Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor M Gannon.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 14 December 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve a revised Senior Management Structure, resulting in the separation of the current Children, Adults and Families Group to establish two new service groups, namely; Integrated Adults’ and Social Care Services and Children’s Social Care and Lifelong Learning.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to:

(i)

Approve the amendments to the organisation structure as detailed in this report with an implementation date of 1^st April 2022.

(ii)

Authorise the Chief Executive to approve the final salary grades of Service Director roles, within the Council’s current pay policy framework and grading structure, taking into consideration advice from the Local Government Association (LGA), following the application of the LGA job evaluation scheme.

(iii)

Authorise the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance to make such changes to the Council’s Constitution he deems necessary, as a consequence of the changes so approved.

(iv)

Authorise the Chief Executive to determine appropriate interim arrangements as necessary to cover any vacancies which might arise in respect of either of the new posts.

The above decisions have been made to enable continued improvement in the co-ordination of Council functions, the organisation of its employees, and to enable Council services to focus on delivery of the Thrive agenda in a more efficient and effective way, embracing the Public Service Reform principles.

Consideration has been given to firstly recommending the Council to approve the new Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and include it as part of the Council’s Policy Framework and secondly an update on progress with the reviews of homelessness and allocations, including next steps and a proposal to develop a new Gateshead allocations 'marketplace'.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Council be recommended to approve the Gateshead Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy and Homelessness Charter and for the Strategy to be included as part of the Council’s policy framework.

(ii)

That the completion of a joint homelessness and allocations review be approved, which will include delivery of the following outcomes/milestones:

·        a new ‘Gateshead Model’ for allocations, which will include a ‘marketplace’ and a homelessness ‘gateway’ to accommodation and support; and

·        remodelling and recommissioning allocations and homelessness pathways, processes, systems and services to better meet customer need and demand.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To ensure the Council takes appropriate action to prevent and end homelessness, in all forms in Gateshead.

(B)

To deliver upon the aims set out in our Health and Wellbeing Strategy ‘Good jobs, homes, health and friends’ and our strategic approach of ‘Making Gateshead a place where everyone thrives’.

(C)

To ensure services and pathways best meet the needs of our customers and deliver more efficient ways of working.

(D)

To ensure we are meeting all related statutory and regulatory requirements.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve a number of amendments to the Constitution.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve the proposed amendments to the Council’s Constitution as set out in appendix 2 to the report.

The above decision has been made to ensure that the Constitution remains fit for purpose and that its aims and principles are given effect.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the proposed calendar of meetings for 2022/23.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to:

(i)

approve the calendar of meetings for 2022/23 as set out in appendix 2 to the report;

(ii)

agree that, as far as possible, meetings should not be held during school holidays; and

(iii)

authorise the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance, following consultation with the appropriate Chairs, to make any necessary amendments to the calendar of meetings.

The above decision has been made to assist in the preparation of the Cabinet’s schedule of decisions and to allow councillors and officers to plan commitments in their diaries.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the proposed rent changes from 4 April 2022, in line with the Government’s rent setting policy and the detailed proposals for the 2022/23 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) service charges.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve:

(i)

The 4.1% rent increase from 4 April 2022 as set out in appendix 2 to the report; and

(ii)

The HRA service charges as set out in appendix 3 to the report.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To contribute towards setting a Housing Revenue Account for 2022/23 that is not in debit as required under the Local Government and Housing Act1989 (Part VI).

(B)

To realise the Council’s policies and objectives in relation to the Housing Strategy 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 latest position on the 2021/22 Capital Programme and Prudential Indicators at the end of the third quarter to 31 December 2021.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Council be recommended to approve the revision to the 2021/22 Capital Programme as detailed in the report and appendix 2 as the revised programme.

(ii)

That the Council be recommended to agree the financing of the revised Capital Programme.

(iii)

That it be confirmed to Council the capital expenditure and capital financing requirement indicators have been revised in line with the revised budget and that none of the approved Prudential Indicators set for 2021/22 have been breached.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To ensure the optimum use of the Council’s capital resources in 2021/22.

(B)

To accommodate changes to the Council’s in-year capital expenditure plans.

(C)

To ensure performance has been assessed against approved Prudential Limits.

Consideration has been given to the latest monitoring position on the 2021/22 revenue budget at the end of the third quarter, including impacts of the global pandemic.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Council’s revenue expenditure position at the end of the third quarter, as set out in appendices 1 and 2 be noted.

(ii)

That the budget virements as set out in the report be approved.

The above decisions have been made to contribute to sound financial management and the long-term financial sustainability of the Council.

Consideration has been given to the council tax base for 2022/23 for the Parish of Lamesley and the whole of the Borough of Gateshead and to the Business Rate forecast for 2022/23.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That it be approved pursuant to this report and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992, as amended by Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment)(England) Regulations 2012 the amount calculated by Gateshead Council as its council tax base for the year 2022/23 be confirmed as 52,660.9.

