Agenda and minutes

The minutes of the last meeting held on 21 November 2023 were agreed as a

correct record and signed by the Chair.

Consideration has been given to progress of the community asset transfers of both

Gateshead Leisure Centre and Birtley Swimming Pool.

The alternative option to that being recommended, but which was discounted,

included retaining the properties.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Birtley Swimming Pool and Gateshead Leisure

Centre be declared surplus to the Council’s requirements.

(ii)

That the progression of the Community Asset Transfers of Birtley Swimming Pool and Gateshead Leisure Centre be approved in principle, subject to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Strategic Director Corporate Services and Governance, Strategic Director, Resources and Digital, the Leader, Deputy Leader along with Portfolio holders, being satisfied that the conditions set out in Appendix 3 of the report have been met.

(iii)

That subject to (ii) above, the Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities be authorised to grant a 50-year lease of Birtley Swimming Pool to Birtley Aquatics and Gateshead Leisure Centre to Gateshead Active pursuant to the Council’s Community Asset Transfer policy.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To manage resources and rationalise the Council’s assets in line with the Corporate Asset Strategy and Management Plan.

(B)

To enable the community asset transfers to progress at a future date.

(C)

To create and develop sustainable places and communities in line with Gateshead Health and Wellbeing strategy.

Consideration has been given to the procurement and award of contracts.

RESOLVED -

(i)

That the Service Director, Corporate Commissioning and Procurement be authorised to invite or negotiate tenders or conduct other procurement processes (or to complete the relevant processes where they have already begun) in respect of the contracts listed in appendix 2 to the report and to award the relevant contracts to the tenderers submitting the most economically advantageous tenders (or otherwise proving successful in accordance with other procurement processes) in accordance with the Contract Procedure Rules.

(ii)

That Cabinet continues to receive an updated report twice per year.

(iii)

That it be noted the procurement activity set out in appendix 2 to the report will form the basis of the Council’s Procurement Pipeline and will be published on the internet.

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To enable the procurement of goods, works and services required for the efficient and effective delivery of services.

(B)

To enable Cabinet to be updated with progress and changes to the procurement forward plan.

(C)

To comply with the National Procurement Policy Statement.

Consideration has been given to recommending the Council to approve the new SEND Strategy and associated improvement plan.

RESOLVED -

That the Council be recommended to:

(i)

Endorse the Local Area SEND Strategy as set out in appendix 2 to the report.

(ii)

Note the areas for development following the Local Area SEND inspection in May 2023.

(iii)

Note the progress of the SEND improvement programme so far and its impact for children and young people with SEND and their families.

(iv)

Endorse the focus and priorities for the programme for 2023-26 to embed and accelerate change, responding to the Local Area inspection for SEND as set out in appendix 3 to the report. 

The above decisions have been made for the following reasons:

(A)

To improve SEND services across the Local Area and respond to feedback from families, carers and young people with SEND.

(B)

To appropriately respond to the Local Area Ofsted/CQC SEND inspection outcome.

Item deferred.