Waverley Borough Council Committee System - Committee Document
Meeting of the Executive held on 09/01/2007
Minutes
Executive 183
09.01.07
WAVERLEY BOROUGH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE – 9TH JANUARY 2007
SUBMITTED TO THE COUNCIL MEETING – 20TH FEBRUARY 2007
(To be read in conjunction with the Agenda for the Meeting)
*
Miss G B W Ferguson (Chairman)
*
Mr C H Mansell
*
Mrs C E Savage (Vice-Chairman)
*
Mr K T Reed
*
Mr S D Edge
*
Mr J E Robini
*
Mr B Grainger-Jones
*
Mr V K Scrivens
*
Mr P Haveron
* Present
Mr B A Ellis, Mrs M V M Hunt and Mr D C Inman were also in attendance.
Mr R J Gates was present and spoke on Items 5 and 10 (Minutes 217 and 221 refer).
211.
MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 5th December 2006 were confirmed and signed.
212.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
There were no apologies for absence.
213.
DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST
Mrs C E Savage and the Director of Environment and Leisure declared personal and prejudicial interests in Agenda Item 18 relating to Codling Cottage, Chiddingfold as the applicant was a friend/acquaintance. Both left the Chamber during consideration of the item.
PART I – RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COUNCIL
214.
POLICY FOR THE CONDUCT OF INVESTIGATIONS INVOLVING COVERT SURVEILLANCE TECHNIQUES
(Agenda Item 8; Appendix D)
214.1 The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) introduced controls over investigative procedures where “directed surveillance” is used in a particular investigation. An example of directed surveillance would be the installation of a sound recording device in a complainant’s property in order to monitor noise from an alleged perpetrator’s property.
214.2 RIPA also authorises the use of “covert human intelligence sources”. A member of the public acting as a test passenger in a taxi licensing investigation would be one such example. The use of such covert human intelligence sources by Waverley officers is, and would be, rare, and in any event would likely be undertaken in partnership with other agencies such as Surrey Police.
214.3 In June 2002, the Executive approved the designation of particular officers who may authorise the use of direct surveillance techniques, and a list of those officers is as follows:-
·
Head of Committee and Member Services
·
Head of Personnel and Central Services
·
Environmental Health Manager
·
Assistant Director of Finance
·
Audit Manager
·
Administration and Insurance Manager
·
Chief Revenues Officer
·
Assistant Director of Housing
·
Development Control and Policy Manager
Head of Environmental Services
214.4 Those officers, and investigating officers who may be authorised by them, have received training in order to give a common understanding of the procedures to be used for authorising and conducting the use of directed surveillance and covert human intelligence source techniques. Further ‘RIPA training’ is due to take place in April 2007 for all officers referred to above.
214.5 The amended Policy is attached at
Annexe 1
, and the proposed amendments are highlighted in bold italics for ease of reference. The amendments are minor, but expand the ‘legitimate aims’ so as to more correctly reflects the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998.
214.6 In particular it has become necessary to review the Policy, and amend it where appropriate, as a result of an upcoming initiative to be undertaken by the Housing Department. The initiative will employ covert CCTV in an attempt to monitor and identify anti-social behaviour, and those responsible for it, in and around Council properties. Given that this is the first occasion where the Housing Department has needed to operate investigations involving such surveillance, officers are keen to ensure that the Policy correctly reflects the legislation so as to be clear for those officers who are new to conducting such investigations. All officers involved in investigations as part of the initiative will receive the training referred to above.
214.7 The cost of processing authorisations in each investigation will be absorbed as procedural costs in initiating the investigation of the individual case. As such, the cost of implementing the provisions of the Act will, to some extent, depend on the number of relevant investigations involving directed surveillance.
214.8 The amended Policy is now presented for the approval of the Council. The Policy will continue to guide the practice of Council officers in conducting investigations where regulated covert surveillance techniques are used.
214.9 The Executive
RECOMMENDS that
146. the revised Policy, as set out at Annexe 1, be adopted.
