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Councillors and committees

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Blaydon Room - Civic Centre

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

Items
No. Item

C48

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence have been received from Councillors G Haley and B Oliphant.

 

C49

Minutes pdf icon PDF 375 KB

Cabinet is asked to approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting held on 20 July 2021.

Minutes:

The minutes of the last meeting held on 20 July 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

 

C50

Breathe: The Clean Air Plan for Newcastle and Gateshead pdf icon PDF 416 KB

Report of the Chief Executive and Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the full Business Case for a Clean Air Zone Class C and a package of mitigation and support measures, including grants for affected businesses and individuals, in advance of the formal submission to the Joint Air Quality Unit to fulfil the requirements of the Environment Act 1995 (Feasibility Study for Nitrogen Dioxide Compliance) Air Quality Direction 2017 and the Environment Act 1995 (Gateshead Council and Newcastle City Council) Air Quality Direction 2020.

 

 

 

The alternative option to that being recommended, but which was discounted, was a Clean Air Zone Class D.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the full Business Case for a Clean Air Zone C as set out in appendix 4 to the report be noted.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the full Business Case be recommended to Council for approval in advance of formal submission to the Joint Air Quality Unit, to fulfil the requirements of the Environment Act 1995 (Feasibility Study for Nitrogen Dioxide         Compliance) Air Quality Direction 2017 and the Environment Act 1995 (Gateshead Council and Newcastle City Council) Air Quality Direction 2020.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

That the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth, following consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, be authorised to make any final necessary amendments to the full Business Case prior to the formal submission to the Joint Air Quality Unit.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made to improve air quality in Gateshead and Newcastle.

 

C51

Annual Report of the Audit and Standards Committee 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 258 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to endorse the Annual Report of the Audit and Standards Committee 2020/21.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the Council be recommended to endorse the Annual Report of the Audit and Standards Committee 2020/21.

 

 

 

The above decision has been made to strengthen the Council’s arrangements for oversight by councillors of governance, audit, risk management, the internal control framework, value for money and efficiency.

 

C52

Review of the Council's Constitution pdf icon PDF 241 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 proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution as set out in appendices 2 – 5 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.

 

C53

Appointments to the Corporate Parenting Board pdf icon PDF 224 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the appointment of members to the Corporate Parenting Board.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People (Councillor G Haley) and the following members be appointed to the Corporate Parenting Board:

 

 

 

 

 

Councillor A Douglas

 

 

Councillor S Gallagher

 

 

Councillor F Geddes

 

 

Councillor H Weatherley

 

 

Councillor I Patterson

 

 

 

The above decision has been made to ensure that the Council has full representation on the Board.

 

C54

Gateshead Local Plan - Placemaking Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) pdf icon PDF 217 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the updated Placemaking Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and for it to be the subject of a six-week public and stakeholder consultation, commencing in late September/early October 2021.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Placemaking SPD update be approved for a six-week public and stakeholder consultation, including a Members’ Seminar, commencing in late September/early October 2021.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth, following consultation with the Cabinet Members for Environment and Transport, Economy and Housing be authorised to publish the SPD for a further period of consultation in the event of amendments resulting from this initial consultation.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To enable the Council to effectively deliver the Local Plan.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To ensure full public engagement on the Placemaking Supplementary Planning Document in line with Gateshead’s Statement of Community Involvement (SCI).

 

C55

Gateshead Local Plan - Specialist and Supported Accommodation Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) pdf icon PDF 337 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to proceeding with a formal public consultation, commencing late September/early October 2021 on a Draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) relating to the development of specialist and supported accommodation, in accordance with Regulations (The Town and Country Planning (local Planning) England Regulations 2012) and the Council’s Statement of Community Involvement 2020.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the draft Specialist and Supported Accommodation SPD be approved for a six-week public and stakeholder consultation, including a Members’ Seminar, commencing in late September/early October 2021..

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth, following consultation with the Cabinet Members for Environment & Transport, Housing and Economy be authorised to publish the SPD for a further period of consultation in the event of amendments resulting from this initial consultation.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To enable the Council to effectively deliver the policy objectives of the Local Plan.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To allow the process of adoption to progress in the timeliest way.

 

C56

Gambling Statement of Principles 2022- 2025 pdf icon PDF 735 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

 

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to undertaking a public consultation on a draft Statement of Principles, by which the Council will make decisions when exercising its responsibilities under the Gambling Act 2005.   

