Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

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

The minutes of the last meeting held on 17 December 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, Resources and Digital

Consideration has been given for the recommendation to Council of the latest position on the 2024/25 Capital Programme and Prudential Indicators at the end of the third quarter to 31 December 2024.

RESOLVED:

(i)               That the Council be recommended to approve the revision to the Capital Programme.

(ii)              Cabinet recommends to Council the financing of the revised programme.

(iii)            Cabinet confirms to Council 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 2024/25 have been breached.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(a)               To ensure the optimum use of the Council’s capital resources in 2024/25.

(b)               To accommodate changes to the Council’s in-year capital expenditure plans.

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

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Consideration has been given for the recommendation to Council to agree that the number of polling districts, existing district boundaries and the location of polling places remain unchanged.

RESOLVED:

(i)               Cabinet recommends to Council that the proposal for no changes to polling district boundaries and the situation of polling places be adopted.

(ii)              Cabinet recommends that Council agrees that there needs to be a further, comprehensive, polling districts and polling places review to take into account the new ward boundary arrangements.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(a)               To comply with the requirements of the Electoral Administration Act 2006 and the Electoral Registration Act 2013.

(b)               To ensure that reasonable and practicable facilities for voting are maintained ahead of a comprehensive review which will address the new ward boundary patterns.

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Consideration has been given for the recommendation to Council of the request to approve the proposed calendar of meetings for 2025/2026.

RESOLVED:

Cabinet recommends that Council -

(i)               Approves the calendar of meetings 2025/2026.

(ii)              Agrees that, as far as possible, meetings should not be held during school holidays or on dates where the holding of religious festivals may preclude attendance and involvement in meetings.

(iii)            Authorises the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance following consultation with the appropriate Chairs, to make any necessary amendments to the calendar of meetings.

The above decision has been made for the following reason:

(a)               To assist in the preparation of the Cabinet’s schedule of decisions and to allow councillors, officers and partner organisations to plan commitments in their diaries

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Consideration has been given to the report setting out the latest monitoring position on the 2024/25 revenue budget at the end of the third quarter.

RESOLVED:

(i)               That Cabinet notes the Council’s revenue expenditure position at the end of the third quarter.

The above decision has been made 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 an update on the Council’s Budget Approach 2025/26 including the impact of the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, prior to the receipt of the Final Local Government Finance Settlement in February 2025.

RESOLVED:

(i)               Cabinet noted the update to the funding position including the outcome of the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement.

(ii)              Cabinet noted the update on the 2025/26 budget planning.

(iii)            Cabinet noted the response to the Government consultation on the Provision Local Government Finance Settlement attached in Appendix 2 which was submitted within the prescribed deadlines.

The above decision has 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.

(c)               To support delivery of the Council’s Corporate Plan priorities and the Thrive objectives.

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Consideration has been given to agree the council tax base for 2025/26 for the Parish of Lamesley and the whole of the Borough of Gateshead. Further consideration was also given to agree the Business Rate forecast for 2025/26.

RESOLVED:

(i)               Cabinet agreed that 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 2025/26 shall be 54,429.2.

(ii)              Cabinet agreed that 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 2025/26 shall be 1,209.2.

(iii)            Cabinet agreed that the business rates forecast for 2025/26 is £41.771 million.

The above decision has 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 2025/26 in accordance with statutory requirements.

Report of the Chief Executive

Consideration has been given to the 6-Month 2024/25 assessment of performance against the Council’s Performance Management and Improvement Framework (PMIF) along with the comments made by Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

Further consideration was given to the request to approve the 2024/25 6-Month performance report at Appendix 2 and note the key discussions and from the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees at Appendix 3.

RESOLVED:

(i)               Cabinet approves the 2024/25 6-Month performance report at Appendix 2.

(ii)              Cabinet notes the key discussions and from the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees at paragraph 8 of Appendix 1 and at paragraph 8.

(iii)            Cabinet notes the ongoing development work being undertaken at paragraphs 9-10 of Appendix 1.

The above decision has been made for the following reason:

(a)               To ensure performance supports the delivery and achievements of Making Gateshead a Place Where Everyone Thrives.

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

Consideration has been given to approve:

a)     the buildings listed below being declared surplus to the Council’s requirements and;

b)     the future proposal for the properties after being declared surplus.

•        Shadon House Resource Centre, Northumberland Place, Vigo, Birtley DH3 2AP

•        Eastwood PIC, The Drive, Heworth, Gateshead NE10 0PY

•        Buildings at Travellers site, Baltic Road, Felling Gateshead NE10 0SB

•        Former Chopwell Park Cricket Pavilion (Changing Room), Marx Terrace,

Chopwell NE17 7EH

RESOLVED:

(i)               Cabinet approved the recommendations set out in Appendices 1- 4.

The above decision has been made for the following reason:

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

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

Consideration has been given to an update of the Gateshead Highway Asset Management Plan (HAMP) 2018-30 which was initially approved at Cabinet in 2018 with subsequent updates annually. It provided the latest performance information

and details of progress with key targets in the Plan relating to the management of the Council’s highway assets.

RESOLVED:

(i)               Cabinet notes the updates provided and approves the new HAMP targets as set out in Appendix 3.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(a)               To optimise investment in the local transport network.

(b)               To provide the basis for improved management and maintenance of Gateshead’s highway network and to ensure the effective use of resources.

(c)               To maximise external funding streams awarded to highway authorities who conduct effective highway management.

(d)               To introduce measures to reduce carbon production in highway maintenance materials and operational maintenance procedures.

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 X of Schedule 12A to the Local   

                                                            Government Act 1972

14                                                        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 Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Consideration was given to overview on the current trading activity undertaken through subsidiaries wholly owned by the Council for the period 2023/24 and an update of activity in 2024/25.

RESOLVED:

(i)               Cabinet notes the report outlining company activity to date including the contribution to Council Thrive priorities at Appendix 1 and financial performance at Appendices 2-4.

(ii)              Cabinet agrees to receive a further annual report covering the 2024-25 performance of the Council’s wholly owned trading companies.

The above decision has been made for the following reason:

(a)           To contribute to the sound governance, operational and financial management of the Council’s wholly owned subsidiary companies.

(b)           To support achievement of Thrive priorities through the Council’s trading companies.

(c)           To assist effective financial and performance oversight and awareness of all Council activity, regardless of delivery model.