15 December 2009 - Agenda

                                                                                                 7 December 2009

Dear Sir/Madam

A Meeting of the Babergh District Council will be held in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Corks Lane, Hadleigh on TUESDAY 15 DECEMBER 2009 AT 9.30AM.

The proceedings will be opened with a short prayer for those Members who choose to participate.

Yours faithfully

Andrew Hunkin
Director of Corporate Services

 

ITEM

BUSINESS

PART I 

	1	MINUTES To confirm and sign the Minutes of the meetings held on 20 and 29 October  2009 as correct records.
	2	DECLARATION OF INTERESTS Members to declare any interests as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.
	3	APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive apologies for absence.
	4	CHAIRMAN’S ANNOUNCEMENTS
	5	TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE NO. 13 In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13, the Chief Executive will report the receipt of petitions as detailed below.  There can be no debate or comment upon this matter at the Council meeting. The Boathouse, Cross Street, Sudbury Petition signed by approximately 22 residents of the District objecting to the proposed variation of a premises licence in respect of the above premises.  This petition was reported to the Licensing and Appeals Committee on 12 November 2009. The Boathouse, Cross Street, Sudbury Petition signed by approximately 60 residents of the District objecting to a new premises licence application in respect of the above premises.  This petition is to be reported to the Licensing Sub-Committee on 22 December 2009.
Paper J143	6	RECOMMENDATIONS AND REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES Managing Babergh Car Parks (Strategy Committee) The Strategy Committee, at its meeting on 8 December 2009, will be considering Paper J143.  The recommendation of that Committee will be reported to the meeting.
	7	QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC The Chairmen of  Committees to answer any questions from the public of which notice has been given no later than midday, 2 working days before the day of the meeting in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 14.
	8	QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS The Chairman of the Council and the Chairmen of Committees and Sub-Committees to answer any questions on any matters in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affect the District and which fall within the terms of reference of that Committee or Sub-Committee of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 15.4 (a) and (b).
Paper J147	9	TIMETABLE OF MEETINGS 2010/11 Members are asked to approve the draft timetable (Paper J147 attached) prepared by the Director of Corporate Services.
	10	STANDARDS COMMITTEE ISSUES The Director of Corporate Services to report that interviews have been conducted to appoint an independent member to the Standards Committee and the interview panel (comprising the Vice-Chairman of the Standards Committee, the Monitoring Officer and the Deputy Monitoring Officer) recommends the appointment of Mr Andrew George to serve on the Committee for a 4 year term of Office. In addition authority is sought to enable reciprocal arrangements with other local authorities to share independent members of Standards Committees to consider Code of Conduct complaints in particular when the need arises due to conflicts of interest or lack of availability It is recommended: (1)    That subject to the receipt of satisfactory references, Mr Andrew George be appointed to the Standards Committee as an independent Member for a term of 4 years commencing immediately. (2)    That thanks and appreciation be extended to Mr John Newton, the outgoing independent member and Chairman of Standards Committee, for his work and service to the Committee over the past 8 years. (3)    That pursuant to The Standards Committee (England) Regulations 2008 authority be given for an independent member of another Standards Committee to be appointed temporarily to the Standards Committee to consider a particular allegation or matter, if the need so arises, and for reciprocal arrangements to be put in place with other Suffolk Standards Committees
	11	LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW The Chief Executive to report that the Boundary Committee has succeeded in the Court of Appeal in overturning the judicial review brought by Forest Heath District Council, St Edmundsbury Borough Council and Suffolk Coastal District Council. Following the Court of Appeal ruling the Secretary of State has given the Boundary Committee a revised date of 8 December 2009 to advise on Unitary proposals for Suffolk, Norfolk and Devon. From 8 December there is a 4 week period in which representations on the Boundary Committee’s proposal may be made to the Secretary of State.  It is understood that at least one Norfolk Authority is lobbying for the representation period to be extended. The Secretary of State may not make a decision before the end of 6 weeks from the date of receiving the Boundary Committee’s alternative proposal. A verbal update on the latest position will be given at the meeting.
	12	REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES (a)    Suffolk Development Agency (SDA) Supervisory Board The Director of Corporate Services to report that Babergh District Council has been asked to appoint a Member representative on the above Board. The Supervisory Board will be responsible for visioning Choose Suffolk’s long term future and strategy.  The Board is expected to meet 3 times per year in the late afternoons or evenings.  Members will be asked to make an appointment of a representative for the remainder of the current term of office. (b)        Regional Spacial Strategy (RSS) Ipswich Policy Area Working Group The Director of Corporate Services to report that Babergh District Council has been asked to appoint a member representative on the above group. The group will be tasked with establishing a process and means of future growth scale and distribution for the Ipswich Policy Area for the review period 2021-2031.  The group is only expected to meet on 2 occasions in the late afternoon.  Members will be asked to make an appointment of a representative.

For further information on any of the Part 1 items listed above, please contact Steve Ellwood on 01473 825876 or via email at committeeservices@babergh.gov.uk