Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence has been received from Councillor M McNestry.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 23 March 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the proposed new Performance Management and Improvement Framework for the Council. 

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Council be recommended to approve the proposed new Performance Management and Improvement Framework for the Council as set out in appendix 2 to the report.

(ii)

That 6 monthly performance reports identifying the impact of Council actions and intervention and delivery of Thrive and the Health and Wellbeing Strategy be submitted to Cabinet.

The above decisions have been made to ensure there is an effective framework in place to enable the Council to manage performance across its priorities and understand the impact of decisions.

Consideration has been given to the proposed response to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government consultation on the future of the New Homes Bonus.

RESOLVED -

That the response to the consultation as set out in appendix 2 to the report be endorsed.

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

Consideration has been given to the proposed equality objective for 2021-22, the aim of which is to improve the Council’s understanding of the needs of Gateshead residents and its workforce with protected characteristics, in order to deliver the council’s Thrive pledges and policy objectives of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

RESOLVED -

That the proposed equality objective for 2021-22 as set out in the report be approved subject to some further refinement of the wording for clarification purposes.

To demonstrate the Council’s commitment to tackling inequality in Gateshead, whilst ensuring compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty.

Consideration has been given to the transfer of outstanding balances from Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) accounts, where all possible recovery action has been taken and the balances are now considered to be uncollectable.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the transfer of 2,223 uncollectable accounts in respect of Council Tax balances totalling £275,190.02 be approved.

(ii)

That the transfer of 76 uncollectable accounts of Non-Domestic Rates balances totalling £56,707.52 be approved.

(iii)

That the action taken by the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital under delegated powers to transfer Council Tax and Non-Domestic Rates accounts with balances of £500 or less as set out in the report, be noted.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To ensure the effective management of the Council’s resources.

(B)

To ensure that the Council Accounts accurately reflect the correct financial position.

Consideration has been given to the establishment and initial membership of a Local Bus Board for Gateshead.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the establishment of a Local Bus Board for Gateshead be approved.

(ii)

That the initial structure of the Local Bus Board as set out in appendix 2 to the report be approved.

The above decisions have been made to support a sustainable transport system capable of supporting the Gateshead’s environmental, social and economic objectives.

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

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

Lobley Hill Primary

Cllr C Donovan

6 July 2021

Whickham Sports College

Cllr D Bradford

12 September 2021

Eslington/Furrowfield Federation

Cllr A Douglas

25 September 2021

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

membership.

Consideration has been given to the action taken by the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities to enter into a short-term Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) household recycling contract under the urgency delegation at Part 3, Schedule 5– General Delegations to Managers, Part 2, Paragraph 4(e) of the Council’s constitution.

RESOLVED -

That the action taken by the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities in accordance with Part 3, Schedule 5– General Delegations to Managers, Part 2, Paragraph 4(e) of the Council’s Constitution, to enter into a short-term MRF household recycling contract from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022 with Re-Gen Waste and the existing delivery point service provider Riverdale PLC using the negotiated procedure without prior publication of a Contract Notice under regulation 32 (2) (c) of the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 be noted.

The above decision has been made to enable statutory household kerbside recycling collections to be maintained without interruption to service delivery.

Consideration has been given to the award of a contract for the young people’s drug and alcohol treatment service to the current service provider, Humankind outside of the procurement requirements (Rule 5) within the Contract Procedure Rules of the Council’s Constitution.

RESOLVED -

That the award of a contract for the young people’s drug and alcohol treatment service to Humankind for a period of twelve months commencing on 1 November 2021 and terminating on the 31 October 2022 in accordance with Rule 2.1.1 of the Contract Procedure Rules within the Council’s Constitution be approved.

The above decision has been made to ensure the continued provision of a young people’s drug and alcohol treatment service within Gateshead.