Agenda and minutes

Report of the Cabinet Member for Efficiency and Improvement outlining progress made at the end of December 2012 against the targets contained within the Council Plan, attached.

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member Efficiency and Improvement, Cabinet noted that 65% of the Council’s Key Critical Performance Indicators set out in the Council Plan are reported to be on target.

Report of the Cabinet Member Resources detailing financial monitoring for the period to the end of December 2012, attached

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, Cabinet noted:

In regard to the General Fund that

(i)  the current General Fund revenue position for 2012/13 as at Month 9 (December), which is a forecast under spend at year end of £1.9Magainst the budget approved by Council on 15 February 2012, as outlined in paragraph 4.  This can be compared against the reported under spend at Month 6 of £0.3M; an improvement of almost £1.6M.

(ii)  the baseline forecast over spend for portfolios is almost £3.6M.

(iii)  portfolios have taken remedial action to manage a number of the corporate and key issues highlighted in this report and that the financial impact is reflected in the forecast position. 

(iv)  further remedial action has been maintained to rigorously control staff resource costs and to continue the moratorium on all non essential expenditure for the remainder of the financial year

(v)  the Risk Fund includes £3.9M to cover service related risks, and that the estimated draw at Month 9 is £2.8M to cover expenditure which is included within the baseline forecast portfolio over spend of £3.6M.  The Risk Fund has been reviewed and it has been assumed that £550,200 of the Fund will not be required in 2012/13.

(vi)  it has been assumed that the remainder of the contingency, which stands at £344,300, will be fully utilised by the end of 2012/13.

(vii)  the forecast includes an approved carry forward of £308,000 for Central Repairs & Maintenance as agreed by Full Council.

(viii)  the forecast does not include the impact of potential carry forwards which at Month 9 total £35,000 and which, if approved by Full Council as part of the Outturn report to be presented in July, would be a draw on balances.

(ix)  the revised minimum balance of £5.5M, subject to approval by Council on 13 February 2013, as recommended by the Chief Financial Officer in line with good practice guidance.

(x)  the forecast level of balances which will not fall below the revised minimum level of £5.5M in the medium term based on the current forecast.

(xi)  the performance to date with regard to the delivery of the agreed savings proposals approved for 2012/13 as detailed in Appendix 9.

(xii)  the performance against the financial health indicators detailed in Appendix 10.

(xiii)  the performance outlined in the Quarterly Treasury Management Report attached as Appendix 11.

In regard to the Housing Revenue Account that:

(xiv)  the current HRA budget monitoring position for 2012/13, as at Month 9 (December), which includes a carry forward from 2011/12 of £282,000 as approved by Council on the 11 July 2012.  There is a forecast under spend at year end of £180,000 and a potential carry forward request has been identified

Report of the Cabinet Member for Efficiency and Improvement seeking approval on recommendations for the allocation of the grants to voluntary organisations budget (subject to Budget setting), attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 9278)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Efficiency and Improvement, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve the grant recommendations set out in the attached Appendix 1.

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Communities and Improvement Manager, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Efficiency and Improvement, to allocate Community Chest grants during the year until the new Small Grants Programme takes effect.

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Senior Manager, Communities, Change and Partnerships, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Efficiency and Improvement, to agree a process for a One-Off Grant Scheme, should sufficient funding become available.

(iv)  To delegate authority to the Senior Manager, Communities Change and Partnerships, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Efficiency and Improvement, to:

·  determine transitional relief, where appropriate, where grants have been reduced or discontinued

·  do anything necessary to give effect to allocation of grants for 2013/14 to 2015/16.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Communities, outlining the operational arrangements for the transfer of the Public Health function, including the approval of the relevant delegations and associated matters, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 9770)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Communities, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  That the details of the local authority public health responsibilities set out in this report be noted;

(ii)  That the proposed scheme of delegation to the Director of Public Health set out in Appendix 1, be approved for submission to Council as an amendment to the Council Constitution;

(iii)  That authority be delegated to the Director of Public Health, together with other directors of the Council as appropriate, to undertake any actions and make any arrangements necessary for the transfer of relevant public health functions to the Council

Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport seeking agreement to the creation of a Local Transport Body, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 9486)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forEnvironment and Transport, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  That Cabinet approves the LTB Joint Agreement attached in Appendix 1:

(ii)  That Cabinet delegates to the Monitoring Officer authority to fine tune the agreement before submission to the Department of Transport(DfT).

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure, seeking approval to spend Section 106 funding on the development of play sites across the City.  During 2013 the City Council intends to refurbish and develop Play sites across the City, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 9714)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forHousing and Leisure Services, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To add, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules a sum of £263,500 to the Housing & Leisure Capital Programme for play area development.

