Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor John Smith.

                                                                (Enclosure)

The minutes of the meeting held 6 October 2008 were confirmed as a correct record.

No declarations of interest were made.

Report number CHFCS02 by the Corporate Head, Finance & Customer Service.                                     (Enclosure)

Decision:-

To approve the Fees and Charges Strategy.

Considerations/ reasons for this decision:-

1.)             Report number CHFCS02 by the Corporate Head of Finance and Customer Service.

2.)             The Strategy is drawn up under the framework provided by the Local Government Act 2003 and associated regulations.

3.)             The Strategy addresses the recommendations contained within the Audit Commission report entitled “Positively Charged – Maximising the Benefits of Local Public Sector Charges” published in January 2008.

4.)             The Fees and Charges Strategy provides a framework for the annual review and setting process ensuring key principles are adhered to.

5.)             The Resources Policy Development Group will continue to help shape this Strategy.

Other options considered and assessed:-

        This strategy is updated from the strategy adopted by Cabinet in December 2006.

Report number LEG029 by the Assets and Resources Portfolio Holder.                                                 (Enclosure)

Decision:-

That Property at Queen’s Walk, Stamford be transferred for use as allotment land only to the Stamford Town Council at no consideration in accordance with the provisions of the Local Authorities (England, Property etc) Order 1973 no.1861 on payment of all costs associated with the transfer of land including all legal expenses, officer costs and District Valuer evaluation.

Considerations/ reasons for this decision:-

1.)             Report number LEG 029 by the Portfolio Holder for Assets and Resources.

2.)             Under the provisions of the Local Authorities (England, Property etc) Order 1973, the Town Council inherited, as of right, all property held then by the Stamford Corporation for functions which were the sole responsibility of parishes after 1^st April 1974. These functions included allotments.

3.)             The Town Council has provided evidence of use of the Property as allotments since 1908, during the period of reorganisation of local authorities in 1974 and continuing to this day.

4.)             Section 33 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 provides that any transfer can be made subject to the provisions to impose and enforce a covenant that the Property be used for the purpose of allotments only and for no other purpose. The Local Development Framework Site Specific Strategy also protects allotments.

5.)             Costs imposed on the District Council as a result of the transfer of land.

Other options considered and assessed:-

        The District Council is bound by the Order.

Report number POI25 by the Leader of the Council.

                                                                (Enclosure)

[Please note:  the annual report document referred to in report POI25 is a large colour document.  To save printing and paper costs it has not been circulated in hard copy format with this agenda.  It is available electronically via the Council’s website www.southkesteven.gov.uk by selecting the Local Democracy link, Agendas and minutes, and then the date of this Cabinet meeting.

Members may request a copy on CD format if they prefer by contacting the Democracy Services team.]

Decision:-

To approve the 2007/08 annual report subject to any minor amendments being agreed by the Leader and Corporate Head of Partnerships and Organisational Development.

Considerations/ reasons for this decision:-

1.)             Report number POI 25 by the Leader of the Council.

2.)             In previous years the council has published performance information in the Best Value Performance Plan. The government has now removed this legal requirement and councils are able to choose how and when they publish performance information.

3.)             The annual report has been produced to communicate financial and performance information in an accessible and understandable format and been designed to compliment the corporate plan.

4.)             The annual report has been produced to provide accountability and transparency on the council’s performance to residents, partners and other stakeholders.

Report number POI21 by the Access and Engagement Portfolio Holder.                                               (Enclosure)

Decision:-

1.)           To note the council’s performance in the first six months of 2008/09 (April – September 2008) and the actions being taken to improve performance.

2.)           To encourage the Scrutiny Committee to look at all the data within the report and make constructive suggestions, even where the council is already meeting its targets, in order to improve services.

Considerations/ reasons for this decision:-

1.)             Report POI 21 by the Portfolio Holder for Access and Engagement.

2.)             At the beginning of this financial year, the council started to use a new performance management system (Covalent) to collect all performance data. The new system enables the production of more detailed performance reports than in previous years.

3.)             Each year a selection of national indicators are audited by the council’s external auditors to ensure that they are accurate and have been collected properly.

4.)             In areas of negative performance, key actions are taking place to aid further improvements.