Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

1)  The use of Tablets for all Members based on a lower unit cost, portability and ease of use. This to be reviewed after a three month period to identify further requirements e.g. training, accessories etc.

2)  To move towards electronic agendas in a phased approach in order to deliver the ongoing savings identified.

3)  To cease the use of auto forwarding to personal emails once council equipment has been issued to all Members.

4)  To produce a policy document that identifies the processes and procedures required when using tablets and Councillor e-mails and for that policy to be considered by the Constitutional Review Working Party, Standards and Council.

Members considered the report on Members’ remote access. It was explained that new Government legislation would restrict access to the Council’s network meaning that Councillors would no longer be allowed to access their Councillor e-mail from non-Council owned equipment. Therefore the Council had no option other than to purchase new equipment, in this case Ipads, in order to allow Councillors to continue to use their e-mail.

Councillor Moores spoke under rule 24.1

It was proposed by Councillor Fenner and seconded by Councillor C.Hart and AGREED:

1)  The use of Tablets for all Members based on a lower unit cost, portability and ease of use. This to be reviewed after a three month period to identify further requirements e.g. training, accessories etc.

2)  To move towards electronic agendas in a phased approach in order to deliver the ongoing savings identified.

3)  To cease the use of auto forwarding to personal emails once council equipment has been issued to all Members.

4)  To produce a policy document that identifies the processes and procedures required when using tablets and Councillor e-mails and for that policy to be considered by the Constitutional Review Working Party, Standards and Council.

Councillor Johnston proposed, Councillor Poole seconded and Members AGREED that the public and press be excluded from the meeting for agenda item 5 as it contained exempt information as defined in Paragraph 5 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Report to follow

1.  The recommendations of the Overview & Scrutiny Panel be received and adopted.

These were:-:

a.  The current development agreement and leases be terminated;

b.  There be no re-negotiation of the current development agreement;

c.  The previous advice from Eversheds Solicitors be reviewed to determine why the development agreement did not contain a longstop date entitling the Council to terminate the agreement if the development was not completed by that date;

d.  As part of the preparatory steps to terminate the development agreement, a rigorous development programme be established in consultation with a construction expert to include clear milestones for all phases of the construction work necessary to complete the development;

e.  The construction expert appointed by the Council to advise on the development programme be retained to support the officers in monitoring of the development programme;

f.  The quality of the existing construction work (including the foundation structure) be checked to confirm that it remains fit for purpose as a basis for further planned construction;

2.  The request of the Developer for an extension of time be refused;

3.  The power to implement the recommendations of the Overview & Scrutiny Panel be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Financial Services and such power to be enacted by a published decision notice following consultation with the Chief Executive.

Councillors Bayford, Moores and Marson spoke under rule 24.1.

It was proposed by Councillor Everitt, seconded by Councillor C.Hart and AGREED:

1)  That the recommendations of the Overview & Scrutiny Panel be received and adopted.

2)  That the Developer’s request for an extension of time be refused.

3)  That the power to implement the recommendations of the Overview & Scrutiny Panel be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Financial Services and such power to be enacted by a published decision notice following consultation with the Chief Executive.