Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence have been received from Councillors M Gannon and B Oliphant.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 24 May 2022 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the introduction of a Shared Ownership Policy in accordance with Homes England’s Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme to underpin the delivery of new affordable Homes in the Borough.

The alternative option to that being recommended, but which was discounted, included withdrawing from the Homes England grant agreement and instead deliver the homes under a general needs’ affordable tenure.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve the Shared Ownership Policy as set out in appendix 2 to the report.

The above decision has been made to support the new houses being developed at Whitley Court, Wrekenton, as well as any future homes, which the Council wishes to make available for Shared Ownership.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to note the 2021/22 Capital Programme Outturn and approve the financing of the programme.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Council be recommended to note the Capital Outturn position for 2021/22.

(ii)

That the Council be recommended to approve the financing of the programme.

(iii)

That it be confirmed to Council that none of the approved Prudential Indicators set for 2021/22 have been breached.

The above decisions have been made to ensure performance has been assessed against approved Prudential Limits.

Consideration has been given to the provisional outturn position on the 2021/22 revenue budget which is subject to external audit. 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Council’s 2021/22 revenue outturn position as an underspend of £0.4 million, subject to external audit be noted.

(ii)

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

(iii)

That the Council be recommended to approve the appropriations to and from reserves as set out in the report.

(iv)

That the outcome of a review of Council reserves as set out in this report and appendices be noted.

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 Adult Social Care Service Annual Report on Service Complaints, Compliments and Representations for the period April 2021 to March 2022.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Annual Report as set out in appendix 2 to the report be endorsed.

(ii)

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

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(i)

It is a statutory requirement (Adults Social Care Statutory Complaints Procedure 2009) that the report is considered by a formal committee.

(ii)

To ensure member involvement in the statutory complaints procedure.

Consideration has been given to the Children and Families Service Annual Report on Complaints, Compliments and Representations for the period 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Annual Report as set out in appendix 2 to the report be endorsed.

(ii)

That the report 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 (Children’s Social Care Statutory Complaints Procedure 2006) that the report is considered by a formal committee.

(B)

To improve practice and the offer to children and families.

Consideration has been given to the proposal to change the electricity supplier for residents at Barford and Stretford Courts, from the Council to a new Special Purpose Vehicle and to associated agreements that will be necessary to facilitate this change.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the transfer the Council’s power customers to a new Special Purpose Vehicle, owned and operated by Emergent Limited be approved.

(ii)

That the entering into contracts and granting of leases to the Special Purpose Vehicle for the relevant property and equipment necessary for the operation and supply of electricity to residents be approved.

(iii)

That the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance be authorised to agree the final terms of contracts and lease agreements between the Council and the Special Purpose Vehicle.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To comply with electricity supply agreements in place with customers.

(B)

To ensure the HEIGHTs scheme recovers its operating costs over its lifetime.

(C)

To ensure HEIGHTs customers continue to pay fair and below market prices for their electricity. 

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 range of measures to achieve an overall improvement in the repairs and maintenance service over the next 12 months.  

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the range of measures now underway to improve the repairs and maintenance service, and ultimately improve customer satisfaction with the service, as set out in the report be supported.

(ii)

That the planned reduction in General Fund income of approximately £0.800m per annum during this and the next two financial years be noted.

(iii)

That a review of all Housing Revenue Account (HRA) related Service Level Agreements and recharges be approved.

(iv)

That the programme of work such as it relates to the Council’s workforce and the exercise of delegated powers by the Strategic Director, Corporate Services & Governance to agree necessary actions as set out in the report, be endorsed.

(v)

That the commencement of consultation and negotiation with the recognised Trade Unions on the Joint Local Agreement (JLA) for Trades employees as set out in the report, be approved.

(vi)

That it be noted any agreed changes to the JLA, as negotiated with the recognised Trade Unions, will be presented to Cabinet and Council for approval in September 2022 or, if sufficient progress on all elements of the JLA is made, an update report will be presented to Cabinet and Council in July, with a request for earlier implementation to be agreed.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To significantly improve, at pace, the repairs and maintenance service and ultimately improve customer satisfaction.

(B)

To ensure a balanced and sustainable HRA, and to increase expenditure on a service that is the most important to tenants and leaseholders.

(C)

To ensure the Council complies with the regulatory standards as required by the Regulator of Social Housing.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the increase in annual leave entitlement for new entrants and those achieving five years’ service.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve the implementation of the annual leave proposal as set out in the report.

The above decision has been made to ensure the Council takes action to address its ability to attract, recruit and remain competitive in the labour market.