Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor L Green.

The minutes of the last meeting held on 22 March 2022 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Consideration has been given to the implementation of the Energy Rebate and to the proposed approach for the use of the discretionary element of the scheme.   

The alternative option to that being recommended, but which was discounted, included extending the mandatory scheme to include band E households.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the arrangements for the implementation of the Energy Rebate Scheme be noted and endorsed.

(ii)

That the proposals for the discretionary element of the Scheme as set out in the report and below be approved:

·        An additional ‘top up’ payment of £20 to all residents in bands A to D who are in receipt of Council Tax Support, meaning they will have received £170 in total.

·        A payment of £170 to all residents in bands E – H (currently 84 cases) who are also in receipt of Local Council Tax Support. 

Any residual funding to be used as follows:

·        Payments to be made to new occupiers of a property in band A – D who moved in after the 1 April 2022 qualifying date and who haven’t already received a payment at another address.

·        Payments to be made to newly qualifying households following a property band change received after 1 April 2022 (e.g., where a band reduces from E to D).

(iii)

That the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital be given delegated authority to administer the fund in line with government guidance.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To ensure allocated funds are maximised for the benefit of those households most likely to be suffering hardship as a result of the rising cost of living.

(B)

To administer the funds in compliance with government guidance.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the new Reducing the Number of Children Requiring Care Strategy.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to approve the Reducing the Number of Children Requiring Care Strategy for adoption as part of the Council’s Policy Framework.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(A)

This strategy supports the strategic priorities of Children Social Care and Early Help to reduce the number of children who need our care.

(B)

To achieve the vision and aims of the Health and Wellbeing strategy, in particular, giving every child the best start in life and enabling all our children and young people to achieve their best outcomes.

(C)

The approach to Social Work, Gateshead CAN, is central to this strategy as Social Work is one of our greatest assets in achieving a reduction in the numbers of children coming into care and leaving care.

(D)

The approach to Social Work practice is not limited to one model or ‘way to do it’. Gateshead CAN is an overarching systemic and strengths-based approach, which recognises the interrelationships between Context, Action and Narrative (CAN).

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve and adopt the Placemaking Supplementary Planning Document and Specialist and Supported Housing Supplementary Planning Document.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Council be recommended to approve and adopt the Placemaking Supplementary Planning Document as set out in appendix 2 to the report.

(ii)

That the Council be recommended to approve and adopt the Specialist and Supported Housing Supplementary Planning Document as set out in appendix 3 to the report.

(iii)

That the publication of a Consultation Report for each of the Supplementary Planning Documents be approved.

(iv)

That it be noted the rationale for determining Areas of Special Interest and their boundaries included within the Placemaking Supplementary Planning Document, will be explained to ward councillors.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To enable the Council to effectively deliver the Local Plan.

(B)

To ensure full public engagement on the Placemaking Supplementary Planning Document in line with Gateshead’s Statement of Community Involvement (SCI).

Consideration has been given to a refreshed Council Workforce Strategy and the priorities for 2022/23.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the refreshed Council Workforce Strategy as set out in appendix 2 to the report be approved.

(ii)

That the priorities for 2022/23 as set out in the report be endorsed.

The above decisions have been made to ensure the Council has an agreed Workforce Strategy which supports the Council’s priorities.

Consideration has been given to the governance arrangements for the Changing Futures Northumbria programme to ensure that the delivery plan can be implemented.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the partnership agreement and governance arrangements detailed within the report to administer the programme funding in line with government guidance be approved.

(ii)

That the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance be given delegated authority to agree a partnership agreement with participating local authorities.

The above decisions have been made to administer the funds in compliance with government guidance.

Consideration has been given to a decision taken under delegated powers, to allocate domestic abuse safe accommodation funding to Home Group, within the financial year 2021/22.

RESOLVED -

That the decision taken by the Service Director, Strategic Housing and Residential Growth to award £39,500.00 domestic abuse safe accommodation funding to Home Group, 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 taken to ensure allocation of the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Funding was allocated by the end of March 2022, as per grant requirements and delivered to best meet the safe accommodation needs of victims of domestic abuse in Gateshead.

Consideration has been given to the proposed school term dates for 2023/24.

RESOLVED -

That the proposed school term dates for 2023/24 as set out in appendix 2 to the report be approved.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To allow future planning to take place.

(B)

To make effective and efficient use of resources.

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 1,163 uncollectable accounts in respect of Council Tax balances totalling £581,130.26 be approved.

(ii)

That the transfer of 51 uncollectable accounts of Non-Domestic Rates balances totalling £432,089.43 be approved.

(iii)

That the action taken 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.

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 progression of the Gateshead Quays enabling works.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the completion of the site-specific enabling works, with a revised value of the amount set out in the report be approved.

(ii)

That the progression of the technical design works by Ask Real Estate and Patrizia UK at an estimated cost of the amount set out in the report be approved.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To bring forward the regeneration of Gateshead Quays, which supports the Council’s aspiration of making Gateshead a place where everyone thrives.

(B)

To reaffirm the commitment to invest in the local economy to provide sustainable opportunities for employment, innovation and growth across the borough.

(C)

To maintain momentum on the scheme, signal confidence in the local economy which is important as part of the delivery of the Economic Development Strategy.

Consideration has been given to the freehold transfer of Hyde Park in Saltwell and the former Hookergate School in High Spen to the Gateshead Regeneration Limited Liability Partnership (GRP), to enable the development of 106 homes.

RESOLVED -

That the transfer of the freehold interest in the Hyde Park and Hookergate sites as shown in the plans attached to the report, with an aggregate transfer value of the amount set out in the report, in accordance with the Agreement for Sale to the GRP, for the provision of new homes be approved.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To support the delivery of 58 affordable homes in Saltwell, provide family homes to meet the housing needs of the Jewish community, secure Homes England funding being invested in the borough.

(B)

To achieve and complete the regeneration objectives set out by the Council, its partners and the community in 2005 for the Bensham and Saltwell area.

(C)

To make best use of a surplus asset and enable new family homes in Winlaton and High Spen ward.

(D)

To enable income to accrue to the Council and training, employment and socio-economic benefits for the residents and businesses of Gateshead.

(E)

To bring forward a vacant Council owned site for redevelopment and remove holding costs to the Council.

(F)

To utilise the Council’s land and property portfolio to support the Council’s policy priorities in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Corporate Asset Strategy and Management Plan and Housing Strategy 2019-30.