Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor M Tindale.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2012 (previously circulated as part of Council Agenda of 26 September 2012)

RESOLVED – that the Minutes of the Executive meeting held on 4 September 2012, be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

The Leader welcomed the press to the meeting.  He also thanked non-Executive Members for their attendance at Executive meetings, stating that their input was greatly appreciated.

(A)     the progress made by  Members and Officers against the three recommendations made at the Community Scrutiny Committee meeting on 28 February 2012 be noted and supported;

(B)     the ambitions set out in paragraph 2.9 of the report now submitted, be supported and are integrated into the strategic policy making of the Council via the Equalities Impact Assessment; and

(C)    the Ageing Well agenda be developed within the context of the Council’s corporate priority to enhance the quality of life, health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities, particularly those who are vulnerable.

The Executive Member for Health, Housing and Community Support submitted a report on the progress made in developing the Ageing Well agenda.  The Community Scrutiny Committee, at its meeting held on 28 August 2012, had also considered the progress made since making its original three recommendations.

The Executive Member referred to the ambitions detailed at paragraph 2.9 of the report submitted and sought the Executive’s support for integrating these into the Council’s strategic policy making.  She advised that Community Scrutiny Committee would be receiving a further report on this at its next meeting.

In response to various Members’ comments and questions, the Executive noted that the developing District Plan would need to take account of the changing demographics of the District.  The Executive Member commented that the Ageing Well agenda would need to be developed in partnership with other agencies and that funding could be considered if specific projects were identified.  Reference was also made to the work of the Buntingford Youth Council as an example of intergenerational links.   

The Executive supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RESOLVED - that (A) the progress made by  Members and Officers against the three recommendations made at the Community Scrutiny Committee meeting on 28 February 2012 be noted and supported;

(B)      the ambitions set out in paragraph 2.9 of the report now submitted, be supported and are integrated into the strategic policy making of the Council via the Equalities Impact Assessment; and

(C)      the Ageing Well agenda be developed within the context of the Council’s corporate priority to enhance the quality of life, health and wellbeing of individuals, families and communities, particularly those who are vulnerable.

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

(B)    £20,000 of the IT Network, Servers and Storage capital budget is re-profiled from 2012/13 into 2013/14, as detailed at paragraph 2.34 of the report;

(C)    £30,000 of the Hardware Funding capital budget is re-profiled from 2012/13 into 2013/14 as detailed at paragraph 2.35 of the report;

(D)    £40,000 of The Bourne Ware play development area capital budget is re-profiled from 2012/13 into 2013/14 as detailed at paragraph 2.36 of the report;

(E)     £25,000 of the Hartham Common parks development plan project capital budget is re-profiled from 2012/13 into 2013/14 as detailed at paragraph 2.37 of the report;

(F)     the £10,000 capital budget for the Ventilation improvements to the Café kitchen at Hertford Theatre is vired to replacing the roof at the Castle Gardens bungalow as detailed at paragraph 2.38 of the report;

(G)    action taken to control strategic risks during the period July to September 2012, be noted; and

(H)     the list of 2011/12 Unit Cost performance indicators as detailed in paragraph 2.42 and Essential Reference Paper ‘G’ of the report submitted, be noted.

The Leader submitted an exception report on the finance, performance and risk monitoring for August and September 2012.

In respect of the proposal to vire the £10,000 capital budget for the ventilation improvements to the Café kitchen at Hertford Theatre to replacing the roof at the Castle Gardens bungalow, the Executive Member for Health, Housing and Community Support sought assurance that this item would be reconsidered if the catering situation at Hertford Theatre changed.  The Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services confirmed that whilst the ventilation item was not needed now, it would be resubmitted with a business case for consideration if necessary as the programme developed.

In respect of the The Bourne, Ware play development scheme, the Executive noted that this item had not been implemented as the anticipated match funding had not been realised.  The Executive Member for Health, Housing and Community Support confirmed that alternatives were being sought.

In response to a question from Councillor J Ranger on the training budget figures and those reported to Human Resources Committee, the Chief Executive and Director of Customer and Community Services undertook to provide a written response.

The Executive supported the recommendations as now detailed.

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

(B)      £20,000 of the IT Network, Servers and Storage capital budget is re-profiled from 2012/13 into 2013/14, as detailed at paragraph 2.34 of the report;

(C)      £30,000 of the Hardware Funding capital budget is re-profiled from 2012/13 into 2013/14 as detailed at paragraph 2.35 of the report;

(D)      £40,000 of The Bourne Ware play development area capital budget is re-profiled from 2012/13 into 2013/14 as detailed at paragraph 2.36 of the report;

(E)      £25,000 of the Hartham Common parks development plan project capital budget is re-profiled from 2012/13 into 2013/14 as detailed at paragraph 2.37 of the report;

(F)       the £10,000 capital budget for the Ventilation improvements to the Café kitchen at Hertford Theatre is vired to replacing the roof at the Castle Gardens bungalow as detailed at paragraph 2.38 of the report;

(G)      action taken to control strategic risks during the period July to September 2012, be noted; and

(H)      the list of 2011/12 Unit Cost performance indicators as detailed in paragraph 2.42 and Essential Reference Paper ‘G’ of the report submitted, be noted.

The Leader has agreed to accept this item onto the agenda as an urgent matter in order that an extension of an economic development initiative can be considered without delay.

(A)     the current agreement with Cobalt Telephone Technologies be extended until the end of 2012/13, and

(B)     a change to the current operating terms whereby the service will be offered free to the user, with the transaction costs absorbed by East Herts Council, be approved, by use of New Homes Bonus as set out in the report submitted.

The Leader had agreed to accept this item onto the agenda as an urgent matter in order that an extension of an economic development initiative could be considered without delay.

The Executive Member for Economic Development submitted a report seeking to extend the pilot “pay be phone” service for the Council’s car parks.  He proposed that the current arrangement with Cobalt Telephone Technologies be extended until the end of 2012/13 and that the 20p transaction charge is absorbed by the Council.  The Executive Member detailed the scheme and commented that this would extend choice for the motorist as stated in the Parking and Transport Strategy agreed earlier in the year.

In response to Members’ questions and comments, the Executive Member stated that signage would be improved and that greater publicity for the scheme would be needed.

The Executive supported the recommendations as now detailed.

RESOLVED - that (A) the current agreement with Cobalt Telephone Technologies be extended until the end of 2012/13, and

(B)      a change to the current operating terms whereby the service will be offered free to the user, with the transaction costs absorbed by East Herts Council, be approved, by use of New Homes Bonus as set out in the report submitted.