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Councillors and committees

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Blaydon Room - Civic Centre

Contact: Kevin Ingledew Email:  keviningledew@gateshead.gov.uk 

Items
No. Item

C98

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

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

 

C99

Minutes pdf icon PDF 321 KB

Cabinet is asked to approve as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting held on 16 November 2021.

Minutes:

The minutes of the last meeting held on 16 November 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

 

C100

North East Enhanced Partnership for Buses pdf icon PDF 307 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the progress towards the development of an Enhanced Partnership for buses in the North East and the Council’s potential role and responsibilities within that process.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the creation by the North East Joint Transport Committee of an Enhanced Partnership for the region in accordance with the National Bus Strategy be endorsed.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation & Growth, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environment & Transport, the Strategic Director, Corporate Services & Governance, the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment & Healthy Communities and the Strategic Director, Resources & Digital, be authorised to firstly negotiate and agree the draft Enhanced Partnership’s Plan and Scheme(s) insofar as they relate to the Council’s highway authority functions, which are to be the subject of a statutory consultation in accordance with the requirements of the Transport Act 2000 and secondly to negotiate and agree on behalf of the Council any amendments to the Enhanced Partnership’s Plan and Scheme(s) arising from the consultation.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

That the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation & Growth, following consultation with the Portfolio holder for Environment & Transport, the Strategic Director, Corporate Services & Governance, the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment & Healthy Communities and the Strategic Director, Resources & Digital, be authorised to enter into an Enhanced Partnership Plan and Scheme(s) on behalf of the Council and to take all other steps necessary to implement these proposals.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made to enable the implementation of a regional Enhanced Partnership in support of the North East Transport Plan and the Council’s policy objectives. 

 

C101

Local Transport Plan: Capital Programme Mid-Year Update (December 2021) pdf icon PDF 797 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

 

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to an update on the Local Transport Plan Capital Programme, which provides a summary of the progress that has been made and any changes to the programme that have occurred as it stands at the end of Quarter 2 and to the indicative programmes for integrated transport and maintenance schemes scheduled for 2022/23.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the revised programme for 2021/22 as set out in Appendices A and B to the report be approved, noting that there may be a need to review these as the year progresses in line with available resources.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the Service Director, Highways and Waste, be authorised to award the relevant works under the terms of the Highways, Drainage and Street Lighting Maintenance Contract.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

That the Service Director, Climate Change, Compliance, Planning and Transport be authorised to make changes to the approved programme, following consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, as and when the need arises.

 

 

 

 

(iv)

That the indicative integrated transport and maintenance programmes for 2022/23 as set out in Appendices D and E to the report be approved as a basis for future planning.

 

 

 

 

(v)

That the expenditure in excess of £250,000 to undertake the principal inspection of Gateshead Viaduct be approved.

 

 

 

 

(vi)

That the Service Director, Highways and Waste be authorised to procure the principal inspection of Gateshead Viaduct through the existing procurement frameworks in place.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made to enable the design and implementation of transport schemes in support of the North East Transport Plan and the Council’s policy objectives. 

 

C102

Community Renewal Fund pdf icon PDF 394 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the outcome of the Council’s submission of a shortlist of bids to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC) seeking funding under the Community Renewal Fund.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the outcome of the Council’s submission of a shortlist of bids to DLUHC, whereby the following four bids were allocated Community Renewal funding totalling £2,184,800 be noted.

 

 

 

 

 

·        Gateshead Riverside Partnership - £550,000

 

 

·        Future You - £733,937

 

 

·        Immex City - £732,473

 

 

·        Future Markets Accelerator Programme - £128,247

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the Strategic Director Economy Innovation & Growth, following consultation with the Strategic Director, Resources & Digital and Strategic Director, Corporate Services & Governance be authorised to agree the terms of a resulting contract with DLUHC and ‘pass down’ contracts with successful bidders.     

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To enable access to monies from the Community Renewal Fund to benefit local residents and businesses.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To pursue opportunities to influence the Shared Prosperity Fund.

 

 

 

 

(C)

To enable successful bidders to deliver activity in Gateshead that will contribute to local priorities.

