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Councillors and committees

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Bridges Room - Civic Centre. View directions

Contact: Kevin Ingledew Email:  keviningledew@gateshead.gov.uk tel no: 0191 4332142 

Items
No. Item

C49

Minutes pdf icon PDF 120 KB

Cabinet is asked to approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting held on 11 October 2022.

Minutes:

The minutes of the last meeting held on 11 October 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

 

C50

Public Health and Wellbeing Group Review - Library update pdf icon PDF 103 KB

Report of the Director of Public Health

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the outcome of public consultation on the future of Library buildings in Gateshead and options for the future of Library Services.

 

 

 

The alternative option to that being recommend, but which was discounted, included closing Library buildings.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the continued use of the five Council Library buildings as currently configured be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the transformation of the services within those buildings to support the Council’s emerging locality approach be approved.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To enable officers to make changes within Library Services to align the service offer with the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To conclude the public consultation process on library services.

 

C51

Household Support Fund pdf icon PDF 108 KB

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

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to proposals for the distribution of the Household Support Fund (HSF) in the borough for the period 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the proposal to support low income families identified through free school meals, as set out in paragraph 8 of the report be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the proposal to make a grant to the Jewish Community Council as set out in paragraph 9 of the report, recognising the Jewish community does not access free school meal provision, be approved.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

That the proposals to support the new and existing projects as set out in paragraph 10 of the report be approved.

 

 

 

 

(iv)

That the proposal to implement an application process based on the Department for Works and Pensions guidance to be administered through Citizens Advice Gateshead, as set out in paragraph 12 of the report be approved.

 

 

 

 

(v)

That the proposal to claim a 5% administration fee to support the process be approved.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made because targeting the groups identified will meet the Council’s Thrive policy objectives.

 

C52

Better Care Fund 2022/23 Submission for Gateshead pdf icon PDF 138 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Integrated Adults and Social Care Services

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the 2022/23 Better Care Fund Submission for Gateshead.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the 2022-23 Better Care Fund Submission for Gateshead as set out in appendix 1 to the report be endorsed.

 

 

 

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To enable the Council, working with local partners to take forward the 2022-23 Better Care Fund plan for Gateshead to support integrated health and care for the benefit of local people.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To help ensure that the health and care economy is sustainable for the future and is in a position to respond to demographic and funding pressures across the system.

 

C53

Department for Education- Multiply Funding pdf icon PDF 106 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Children’s Social Care and Lifelong Learning

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the allocation of Department for Education Multiply funding of £1.169m across the borough.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the management of Multiply by the Council’s Learning and Skills Service, utilising their expertise in community and further education be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the proposed allocation of funding as set out in appendices 2 and 3 to the report be approved.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made to enable sound delivery and reporting and the success of the project. 

 

C54

Short Breaks for Children with Complex Needs - St Oswald’s Hospice pdf icon PDF 124 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Children’s Social Care and Lifelong Learning

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to a new contractual framework for St Oswald’s Hospice from 1 January 2023 for the provision of short breaks for complex needs.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the market testing, contractual development, and tender exemption context as set out in the report be noted.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the direct award of a three-year contract to St Oswald’s Hospice for the provision of Short Breaks for Complex Needs from 1 January 2023 and on the basis set out in the report be approved.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

The supplier is providing a much needed regulated activity under the provisions of the Health and Social Care Act 2008, and the Regulations, for a particularly vulnerable client group.

 

 

 

 

(B)

Soft Market Testing and regional intelligence clearly confirms that there is no competitive market for this service in the region. St Oswald’s Hospice is therefore the only option to provide this provision for children and their families.

 

C55

Local Transport Plan: Capital Programme Mid-Year Update (October 2022) pdf icon PDF 309 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to an update on the Local Transport Plan (LTP) Capital Programme, which provides a summary of the progress that has been made and any changes to the programme that have occurred as it stands at the end of Quarter 2.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the revised programmes for 2022/23 as set out in appendices A and B to the report be approved, whilst noting that there may be a need to review these as the year progresses in line with available resources.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the Service Director, Highways and Waste, (and, in their absence, the Director of Environment & Fleet Management) be authorised to award the relevant works under the terms of the Highways, Drainage and Street Lighting Maintenance Contract.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

That the Service Director, Climate Change, Compliance, Planning and Transport 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 indicative integrated transport and maintenance programmes for 2023/24 as set out in appendices D and E to the report be approved as a basis for future planning.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made to enable the design and implementation of transport schemes in support of the North East Transport Plan and the Council’s policy objectives. 

