Agenda and minutes

Agreed.

Received a report regarding charges for the Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Service, Leisure Activities, Cemeteries and Community Halls for 2005 / 2006.

Agreed, in order to set the Fees and Charges for the services and facilities provided by the Council’s Leisure and Community Services Division in the forthcoming year in accordance with the principles of the Charging Policy Commission and pending the recommendations of the Leisure Facilities Scrutiny Panel, to:

1.  The extension of the LeisurePass scheme to enable reduced prices for Sports Development activities as outlined in paragraph 3.3 of the report;

2.  Support the proposals in paragraph 4.3.2 of the report with a view to all users being treated in a fair and equitable manner and agree the introduction of a Football Training Permit, as outlined in paragraph 4.3.4 of the report;

3.  The introduction of a hire fee to community groups to use designated areas of parks for their small events and fun days, and for those which fall into the £2m Public Liability category, that the premium for the cover under the Council’s Hirers Public Liability Policy being charged to the group on the basis of 15% of their hire fee;

4.  Authorise the Director of Regeneration and Environment, in consultation with the Council’s Insurance Manager and Insurers, to investigate and if possible undertake a similar procedure for events which will fall into the £2m to £5m Public Liability category, on the basis that the premium percentage would be variable to take into account of any increased risk;

5.  The introduction of a scale of charges for larger commercial events in parks, with a starting threshold of £500 per event and authorise the Director of Regeneration to decide upon any increment that will apply depending on the size and commercial nature of the event;

6.  The introduction of a flat inclusive fee of £25 be introduced for secular community and commercial hire of The Bandstand, Barking;

7.  A reduction in the charge for individual Citizenship, Baby Naming, Renewal of Vows and Commitment Ceremonies from £100 to £50, as outlined in paragraphs 4.8.2 and 4.8.5 of the report, and to the deferment of the new scale of charges for the Marriage Room at Arden House from 1 April until 1 October 2005;

8.  The Leisure and Community Services Fees and Charges for the financial year 2005/06 as shown in Appendices A to F of the report;

9.  Note that the proposed increases should mean that the Division will overall meet the 2.5% inflation target;

10.Note that individual schools will be responsible for any costs associated with their use of the Ranger Services or Millennium Centre for 2005 / 2006 onwards, as outlined in paragraph 4.9.2 and 4.9.3 of the report; and

11.Note that Officers will encourage Community Associations to review the discounts they give to community groups and key holders for bookings made in community halls.

Received a report setting out the Calendar of Meetings for the coming municipal year.

Agreedto recommend the Assembly to approve the Calendar, subject to a number of amendments.

Received a report outlining the budgetary requirements to enable the delivery of the E-Government Programme across the Council. 

Agreed the allocation of Capital budgets, as identified in the report, in order to deliver services electronically (100% by December 2005) and to achieve the Governments “e” priority outcomes (March 2006) to enable the Council to transform the way in which services and information is provided to our customers.  With reference to the system replacement and new initiative project, bids to the Capital Programme will be made to seek funding.

Received a report outlining the need to establish an e-government programme unit which will drive forward the e-government agenda across the Council.

Agreed, in order to drive forward the e-government agenda across the Council, to:

1.  The establishment of an e-government programme unit in the Information Management and Technology Division, funded from existing budgets; and

2.  The use of temporary staff for a period not exceeding 18 months to undertake the tasks set out in paragraph 2.6 of the report.

Deferred.

Received a report, in accordance with the Council's Constitution, seeking approval for the Revenue Budget and setting of Council Tax, prior to submission to the Assembly for its consideration.

Agreed, to recommend the Assembly to agree:

1.  The budget, as set out in Appendices A and B of the report;

2.  A Council Tax increase of 3.9% (split London Borough of Barking and Dagenham 3.46% and the Greater London Authority precept 5.5%), as set out in Appendix C of the report;

3.  The three year planning figures arising from the budget proposal indicated within the Medium Term Financial Strategy, attached as Appendix D to the report;

4.  The Medium Term Financial Strategy to assist the Council in future decision making on the budget and that it is reviewed on an annual basis;

5.  The position on reserves as set out in paragraph 2.4 of the report;

6.  To note the need to identify relevant efficiency gains throughout the organisation of up to £13.5m over a 3 year period to meet the required Government targets and produce an Annual Efficiency Statement (set out in paragraph 8.3 of the report);

7.  To delegate to the Director of Finance the responsibility to allocate initial savings targets across all services for the 2006 / 2007 budget process to commence in April 2005; and

8.  That £200,000 be allocated from contingency in 2005 / 2006 to address a continued shortfall in land charge income.

Received a report setting out the current position with regards to the Capital Programme and proposals for allocating resources for 2005 / 2006 to 2008 / 2009, prior to submission to the Assembly on 2 March 2005 for its consideration.

Agreed to:

1.  Note the position of the 2004 / 2005 capital programme as set out in paragraph 5.2 and Appendix A of the report;

2.  Propose a capital budget for 2005 / 2006 to 2008 / 2009, to be met from the Council’s usable capital receipts as set out in Appendix B of the report;

3.  Approve a programme of schemes for 2005 / 2006 to 2008 / 2009 to be met from external resources, as included in Appendix B of the report;

4.  Note the forecasted capital receipt position for 2005 / 2006 to 2008 / 2009 as set out in paragraph 6 of the report;

5.  Review those schemes outlined in paragraph 7.4 and Appendix C of the report, along with all new submissions and any further identified capital projects, and report back to the Executive with recommendations on which schemes should be included in a future programme;

6.  Note the current capital arrangements and prudential capital guidelines as set out in paragraph 3 of the report; and

7.  Note the Prudential Indicators for the Authority as set out in Appendix D of the report.

Received a report setting out the Annual Treasury Strategy Statement and Prudential Indicators for the financial year 2005 / 2006 in respect of the Council's Treasury Management functions. The report also set out the Annual Investment Strategy, in order to meet the requirements of guidance issued by the Secretary of State under Section 15(1) of the Local Government Act 2003.

Agreed to recommend the Assembly agrees:

1.  The Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2005 / 2006;

2.  The authorised borrowing limit of £10 million for 2005 / 2006, which will be the statutory limit determined under section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 2003, as detailed in paragraph 2 of the report;

3.  The Annual Investment Strategy for 2005 / 2006, which states the investments that the Council may use for the prudent management of its investment balances, as detailed in paragraph 7 of the report; and

4.  The Prudential Indicators for 2005 / 2006 as set out in Appendix A of the report.

Received a report outlining the background to the production of the draft London Riverside Industrial Areas Signage and Identity Strategy and the intention to seek tenders for a contract with a projected value in excess of £200,000.

Agreed, in order to support the ‘revitalisation of industrial estates’, which is a key element of the Community Priority of Regenerating the Local Economy, to:

1.  Adopt the London Riverside Industrial Areas Signage and Identity Strategy as a non statutory Council Strategy;

2.  Note officers’ intention to seek tenders through the Official Journal of European Union  process in accordance with the Council’s Contract Rules 3.6;

3.  Note that a further report will be presented in due course advising the Executive of the results of the tender evaluation process and requesting approval to appoint the successful contractor; and

4.  Site signage on Council land if required (subject to agreement with the Traffic and Road Safety section and any planning permission required).

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