 

C103

Northumbria Groundwater Flooding Project pdf icon PDF 172 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

 

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the award of a Department of Food and Rural Affairs grant under the Flood and Coastal Resilience Innovation Programme, to the Council in its capacity as a Lead Local Flood Authority, to work in partnership to map groundwater flood risk, to develop groundwater flood risk maps and to consider a groundwater flood risk warning system for Gateshead and the surrounding area. 

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That acceptance of the grant as detailed in the report be approved

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That approval be given for the Council’s Highway and Flood Risk Management Team, who undertake the Council’s Lead Local Flood Authority duties, to manage the project.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To map groundwater flood risk in Gateshead.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To inform future flood risk management schemes, to inform strategic planning and development policy and to mitigate against climate change groundwater flood risk.

 

C104

Gambling Statement of Principles 2022–2025 pdf icon PDF 389 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve a Gambling Statement of Principles for 2022 – 2025 in accordance with the Gambling Act 2005.  

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the Council be recommended to approve the adoption and publication of the Gambling Statement of Principles, covering the period 2022 to 2025, as set out in Appendix 4 to the report, in accordance with the requirements of the Gambling Act 2005.

 

 

 

The above decision has been made to ensure that the Council’s functions under the Gambling Act 2005 can be discharged effectively. 

 

C105

Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 359 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to recommending Council to approve a Local Council Tax Support Scheme for 2022/23.

 

 

 

The alternative option to that being recommended, but which was discounted, included the adoption of a scheme, which offers less support by increasing the minimum contribution or more support to residents, by increasing at a greater rate the Council’s commitment of resources.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the Council be recommended to:

 

 

 

 

(i)

Approve the proposed Local Council Tax Support Scheme as set out in the report.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Delegate powers to the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital to provide regulations to give effect to the scheme.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To meet the statutory requirements of the Local Government Finance Act 2012 in relation the establishment of a framework for Localised Council Tax Support.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To mitigate the impact of Welfare Reform changes and the impacts of Covid on Council Tax support claimants.

 

 

 

 

(C)

To mitigate the impact of funding reductions on Council finances.

 

 

 

 

(D)

To support the Council’s “Thrive” agenda.

 

C106

Budget Approach 2022/23 to 2024/25 pdf icon PDF 456 KB

Report of the Chief Executive and Strategic Director, Resources & Digital

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the Council’s approach to budget 2022/23 to 2024/25, including a timeline that will support the delivery of the Council’s thrive priority objectives and also meet the increasing financial challenges outlined in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the budget approach 2022/23 to 2024/25, as set out in the report be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That update reports be submitted to Cabinet as work progresses and options to deliver Council Thrive priority objectives and a sustainable financial position are developed.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To contribute to the good financial management practice of the Council.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To assist the financial sustainability of the Council over the medium to long term.

 

 

 

 

(C)

To support delivery of Council Thrive objectives.

 

C107

Health and Wellbeing Group Review - Leisure Services Public Consultation

Report of the Director of Public Health

Minutes:

Item deferred.

 

C108

Response to Consultation - Local Nature Recovery Strategies 2021 pdf icon PDF 576 KB

Report of the Chief Executive

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to a response to a recent consultation.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the response to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs consultation on the implementation of Local Nature Recovery Strategies in England, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report be approved.

 

 

 

The above decision has been made to enable the Council to contribute a response to the consultations and have its views considered.

 

C109

Infrastructure Funding Statement pdf icon PDF 402 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

 

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the publication of the Council’s Infrastructure Funding Statement.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the Infrastructure Funding Statement, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report be approved for publication on the Council’s website before the end of December 2021.

 

 

 

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To comply with Community Infrastructure Levy Regulations.

 

 

 

 

(B)

To continue to ensure that developer contributions received are published and spent in a transparent manner.

 

C110

Highway Asset Management Plan Update pdf icon PDF 208 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

 

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the annual update of the Highway Asset Management Plan 2018-30, which provides the latest performance information and details of progress with key targets in the plan.   

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

 

That the annual update of the Highway Asset Management Plan and updated targets for 2018 to 2030 be approved.

 

 

 

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

To maximise investment in the local transport network. 

 

 

 

 

(B)

To provide the basis for improved management and maintenance of Gateshead’s highway network and to ensure the effective use of resources.

 

 

 

 

(C)

To maximise external funding streams awarded to authorities who carry out effective highway management.

