Agenda and minutes

The Leader of the Council submitted a report seeking approval for a Development Brief for the area known as the Goods Yard site in Bishop’s Stortford.

The Executive noted the progress made by the Bishop’s Stortford 20 20 Group and the consultation that had been undertaken in producing the Brief as now submitted.  If adopted, the Brief would become a strong material consideration for development control purposes and would inform the Local Development Framework.

The Leader drew attention to the additional comments that had been received from members of the 20 20 Group as detailed in the supplementary agenda.  He proposed that the suggested amendments detailed at items 2 and 13 be supported, which was agreed by the Executive.

In response to comments by Members, the Executive noted that Officers would consider further the issue of taxis in relation to a fully integrated transport interchange.  In respect of Building Heights at paragraph 9.6.4, the Executive agreed to support an amendment to the effect that a range of building heights up to 6 storeys would be appropriate to consider.

The Executive supported the proposals as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that (A) the Draft Bishop’s Stortford Goods Yard Site Development Brief as now submitted is adopted as the Council’s vision and objectives for the site, subject to the following amendments:

(1)     Page 41, Item 6 – insert “not” before “become a competitor to Harlow…”

to read “A development centred on the Goods Yard site would greatly ease the congestion in the town centre but it should not become a competitor to Harlow or Cambridge.”

(2)     Page 56, paragraph 9.6.4 – insert after “…to consider a range of building heights” the words “up to” and delete the words “…varying between 3 storeys and”

to read “The Council is satisfied that across such a large site it would be appropriate to consider a range of building heights up to 6 storeys.”

(3)     Page 62, paragraph 14.5 – insert a full stop after “...effected to some degree by a number of different contaminants”

to read “Much of the made ground appears to have been effected to some degree by a number of different contaminants.  Groundwater and the adjacent river are considered vulnerable to off-site migration.”

(B)    minor amendments are delegated to the Director of Customer and Community Services in consultation with the Leader; and

(C)    used for development control purposes in determining planning applications relating to the site; and

(D)    used to inform emerging Local Development Framework strategies and policies.

The Executive Member for Finance submitted a report advising the Executive of the 2010/11 General Fund Revenue and Capital Fund Outturn.

The Executive Member advised that the final accounts had now been closed and would be submitted to the Audit Committee for approval.  He also drew attention to the improved forecasting of the outturn position compared to the previous year.

The Executive supported the proposal as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED – that a change of purpose of the Waste Recycling Reserve, as set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report submitted, be approved.

(see also Minute 128 below)

The Leader submitted an exception report on finance and performance monitoring for April 2011.

The Executive supported the carry forward requests as detailed in the report submitted.

RECOMMENDED - that the carry forward requests of £9,270, £4,750, £7,000, £4,100, £4,195, £9,530 as outlined in paragraphs 2.25 to 2.28 of the report submitted, be approved in accordance with Financial Regulation 4.7.3 and met by a call on the general reserve.

(see also Minute 129 below)

The Leader submitted an exception report on finance and performance monitoring for May 2011.

The Executive supported the supplementary capital estimate as now detailed.

RECOMMENDED - that a supplementary Capital estimate of £77.5k against the Council’s Leisure Development Capital project, be approved.

(see also Minute 130 below)

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 June 2011.

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 15 June 2011, be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

To receive any Member(s) declaration(s) of interest.

Councillors W Ashley and N Poulton declared personal and prejudicial interests in the matter referred to at Minute 126 – Assessment of East Herts Sports Facilities, in that they were both Directors of Wodson Park.  They both left the chamber whilst this matter was considered.

The Executive received a report detailing those issues referred to it by the Scrutiny Committees.  Issues relating to specific reports for the Executive were considered and detailed at the relevant report of the Executive Member.

RESOLVED – that the report be received.

The Executive Member for Health, Housing and Community Support submitted a report presenting the draft Assessment of East Herts Sports Facilities and a range of recommendations and long term aspirations.  The Assessment would be used as guidance for local planning decisions up to 2021 and as a technical document to support the evidence base of the Local Development Framework.

The Executive noted that, at its meeting held on 14 June 2011, the Community Scrutiny Committee had recommended its use as planning guidance.

The Executive approved the proposals as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the views of Community Scrutiny Community be received; and

(B)     the recommendations/aspirations for indoor sports facilities be acknowledged and the Assessment be noted and published.

The Executive Member for Finance submitted a report requesting a waiver from the Council’s Procurement Regulations, to enable the purchase of a Wide Area Network (WAN) at a lower cost in respect of the Council’s telephone system. 

The Executive approved the proposal as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that in accordance with Procurement Regulations 12.1 and 12.2.d, the requirement to appoint after competitive tender be waived, in order to enable the Council to implement a WAN at lower cost and which will deliver cost savings for the taxpayer following investigation of the market.

The Executive Member for Finance submitted a report advising the Executive of the 2010/11 General Fund Revenue and Capital Fund Outturn.

The Executive approved the proposals as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the General Fund Revenue Outturn for 2010/11 be approved; and

(B)     the level of Fund Balances at 31 March 2011, as set out within the report submitted, be noted.

(see also Minute 120 above)

The Leader submitted an exception report on finance and performance monitoring for April 2011.

The Executive approved the proposals as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A)the budgetary variances set out in paragraph 2.1 of the report be noted;

(B)     a supplementary estimate of £16,500 to modify car park pay and display machines to accept new 5p and 10p coins that come into circulation in 2011/12, be approved; and

(C)    the action taken to mitigate and control strategic risks during the period January to April 2011 be noted.

(see also Minute 121 above)

The Leader submitted an exception report on finance and performance monitoring for May 2011.

The Executive approved the proposals as now detailed.

RESOLVED – that (A) the budgetary variances set out in paragraph 2.1 of the report submitted be noted;

(B)     £36k of the Grange Paddocks Pay and Display machines capital budget and £3k of the Grange Paddocks tariff board/signage capital budget be re-profiled from 2012/13 into 2011/12; and

(C)    £150k of the New Telephone System capital budget be re-profiled from 2012/13 into 2011/12.

(see also Minute 122 above)