Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the meetings held on 20 December 2022 and 17 January 2023 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Consideration has been given to an update of the work carried out to review Leisure Services and to an overview of the outcomes of the comprehensive consultation process that was conducted between 2 November and 20 December.

Representations were heard and questions responded to from campaigners against the Review proposals.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That public consultation to inform the review be re-opened for a period of at least three months, during which any new representations will be invited, particularly from the Birtley and Lamesley community and users of Birtley Swimming Centre.

(ii)

That over this period the viability of the potential to transfer the management of any of Dunston Leisure Centre, Gateshead Leisure Centre, Birtley Sports Hall and Birtley Swimming Centre on a Community Asset Transfer basis will be explored.

(iii)

That a further report be submitted to Cabinet following this further period of consultation with the final outcome of the Review, including any proposals for Community Asset Transfer of one or more of the facilities referred to at (ii) above.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To enable additional views of residents/stakeholders, particularly in the Birtley and Lamesley area, to be considered in light of the proposal for Birtley Swimming Centre, which emerged from the consultation and further evaluation and assessment process undertaken between November and January.

(B)

To enable time for discussions on Community Asset Transfers to progress and viability to be determined.

Consideration has been given to the proposal to commence an options appraisal on the Gateshead International Stadium.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the commencement of an options appraisal on the Gateshead International Stadium be approved.

(ii)

That a further report be submitted to Cabinet in July 2023 following the options appraisal.

The above decisions have been made to provide Cabinet with options to consider.

Consideration has been given to the council tax base for 2023/24 for the Parish of Lamesley and the whole of the Borough of Gateshead and to the Business Rate forecast for 2023/24.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That pursuant to the 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 2023/24 shall be 53,354.9.

(ii)

That pursuant to the 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 2023/24 shall be 1,197.4.

(iii)

That the business rates forecast for 2023/24 is £38.651 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 2023/24 in accordance with statutory requirements.

Consideration has been given to the six month 2022/23 assessment of performance against the Council’s Performance Management and Improvement Framework (PMIF) along with the recommendations made by Overview and Scrutiny Committees for improvement.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the 2022/23 six-month performance report as set out in  appendix 2 to the report be approved.

(ii)

That the key discussions from the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees as set out in paragraph 8 of appendix 1 and in the minutes at appendix 3 to the report be noted.

(iii)

That the proposed changes to the agreed measures as set out in paragraph 9 of appendix 1 to the report be approved.

The above decisions have been made to ensure performance supports the delivery and achievements of Making Gateshead a Place Where Everyone Thrives.

Consideration has been given to the publication of the Annex A and Annex B reports, which were required for the Market Sustainability and Fair Cost of Care submission to the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

RESOLVED -

That the publication of Annex A (appendix 2 to the report) and Annex B reports for Domiciliary Care (appendix 3 to the report) and Care Homes (appendix 4 to the report) on the Council’s website be approved.

The above decision has been made to ensure the Council complies with the DHSC Market Sustainability and Fair Cost of Care grant conditions.

Consideration has been given to a decision taken under delegated powers, to submit a bid to the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, on the grounds of urgency, due to bid submission timescales.

RESOLVED -

That the action taken by the Strategic Directors, Resources & Digital and Housing, Environment & Healthy Communities in submitting the bid to the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, as set out in the report, on the grounds of urgency, in accordance with Schedule 5, Part 2 General Delegations to Managers, Paragraph (4) (e) of the Council’s Constitution be noted.

The above decision has been made to support Gateshead’s commitment to work towards a Net Zero Carbon future and to maintain the social housing stock in line with the Decent Homes Standard.

Consideration has been given to the annual update of the highway asset management plan (HAMP) 2018-30, which provides the latest performance information and details of progress with key targets in the plan.

RESOLVED -

That the updated HAMP targets 2018 to 2030 as set out in appendix 3 to the report be approved.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To optimise 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 highway authorities who carry out effective highway management.

(D)

To introduce measures to reduce carbon production in highway maintenance materials and operational maintenance procedures.

Consideration has been given to the updated Local List of Heritage Assets for Gateshead.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the updated Local List of Heritage Assets for Gateshead be approved.