 

C56

Winter 2022-23 Energy Tariffs for Gateshead HEIGHTs pdf icon PDF 168 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to energy tariffs for High Rise Energy Infrastructure for Gateshead Housing Tenants (HEIGHTs) project residents for Winter 2022/23.

 

 

 

The alternative options to that being recommended, but which were discounted, included setting lower tariffs or tariffs beyond 31 March 2023.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the proposed heat and electricity tariffs for the period 1 November 2022 – 31 March 2023 and communication of these to HEIGHTs residents be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That tariffs continue to be reviewed every six months.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

That the lobbying of government for additional financial support to operators of heat networks that serve domestic customers be approved.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To comply with heat and electricity supply agreements in place with customers.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To ensure the HEIGHTs scheme recovers its operating and construction costs over its lifetime.

 

 

 

 

(C)

To ensure HEIGHTs customers continue to pay fair and market reflective prices for their heating and electricity. 

 

C57

Climate Emergency Strategy

ITEM DEFERRED

Minutes:

Item deferred.

C58

Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 103 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2023/24.

 

 

 

The alternative option to that being recommended, but which was discounted, included the adoption of a scheme, which offers less support by increasing the minimum contribution or more support to residents, by increasing at a greater rate the Council’s commitment of resources.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the Council be recommended to approve:

 

 

 

 

(i)

The proposed scheme as set out in paragraphs 8 and 10 of the report.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

The delegation of powers to the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital to provide regulations to give effect to the scheme including publishing full details online.

 

 

 

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 the increased cost of living on Council Tax support claimants.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

To mitigate the impact of funding reductions on Council finances.

 

 

 

 

(iv)

To support the Council’s “Thrive” agenda.

 

C59

Medium Term Financial Strategy 2023/24 – 2027/28 pdf icon PDF 137 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2023/24 to 2027/28, including the proposed MTFS principles and the medium-term financial context as set out in the report and appendices.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the Council be recommended to approve the Medium-Term Financial Strategy for 2023/24 to 2027/28, including the proposed MTFS principles and the medium-term financial context as set out in the report and appendices.

 

 

 

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 maintaining of the financial sustainability of the Council over the medium to long term.

 

C60

Leisure Review: Future Delivery Options pdf icon PDF 465 KB

Report of the Director of Public Health

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to a summary of the work carried out to review Leisure Services and to possible future service delivery options, including the rationalisation (reduction in number) of sites, and to the most affordable and financially sustainable options for the continued delivery of Leisure Services.

 

 

 

The alternative options to those being recommended, but which were discounted, included In house Council Management (the status quo), Local Authority Controlled Company, Single Area Leisure Trust and the complete withdrawal of the Leisure Service.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the consideration of the future operating model for the Gateshead International Stadium being undertaken separately to that for the wider leisure service and the future of the Stadium being the subject of a distinct review and future report to Cabinet be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the commencement of a procurement process to identify and contract with a service provider partner to manage the Council’s leisure centres and swimming pools under a services contract be approved.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

That the commencement of a comprehensive consultation process to understand the impact of any leisure centre closures, in order to influence the final evaluation exercise on which leisure centres should remain open be approved and a further report be submitted to Cabinet following this further evaluation, setting out proposals for the reduction of the number of Council leisure centres.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To enable the development of a strategic vision that is specific to the Gateshead International Stadium and further review of distinct operating options.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To deliver value for money and services that are targeted to the Council’s Physical Activity Strategy mission.

 

 

 

 

(C)

To help lessen the Council’s overall funding gap by reducing the funding of the Leisure Services year on year, to deliver the unachieved savings in a timely manner, and to help to ensure the sustainability of the reduced leisure centre portfolio.

 

 

 

 

(D)

To ensure future recommendations on leisure centre closures are made in light of known impact upon leisure centre users, community groups and those protected under the Equalities Act. 

 

C61

Response to Consultation pdf icon PDF 77 KB

Report of the Chief Executive

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to a response to a recent government consultation.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the response to the following consultation as set out in appendix 1 to the report be endorsed:

 

 

 

 

 

·        Distribution of Funding to Support the Reform of the Adult Social Care Charging System in 2023 to 2024 – Prime Minister’s Office, Cabinet Office and Department for Health and Social Care

 

 

 

The above decision has been made to enable the Council to contribute a response to the consultation.

