Agenda and minutes

Cabinet is asked to approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting held on 16 October 2018.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 16 October 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Report of the Acting Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

Consideration has been given to the Council’s programme of investment in the local transport network, including funding received through the Local Transport Plan process.

RESOLVED -            (i)         That the revised programme for 2018/19 as set out                                          in appendices 2-4 of the report be approved and it                                           be noted that there may be a need to review                                                      scheme priorities during the course of the financial                                      year in line with the available resources.

(ii)        That the Service Director, Development, Transport                              and Public Protection be authorised to award the                              relevant works to the Service Director, Street                                           Scene under the terms of the Highways, Drainage                                    and Street Lighting Maintenance Contract.

(iii)         That the Service Director, Development, Transport and Public Protection be authorised to make changes to the approved programme following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport as and when the need arises.

(iv)         That the use of the SCAPE Civic Engineering and Infrastructure Framework to appoint contractors to undertake specialist major concrete repairs to structures on the A184 at Whitemare Pool be approved.

(v)          That the indicative Integrated Transport and Maintenance programmes for 2019/20 be approved as a basis for future planning.

The above decision has been made to enable the design and implementation of transport schemes in support of the Tyne and Wear Local Transport Plan and the Council’s policy objectives.

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Consideration has been given to tenders received for the Contract for the provision of an Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health Service.

RESOLVED -            That the tender received from South Tyneside NHS                                         Foundation Trust be accepted for a 48 month period                                       commencing 1 April 2019 with an option to extend for a                         further 2 x 12 month periods.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(A)      A comprehensive evaluation of the tender received      from South Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust has been undertaken. The tender received from South          Tyneside NHS Foundation Trust passed all the       required evaluation criteria and was the only      compliant bid received to deliver this contract.

(B)      The tender received from Community Based Care        Health Ltd was deemed to be non-compliant as its     costs considerably exceeded the maximum annual           budget of £1,125,000 stated in the tender       documents and therefore could not be considered        to deliver this contract.

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Consideration has been given to a revised Retirement Policy and Local Government Pension Scheme Discretions Policy and also a revised Redundancy Policy.

RESOLVED -            That Council be recommended the Council to:

                                    (i)         approve the attached revised Retirement and                                        Redundancy Policies, which include the Council’s                                            policy on pension discretions; and  

                                    (ii)        authorise the Strategic Director, Corporate                                             Services and Governance, following  consultation                                            with the Leader of the Council, to make any minor                                         amendments to the policies that may be                                                                    required following further consultation with Trade                                     Unions. 

            The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(i)         To ensure the Retirement Policy reflects current                       good practice, taking into account the Council’s                      ongoing financial position, and the fact that                           releasing pension on an unreduced basis can                           result in a significant associated cost for the                              Council in the form of a ‘strain on the fund’.

(ii)        To reflect in the Retirement Policy the most recent                   updates to the Local Government Pension                             Regulations.

(iii)       To ensure that employees do not have unrealistic                    expectations of the ability to secure voluntary                            redundancy at age 55 by providing clarification in                       the Redundancy Policy that applications for                                 voluntary redundancy will be approved only where                         to do so will clearly support effective business                           planning and service delivery; and, will take into                account the cost to the Council.

Report of the Acting Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

Consideration has been given to a Statement of Principles for 2019-22 in accordance with the Gambling Act 2005.

RESOLVED -            That the Council be recommended to adopt the amended                              Gambling Statement of Principles, as set out in appendix                               4 of the report, and to publish it in accordance with the                           requirements of the Gambling Act 2005.

The above decision has been made to ensure that the Council’s functions under the Gambling Act 2005 can be discharged effectively. 

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources

Consideration has been given to the latest position on the 2018/19 Capital Programme and Prudential Indicators at the end of the first quarter to 30 September 2018.

RESOLVED -            That Council be recommended to:

(i)            to agree all variations to the 2018/19 Capital Programme as detailed in Appendix 2 as the revised programme.

                        (ii)        to agree the financing of the revised                                                        programme.

            (iii)       confirm 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 2018/19 have been breached.

            The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

            (i)         To ensure the optimum use of the Council’s capital      resources in 2018/19.

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

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

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources

Consideration has been given to the Capital Strategy for 2018/19 to 2023/24 to support the framework used to set and monitor the Capital Programme.

RESOLVED -            That the Council be recommended to agree the Capital                                  Strategy attached at Appendix 2 to the report.

The above decision has been made to ensure that the Council fully complies with the requirements of good financial practice in capital accounting.

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources

Consideration has been given to a Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2019/20.

RESOLVED –           That Council be recommended to:

(i)            approve the proposed scheme as set out in                               paragraphs 7 and 8 of the report; and 

(ii)           delegate powers to the Strategic Director,                                  Corporate Resources, to provide regulations to              give effect to the scheme.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(i)            To meet the statutory requirements of the Local Government Finance Act 2012 in relation the establishment of a framework for Localised Council Tax Support.

