Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Allanson and Mrs Branch, David Archer and Keith Dawson.

The minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Partnership held on the 22 December 2010 and of the Special Meeting of the Partnership held on the 23 February 2011 were presented.

            Resolved

            That the minutes of the Ordinary meeting of the North Yorkshire             Building Control Partnership held on the 22 December 2010 and of the

            Special meeting of the Partnership held on the 23 February 2011 be   approved.

To receive notice of any urgent business which the Chairman considers should be dealt with at the meeting as a matter of urgency by virtue of Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Chairman reported that there was one item of urgent business to be discussed.

The Head of Building Control circulated letters dated 22 March 2010 and received from Hambleton & Richmondshire District Councils, and giving notice of their intention to withdraw from the partnership with effect from the 31 March 2012, and in accordance with clause 15.1 of the Partnership Agreement dated 11 April 2010.

Member’s views were sought, and elected Members from Hambleton & Richmondshire were able to confirm:

a.    That the decisions to give notice had been made by the Leaders and Senior Councillors of both authorities, in conjunction with Officers however not at a formal Council meeting; and

b.    That both Councils continued to support the Partnership, but wished to keep the option of an early withdrawal available by giving the notice.

A detailed discussion followed. The members of Hambleton and Richmondshire District Councils confirmed verbally that the decision had been made under the Chief Executive’s emergency powers in both cases and as such the letter was legally valid.  It was agreed that written confirmation of this to the Head of the Partnership would be provided by the two Authorities.

            Resolved

            The letters presented be accepted as formal notice from Hambleton

            District Council and Richmondshire District Council of intention to

            withdraw from the partnership on the 31 March 2012 and

            work commence to facilitate the withdrawals with immediate effect.

Members to indicate whether they will be declaring any interests under the Code of Conduct.

Members making a declaration of interest at a meeting of a Committee or Council are required to disclose the existence and nature of that interest.  This requirement is not discharged by merely declaring a personal interest without further explanation.

No declarations of interest were made.

The Head of Building Control submitted a report (previously circulated) in order to present Members with details and options for a revised budget for 2011/12 including a further two year recovery plan.

Board members were reminded that at the extraordinary meeting held on the 23 February 2011 it had been resolved:-

1.    That the financial performance for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 December 2010 be noted;

2.    That the deficit or surplus in 2010/11 or thereafter be shared equally amongst all partners;

3.    That the projected deficit and potential additional contributions from partner Councils in 2010/11 be noted and that representatives notify their Councils as appropriate;

4.    That Officers identify alternative budget scenarios with associated implications for the Board Meeting to be held on the 23 March to enable a revised budget to be set for 2011/12.  This was to include alternative income projections, partnership reserves being restored to a minimum of £40,000 and a review of the overall cost on the non-chargeable account.

This report had been produced following the extraordinary meeting and provided the information which had been requested.  Annex A outlined the Partnership’s performance in the current financial year together with the original budget.  Annex B set out a base budget for 2011/12 which showed the expected income level for the partnership, and provided details of income and expenditure, and identified further potential savings which could be made.

Members were asked to consider the revised budget options with a view to agreeing a revised budget for 2011/12, and partner Councils were asked to commit to the Building Control Partnership to the 31 August 2016 to enable a period of stability to assist financial planning and recovery.  

The report was discussed in detail, but Members were of the opinion that in view of the changed situation, which resulted from the notices received and discussed at this meeting, further work would now need to be undertaken on this budget, to take into account the change in circumstances.

            Resolved

            That the report be received and the revised base budget be adopted for the financial year 2011/12.

There were no other items of urgent business.