Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence have been received from Councillors M Brain, A Douglas, L Green, J McElroy, M McNestry and B Oliphant.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 25 February 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Consideration has been given to the procurement and award of the contracts.

RESOLVED -

That the Service Director, Corporate Commissioning and Procurement be authorised to invite or negotiate tenders or conduct other procurement processes (or to complete the relevant processes where they have already begun) in respect of the contracts listed in appendix 2 to the report and to award the relevant contracts to the tenderers submitting the most economically advantageous tenders (or otherwise proving successful in accordance with other procurement processes) in accordance with the Contract Procedure Rules.

The above decision has been made to enable the procurement of goods, works and services required for the efficient and effective delivery of services.

Consideration has been given to hosting the Tour of Britain (cycling event) in Gateshead in 2020.

RESOLVED -

That participation in the Tour of Britain cycling event by hosting a stage in Gateshead in 2020 be approved.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To cement Gateshead’s reputation as a host of major international sporting events and support the delivery of Gateshead’s Culture Strategy.

(B)

To support delivery of the Council’s Thrive Agenda and priorities.

(C)

To increase participation in sports, notably cycling, through a strategic approach to cycling in Gateshead.

Consideration has been given to energy tariffs for High Rise Energy Infrastructure for Gateshead Housing Tenants (HEIGHTs) project residents for 2020/21.

The alternative options considered, but which were discounted, included setting higher or lower tariffs.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the following heat tariffs for residents as indicated be approved and applied for the period 1 April 2020 – 31 March 2021:

·         4.139 p/kWh for Regent Court residents (a decrease of 6%)

·         7.833p/kWh for Harlow Green residents (an increase of 3%)

(ii)

That the following electricity tariffs for residents at Barford and Stretford Courts be approved and applied for the period 1 April 2020 – 31 March 2021:

·           Standing charge: 18.51p/day (a decrease of 0.5%)

·           Unit rate: 13.31p/kWh (a decrease of 10.5%)

(iii)

That the communication of the revised tariffs to HEIGHTs residents 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.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the Treasury Policy Statement and Treasury Strategy for 2020/21 to 2024/25.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve the Treasury Policy Statement and the Treasury Strategy as set out in appendices 2 and 3 of the report.

The above decision has been made to provide a framework for the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital to exercise his delegated powers.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve a revised Pay Policy Statement for 2020/21.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Council be recommended to approve the Pay Policy Statement for 2020/21 as set out in appendix 2 to the report.

(ii)

That as none of the relevant pay awards have been agreed at the time of publication of the report, the Council be recommended to authorise the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance to amend the Pay Policy Statement in accordance with what is eventually agreed and in the event that more significant changes to the Pay Policy are proposed, as a result of the various pay awards or otherwise, a further report be brought to Cabinet for consideration.

The above decision has been made to comply with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve a revised Gateshead Home Adaptations Policy, which covers how adaptations support for housing is provided to disabled residents, in order to ensure fair, equitable and consistent treatment for all disabled people who require the Council’s assistance in adapting their home.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve the revised Gateshead Home Adaptions Policy, which includes the following changes to the Council’s existing Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) policy and to adopt it as part of the Council’s policy framework:

·         The removal of means tested contributions from clients for all applications relating to stair lifts.

·         The provision of discretionary assistance as a part of a DFG application on the terms and conditions highlighted within this report.

·         The provision of assistance to help relocation costs for disabled households where current homes are impractical to adapt.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(A)

The provision of both statutory and non-statutory assistance to enable the elderly, the disabled or other vulnerable groups to live independently and to improve their living conditions is a fundamental responsibility and underpins the Thrive agenda.

(B)

Providing support and assistance in a timely and appropriate manner is essential to ensure that individuals remain safe within their own homes and reduce potential further risk of falls and injury.

Consideration has been given to the review of the Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan for Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne 2010-2030.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the findings of the five year review report on Planning for the Future Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan for Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne 2010-2030 as set out in appendix 2 to the report be noted.

(ii)

That the review’s conclusions that the Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan for Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne 2010-2030 continues to be up to date for the purposes of managing development across Gateshead be approved.

(iii)

That the details of the review be published on the Council’s website; the Planning Inspectorate be informed of the review outcome; and that the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth and the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance, following consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, be given delegated authority to approve any minor changes to the review to reflect any new information, including any national guidance before it is published.

(iv)

That it be noted Newcastle City Council’s Cabinet considered a similar report on 16 March 2020.

The above decisions have been made to ensure the Council maintains an effective and up to date Local Plan which complies with national planning policy.  

Item withdrawn.