 

C62

Regulation of Investigatory Powers pdf icon PDF 86 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the Regulation of Investigatory Powers corporate guidance and procedures, which sets out how the Council will comply with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and the Protection of Freedoms Act 2012.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the new Regulation of Investigatory Powers corporate guidance and procedures as set out in the report and appendix 2 be approved.

 

 

 

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To ensure compliance with relevant legislation and guidance and that the Council has up to date and accurate procedures.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To ensure guidance is available, which will assist the Council to balance the needs of undertaking work to safeguard individuals and our communities, whilst ensuring that it does not unnecessarily infringe the human rights of individuals.

 

C63

Nomination of Local Authority School Governors pdf icon PDF 93 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Children’s Social Care and Lifelong Learning

Minutes:

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

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the nominations set out below be approved for a period of four years from the dates indicated, in accordance with the Schools’ Instrument of Government:

 

 

 

 

 

School

Nomination

Date from

 

 

 

 

 

Chopwell Primary

Cllr L Caffrey

04/02/2023

 

 

 

 

 

Kells Lane Primary

Mr M Hetherington

02/03/2023

 

C64

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

 

18                                                        2&3

19                                                        3

Minutes:

RESOLVED -

 

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remaining business in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

 

C65

Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC) Northeast Business Case

Report of the Strategic Director, Children’s Social Care and Lifelong Learning

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to an update on the delivery and outcomes of the Northeast Family Drug and Alcohol Court (FDAC NE) and to request to continue funding it for a further two years.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Council acting as the Lead Authority and continuing to host the FDAC NE service be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That funding of £117k per year for the continued delivery of the FDAC service across Gateshead into years 3 and 4 be approved.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

FDAC NE complements the ambition of the Thrive agenda in making Gateshead a place where everyone thrives, supporting whole family approaches and recovery.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To achieve the aims set out in the Thrive Policy Framework, Gateshead residents must be provided with good quality support and services. This is one way of enabling Gateshead residents to tackle the problems they are facing and preventing those problems from escalating.

 

 

 

 

(C)

FDAC NE provides longer-term benefits of successful reunification to children and improved life chances; less demand / costs in Social Care, Health, Criminal Justice, Education and Welfare Benefits. There are also several benefits to the parents including stability within treatment services, improved wellbeing and reductions in other associated issues (community safety impacts, offending, etc).

 

 

 

 

(D)

FDAC NE complements the recent work of the Police and Crime Commissioner in directing a preventative agenda focusing on communities and tackling root causes to make a difference and improve people’s lives.

 

 

 

 

(E)

FDAC national research and evaluation findings suggest this type of intervention was more effective than standard care proceedings in achieving parental substance misuse cessation and reuniting families at the end of proceedings. It was also more successful in preventing relapse and a return to previous parental lifestyle choices after children were reunified.

 

C66

Domestic Abuse - Remodelling Accommodation and Support

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

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to proposals for taking forward the recommissioning and remodelling of accommodation and support services for victims of domestic abuse, within Gateshead.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the proposals for allocating the 2022/23 Domestic Abuse Duty funding as set out in the report be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That three priorities for recommissioning domestic abuse related accommodation and support from early 2023, namely; Refuge, Complex Needs and Dispersed Accommodation provision, to the anticipated budget of the amount set out in the report be approved.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

That officers revisiting the priorities outlined when the full safe accommodation funding allocation is announced next year, to consider whether it is possible to commission further safe accommodation provision, in addition to the three priorities outlined be approved and noting this should include reviewing the option outlined in the report for an additional Supported Housing Scheme for Young People aged 18-25.

 

 

 

 

(iv)

That a review of floating support services, pathways and associated budgets to ensure the needs are being met of victims of domestic abuse who do not require accommodation-based support, from April 2023 onwards be approved.

 

 

 

 

(v)

That responsibility for any further decisions relating to this Safe Accommodation funding be delegated to the Chief Executive (who is also the Chair of the Domestic Abuse Board).

 

 

 

The above decisions have been met for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To ensure all related statutory requirements are being met.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To deliver on related Council strategies, including Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and Safe Accommodation Strategy.

 

 

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