Agenda and minutes

Cabinet is asked to approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting held on 22 May 2018.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 22 May 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Report of the Strategic Directors, Communities & Environment and Care, Wellbeing & Learning

Consideration has been given to the scheme and estimate to create a new expanded school on a new site to replace the existing Gibside School.

RESOLVED -            (i)         That the scheme and estimate be approved.

(ii)        That the Service Director, Council Housing, Design     and Technical Services be authorised to place an          order through the SCAPE Major Works Framework   within the agreed overall budget limit.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)       To enable the Council to fulfil its statutory duty to                      ensure a match between the predicted demand for                       school places and the number of schools and                                  places maintained, and to ensure efficient use of                         resources.

(B)       To meet the required timescale for delivery of the                     additional school places.

Report of the Strategic Directors, Corporate Services and Governance

Consideration has been given to tenders received for the supply of goods and services.

RESOLVED -            That the tender received from Newcastle CVS be                                             for Lot 1, Provision of a VCS Infrastructure Support                                               Service in Gateshead for a 36 month period commencing                            1 August 2018 be accepted, with an option to extend for a                           further 2 x 12 month periods.

The above decision has been made following a full evaluation and is considered to be the most economically advantageous submitted.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

Consideration has been given to the construction of a new temporary car park for Gateshead Quays.

RESOLVED -                        That the construction of a temporary car park in                                    Gateshead Quays be approved.

The above decision has been made to ensure car parking is provided during the Great Exhibition of the North and also for the period of construction of the Gateshead Quays development.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

Consideration has been given to the principles and approach for an investment fund up to £500,000, to be funded through the Voluntary Sector Reserve.

RESOLVED -            (i)         That the establishment of the Gateshead                                                            Innovation and Development Fund be approved.

                                    (ii)        That the principles and outcomes of the Fund, as                                             set out in the report be approved.

(iii)       That the arrangement with the Community                                 Foundation for Tyne and Wear and                                           Northumberland as described in the report be                                approved.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:-

(A)       To provide an innovative strategic investment                            programme to help establish stronger, impactful                    organisations at the heart of Gateshead                                       communities and in turn delivering a greater return                        on investment for the Council.

(B)       Ensure the presence of an effective voluntary and                    community sector to help build stronger and more               resilient communities as set out in ‘Making                                 Gateshead a place where everyone thrives.’ 

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources

Consideration has been given to the Council’s revenue outturn position for the financial year 2017/18 prior to audit and to recommending to the Council appropriations to and from reserves, consistent with previous decisions, accounting policies, the principles set out in the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) and requirements of the Accounting Code of Practice.

RESOLVED -            (i)         That the Council’s 2017/18 revenue outturn                                                       position as an under spend of £1.268m, subject to                                           audit, be noted.

(ii)          That the Council be recommended to approve the appropriations to and from reserves outlined in the report.

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

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources

RESOLVED -            (i)         That the Council be recommended to approve all                                             variations to the 2017/18 capital programme as                                                detailed in Appendix 2 to the report.

                                    (ii)        That the Council be recommended to approve the                                            financing of the 2017/18 capital programme.

                        (iii)       Council 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 decision have been made for the following reasons:

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

(B)      To monitor actual performance against the                     approved Prudential Indicators.

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources

Consideration has been given to the Treasury Annual Report for 2017/18.

REOLVED -             That the Council be recommended to approve the                                            Treasury Annual Report for 2017/18. 

The above decision has been made to ensure that the Council fully complies with the requirements of Financial Regulations and good practice as recommended by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) in its Code of Practice on Treasury Management.

Report of the Strategic Director, Care, Wellbeing and Learning

Consideration has been given to the Children and Young People in Care and Care Leavers Strategy 2018-23.

RESOLVED -            That Council be recommended to approve the Children                                  and Young People in Care and Care Leavers Strategy                                2018 – 2023l.

The above decision was made for the following reasons:

(A)       To continue to ensure that the needs of looked after children and care leavers are met.

(B)       To ensure we achieve the priorities set out in the          strategy.

