Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

Cabinet is asked to approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 17 September 2024

The minutes of the last meeting held on 17 September 2024 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Cabinet members to declare an interest in any particular agenda item.

There were no declarations of interest.

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Consideration has been given to approve the Council’s proposal for the distribution of the Department of Work and Pensions Household Support Fund (HSF) for the period 1st October 2024 to 31st March 2025.

RESOLVED:

(i)              Cabinet supported and approved the proposal to support residents at risk of going cold or hungry through the mechanisms above

The above decision has been made for the following reason:

(a)          Targeting the groups identified will meet Thrive policy objectives.

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Consideration has been given for the recommendation to Council for the approval of an Employee Social Media Policy.

RESOLVED:

(i)              That the Council be recommended to approve the Employee Social Media Policy.

The above decision has been made for the following reason:

(a)              To ensure that the Council has an appropriate policy in place within its human resources framework

Report of the Interim Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

Consideration has been given for the recommendation to Council for the approval that Gateshead Council and Newcastle City Council work jointly on a new Local Plan for both authorities.

RESOLVED:

(i)              That the Council be recommended to approve the preparation of a joint Local Plan working with Newcastle City Council supported by joint governance and the development of a Memorandum of Understanding for joint working arrangements.

The above decision has been made for the following reason:

(a)          To progress the development of the Gateshead Local Plan as required by government policy and our statutory obligations under the Town and Country Planning Act 2004, Localism Act 2011 and Town and Country Planning (Local Plans) Regulations 2012.

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Consideration has been given to approval an upgrade the Council’s key financial system, Agresso (Unit4/ERP) and transition to the Unit4 cloud via an award direct to the supplier without competition utilising Regulation 32(2)(c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015.

RESOLVED:

(i)               Cabinet approved the continued use of an updated Unit4 Agresso finance system and its transition to Software as a Service (SaaS) license arrangements on Unit4 cloud.

(ii)              Cabinet approved the entering into of a contract with Unit4 via an award direct to the supplier, without competition utilising Regulation 32(2)(c) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015 (PCR2015). This regulation permits the award of a public contract by negotiated procedure without prior publication, on the grounds of extreme urgency brought about by events unforeseeable by the contracting authority, where the timelines for an open, restricted, or competitive negotiation procedures cannot be complied with.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(a)          To ensure ongoing technical support and business continuity, service delivery and a stable finance system for the Council, partner organisations and key third-party applications deployed across the Council that enable services to citizens and underpin and support transformation programmes and process improvement priorities.

(b)          The unforeseeable decision by Unit4 on 17 October 2023 to remove support for the Council’s 3rd Party hosting solution from December 2024, presents insufficient time for the Council to undertake market tests, complete a full procurement exercise and implement a new solution

(c)          To contribute to sound financial management and the long-term financial sustainability of the Council.

Report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Social Care and Lifelong Learning

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

RESOLVED:

(i)              Cabinet approved the nominations for appointment/reappointment of a Local Authority Governor.

The above decision has been made for the following reason:

(a)              To ensure the School Governing Body has full membership.

Report of the Interim Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth and the Interim Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities

Consideration has been given to approve Gateshead Council’s Playing Pitch Strategy (PPS).

RESOLVED:

(i)              Cabinet approved the Gateshead Playing Pitch Strategy 2024-2030.

(ii)             Cabinet noted the need for transitional arrangements and funding whilst community asset transfers of further pitches is progressed.

(iii)           Cabinet noted the strategic recommendations and actions outlined in the Playing Pitch Strategy, including the setting up of a steering group to work together to help deliver these actions.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(a)          Evidence within the PPS will be necessary to provide a valid assessment of provision to underpin future proposals relating to sports facilities.

(b)          The PPS has the potential to support funding proposals to Sport England and national governing bodies of sport.

(c)          Implementation of the recommendations of the PPS will assist the Council in supporting the management of sports facilities more efficient.

Report of the Interim Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

Consideration has been given to endorse the Intervention Plan for the Food

Control and Health & Safety services for 2024 – 2025.

RESOLVED:

(i)              Cabinet approved the Intervention Plan for 2024 – 2025.

The above decision has been made for the following reason:

(a)              To consider that effective and appropriate enforcement strategies and sources are allocated to deliver the mandatory duties placed on the council as the enforcing authority for the regulation of businesses.

Report of the Strategic Director, Integrated Adults and Social Care Services

Consideration has been given to endorse the Annual Report for April 2023 - March 2024, which relate to the Adults Social Care Statutory Complaints Procedure 2009.

RESOLVED:

(i)               Cabinet endorsed the Annual Report on Complaints and Representations.

(ii)              Cabinet agreed to refer the report to the Care, Health & Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee for consideration.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(a)           It is a statutory requirement that the report is considered by a formal committee.

(b)           To ensure member involvement in the statutory complaints procedure.

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 13 - Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972

Item 14 - Paragraph 3 and 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972

RESOLVED:

(i)               That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remaining business in accordance with paragraphs 3 and 4 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Report of the Interim Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

Consideration has been given to approve the submission of the relevant statements of assurance and enter into funding agreements to access a further £600,000 of BSIP funding and £65,434 from the Active Travel Fund Round 4E which have been awarded to the Lambton Street scheme.

RESOLVED:

(i)              Cabinet authorised the Service Director of Climate Change Compliance, Planning and Transport, to approve the terms of the Grant Agreements with North East Combined Authority (NECA) as accountable body, for funding the Lambton Street scheme following consultation with the Strategic Directors, Corporate Services & Governance and Resources & Digital.

(ii)             Cabinet authorised the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth, in consultation with the Portfolio holder for Environment & Transport and the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital, to submit such statements of assurance as necessary for the Lambton Street scheme to the North East Combined Authority in consultation with the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance.

The above decision has been made for the following reason:

(a)          To enable the implementation of the Lambton Street scheme.

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

Consideration has been given to give approval to grant an option to lease, and then enter into the subsequent lease of the Kittiwake Tower at Saltmeadows Road.

RESOLVED:

(i)              Cabinet approved the 10 year (plus 2) Option Agreement on the subject property, to Scira Extension Limited and / or Dudgeon Extension Limited, and / or other companies within their respective portfolios.

(ii)             Cabinet approved the entering into a 60 year Lease on the subject

property to Scira Extension Limited and / or Dudgeon Extension Limited, and / or other companies within their respective portfolios

Cabinet authorises the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities to agree the detailed terms under delegated powers.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(a)          To manage resources.

(b)          To provide a revenue stream which will fully assist with the provision of the Kittiwake Tower.