Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Paul Carpenter.

Minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 2009.      (Enclosure)

The minutes of the meeting held on the 1^st June 2009 were approved as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest.

Report number TSE037 by the Director of Tenancy Services.  (Enclosure)

Decision:

1.)   To implement the revised rent increase in respect of Housing revenue Account properties, to a guideline rent increase of 3.1%, in line with the revised HRA subsidy determination approved by Council at its meeting on the 23 April 2009, with effect from 7 September 2009.

Considerations / Reasons for decision:

1.)   Report TSE37 by the Director of Tenancy Services.

2.)   On 20 May 2009 the government confirmed that it would be proceeding with amended rent increase and following this a revised Housing Revenue Subsidy Determination was issued.

3.)   Comments made at the meeting by the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Assets and the Portfolio Holder for Healthy Environment.

4.)   The implementation of the revised increase will be effective from the 7^th September, but all rents paid from the 1^st April will be recalculated, therefore creating a full year impact for tenants.

Other options considered:

1.)   The option of keeping to the original guideline rent increase was not supported by the Council meeting on 23 April 2009.

Report number HR&OD103 by the Housing and Organisational Development Portfolio Holder.                                                                  (Enclosure)

Decision:

1.)   To approve and adopt the updated Redundancy Policy Statement.

Considerations / Reasons for decision:

1.)   Report HR & OD 103 by the Service Manager, Human Resources and Organisational Development.

2.)   It has been a priority to address this issue for reasons such as the length of time since the last review, legislative changes, and good practice advice.

3.)   Feedback from a consultation with the trade unions who represent staff and those with whom a collective agreement applies.

4.)   Feedback from a policy consultation group for local representatives

Other options considered:

Not updating the policy is not an option.

Report number EDTC0085 by the Economic Development Portfolio Holder.

                                                                                                (Enclosure)

Decision:

1.)   To note the continued progress of the Deepings Incubation Centre project.

2.)   To grant funding of £300,000 from the capital budget as the South Kesteven District Council contribution towards the overall costs of the Deepings Incubation Centre project.

Considerations / Reasons for decision:

1.)   Report EDTC0082 by the Service Manager, Economic Development and Town Centre Management.

2.)   Comments made at the meeting by the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, in support of this project.

3.)   The project meets with the Council’s priority theme ‘Good for Business’.

4.)   The project will address low and slow economic growth by attracting and creating new business sectors that will provide high value jobs to increase wage.

5.)   The project will enable development of new high value office accommodation for up to 50 businesses

6.)   The Deepings Incubation Centre will provide a focal point to drive the growth of enterprise in the town and across the south of the District, providing a real alternative to Peterborough, and also complementing its offer.

7.)   Funding already obtained for the project, from other sources.

Other options considered:

1.) South Kesteven District Council could undertake not to support the project, however this may mean that the project will not go ahead when clear demand has been shown.

2.) South Kesteven District Council could offer less funding, this may mean that certain aspects of the build may be reduced or cut lessening the likelihood of achieving the proposed objectives. 

3.) South Kesteven District Council could contribute further funding in aiming to support the development of this incubation centre with further facilities than those outlined.

Report number SS09 by the Access and Engagement Portfolio Holder.

                                                                                (Enclosure)

Decision:

1.)   To adopt the Fleet Management Strategy contained within report SS09; subject to a satisfactory consultation being carried out and the figures in the report being verified.

Considerations / Reasons for decision:

1.)   Report SS09 by the Portfolio Holder, Healthy Environment.

2.)   Comments received from the Communities PDG.

3.)   Comments received from the Monitoring Officer with regard to appropriate consultation being carried out.

4.)   Comments made by the Interim Chief Executive at the meeting with regard to the Monitoring Officer’s comments contained within the report.

5.)   The implementation of the strategy will contribute directly to the Council objectives set out in the Quality Organisation priority theme in terms of improved efficiency and reduced carbon emissions.

Other options considered:

1.)   Consideration has been given to leasing vehicles as an alternative to purchase, but at this point in time outright purchase is the best option for the organisation.

Report number SS08 by the Healthy Environment Portfolio Holder.

                                                                                (Enclosure)

Decision:

1.)  To withdraw the recycling bring site service by the termination date of the existing contract.

Considerations / Reasons for decision:

1.)  Report SS08 by the Portfolio Holder for Healthy Environment.

2.)  Comments received from a working group of the Communities PDG.

3.)  Feedback received from a consultation of Parish/Town Councils, supermarkets and residents.

4.)  Comments made by the Leader with regard to preparing for the future and trying to achieve the best value for money for council tax payers.

5.)  The success of kerbside recycling collections and the plans in place to promote increased use by the public.

6.)  Comments made by other Members in attendance at the meeting.

Other options considered:

1.)   Re-tender the service on a reduced number of sites providing appropriate facilities across the district.

2.)   Reduce the number of sites as in 1.) and bring the service in- house.

Report number ENV433 by the Healthy Environment Portfolio Holder.

                                                                                                (Enclosure)

Decision:

1.)   To adopt the Corporate Health and Safety Policy.

Considerations / Reasons for decision:

1.)   Report ENV433 by the Portfolio Holder for Healthy Environment.

2.)   Comments received from the Communities PDG.

3.)   The achievement of good health and safety within the Council will contribute to the Quality Organisation priority theme, providing a safe and healthy working environment for both staff and all others affected by service activities. 

Other options considered:

1.)     The requirement to have an up to date safety policy in place is statutory. There are no viable alternative options.

Report number POI039 by the Access and Engagement Portfolio Holder.    

                                                                                                (Enclosure)                                  

Decision:

1.)   To submit the proposal on retaining 100% of council housing rent collected to the government by 31 July 2009.

Considerations / Reasons for decision:

1.)   Report POI39 by the Portfolio Holder for Access and Engagement.

2.)   Cabinet was aware of the recent announcement by the Minister of State John Healey, but felt his proposals were still unclear. Therefore Cabinet felt it was still appropriate to submit this proposal for consideration.

3.)   Feedback received from the Tenants Panel and Housing Consultative Group.

4.)   Comments made by the Portfolio Holder for Access and Engagement in support of this proposal.

Report number TSE036 by the Assets & Resources Portfolio Holder. 

                                                                                                (Enclosure)

Decision:

1.)   That the council may purchase the materials used by the Works team through the framework agreements set up by Procurement for Housing (PfH) and the Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO).

Considerations / Reasons for decision:

1.)   Report TSE0036 by the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Assets.

2.)   Using the framework agreements set up by PfH and ESPO will enable the council to have the flexibility to use a range of suppliers rather than obtaining materials through a sole supplier.

3.)   Purchasing materials through these framework agreements will enable the council to make savings on the materials budget of approximately 6%.

4.)   Comments made by the Portfolio Holder for Resources and Assets with regard to value for money.

Other options considered:

1.)   An alternative option is to tender for the materials supply contract independently; this would involve additional officer time and also does not allow the Council to take advantage of the bulk purchasing power that the framework agreements have in place.