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Councillors and committees

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Blaydon Room - Civic Centre

Contact: Kevin Ingledew Email:  keviningledew@gateshead.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

C31

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence have been received from Councillor M Foy.

 

C32

Minutes pdf icon PDF 362 KB

Cabinet is asked to approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting held on 20 June 2017.

Minutes:

The minutes of the last meeting held on 20 June 2017 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

C33

Review of Approach to Trading and Commercialisation pdf icon PDF 300 KB

Report of the Chief Executive

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to recommending to Council new arrangements to promote and advance an enhanced strategic approach to trading and commercialisation across the Council, including a restructure of senior management to focus additional capacity within the Leadership Team on this important policy priority area, at both the strategic and operational level.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the Council be recommended to approve the management structure changes detailed in the report, to be effective from 1 August 2017, or such later date determined by the Chief Executive following further consultation with the Council’s recognised trade unions and the Leader of the Council.

 

 

 

The above decision has been made to enable continued improvement in the co-ordination of Council functions, the organisation of its staff, and to enable Council services to be delivered in a more efficient and effective way.

 

C34

Medium Term Financial Strategy 208/19 to 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 230 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2018/19 to 2022/23 and the outcome of a review of Council Reserves.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the Council be recommended to:

 

 

 

 

(i)

Approve the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2018/19 to 2022/23 including the proposed MTFS principles as set out in the report.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Note the outcome of the review to both general fund and strategic earmarked Council reserves and approve;

 

 

 

 

 

a. the renaming of the Development Pool Reserve to      Workforce Development Reserve and the increased scope      of the reserve to include training and development to      support activity within the workforce plan;

 

b. the increase in the scope of the deployment of the Economic     Growth Reserve to include culture, place shaping and the     facilitation of housing growth within the Borough;

 

c. the creation of a new Strategic Revenue Investment     Reserve of £4.206m from the £2.897m Airport Dividend and     the £1.309m former Strategic Change Reserve;

 

d. the creation of a new Voluntary Sector Reserve using      £0.500m earmarked from the general reserve to support      development and activity in this sector;

 

e. the creation of a new Anti-Poverty Reserve using £1.000m     earmarked from the general reserve to mitigate the impact of         poverty and social exclusion;

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Note that the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources, following consultation with the Chief Executive, will continue to produce and monitor on an annual basis, a rolling programme of five-year budget forecasts taking account of the key issues facing the Council.

 

 

 

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To contribute to the good financial management practice of the Council.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To assist the financial sustainability of the Council over the medium to long term.

 

C35

Capital Programme and Prudential Indicators 2017/18 - First Quarter Review pdf icon PDF 313 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the latest position on the 2017/18 capital programme and Prudential Indicators at the end of the first quarter to 30 June 2017

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the Council be recommended to:

 

 

 

 

(i)

Approve that all variations to the 2017/18 Capital Programme as detailed in appendix 2 to the report be agreed as the revised programme.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Approve the financing of the revised programme.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Note that the capital expenditure and capital financing requirement indicators have been revised in line with the revised budget and that none of the approved Prudential Indicators set for 2017/18 have been breached.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To ensure the optimum use of the Council’s capital resources in 2017/18.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To accommodate changes to the Council’s in-year capital expenditure plans.

 

 

 

 

(C)

To ensure performance has been assessed against the approved Prudential Limits.

 

C36

Revenue Budget - First Quarter Review 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 286 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the latest monitoring position on the 2017/18 revenue budget at the end of the first quarter to 30 June 2017 and to recommending the Council to approve a revision to the net revenue budget for 2017/18 and administrative virements.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Council’s revenue expenditure position at 30 June 2017, as set out in appendix 1 to the report be noted.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the Council be recommended to approve an amendment to the net revenue budget for 2017/18 from £197.486m to £202.649m to account for the Improved Better Care funding.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

That the Council be recommended to approve the administrative virements as set out in the report.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made to contribute to sound financial management and the long term financial sustainability of the Council.

 

C37

Review of the Council's Overview and Scrutiny Arrangements pdf icon PDF 237 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve changes to the Council’s overview and scrutiny (OSC) arrangements which will be piloted for six months with effect from 1 September 2017.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the Council be recommended to approve the revised overview and scrutiny arrangements as set out in appendix 1 to the report, subject to them being reviewed after six months.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made to ensure that overview and scrutiny in Gateshead:

 

 

 

 

(A)

Is first and foremost member led.

 

 

 

 

(B)

Enhances the leadership role of OSC Chairs and Vice Chairs in driving forward, directing and shaping individual OSC work.

 

 

 

 

(C)

Enhances engagement and involvement with OSC members in shaping the focus of the work of specific OSCs.

 

 

 

 

(D)

Creates stronger relationships/linkages with the Executive.

 

 

 

 

(E)

Enables Overview and Scrutiny to better understand and track how it is influencing Cabinet policy / decision making going forwards.

 

C38

Review of the Council's Constitution pdf icon PDF 205 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve a number of amendments to the Constitution.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the Council be recommended to approve the amendments to the Constitution as set out in appendix 2 to the report.

