Councillors J Allen, D Beith, H Bettison, J A Davidson, D W Donaldson, A B Douglas, B P Gibson, W F Grant, P Herdman, A G Houghton, E I Hunter, J G Hutchinson, R E Hutchinson, A H Murray, G O’Connell, R J Patterson, R T Pearson, J D Peggs J A Robertson, A S Rogerson, F I Simpson, J E Smith, D S Stewart, J Waterhouse, R J D Watkin, P S Watts, D Wilson.
70.
1. Declaration of Interest
No declarations were made.
3
71.
2. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor T Tyler.
3
72.
3. Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 17th May 2007
DECISION: To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on 17th May 2007, Minutes 1 to 13, pages 1 to 5.
3
73.
4. Mayor’s Communications
(a) xxxx
xxxx.
4
74.
5. Council’s Performance Plan 2007/08
DECISIONS: (i) To approve the content of the Council’s Performance Plan for 2007/08; and (ii) to delegate to the Chief Executive authority to agree such minor amendments as may be considered necessary.
4
75.
6. Improvement Progress Report
DECISIONS : (i) To agree the revised Annual Cycle; and (ii) to accept the revised Terms of Reference for the Improvement Programme Board.
4
76.
7. Draft Accounts 2006/07
DECISION : To agree the draft accounts for 2006/07 subject to audit.
4
77.
8. Large Scale Voluntary Transfer – Offer to Tenants
DECISIONS : To agree the Offer Document as presented; and (ii) to authorise the Chief Executive and Mayor to agree minor amendments which come from either the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) or the Housing Corporation.
4
78.
9. Interim Housing Strategy
DECISION : To approve the Interim Housing Strategy.
5
79.
10. New Members’ Code of Conduct
DECISION : To adopt the revised Model Code of Conduct for members in accordance with the recommendation of the Standards Committee on 12th June 2007
5
80.
11. Appointments to Outside Bodies and Appointment of Member Champions and Appointment of Member Project Sponsors
DECISION : To make appointments to outside bodies, and to appoint Member Champions and Member project sponsors as detailed in Appendix A to these minutes.
5
81.
12. Frequency and Dates of Council Meetings
DECISIONS : (i) To commission officers to report on the range of delegations that would allow meetings of full Council; and (ii) To agree to rescheduling the following meetings:
Council from 9th August to 26th July,
Policy Committee from 25th to 18th July
Town Committee from 26th July to XXXXXX
5
82.
13. Minutes of the Proceedings of Committee
DECISION: That the recommendations of Committee be approved and the Minutes adopted as proceedings of the Council in respect of :
[Note: It was agreed that the following addition should be made to Minute Number 19, Appointment of Standing Working Group:
“The Liberal Democrat group chose not to appoint any group members to the Standing Working Group, but reserved the right to reconsider that decision should the remit of the Standing Working Group change at some future date.”]
(e) Overview and Scrutiny Committee : 14th June 2007, Minutes 57 - 68.
5
83.
14. Questions
In accordance with Rules of Procedure, was put to the Mayor, Councillor L W Robson, by Councillor P Herdman :
“I refer to Application 03/B/0878 within Planning Committee Meeting on 29th May 2007 and the proposal of the erection of a 60 bedroom hotel at West Hope i.e. renewal of unimplemented permission.
I was delighted that the outline planning application was approved as development of this type is very much to be welcomed and may be said to be essential to the regeneration of the area.
However, I am somewhat perturbed at the observations of Northumbria Water that existing sewage treatment facilities have reached their capacity.
May I, therefore, have assurance, Mr Mayor, that the proposed development will not be compromised in any way by the current sewage system?”
The Mayor referred the question to the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Councillor A B Douglas, who replied as follows:
“Following a meeting between officers and Northumbrian Water on Tuesday of this week and a meeting with developers, architects etc in the afternoon of the same day, Northumbrian Water have agreed the following statement :
‘Northumbrian Water have now confirmed that they will be able to accept the domestic foul water discharge from this development. This does not include acceptance of surface water discharges and the developer must investigate alternative means of disposal.’
Meetings have recently been held with Northumbrian Water to discuss the current position regarding the sewage network and treatment capacity in the Borough which was attended by developers, architects and land owners. Northumbrian Water have requested further information from both the developers and the Council to enable them to address future growth.
A further updated statement will be issued in due course.”
5
84.
15. Exclusion of the Press and Public
DECISION: To exclude under Section 100A(4)of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public from the Meeting during consideration of Minute 85 to 86 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.
Minutes 85 and 86 : Paragraph 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).
7
85.
16. Appointment of Head of Development Services
DECISION : To appoint a new Head of Development Services at Spinal Column Point 44.
7
86.
17. Implementing Review of the Structure for the Council
DECISIONS : (i) To accept the changes indicated in the report; and (ii) to anticipate a further report at the next and some future meetings of the Council.
