Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2009.  (Enclosure)

The minutes of the meeting held on 9^th March 2009 were confirmed as a correct record of the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

Report number AFM0075 by the Assets and Resources Portfolio Holder.                                               (Enclosure)

Decision:

1.)           To adopt the Asset Management Plan 2009-2012.

2.)           To authorise the Corporate Head of Resources and Organisational Development for Resources to make amendments to the Asset Management Plan 2009-2012 during the period of the Plan to incorporate organisational changes, changes in legislation and changes in assets held by the Council.

Considerations / Reasons for this decision:

1.)             Report number AFM0075 by the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Assets.

2.)             The Asset Management Plan has been put together on the basis that it is a ‘live’ document which should be updated regularly.

3.)             Comments and recommendations made by the Resources Policy Development Group.

Report number HR&OD101 by the Corporate Governance and Housing Portfolio Holder.                (Enclosure)

Decision:-

1.    To approve the Corporate Equality Scheme 2009-2012.

2.    To note the requirements for an annual report showing progress by the Council against its statutory equality duties.

3.    To give delegated authority to the Service Manager, Human Resources and Organisational development, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance and Housing, to approve further minor amendments resulting from legislation and consultation.

Considerations / Reasons for decisions:

1. Report HR & OD 101 by the Portfolio Holder, Governance and Housing.
2. Report number HR & OD 098 by the Portfolio Holder, Corporate Governance and Housing that came before Cabinet on the 6^th October 2008.
3. Consultation with internal and external stakeholders.
4. Support received from the Engagement Policy Development Group.
5. The strategy is in agreement with the council’s new priorities.

Report number CHSC0015 by the Economic Development portfolio holder.                                                                    (Enclosure)

Decision:

1. To endorse the Grantham Transport Strategy.

Considerations / Reasons for this decision:

1. Report CHSC0015 by the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development.
2. The draft Strategy published in 2007 has been amended taking into account views of South Kesteven District Council.
3. Consideration and recommendations made by the Communities Policy Development Group and the Grantham Transport Strategy working group.

Other options considered:

1. Through a process of negotiation, the Councils have been able to agree a Strategy the terms of which are acceptable to both parties and as a result there are no other options to consider in this instance.

Report number HST25 by the Corporate Governance and Housing Portfolio Holder.                                               (Enclosure)

Decision:

1. To adopt the Private Sector Financial Assistance Policy for 2009/10 and 2010/11 subject to available funding.
2. That decisions on the application of discretionary policy be delegated to the Portfolio Holder for Governance and Housing.

Considerations / Reasons for decisions:

1. Report number HST25 by the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Governance and Housing.
2. The Policy accords strongly with the council’s priority ‘Customer First’, and also ‘Quality Living’.

Other options considered:

1. Whilst there is no specific requirement for the Council to provide financial assistance in certain areas covered by this policy, the Council recognises it would be failing in its role as a housing enabler if it were not to use its wide ranging powers for housing renewal to benefit health and well being of its residents and to improve the district as a whole.

REVISION OF GUIDELINE RENT 2009/10.

Report CHFCS36 by the Corporate Head of Finance and Customer Services.

(Attached)

This item was taken as urgent business, as the consultation paper was only submitted by the Department of Communities and Local Government on 26 March.

Decision:

1) To recommend to Council that a positive response is given to the consultation to support a reduction in the rental increase (in respect of the Housing Revenue Account) for 2009/10 to a guideline rent increase of 3.1%, in line with the proposal of the Minister for Housing announced on 6 March 2009.

Reasons / Considerations for decision:

1. Report CHFCS36 by the Portfolio Holder, Assets and Resources.
2. Comments made by Cabinet members at the meeting.
3. The council’s priorities, including “Customer First’.

Other options considered:

The other option was to keep the average guideline rent increase at the 6.04% as approved by council on 2^nd March 2009.