Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the last meeting held on 15 December 2020 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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 in December 2020, nearing the end of Quarter 3.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the revised programme for 2020/21 as set out in Appendices A and B to the report be approved and it be noted that there may be a need to review the schemes 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, Planning Policy, Climate Change and Strategic 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 2021/22 as set out in Appendices D and E to the report be approved as a basis for future planning.

(v)

That it be noted the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities awarded the contract for the Chainbridge Road Overbridge; Concrete Repairs through the Scape Framework Agreement for Civil Engineering and a tender exemption decision was taken by the Service Director, Highways and Waste, to extend this contract to procure the works for Team Street Viaduct; Concrete Repairs.

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

Consideration has been given to the major events programme in 2021 and to the proposal to begin the process to bid for the European Championships in 2026.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the updates in the major events programme for 2021, most notably the provisional dates of the Tour of Britain, the Great North Run weekend, and Try on the Tyne and the position that the Diamond League athletics will not return to Gateshead in 2021 as previously planned be noted.

(ii)

That the progression of formal discussions with Central Government, UK Sport, other stakeholders and local authorities to consider a bid to host the European Sports Championships in 2026 be approved.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To cement Gateshead’s reputation as a host of major international sporting events and support the delivery of Thrive and Council priorities.

(B)

To support the sustainability and raise the profile of key Gateshead assets most notably Gateshead International Stadium and the Gateshead Quayside.

Consideration has been given to the latest position on the 2020/21 capital programme and Prudential Indicators at the end of the third quarter to 31 December 2020.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to:

(i)

Approve all variations to the 2020/21 Capital Programme as detailed in Appendix 2 to the report as the revised programme.

(ii)

Approve the financing of the revised programme.

(iii)

Notes that Cabinet confirms 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 2020/21 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 2020/21.

(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 latest monitoring position on the 2020/21 revenue budget at the end of the third quarter, including impacts of the global pandemic.

RESOLVED -

(i)

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

(ii)

That the Council be recommended to approve the virements to contingency actioned for operational purposes, as outlined in Appendix 1 of the report.

(iii)

That the Council be recommended to approve an amendment to the net revenue budget for 2020/21 from £240.961m to £243.507m as presented in Appendix 1 of the report, to account for the additional grant funding.

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 recommending the Council to approve the proposed rent changes from 5 April 2021, in line with the Government’s rent setting policy and the detailed proposals for the 2021/22 HRA service charges.

The alternative options to those being recommended, but which were discounted, included lower levels of increase.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve:

(i)

The 1.5% rent increase from 5 April 2021 as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

(ii)

The HRA service charges as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To contribute towards setting a Housing Revenue Account for 2021/22 that is not in debit as required under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (Part VI).

(B)

To realise the Council’s policies and objectives in relation to the Housing Strategy in order 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 adopt the Making Spaces for Growing Places (MSGP) Local Plan document, including the Inspector’s main modifications.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to:

(i)

Note the Inspector’s Report on Making Spaces for Growing Places and accept the main modifications as set out in Appendices 2 and 3 of the report.

(ii)

Adopt the Making Spaces for Growing Places Local Plan document as set out in Appendix 4 and Policies Map as set out in Appendix 5 of the report from 1^st February 2021.

(iii)

Note the remaining saved Unitary Development Plan Policies which will cease to have effect when the Plan is adopted.

(iv)

Approve the publication of the Adoption Statement as set out in Appendix 6 and the Sustainability Appraisal as set out in Appendix 7 of the report, in accordance with Regulation 26 and 35 of the Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 2012 and notification to all persons on the Local Plan database and to the sending of a copy of the Adoption Statement to the Secretary of State.

The above decisions have been made to progress the development of Gateshead’s Local Plan in line with the adopted Local Development Scheme (October 2017) and as required by government policy and statutory obligations under the Town and Country Planning Act 2004, Localism Act 2011 and Town and Country Planning (Local Plans) Regulations 2012.

