Agenda and minutes

Report of the Chair of Scrutiny Panel B detailing the Panel’s Inquiry into apprenticeships across the City, attached

On consideration of the report of the Chair of Scrutiny Panel B detailing an Inquiry into apprenticeships across the City, Cabinet

(i)  Formally received the Scrutiny Inquiry report on apprenticeships

(ii)  Undertook to develop a formal response to the recommendations contained within it, including an action plan detailing how the Executive proposes to take forward any of the recommendations contained in the report.

To deal with any executive appointments, as required.

Cabinet approved the following appointments to the Corporate Parenting Committee:

• Councillor Bogle
• Councillor Jeffery
• Councillor Morrell
• Councillor Moulton
• Councillor Paffey
• Councillor Turner

Report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, detailing Corporate Revenue Financial Monitoring for the period to the end of the September 2013, attached.  

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Resources, Cabinet agreed to:  

(i)  Note the current General Fund revenue position for 2013/14 as at Month 6 (September), which is a forecast under spend at year end of £1,214,300 against the budget approved by Council on 13 February 2013, as outlined in paragraph 4.  This can be compared against the reported under spend at Month 3 of £151,300 which is an improvement of almost £1.1M.

(ii)  Note that the baseline forecast over spend for portfolios is just under £6.1M.

(iii)  Note that portfolios plan to take 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)  Note that further remedial action has been taken to rigorously control staff resource costs and to put in place a moratorium on all non essential expenditure for the remainder of the financial year.

(v)  Note that the Risk Fund includes £5.7M to cover service related risks, (following the allocation of £94,400 to portfolios), and that the estimated draw at Month 6 is £5.0M to cover expenditure which is included within the baseline forecast portfolio over spend of £6.1M.  The portfolio position after the draw from the Risk Fund is an over spend of £1.1M.

(vi)  Note that it has been assumed that the remaining contingency, which stands at £410,700, will be fully utilised by the end of 2013/14.  The remaining contingency at Month 3 was t £110,700 and an additional £300,000 was added to this as set out in the recommendations contained within the General Fund Revenue Outturn 2012/13 report which was approved by Council in July.

(vii)  Note 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.

(viii)  Note the performance to date with regard to the delivery of the agreed savings proposals approved for 2013/14 as detailed in Appendix 10.

(ix)  Note the performance against the financial health indicators detailed in Appendix 11.

(x)  Note the performance outlined in the Quarterly Treasury Management Report attached as Appendix 12.

(xi)  Note the current HRA budget monitoring position for 2013/14, as at Month 6 (September). There is a forecast over spend at year end of £384,500 against the budget approved by Council on 13 February 2013, as outlined in paragraph 40.  This can be compared against the reported over spend at Month 3 of £289,600 which is a change of £94,900.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Children's Services seeking approval to merge Bitterne Church of England Infant and Junior Schools from 1 September 2014, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 13/14 11397)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To consider the outcome of statutory consultation and approve the implementation of proposals to discontinue Bitterne CE Infant School and extend the age range of Bitterne CE Junior School to establish an all through primary school from 1 September 2014.

(ii)  Subject to complying with Financial and Contractual Procedure Rules, to delegate authority to the People Director, 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 Cabinet Member for Children’s Services detailing a review of the current Corporate Parenting Committee and seeking approval to the proposed amended terms of reference, attached.

DECISION MADE: (CAB 13/14 11513)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To appoint a Corporate Parenting Committee with cross party membership of 6 Elected Members including the Lead Member for Children’s Services made up of 3 Labour, 1 Conservative, 1 Liberal Democrat and 1 Councillors Against the Cuts.

(ii)  To approve the proposed Terms of Reference for the Corporate Parenting Committee, attached as Appendix 1 of the report.

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Head of Legal, Human Resources and Democratic Services following the consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and the Director of People to approve any minor amendments to the terms of reference to ensure arrangements remain fit for purpose.

Report of Cabinet Member for Children Services, seeking approval to refurbish 315 Coxford Road for the Integrated Family Assessment and Intervention Service, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 13/14 11544)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve, subject to Council approval on 20th November 2013, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, capital expenditure of £247,000 in 2013/14 from the Children’s Services Capital Programme to carry out works at 315 Coxford Road.

