Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M Gannon, L Green and M McNestry.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 24 April 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Consideration has been given to tenders received for the supply of goods and services.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the tender received from The Human Support Group Ltd be accepted for the Provision of Extra Care Services for a 60 month period commencing 3 September 2018, with an option to extend for up to a maximum of 24 months.

(ii)

That the tender received from Marwood Limited be accepted for the Supply of LED Luminaires for a 24 month period commencing 1 June 2018, with the option to extend for a further 2 x 12 month periods.

The above decisions have been made following a comprehensive evaluation of the tenders received and the accepted tenders are the most economically advantageous tenders submitted.

Consideration has been given to the Chopwell and Blackhall Mill 10 Year Plan, its implementation from summer 2018 and to the potential cumulative allocation of up to £1m investment based on the indicative costs assigned to the key actions requiring Council investment over the 10-year life of the Plan.

The alternative option to that being recommended, but which was discounted, included a lower level approach to intervention.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Chopwell and Blackhall Mill 10 Year Plan and its implementation from June 2018 be approved.

(ii)

That an annual review report be submitted to Cabinet, which updates on delivery progress and informs ongoing resource allocation assigned to the Plan.

(iii)

That the allocation of up to £1m for the implementation of the specifically identified costed actions within the Plan be approved.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To ensure investment is targeted in the most appropriate way and that it is focused on long term outcomes and community needs.

(B)

To support sustainable housing and economic growth.

(C)

To support the Council’s Thrive pledges.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the Intervention Plan for the Food Control and Health & Safety services for 2018 - 2019.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve the Intervention Plan for the Food Control and Health & Safety services for 2018 - 2019.

The above decision has been made to ensure that effective and appropriate enforcement strategies and resources are allocated to deliver the mandatory duties placed on the Council as the enforcing authority for the regulation of businesses.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve changes to the Council’s constitution to enable the Council, in its capacity as Local Planning Authority, to discharge new statutory duties to determine applications for Permission in Principle for residential development.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the decision making framework for Permission in Principle on application and Technical Details Consent be approved.

(ii)

That the Council be recommended to approve the following amendment to the scheme of delegation in the Council’s Constitution:

Part 3 - Schedule 1 - Non Executive Functions – Delegation to Council Bodies add

“(xi) To exercise the powers of the Council under the Town and Country Planning (Permission in Principle) (Amendment) Order 2017 to determine applications for permission in principle and technical details consent.”

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To ensure that the regulatory requirements regarding Permission in Principle on application and subsequent Technical Details Consent are met.

(B)

To ensure that the Council has a proper constitutional as well as statutory basis for decisions in respect of Permission in Principle on application and subsequent Technical Details Consent.

(C)

To ensure that the correct balance is struck between timely decision making and appropriate consultation, publicity, oversight and scrutiny.

(D)

To assist in the delivery of additional housing in the Borough.

(E)

To encourage the development of small housing sites.

Consideration has been given to the publication of the proposed appendix to the 2013 Coatsworth Shopfront Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for consultation, which sets out detailed design guidelines to support planning applications.

RESOLVED -

That the publication for consultation of the draft appendix to the Coatsworth Shopfront Design Guide SPD as set out in appendix 2 to the report be approved.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To maintain the Council’s and Heritage Lottery Fund investment through the Townscape Heritage Initiative scheme.

(B)

To publish proposals to conserve and enhance the conservation area as required by the 1990 Planning (Listed Buildings and   Conservation Areas) Act.

Consideration has been given to responses to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government consultation on a draft revised National Planning Policy Framework, alongside a parallel consultation on supporting housing delivery through developer contributions.

RESOLVED -

That the responses as set out in appendix 1 to the report be endorsed.

The above decisions have been made to enable the Council to contribute responses to the consultation.

Consideration has been given to the proposed school term dates for 2019/20.

RESOLVED -

That the School Term Dates for 2019/20 as set out in appendix 2 to the report be approved.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To allow future planning to take place.

(B)

To make effective and efficient use of Council resources.

Consideration has been given to the nominations of the Labour and Liberal Democrat Groups to advisory groups, other bodies of the Council, joint committees and outside bodies.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the nominations of the Labour and Liberal Democrat Groups to advisory groups, other bodies of the Council, joint committees and outside bodies as set out in appendices 2 and 3 to the report be approved.

(ii)

That the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance, following consultation with the Leader of the Council and/or Leader of the Opposition, be authorised to agree any further necessary changes to the list of annual appointments.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To ensure that the views of the political groups are taken into account when the appointments are made.

(B)

To ensure that the most appropriate councillors are appointed to each body.

RESOLVED -

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remaining business in accordance with paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Consideration has been given to the lease renewal of Derwent Caravan Park, Rowlands Gill, to the tenant.

The alternative options to that being recommended, but which were discounted, included different lease terms.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the grant of a lease to the tenant for the term and rent amount per annum as set out in the report be approved, from a date to be agreed, the detailed provisions of the lease to be agreed by the Strategic Director, Corporate Services & Governance, following consultation with the Strategic Director, Communities & Environment.

(ii)

That the compensation payment to the tenant of the amount set out in the report be approved.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To manage resources and rationalise the Council’s assets in line with the Corporate Asset Strategy and Management Plan.

(B)

To deliver meaningful long term benefits to rural Gateshead and raise the profile of the area to potential visitors.