CITY BOARD 13 September 2001

(6pm – 6.50pm)

PRESENT: Councillor Howarth (Chair), Councillors Bagnall, Bradnack, Durrant, Harrison, Knowles, Nimmo-Smith, Reed, C.Rosenstiel, Slatter, and Stuart. (Councillor J Rosentiel attended as alternate member)

FOR INFORMATION OF THE COUNCIL

01/a/63 MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 July were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

01/a/64 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Smart.

01/a/65 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

The following Code of Conduct (non-pecuniary) interest was declared:

01/a/69 Councillor Durrant as a member of the Board of Jimmy’s Nightshelter.

01/a/66 PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

There were no questions.

01/a/67 STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 2000/01

The Board noted that the Fundamental Service Review and Audit Working Party had earlier in the day received the report and had no comments to pass on for consideration.

The Board was advised that the accounts had been prepared for the first time in line with the Best Value Accounting Code of Practice. As a consequence of this, the Consolidated Revenue Account on page 9 would afford some comparisons to be made with other local authorities in this and future years. It was also noted that the period set aside for public inspection of the accounts would take place after the audit had been completed, rather than whilst it had been in progress as in previous years.

Referring to Fixed Assets third bullet (page 5), Councillor Stuart requested clarification of the commentary as it did not appear possible to ‘…have lower of net current replacement cost or net realisable value’, if ‘….investment properties were normally open market value’. The Head of Accounting Services undertook to investigate the matter further and clarify the statement if necessary.

Resolved

To approve the Statement of Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2001.

Action by: Director of Finance

01/a/68 IT INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT APPRAISAL

The Board noted that the figure referred to on the agenda page should read £440,000.

In response to a question from Councillor Slatter, the IT Contract Manager undertook to investigate why City Homes South had not been included on the list of Council premises to be upgraded.

Resolved

To approve the Project Appraisal and to the work commencing as soon as possible.

Action by: Director of Central Services

01/a/69 SAFER CITY CAPITAL GRANT

Councillor Bagnall requested that the existing one-off approach to Safer City Grants, as opposed to a mainstream approach, should be looked into further. The Chair agreed that the Best Value Review of Community Safety must investigate how the Council should better plan its grant giving in this area.

Resolved

To approve the allocation of capital grant of £10,000 for a fire alarm system at Zion Baptist Church.

01/a/70 REFERENCE FROM THE OFFICE ACCOMMODATION WORKING PARTY – IMPROVEMENTS TO COMMITTEE ROOMS 1 & 2

The Board was updated by the Head of Property and Building Services on issues which he had been asked by members to investigate at the meeting on 26 July. The Board noted that, having discussed the matter with experts, air-conditioning for the committee rooms was not practical. In addition, the microphone system in current use did not have an induction loop. Councillor Knowles requested that the current microphones should be kept, as an induction loop would only assist people with a particular type of hearing aid. She also requested that within 6 months the officers should investigate how to improve the sound quality in the Council Chamber.

Action by: Head of Property & Building Services

Councillor Bradnack was concerned that the expenditure proposed had not been included in the 2001/02 budget and suggested that it should stand referred until the next financial year.

Councillor Slatter requested that any proposals for the committee rooms are in accordance with the corporate audit being undertaken as a requirement of the Disability Discrimination Act. Councillor Slatter also agreed with the comments of the Working Party that Planning Sub-Committee should meet in the Small Hall on a trial basis.

Action by: Committee Manager

Resolved

1) To agree:

a) the purchase of audio-visual equipment as set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report;

b) new pinboards as described in paragraph 3.4 of the report;

c) lighting and redecoration as described in paragraph 3.5 of the report; and

d) new, manually-operated blinds.

with b)-d) being funded from existing Repairs and Renewal Funds

2) (by 8 votes to 3) That £8,500 be added to the Capital Plan, to cover the costs of 1a above.

3) That the current audio system remain, but officers be asked to continue to look for ways of combining improvements to the system with the flexibility of being able to move the tables.

Action by: Head of Property & Building Services

01/a/71 GREATER CAMBRIDGE PARTNERSHIP: NOMINATION OF A MEMBER TO REPRESENT THE COUNCIL

Councillor Howarth was nominated by Councillor C Rosenstiel and Councillor Bagnall by Councillor Bradnack.

Resolved (by 7 votes to 4)

That Councillor Howarth represent the Council on the Partnership Board.

The meeting ended at 6.50pm

Chair