To receive any apologies for absence.

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

To endorse the Treasury Management Investment Strategy for 2004/05 attached to this report for Council approval.

To approve an updated Equal Opportunities Policy (EOP) and to note progress of and proposals for diversity work within Herefordshire Council.

To receive feedback on the first round or the Local Areas Forums, and to note any issues raised by the community.

To note the process used to develop the Strategic Audit Plan for 2004/05 to 2007/08 and to endorse the Annual Plan for 2004/05.

To identify a suitable model for Herefordshire to enter a County Sports Partnership with Worcestershire to enable access to national and regional funding for sport.

To receive an update on proposed arrangements.

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

To approve the necessary Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPO) and Side Roads Orders (SRO) to facilitate the construction of the proposed Rotherwas Access Road.

EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC AND PRESS

In the opinion of the Proper Officer, the appendix to previous report and the next item will not be, or are likely not to be, open to the public and press at the time they are considered

RECOMMENDATION:

That under the Local Government Act 1972, 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 consider the confidential information attached to the report.

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

This item discloses – Any instructions to counsel and any opinion of counsel (whether or not in connection with any proceedings) and any advice received, information obtained or action to be taken in connection with –

a)                  any legal proceedings by or against the authority, or

b)                  the determination of any matter affecting the authority (whether, in either case, proceedings have been commenced or are in contemplation)

To receive a report on proposals by Herefordshire Housing to revise the VAT shelter agreed at the time of the transfer of the housing stock.

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