Council Minutes

Date:
Wednesday, 9th July, 2008
Time:
07.00 p.m.
Place:
Council Chamber, Town Hall, High Street, Stockton on Tees, TS18 1AU
 
Please note: all Minutes are subject to approval at the next Meeting

Attendance Details

Present:
The Worshipful the Mayor (Cllr John Fletcher), Cllr Hilary Aggio, Cllr Mrs Lynne Apedaile, Cllr Paul Baker, Cllr Jim Beall, Cllr Mrs Jennie Beaumont, Cllr Phillip Broughton, Cllr Ann Cains, Cllr Dick Cains, Cllr Aidan Cockerill, Cllr David Coleman, Cllr Robert Cook, Cllr Mrs Eileen Craggs, Cllr Alex Cunningham, Cllr Ian Dalgarno, Cllr Ken Dixon, Cllr Jackie Earl, Cllr Mick Eddy, Cllr Kevin Faulks, Cllr Mrs Suzanne Fletcher, Cllr Maurice Frankland, Cllr John Gardner, Cllr Robert Gibson, Cllr David Harrington, Cllr Miss Barbara Inman, Cllr Mohammed Javed, Cllr Paul Kirton, Cllr Miss Tina Large, Cllr Andrew Larkin, Cllr Colin Leckonby, Cllr Alan Lewis, Cllr Ken Lupton, Cllr Mrs Ann McCoy, Cllr Lee Narroway, Cllr Mrs Kath Nelson, Cllr Steve Nelson, Cllr Mrs Liz Nesbitt, Cllr Bill Noble, Cllr Mrs Jean O'Donnell, Cllr Ross Patterson, Cllr Maurice Perry, , Cllr Roy Rix, Cllr Fred Salt, Cllr Andrew Sherris, Cllr Michael Smith, Cllr Mick Stoker. Cllr Mrs Allison Trainer, Cllr Steve Walmsley, Cllr Mrs Sylvia Walmsley, Cllr Mrs Mary Womphrey, Cllr Mick Womphrey, Cllr Bill Woodhead and Cllr Barry Woodhouse.
Officers:
G Garlick (CE), H Dean (ACE); J. Grant, M. Henderson (LD); N Schneider (DNS); J Danks (R); A Baxter (CESC).
In Attendance:
6 Members of the Public.
Apologies for absence:
Cllr Julia Cherret, Cllr Terry Laing and Cllr Mrs Maureen Rigg.
Item Description Decision
Public
C
77/08		 FORMER COUNCILLOR HARRY DAVIES
Preamble
 
C
78/08		 PRESENTATION - NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CIVIC OFFICERS - CIVIC TEAM OF THE YEAR AWARD - RUNNER UP
Preamble
 
C
79/08		 PRESENTATION TO CORPORATE DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL CARE
Preamble
 
C
80/08		 MINUTES
Preamble
 
C
81/08		 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Preamble
 
C
82/08		 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Preamble
 
C
83/08		 MEMBERS' QUESTION TIME
Preamble
 
C
84/08		 ADULT SERVICES & HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Mrs Cains, seconded by Councillor Faulks and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Adult Services and Health Select Committee held on 10th March 2008 (Minutes ASH 81/07 - ASH 87/07) be confirmed.
C
85/08		 APPEALS & COMPLAINTS COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Gibson, seconded by Councillor Sherris and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Appeals and Complaints Select Committee held on 2nd May 2008 (Minutes ACC 1/08 - ACC 3/08) be confirmed.
C
86/08		 ARTS LEISURE & CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Mrs O’Donnell, seconded by Councillor Sherris and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Arts Leisure and Culture held on 26th March 2008 (Minutes ALC 48/07 - ALC 51/07) be confirmed.
C
87/08		 ARTS LEISURE & CULTURE SELECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Mrs O’Donnell, seconded by Councillor Sherris and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Arts Leisure and Culture held on 7th May 2008 (Minutes ALC 1/08 - ALC 4/08) be confirmed.
C
88/08		 AUDIT COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Woodhouse, seconded by Councillor Womphrey and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Audit Committee held on 12th May 2008 (Minutes A 10/08 - A 16/07) be received.
C
89/08		 CABINET MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Lupton, seconded by Councillor Mrs Beaumont and RESOLVED that the minutes of Cabinet held on 22nd May 2008 (Minutes CAB 20/08 - CAB 35/08) be confirmed or received as appropriate.
C
90/08		 CABINET MINUTES
Preamble
RESOLVED that:-

1. the minutes of Cabinet held on 19th June 2008 (Minutes CAB 36/08 - CAB 45/08 and minute CAB 47/08) be confirmed or received as appropriate.