(ii)

That pursuant to this report and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992, as amended by Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (Amendment)(England) Regulations 2012 the amount calculated as being the Parish Council of Lamesley’s council tax base for the year 2022/23 be confirmed as 1,214.1.

(iii)

That the business rates forecast for 2022/23 be confirmed as £43.114 million.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To assist the Council in its financial planning and budget setting.

(B)

To set a council tax base and a business rates forecast for 2022/23 in accordance with statutory requirements.

Consideration has been given to proposed next steps, including further consultation on future Leisure Services in Gateshead, as part of the review of the Public Health and Wellbeing Service and to a proposed timeline of activity.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the following next steps be approved:

·        Implementation of a range of short-term actions to stabilise current service provision as soon as possible to improve quality and efficiency, while improving outcomes for residents.

·        Reviewing each individual centre and its costs.

·        Continued consultation with the public on their preferred use of available leisure time and their current use of facilities.

·        Informal consultation with employees on potential future provision.

·        Exploring all options for future operating models.

(ii)

That the timeline for the above actions as set out in appendix 2 to the report be approved.

The above decisions have been made to inform the future provision of Leisure Services in Gateshead. 

Consideration has been given to proposed public consultation on the Exemplar Neighbourhood Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and masterplan.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That a six week public consultation on the SPD and masterplan (and any subsequent consultation) be approved.

(ii)

That the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation & Growth, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, be authorised to make any amendments to the SPD and masterplan, following the public consultation.

(iii)

That a further report be submitted to Cabinet following the consultation, recommending Council approval and adoption of the final version of the SPD and masterplan.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To comply with the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 and the Council’s SCI and to ensure consistency with consultation on previous SPDs.

(B)

To ensure that new development and infrastructure for the Exemplar Neighbourhood comes forward in a comprehensive and coordinated way and to provide further guidance on current Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan policies relating to the site.

Consideration has been given to the Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) (1995) Report 2021.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) Report 2021, as set out in appendix 2 to the report be approved.

(ii)

That the HECA Report be submitted to the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) prior to 28^th February 2022 deadline.

(iii)

That publication of the HECA Report on the Council’s website be approved.

(iv)

That an update report be submitted to Cabinet in March 2023.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To meet the Council’s statutory obligations under HECA (1995).

(B)

To continue improving the energy efficiency of both housing and non- domestic buildings in Gateshead.

(C)

To reduce C02 emissions from the domestic sector. 

Consideration has been given to the Corporate Complaints and Compliments Procedure Annual Report 2020/21, which provides an analysis of the compliments and Step 3 complaints recorded by the Council during this period. 

RESOLVED -

That the Corporate Complaints and Compliments Procedure Annual Report 2020/21 be approved.

The above decision has been made to have an effective and timely complaints and compliments procedure.       

Consideration has been given to the Annual Reports for April 2019 - March 2020 and for April 2020 - March 2021, which relate to the Adults Social Care Statutory Complaints Procedure 2009.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Annual Reports on Complaints, Compliments and Representations for 2019/20 and 2020/21 as set out in the appendices to the report be endorsed.

(ii)

That the Annual Reports be referred to the Care, Health & Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committeefor consideration.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

It is a statutory requirement that the report is considered by a formal committee.

(B)

To ensure member involvement in the statutory complaints procedure.

Consideration has been given to the Annual Reports for 2019/20 and for 2020/21, which relate to the Children’s Social Care Service Statutory Complaints Procedure 2006.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Annual Reports on Children’s Services Complaints, Compliments and Representations for 2019/20 and 2020/21, as set out in the appendices to the report be endorsed.

(ii)

That the Annual Reports be referred to the Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

It is a statutory requirement that the report is considered by a formal committee.

(B)

To ensure member involvement in the statutory procedure.

(B)

To improve practice and the offer to children and families.

Consideration has been given to nominations of local authority school governors.

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

Kingsmeadow Community Comprehensive

Councillor G Haley

16.03.22

Oakfield Federation

Mr L Milne

01.04.22

The above decision has been made to ensure the governing bodies have full membership.

(Councillor Haley declared a personal and non-pecuniary interest in the above matter and withdrew from the meeting whilst the matter was under consideration).

RESOLVED -

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

Consideration has been given to enteringinto a loanfacility with   North Music Trust (NMT)to supportthe installation of a new fire alarm system.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the provisionof a loanfacility of the amount set out in the report to North Music Trust be approved.

(ii)

That the Strategic Director,Resources and Digital be authorised to finalise the loan agreement termswith North Music Trust.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To maintain the use by the public of a cultural facility for the Borough.

(B)

Tosupport theuse of the facility as part of the delivery of the Gateshead Quays Conferences and maintain income in line with the business plan.