Apologies were received from Cllrs Carter and Ms Sanders.

Members RESOLVED that the minutes of the Community Committee meeting held on 17 December 2014 were a true record.

The Chair advised Members that an updated Brentwood Events Plan had been tabled for information.

Members were reminded that the Localism Act 2011 required local authorities to keep a list of assets (meaning buildings or other land) which were of community value. Once an asset was placed on the list it would usually remain there for five years. The effect of listing was that generally speaking an owner intending to dispose of the asset must give notice to the local authority. A community interest group then had six weeks in which to ask to be treated as a potential bidder. If it did so, the disposal could not take place for six months. The theory was that this period known as the “moratorium” will allow the community group to come up with an alternative proposal - although, at the end of the moratorium, it was entirely up to the owner whether a disposal  went through, to whom and for how much. There were arrangements for the local authority to pay compensation to an owner who lost money in consequence of the asset being listed. 

A nomination had been received by Hutton Community Partnership in relation to Hutton Community Centre as indicated on the site plan attached as Appendix A to the report.

The report informed Members in consideration if whether  to list or not to list Hutton Community Centre as an Asset of Community Value as indicated in Appendix B to the report.

Cllr Chilvers MOVED and Cllr Mrs Squirrell SECONDED recommendation 2.1 in the report.  A vote was taken on a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that  the land as indicated in Appendix B of the report be listed as an Asset of Community Value.

Following a discussion regarding the risk to the Council of having to pay compensation in relation to listing Assets of Community Value,  Cllr Chilvers MOVED and Cllr Mrs Squirrell SECONDED that, in addition, the risk to the Council in this regard should be monitored by the Audit and Scrutiny Committee through inclusion on its Risk Register. 

A vote was taken on a show of hands and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that the risk of having to pay compensation in relation to Assets of Community Value be monitored by the Audit and Scrutiny Committee through being added to the Committee’s Risk Register.

The Chief Executive of Brentwood Community Transport will give a presentation to the Committee.

Mrs Tickner, Chief Executive of Brentwood Community Transport (BCT), gave a presentation to update the Committee on the work of the organisation.

Members thanked Mrs Tickner for her presentation and for the service provided by Community Transport to residents of the Borough. 

The Chair advised that she intended to discuss with the BBC communications team ways in which BCT could be promoted.

Presentation to be made regarding an event to be held in Weald Park.

The Chair advised that the presentation had been deferred to a later date and further information would be provided in due course.

Members were advised that the report before them updated the progress made with the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Work Plan which had been developed by the Brentwood Health and Wellbeing Board. It included the three priorities identified in the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment carried out by Essex County Council. The actions for the priorities were addressed in the Work Plan.

Cllr Barrett was the Council’s Mental Health Champion and referred to the ECC funded Mental Health First Aid course which was open to all and which he had undertaken.  He had found this course valuable and recommended other Members attend when it was run again later in the year.  He thanked Lucy Gill for her work which had resulted in Mental Health Services being more accessible in Brentwood.

Cllr Chilvers requested that the Health and Wellbeing Strategy and details of the course be circulated to all Members and be included on the Council’s website.

Cllr Chilvers MOVED and Cllr Mrs Squirrell SECONDED the recommendation in the report and after a discussion it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

The Committee agrees to continue the work necessary to develop health and wellbeing as outlined in the work plan and strategy, noting the progress made in key areas as described in this report.

Members were reminded that the Ward Budget scheme was launched in April 2012 to enhance the role of Councillors in their communities and engage with organizations in their area to develop projects and schemes. Ward budgets were one way in which the Locality Strategy could be implemented, encouraging the ethos of the Big Society and Localism i.e. encouraging volunteering, local involvement and building skills within the community. In 2014/15 budget £1,000 was allocated to each individual Councillor. It was agreed that the underspend of the Brentwood Community Fund would be added to the Members’ allocation which meant that each received an additional £385.

An updated version of Appendix A,  which detailed the expenditure of individual ward budgets, was provided for Members’ information and the Committee  was asked to determine what to do with the underspend of the ward budget allocation.

Cllr Mrs Squirrell MOVED and Cllr Barrett SECONDED the recommendation that the underspend be allocated to the development of the Volunteer Centre managed by Brentwood Council for Voluntary Services.

Following a discussion, a vote was taken on a show of hands and it was RESOLVED that the underspend be allocated to the development of the Volunteer Centre managed by Brentwood Council for Voluntary Services.

(Cllr Reed declared a non-pecuniary interest under the Council’s Code of Conduct by virtue of his employment at Brentwood Theatre which received assistance from volunteers and took no part in the vote).

Members were reminded that a report was presented to the Community Committee on 21 October 2014  which set out the current festive light provision across Brentwood Borough and  looked  at ways in which the festive lights and activities could be enhanced in and around the Town Centre and in Shenfield.

It was now proposed to put out to tender the lighting contract to test the current lights, purchase any new replacement lights required and install and dismantle them in accordance with the current specification as attached in Appendix A to the report.

Cllr Chilvers MOVED and Cllr Mrs Squirrell SECONDED the recommendation in the report and following a discussion, a vote was taken on a show of hands.  It was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY that:

1.     Officers put out to tender the Lighting contract to purchase any new replacement lights, test, install and dismantle them as indicated in the specification set out in Appendix A.

2.     Delegated authority be given to the Head of Borough Health, Safety and Localism in consultation with the Chair of Community Committee to appoint the successful bidder.

The report before Members provided an update and progress report on the decisions made by Community Committee during the financial year.  

Cllr Chilvers thanked Committee Members for their contribution to meetings during the year and  MOVED and Cllr Mrs Squirrell SECONDED the recommendation and it was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY  that Members note the report and the progress that has been made to date.

An item of business may only be considered where the Chair is of the opinion that, by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified in the Minutes, the item should be considered as a matter of urgency.

There were no items of urgent business.

The meeting ended at 20.25pm.