2. with regard to the recommendations contained in minute CAB 46/08, Addendum B Option 2 as at appendix A attached be approved.
C
91/08		 CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE SELECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Harrington, seconded by Councillor Eddy and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Children and Young People Select Committee held on 27th March 2008 (Minutes CYP 51/07 - CYP 54/07) be confirmed.
C
92/08		 CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE SELECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Harrington, seconded by Councillor Eddy and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Children and Young People Select Committee held on 1st May 2008 (Minutes CYP 1/08 - CYP 4/08) be confirmed.
C
93/08		 CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE SELECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Harrington, seconded by Councillor Eddy and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Children and Young People Select Committee held on 4th June 2008 (Minutes CYP 5/08 - CYP 10/08) be confirmed.
C
94/08		 CORPORATE, ADULT SERVICES & SOCIAL INCLUSION SELECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Coleman, seconded by Councillor Mrs Apedaile and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Corporate and Social Inclusion Select Committee held on 22nd April 2008 (Minutes CAS 1/08 - CAS 4/08) be confirmed.
C
95/08		 EMPLOYEE APPEALS PANEL MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Rix, seconded by Councillor Mrs Nelson and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Employee Appeals Panel held on 21st April 2008 (Minutes EAP 4/08 - EAP 6/08) be received subject to the following correction:-

