Agenda and minutes

Agreed.

Received a report on the proposed use of Kingsbridge, an under-utilised Council building on the Gascoigne Estate, as a temporary base for the Borough’s smaller voluntary and community sector organisations, particularly those that serve the black and minority ethnic (BME) communities. 

Noted that a condition of use is that organisations are required to build their capacity to support their long-term development and sustainability, and also that it will be necessary for planning permission to be sought for change of use of the premises.

Agreed to the principle that Kingsbridge be used as a temporary base to meet the accommodation needs and build the capacity of the Borough’s smaller voluntary and community sector organisations, particularly those that serve BME communities, subject to further discussions on the details of the proposal.

Received and noted a progress report on the programme of modernising day and residential services for disabled adults in the Borough.

Agreed that the new Day Resource Base at 80a Gascoigne Road be named “The Maples”, subject to any necessary approvals from statutory consultees.

Withdrawn.

Received a report on proposals for the formation of a new Children’s Services Department within the Council, developed in line with the requirements of the Children Act 2004, and the principles for reshaping the Council’s organisational structure by 1 April 2006.

Agreed, in order to meet statutory requirements to establish new Children’s Services arrangements, to place the interests of children at the heart of the Council’s policy planning and delivery and to provide for better joined up strategies and intervention to promote better outcomes for the Borough’s children, to:

(i)  The formation of a Children’s Services Department with effect from 1 April 2006, in line with the requirements of the Children Act 2004, as detailed in the report;

(ii)  The Chief Executive implementing the proposed senior management structure at first, second and third tier levels, including a new chief officer post of Corporate Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the affected officers;

(iii)  The proposed JNC grades for first/second tier posts as set out in the report, using the Council’s existing grading system / levels that were introduced following the last JNC pay review in 2002/3;

(iv)  The Chief Executive implementing any minor changes to line responsibilities and designations, in the light of consultation, for the Children’s Services structure; and

(v)  The principles set out in section 5 of the report being adopted by the Chief Executive in bringing forward recommendations for late November for a new Council-wide organisational structure.

Noted the indicative timescales for the implementation of the new Children’s Services senior management structure and for the Council-wide reorganisation.  In respect of the Children’s Services proposals, further noted that:

a)  The Chief Executive will carry out an assimilation exercise whereby ringfenced JNC officers will be interviewed by the Member Appointments Panel;

b)  Consultation and ringfencing for third tier (Group Manager) posts will be carried out in accordance with the Council’s Human Resources procedures;

c)  Posts where no ringfencing applies, or where no appointment is made following ringfencing, will be externally advertised;

d)  Appointments to JNC posts will be made as soon as possible in order that a shadow Departmental Management Board is established at the earliest opportunity to implement procedures, protocols and systems required, as well as deal with slotting-in, ringfencing and appointment processes for the third tier (Group Manager) posts;

e)  All posts currently placed on the Soulbury grade at second/third tier level will in future be assessed using the LSMR structure;

f)  Detailed proposals for the operation of a Children’s Trust will be made to the Executive before 1 April 2006;

g)  Progress on key operational developments, such as Information Sharing and Assessment (ISA) cross-agency training to promote the safeguarding of children and a workforce development strategy will be reported to the Executive in December 2005; and

h)  The Director of Finance will carry out a detailed exercise to disaggregate existing budget holder accountabilities to set up new departmental budgets for 1 April 2006.

Further to Minute 317 (8 March 2005), received a report on the outcome of negotiations with London Thames Gateway Development Corporation (the ‘Urban Development Corporation’ (UDC) ) in respect of the working relationship between the Council and the UDC on planning matters.

Agreed, in order to assist the Council to achieve its Community Priorities of ‘Regenerating the Local Economy’ and ‘Improving Health, Housing and Social Care’, to:

(i)  The entering into with the UDC of a Service Agreement which defines the working relationship between the Council and the UDC on planning matters, on the terms set out in the report;

(ii)  Authorise the Chief Executive to sign the Agreement on behalf of the Council, which will come into effect on 31 October 2005;

(iii)  The arrangements for consultation with, and feedback from, the Council’s Development Control Board in respect of reports prepared by Council officers for consideration by the UDC’s planning committee;

(iv)  Recommend the Assembly to agree that Section E of the Council’s Scheme of Delegation (Part C of the Constitution) be amended to include an additional responsibility to enable the Development Control Board to consider officer reports to the UDC Planning Committee; and

(v)  The Development Control Board being advised accordingly.

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

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