Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Bernadette Oliphant and Councillor Catherine Donovan.

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

The minutes of the last meeting held on 21 May 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, Children’s Social Care and Lifelong Learning

Consideration has been given to the following:

·         Notification of the proposal from the Stage 1: Consultation of the Options Review of Colegate Community Primary School. Recommendations that elected members propose Option 3: Colegate closes in September 2025 and that children are accommodated in other local schools.

·         Permission to issue Stage 2: Publication of this proposal, on 26/06/24, which will include the information as specified in the schedule 2, annex C of the Statutory Guidance “Opening and Closing maintained schools” issued by the DfE.

·         To proceed into the Stage 3: Representation period which will remain open for four weeks commencing on 26 June 2024.

RESOLVED:

(i)            Cabinet approves the issue of the Stage 2: Publication of this proposal, on 26/06/24, which will include the information as specified in schedule 2, annex C the Statutory Guidance “Opening and closing maintained schools” issued by the DfE.

(ii)          Cabinet agrees that the Stage 3: Representation period for four weeks will then be triggered, starting from 26/06/24, to formally consult with other admission authorities in the area, neighbouring local authorities, appropriate local organisations, groups and individuals on the proposal to close Colegate Community Primary School.

For the following reasons:

(a)        Children can be accommodated in schools with at least a Good Ofsted rating.

(b)        The growth in the budget deficit is minimised.

(c)        Additional pupils for surrounding schools could be provided and therefore improve financial stability.

(d)        The closure of the school can be managed rather than a slow decline and an increase in deficit.

(e)        The movement to a single building would be costly, adding further to the council’s debt and would not address the fundamental issue of declining pupil numbers.

(f)         There is greater capacity in other schools to support the number of children with additional needs.

(g)        This would allow for sustained leadership and staffing in other schools.

(h)        Despite a thorough consultation process, no other viable options were presented.

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services & Governance and the Strategic Director, Resources & Digital

Consideration has been given to granting consent to the making of regulations by central government to provide the new mayoral combined authority, NECA, with borrowing powers in line with the devolution deal and the scheme which was subject to public consultation. The provision of borrowing powers to NECA will support the Council to deliver across our key priorities.

RESOLVED:

(i)            Cabinet agrees in principle that the Council should consent to the making of the Regulations; and

(ii)          Authorises the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to issue the Council’s formal consent to the Secretary of State when requested.

For the following reason:

(a)           The devolution deal and the scheme which was published for consultation envisaged that NECA would have the proposed borrowing powers.

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Consideration has been given to approve the procurement and award of the contracts list as reported.

RESOLVED:

(i)              That the Service Director, Corporate Commissioning and Procurement be authorised to:

1.     Invite or negotiate tenders, or

2.     Conduct other procurement processes, to complete the relevant processes where they have already begun in respect of the contracts at Appendix 2 of the report

3.     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 the procurement activity set out in Appendix 2 of the report will form the basis of the Council’s Procurement Pipeline and will be published on the internet.

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.

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Consideration has been given to the request of Cabinet to recommend that Council notes the 2023/24 Capital Programme Outturn and approves the financing of the programme.

RESOLVED:

(i)              That Cabinet recommends to Council to note the Capital Programme outturn for 2023/24.

(ii)             That Cabinet recommends to Council the financing of the Capital Programme.

(iii)           That Cabinet confirms to Council that none of the approved Prudential Indicators set for 2023/24 have been breached.

For the following reason:

(a)              To ensure performance has been assessed against approved Prudential Limits.

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Consideration has been given to the report setting out the provisional outturn position on the 2023/24 revenue budget which is subject to external audit.

RESOLVED:

(i)               Cabinet notes the Council’s 2023/24 provisional revenue outturn position as set out, subject to external audit.

(ii)              Cabinet notes the outcome of a review of Council reserves as reported.

(iii)            Cabinet agrees and recommends to Council the appropriations to and from reserves as reported.

For the following reason:

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

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Consideration has been given to the report requesting that Cabinet recommend to Council the Treasury Annual Report for 2023/24.