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the draft Statement of Principles be consulted upon for a six week period following this meeting.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That a Policy Advisory Group be asked to consider the results of the above consultation and give their comments to Cabinet.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

That following the above a further report be submitted to Cabinet recommending a final version of the Gambling Statement of Principles to go forward to Council for approval.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made because there is a legal requirement to prepare and revise every three years a Statement of Principles under the Gambling Act 2005.

 

C57

Decisions taken under Delegated Powers during Summer Recess 2021 pdf icon PDF 333 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

 

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the decisions made under delegated powers during the summer recess 2021 in accordance with the authorisation given to the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth by Cabinet on 20 July 2021 (Minute C40).

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the decisions made under delegated powers during the summer recess as set out in appendix 2 to the report be noted.

 

 

 

The delegated decisions have been made to enable projects to progress and to avoid delay in delivery of the capital programme and its related expenditure.

 

C58

All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) Recommendations to Support the upcoming Tobacco Control Plan 2021 pdf icon PDF 350 KB

Report of the Director of Public Health

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to endorsing the recommendations proposed by the All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health (APPG) for the upcoming Tobacco Control Plan 2021.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That Delivering a Smokefree 2030, The All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health recommendations for the Tobacco Control Plan 2021 be endorsed.

 

 

 

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To support improvements in health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities in health in Gateshead.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To refresh and demonstrate the Council’s continued support of the Smokefree 2030 vision.

 

C59

Nomination of a Local Authority School Governor pdf icon PDF 237 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Children, Adults and Families

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the nomination of a local authority school governor.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That Councillor S Green be nominated as a local authority school governor for White Mere Community Primary School, for a period of four years, in accordance with the School’s Instrument of Government, commencing 31 December 2021.

 

 

 

The above decision has been made to ensure the School Governing Body has full membership.

 

C60

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

 

14                                                        3

15                                                        3

16                                                        3

17                                                        3

18                                                        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.

 

C61

Development of new homes on the Freight Depot site by the Gateshead Regeneration Partnership

Report of the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

 

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the freehold transfer of the former Freight Depot site to Gateshead Regeneration Limited Liability Partnership (GRP) as shown edged red on the plan as detailed in appendix 3 to the report and to providing a total capital injection to GRP, made up of a combination of Council and Homes England funds, to overcome viability constraints and facilitate the redevelopment of this long vacant, regeneration priority site.

 

 

 

The alternative options to that being recommended, but which were discounted, included no financial support and retaining the site in Council ownership.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the transfer of the freehold interest in the subject site in accordance with the Agreement for Sale to the GRP for the provision of new homes be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That to the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth, in consultation the Strategic Directors, Resources and Digital, and Corporate Services and Governance, be authorised to agree the Transfer Value for the site. 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

That the provision of a capital injection totalling the amount set out in the report for these sites (see resolution iv below) to facilitate the delivery of new homes, made up of the amounts set out in the report from Homes England and from the Council Capital Programme; and for the Council to enter into site-specific Capital Injection Agreements with GRP in a form approved by the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance in accordance with the Constitution, be approved.

 

 

 

 

(iv)

That the current position with Homes England, regarding their approval of land valuation; the relationship to the Birtley Northside site; the linkage of the Homes England Accelerated Construction Funding to outputs on the Birtley Northside site and the associated risks be noted.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To support the delivery of 270 homes on Freight Depot, with a start on site in October 2021.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To enable income to accrue to the Council; and training, employment and socio-economic benefits for the residents and businesses of Gateshead.

 

 

 

 

(C)

To bring forward a vacant Council owned site for redevelopment and remove holding costs to the Council.

 

 

 

 

(D)

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 and Housing Strategy 2019-30.

 

C62

Homes England Affordable Homes Programme 2021-2026 - Whitley Court

Report of the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the Homes England’s Affordable Homes Programme 2021-2026 and to the proposed acceptance of the funding offer from Homes England in relation to the housing delivery at Whitley Court, Wrekenton.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the acceptance of the grant funding award, of the amount set out in the report, from Homes England in relation to the purchase of 44 units at Whitley Court be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance, following consultation with the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment, and Healthy Communities, be authorised to enter into the grant funding agreement with Homes England.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made to contribute to the delivery of an exemplary scheme, which offers mixed tenure delivery           and assists with fulfilling the supported accommodation needs in the area.

