Meeting documents

The Leader welcomed members of the public and other Councillors.

The Democratic Services Manager drew attention to the emergency evacuation procedure as set out on the Agenda

No interests were declared at the meeting.

There was none.

The Leader announced that each of the written questions from Councillors circulated at the meeting, would be taken in turn and the Executive Councillor given an opportunity to reply. The questioner would then be permitted a supplementary question on the same subject.

The Leader permitted an oral question from Mr Rae Harris about library charging policy, as an exception to the normal rule, which would require such questions in writing before the meeting.

Questions from Councillors were submitted as follows:

Councillors Gordon Wood, Martin Veal (3), Bryan Organ, - Pedestrian Footfall survey

Councillor Bryan Organ - Keynsham Dial a Ride Service

Councillor Bryan Organ - secure car park provision in Keynsham

Councillor Martin Veal - needs of families moving into communities

Councillor Francine Haeberling - relaxation of rules on care homes (question withdrawn prior to the meeting)

Councillor Francine Haeberling - questioning procedure by councillors at meetings of the Council Executive

Councillor Francine Haeberling - the "Fair Access to Care" initiative

Councillor Victor Pritchard - best practice in Housing Strategy submissions (asked in connection with discussion on agenda item 12 - Housing Strategy)

There were none

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on Friday 12^th July, 2002 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair(person) subject to the resolution at minute no 24 (20 year transport vision) recording that the proposals and timetable for consultation were as reflected in the resolution and not as in the report.

Councillor Jane Tapper introduced this report setting out the 4 monthly performance report of social services, as part of the Council's performance management framework.

On the motion of Councillor Tapper, seconded by Councillor Nicole O'Flaherty, it was

RESOLVED That this report be noted.

Councillor Paul Crossley introduced this report by explaining the process of Comprehensive Performance Assessment .

On the motion of Councillor Paul Crossley, seconded by Councillor Gitte Dawson, it was

RESOLVED that approval of the Council's self-assessment submission be delegated to the Chief Executive and Council Leader, as required and as set out in the Audit Commission consultation document in March 2002.

An A3 map of the area was circulated at the meeting.

Councillor Roger Symonds introduced this report and accompanying memorandum which set out the role and responsibilities of the core partners to this Agreement.

On the motion of Councillor Roger Symonds, seconded by Councillor Gitte Dawson, it was

RESOLVED That the Memorandum of Understanding be approved and the Strategic Director (Economic and Environmental Development) be authorised to confirm this approval to the Norton Radstock Regeneration Company.

Councillor Steve Hedges introduced this report which put forward a draft strategy as part of the area's Housing Investment Programme. This would be submitted to the Government Office for the South West. As a Policy and Budget Framework item, this would be submitted to the Council in September together with an update report on further views received from consultees following an extension to the consultation period.

Councillor Adrian Inker asked an oral question of the Executive Councillor.

The Council Executive agreed this was an important strategic document for the Bath & North East Somerset area and it should be kept under review for next year.

On the motion of Councillor Steve Hedges, seconded by Councillor Gitte Dawson, it was

RESOLVED That

(1) The draft Housing Strategy be approved for referral to the Council; and

(2) The Acting Strategic Housing Manager, in consultation with the Executive Councillor (Community Safety, Housing and Consumer Services) be authorised to make minor non-policy alterations to the draft strategy prior to its submission to the Council.

Councillor Rosemary Todd introduced this report which sought endorsement of this Strategy and Plan prior to its submission to the Government Office for the South West (GOSW) by 31^st July, 2002. This was an evolving plan and it was her intention that the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Panel would be able to consider this prior to a report being submitted to the Council in September. The Government timetable had not permitted earlier involvement and any views submitted by the Panel and considered by the Council would be submitted subsequently to GOSW.

A number of changes had been made to the documents circulated with the agenda papers for this meeting. These would be incorporated into the version submitted to GOSW and to the Council.

On the motion of Councillor Rosemary Todd, seconded by Councillor Gitte Dawson it was

RESOLVED That

(3) The Council Executive approve the Capital Strategy and Corporate Asset Management Plan for provisional submission to the Government Office for the South West to meet the 31^st July deadline;

(4) Authority be delegated to the Corporate Property Officer, the Head of Property and Legal Services and the Head of Strategic Resource Planning, in consultation with the Executive Member for Resource Planning and Support Services to make any necessary minor amendments before submission;

(5) The Capital Strategy and Corporate Asset Management Plan be referred to the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Panel for their comment and to the Council for their consideration before a final submission is made to GOSW;

(6) The Council Executive requires service asset management planning to be included in all annual service plans.

Councillor Gitte Dawson introduced this report which explained progress on developing a Local Public Service Agreement with central government. This report focused on target areas set out in the appendix to be adopted as a basis for further work. Other Executive Councillors offered service comments on a number of these targets.

In presenting this report, Councillor Dawson expressed her concerns at a number of late guidance changes made by the Government, which had resulted in further work being undertaken by Officers.

On the motion of Councillor Gitte Dawson, seconded by Councillor Rosemary Todd, it was

RESOLVED That

(7) The 13 target areas listed in Appendix 1 to the report be adopted as a basis for further detailed work towards a Local Public Service Agreement with the Government, in as far as they are unaffected by Government guidance still to come;

(8) The timetable set out in paragraph 4.11 of the report be endorsed (this timetable envisages negotiations with the Government to start in mid-November and conclude by 24^th January, 2003 with the final PSA agreed by Council in February 2003 and becoming effective in April, 2003);

(9) The detailed work on the 13 target areas involve the relevant Executive Councillor(s) as well as outside stakeholders where they are affected;

(10) The overall financial implications of the Local PSA schemes be considered as part of the Financial Plan review;

(11) The late and significantly revised guidance received in a letter from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on 17^th July, 2002 be noted - which, late though it was, still left some major aspects unresolved;

(12) A letter be sent to that Office, with a copy to the Local Government Association, expressing concern at the expensive extra effort and possible delay this might cause; and

(13) The Council Executive receive a further report at its September meeting (the timing of final guidance permitting) setting out the full implications and proposing if necessary a revised list of PSA targets meeting the new requirements.