Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence has been received from Councillor B Oliphant.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 18 July 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Consideration has been given to the commissioning options for the 0-19 service delivery post 30^th June 2024 when the current contract comes to an end.

The alternative options to those being recommended, but which were discounted, included doing nothing, in-house delivery and open tender process.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the development and entering into a Section 75 NHS Act 2006 Partnership agreement with Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust for the delivery of the 0-19 Public Health Nursing Service with effect from 1 July 2024 be approved.

(ii)

That the Public Health Team be authorised to undertake a public consultation engagement exercise on the use of the partnership arrangement as required by Regulation 4(2) of the Partnership Regulations 2000.

(iii)

That a further report be submitted to Cabinet by April 2024 to update on the consultation engagement exercise and the development of the Section 75 agreement and to include the new 0-19 service delivery model, proposed outcomes and performance framework, length of agreement and financial costings.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To ensure the improved delivery of the Council’s public health related functions.

(B)

To enable the further development of an integrated prevention and early help offer to improve outcomes for children and families in line with the Family Hubs and Start for Life Programme, and the Gateshead Partnership Early Help Strategy.

(C)

To contribute towards the Councils strategic vision “Thrive” and the priorities of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

(D)

To further develop collaborative working recognising the strengths, opportunities and challenges faced by local government and the wider heath system.

(E)

To ensure the Council meets its statutory responsibilities to carry out a joint consultation with such persons as appear to be affected by such arrangements.

Consideration has been given to the Audit and Standards Committee Annual Report for 2022/23.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to endorse the Audit and Standards Committee Annual Report for 2022/23.

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.

Consideration has been given to urgent decisions taken to bid for and accept Heat Network Efficiency Scheme grant funding of £0.75m to refurbish the heating system East Street Flats.

RESOLVED -

That the urgent action taken by the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth in bidding for and accepting the Heat Network Efficiency Scheme grant funding of £0.75m to refurbish the heating system East Street Flats, in accordance with Schedule 5, Part 2 General Delegations to Managers, Paragraph (4) (e) of the Council’s Constitution be noted.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(A)

The refurbishment works are required with or without the funding and this will help to reduce the financial cost for the Council.  

(B)

These works will benefit the residents of the flats, with more efficient heating for their homes and resulting in reduced heating bills. 

(C)

These works will reduce the energy use and carbon emissions of the blocks, support the Climate Change Strategy.

Consideration has been given to the proposed demolition of the former Bowls Pavilion, Birtley Welfare Park, Birtley.

The alternative option to that being recommended, but which was discounted, included rebuilding the Pavilion.

RESOLVED -

That the property be demolished and the land incorporated within the surrounding open space within the park.

The above decision has 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 Council’s Corporate Asset Strategy and Management Plan.

(B)

To mitigate any potential future costs incurred through further acts of vandalism and realise savings for the Trust.

Consideration has been given to the granting of a long lease of St Mary’s Heritage Centre to Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust to ensure the future sustainability and maintenance of this heritage asset.

The alternative option to that being recommended, but which was discounted, included selling the property on the open market.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the grant of a long lease of St Marys Heritage Centre to Tyne and Wear Building Preservation Trust, as set out in the report be approved.

(ii)

That the Strategic Director, Economy Innovation & Growth, following consultation with the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance, be authorised to negotiate the detailed terms of the lease.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(i)

To secure the building’s future as an important heritage asset for Gateshead.

(ii)

To complement regeneration plans at the Quays and the Town Centre.

(iii)

To provide financial savings to the Council.

Consideration has been given to a decision made under delegated powers during the summer recess 2023.

RESOLVED -

That the decision made under delegated powers during the summer recess as set out in appendix 2 to the report, namely the award of a contract for the removal and replacement inappropriate fire cavity barriers be noted.

The delegated decision has been made to enable the contract to progress and to avoid delay in delivery of the capital programme and its related expenditure.

Consideration has been given to the nomination of a Local Authority School Governor to Swalwell Primary School.

The Chair noted Councillor Beadle’s concerns about the current process for

nominating Local Authority School Governors.

RESOLVED -

That Councillor Dorothy Burnett be nominated for re-appointment as a Local Authority School Governor to Swalwell Primary School, for a period of four years, with effect from 11 December 2023, as stipulated by the School’s Instrument of Government.

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

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 taken to inform Cabinet of the progress of petitions.

RESOLVED -

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remaining items in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 3 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Consideration has been given to proposals to develop a new independent living and adaptations service for Gateshead.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the proposals to develop a new independent living and adaptations service for Gateshead as set out in the report be approved.

(ii)

That the intention to review the current Financial Assistance (Adaptations) Policy to support the development of the new service and to submit a further report to Cabinet on this, be noted.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

Promoting and enabling people to live independently in Gateshead is at the heart of the Council’s Thrive ambition and will support achievement of its Health & Wellbeing aims and objectives.

(B)

To ensure key policies such as the Financial Assistance Policy remain current and fit for purpose.

Consideration has been given to recommending Council to approve a new Specialist and Supported Housing Needs Assessment and Strategy. 

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to:

(i)

Approve the Specialist and Supported Housing Needs Assessment and Strategy as set out in appendices 2 and 3 to the report.

(ii)

Approve the release of a redacted version of the needs assessment and strategy prior to releasing the full version when related confidential market engagement activity has been completed.

(iii)

Approve the undertaking of an annual review of the needs assessment by Council Officers to determine if need and demand remains the same or has changed.

(iv)

Agree to receive a future report on the financial plan between health, housing and social care as outlined in paragraph 12 of the report.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To enable strategic planning and development of specialist and supported accommodation with internal and external partners to meet assessed need and demand in the borough.

(B)

To meet the expectation set out in the Supported Housing (Regulatory Oversight) Bill for local authorities to create a Supported Housing Strategy following an assessment of need for this provision in their local area.

Consideration has been given to the urgent action taken to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), to participate in the Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF) Round 2 programme, including the purchase of additional residential dwellings in the Borough.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the urgent action taken by the Deputy Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities in entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Levelling Up, Housing & Communities, to participate in the Local Authority Housing Fund Round 2 programme, in accordance with Schedule 5, Part 2 General Delegations to Managers, Paragraph (4) (e) of the Council’s Constitution be noted.

(ii)

That the Deputy Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities, in consultation with the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital and the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance be authorised to negotiate the purchase of residential dwellings that meet the criteria for the Afghan Relocation Assistance Policy (ARAP) and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS).

(iii)

That it be noted Legal and Financial advice will be taken on each purchase or acquisition under (ii) above and the delegation, including authority to approve the signing of the contract for sale and the sealing of the relevant conveyancing document.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To contribute towards the Council’s housing delivery targets to create new homes including the provision of more affordable homes.

(B)

To secure the LAHF Round 2 grant funding of the amount set out in the report, to support an additional 10 properties.

(C)

The scheme will add the 10 additional family properties and create a lasting supply of affordable housing for the general population, and stock will become available to support wider local authority general housing and homelessness responsibilities after the immediate needs of the eligible cohort have been addressed. 

(D)

To deliver the objectives of the Housing Strategy 2019-30.

(E)

To ensure compliance with the Council’s Constitution and any limitations on its relevant legal powers.