Agenda and minutes

Agreed.

Received a report recommending changes to the Corporate Safety structure and providing an update on the action plan that the Council implemented following the visit of the Health and Safety Executive to Social Services in January 2002.

Agreed the revision to the Corporate Safety structure as set out in the report, in order to strengthen the Council’s health and safety arrangements.

Noted a report on the co-ordination work being carried out by the Council under its statutory responsibility to minimise disruption and delay caused by those working on the public highway.

Received the draft report of the Traffic Calming Scrutiny Panel.  Noted the following amendments to the report:

Paragraph 2 (Consultation/Communication):

• Insert sentence in sub-paragraph (a) explaining that the annual report to each Community Forum on traffic calming schemes in the Forum area will include details of all recent requests from members of the public regarding the installation/removal of traffic calming measures and the Council’s response to these.

• Sub-paragraph (b) deleted.

The Scrutiny Panel report will now be submitted to the Assembly on 14 May 2003.

Received the final report of the above Best Value Review.

Agreed to recommend the Assembly to agree the recommendations outlined in the action/improvement plan, as these are in line with the principles of Best Value and will lead to significant improvement over the next five years.

Received a report advising on progress with the redevelopment of the Broadway Theatre and seeking approval for the appointment of trustees to the Broadway Theatre Trust to run the theatre on behalf of the Council and Barking College.

Agreed, in order to help progress the redevelopment scheme, to appoint the three Council trustees as follows:

Roger Luxton (the Director of Education, Arts and Libraries), Jane Hargreaves (the Head of Literacy and Cultural Services) and Tracey McNulty (the Head of Arts Services).

These officers will stay in post until the Theatre is open and running.  At this point, in December 2004, the Executive will be asked to review the appointments and it is hoped that Members will then wish to act as trustees.

Received a report seeking approval for a new joint Council/Primary Care Trust post of Regeneration and Community Partnerships Manager.

Agreed, in order to strengthen the capacity of Social Services and the Primary Care Trust (PCT) in relation to regeneration and the development of Community Partnerships:

1.  The function of the Regeneration and Community Partnerships Manager post as set out in the report; and

2.  The funding of the post on the basis of Neighbourhood Renewal Fund funding for 2003/04 of £35,000; PCT funding of £17,500 and Social Services funding of £17,500.

Received a report regarding the 2003/05 Best Value Review programme.

Agreed to proceed with the following further cross cutting reviews in 2003/04 - Procurement and Improving Officer Capacity, as this will enable the Council to respond to issues raised in its Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA), in its CPA self-assessment and follow up meetings with various inspectorates on improvement planning.

Received a report setting out the known current position on external activities undertaken by members and senior officers and the benefits to the Council as far as the individuals involved are concerned.  The report was compiled in response to a recommendation in the CPA report.

Agreed to support all Members and Senior Managers in participating in external activities in order to benefit the Council and the Borough.

Agreed to exclude the public and press for the remainder of the meeting, as the business was confidential.

*Item considered as a matter of urgency with the consent of the Chair under Section 100 (4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.