 

C63

Proposed Future Management for the Tenanted Non Residential Portfolio

Report of the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to a change in the arrangements for the management of the Council’s Tenanted Non-Residential Portfolio (‘TNRP’), currently leased to PSP Gateshead (TNRP) Limited Liability Partnership (LLP).

 

 

 

The alternative option to that being recommended, but which was discounted, included moving to a hybrid management option with PSP.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Council serve notice in accordance with the provisions of the Overarching Agreement to bring the Lease with the LLP to an end and bring back in-house the management of the Council’s Tenanted Non-Residential Portfolio.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance be authorised to negotiate the details of the transaction.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

Continuation of the current arrangements is not possible due to the inability to trade assets and generate better returns.

 

 

 

 

(B)

The Council can continue to engage with PSP through the continuing partnership in respect of future asset management of the TNRP and development aspirations.

 

C64

Establishing an Independent Volunteer Centre in Gateshead

Report of the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to a partnership proposal between the Council and Connected Voice to create an independent Volunteer Centre to serve the people of Gateshead.

 

 

 

The alternative option to that being recommended, but which was discounted, included undertaking a competitive tendering process to develop the Volunteer Centre.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the establishment of an Independent Volunteer Centre in Gateshead be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the designation of the Service Director for Voluntary and Community Sector Development as the Strategic Lead for Volunteering within Gateshead Council be approved.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

That a grant to Connected Voice of the amount set out in the report, to be paid over three years to deliver the outputs listed in the report be approved.

 

 

 

 

(iv)

That officers exploring, subject to identifying the correct legal process, opportunities to use the existing Council volunteering resource within the Volunteer Centre be approved.

 

 

 

 

(v)

That an additional investment of the amount set out in the report, to be paid over three years, to establish the strategic role for the Volunteer Centre to support Council transformation and one Gateshead approach to volunteering be approved.

 

 

 

 

(vi)

That officers exploring how the Volunteer Centre links into the Councils employability offer be approved.

 

 

 

 

(vii)

That officers exploring Council assets to find suitable premises from which to operate the Volunteer Centre and provide value for money be approved.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

The Volunteer Centre and volunteering is a key tool for the Council to deliver the objectives set out in the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

 

 

 

 

(B)

Volunteering is recognised as an aid to wellbeing, increasing confidence, building skills and self-esteem.

 

 

 

 

(C)

Volunteering offers employability skills and is an established pathway to employment, complementing the Gateshead Council employability service.

 

 

 

 

(D)

The Volunteer Centre provides an opportunity to build on the Council’s declared intention to rebalance Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise relationships, using resources and assets to enable their activity and maximise the collective impact.

 

 

 

 

(E)

The creation of a volunteer strategy for Gateshead will enable a Borough wide, cross sector approach to volunteering to be established.

 

 

 

 

(F)

There is an existing trusted relationship with Connected Voice and a history of supporting volunteering.

 

C65

Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Digital Support Fund

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

 

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the creation of a Voluntary and Community Enterprise (VCSE) Digital Support Fund, which will provide the opportunity for digital transformation for VCSE agencies and their beneficiaries.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the creation of a VCSE Digital Support Fund for Gateshead VCSE agencies as set out in the report be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That an allocation of the amount set out in the report for VCSE work force development, from which a grant of the amount set out in the report be given to Connected Voice, to create a workforce development plan and the remainder of the allocation for the procurement of training providers be approved.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

Gateshead has a long history of recognising the significant contribution of the VCSE in delivering many benefits for Gateshead people; enabling VCSE activity is key to maximising the collective impact for the benefit of Gateshead residents.

 

 

 

 

(B)

The digital transformation of VCSE agencies and their beneficiaries supports many of the Council’s policy objectives.

 

 

 

 

(C)

This proposal has been developed in consultation with Connected Voice and builds on intelligence they gathered during a recent Digital Sprint.

 

 

 

 

(D)

The coronavirus pandemic has intensified the digital divide for our residents and for some of our VCSE agencies.  If we do not address this there’s a risk some agencies will be left behind and unable to reach their full potential both in terms of their organisational growth and sustainability but also reducing their impact in the very communities we seek to support.  

 

 

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