 

 

 

The above decision has been made to ensure that the Constitution remains fit for purpose and that its aims and principles are given effect.

 

C39

Review of Pay Protection pdf icon PDF 510 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve changes to the Council’s policy for pay protection.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the Council be recommended to approve the changes to the pay protection policy as set out in the report involving the retention of the four  year protection period, but with the level of protection tapering over each year (100% protection in year one, 75% in year 2, 50% in year 3 and 25% in year 4).

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To achieve savings in the cost of pay protection, and therefore the cost of employment.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To ensure that the Council has modern and appropriate employment policies which are affordable and competitive.

 

 

 

 

(C)

To minimise redundancies.

 

C40

Consultation Response to Gateshead's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Strategy pdf icon PDF 345 KB

Report of the Service Director, Early Help, Care, Wellbeing and Learning

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the responses to the consultation exercise on the draft SEND Strategy and to recommending the Council to approve the final Strategy.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the responses received to the consultation be noted.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the Council be recommended to approve the SEND Strategy and the key areas for action outlined in it as set out in appendix 2 to the report, together with its publication.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

The SEND Strategy provides leaders and practitioners working with children and young people with SEND with information that will enable them to better understand the current context around children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and how the Council will work in partnership with key commissioning and delivery partners to meet those needs through the various strategic planning and working groups already in operation.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To aid the Council in meeting its statutory responsibilities for children, young people with SEND and their families as set out in the SEND Code of Practice (0-25 years) and Part 3 of the Children and Families Act  2014.

 

C41

Council Plan - Year End Assessment of Performance and Delivery 2016/17 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Report of the Chief Executive

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the Council Plan – Year End Assessment of Performance and Delivery report for 2016/17.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the recommendations of all of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees in relation to the 2016/17 year end performance report asset out in appendix 5 to the report be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the Council has satisfactorily met its performance objectives and is addressing the outcomes in delivering the Council Plan 2015-2020.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made to ensure performance supports the delivery and achievements of the Council Plan 2015-2020.

 

C42

The Role of Housing in Improving Health and Wellbeing pdf icon PDF 647 KB

Report of the Director of Public Health and Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the findings and recommendations of a review by Care, Wellbeing and Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) in relation to the role of housing in improving health and wellbeing.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the recommendations, findings and analysis of evidence outlined in appendix 2 to the report be endorsed.

 

 

 

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To ensure that the Council optimises the benefits to the population arising from a suitable supply of suitable housing and housing support services.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To ensure that all parts of the Council whose work around housing contributes to health improvement work collaboratively to ensure that opportunities to improve health are maximised, and negative impacts mitigated.

 

C43

Review and Procurement of 0-19 Public Health Services pdf icon PDF 731 KB

Report of the Director of Public Health

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the findings of the Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s review of 0 to 19 public health service provision and to a proposed new service model.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the recommendations, findings and analysis of evidence, and the proposed model for 0-19 Public Health Services outlined in appendices 2 and 3 be endorsed.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That a further report will be submitted later in the year, once the procurement exercise is complete, to agree the award of the new contract for 0-19 Public Health Services.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To ensure that the Council meets its duty to promote and protect health, tackle the causes of ill-health and reduce health inequalities.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To embed a robust approach to early intervention and prevention whilst ensuring that all children and young people receive the full service offer (Healthy Child Programme 0 to 19).

 

 

 

 

(C)

To explore the opportunity for greater integration with children’s services within the Early Help Strategy/Framework.

 

 

 

 

(D)

To remodel the service ensuring best value/service efficiency within the funding envelope.

 

C44

Providing an On-Street Environmental Enforcement Service pdf icon PDF 294 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the introduction of on-street environmental enforcement, involving patrols of the borough and where necessary issuing fixed penalty notices (FPNs) for environmental crime incidents including littering and dog fouling.

 

 

 

The alternative options to that being recommended, but which were discounted, included a pilot using a contractor, carrying out the work using existing resources of the Enforcement Team and appointing a neighbouring authority to undertake the work on the Council’s          behalf.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the option to explore/develop an in-house model for an on-street environmental enforcement service, involving the recruitment of additional staff to the Council be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That a further report be submitted to Cabinet with a recommended proposal.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made in order to make a positive impact on the environment, which has been identified as a major concern in recent public surveys.

 

C45

Chopwell Regeneration Plan pdf icon PDF 190 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the preparation and development of a sustainable community plan for Chopwell and to begin formal engagement and consultation with the community, local businesses and partner organisations.  The plan would identify and set out interventions to support the long term sustainability of the local area.  

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the development of a sustainable communities plan for Chopwell and for a costed plan setting out short, medium and long term actions to be brought to Cabinet in the Autumn, be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the Council developing and implementing an initial programme of engagement with the local community, businesses and partners as part of the development of the plan be approved.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

That as part of the review of the Gateshead Regeneration Partnership the Council considers if the Heartlands site should remain in the Joint Venture programme.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To ensure investment is targeted in the most appropriate way and that it is focused on long term outcomes and community needs.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To support sustainable housing and economic growth.