The first paragraph of minute EAP 6/08 to read as follows:-

"The Chairman introduced the Panel Members to the Appellant and Mr Russell who was acting in the capacity as an impartial support to the Appellant. The Chairman also introduced the management side representatives."
C
96/08		 EMPLOYEE APPEALS PANEL MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Rix, seconded by Councillor Mrs Nelson and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Employee Appeals Panel held on 9th May 2008 (Minutes EAP 7/08 - EAP 9/08) be received.
C
97/08		 ENVIRONMENT SELECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Smith, seconded by Councillor Gibson and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Environment Select Committee held on 21st April 2008 (Minutes ENV 1/08 - ENV 4/08) be confirmed.
C
98/08		 ENVIRONMENT SELECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Smith, seconded by Councillor Gibson and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Environment Select Committee held on 9th June 2008 (Minutes ENV 5/08 - ENV 8/08) be confirmed.
C
99/08		 EXECUTIVE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Gibson, seconded by Councillor Leckonby and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive Scrutiny Committee held on 13th May 2008 (Minutes EXC 5/08 - EXC 10/08) be received.
C
100/08		 EXECUTIVE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Gibson, seconded by Councillor Leckonby and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Executive Scrutiny Committee held on 10th June 2008 (Minutes EXC 11/08 - EXC 20/08) be received.
C
101/08		 HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Mrs Cains, seconded by Councillor Larkin and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Health Select Committee held on 28th April 2008 (Minutes H 1/08 - H 8/08) be received.
C
102/08		 HEALTH SELECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Mrs Cains, seconded by Councillor Larkin and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Health Select Committee held on 19th May 2008 (Minutes H 9/08 - H 13/08) be received.
C
103/08		 HOUSING & COMMUNITY SAFETY SELECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Mrs Trainer, seconded by Councillor Mrs Fletcher and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Housing and Community Safety Select Committee held on 17th April 2008 (Minutes HCS 1/08 - HCS 7/08) be confirmed.
C
104/08		 LICENSING COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Woodhead, seconded by Councillor Mrs Nelson and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Licensing Committee held on 20th May 2008 (Minutes L 9/08 - L 21/08) be received.
C
105/08		 LICENSING SUB COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Woodhead, seconded by Councillor Mrs Nelson and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 18th April 2008 (Minutes LSC 1/08 - LSC 3/08) be received.
C
106/08		 LICENSING SUB COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Woodhead, seconded by Councillor Mrs Nelson and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 28th April 2008 (Minutes LSC 4/08 - LSC 6/08) be received.
C
107/08		 LICENSING SUB COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Woodhead, seconded by Councillor Mrs Nelson and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 15th May 2008 (Minutes LSC 7/08 - LSC 9/08) be received.
C
108/08		 LICENSING SUB COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Woodhead, seconded by Councillor Mrs Nelson and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 2nd June 2008 (Minutes LSC 10/08 - LSC 12/08) be received.
C
109/08		 LICENSING SUB COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Woodhead, seconded by Councillor Mrs Nelson and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Licensing Sub Committee held on 5th June 2008 (Minutes LSC 13/08 - LSC 15/08) be received.
C
110/08		 PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Rix, seconded by Councillor Gardner and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 30th April 2008 (Minutes P 15/08 - P 25/08) be received.
C
111/08		 PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Rix, seconded by Councillor Gardner and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 22nd May 2008 (Minutes P 26/08 - P 36/08) be received.
C
112/08		 PLANNING COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Rix, seconded by Councillor Gardner and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Planning Committee held on 11th June 2008 (Minutes P 37/08 - P 40/08) be received.
C
113/08		 REGENERATION & TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Perry, seconded by Councillor Cains and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Regeneration and Transport Select Committee held on 25th March 2008 (Minutes RTS 73/07 - RTS 76/07) be confirmed.
C
114/08		 REGENERATION & TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Perry, seconded by Councillor Cains and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Regeneration and Transport Select Committee held on 28th April 2008 (Minutes RTS 1/08 - RTS 3/08) be confirmed.
C
115/08		 REGENERATION & TRANSPORT SELECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Perry, seconded by Councillor Mrs O'Donnell and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Regeneration and Transport Select Committee held on 19th May 2008 (Minutes RTS 4/08 - RTS 9/08) be confirmed.
C
116/08		 STANDARDS (PARISH & INDEPENDENT REPRESENTATIVES) APPOINTMENT PANEL MINUTES
 Moved by Councillor Lupton, seconded by Councillor Mrs Beaumont and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Standards (Parish and Independent Representatives) Appointments Panel held on 24th June 2008 (Minutes SAP 1/08 - S 2/08) be received.
C
117/08		 STANDARDS COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Mrs E. Chapman, seconded by Councillor Lupton and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Standards Committee held on 8th May 2008 (Minutes S 21/08 - S 28/08) be received.
C
118/08		 STANDARDS COMMITTEE MINUTES
 Moved by Mrs E. Chapman, seconded by Councillor Lupton and RESOLVED that the minutes of the Standards Committee held on 5th June 2008 (Minutes S 29/08 - S 41/08) be received.
C
119/08		 CLEVELAND FIRE AUTHORITY MINUTES
 The minutes of the meeting of the Cleveland Fire Authority held on 28th March 2008 were noted.
C
120/08		 CLEVELAND POLICE AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE MINUTES
 The minutes of the meeting of the Cleveland Police Executive held on 28th February 2008 were noted.
C
121/08		 LOCAL JOINT CONSULTATIVE PANEL MINUTES
 The minutes of the meeting of the Local Joint Consultative Panel held on 3rd March 2008 were noted.
C
122/08		 MARKETS FORUM MINUTES
 The minutes of the meeting of the Markets Forum held on 19th March 20088 were noted.
C
123/08		 MARKETS FORUM MINUTES
 The minutes of the meeting of the Markets Forum held on 30th April 2008 were noted.
C
124/08		 PARISH COUNCIL LIAISON FORUM MINUTES
 The minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council Liaison Forum held on 25th March 2008 were noted.
C
125/08		 SAFER STOCKTON PARTNERSHIP MINUTES
 The minutes of the meeting of the Safer Stockton Partnership held on 18th March 2008 were noted.
C
126/08		 SAFER STOCKTON PARTNERSHIP MINUTES
 The minutes of the meeting of the Safer Stockton Partnership held on 6th May 2008 were noted.
C
127/08		 STOCKTON HOME SAFETY ASSOCIATION MINUTES
 The minutes of the meeting of the Stockton Home Safety Association held on 8th April 2008 were noted.
C
128/08		 MEMBERSHIP OF STANDARDS COMMITTEE PANEL LOCAL ASSESSMENT FRAMEWORK FOR MUNICIPAL YEAR 2008/2009
 RESOLVED that Councillor Leckonby and Councillor Narroway be appointed as substitute members to the Standards Committee Panel Local Assessment Framework for the Municipal Year 2008/2009.
C
129/08		 APPOINTMENTS TO CABINET