Consideration has been given to the outcome of phase one of the comprehensive review of the delivery model for the Council’s housing stock and to the development of a detailed business plan to implement the preferred option, subject to consultation with employees, trade unions, tenants and relevant stakeholders.

The alternative options to that being recommended, but which were discounted, included retaining the current arrangements with the Gateshead Housing Company managing and maintaining the housing stock; entering into a partnership or alternative shared arrangement with another organisation to provide a management and maintenance service and disposal of the Council’s housing stock to an external organisation. 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the proposal to develop a Vision and Business Plan to implement, the preferred option which is to re-integrate the management and maintenance of the housing stock into the Council be approved.

(ii)

That the commencement of consultations with employees, trade unions, tenants, leaseholders and relevant stakeholders on the preferred option to inform a final proposal be approved.

(iii)

That a further report on the detailed implications of the final proposal be submitted to Cabinet in due course.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To ensure the Council’s housing stock is managed, and housing services delivered, in the interests of the Council and its tenants as effectively and efficiently as possible.

(B)

To realise the Council’s policies and objectives in relation to the Housing Strategy in order to maintain and enhance Council Housing provision in Gateshead.

(C)

To assist in the delivery of the Council’s vision for Gateshead as set out in Making Gateshead a Place where Everyone Thrives.

Consideration has been given to the transfer out of the Council’s accounts of individual debts in excess of £500 relating to former tenant rent arrears and sundry account debts orders where all possible recovery action has been taken and the balances are now considered uncollectable.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the transfer of balances on 133 former tenant accounts, amounting to £215,063 and 31 sundry account debts totalling £30,303 be approved.

(ii)

That the action taken under delegated powers to transfer out of Council’s accounts the amounts deemed uncollectable be noted.

The above decisions have been made to ensure effective management of the Council’s resources as any further pursuit of these arrears is unlikely to result in significant sums being recovered and would be more effectively used to recover new debt.

Consideration has been given to the transfer out of the Council’s Accounts outstanding balances in excess of £500 from miscellaneous income accounts and Housing Benefits overpayments, where all possible recovery action has been taken and the balances are now considered to be uncollectable and to an update on the position on uncollectable debt on outstanding balances of less than £500.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the transfer of balances on 155 sundry debtor accounts, amounting to £351,145.69 and 153 Housing Benefits overpayment invoices totalling £186,933.77 be approved.

(ii)

That the action taken under delegated powers to transfer out of the Council’s accounts the identified amounts that are deemed uncollectable 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.

Consideration has been given to Felling Park Bowls Pavilion and bowling green being declared surplus to the Council’s requirements.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That Felling Park Bowls Pavilion and bowling green be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements.

(ii)

That the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth be authorised to grant a 35-year lease of the above property, at a nil rent pursuant to the Council’s Community Asset Transfer policy, to the Friends of Felling Park and Town Centre.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To manage resources and rationalise the Council’s assets in line with the Corporate Asset Strategy and Management Plan.

(B)

To realise savings identified through rationalisation of the bowling green portfolio as agreed by Cabinet (Minute No. C62 – 2017/18).

Consideration has been given to a temporary additional delegation to the Chief Executive, Strategic Directors and Service Directors.

RESOLVED -

That a temporary additional delegation be granted to the Chief Executive, all Strategic Directors, and in their absence the relevant Service Director, to deal with executive decisions that would normally be considered by the Cabinet,  to minimise the business to be transacted at meetings on the basis set out in the report associated with the ongoing Corona virus pandemic, following consultation with the Strategic Directors, Corporate Services and Governance and Resources and Digital and also the Leader and/or appropriate Cabinet Member(s) and the Leader of the Opposition.

The above decision has been made to ensure that the attendance of councillors and officers at Cabinet meetings is minimised to ensure the safety of councillors, officers and the public.

Consideration has been given to the nomination of local authority governors to schools in accordance with the School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations 2012.

The above decisions have been made to ensure the school governing bodies have 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 action taken on them be noted.

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

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 the proposals to extend the Gateshead District Energy Scheme and to install renewable water source heat pumps together with the proposal to accept a £4.136m grant from the Heat Network Investment Programme (HNIP).

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the acceptance of a £4.136m grant from the Heat Network Investment Programme be approved.

(ii)

That the approval of terms and conditions of the grant agreement be delegated to the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth, following consultation with Strategic Directors, Resources and Digital and Corporate Services and Governance.

(iii)

That further reports be submitted to Cabinet on scheme viability, costs and delivery, which are required if the scheme is to progress.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To support the Thrive agenda.

(B)

To continue to reduce energy costs for homes and buildings in Gateshead town centre.

(C)

To support the Council’s Climate Emergency, and targets of net zero emissions by 2030.

(D)

To continue to generate income and savings for the Council to support Council finances.