MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON
5TH APRIL 2005
PRESENT:
Councillors Brian Ellis (Chair), Lynne Herbert, Howard Legg, Michael
Goodman, Doug Hollings, Tim Munro and Andy Blackwood
APOLOGIES:
Councillor Kay Wilcox
Officers Present: Tom Grainger, Chief Executive
Bridget Downton, Corporate Director - Community Services
Richard Burgess, Corporate Director – Environment
Julie Strange, Group Accountant
Angela Pavey, Committee Services Officer
The following officers were present for part of the meeting: David Stabler, Harbour Master; Steve Barrett, Personnel Services Manager; Roland
Green, Depot and Parks Manager; Greg Northcote, Property Services Manager; Melanie
Earnshaw, Legal and Housing Services Manager.
608. DECLARATIONS
OF
INTEREST
The following declarations of interest were made:
Councillor Lynne Herbert – the Nothe Fort was one of her Mayoral charities – Minute
619.
Tom Grainger – a Governor of The Wey Valley School – Minute 616.
609. MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 1st March 2005 were approved and signed as a
correct record.
610. MINUTE UPDATE REPORT
The Minute Update Report was received and the following additional matters were
discussed:
Minute 540 – Pavilion/Ferry Terminal Area
The Corporate Director – Community Services reported that she would be meeting
with theatre consultants shortly.
611. URGENT BUSINESS
The Chair reported that an additional report, which had been circulated to Members
would be considered under urgent business. However, as the report contained
exempt information and the press and public would need to be excluded, it would be
considered at the end of the meeting
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612. FOUR MONTH FORWARD PLAN
The report on Electoral Cycles was deferred to 7 June meeting and the current four
month forward plan was then approved.
613. REVENUE BUDGET MONITORING REPORT TO END FEBRUARY 2005
An amended copy of the report had been circulated to Members. It was suggested
that the presentation of the data showing predicted outcomes be shown as an
average throughout the year. However the Chief Executive advised that predicted
deficits allowed officers to take early action to address problems. Councillor Mike
Goodman informed Members that income from the new licensing applications was
being received much slower than expected and that further delays in licensees
submitting applications might mean a considerable administrative burden later in the
year. The Brief Holder, Councillor Howard Legg was asked to request that more
detailed information be provided where there were significant variances, such as, on
this occasion, the legal service.
DECISION:
That the latest position in respect of the 2004/05 revenue budget and the projected
outturn for the year be noted, and continue to monitor the budget on a monthly basis.
614. 6-MONTHLY REVIEW OF COMPLIANCE WITH PORT MARINE SAFETY CODE
(PMSC) JULY TO DECEMBER 2004
The Brief Holder, Councillor Lynne Herbert reminded Members that as Board
Members they should familiarise themselves with the contents of the full Code.
The Harbour Master outlined significant developments and answered questions from
Members. The boom deployment exercise would be carried out within 2-3 weeks.
The Harbour Master was thanked for his partnering efforts with another authority
which had saved the Council money in dredging the harbour entrance. A review of
the charted depth would now be carried out every 2 years.
DECISION:
(i)
that the contents of the report be noted.
(ii)
that a summary of the Port Marine Safety Code be circulated to Members of
the Committee.
615. ALTERNATIVE SERVICE DELIVERY – WEYMOUTH SWIMMING POOL
Members heard from Mr Alan Burt, President of Weymouth Swimming Club, who
thanked the Council, Community Regeneration & Culture Committee and Roland
Green for the opportunity to be involved in the consultation and visits to other SLM
operated sites. Mr Burt added that the proposal for combined use of changing
facilities for both children and adults was the Club’s only remaining concern in terms
of their Child Protection Policy. However he was pleased that Community
Regeneration & Culture Committee had recognised the Club’s concern and he hoped
that the Club could work with the Council and SLM to resolve the matter.
The Brief Holder, Councillor Andy Blackwood introduced the report and commented
on the visits made to other sites. The report also included details of the in-house
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proposals, which indicated that there would be a greater cost and greater risk to the
Council if the in-house option were chosen.
DECISION:
(i)
that the final proposals submitted by the private sector company SLM Ltd, as
shown in Appendix 1 to the report be accepted in preference to the in-house
proposals.
(ii)
that the contract for the operation of the Knightsdale Road Swimming Pool
be awarded to SLM Ltd.