(ii)  Individual scheme spending will be processed through the Capital Board and authorised by the Executive Director for Children Services or relevant officer.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure, seeking final approval for an additional licensing scheme for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) following results of the public consultation, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 9338)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forHousing and Leisure Services, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To note the outcome of a full consultation, which has taken place in accordance with the Housing Act 2004

(ii)  To approve the designation of Bevois, Bargate, Portswood and Swaythling wards as being subject to additional licensing, requiring all houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) to be licensed, apart from section 257 HMOs and buildings exempted by Schedule 14 of the Housing Act 2004, to take effect on 1 July 2013 for a period of five years

(iii)  To agree that Cabinet will consider approving a further designation covering the entire City as being subject to additional licensing of houses in multiple occupation from 1 July 2016, subject to an evaluation and further consultation, as appropriate and further decision of Cabinet in due course.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Leisure, seeking agreement for the introduction of a new Mobility Scooter storage and usage policy for the City Council’s housing stock, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 9840)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forHousing and Leisure Services, Cabinet agreed the that the policy is adopted.

Report of the Leader of the Council, seeking authority to participate and support a City Centre Forum proposed by key business organisations to facilitate City Centre development proposals, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 9750)

On consideration of the report of the Leader of the Council, Cabinet agreed that the Director, Environment and Economy be authorised to enter into any necessary arrangements to facilitate and support proposals for the City Centre Forum.

Report of Cabinet Member for Resources, seeking approval to the disposal of up to fifteen Scout site freeholds, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 9694)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member forResources, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve the principle of the disposal of the freeholds of the scout premises listed in appendix one to this report to the tenant scout groups

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Senior Manager, Property, Procurement and Contract Management to approve all the disposals of the scout sites for purposes authorised by s.2 Local Government Act 2000 at figures less than best consideration.

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Senior Manager, Property, Procurement and Contract Management after consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources to approve the detailed disposal terms to the Scout groups and to subsequently negotiate and carry out all ancillary matters to enable disposal of the sites in consultation with the City Services Senior Manager.

(iv)  That the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services be authorised to enter into any legal documentation necessary in respect of the sales

(v)  To authorise the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services to advertise the proposed disposal of those sites held under the Public Health Acts in accordance with Section 123 Local Government Act 1972, and to report any objections to the Cabinet before taking these sites forward.

To move that in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, specifically the Access to Information Procedure Rules contained within the Constitution, the press and public be excluded from the meeting in respect of any consideration of the following Item

Confidential Appendices contain information deemed to be exempt from general publication by virtue of Category 3 of paragraph 10.4 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules.  It is not in the public interest to disclose this because doing so would prejudice the commercial confidentiality of the bidders and selection process.

Report of the Leader of the Council, detailing the progress made in developing proposals to regenerate Weston Lane shopping parade and recommending approval for proceeding to the next stages required for redeveloping the site.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 9827)

On consideration of the report of the Leader of the Council, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, the virement of £300,000 in 2014/15 from the Estate Wide Programme to the Weston Shopping Parade Redevelopment Programme.

(ii)  To, approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, additional expenditure of £300,000 in 2014/5 on the Weston Shopping Parade Redevelopment Programme.

(iii)  To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, expenditure of £1,325,000 phased £700,000 in 2013/14, £375,000 in 2014/15 and £250,000 in 2015/16 on the Weston Enabling Works Programme provision for which already exists in the unapproved section of the HRA Capital Programme.

(iv)   

(a)  To approve the appointment of Bouygues (UK) Limited as preferred bidder for the redevelopment of Weston Lane Shopping Parade site

(b)  Subject to the Land becoming vacant land and falling within the terms of section 32 of the Housing Act 1985 under General Consent A of the General Housing Consents 2012 to approve the sale of the site at the price set out in the confidential Appendix 2 which is at less than best consideration due to the delivery requirements being imposed on the developer by the Council through the proposed development agreement which will create an undervalue.

(v)  To delegate power to the Head of Legal, HR & Democratic Services to amend, finalise and sign the Development Agreement with the preferred bidder for the disposal of the site in accordance with the financial terms outlined in Confidential Appendix 2 (exempt) and to enter into the associated Delivery Partner Panel Framework Agreement.

(vi)  To delegate authority to the Senior Manager Property, Procurement and Contract Management to

a.  Negotiate and acquire by agreement any legal interests or rights held in respect of the parcel of land shown edged red in Appendix 4 not already owned by the Council (being within Weston Lane Shopping Parade site) using such acquisition powers as the Senior Manager Property, Procurement and Contract Management advises;

b.  To agree the payment of appropriate compensation for the acquisition of the rights and interests in the land to be compulsorily purchased

(vii)

a.  That subject to reasonable attempts to negotiate the acquisition of each of the interests in the areas  shown  on the map at Appendix 4 having failed, to authorise the Head of Legal, HR & Democratic Services to make a Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire any rights and interests in the land and flats and buildings thereon shown on the attached map in Appendix 4 under section 17 of the Housing Act 1985 for the purpose of erecting housing and facilities which serve a beneficial purpose for the future occupiers of the housing.

b.  To approve  the Statement of Reasons for making the Compulsory Purchase Order as set out in Appendix 3 and that power be delegated to the Head of Legal, HR & Democratic Services to make amendments to the statement of reasons as the scheme progresses.

(viii)  To authorise the Head of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 117.

Report of the Head of Infrastructure, seeking a decision on the implementation or withdrawal of proposals to expand Bassett Green Primary, Bevois Town Primary and St Johns Primary and Nursery, attached. 

