| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| GP 08/017 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| GP 08/018 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee held on 26 June 2008 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| DECISIONS TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED POWERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 3 (OR 2), PART 3 OF THE CONSTITUTION | ||
| GP 08/019 |
Community Governance Reviews - Parish Arrangements |
The report of the Chief Executive outlined the legislative framework for undertaking community governance reviews which provided the opportunity for parish arrangements to be considered in circumstances where there had been changes in population or in reaction to specific local developments or issues. It was suggested that such a review would be appropriate in respect of the parish boundary between Ditton and East Malling and Larkfield parishes which bisected the recent residential development on the former Frantschach site off New Hythe Lane. An indicative timetable was set out for a community governance review and reference made to the need for close liaison with the Electoral Commission in respect of consequential changes to Borough Ward and County Division boundaries. RESOLVED: That authority be delegated to the Electoral Review Working Group to consider the matter of a community governance review for the areas of the Borough outlined in section 1.3 of the report and to make recommendations to the General Purposes Committee for future arrangements should a community governance review be required. |
| GP 08/020 |
Audit Commission - Annual Governance Report 2007/08 |
Consideration was given to the joint report of the Chief Executive and Director of Finance inviting endorsement of the Annual Governance Report for 2007/08 from the Audit Commission which needed to be approved prior to the final certification of the financial statements detailed in the subsequent item. In addition it was recommended that the Chairman of the Committee countersign the Letter of Representation prepared by the Director of Finance, a revised version of which was circulated at the meeting. Mr T Greenlee (Audit Manager) and Mr G Short (Principal Auditor) attended the meeting to present the report and answer questions raised by Members. It was noted that there were no material or significant issues that needed to be brought to the attention of the Committee and the District Auditor anticipated being able to issue an unqualified opinion on the accounts. Details were given of two recommendations set out in the Annual Governance Report which had been accepted by the Management Team together with the procedures being put in place to address the issues. Members expressed their appreciation of the professionalism of officers in preparing the Accounts and the constructive approach of the District Audit team in undertaking the audit. RESOLVED: That (1) the Annual Governance Report for 2007/08 be endorsed and approved; and (2) the Chairman be authorised to countersign the revised Letter of Representation circulated at the meeting, as outlined in paragraph 1.2.3 of the report. |
| GP 08/021 |
Statement of Accounts 2007/08 |
Further to the Committee's approval of the unaudited copy of the Statement of Accounts on 26 June 2008, the Director of Finance updated Members on the outcome of the audit of the Council's Accounts. It was noted that whilst there were no material changes required to the Accounts following the audit, some minor technical and textual amendments had been made. RESOLVED: That the Chairman be authorised to sign the Accounts in the appropriate place. |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| GP 08/022 |
Ombudsman's Annual Letter 2007/08 |
The Chief Executive reported receipt of the annual letter from the Local Government Ombudsman, a copy of which was appended to the report. The Committee was advised that there had been a small decrease in the number of complaints made about the Council and again Tonbridge and Malling had attracted fewer complaints than any other authority in Kent. Furthermore, for the seventeenth year in succession there had been no findings of maladministration against the Council. In accepting the Ombudsman's report Members commended the approach adopted throughout the Authority which sought to address problems and remedy any errors at the earliest opportunity. Thanks were recorded to the Chief Executive and staff for fostering this ethos. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| GP 08/023 |
Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) |
The report of the Central Services Director drew attention to the Government's announcement of the creation of the Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) with effect from 12 October 2009. Details were given of the background to the establishment of the new body which would create a register of those cleared to work with children and vulnerable adults. The report explained the function of the ISA and its implications for the Council as an employer. It was noted that Services would ensure that posts were correctly identified as regulatory or controlled while Personnel Services would be responsible for checking whether a potential appointee appeared on the register. Whilst welcoming any additional protection afforded, Members wished to be reassured that the new system would be effective and not merely create an extra layer of bureaucracy resulting in delay and detriment to the Council's ability to operate its services. It was therefore requested that a further report be presented in due course updating progress with the operational arrangements. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| GP 08/024 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
The Chairman moved, it was seconded and RESOLVED: That as public discussion would disclose exempt information, the following matters be considered in private. |
| PART 2 - PRIVATE | ||
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL | ||
| GP 08/025 |
Leisure Services - Proposed Staffing Changes (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 1 - Information relating to an individual) |
The Chief Leisure Officer presented proposals to adjust the staffing structure within the Outdoor Leisure and Administrative Support sections within Leisure Services in order to reflect the key priorities facing the Service over forthcoming years. It was noted that the proposed changes would result in a modest saving to the Council. RECOMMENDED: That the proposals, as summarised at Annex 5 to the report, be approved and confirmation be given to the action taken in advance of the Council meeting in implementing them from 1 October 2008. *Referred to Council |