TO CONSIDER NOMINATIONS TO THE FOLLOWING CABINET PORTFOLIOS:-
CORPORATE MANAGEMENT AND FINANCE
ACCESS AND COMMUNITIES

 Members considered appointments to the following Cabinet Portfolios:-

Corporate Management and Finance Access and Communities

RESOLVED that

1. Councillor Laing be appointed to serve as Cabinet Member for Corporate Management and Finance.

2. Councillor Coleman be appointed to serve as Cabinet Member for Access and Communities.
C
130/08		 TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING MOTION WHICH HAS BEEN SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH COUNCIL PROCEDURE RULE 12.1 BY COUNCILLOR NELSON:-
Preamble
 
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131/08		 FORWARD PLAN AND LEADERS STATEMENT
Preamble
 
7.00 pm - 8.30 pm

Preamble

ItemPreamble
C
77/08		The Worshipful the Mayor announced that, since the last Council meeting, former Councillor Harry Davies MBE and Honary Alderman had passed away. All those in attendance observed a minutes silence as a mark of respect.
C
78/08		The Worshipful the Mayor presented Kevin Bowdery, Mayor’s Attendant, with a certificate awarded by the National Association of Civic Officers. Stockton’s Civic Team had been runners up in the Association’s Civic Team of the Year Award. The Mayor referred to each member of the extended Team and thanked and congratulated them.
C
79/08		The Worshipful the Mayor explained that Ann Baxter the Council’s Corporate Director of Children, Education and Social Care would be leaving the Council to take up a position at another authority. The Mayor presented Mrs Baxter with a bouquet of flowers and thanked her on behalf of the Council for the excellent work she had provided which had contributed to the Council’s success. The Mayor wished her every success in her new role.
C
80/08		The minutes of the meeting held on 7th May 2008 were signed by the Worshipful the Mayor as a correct record.
C
81/08		All Members present declared a personal non prejudicial interest in Item 13, minute CAB 46/08 - Members’ Allowance, as they were each entitled to receive an allowance.

Councillor Mrs Cains declared a personal non prejudicial interest in respect of item 17, minute CAS 4/08, as she was a trustee of the George Hardwick Foundation which provided services to carers in Stockton on Tees.

Councillor Cains declared a personal non prejudicial interest in respect of item 23, minute EXC 18/08, as he was a member of a voluntary group.

Councillor Dixon declared a personal non prejudicial interest in item 42, Cleveland Fire Authority minutes as he was a Member of Cleveland that Authority and in Item 43, Cleveland Police Authority Executive Minutes, as his son was a officer serving of the Cleveland Police Authority.

Councillor Stoker declared a personal non prejudicial interest in item 42, Cleveland Fire Authority, as he was a Member of that Authority.

Councillor Mrs O’Donnell declared a personal non prejudicial interest in item 42 as he was a Member of that Authority.

Councillor Gibson declared a personal non prejudicial interest in item 23, Minute EXC 13/08 and 15/08 as he was a member of boards/organisations connected with those issues.

Councillor Kirton declared a personal non prejudicial interest in item 43, Cleveland Police Authority Executive Minutes, as he was a member of that authority.

Councillor Larkin declared a personal non prejudicial interest in item 43, Cleveland Police Authority Executive Minutes, as he was employed by that authority.

Councillor Mrs Fletcher declared a personal non prejudicial interest in respect of item 17, minute CAS 4/08, as she was voluntary helper.
C
82/08		The Head of Legal Services informed the Worshipful the Mayor that no public questions had been received.
C
83/08		The following question was submitted by Councillor Eddy for response by the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People:-

"Will the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People join me in a request for a formal Council recognition of the wonderful achievements of St Joseph’s R C Primary School, Billingham and Layfield Primary School, Yarm in becoming English “Maths in Motion” Champions and Runner up? Indeed at St Joseph’s Primary School Year 6 Children actually beat all other Y7, Y8 and Y9 teams from schools throughout England. Congratulations are due to the Head teacher and appropriate staff who undoubtedly played a huge part in this achievement?”

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People responded with:-

“Thank you Cllr Eddy - I would hope the Full Council would join us both in recognising these tremendous achievements of the young people and staff in to the two schools and formally record the council’s congratulations to them all.

