Agenda and minutes

Agreed.

Further to Minute 286 (17 February 2004), received a report proposing the inclusion of the Southern Housing Group on to the Council’s Registered Social Landlord (RSL) preferred partner panel.

Agreed, in order to strengthen the Council’s ability to deliver high quality new affordable homes and bring about community regeneration programmes, to:

1. Include the Southern Housing Group on the Council’s panel of preferred RSL partners; and

2. Request the Southern Housing Group to invite a Ward Councillor from each of the Abbey, Gascoigne and Thames wards to sit on the Board of the housing development management company for projects in this Borough.

Agreed, in order to assist the Council in achieving its Community Priorities of “Improving Health, Housing and Social Care”, “Regenerating the Local Economy” and “Raising General Pride in the Borough” through securing high quality design in all new residential developments, to the proposals for a study tour of a number of high quality housing developments in London and the South East as detailed in the report.

Received a report on issues relating to the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003, including plans for consulting on a draft Licensing Policy and proposals to vary the Council’s Regulatory and General Matters Board to incorporate the establishment of a Licensing Board.

Agreed, in order that the Council is in a position to meet its obligations under the Licensing Act 2003, to

1.  Adopt the draft Licensing Policy, as presented at the meeting, for consultation purposes;

2.  Recommend the Assembly that Article 7C of the Council’s Constitution be amended as follows:

a)  That the Regulatory and General Matters Board be renamed to incorporate the additional responsibilities of a Licensing Board;

b)  Having regard to the political balance requirements of Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, to fix the membership of the Board to ten Members;

c)  That the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Board be fixed positions;

d)  That the quorum of the Board be set at five Members, including the Chair and/or Deputy Chair;

e)  That the Board becomes the Council’s decision making body for all contested Licensing Act 2003 applications and the appeal body for applications determined by officers, in addition to its current role on regulatory matters;

f)  That the terms of reference of the Board be amended accordingly.

3.  Further recommend the Assembly that (a) the Independent Members’ Remuneration Panel be advised of the new Chair and Deputy Chair positions and be asked to consider the appropriateness of associated Special Responsibility Allowances, and (b) all necessary changes be made to the Council’s Constitution.

Received a report on proposed changes to the operational and administrative arrangements of the Council’s Personnel Board.

Agreed, in order to enhance consistency in decision-making through the provision of specific training to elected Members, to:

1. Recommend the Assembly that Article 7B of the Constitution be amended as follows:

a)  Having regard to the political balance requirements of Section 15 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, that the membership of the Personnel Board be set at seven Members;

b)  That the Chair and Deputy Chair of the Personnel Board be fixed positions;

c)  That the quorum per meeting of the Board remains a minimum of three Members; including the Chair and/or the Deputy Chair;

d)  That no Member (including Trade Union Representatives) may sit on the relevant Board if they have worked particularly closely with a member of staff who may be the subject of a report to a meeting of the Board;

e)  When the Board decides Job Evaluation Appeals the membership will be made up of an equal number of appropriately trained Members (to include the Chair and Deputy Chair), and Trade Union representatives, totalling 6 in line with current arrangements. For a meeting to proceed there shall be present at least two Council and one Trade Union representative(s); including the Chair and/or the Deputy Chair; and

f)  That the terms of reference of the Personnel Board be amended accordingly. 

2. Further recommend the Assembly that (i) the Independent Members’ Remuneration Panel be advised of the new Chair and Deputy Chair positions and be asked to consider the appropriateness of associated Special Responsibility Allowances, and (ii) all necessary changes be made to the Constitution.

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