616. ALTERNATIVE SERVICE DELIVERY – OUTDOOR SPORTS FACILITIES
Members received a report which showed final partnership proposals for the
management of the Council’s Outdoor Sports Facilities from Dorset Works
Organisation and Wey Valley School.
DECISION:
That the contract for the management of outdoor sports facilities be awarded to the
Dorset Works Organisation partnership on the terms, conditions and financial
proposals laid down in Appendix 1 to the report and to commence on 1 June 2005.
617. APPOINTMENT OF ELECTORAL RETURNING OFFICER
Committee received a report which sought confirmation of the named Electoral
Returning Officer, as a specific Minute was required for insurance purposes.
DECISION:
That Ian Locke be confirmed as the Electoral Returning Officer for all elections up to
the end of June 2005 and Tom Grainger be appointed as the Electoral Returning
Officer from 1 July 2005.
618. MANAGEMENT OF HOUSING SERVICES
The Brief Holder, Councillor Mike Goodman introduced a report which suggested
some additional investment in staff to give greater priority to housing issues as well
as some changes to accommodate the transfer of responsibilities following the
retirement of the previous Corporate Director – Community Services. He outlined
some of the larger areas of work and initiatives which needed to be progressed within
the housing service. Members noted that the budgeted salary for the Democratic
Services Manager had been eroded over the years, and that an additional £50,000
would be required to supplement the salary for a Housing Services Unit Manager.
DECISION:
(i)
that the post of Democratic Services Manager be deleted from the
establishment,
(ii)
that the post of Housing Services Unit Manager be created,
(iii)
that the Legal and Housing Services Manager be re-designated Legal and
Democratic Manager,
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619. NOTHE FORT HERITAGE LOTTERY APPLICATION
Councillor Mike Goodman declared an interest in this item as he was known to a
member of the Weymouth Civic Society, Mr Bithell, present at the meeting.
Councillor Lynne Herbert withdrew from the meeting for the consideration of this item.
Committee received a report which sought consideration of a request from the Civic
Society for a variation of the terms of the lease under which the Council leased Nothe
Fort to the Civic Society,. Members were advised that the Heritage Lottery Fund’s
grant offer was conditional upon this issue being resolved. Members agreed to the
proposed amendments to the lease, recognising that in any event, as owner of the
Nothe Fort, the Council would be responsible for maintenance costs of the Fort
should the lease with the Civic Society be terminated at any time in the future.
Members were reassured that there was a close working relationship between the
Council and Weymouth Civic Society.
DECISION:
(i)
That the Council be committed to providing unspecified funding at some point in
the future during the term of the lease,
(ii)
that the Council act as accountable body, on behalf of the Civic Society for the
Nothe Fort Heritage Lottery project.
620. 30 CRESCENT STREET – DISPOSAL OF FREEHOLD INTEREST
The appendix to the report is not for publication by virtue of Paragraph 7 of Part 1of
Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.
Committee received a report which sought consideration of a way forward in respect
of the Council’s freehold interest in this property.
DECISION:
that the disposal of the freehold interest in 30 Crescent Street, Weymouth be
approved.
621. BRIEF HOLDER PROGRESS REPORTS
Committee received a report which suggested that all Brief Holders provide a short
written report to the June meeting of the Committee, to outline the progress and
effectiveness of their Brief.
DECISION:
That all Brief Holders provide a short written report for the June meeting of the
Committee.
622. EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
DECISION:
That the press and public be excluded from the meeting for consideration of the
following matter in accordance with Section 100 (A) (2) of the Local Government Act
1972.
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623. EARLY RETIREMENT
The report is not for publication by virtue of Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of
the Local Government Act 1972.
Members received a report which sought endorsement of action taken by the Chief
Executive in respect of the post of Tourism Development Assistant. The Chief
Executive and the Personnel Services Manager detailed the background and
answered questions from Members.
DECISION:
That the decision made by the Chief Executive in respect of the Tourism
Development Assistant to reach a severance deal in lieu of redundancy, including
early retirement, in the interests of the efficiency of the service with effect from 31st
March 2005 be approved.
CHAIR
Councillor Brian Ellis
…………………………………………
Duration of Meeting: 9.30am to 10.40am
These minutes were prepared by Angela Pavey, Committee Services Officer,
Telephone 01305 838225 e-mail [email address]
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