 

 

 

 

(C)

To support Council Plan priorities for Prosperous Gateshead, Live love Gateshead, and Live love Gateshead.

 

C46

Design of Section 278 Highway Works pdf icon PDF 224 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the Council carrying out the design of section 278 highway works in-house.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the option of requiring the design of s278 work to be carried out in house be approved.

 

 

 

The above decision has been made to ensure the effective design of s278 highway works.

 

C47

Tyne and Wear Archives & Museums - Joint Agreement pdf icon PDF 261 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to adopting the ‘Agreement in Relation to Archives and Museums’ (the Joint Agreement) which sets out the roles, rights and responsibilities of the four local authorities and how they will operate together, and covers the period 1st June 2017 – 31st May 2027.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the Joint Agreement which sets out the roles, rights and responsibilities of the four local authorities and how they operate together, and covers the period 1st June – 31st May 2027 be approved and adopted by the Council.

 

 

 

The above decision has been made for the following reason:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To secure the confidence and future investment from Arts Council England.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To provide clarity about the partnership between the four local authorities and the way in which they work together.

 

 

 

 

(C)

To establish the commitment of the four local authorities to the work of the new Strategic Board and the continued development of Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums.

 

 

 

 

(D)

To enable the organisation to focus on new entrepreneurial activities and income-generation for investment in its programmes, people and audience participants.

 

C48

Approval of Property Transactions, Schemes, Estimates and Tenders During Summer Recess pdf icon PDF 285 KB

Report of the Strategic Directors, Communities & Environment and Corporate Services & Governance

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to delegating authority to approve property transactions, schemes and estimates and the tender for the supply installation and maintenance of bus lane enforcement cameras and associated review and notice processing services during the summer recess.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Strategic Director, Corporate Services & Governance and/or the Service Director, Legal, Democratic and Property Services, following consultation with the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources, be authorised to approve transactions in respect of land and property during the summer recess.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment and the Service Director, Council Housing, Design and Technical Services, following consultation with the Strategic Directors, Corporate Resources and Corporate Services and Governance, be authorised to jointly:

(a)      approve schemes and estimates for any works contract;

(b)      invite tenders for any works contract; and

       (c)     accept tenders, place orders for works, supplies and                 services up to a value equivalent to the tendering                 thresholds specified in the European Procurement                 Directives during the summer recess.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

That the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment, following consultation with the Strategic Directors, Corporate Resources and Corporate Services and Governance, be authorised to approve the acceptance of the tender for the supply installation and maintenance of bus lane enforcement cameras and associated review and notice processing services during the summer recess.

 

 

                 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

The achievement of capital receipts and rental income from the sale/letting of properties are dependent upon the individual transactions progressing without delay.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To enable projects to progress and to avoid delay in delivery of the capital programme and its related expenditure.

 

 

 

 

(C)

To enable the project to progress and to ensure that bus lanes are properly used and that benefits can be maximised without undue delay.

 

C49

Petitions Schedule pdf icon PDF 153 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the latest update on petitions submitted to the Council and the action taken on them.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the petitions received and the action taken on them

be noted.

 

 

 

The above decision has been made to inform the Cabinet of the progress of action on petitions received.

 

C50

Exclusion of the Press and Public

The Cabinet may wish to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following item(s) on the grounds indicated:

 

Item                                                     Paragraph of Schedule 12A to the Local                                                                   Government Act 1972

 

21                                                                    3

22                                                                    3

Minutes:

RESOLVED -

 

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remaining business in accordance with paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

 

C51

Gateshead Quays Update

Report of the Strategic Directors, Communities & Environment and Corporate Resources

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to an update on progress on the development of Gateshead Quays and to the proposal for the development partners Ask Real Estate Ltd and PATRIZIA UK to commence the necessary pre-construction work.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That authorisation for Ask Real Estate Ltd and Patrizia UK to progress the pre-construction work on the proposed scheme which includes an Arena, Conference and Exhibition Centre, estimated to cost the developer the amount set out in the report be approved and it be noted that any abortive costs must be shared equally between the Council and the Development Partners.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the transfer of the existing LGF funding from the Eighton Banks Park and Ride scheme to support the proposed development at Gateshead Quays, with the amount set out in the report being used to assist with the pre-construction costs, be approved.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made to progress the development of the Gateshead Quays site.

 

C52

Commercial Property Acquisitions in the Urban Core

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the acquisition of three property investments in the Oakwellgate area/urban core area to enable regeneration and to complement major regeneration activity in the urban core.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the acquisitions of the former Tyne Bridge Tower site and land to the rear of Langford & Kent House; Langford & Kent House and Auto Trader House be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the Service Director, Legal, Democratic & Property    Services be authorised to negotiate the terms of the individual transactions.     

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To complement existing co-ownerships.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To enable regeneration to commence in future without the requirement for a Compulsory Purchase Order.

 

 

 

 

(C)

To assist with the redevelopment of Gateshead Quays, which is situated immediately adjacent to the properties.

 

 

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