(ii)          To mitigate the impact of budget cuts and other Welfare Reform changes on Council Tax support claimants.

(iii)         To mitigate the impact of funding reductions on Council finances.

(iv)         To support the Council’s “Thrive” policy priority.

Report of the Chief Executive

Consideration has been given to a proposal to consult on the Council’s budget framework and proposals as part of the budget setting process for 2019-20.

RESOLVED -            That consultation be undertaken on the budget proposals                              for the period 2019/20 contained within this report.

The above decision has been made to ensure the Council is well placed to respond to the needs of the borough, whilst addressing the financial challenge placed on the Council and the residents of the borough.

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources

Consideration has been given to the latest monitoring position on the 2018/19 revenue budget at the end of the second quarter to 30 September 2018.

RESOLVED -            (i)        That the Council’s revenue expenditure position at                                           30 September 2018, as set out in Appendix 1 of                                               the report, be noted.

(ii)           That the administrative virement outlined in                                     paragraph 9 of the report be approved.

The above decision has been made to contribute to sound financial management and the long-term financial sustainability of the Council.

Report of the Strategic Director, Care, Wellbeing and Learning

Consideration has been given to the Safeguarding Children Unit Annual Report and the Local Authority Designated Officer Annual Report 2017/18 in respect of managing allegations against adults who work with children.

RESOLVED -            That the Safeguarding Children Unit Annual Report                                         2017/18 and the Local Authority Designated Officer                                         Annual Report 2017/18 be endorsed.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(i)         To ensure the Council is meeting its statutory                            duties.

(ii)       To continue to ensure that the needs of children,          young people and families continue to be met.

Report of the Strategic Director, Care, Wellbeing and Learning

Consideration has been given to the Gateshead Safeguarding Adult’s Board and Local Safeguarding Children’s Board Annual Reports.

RESOLVED -            That the Annual Reports and Strategic Plans be                                      endorsed. 

The above decision has been made to ensure that statutory duties of the Gateshead Local Safeguarding Children’s Board and Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Board are met.

Report of the Strategic Director, Care, Wellbeing and Learning

Consideration has been given to the nomination of a Local Authority Governor to a school seeking to retain their Local Authority governor in accordance with The School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations. 

RESOLVED -            (i)         That Councillor Anne Wheeler be                                                                         reappointed as a Local Authority Governor                                                         to The Drive Community Primary School for                                                      a four year period with effect from 14                                                                         February 2019.

                           (ii)        That the term of office as determined by the                                      schools’ Instrument of Government be noted.

The above decisions have been taken to ensure the school has a full governing body membership.

Report of the Acting Strategic Director, Communities and Environment

Consideration has been given to a revised strategy towards Highways Asset Management 2018-30 in Gateshead, associated documentation, and adoption of the New Code of Practice for Well Managed Highway Infrastructure 2016 which has provided the guidance for the development of the revised approach, including a new risk based approach to managing the highway network.   

RESOLVED -            (i)         That the revised strategy for highways asset                                                      management in Gateshead, including the Highway                                          Asset Management Framework, the revised                                                      Highway Asset Management Plan and the                                                 Highway Maintenance Plan be approved.

                               (ii)        That the New Code of Practice for Well Managed                                        Highway Infrastructure 2016 be adopted.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(i)            To provide the basis for improved management                                    and maintenance of Gateshead’s highway network                                and ensure the effective use of resources.

(ii)            In order to maximise external funding streams                                awarded to authorities who carry out effective                                       highway management.

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Consideration has been given to an analysis of the complaints and compliments recorded during 2017/18.

RESOLVED -            (i)         That the Corporate Complaints and Compliments                                                        Procedure Annual Report for 2017/18 be                                                 approved.

                        (ii)        That it be noted that the report will be considered                     by the Corporate Resources Overview and                                Scrutiny Committee.             

The above decisions have been made to have an effective and timely complaints procedure.     

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 progress made on the petitions.

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

19                                                        3

20                                                        3

RESOLVED -            That the press and public be excluded from the                                                meeting during consideration of the remaining business in                             accordance with paragraph 7 of Schedule 12A to the                                             Local Government Act 1972.

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources

Consideration has been given to a revised Strategic Risk Register as a framework for the reporting and management of strategic risks.

RESOLVED -            That the revised Strategic Risk Register, at appendix 2 of                               the report, and its continued use as the basis for regular                           reporting on strategic risks to the Audit and Standards                             Committee be approved.

The above decision has been made to ensure that the Strategic Risk Register continues to provide a relevant and robust framework for the management and reporting of the Council’s strategic risks.

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