As we approach the end of another school year I’m pleased to look back over another successful year for our schools which excel in all manner of areas both in their day to day work and on the national stage - many of our schools lead the way in everything from the kinds of competitions you mention to being acknowledged as outstanding when the inspectors call. Each day our staff, governors and children apply themselves to teaching and learning in an attempt to ensure that every young person realises their potential. I’m also pleased to take the opportunity to look forward - to new school buildings at Hardwick and Roseworth providing the best facilities to drive education on in these communities and a little further on to the successful roll out of both the Building Schools for the Future programme and the Primary School Capital programme which will see another 190 million pounds spent on replacing, rebuilding or refurbishing our schools. With all that, and the kind of success we have seen recently for St Joseph’s and Layfield Priamry Schools, I think we can look forward with some confidence.”

Councillor Eddy asked a supplementary question and enquired whether it would be possible to implement a programme that operated in Thornaby 5 years ago to help advance mathematics. The programme produced best year 6 results in England. Given the results achieved Councillor Eddy suggested that consideration should be given to re instating throughout the Borough.
The Cabinet Member responded and indicated that any positive initiatives would continue to be considered. He pointed out that standards in maths had gone up in the Borough and lots of work had been undertaken to achieve this.

The following question was submitted by Councillor Eddy for response by the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People:-

"Whilst it was a real pleasure to hear that the recommendation to join St. Patrick’s Comprehensive School, Thornaby and Thornaby Community School to create an academy has at last been dropped will you please explain to Council the reason behind this decision?”

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People responded with:-

We pride ourselves in being a listening Council working as hard as possible to meet the aspirations of our community.

Having carried out extensive consultation with stakeholders and members of the public the message was clear that support for a co-joined Academy proposal was not favoured.

Recognising the opposition to the proposal and in consultation with OSC and PfS it was decided to eliminate that particular option from those options that were under consideration.

I hope Cllr Eddy will now acknowledge that the Council’s BSF team have worked hard with our Roman Catholic Schools and Diocese to find a solution to fulfil the commitment made to retain Roman Catholic secondary education on three sites in the Borough and confirm his support for the proposals. Perhaps he would also like to do the right thing and now acknowledge that it was the Diocesan authorities who were driving this issue with the Council and, contrary to the impression he may have tried to give, he never was their spokesman nor representative in this matter

In asking a supplementary question Councillor Eddy referred to previous consultation exercises when, he indicated, the recommendation to join the schools had received a considerable number of negative comments that appeared not to be taken notice of. Councillor Eddy asked if the Cabinet member now accepted that comments he (Cllr Eddy) had made at a previous Council meeting would now come to fruition.

The Cabinet Member responded and indicated that it was through consultation that the proposals had been changed. He explained that as long as the Council got the necessary report there would be 3 Catholic schools.

The following question was submitted by Councillor Eddy for response by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport:-

"Whilst the spending of a great deal of money creating a new town centre at Thornaby is long overdue and very easily justified it seems ridiculous in the extreme to allow the derelict, unsafe and unhealthy Neasham building to remain in it’s present state adjacent to the centre and therefore I ask on behalf of all citizens of the Borough of Stockton, especially Thornaby will every effort be made with alacrity to remove this eyesore?”

The Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport responded with:-

“The Council is very keen and committed towards improving the appearance of the former Tristar Neasham site and for a number of years has been striving to assist in delivering a solution for the site within its ownership constraints. This site is in the private ownership of Midland Investments who have two leases, the first for a vehicle showroom which has 60 years remaining and the second lease for a garage and vehicle repairs with 41 years remaining

Deals to secure a number of different uses have over the years all failed due to the two parties failing to agree either on the appropriateness of a use or the terms for selling off one interest to the other party.

In 2004, the developers of Thornaby Town Centre (Thornfield Properties plc) obtained planning permission to redevelop the former Tristar site into a small retail parade with offices and fast food outlets so as to facilitate the displacement of some of the businesses in Thornaby Town Centre who were directly affected by the redevelopment proposals. To this end the Council also entered into a Development Agreement with Thornfield Properties in 2004 which enabled Thornfield to request the Council to pursue a CPO on the site to facilitate the redevelopment should Thornfield fail to acquire Midland’s interest by negotiation. Midland refused Thornfield’s offers to purchase the site and although the Council is still willing to issue a CPO on behalf of Thornfield, Thornfield no longer appear to wish to pursue their existing planning permission, as those displaced in the Town Centre redevelopment scheme have found alternative accommodation or decided to cease trading.

