Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the last meeting held on 14 July 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Consideration has been given to the latest position on the 2020/21 capital programme and prudential Indicators at the end of the first quarter to 30 June 2020.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Council be recommended to agree all variations to the 2020/21 Capital Programme as detailed in appendix 2 to the report as the revised programme.

(ii)

That the financing of the revised programme be recommended to Council for approval.

(iii)

That the Council be recommended to note that Cabinet confirms that 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 2020/21 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 2020/21.

(B)

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

(C)

To ensure performance has been assessed against the approved Prudential Limits.

Consideration has been given to the latest position on the 2020/21 revenue budget at the end of the first quarter, including impacts of the global pandemic.

RESOLVED -

(i)

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

(ii)

That the Council be recommended to approve an amendment to the net revenue budget for 2020/21 from £220.761m to £238.071m as presented in appendix 2 to the report, to account for the additional better care, public health and COVID emergency grant funding. 

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

Consideration has been given to the new Housing Delivery Test Action Plan.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the content of the Action Plan as set out in appendix 2 to the report be approved.

(ii)

That the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth, following consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member, be authorised to make any minor changes to the Action Plan and 

publish the Action Plan and submit it to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) if necessary.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To increase the amount of new housing delivered in the Borough to meet Local Housing Need and in line with the Core Strategy.

(B)

To publish an action plan in accordance with paragraph 75 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Consideration has been given to the proposed school term dates for 2021/22.

RESOLVED -

That the school term dates for 2021/22 as set out in appendix 2 to the report be approved.

The above decision has been made to allow future planning to take place and to make effective and efficient use of resources.

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

RESOLVED -

That the nominations for appointment of local authority governors to the schools listed below, for a four year period, as determined by the Schools’ Instrument of Government, from the date indicated be approved.

School                        Nomination                Date From

Kelvin Grove               Councillor R Waugh       06.11.2020

Primary School

Ryton Infant and         Councillor A Geddis        09.11.2020

Junior Schools

Federation

The above decisions have been made to ensure the school governing bodies have full membership.

Consideration has been given to the proposal for the Council to offer veterans a guaranteed interview where they meet the essential criteria for a post and also to the proposal to provide uniformed Adult Cadet Forces Volunteers for the Army Cadet Force, Sea Cadet Corps and Air Training Corps two weeks paid leave to attend their annual summer training camp.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Council offering veterans a guaranteed interview scheme where they meet the essential criteria for a post be approved.

(ii)

That the Council providing uniformed Adult Cadet Forces Volunteers for the Army Cadet Force, Sea Cadet Corps and Air Training Corps with two weeks paid leave to attend their annual summer training camps be approved.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To support the delivery of the Armed Forces Covenant in Gateshead.

(B)

To support the Thrive Agenda and the aims of the new Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Consideration has been given to an appointment of a member to the Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums Strategic Board.

RESOLVED -

That Councillor L Kirton be appointed to the “rotating member” position on the Tyne and Wear Archives and Museums Strategic Board for the period up to 31 August 2021.

The above decision has been made to ensure that the Council has full representation on the Strategic Board.

Consideration has been given to an update on the current trading activity undertaken through subsidiaries wholly owned by the Council for the period 2019/20. 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That company activity to date including the contribution to Council Thrive priorities is noted.

(ii)

That the entering into a settlement with Gateshead Trading Company for the additional costs in respect of the former Derwentside APU (Woodhouse Mews) housing development, as set out in the report be approved.

(iii)

That a further annual report be submitted to Cabinet in 2021 covering the 2020-21 performance of the Council’s wholly owned trading companies.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To contribute to the sound governance, operational and financial management of the Council’s wholly owned subsidiary companies.

(B)

To support the delivery of homes in Gateshead, including affordable, which contribute to achievement of Thrive priorities.

(C)

To assist effective financial and performance oversight and awareness of all Council activity, regardless of delivery model.