(C)          To ensure the role of Corporate Parent is                                        embedded across the Council and with partners.

(D)          To ensure the Council fulfils its statutory duties.

Report of the Strategic Director, Care, Wellbeing and Learning

Consideration has been given to the creation of a new Regional Adoption Agency to be named “Adopt North East” through combining the adoption services for the local authority areas of Gateshead, Newcastle upon Tyne, North Tyneside, Northumberland and South Tyneside, working in partnership with the Voluntary Adoption Agencies, After Adoption, ARC, Barnardos and Durham Family Welfare.

RESOLVED -            (i)         That the progress undertaken with respect to the                                      proposal for the adoption services of Gateshead                                               MBC, Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside                                                            Council, Northumberland County Council and                                                   South Tyneside Council to be combined to create                                       a Regional Adoption Agency to be known as                                            “Adopt North East” be noted.

(ii)          That it be noted that the preferred business model for “Adopt North East” is a local authority hosted model which will operate through the delegation of the Constituent Councils’ adoption functions to a host local authority pursuant to Sections 9EA and 9EB of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Local Authorities (Arrangements for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012.

(iii)         That the proposal for North Tyneside Council to act as the Lead and Host Authority for “Adopt North East” and that it is proposed that the new arrangements will commence in early December 2018 be noted.

(iv)       That the draft summary Business Case associated                              with the delivery of “Adopt North East” and the                                       associated funding proposals be noted.

(v)        That the Authority be authorized to consult jointly                                 with the other participating authorities, on the                                         proposals for “Adopt North East” with the relevant                          stakeholders as set out in the report.

(vi)       That a further report be submitted to Cabinet in                              September 2018 seeking final approval of the                                       proposals following the receipt and analysis of the                               consultation exercise and the finalisation of the                                   Final Business Case and agreement of appropriate                              Heads of Terms for a legal agreement to be                                   entered into by the Constituent Councils.

The above decisions have been made as this option meets the requirements being place on the Authority by the Government in relation to the regionalisation of adoption services and is the most financially and legally efficient available option.

Report of the Chief Executive

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Consideration has been given to Barley Mow Village Hall being declared surplus to the Council’s requirements and the future proposal for the property after its surplus declaration.

RESOLVED -            (i)        That Barley Mow Village Hall be declared surplus                                            to the Council’s requirements.

(ii)        That the Strategic Director, Corporate Services             and Governance be authorised to grant a 35-year   lease at nil consideration to Barley Mow Village            Hall CIO pursuant to the Council’s Community Transfer policy.

The above decisions have been made for the following reason: -

(A)      To manage resources and rationalise the Council’s     assets in line with the Corporate Asset Strategy and Management Plan.

(B)      To ensure delivery of the cost savings identified in       the Community Centre Review approved by     Cabinet on 26 February 2013 (Minute C224       2012/13)

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Consideration has been given to an 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 Cabinet of the progress of the petitions received.

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

16                                                                    3

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.

Report of the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

Consideration has been given to approval for a scheme and capital budget to provide a food and beverage unit on Council owned land in Baltic Quarter in central Gateshead.

RESOLVED -            (i)         That an increase in the Capital Programme                                                        allocation for the project be approved as outlined                                             in the report.

(ii)          That the Strategic Director, Communities and Environment be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Strategic Directors, Corporate Services and Governance and Corporate Resources, to agree a Compensation Event to the existing contracts for works in Baltic Quarter.

(iii)         That the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance, be given delegated authority to agree a lease with the preferred tenant.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)       To stimulate development and investment in one                                  of Gateshead’s primary employment areas – Baltic                                   Quarter.

(B)       To provide a food and beverage offer to meet                              evidenced demand.

(C)       To help attract new and retain existing tenants in                         Baltic Quarter.

(D)       To give confidence to the market that the Council                                is committed to creating the right environment in                             Gateshead in which businesses can grow and                                          prosper.

(E)       To utilise the Council’s land and property portfolio                                to support the Council’s policy priorities in                                         accordance with the provisions of the Council’s                            Corporate Asset Strategy and Management Plan                               2015 – 2020.