Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence has been submitted by Councillor G Haley.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 25 April 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Consideration has been given to the proposals for the distribution of the Household Support Fund Round 4 (HSF) for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024.

RESOLVED -

That the proposals for the distribution of the Household Support Fund Round 4 (HSF), for the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, as set out in paragraphs 11 to 18 of the report be approved.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(A)

Targeting the groups identified will meet the Council’s Thrive policy objectives.

(B)

To support residents at risk of going cold or hungry through the mechanisms within the proposal.

Consideration has been given to the receipt of Family Hubs and Start for Life grant funding and to the proposed use of delegated authority to allow the programme to be delivered, in line with the requirements of the Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme Guide and the funding agreement.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the acceptance of Family Hubs and Start for Life grant funding amounting to between £2,995,000 and £3,085,00 over a three-year period, for the purposes outlined in the report be approved.

(ii)

That the Strategic Director, Children’s Social Care and Lifelong Learning 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 allocation and spend of the grant in line with the Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme Guide and the agreed delivery plan.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To transform services into a family hub model and improve the health and development outcomes for babies, children and their families, ensuring every family receives the support they need, when they need it.

(B)

All families will have access to the information and tools they need to care for and interact positively with their babies and children, and to look after their own wellbeing.

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 in the 2022/23 financial year, as well as confirming proposed programmes for integrated transport and maintenance schemes scheduled for 2023/24.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the proposed programme for 2023/24 as set out in appendices D and E to the report be approved, 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 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.

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. 

Consideration has been given to the Active Travel Fund Tranche 4 and the involvement of the Council in the development and submission of the regional funding bid.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth be authorised to enter into a Grant Agreement with Transport North East for the funding, following consultation with the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital and Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance.

(ii)

That the expenditure of any grant funding that is received from Active Travel England in line with the schemes set out in paragraph 8 of appendix 1 to the report be approved.

The above decisions have been made to enable the design and implementation of the Gateshead schemes, which may receive a funding allocation from the Active Travel Fund. 

Consideration has been given to a response to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ consultation on ‘Environmental Outcomes Reports – A New Approach to Environmental Assessments’.

RESOLVED -

That the response to the consultation as set out in appendix 2 to the report be approved.

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

Consideration has been given to the nominations of the Labour and Liberal Democrat Groups to advisory groups, other bodies of the Council, joint committees and outside bodies.

RESOLVED -

That the nominations of the Labour and Liberal Democrat Groups as set out in appendices 2 and 3 of the report be approved.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To ensure that the views of the political groups are taken into account when the appointments are made.

(B)

To ensure that the most appropriate councillors are appointed to each body. 

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 action taken on them be noted.

The above decision has been made to inform the Cabinet of the progress of the petitions.

Consideration has been given to garages at Acomb Court, Harlow Green, being declared surplus to the Council’s requirements.

RESOLVED -

That the garages at Acomb Court, Harlow Green as detailed in the plan attached to the report, be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements, then demolished and the land left be marked out to provide 18 parking spaces for residents, including 3 disabled parking bays.

The above decision has been made to manage resources and rationalise the Council’s assets in line with the Corporate Asset Strategy and Management Plan.

Consideration has been given to the Community Asset Transfer by the grant of a 25 year lease in relation to Heworth Welfare Hall, Smithburn Road, Felling.

RESOLVED -

That the grant of a 25 year lease of Heworth Welfare Hall by the Council in its capacity as Trustee, to Felling Community Association Community Interest Organisation, pursuant to the Community Asset Transfer Policy be approved subject to the necessary consents being obtained from the Charity Commission and the Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To manage the Trust’s assets in line with the objects of the Trust and in line with the Councils Corporate Asset Strategy and Management Plan.

(B)

To realise savings for the Trust.

Consideration has been given to the nomination of Mrs Anne Wheeler for re-appointment as a local authority school governor of The Drive Community Primary School.

RESOLVED -

That the nomination of Mrs Anne Wheeler for re-appointment as a local authority school governor of The Drive Community Primary School, for a period of four years from 3 July 2023, in accordance with the Schools’ Instrument of Government be approved.

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