Agenda and minutes

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note that (1) there were no declarations of interests made by the Member in relation to the business to be transacted at this meeting;

(2) there were no declarations of any dispensations granted by the Standards Committee in relation to the business to be transacted at this meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2009 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 3 September 2009 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no petitions had been received.

To receive questions (if any) under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 16 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

(Note:  Paragraph 16 of the Executive Procedure Rules stipulates that questions will be asked in the order notice of them was received and that there be a time limit of 15 minutes).

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no public questions to be received at the meeting under the provisions of Executive Procedure Rule 16 (Part 4D of the Constitution).

In accordance with the provisions contained in Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rule 23 (Part 4F of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no matters had been referred to the Executive Member for reconsideration in accordance with the provisions contained in the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rule 22 (Part 4F of the Council’s Constitution).

(if any)

RESOLVED:  To note that no reports had been received.

Report of the Corporate Director Finance.

The Leader of the Council considered a report of the Corporate Director Finance regarding the recent insurance tender exercise together with a confidential appendix setting out the results of the tender evaluation. The appendix was admitted late to the agenda to enable a decision to be made on the award of the Council’s Insurance Contracts Tender. Due to the need to evaluate the tenders, the appendix had not been available at the time the agenda was printed and circulated.

The officer responded to questions on the content of the appendix. In response to a question, it was noted that the European Union (EU) procurement regulations had been rigorously applied. The savings realised would form part of the Corporate Finance 2010/11 efficiency savings.

It was noted that in line with other members of the consortium and to allow sufficient time under the EU procurement regulations to award the business for a commencement date of 1 January 2010, permission to waive the decision call-in period had been received from the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:  That officers be authorised to enter into the recommended insurance contracts as set out in appendix 2 with effect from 1 January 2010.

Joint Report of the Corporate Directors Children’s Services and Place Shaping.

In accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the Leader of the Council considered a joint report of the Corporate Director Children’s Services and Corporate Director Place Shaping on the new Sure Start Children’s Centre to be established on the Rayners Lane Estate. The report was admitted late to the agenda to enable Agreements to proceed and payment to be made for works to set up the Rayners Lane Children’s Centre. Due to consultations, the report had not been available at the time the agenda was printed and circulated.

An officer introduced the report, which requested authority to enter into management and lease arrangements with Home Group Limited. The basis for the lease and sources of capital and revenue funding were noted. It was also noted that in order for the Agreements to proceed and payment to be made for the works, permission to waive the decision call-in period had been received from the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the Corporate Director Children’s Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services, be authorised to enter into a management agreement with Home Group Limited;

(2)  the Corporate Director Place Shaping, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Major Contracts and Property, be authorised to enter into an agreement for lease and subsequent lease with Home Group Limited for the new Children’s Centre on the Rayners Lane Estate.

(3)  the payment of the invoice for £270k be approved.

To resolve that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence, or of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972:

RESOLVED:  That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item for the reasons set out below:

Appendix to the report of the Corporate Director Finance at item 7

(see also Minute 121)