Agenda and minutes

Agreed.

Received a report outlining details of an Expression of Interest, submitted to the Department for Education and Skills, seeking resources to support development of the secondary school building stock as part of a national scheme to ensure that secondary education has facilities of 21st century standards.

Agreed to support the content of the report and the main body of the bid, in order to secure significant funds for further improvements at existing secondary schools and the Trinity SpecialSchool, with the exception of the Jo Richardson Community School.

Received a report proposing that Revenue savings could be forthcoming from an amalgamation of transport management, in accordance with budget reductions for 2004 / 2005 onwards and that from 1 April 2004 the responsibility for this service should be transferred from the Director of Education, Arts and Libraries (DEAL) to the Director of Leisure and Environmental Services (DLES).

Agreed, in order to improve the management structure, improve efficiency and achieve the required budgetary savings, to the amalgamation of the Passenger Transport Services (DEAL) with Transport and Waste Services (DLES) with effect from 1 April 2004 and the responsibility for the management of the amalgamated service being transferred to DLES.

Received a report proposing increases in the charges for the collection of trade and other waste, emptying of cesspools, the construction of vehicle crossings, the carrying out of MoT vehicle tests and other services.

Agreed:

1. To the increased charges as set out in the report, with effect from 1 April 2004, in line with the Charging Policy for Council services, in order to reflect the current costs of the services provided and increases in costs made to the Authority; and

2. That officers should ensure that all Members are aware of proposed new charges from an early stage.

Received a report regarding charges for Leisure Activities, Cemeteries and Community Halls for 2004 / 2005.

Agreed, in order to set the Leisure Activities, Cemeteries and Community Halls Charges for the forthcoming year in accordance with the principles of the Charging Policy Commission and pending the recommendations of the Leisure Facilities Scrutiny Panel and to assist with the Community Priority of “Improving Health, Housing and Social Care”, to:

1. A simplification of the number and type of memberships available, not only to offer good value for money to regular and frequent users but also to encourage more people to make regular and more frequent use of facilities, including the removal of the category of ‘Off-Peak Membership’;

2. In principle, the introduction of a category of ‘Staff Membership’ in replacement of the long-established concession of free swimming for certain categories of staff, subject to negotiations through the staff negotiating procedure;

3. The removal of the concept of ‘Day Membership’ in the majority of cases, by showing standard activity prices, from which ‘Members’ will be entitled to a discount every time they use facilities;

4. Officers negotiating with specific sports clubs regarding Delegated Management Agreements for certain pavilions in parks, subject to further reports being presented for approva;

5. The reduction of categories for charging of Community Halls from three to two as detailed in the report;

6. Give delegated authority to officers in the Leisure and Environmental Services Department to negotiate with users of Mayesbrook Arena and agree the charges for 2004 / 2005 to get the best available return to the Council; and

7. Note the position with regard to Cemeteries Charges.

Received a report setting out proposals to increase the rental charges levied on the Barking Town Centre market traders.

Agreed, the increases in the level of charges for trading at the Barking Town Centre Market from 1 April 2004, as set out in paragraph 1.2 of the report, in accordance with the principles of the Charging Policy Commission.

Received a report outlining the contract for the electrical repairs and minor works in public buildings and schools, which is due to expire at the end of June 2004.

Agreed, to seek tenders for a five-year term contract for the electrical repairs and minor works in public buildings and schools using the Restricted Procedure in accordance with European Procurement Directives, with a further report to be presented in June 2004 advising of the results of the tender evaluation process and requesting approval to appoint the successful contractor.

Noted the contents of the final report of the Health and Social Care Partnership Arrangements Scrutiny Panel, prior to its submission to the Assembly on 7 April 2004.

Councillor Bramley declared an interest in this item.

Following the undertaking of a further consultancy study into the future needs of provision of leisure centre services in the Borough, received a report providing information with regard to indicative redevelopment costs and funding options for a new leisure centre and options with regard to the future management of all the leisure centres directly managed by the Council.

Agreed, in order to assist the Council in achieving the Community Priorities of “Promoting Equal Opportunities and Celebrating Diversity”, “Better Education and Learning for All”, Improving Heath, Housing and Social Care”, “Raising General Pride in the Borough” and “Regenerating the Local Economy”, that:

1. Consideration be given to enable a new Leisure Centre to be built within the Borough through the Council’s Capital Management Programme, subject to a proper evaluation and appraisal to be undertaken in due course.  Paragraph 6.4 of the report sets out an assumption that the capital finance will be secured, but currently the policy is not to ring-fence any capital receipts to any specific projects.

2. Officers continue to investigate the future Management of the Council’s Leisure Centres through either:

3. Officers continue to work on plans to develop a new Leisure Centre on the existing Wood Lane Sports Centre site.  The preferred option is for an eight-lane swimming pool and teaching pool.

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

Agreed, further to Minute 294 (17 February 2004), to appoint Councillors Alexander, Fairbrass, and B Osborn in order to enable the recruitment to the post of Head of Housing Business Support.