RESOLVED:

(i)               That Cabinet recommends the Treasury Annual Report 2023/24 to Council.

For the following reason:

(a)               To ensure that the Council fully complies with the requirements of Financial Regulations and good practice as recommended by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) in its Code of Practice on Treasury Management.

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

Consideration was given to a proposal to create an Additional House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licensing designation. Further consideration was given to approve a statutory consultation that is required with the public and with stakeholders, prior to any licensing designation being made.

RESOLVED:

(i)              That Cabinet notes the robust evidence base and approves the further work required to work towards the creation of the proposed Additional HMO Licensing designation.

(ii)             That Cabinet approves the carrying out of a consultation with the public and stakeholders on the proposed designation.

For the following reasons:

(a)              There are high levels of private rented properties in some areas, and ineffective property and tenancy management by some landlords is having a detrimental effect on the health and wellbeing of some of the most vulnerable private renters and contributing to the impact of deprivation.

(b)              Without Additional HMO Licensing it will not be possible for the Council to focus any proactive intervention to protect residents within these smaller HMOs. Poor management of the smaller HMOs within the proposed Selective landlord Licensing areas, could undermine the ability of the SLL to achieve its scheme objectives.

(c)              A robust evidence base for any Additional HMO Licensing designation is required, and the work in Appendix 1 of the report  demonstrates that the proposed designation meets the evidence base criteria required.

(d)              The Housing Act 2004 requires that consultation with the public and stakeholders is carried out to inform the development of any licensing scheme prior to its designation.

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

Consideration has been given to the proposed changes to the Repairs Policy in Construction Services.

RESOLVED:

(i)              That Cabinet approves the amended policy and associated process change.

(ii)             That Cabinet agrees to receive a further report in six months to review the policy implementation and the impact on both customer service and performance.

For the following reasons:

(a)              To introduce a more user-friendly policy.

(b)              To enable achievable targets that are directly comparable with benchmarked organisations.

(c)              To clarify the difference between emergency and urgent jobs.

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

Consideration has been given to approve the 2024 Housing Delivery Test Action Plan. Further consideration was given to delegate authority to the Strategic Director of Economy, Innovation and Growth in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member to make minor changes and publish the Action Plan.

RESOLVED:

(i)              That Cabinet approve the 2024 Housing Delivery Test Action Plan.

For the following reasons:

(a)              To continue to address under-delivery of housing.

(b)              To meet local housing need.

(c)              To satisfy the requirement to publish an Action Plan in accordance with paragraph 79 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Report of the Chief Executive

Consideration has been given to the Annual Reports for 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024 which relate to all complaints and representations received under the Children’s Social Care Statutory Complaints Procedure 2006.

RESOLVED:

(i)               That Cabinet endorses the Annual Report on Children’s Services Complaints and Representations.

(ii)              That Cabinet agrees to refer the report to the Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee for further consideration.

For the following reasons:

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

(b)               To improve practice and the offer to children and families.

Report of the Strategic Director, 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)              That Cabinet approves the nomination for appointment/reappointment of a Local Authority Governor as reported for the term of office as determined by the school’s Instrument of Government.

For the following reasons:

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

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                                                     Paragraph of Schedule 12A to the Local      

                                                            Government Act 1972

16                                                        3

RESOLVED:

(i)               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.

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

Consideration has been given to approve the submission of a £3.3m grant application to the Green Heat Network Fund to support a £10.7m heat network extension into Gateshead Town Centre.

RESOLVED:

(i)              Cabinet approval is given to submit a £3.3m grant application to the Green Heat Network Fund for heat network extensions in Gateshead Town Centre.

For the following reasons:

(a)              To allow Gateshead Energy Company to continue to grow and expand, to deliver the Council’s objectives.

(b)              To reduce cost of energy to homes and businesses, to support Thrive agenda.

(c)              To reduce carbon emissions of homes and community facilities, to support the Council’s Climate Emergency Action Plan.