first two of these papers contained valuable information, including learning points for all district authorities. Most of the learning points relevant to the Borough Council had already been built into improvement plans and were being delivered.
However, the immediate issue for Council consideration centred on the third paper. The Commission was seeking responses to consultation by the end of November, with a view to confirming its response in March 2006, for implementation from April 2006.
Issues on which the Commission was seeking views were submitted at Appendix B and a summary of the issues raised in Consultation Paper was submitted in the report.
After Consideration it was:- |
| 131 | Councillor P.G. Barnes requested the Cabinet to ask the Nottingamshire County Council to consider the introduction of Permit or Residents only parking on roads such as Smithy Crescent and Ravenswood Road adjacent to Arnold Town Centre. The Chairman reported that this proposal was already under consideration.
Councillor Wright asked if there was any possibility of the Council being given a room at the new premises of the Gedling PCT in Carlton in order to assist with Council queries, particularly in view of the closure of the Carlton Cemetery building? The Chairman reported that he would look into the matter.
Councillor Parr reported that it was now 2 years since the start of the Severn Trent works in Arnold town centre and 12 months since the completion. During consultation on plans for regeneration of business in Arnold, it had been indicated that cash allowances in support of the plans were available. Councillor Parr was aware of the 'Arnold Master Plan' but asked about how the current position could be addressed, in view of the current number of For Sale signs that were now evident in the Town Centre? Councillor Feeney replied that there was a small amount of finance available, although this would require additional finance from the County Council. In the interim, the town centre required a 'shot in the arm' although the problems facing Arnold were common to many other out of town centres. |
| 132 | The Head of Direct Services reported that at the Cabinet meeting of 18th August 2005 it had been decided that approval would be granted for the introduction of charging in the Council's town centre car parks (excluding Netherfield) from January 2007.
However, the Cabinet had deferred a decision on the method of collecting the charge, requiring a comparison of the most widely used mechanical methods of collection.
This report examined the three most common methods of collection and made a proposal on the most economical, easily installed and easily maintained system.
The scope of comparison had been limited to the mechanical collection methods and consideration had not been given to any manual collection system at this time. The following three systems had been considered:-
i. Pay on Foot.
ii. Pay on exit.
iii. Pay and Display.
Each of the systems evaluated required civil engineering works and for the barrier systems, new car park layouts might need to be designed. The report detailed the general issues associated with barrier systems and pay and display. Appendix 1 showed a range of issues in more detail.
The report recommended that Cabinet approve the Pay and Display method for the collection of car park charges as outlined in the report. |
| 133 | The Head of Direct Services advised Cabinet of the duties placed on the Authority by the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 Part 1 and the proposals to enable the Authority to discharge them.
The Act now made Gedling Borough Council a category one respondent. Prior to this the Council was a category two responder. The re-categorisation gave the Council significantly more powers and responsibilities and a brief overview of these changes was set out in the report.
It was recommended that the Council nominate Nottinghamshire County Council to provide the lead role for the range of duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 in accordance with the terms of the proposed Service Level Agreement set out in appendix 1 to the report.
It was also recommended that arrangements be made for Newark and Sherwood District Council to act as the lead District Council role for a range of duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 under the terms of the proposed Service Level Agreement set out in appendix 2.
The proposed reimbursement to NCC for provision of the services outlined was £7500.00 per annum (to be reviewed annually).
The proposed reimbursement to Newark & Sherwood DC for provision of the services outlined was £1250.00 per annum (to be reviewed annually).
Payment was to be made once per annum for the services provided at the start of each financial year. |
| 134 | E-Government and Member Services.
i. Updated versions of the web-site were shown at the meeting - Planning applications could be submitted on - line. Topic alerts were also available.
Finance.
i. The CPA Auditors were currently at the Council.
ii. The Computer systems were now running up to speed.
iii. It was hoped that the Council would be notified of the Finance Settlement by mid November.
iv. Budget bids had now been received from Scrutiny Committees.
Housing.
Direct Services and Property.
i. Replacement Christmas Lights had been acquired for Arnold and Mapperley Plains.
ii.Consideration being given to 'over night cleaning' of streets in Arnold Town Centre.
Development and Economic Regeneration.
i. An award had been received from the Home Office for 'Safer Business's.'
ii.Consultation meeting in Arnold on 22 November.
Housing.
i. Entering final phase of Consultations with regard to 'Stock Options'.
ii.Consideration was being given to better use of 'Voids' and Warden Aided stock.
iii.Meetings had been held with young peoples groups regarding facilities for young people participating in sport and the Arts.
Agenda 21 and Crime Reduction.
i. The recent Contacts magazine had a section about Crime included in the publication.
ii. £30,000 was to be spent by the County Council on Anti-social behaviour initiatives icluding Warden Services.
ii. A meeting was to be held with the Minister on Thursday. |
| 136 | None |