To receive any apologies for absence.

To receive any declarations of interest by members in respect of items on this agenda.

To note the Capital Programme outturn for 2003/04.

To determine the allocation of unsupported borrowing for capital expenditure for 2004/05.

To respond to the emerging issues in regard to fast growing authorities and their impact on the Revenue Support Grant (RSG) allocation, and to note the Council's response to recent consultation on the Local Government Finance Settlement.

To approve a timetable for setting both the 2005/06 revenue budget and capital programme and to receive an update on the medium term financial plan.

A budget consultation paper is in the course of preparation but investigations are being undertaken in relation to one of the exercises carried out by a number of authorities last year.  Those enquiries are close to completion but in order to incorporate the outcome into the Budget Consultation report, the document will not be despatched until Friday, 9th July, 2004.

To consider a report on the range of changes and improvements needed to respond to "Every Child Matters" and the Children's Bill.

To note progress against the Action Plan which accompanies the Council's Race Equality Scheme and approve its publication.

To agree a way forward for the provision of local services in Kington and the surrounding area.

To agree the establishment of a delivery vehicle for the Edgar Street Grid Materplan.

To consider the discretionary policy on transport for pupils seeking denominational education

To receive an update on progress against the Council's Human Resources (HR) Strategy for the year end 31st March, 2004 and to consider the issues raised by the Strategic Monitoring Committee.

To note the report of the Strategic Monitoring Committee to Council.  (Report to follow)

To approve a Joint Municipal Waste Management Strategy for Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and to note progress with negotiations on the Integrated Waste Management Contract.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC AND PRESS

In the opinion of the Proper Officer, the next items will not be, or are likely not to be, open to the public and press at the time they are considered.

RECOMMENDATION:

That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Schedule 12(A) of the Act as indicated below.

To receive an outline of the financial implications of the proposals for the renegotiation of the Integrated Waste Management Contract.

This item discloses the amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the authority under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services.

To decide on a proposal for Herefordshire Housing Limited to become a charitable company.

This item discloses information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).