Background Papers
(MD)
There are no background papers (as defined by Section 100D(5) of the Local Government Act 1972) relating to this report.
215.
LEASES OF COMMON LAND TO PARISH COUNCILS
(Agenda Item 12; Appendix H)
[Note pursuant to Section 100B(5) of the Local Government Act 1972: this item contains exempt information by virtue of which the public is likely to be excluded. The information is as specified in paragraph 3 of the revised Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, namely:-
Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).]
215.1 Waverley owns 451 hectares of common land, some of which form greens within village centres. Four Parish Councils (Dunsfold, Chiddingfold, Elstead and Wonersh) have had leases for areas of common land within their boundaries. These leases were drawn up many years ago and their terms and conditions no longer reflect modern management practices. All of them have now expired, but as the leases have not been formally terminated, it is assumed that the lessees are `holding over` under the original terms.
215.2 The current leases delegate to the Parish Council, the functions of the Council under the Commons Regulation Scheme. However, over the years, changing environmental practices and increased litigation has made the terms of these leases increasingly irrelevant. With the request of Chiddingfold Parish Council to renew its lease, it is considered an opportunity to reassess all similar leases to ensure that they both meet present requirements and are
capable of amendment over the period of the lease to take account of changing practices and needs.
215.3 At the beginning of 2004, Waverley entered into a lease of Blackheath Common. This lease sets out a framework of responsibilities; with a management plan setting out in detail the work that will be undertaken. The management plan is designed to be updated every five years to keep in line with the requirements of the site. This type of lease allows for flexibility, ensuring that it does not become obsolete over its term. It also ensures that the lease can be of a sufficiently long period for grants to be obtained for any improvement projects.
215.4 It is proposed that a similar lease structure is produced for Parish Councils. Details within the leases may vary to take account of the differing requirements of each party. The basic principle of the lease, however, should remain the same.
215.5 Following the request of Chiddingfold Parish Council to renew their lease, it would appear an opportunity to reconsider the leases of all such land, both those that have been granted in the past and those that may be sought in the future. It would appear appropriate to grant leases in similar form to that granted to Waverley in respect of Blackheath Common in order to ensure that the lease does not become obsolete over its term. The lease would therefore be in two parts: a) the basic framework of the responsibilities set out in the lease, b) a management plan, reviewed every 5 years, to implement them.
215.6 The Executive has authorised officers to enter into negotiations for leases of common land with Parish Councils, on the basis of the terms and conditions set out in an (Exempt) Annexe to the report, other terms and conditions to be agreed by the Countryside Management Officer and the Property and Development Manager and also
RECOMMENDS that
147. the Scheme of Delegation be amended to authorise the Director of Planning and Development in consultation with the Director of Environment and Leisure to agree leases with Parish Councils to manage Council-owned common land.
Background Papers
(DoEL/DoPD)
There are no background papers (as defined by Section 100D(5) of the Local Government Act 1972) relating to this report.
216.
ACCESS TO SERVICES OFFICER POST
(Agenda Item 17; (Exempt) Appendix I)
[Note pursuant to Section 100B(5) of the Local Government Act 1972: this item contains exempt information by virtue of which the public is likely to be excluded. The information is as specified in paragraph 1 of the revised Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, namely:-
Information relating to any individual.]
216.1 The Executive considered the report at
(Exempt) Annexe 2
and
RECOMMENDS that
148. the recommendations contained in (Exempt) Annexe 2 be approved.
PARTS II AND III – MATTERS OF REPORT
Background Papers
The background papers relating to the following report items in Parts II and III are as specified in the agenda for the Executive.
Part II – Matters Reported in Detail for the Information of the Council
There were no matters falling within this category.
Part III – Brief Summaries of Other Matters Dealt With
217.
