Agenda and draft minutes

An apology for absence has been received from Councillor G Haley.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 20 June 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Consideration has been given to progress with plans for the Tyne Bridge restoration and major maintenance scheme and the submission of a full business case to government for the requisite funding to enable the scheme to proceed.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the submission of the Full Business Case by Newcastle City Council as Highways Authority for the Bridge, to the Department for Transport (DfT) be noted.

(ii)

That the allocation of the Council’s proportion of local funding contribution to the Tyne Bridge element required above the capped DfT amount, from the existing Highways Maintenance Block funding allocation from the DfT during 2023/24 and then from subsequent maintenance funding allocations be noted.

(iii)

That the commencement of the preliminary works in September 2023, prior to approval of the Full Business Case by DfT be noted.

The above decisions have been made to carry out works that are essential to maintain the Tyne Bridge so it is safe to use and fit for purpose and secure the long-term availability of the Tyne Bridge for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles without the need to impose weight or lane restrictions.

Consideration has been given to the Better Care Fund submission for 2023-25.

RESOLVED -

That the 2023-25 Better Care Fund submission for Gateshead as set out in appendix 1 to the report be endorsed.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To enable the Council, working with local partners to take forward the 2023-25 Better Care Fund plan for Gateshead to support integrated health and care for the benefit of local people.

(B)

To help ensure that the health and care economy is sustainable for the future and is in a position to respond to demographic and funding pressures across the system.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the Annual Youth Justice Strategic Plan for 2023-2024.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve Annual Youth Justice Strategic Plan for 2023-2024 as set out in appendix 2 to the report.

The above decision has been made to allow the Youth Justice Service to fulfil its strategic and operational responsibilities.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the HRA 30-year Business Plan 2023-2053.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve the HRA 30-year Business Plan 2023-2053 as set out in appendix 2 to the report.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To ensure the medium to long term sustainability of the Housing Revenue Account.

(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 recommending the Council to approve the Treasury Annual Report for 2022-23.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve the Treasury Annual Report as set out in appendices 2 to 4 to the report.

The above decision has been made to ensure that the Council fully complies with the requirements of Financial Regulations and good practice as recommended by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) in its Code of Practice on Treasury Management.

Consideration has been given to the latest monitoring position on the 2023/24 revenue budget at the end of the first quarter and to recommending the Council to approve budget adjustments.

RESOLVED -

(i)

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

(ii)

That the Council be recommended to approve:

a)

an amendment to the net revenue budget for 2023/24 from £289,902,826 to £281,884,964;

b)

the removal of pandemic budget and the equivalent reserve funding as presented in appendix 2 to the report; and

c)

a £2.4m increase in the 2023/24 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget to reflect the increase in the deprecation charge funded from the HRA reserve.

(iii)

That the budget virement as set out in the report 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 latest position on the 2023/24 Capital Programme and Prudential Indicators at the end of the first quarter to 30 June 2023.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Council be recommended to approve all variations to the 2023/24 Capital Programme as detailed in appendix 2 to the report.

(ii)

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

(iii)

That it be confirmed to Council that capital expenditure and financing requirements have been revised in line with the amended budget and none of the approved Prudential Indicators set for 2023/24 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 2023/24.

(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 year-end 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 year-end performance report as set out in appendix 2 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 be noted.

(iii)

That the ongoing development work being undertaken on the Framework as set out in paragraphs 9-11 of appendix 1 be noted.

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 Integrated Adults and Social Care Services Strategy and Action Plan.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Integrated Adults and Social Care Services Strategy and Action Plan be approved.

(ii)

That it be noted performance in relation to the action plan will be reported via the Performance Management and Improvement Information Framework.

The above decisions have been made to support the strategic transformation of Adult Social Care and Commissioning.

Consideration has been given to the findings and recommendations of a review by Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) in relation to Community Wealth Building.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the findings from the evidence gathering sessions undertaken by the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the 10 recommendations agreed by the Committee on 17 April 2023 as set out in the OSC’s report at appendix 2 be noted.

(ii)

That the 10 recommendations from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s review, as set out in appendix 2 to the report be approved.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To ensure the Council continues to develop its approach to Community Wealth Building.

(B)

To ensure the Council can meet its Thrive pledges, in particular to put people and families at the heart of everything we do, tackle inequality so people have a fair chance and support our communities to support themselves and each other.

Consideration has been given to the Strategic Directors, Economy, Innovation and Growth and Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities and Service Leads, Energy, Major Projects and Development, following consultation with the Strategic Directors, Resources and Digital and Corporate Services and Governance, to be authorised to approve schemes and estimates, and to invite and accept tenders over certain thresholds, during the summer recess following the Cabinet meeting on 18 July 2023 up to the date when Cabinet next meets (currently scheduled for 19 September 2023).

RESOLVED -

That the Strategic Directors, Economy, Innovation and Growth and Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities and Service Leads, Energy, Major Projects and Development, following consultation with the Strategic Directors, Resources and Digital and Corporate Services and Governance, be authorised to approve the letting of any contracts relating to the approved 2023/2024 Capital Programme, which exceed £250,000 in value. Such approval is to be in the form of either:

a)

an authorisation to invite or negotiate tenders in accordance with Rule 6 of the Contract Procedure Rules (“the Rules”) or to conduct some other procurement process in accordance with the Rules and to award the contract to the economic operator submitting the most economically advantageous tender as determined by the Service Director Corporate Commissioning and Procurement in accordance with the stated terms of the tender or other process and, where applicable, the Regulations; or

b)

an authorisation subsequent to the conduct of a tendering process or other procurement process in accordance with the Rules to award the contract.

The above decision has been made to enable projects to progress and to avoid delay in delivery of the capital programme and its related expenditure.

Consideration has been given to the nomination of Local Authority Governors to schools seeking to retain their Local Authority governor in accordance with The School Governance (Constitution) (England) Regulations. 

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

Emmaville Primary

Councillor Kathryn Henderson

Autumn 2023

Falla Park Community Primary

Councillor George Kasfikis

Autumn 2023

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

RESOLVED -

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

Consideration has been given to progressing a future lease proposal for Hillgate Quay.

The alternative options to that being recommended, but which have been discounted, included not extending the current lease and seeking alternative arrangements for the site.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the proposal to negotiate with the existing tenant on Hillgate Quay for a long-term lease on the basis set out in the report be approved.

(ii)

That a further report be submitted to Cabinet following this negotiation, with the intention of a long-term lease demonstrating that conditions are met and providing a due diligence framework.

The above decisions have been made to enable the delivery of the Council’s Economic Development Strategy, to increase the visitor economy and enhance Gateshead Quays development.