Thornfield as well as the Council are still keen to seek an improvement to the site as it will form the gateway to the new £25m redeveloped Town Centre. Consequently the Council approached Midland towards the end of 2007 to discuss solutions for the site. Midland made it clear that they wish to pursue a small foodstore despite Council Planning advice to the contrary. A planning application has yet to be submitted however. The Council also offered to seek Cabinet approval to demolish the existing buildings on the site in an attempt to alleviate its unsightly condition in the short term. Unfortunately Midland declined this offer as they felt it might jeopardise their position regarding abandonment of use.

Since then the Council has been seeking specialist legal advice as to how it should move forward with this site. Midland were made aware that if they did not accept our offer to demolish the buildings then the Council would do this. The public can be reassured that the Council and Thornfield are both determined to seek improvements to this important gateway site and that every effort is currently being made behind the scenes to achieve this.”

In asking a supplementary question Councillor Eddy thanked the Cabinet Member and agreed with the action taken. He asked that the good work continue”

The Cabinet member responded and explained that it was in everyone’s interests to ensuring the gateway was acceptable and officers would continue persue this matter.

The following question was submitted by Councillor Harrington for response by the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People:-

"Could the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People confirm if the Building Schools for the Future Programme is in anyway affected by the credit crunch?"

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People responded with:-

"We have not had any indication from the promoters of the BSF programme that the current financial downturn is affecting the planned programme.

The main way in which the “credit crunch” could impact on the BSF programme will be in relation to the funding terms that banks offer for PFI projects. Recently there has been a tightening in the marketplace and funding terms have increased. However, by the time the Stockton project comes to the market, the “credit crunch may have eased and margins fall back. In terms of the funding market, an area more likely to have an impact on affordability would be if interest rates rise significantly as this increase would be greater than any impact of the credit crunch."

In asking a supplementary question Councillor Harrington referred to an article in the press predicting serious implications for the programme. He asked if the Council’s risk register would reflect potential implications.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People explained that the BSF project team and advisors were alert to national and world financial trends and reviewed project risk regularly. He suggested that the issues raised by the press article were perhaps overstated at this time.
C
90/08		Moved by Councillor Lupton, seconded by Councillor Mrs Beaumont that the minutes of Cabinet held on 19th June 2008 (Minutes CAB 36/08 - CAB 45/08 and CAB 47/08) be confirmed or received as appropriate and that consideration be given to the recommendations detailed in minute CAB 46/08.

Within minute CAB 46/08 Cabinet had recommended to Council that it consider recommendations contained within a report produced by an independent remuneration panel, these were detailed as addendum A to the Cabinet minutes. If the panel’s recommendations were not approved Cabinet recommended that Council consider approving one of two options, detailed at addendum B to the Cabinet minutes.

Following considerable debate Councillor Walmsley moved and Councillor Narroway seconded the remuneration panel’s recommendations (detailed at addendum A to Cabinet Minutes).

Councillor Mrs Fletcher moved and Cllr Lewis seconded the following amendment to the motion:-

That in Addendum A, concerning childcare and dependent carers after the words “ Up to £8.71 per hour…” the words “ (or, in special cases, such larger sum as shall be certified as necessary and reasonable by the Corporate Director of Children, Education and Social Care)” be added.

The amendment was carried and Council agreed that, should the other options recommended by Cabinet be moved and seconded, they would also be considered with this amendment incorporated.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.4 Councillor Gibson requested that a recorded vote be taken; which was supported by at least a quarter of the members present, who signified their support by standing.

For the motion:-

Councillors Narroway, Mrs Trainer and Walmsley.

Against the motion:-

Councillors Mrs Aggio, Mrs Apedaile, Baker, Beall, Mrs Beaumont, Broughton, Cains, Mrs Cains, Cockerill, Coleman, Cook, Craggs, Cunningham, Dalgarno, Dixon, Mrs Earl, Eddy, Faulks, Fletcher, Mrs Fletcher, Frankland, Gardner, Gibson, Harrington, Miss Inman, Javed, Kirton, Large, Larkin, Leckonby, Lewis, Lupton, Mrs McCoy, Mrs Nelson, Nelson, Mrs Nesbitt, Noble, Mrs O’Donnell, Patterson, Perry, Rix, Salt, Sherris, Smith, Stoker, Mrs Walmsley, Mrs Womphrey, Womphrey, Woodhead, Woodhouse.

