Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Allanson, Baker, Mrs Branch and Duff.

The minutes of a meeting of the Partnership held on 23 March 2011 (previously circulated) were presented.

            Resolved

            That, subject to part (a) of Minute No 89 being amended to read:

            “That the decisions to give notice had been made by the Leader of      Hambleton and Councillor Duff of Richmondshire in conjunction with          Officers”

            The minutes of a meeting of the Partnership held on 23 March 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 were no items of Urgent Business to be discussed.

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 Chairman reported that correspondence had been received from Hambleton and Richmondshire District Councils rescinding their notice of intention to withdraw from the Partnership.

The information was welcomed by Members and it was considered important that all members show commitment to the Partnership and its efforts to secure long term long term financial viability.

            Resolved

            That the letters from Hambleton and Richmondshire District Councils   rescinding their previous notice of intention to withdraw from the      Partnership be accepted.

The Head of Building Control submitted a report (previously circulated) seeking Members’ agreement to reduce the number of elected members from two per Council to one.

It was considered that this would simplify the current governance of the Partnership and eliminate the possibility of creating a neutral position for any one Council.  Councils would be expected to appoint a Member, together with a substitute, at their annual meeting which would ensure a quorum at each board meeting.  If neither appointee were able to attend, then it would be for the Council to arrange for an alternative substitute.

Attached to the report was a proposed variation to the present Legal Agreement and if Members agreed to the new format for meetings then this agreement would need to be circulated and signed by each Council.

The report was discussed in some detail and, with reference to the Council elections in May, it was emphasised that it was important that Councils appoint Members with appropriate skills for representation on the Partnership.  The Head of Building Control reported that arrangements had been made for an induction event for new members to be held on 15 June 2011.

            Resolved

            That the report be received and that

(a)   The councillor membership be reduced from two to one with effect from the Partnership’s annual meeting in June 2011.

(b)   That the Variation Agreement appended to the report be circulated to each Council for signature.

1.     The Head of Building Control reported that Deloittes had informed him that, following recent Government changes to the income/expenditure

threshold level being raised from £1m to £6.5m, the Partnership was now classed as a small business and was able to revert back to less onerous audit arrangements.  It was proposed, therefore, that Mazars be appointed as auditors for the Partnership.

            Resolved

            That Mazars be appointed as the Partnership’s auditors for the             financial year 2010/11.

2.    It was reported that judging of the Building Excellence Awards was to take place on the 17 May, with presentation being held on the 6 July.

3.    The Chairman paid tribute to the excellent work carried out by Paul Cresswell and Janet Waggott in resolving the recent difficult situation relating to Hambleton and Richmondshire and also expressed appreciation for the patience of all staff during that time.

4.    It was noted that Councillors Cottam and Hemesley were not seeking re-election at the forthcoming Council elections and the Chairman, on behalf of the Board, presented them with a gift in appreciation of their hard work and valuable contribution during their term of membership of the Board.