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Director of People, following consultation with the Head of Legal, and Democratic Services, to do anything necessary to give effect to the recommendations in this report including but not limited to entering into contracts for goods and service subject to compliance with contract and financial procedure rules.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport detailing issues in relation to a proposed Avenue Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 13/14 11550)

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

(i)  To adopt the Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan in order that the policies contained within the Management Plan will guide future development proposals in the Conservation Area;

(ii)  To approve the proposal to implement an Article 4 Direction for Cavendish Grove to remove Permitted Development (PD) rights for works to the roofs and front elevations, and to authorise the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services to make and advertise an Article 4 Direction and consult with residents;

(iii)  To approve the boundary of the Conservation Area is changed to include Cavendish Hall;

(iv)  To approve the boundary of the Conservation Area is changed to exclude 3 – 6 Clifford Dibben Mews

Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport detailing issues in regard to a proposed Cranbury Place Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 13/14 11552)

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

(i)  To adopt the Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan in order that the policies contained within the Management Plan will guide future development proposals in the Conservation Area. 

(ii)  To approve changes to the boundary of the Conservation Area to include the whole of Rockstone Lane.

(iii)  To approve changes to the boundary of the Conservation Area to include all the properties on the North side of Lyon Street between Onslow Road and Bellevue Terrace;

(iv)  To approve the proposal to implement an Article 4 Direction for Rockstone Lane to remove Permitted Development (PD) rights for works to the roofs and front elevations, and to authorise the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services to take any action or decision necessary to make an Article 4 Direction and consult with residents

Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport seeking to approve the proposal to serve an Article 4 Direction for Canton Street and to remove Permitted Development (PD) rights for works to the roofs and front elevations, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 13/14 11554)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, Cabinet agreed to approve the proposal to serve an Article 4 Direction for Canton Street to remove Permitted Development (PD) rights for works to the roofs and front elevations. 

Report of the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport seeking approval to the Council’s concessionary travel scheme 2014 in line English National Concession, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 13/14 11563)

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

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

(ii)  To reimburse bus operators at a percentage rate plus an amount per generated journey, in accordance with the guidance given by the Department for Transport using their reimbursement calculator;

(iii)  To delegate to the Director of Place following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport to agree the final reimbursement rate for bus operators and to do anything necessary to secure participation in the Scheme including the service of Notices, including but not limited to Participation Notices, and the management / determination of Appeals either to the Council or the DfT as appropriate..

Report of the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services setting of Presentments accepted by Court Leet, the action taken to date and Identifying lead Cabinet Members and officers for future actions, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 13/14 11503)

On consideration of the report of the Leader of the Council and having received representations from a member of the public, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  That the initial officer responses to the Presentments approved by the Court Leet Jury as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be noted; and

(ii)  That individual Cabinet Members ensure that responses are made to Presenters regarding presentments within their portfolios as appropriate and as soon as practically possible.

Report of the Chief Financial Officer, setting out the General Fund Revenue Budget development for 2014/15 to 2016/17, attached.

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 13/14 11316)

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

(i)  Note the pre budget consultation on the Council’s priorities that has already taken place in the form of the “Your City Your Say” and the results, which are summarised in paragraphs 16 to 22 and set out in more detail in Appendix 1 (Section A).

(ii)  Note the formal consultation on the Executive’s draft budget proposals commenced on 11 November, and note the consultation proposals and methodology set out in paragraphs 4to 11 and Appendix 1 (Section B) of this report.

(iii)  Approve that delegated authority be given to the Assistant Chief Executive,following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, to fine tune and implement the consultation proposals and methodology.

(iv)  Note the high level forecast for the General Fund for 2014/15 and the underlying assumptions contained in Appendix 2.

(v)  Note the pressures which have been included in the forecast and which are set out in Appendix 3.

(vi)  Note the Executive’s initial savings proposals put forward for consultation in Appendix 4 which total more than £13.5M.

(vii)  Note that the Executive’s initial savings set out in Appendix 4 propose the deletion of 50.25 Full Time Equivalent (FTE) posts, of which 22.10 FTE are vacant, leaving 28.15 FTE at risk of redundancy.