(ii)

That the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport be authorised to update the Local List when necessary.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To ensure that the Local List is updated in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), Local Plan and best practice guidance.

(B)

So that the Local List can continue to be kept as up to date as possible in the public interest.

Consideration has been given to the nomination of a Local Authority School Governor to Furrowfield School.

RESOLVED -

That Councillor Kathleen McCartney be nominated as a Local Authority Governor to Furrowfield School for a period of four years with effect from 29 March 2023, as stipulated by the School’s Instrument of Government.

The above decision has been made to ensure the School Governing Body has full membership.

Consideration has been given to the Council’s draft submission to the Commission on Part One of its review of Gateshead Council (Council Size).

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to:

(i)

Agree the recommendation of the draft Submission in terms of Council size remaining the same at 66 Councillors, across 22 wards.

(ii)

Note the content of the Submission and the accompanying appendices.

(iii)

Agree that the Chief Executive, following consultation with the Leader of the Council, may make any amendments to the draft Submission deemed appropriate prior to it being filed with the Commission on 17 February 2023.

The above decision has been made because it is a periodic review undertaken by the Commission that the Council must partake in with a requirement for the Submission to be filed on 17 February 2023.

Consideration has been given to the proposed calendar of meetings for 2023/24.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to:

(i)

approve the calendar of meetings for 2023/24;

(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 decisions have 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 the latest monitoring position on the 2022/23 revenue budget at the end of the third quarter.

RESOLVED -

(i)

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

(ii)

That the Council be recommended to approve a budget virement into contingency as set out in the report.

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 latest position on the 2022/23 Capital Programme and Prudential Indicators at the end of the third quarter to 31 December 2022.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Council be recommended to approve the revision to the Capital Programme as set out in the report.

(ii)

That the Council be recommended to approve the financing of the revised programme as set out in the report.

(iii)

That it be confirmed to the Council 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 2022/23 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 2022/23.

(B)

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

(C)

To ensure performance has been assessed against approved Prudential Limits.

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 urgent decision taken on the 20 December 2022 to change the terms of the Freight Site Business Plan to allow the freehold transfer of the former Freight Depot to Gateshead Regeneration LLP (GRP) as agreed by Cabinet on the 14 September 2021.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the urgent decision taken on the 20 December 2022 by the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital to change the terms of the Freight Site Business Plan to allow the freehold transfer of the former Freight Depot to Gateshead Regeneration LLP (GRP) in accordance with Schedule 5, Part 2 General Delegations to Managers, Paragraph (4) (e) of the Council’s Constitution; and as previously agreed by Cabinet be noted.

(ii)

That the transfer of the freehold interest in the Freight Depot site in accordance with the Agreement for Sale to the GRP for the provision of new homes be noted.

(iii)

That the changes in the Homes England Local Authority Accelerated ConstructionGrant allocation, and the impact on the Capital Injection Agreements, now totalling the amount set out in the report, of which the Council contribution remains at the amount set out in the report be noted.

(iv)

That the changes to the distribution of profit and the terms of the distribution of super-profit to the Council as set out in the report be noted.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To support the delivery of 270 homes on the Freight Depot site.

(B)

It secures delivery of the site, overcoming significant viability and delivery challenges.

(C)

The Council is not putting funds in to close the additional viability gap.

(D)

The Council is still receiving an equal share of the profit after priority return, up to the profit required to meet the hurdle rates.

(E)

It will allow the site transfer to proceed, which will secure the private rented sector provider Sigma, via a contract with GRP.

Consideration has been given to an update on the current trading activity undertaken through subsidiaries wholly owned by the Council for the period 2021/22 and where available activity in 2022/23.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the report outlining company activity to date including the contribution to Council Thrive priorities as set out in appendix 1 and financial performance at appendices 2-4 to the report be noted.

(ii)

That a review of each of the Council’s wholly owned trading companies to determine their future operations and requirements be approved.

(iii)

That a further annual report be submitted to Cabinet covering the 2022-23 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 achievement of Thrive priorities through the Council’s trading companies.

(C)

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