Agenda and minutes

A minute’s silence was observed as a mark of respect for the victims of the Manchester terrorist attack on 22 May 2017.

An apology for absence has been received from Councillor A Douglas.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 25 April 2017 were approved as a correct and signed by the Chair.

Consideration has been given to tenders received for the contract for the provision of payment card services.

RESOLVED -

That the tender from Allpay Ltd, Whitestone, Hereford, be accepted for the contract for the provision of payment card services for a period of 24 months commencing 1 October 2017 with the option to extend for a further 2 x 12 month periods.

The above decision has been made because a comprehensive evaluation of the tenders received has been undertaken and the approved tender is the most economically advantageous tender submitted.

Consideration has been given to revising the calendar of meetings for 2017/18 by realigning meetings of the Cabinet and Council so they are held in the same week with effect from July 2017 in order to make the Council’s decision making process more effective and efficient. This will result in Cabinet meetings continuing to meet on the current frequency of once per month but will require the frequency of Council meetings to be changed from every six weeks to bi-monthly.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve the revised calendar of meetings for 2017/18 as set out in appendix 3 to the report.

The above decision has been made to make the Council’s decision making process more effective and efficient.

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 -

(i)

That the nominations of the Labour and Liberal Democrat Groups to advisory groups, other bodies of the Council, joint committees and outside bodies as set out in appendices 2 and 3 to the report be approved.

(ii)

That the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance, following consultation with the Leader of the Council and/or Leader of the Opposition, be authorised to agree any further necessary changes to the list of annual appointments.

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 the findings and recommendations of a review by Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) in relation to children and young people’s oral health.

RESOLVED -

That the recommendations, findings and analysis of evidence as set out in appendix 2 to the report be endorsed.

The above decision has been made to ensure that the Council is able to meet its statutory duties and responsibilities in relation to oral health.

Consideration has been given to proposed changes to Travel Care policies and a funding contribution towards the provision of Post 16 Home to School/College Travel from September 2017.

The alternative options to those being recommended, but which were discounted, included, not introducing a funding contribution; introducing charging to all learners, introducing a lower or higher rate of charging.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the proposal of a parental/learner contribution charge of £650 per year for Post 16 travel support be approved.

(ii)

That subject to (iv) below, low income families be exempt from charges.

(iii)

That the additional changes to Pre 16, Post 16 and Adult Social Care Assisted Travel Policies as set out in paragraph 12 to the report be approved in principle.

(iv)

That the Interim Service Director, Commissioning following consultation with the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance, the Leader of the Council and relevant portfolio holders, be authorised to make any necessary final amendments to the policies referred to at (iii) above prior to their publication.

(v)

That the impact of the policies be reviewed after 12 months and a further report submitted to Cabinet.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

The Council has indicated through previous budget and service user consultations the intention to introduce a contributory charging policy for Post 16 home to school and college transport. The introduction of charging is permitted within the relevant guidance and is required in order to meet the proposed budget savings identified against this budget. 

(B)

The exemption of charges for low income families acknowledges the recommendation within the Department for Education (DfE) Post 16 Transport to Education & Training Statutory Guidance for Local Authorities.

Consideration has been given to endorsing the decisions of the governing bodies for Eslington and Furrowfield Schools to be a Hard Federation.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the governing bodies of Eslington and Furrowfield schools’ decision to move to Hard Federation based on the successful outcomes from the Soft Federation demonstrated well by the Ofsted Inspections for both schools be endorsed.

(ii)

That the process of the governing bodies moving forward in their consultation and the appointments needed to establish a Hard Federation of the schools be endorsed.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

This will support greater sharing of curriculum expertise and skills across both schools.

(B)

It will also provide opportunities to maximise the use of ever reducing resources to achieve best value.

Consideration has been given to the Community Safety Board Partnership Plan 2017/18.

RESOLVED -

That the Community Safety Board Partnership Plan 2017/18 be endorsed.

The above decision has been made to introduce the priorities for 2017/18 for the Community Safety Board.

Report withdrawn.

Consideration has been given to the response to the NHS England consultation on Congenital Heart Disease Services for Children and Adults.

RESOLVED -

That the response be endorsed.

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

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 the progress of the petitions received.

RESOLVED -

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

Consideration has been given to a further extension to the current agreement between the Council and Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service (NCVS) to provide support, development, networking and representation to the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) in Gateshead up to 31 December 2017 whilst a joint procurement exercise is undertaken with Newcastle City Council as partners to secure an infrastructure support service for the VCS across both authorities.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the further extension of the current agreement with NCVS until 31 December 2017 (in accordance with the agreement’s extension clause) be approved.

(ii)

That a joint procurement exercise proceed in accordance with one of the two options outlined in the report, with the aim of implementing the new service from 1 January 2018, subject to further Cabinet approval and budget considerations.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To enable the discussions regarding the potential for jointly commissioned support for the VCS in Newcastle and Gateshead to continue towards procurement.

(B)

To build capacity and sustainability in voluntary and community organisations in Gateshead.

Consideration has been given to the provision of a financial contribution towards the construction of the Land of Oak & Iron Heritage Centre at Winlaton Mill and to the associated design fees.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the partnership approach with Groundwork NE & Cumbria to develop the Heritage Centre at Winlaton Mill continues.

(ii)

That the Council provides an additional capital contribution of a maximum of the amount set out in the report, towards the construction phase of the project to facilitate the development  and that the Strategic Director, Corporate Services & Governance and the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources be authorised to negotiate a profit share agreement with Groundwork NE & Cumbria.

(iii)

That a formal project board is set up that will include senior representation from the Council, Groundwork and the contractor.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

Significant progress has been made thus far and to ensure that that external funding investment within Gateshead is not lost.

(B)

To deliver meaningful long term economic benefits in rural Gateshead and to raise the profile of the area to potential visitors.

(C)

To tell the little known story of Gateshead’s internationally significant place in industrial history.

(D)

To give confidence that sufficient funding is available for the project to be delivered and that governance arrangements are robust.