(viii)  Note that the Executive’s budget proposals for consultation are based on the assumption that they will recommend a Council Tax increase of 2.0% to Full Council.

(ix)  Note the medium term financial forecast for 2014/15 to 2016/17 contained in Appendix 5.

(x)  Approve the updated budget setting timetable contained in Appendix 6.

(xi)  Note the Executive’s proposals to implement a revised Pay & Allowances Framework

(xii)  Note the commencement of formal consultation with the recognised Trade Unions and employees in relation to the proposals to implement a new Pay & Allowances Framework which began on 11 November 2013.

(xiii)  Note the intention to commence a number of service reviews across the Council, to aid the formulation of proposals for future service provision to support the Council’s medium term budget position

(xiv)  Delegate authority to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, to do anything necessary to give effect to the proposals contained in this report

Report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Leisure Services seeking approval to deliver in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules the project

NOTE: This report is presented as a general exception item in accordance with paragraph 15 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules of Part 4 of the Council's Constitution. 

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 13/14 11599)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Leisure Services , Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To delegate authority to the Assistant Chief Executive, following consultation with the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services, to enter into a legal agreement with Department for Communities & Local Government to deliver the CRUMBS project.

(ii)  To accept, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, the ERDF grant of £335,150 from the South East England ERDF Competitiveness Programme, and to act as Accountable Body for the project

(iii)  To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, revenue expenditure of £168,134 for the CRUMBS project in 2013-14 following receipt of the ERDF grant.

(iv)  To delegate authority to the Assistant Chief Executive, following consultation with the Head of Legal, HR and Democratic Services, to undertake such actions necessary to enable the successful delivery of the CRUMBS project and support the proposals in this report.

Report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainability seeking approval to progress delivery of phases 2 and 3 of Townhill Park regeneration, and to update on phase 1 approved scheme, attached

DECISION MADE: (Ref: CAB 13/14 11351)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainability and having received representations from a member of the public, Cabinet agreed the following:

(i)  To approve, in accordance with Financial Procedure Rules, capital expenditure of £1.75M, phased £1.081M in 2014/15, £56,000 in 2015/16, £13,000 in 2016/17, £200,000 in 2017/18 and £400,000 in later years, for the advancement of design work on Phases 2 and 3 of the Townhill Park regeneration to achieve planning consent, procurement and for the contract supervision of the building phase, which will be funded from an existing unapproved budget within the Estate Regeneration section of the HRA Capital Programme.

(ii)  To note that the cost of the design work on Phase 1 of the Townhill Park regeneration to achieve planning consent, procurement and the contract supervision of the building phase, estimated at £950,000, will be funded from an approved budget within the Estate Regeneration section of the HRA Capital Programme.

(iii)  To approve the commissioning of Capita to carry out the full design service to support the council in the delivery of Phases 1, 2 and 3 of Townhill Park regeneration according to their submission.  The commission and subsequent payments will be revised if the full design commission is not implemented.

(iv)  To delegate authority to the Director of Environment and Economy following consultation with the Chief Financial Officer, the Head of Legal HR and Democratic Services, the Senior Head of Property and Procurement and the Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainability to appoint Capita to undertake the full Design Service to support the delivery of Phases 1, 2 and 3 according to the agreed Work Package

(v)  To delegate authority to the Head of Housing Services to implement the current redevelopment decant policy for Council tenants

(vi)  To delegate authority to the Head of Legal HR and Democratic Services 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 2 not already owned by the Council (being Phases 1, 2 and 3 of the Townhill Park study area) using such acquisition powers as he advises

b)  To serve Initial Demolition Notices on those secure tenants whose properties lie in the redevelopment area

(vii)  To note that part of the first stage of the Capita work will include investigation and evaluation of various options for the delivery model of the proposed development including their impact on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).  The options include:

a)  A model where a developer is procured to build the whole site and the Council buys back the affordable housing units

b)  A model where the Council acts as developer and uses a contractor to build but retains responsibility for the marketing and sales of the private units

(viii)  To note that a budget of £3.9M has previously been approved for the purchase of leasehold properties in Phases 2 and 3.

(ix)  To note the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.