 

C111

Surplus Declarations pdf icon PDF 281 KB

Report of the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to declaring a number of properties surplus to the Council’s requirements and future proposals for the properties.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That in respect of Birtley Town Bowling Green and Pavilion, Durham Road, Birtley:

 

 

 

 

 

a)

The property be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements; and

 

 

 

 

 

b)

The Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance be authorised to grant a 35-year lease of the property as edged black in the plan attached to the report, at a nil rent, pursuant to the Council’s Community Asset Transfer policy, to the Trustees of Birtley Town Community Bowling Club Community Interest Organisation.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That in respect of Ferndene Park Bowling Green and Pavilion, Main Road, Ryton:   

 

 

 

 

 

a)

The property be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements; and

 

 

 

 

 

b)

The Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance be authorised to grant a 35-year lease of the property as edged black in the plan attached to the report, at a nil rent, pursuant to the Council’s Community Asset Transfer policy, to the Trustees of Brighten Ryton.

 

 

 

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).

 

C112

Exclusion of the Press and Public

The Cabinet may wish to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following item(s) on the grounds indicated:

 

Item                                                     Paragraph of Schedule 12A to the Local                                                                   Government Act 1972

 

16                                                        3

17                                                        2

18                                                        3

Minutes:

RESOLVED -

 

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remaining items in accordance with paragraphs 2 and 3 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

 

C113

Gateshead Trading Company Update and Impact of Covid 19

Report of the Strategic Directors, Resources & Digital and Corporate Services & Governance

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the impact of Covid-19 on Gateshead Trading Company and to the allocation of a grant to mitigate the financial impact of the pandemic on the Company.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the activities of Gateshead Trading Company be noted.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the allocation of Covid-19 grant for a maximum value of the amount set out in the report, to Gateshead Trading Company, to mitigate the additional unforeseen financial impact of the pandemic be approved.

 

 

 

The above decision has 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.

 

C114

Review of Quality Assurance and Commissioning (Gateshead System) Service

Report of the Strategic Director, Children, Adults and Families

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to the reorganisation of the Quality Assurance and Commissioning (Gateshead System) Service into an integrated place-based service with health partners.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the new reorganised structure and job roles for the Quality Assurance and Commissioning (Gateshead System) service as set out in the report, with effect from 1 January 2022 be approved.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That the use of the recruitment and selection policy to recruit into new posts within the structure be endorsed.

 

 

 

 

(iii)

That the Strategic Director, Children, Adults and Families be given delegated authority to enter into such funding agreements (such as S256, S75 and S76 Agreements under the NHS Act 2006) as may be required, following consultation with the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital and the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance in order to progress the aspirations for integrated health and care set out in the report and that any delegations to other officers will be incorporated within those agreements as required.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made because the decisions represent the most effective means of the Council achieving the outcomes and delivery of a quality service for Quality Assurance and Commissioning, to support our statutory duties for health and social care and the Thrive agenda.

 

C115

Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Digital Support Fund

Report of the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment & Healthy Communities and Director of Public Health

Minutes:

Consideration has been given to an increase in the funding for the VCSE Digital Support Fund to that previously agreed by Cabinet on 14 September 2021 (Minute C65), which will provide the opportunity for digital transformation for VCSE agencies and their beneficiaries.

 

 

 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the funding of the VCSE Digital Support Fund be increased by the amount set out in report.

 

 

 

 

(ii)

That additional investment be used to support the digital transformation element of the fund.

 

 

 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

 

 

 

 

(A)

Gateshead has a long history of recognising the significant contribution of the VCSE in delivering many benefits for Gateshead people; enabling VCSE activity is key to maximising our collective impact for the benefit of Gateshead residents.

 

 

 

 

(B)

The digital transformation of VCSE agencies and their beneficiaries supports many of the Council’s policy objectives.

 

 

 

 

(C)

This proposal has been developed in consultation with Connected Voice and builds on intelligence they gathered during a recent Digital Sprint.

 

 

 

 

(D)

The coronavirus pandemic has intensified the digital divide for our residents and for some of our VCSE agencies.  If we do not address this there’s a risk some agencies will be left behind and unable to reach their full potential both in terms of their organisational growth and sustainability but also reducing potential their impact in the very communities the Council seeks to support.

 

 

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