The minutes of the last meeting held on 20 November 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Pursuant to Minute C88 Budget Consultation an error was discovered in the description of one of the budget proposals in the schedule attached to the Cabinet report and hence the document that went out for consultation; specifically, the s117 accommodation proposal.

The Strategic Director, Care, Wellbeing and Learning arranged for the proposal to be amended on the Council’s website, using delegated powers in accordance with the Constitution, Schedule 5 – Part 2, Paragraph 4 (e) “Where it is impracticable to obtain authorisation from the body exercising the function and subject to the action being reported (for information) to the next convenient meeting of that body, take necessary urgent action, within legal powers, in respect of matters otherwise reserved to Cabinet”. 

RESOLVED -

That the action taken by the Strategic Director, Care, Wellbeing and Learning, as referred to above be noted, involving amending the budget proposal descriptor which previously read:

“Introducing an accommodation charge for aftercare for people kept in hospital under the Mental Health Act S117.

We would look to recover the accommodation element of the support package. The accommodation element would become chargeable but to the extent someone is able to pay and where they are unable the cost would become a social care cost. The decision would be implemented at the point of care provision for any “new” s117 clients.”

to read:

“Introducing an accommodation charge (subject to an assessment) for people who are subject to s117 of the Mental Health Act 1983 (aftercare).

We would look to recover the accommodation element of the support package, for those people in receipt of aftercare, who do not have a need for specialist enhanced accommodation that arises from, or is related to, the patient's mental disorder for which he/she was detained (under s.3/37/45A/47/48). The accommodation element would therefore become chargeable in accordance with the Care Act 2014 charging provisions and the Council's Charging Policy so that they would not be required to contribute more than they have been assessed as being able to pay.  This would mean undertaking reviews/assessments for existing clients to apply the above criteria; the decision would be implemented at the point of care provision for any "new" s117 clients.”

Consideration has been given to the tender received for the contract for a Licensed Energy Supplier and Energy Management of Void Properties.

RESOLVED -

That the tender received from Emrgnt Systems Ltd (consortia bid including Robin Hood Energy) be accepted for the contract for a Licensed Energy Supplier and Energy Management of Void Properties, for a 36 month period commencing 1 March 2019, with an option to extend for a further 2 x 12 month periods.

The above decision was made because the tender passed all the required evaluation criteria and was the only tender received to deliver this contract.

Consideration has been given to the proposed increase in allotment rents as set out in appendix 2 to the report, with effect from 1 April 2019 and to recommending the Council to agree to the inclusion of the increased rental levels in the schedule of fees and charges for 2019/20.

The alternative option to that being recommended, but which was discounted, included recommending an increase in rent levels beyond the level of inflation.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to:

(i)

approve the proposed increases in allotment rents as set out in appendix 2 to the report with effect from 1 April 2019; and

(ii)

approve the inclusion of the increased allotment rent levels in the Schedule of Fees and Charges for 2019/20

The above decisions have been made to manage the Council’s assets in line with the Corporate Asset Strategy and Management Plan, through reducing the current subsidy arising from the management of the allotment portfolio and increasing rents in line with the current allotment tenancy agreements.

(Councillor J McElroy declared a personal and pecuniary interest in the above matter because he is an allotment holder and withdrew from the meeting whilst the matter was under consideration).

Consideration has been given to responses to recent consultations.

RESOLVED -

That the responses to the following consultations be endorsed.

·         Social Housing Green Paper – Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)

·         Call for evidence on Social Housing Regulation - MHCLG

·         Use of receipts from Right-to-Buy sales – MCCLG

·         Planning Reform on supporting the high street and increasing the delivery of new homes – MHCLG

The above decision has been made to enable the Council to contribute responses to the consultations.

Consideration has been given to the Placement Sufficiency and Commissioning Strategy for Children in Care in Gateshead 2018 to 2021. The strategy covers the accommodation and placement needs for Looked After Children and Care Leavers supported by the Council.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the draft Placement Sufficiency and Commissioning Strategy for Children in Care in Gateshead 2018-2021 be approved for further consultation with key stakeholders and partners.

(ii)

That it be noted the strategy will be taken for information to the Gateshead Health and Wellbeing Board in January.

The above decisions have been made to enable the Council to fulfil its statutory responsibility under the Children’s Act 2014 to develop a strategy to express the Council’s vision and identifies the provision of placements and accommodation for children in its care, who are Looked After or Care Leavers.

Consideration has been given to the nomination of Local Authority Governors to schools seeking to retain their Local Authority governors in accordance with the School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations.

RESOLVED -

That the nominations of the following Local Authority governors be approved for a period of four years (as stipulated in the individual Schools Instrumentsof Government) with effect from the dates stated below.

School

Nomination

Date from

Chopwell Primary School                       

Cllr Lynne Caffrey

4 February 2019

Harlow Green Community Primary School     

Cllr Keith Wood

3 April 2019

South Street Primary School

Cllr Bernadette Oliphant

22 May 2019

The above decision has been made to ensure the Governing Bodies have full membership.

Consideration has been given to the terms of a lease renewal of the Sage Gateshead to North Music Trust (NMT). 

RESOLVED -

That the terms for a lease renewal of the Sage Gateshead to North Music Trust, as set out in the report be approved and the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance be authorised to agree the detailed terms.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To secure the use of the building for the next 20 years.

(B)

To manage the assets of the Council’s non-operational portfolio in line with the Corporate Asset Strategy and Management Plan 2015 -2020.

(Councillor Gannon declared a personal and non-pecuniary interest in the above matter because he is a Trustee of North Music Trust and withdrew from the meeting whilst the matter was under consideration. Councillor Donovan took the Chair for this item).  

Consideration has been given to accepting the surrender of the current lease of Hillside Grange, Sunderland Road, fromGary Owen Lewis and MW Trustees Ltd as trustees of the Lewis SIPP (“the Tenant”) and the re-granting of a 99 year lease to Gary Owen Lewis and MW Trustees Ltd as trustees of the Lewis SIPP.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the surrender of the current lease of Hillside Grange, Sunderland Road, fromGary Owen Lewis and MW Trustees Ltd as trustees of the Lewis SIPP (“the Tenant”) and the re-granting of a new 99 year lease to Gary Owen Lewis and MW Trustees Ltd as trustees of the Lewis SIPP, as outlined in the report be approved.

(ii)

That the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance be authorised to agree the detailed terms of the property transaction.

The above decisions have been made to manage resources in accordance with the provisions of the Corporate Asset Strategy and Management Plan.

RESOLVED -

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remaining business in accordance with paragraph 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Consideration has been given to an update in relation to the review of Children’s Family Support Services and the implementation of a different delivery model and implications of this.

The alternative options to that being recommended, but which were discounted are noted.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the contents of the report be noted.

(ii)

That the proposal to insource the Family Support Services be approved and it be noted the consequences of the TUPE issues will be worked through.

(iii)

That the proposal to complete a full evaluation of the Jigsaw pilot be approved.

(iv)

That the extension of the contracted Family Support Services to the end of March 2019 be approved.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To ensure the Council continues to provide services to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in the most efficient and cost-effective way.

(B)

To ensure there is Cabinet oversight of the proposal to bring parts of the commissioned service “inhouse”.