Agenda, decisions and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest that they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting.

Members declared interests in the following agenda item:

10. Landscape Maintenance Contract Negotiations.

Councillor Nicholas Turner, Personal, as a member of Banbury Town Council which may be affected by the contract negotiations.

The Chairman to report on any requests to submit petitions or to address the meeting.

There were no petitions or requests to address the meeting.

The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any item of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.

There were no items of urgent business.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2011.

The minutes of the meeting held on 7 March 2011 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Report of Head of Finance

Summary

The purpose of this paper is to present to the Executive for discussion and onward approval to full Council, the draft Corporate Debt Policy. The policy (Appendix 1) sets out the Council’s framework for providing a consistent ‘fair but firm’ approach to collecting debt, ensuring that the Council continues to maximise collection performance.

Recommendations

The Executive is recommended:

(1)               To review and comment on the content and format of the Corporate Debt Policy (Appendix 1) to inform its onward progress to Full Council for approval.

Recommendations Approved

The Head of Finance submitted a report which presented to the Executive for discussion and onward approval to full Council, the draft Corporate Debt Policy. The policy set out the Council’s framework for providing a consistent ‘fair but firm’ approach to collecting debt, ensuring that the Council continued to maximise collection performance.

Resolved

(1)               That the Corporate Debt Policy as set out in the annex to these minutes (as set out in the minute book) be recommended to Full Council for approval.

Reasons

It was recognised that that an updated corporate debt policy is required each year in order to document how we manage debt within the Council.

Options

Report of Head of Finance

Summary

This report brings forward for Executive consideration, the refreshed procurement strategy and action plan for 2011/12 for the Council. The primary objective of the procurement strategy is to procure services that are affordable, fit for the purpose, meet the needs of local people and service users and provide value for money.

Recommendation:

The Executive is recommended:

(1)       To consider and approve the Corporate Procurement Strategy and Action Plan for 2011/12 which is attached at Appendix 1.

Recommendations Approved

The Head of Finance submitted a report which brought forward for Executive consideration, the refreshed Corporate Procurement Strategy and Action Plan for 2011/12 for the Council. The primary objective of the Corporate Procurement Strategy is to procure services that are affordable, fit for the purpose, meet the needs of local people and service users and provide value for money.

Resolved

(1)       That the Corporate Procurement Strategy and Action Plan for 2011/12 as set out in the annex to these minutes (as set out in the minute book) be approved.

Reasons

The refreshed procurement strategy has a fundamental role in helping the Council reduce its services budget from £18.5 to £15.9 million in 2011/12.

The following report contains exempt information as defined in the following paragraph of Part 1, Schedule 12A of Local Government Act 1972.

3– Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Members are reminded that whilst the following item has been marked as exempt, it is for the meeting to decide whether or not to consider each of them in private or in public. In making the decision, Members should balance the interests of individuals or the Council itself in having access to the information. In considering their discretion members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers.

Should Members decide not to make a decision in public, they are recommended to pass the following recommendation:

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded form the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that they could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded form the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that they could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

Report of Head of Safer Communities, Urban and Rural Services

Summary

To advise the Executive on the position with regard to the landscape maintenance contract negotiations.

Recommendations Approved

The Head of Safer Communities, Urban and Rural Services submitted a report which advised the Executive on the position with regard to the landscape maintenance contract negotiations.

Resolved

That the recommendations as set out in the exempt report be approved.