Consideration has been given to proposed consultation on the draft budget revenue savings proposals for 2021/22 and direction of travel for future savings.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That consultation commences on the budget proposals for the period 2021/22 as set out in thereport.

(ii)

That the findings of the consultation, together with a proposed budget for 2021/22 be considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on 23 February 2021, ahead of recommending a budget to Council.

(iii)

That further budget related reports be submitted to Cabinet throughout the financial year, including the outcome of specific consultation and engagement on individual proposals.

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.

Consideration has been given to the proposed the council tax base for 2021/22 for the Parish of Lamesley and the whole of the Borough of Gateshead together with the proposed Business Rate forecast for 2021/22.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That it be approved pursuant to this 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 2021/22 shall be 52483.9

(ii)

That it be approved pursuant to this 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 2021/22 shall be 1198.4.

(iii)

That the business rates forecast for 2021/22 of £43.114 million be approved.

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 2021/22 in accordance with statutory requirements.

Consideration has been given to the action taken by the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital following consultation with the Service Director, Legal and Democratic Services, in providing a guarantee and indemnity to ensure National Housebuilders Council (NHBC) changed registration requirements are met in respect of the Gateshead Regeneration Partnership.

RESOLVED -

That the action taken by the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital following consultation with the Service Director, Legal and Democratic Services, in accordance with Part 3, Schedule 5, Part 2 Executive Functions General Delegations to Managers, Paragraph 4 (e) of the Council’s Constitution, be noted.

The above decision has been made to ensure openness and transparency with the decisions made by officers and to satisfy the requirements of the Constitution.

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

RESOLVED -

That the response to the following consultation be endorsed.

North East Transport Plan – North East Joint Transport Committee

The above decision has been made to enable the Council to contribute a response to the consultation.

Consideration has been given to the property known as Gibside School, Burnthouse Lane, Whickham, being declared surplus to the Council’s requirements.

RESOLVED -

That the property be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements.

The above decision has been made to manage resources and rationalise the Council’s assets in line with the Corporate Asset Strategy and Management Plan.

Consideration has been given to the Gateshead Safeguarding Adult’s Board (SAB) and Gateshead Safeguarding Children’s Partnership (GSCP) Annual Reports and the 2020 refresh of the 2019-2024 SAB Strategic Plan. 

RESOLVED -

That the contents of the Annual Reports and 2020 refresh of the 2019-2024 SAB Strategic Plan be endorsed.

The above decision has been made because the Council is a statutory partner of the Gateshead Safeguarding Adults Board and Gateshead Safeguarding Children’s Partnership.

Consideration has been given to the nomination of a local authority school governor.

RESOLVED -

That the nominations as set out below be approved for a period of four years from the date indicated in accordance with the Schools’ Instrument of Government:

School

Nomination

Date from

Glynwood Community Primary  

Cllr J Lee

12 April 2021

Portobello Primary

Hazel Weatherley

25 March 2021

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

Consideration has been given to an update on petitions submitted to the Council and the action taken on them.

RESOLVED -

That the petitions received and action taken on them be noted.

The above decision has been made to inform the Cabinet of the progress of the petitions.

RESOLVED -

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remaining item in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Consideration has been given to the outcome of consultation with employees and Trade Unions on proposals made following service reviews of Print Point, Civic Catering and Environmental Enforcement.

The alternative options to that being recommended, but which were discounted, included reducing the size of each service, consolidation and amalgamation with other services.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That proposals to decommission the Civic Catering function by ceasing the service operating at Bewicks, Civic Centre be approved and implemented.

(ii)

That the proposals to decommission the Environmental Enforcement function be approved and implemented.

(iii)

That a further report on the future of Print Point be submitted to the next meeting of Cabinet.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To implement the approved Council budget 2020/21.

(B)

To ensure the Council is able to provide effective and efficient services that offer value for money.

(C)

To enable the Council to focus resources on the delivery of services that make Gateshead a place where everyone can Thrive.