Agenda and minutes

Agreed.

Received a report setting out the recommendations of the Independent Review Panel into Members Allowances.  The report proposed a number of changes following the annual survey of all Members as well as a report concerning their activities, responsibilities and time input in order to carry out their duties as Councillors.

Agreed, to recommend the Assembly to agree the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2003/04, as set out in Appendix A to the report, with effect from 15 May 2003, in accordance with the recommendations of the Independent Review Panel.

Received a request from the Gascoigne Community Centre Committee to take control of the Community Centre Car Park in order to restrict parking to users of the hall.

Agreed, that a fence and gate be erected in the car park adjacent to the Community Centre to allow the Community Centre to restrict parking to hall users only, until such time as the land is required for Housing use.

Received a report setting out the grant applications for 2003/2004 as well as the outcome of the assessment and monitoring undertaken by the Grants Officers.

Agreed, to approve grants for organisations as listed in Appendix A of the report in order to enable organisations to deliver their various projects to the benefit of the Community and to attract funding from external sources into the Borough, subject to the following amendments:

These amendments have been made in light of changes in priorities in Social Services following the move away from the Standard Spending Assessment (SSA) to the Formula Spending Share (FSS).

Received a report outlining the background and reasons for a panel of preferred Registered Social Landlord (RSL) partners.  The report set out the criteria for the selection and brought forward proposals on which RSL’s should comprise the panel.  The report also indicated how the strengths of the RSL partners would be matched to the many varying development and regeneration opportunities.

Agreed, in order to enhance the delivery of affordable homes through the assembly of a panel of RSL’s to provide high quality and efficient development and management services, that:

1. Anglia Housing Group (Stort Valley Housing Association), East Thames Housing Group, Metropolitan and Ujima be appointed to the Council’s panel of RSL preferred partners;

2. Further enquiries be made of London & Quadrant Housing Trust and Presentation Housing Association with a view to adding these to the RSL panel; and

3. A review of the performance of RSL partners and consideration of new applications to join the panel be held on an annual basis.

Deferred.

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