Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interest they may have in any matter which is to be considered at this meeting.

All members are advised to declare a personal interest in relation to Agenda item 5. The personal interest will not be a prejudicial interest as an indemnity for Members is an exempt category of decision and accordingly Members can speak and vote on the matter.

All Members of the Executive declared a personal interest in relation to Agenda item 5 – Indemnities for Members and Officers (minute 42 refers below).

Agreed.

Received a report concerning the decriminalisation of a number of moving traffic violations, which had been previously been enforced by the Metropolitan Police. The responsibility for carrying out enforcement activity against drivers committing these moving traffic violations now fell to local Councils.

The report sought a Council resolution to fix an ‘appointed day’ from which the Council would bring into operation the relevant powers, under Section 4 of the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003, to enforce moving traffic violations.

Agreed, that in order to assist the Council achieve its Community Priority of “Making Barking and Dagenham Cleaner, Greener and Safer”, to recommend the Assembly to:

1.  Adopt the powers of enforcing moving traffic violations, as provided in the London Local Authorities and Transport for London Act 2003; and,

2.  Agree the date of 19 November 2007 as the ‘appointed day’ for bringing those powers into operation within the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.

Received a report concerning The Local Authorities (Indemnities for Members and Officers) Order 2004 which gave specific power for the Council to grant indemnities, and/or to take out insurance, to cover the potential liability of Members and officers in a wide range of circumstances.

Agreed, in order to protect Members and officers against claims, that the Council grant an indemnity to Members and to officers of the Council in the terms set out in the report, and authorise the Head of Strategic Finance and Audit to secure appropriate additional insurance to cover more of the Council’s liability under this indemnity, in so far as he is of the opinion that such insurance would be financially prudent.

Agreed to exclude the public and press for the remainder of the meeting by reason of the nature of the business to be discussed which included information exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Concerns a contractual matter.

Received a report concerning a replacement contract for the provision and maintenance of the Council’s leased vehicles.

Tenders would be invited not only for the supply of vehicles and plant, but also for ongoing maintenance which would enable the Council to compare both price and quality of service available in the market place against its own in house provision, and either take advantage of these options or set accurate and realistic targets for service efficiency. 

Agreed, that in order to modernise the Council’s approach to fleet management, that:

1.  The strategic sourcing of fleet is undertaken in accordance with the Council’s procurement guidelines;

2.  A full options appraisal with costs is produced as a result of the above;

3.  Consultation commence with staff and trade unions regarding current terms and conditions of employment and the provision of a buy-out arrangements to ensure compliance with new arrangements as a result of Single Status which has an estimated implementation date of September 2007;

4.  All options are suitable for consideration including:

a)  The provision of vehicles through leasing or prudential borrowing without maintenance

b)  The provision of vehicles and plant through leasing or prudential borrowing with maintenance

Concerns a financial matter.

Received a report providing an update on the procurement of capital projects associated with producing additional primary school places in Barking. 

Agreed, in order to ensure that the Council meets its statutory obligation to provide school places according to local need, to:

1.  Note the progress made so far to achieve the additional pupil places within the required timescale;

2.  Approve the transfer of £2,800,000 from the School Modernisation Fund to increase the available capital budget to £19,000,000 to secure the projects described in this report and the necessary reprofiling of the capital programme.