The motion was declared lost.

Councillor Gibson moved and Councillor Coleman seconded Option 1 as detailed in Addendum B of the Cabinet minutes, including the amendment previously referred to relating to the childcare and dependent carers allowance.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.4 Councillor Gibson requested that a recorded vote be taken; which was supported by at least a quarter of the members present, who signified their support by standing.

For the motion:-

Councillors Baker, Beall, Cains, Mrs Cains, Coleman, Cook, Cunningham, Frankland, Gibson, Miss Inman, Javed, Kirton, Mrs McCoy, Mrs Nelson, Nelson, Mrs Nesbitt, Noble, Mrs O’ Donnell, Rix, Smith, Stoker and Woodhouse.

Against the motion:-

Councillors Mrs Aggio, Mrs Apedaile, Mrs Beaumont, Broughton, Cockerill, Craggs, Dalgarno, Dixon, Mrs Earl, Eddy, Fletcher, Mrs Fletcher, Gardner, Harrington, Large, Larkin, Leckonby, Lewis, Lupton, Narroway, Patterson, Perry, Salt, Sherris, Mrs Trainer, Walmsley, Mrs Walmsley, Mrs Womphrey, Womphrey and Woodhead.
Councillor Faulks abstained from the vote.

The amendment was declared lost.

Councillor Lupton moved and Councillor Mrs Beaumont seconded Option 2 as detailed in Addendum B of the Cabinet minutes, including the amendment previously referred to relating to the childcare and dependent carers allowance.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.4 Councillor Gibson requested that a recorded vote be taken; which was supported by at least a quarter of the members present, who signified their support by standing.

For the motion:-

Councillors Mrs Aggio, Mrs Apedaile, Mrs Beaumont, Broughton, Cockerill, Mrs Craggs, Dalgarno, Dixon, Mrs Earl, Eddy, Faulks, Fletcher, Mrs Fletcher, Gardener, Harrington, Large, Larkin, Leckonby, Lewis, Lupton, Patterson, Perry, Salt, Sherris, Mrs Walmsley, Mrs Womphrey, Womphrey and Woodhead.

Against the motion:-

Councillors Baker, Beall, Mrs Cains, Cains, Coleman, Cook, Cunningham, Frankland, Gibson, Miss Inman, Javed, Kirton, Mrs McCoy, Narroway, Nelson, Mrs Nelson, Mrs Nesbitt, Noble, Mrs O’Donnell, Rix, Smith, Stoker, Mrs Trainer, Walmsley and Woodhouse.

The motion was carried.

C
130/08		The following motion moved by Councillor Nelson and seconded by Councillor Gibson.

"This council views air support as increasingly important in helping make local communities safer and notes that in Cleveland, in the last 12 month period, the Air Support Unit assisted in over 900 crime searches, 150 vehicle pursuits, 200 missing person searches, and 18 search and rescue operations - resulting in 346 arrests and recovery of property worth nearly £200,000.

This council believes the recent actions of Durham and Northumbria Police Authorities in giving notice of their intention to withdraw from the regional air support consortium and reduce air support to a single aircraft serving the entire region, based at Newcastle Airport, are totally unacceptable and in stark contrast to the approach being adopted elsewhere in the country to maintain and further develop air support services. Together with recent moves to centralise Ambulance Control facilities on Tyneside, such proposals should be strongly resisted by local authorities and local MP's - and by other institutions serving the Teesside area.

This council believes the community safety interests of Teesside are best served by a helicopter based at Durham Tees Valley Airport, serving this area. We therefore support Cleveland Police Authority in its actions to safeguard the future of air support services in the area and in seeking a full share of assets resulting from the dissolution of the current regional consortium. The Council welcomes the indication from the Home Office that funding is available to support the acquisition of aircraft able to meet modern safety regulations and supports the Police Authority in seeking to access all possible sources of funding for the development of its own air support unit."

The motion was carried.
C
131/08		The Leader indicated that he would forward his statement to all members via e mail.

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