Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor M McNestry.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 21 March 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Consideration has been given to accepting funds from the Department of Health and Social Care via the Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery (SSMTR) Grant.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the acceptance of funding amounting to £1,251,506.00 in 2023/24 (confirmed) and an indicative amount of £2,415,215.00 for 2024/25 (which may be subject to change) from the Department of Health and Social Care via the Supplemental Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery (SSMTR) Grant be approved.

(ii)

That the Director of Public Health be authorised to enter into such funding agreements as necessary, following consultation with the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital and the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance, to facilitate the funding transfer.

The above decision has been made to secure a health gain for the community in terms of a more effective treatment and recovery service.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve a new Information Governance Framework and Data Protection Policy.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve the Information Governance Framework and the Data Protection Policy as set out in appendices 2 and 3 of the report and for both documents to be implemented without delay.

The above decision has been made to have an effective Information Governance Framework and Data Protection Policy in place.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve changes to the procedure for dealing with housing complaints, moving from a 3-stage process to a 2-stage process, to ensure the Council is acting in line with the Housing Ombudsman Service Complaint Handling Code. 

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve the change in the housing complaints procedure from a 3-stage process in line with the corporate complaint procedure, to a 2-stage process as set out in appendix 2 to the report.

The above decision has been made to have an effective and timely complaints procedure in compliance with the Housing Ombudsman Service Complaint Handling Code.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the partnership Early Help Strategy for Gateshead 2023-2026.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve and adopt the Gateshead Early Help Strategy 2023-2026 as set out in appendix 2 to the report.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(A)

The Strategy reflects the partnership commitment to delivering effective support to families through a combination of universal and targeted services.

(B)

The Strategy contributes to the aims and objectives of the ‘Thrive’ approach and the priorities of the Gateshead Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

(C)

The Strategy strategically positions the Council to respond to emerging, national policy areas, including Family Hubs and the (2021) Care Review.  

Consideration has been given to the proposed school term dates for 2024/25.

RESOLVED -

That the proposed school term dates for 2024/25 as set out in appendix 2 to the report be approved.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To allow future planning to take place.

(B)

To make effective and efficient use of Council resources.

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 in accordance with the Schools’ Instrument of Government:

School

Nomination

Date from

Carr Hill Community Primary School

Councillor M Gannon

01/09/2023

Gibside School

Ms J McAndrew

01/09/2023

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

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

Consideration has been given to the transfer of outstanding balances from Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) accounts, where all possible recovery action has been taken and the balances are now considered to be uncollectable.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the transfer of 1005 uncollectable accounts in respect of Council Tax balances totalling £1,320,323.84 be approved.

(ii)

That the transfer of 74 uncollectable accounts of Non-Domestic Rates balances totalling £883,256.54 be approved.

(iii)

That the action taken under delegated powers to transfer Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates accounts with balances of £500 or less as set out in the report be noted.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To ensure the effective management of the Council’s resources.

(B)

To ensure that the Council Accounts accurately reflect the correct financial position.