Agenda and minutes

Agreed.

Received a report detailing proposals on how the Council’s corporate grants programme will be utilised to support local voluntary and community sector organisations in 2005 / 2006.

Councillor Smith declared a personal interest in this item.

Agreed, in order to allocate the Corporate Grants Programme funding, and make decisions on the Council budget, to:

1.  The allocation of the grants programme managed by the Corporate Strategy Department as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, subject to the following conditions as discussed after the exclusion of the public and press:

a).  Citizens Advice Bureau – to be subject to closer monitoring to ensure the current level of service is maintained.

b).  Wellgate City Farm – to amend the second condition of grant to read ‘To achieve additional external funding, including from the London Borough of Havering, in order to become self sustainable’.

2.  The additional conditions of grant aid on community cohesion as set out in Appendix 1 of the report; and

3.  The allocation of the grants programme managed by the Social Services Department as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

Received a report setting out a strategy for the future direction of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) over the next 3 years for the Council, ensuring clear integration of customer needs with ICT along with guidance and actions on ICT development of infrastructure and systems to support the business needs of the Council.

Agreed, in order to provide consistency, direction, focus and clarity for the development of ICT throughout the Council, to the implementation of the ICT Strategy 2005 - 2007.

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, coach and mini bus hire and other services.

Agreed, to the increased charges as set out in Appendix A of the report, with effect from 1 April 2005, 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.

Received a report providing an update on the Council's revenue and capital position from the beginning of April to the end of January 2005.

Agreed, as a matter of good financial practise, to note:

1.  The current position of the Council’s revenue and capital budgets;

2.  That the Director of Education, Arts and Libraries and the Director of Corporate Strategy continue to review their budgets to ensure where possible a balanced position;

3.  That the position of overspends and any roll-forward requests are considered in the context of the overall outturn position of the Council’s revenue budget; and

4.  The position and projected out-turn for the Housing Revenue Account.

Received a report reviewing the level of charging for Social Care Services for 2005 /2006.  The report also recommended a proposed increase to benchmark prices for residential care placements.

Agreed, in accordance with the ‘Fairer Charging’ Statutory Guidance and the National Assistance Act 1948, to:

1.  Increase current charges by an average of 2.75% for the level and range of non-residential home care charging as set out in paragraph 4.2 and 4.3 of the report;

2.  Endorse Supporting People Charging as outlined in paragraph 6.2 and 6.3 of the report;

3.  Increase the level of charge for Welfare Meals to £2.05 per meal, as set out in paragraph 8.4 of the report;

4.  To apply the Residential and Day Care charges for other Local Authorities (and full payers) together with benchmark prices alluded to in paragraphs 10.5, 10.6 and 10.7 of the report; and

5.  Increase the level of charges for Nursery Places to working parents by £5 per week (3.5% increase) as detailed in paragraph 9 of the report.

Changes resulting from the above will take effect from 11 April 2005 (the date at which state benefits are increased), with the exception of Nurseries to take effect from 1 May 2005.

Received a report setting out the background to the Local Implementation Plan (LIP), a summary of its content, the programme for its preparation, and a consultation strategy.

Agreed, in order to assist the Council in achieving its Community Priority of making Barking and Dagenham Cleaner, Greener, Safer and Regenerating the local economy, to:

1.  The ‘consultation draft’ Local Implementation Plan for the purpose of consultation;

2.  The outline consultation programme as set out in Appendix A of the report to include a seminar to which all Members are to be invited to attend; and

3.  The consultation strategy for the ‘consultation draft’ Local Implementation Plan as set out in Appendix B to the report.

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 100B (4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.