FOUR-MONTH ROLLING PROGRAMME
(Agenda Item 5; Appendix A)
RESOLVED that the four-month rolling programme of key decisions for Waverley Borough Council be agreed, subject to
1. the transfer of DPE from the Environment Portfolio to the Community, Youth and Car Parks Portfolio;
2. an updating report on refocusing the Waste SIG to a broader Climate Change overview;
3. a new date of July 2007 for the Good, Bad and Ugly Audit in the Planning and Major Development Portfolio; and
4. the addition of Review of Development Control Consultative Forums and the Development Management Committee Structure, under the Planning and Major Development Portfolio.
218.
BUDGET UPDATE
(Agenda Item 6; Appendix B)
218.1
General Fund
(Appendix B.1)
The Executive gave further consideration to the General Fund Budget for 2007/2008, along with the suggested budget reductions set out at Annexe 2. Having had a detailed discussion on this, particularly the Exercise and Mobility Post, the Executive
RESOLVED that final consideration would be given to the budget at its next meeting on 6th February 2007, having been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny and Licensing Committees in the meantime.
218.2
Housing Revenue Account Draft Revenue Estimates
(Appendix B.2)
RESOLVED that
1. the Executive was minded to agree an average rent increase of the current rate of inflation (currently RPI 3.9%) for 2007-08 and
2. the views of the Community Overview and Scrutiny Committee be sought on the effect of this rent increase on repairs spending for tenants’ homes.
219.
BUDGET MONITORING - NOVEMBER 2006
(Agenda Item 7; Appendix C)
RESOLVED that the current monitoring position for the General Fund Revenue Account, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme to 30th November 2006 be noted.
220.
URGENT WORKS NOTICE - UNDERSHAW, HINDHEAD
(Agenda Item 9; Appendix E)
[Note pursuant to Section 100B(5) of the Local Government Act 1972: this item contains exempt information by virtue of which the public is likely to be excluded. The information is as specified in paragraph 5 of the revised Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, namely:-
Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.]
RESOLVED that
1. the action taken in serving the Urgent Works Notice be endorsed; and
2. officers report to the next meeting on the latest position and any resource implications.
221.
INTERIM MINIPLAN
(Agenda Item 10; Appendix F)
RESOLVED that the scope of the report for 6th February 2007 meeting be endorsed, with the addition of a definitive statement on the legal position, the latest position on a peer review of Natural England and future monitoring arrangements.
222.
BLACKHEATH, SHAMLEY GREEN AND WONERSH VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT
(Agenda Item 11; Application G)
RESOLVED that officers be asked to negotiate with the Blackheath, Shamley Green and Wonersh Village Design Statement Committee to look in particular at environmental and sustainability issues with a view to the Statement being revised and re-submitted to the Executive meeting on 6th February 2007.
223.
HEALTHCARE COMMISSION SIG FOR WAVERLEY
(Agenda Item 13)
RESOLVED that
1. the membership of the SIG be extended to seven members; and
2. the membership be confirmed as Mrs E Cable, Mrs D M James, Mrs J R Keen, Mr P J Martin, Mr A Rayner, Mrs C E Savage and Mr K Webster.
224.
SURREY LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION - SUPPORTING PEOPLE COMMISSIONING BODY
(Agenda Item 14)
RESOLVED that approval be given to Mrs A E Mansell being nominated for the appointment to the SLGA Supporting People Commissioning Body.
[At this point in the meeting, Mr C H Mansell declared a personal and prejudicial interest as the husband of the proposed nominee].
225.
EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED that, pursuant to Procedure Rule 20 and in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the public were present, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information (as defined by Section 100I of the Act) of the description specified in Paragraph 5 of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, namely:-
Information in respect of which a claim to legal professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.
226.
JUDICIAL REVIEW PROCEEDINGS - CODLING COTTAGE, CHIDDINGFOLD
(Agenda Item 18; (Exempt) Appendix J)
This item was considered in (Exempt) Session at 9.19 p.m.
RESOLVED that the recommendations set out in the (Exempt) report be agreed.
The meeting commenced at 7.00 p.m. and concluded at 9.50 p.m.
Chairman
Comms/exec/2006-07/293