Agenda and minutes

Agreed.

Received a report setting out the Council’s current Street Trading Charges and proposed changes to the basis that the charges are applied as well as the level of Charges for 2003/04.

Agreed, in accordance with the principles of the Charging Policy Commission and to assist with the Council’s Community Priority of “Regenerating the Local Economy”, the basis and increase for Street Trading Charges with effect from 1 July 2003 as follows:

1.  The issue of a non-transferable three-year licence to an individual at a charge of £50 per licence.

2.  If a licence requires a new ‘Designated Street’, the cost of this, if approved, is charged to the licensee.

3.  The introduction of premium, standard and small area rates, as outlined in paragraph 3.3; and,

4.  Street Trading Licences Charges will in future be reviewed annually.

Received the Parks & Green Spaces Strategy, which summarises all of the issues affecting parks and green spaces in the Borough and sets out a programme for the renaissance of parks and green spaces over the next twenty years. 

Agreed, in order to support delivery of the Community Priorities, particularly “Making Barking & Dagenham Cleaner, Greener and Safer”, to approve:

1. The adoption of the Parks & Green Spaces Strategy, noting the funding gap that would need to be bridged to deliver the strategy; and

2. In principle, the appointment of a project manager on a fixed term contract.

A further report is to be presented to the Executive on the issues related to Thames Water and the actions they are proposing to invest in upgrading the sewerage system, which is causing severe problems throughout the Borough.

Received a report setting out a recommendation from the Corporate Monitoring Group, following on from the External Auditor’s Management Letter for 2001/02, that arrangements be put in place to perform the role of an audit committee.

Agreed, in order to help the Corporate Monitoring Group to undertake the role of an audit committee, that:

1. The Corporate Monitoring Group should oversee the role currently undertaken by the Director of Finance in respect of planned internal audit work;

2. In the light of the Smith report, the Corporate Monitoring Group should also be responsible for overseeing the Council’s relations with the External Auditors and the suggested additions to the Group’s terms of reference as set out in the appendix to the report; and

3. The membership of the Group be extended to include the Chair of the Scrutiny Management Board.

Received a report detailing this Authority’s response to the Government’s consultation on the management of unauthorised camping.

Agreed, in order to influence the Government’s final guidance and establish arrangements for strategic review, to:

1. Approve the response to the consultation as set out in the Appendix to the report; and

2. Receive more specific plans for a strategic review of Traveller policy and service provision.

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

Members noted that Jack Knowles is to retire on 30 May 2003 and wished him a long and happy retirement following a total of 40 years local government service.

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