DECISION MADE (Ref: CAB 12/13 9841)

On consideration of the report of the Head of Infrastructure the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services made the following decision:

(i)  To consider and take into account the outcome of statutory consultation as set out in Appendix 1.

(ii)  To approve the implementation of the enlargement of the following two schools from 1 September 2013 (subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents):

·  The enlargement by 30 places (1FE – form of entry) per year group of Bassett Green Primary School, with implementation from 1 September 2013, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all seven year groups have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 2FE (60 places per year group) to 3FE (90 places per year group), and increasing the net capacity to 630 by September 1 2018.  Please note that Bassett Green admitted 90 pupils to year R in September 2012 for one year only. This proposal is to expand the school on a permanent basis.

·  The enlargement by 30 places (1FE – form of entry) per year group of Bevois Town Primary School, with implementation from 1 September 2013, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all seven year groups have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 1FE (30 places per year group) to 2FE (60 places per year group), and increasing the net capacity to 420 by September 1 2018. Please note that Bevois Town admitted 60 pupils to year R in September 2012 for one year only. This proposal is to expand the school on a permanent basis.

(iii)  To approve the implementation of the enlargement of the following school from 1 September 2014 (subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents):

·  The enlargement by 30 places (1FE – form of entry) per year group of St Johns Primary & Nursery School, with implementation from 1 September 2014, beginning with Year R and continuing incrementally until all seven year groups have been expanded.  This would have the effect of enlarging the school from 1FE (30 places per year group) to 2FE (60 places per year group), and increasing the net capacity to 420 by September 1 2020.

(iv)  To add, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, a sum of £1.55 million to the Children’s Services Capital programme, from the ring fenced DfE basic need grant.

(v)  Subject to the approval of Council to add £400,000 to the Bassett Green Primary project on the 13^th February, to approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, capital expenditure of £3.65 million in 2013/14 and £1.3 million in 2014/15 from the Children’s Services Capital Programme for the expansions of:

·  Bassett Green Primary £1.4 million

·  Bevois Town Primary £1.45 million

·  St Johns Primary and Nursery £2.1 million

(vi)  To note that assumptions have been made about the likely level of Basic Need Grant to be awarded in future years. If the final award is less than anticipated any  ...  view the full minutes text for item 118.

Report of the Senior Manager Children and Young People Strategic Commissioning, Education and Inclusion seeking consultation on the possibility of developing an new all through primary School, attached.

NOTE: This report is submitted for consideration as a general exception under paragraph 15 of the Access to Information procedure Rules in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 12/13 10048)

On consideration of the report of the Senior Manager Children and Young People Strategic Commissioning, Education and Inclusion, the Cabinet Member agreed the following:

Having complied with the requirements of paragraph 15 (General Exception) of the Access to Information Procedure Rules, it is recommended:

(i)  To approve the commencement of six weeks of pre-statutory consultations on a proposal to discontinue St Monica Junior School and expand St Monica Infant School to accommodate 4-11 year olds.

(ii)  To approve the establishment of a steering group for both schools to oversee the consultation on the possibility of transitioning to a primary.

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services and Learning, following consultation with the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services; to determine the final format and content of consultation in accordance with statutory and other legal requirements.

(iv)  Subject to complying with Financial and Contractual Procedure Rules, to delegate authority to the Director of Children’s Services and Learning, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, to do anything necessary to give effect to the recommendations in this report.

Report of the Senior Manager Planning, Transport and Sustainability, seeking approval to the local elements to the Council’s concessionary travel scheme 2013 and the reimbursement rate to bus operators that are proposed to apply from 1st April 2013, attached.

DECISION MADE (Ref: CAB 12/13 9712)

On consideration of the report of the Senior Manager Planning, Transport and Sustainability the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services made the following decision:

(i)  To approve the scheme in Appendix 1 subject to the calculations in recommendation (ii) below; 

(ii)  To reimburse bus operators at 48p in the £ plus 6.9p marginal capacity operating cost per trip and 0.2p per journey administration fee, in accordance with the guidance given by the Department for Transport (DfT) using their reimbursement calculator;

(iii)  To withdraw the issue of local disabled persons bus pass;

(iv)  To retain the ticket types used in the calculation of the average fare to include day tickets, carnet (multi-trip), single and returns as per the guidance issued by the DfT;

(v)  To delegate authority to the Senior Manager Planning, Transport and Sustainability to enter into arrangements with some smaller operators to agree reimbursement at a fixed rate in accordance with the DfT guidance for 2013/14;

(vi)  To delegate authority to the Senior Manager Planning, Transport and Sustainability in consultation with the Executive Director of Corporate Services following consultation with the Cabinet Members for Environment & Transport and Resources to do anything necessary to implement the Concessionary fares Scheme 2013 including but not limited to the service of statutory Notices (including Variation and Participation Notices) and participation in and determination of any appeal against the proposed Concessionary Fares Scheme or reimbursement arrangements for 2013/14

Report of Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, seeking a response to any recommendations made by the Committee at the meeting on the 19^th February 2013, attached.

Consideration of this item was deferred to a future meeting.