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 21 January 2025 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 Interim Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities

Consideration was given to a report that shared the evidence and stakeholder responses following the statutory consultation on the Council’s private rented property licensing proposals and sought approval to designate areas for private rented property licensing.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The outcome of the consultation and the extension of the availability of licence fee discount to an additional two landlord accreditation schemes be noted;

(ii)           The SLL and Additional HMO Licensing Schemes set out in the report be designated in accordance with the commencements dates and durations as set out in the report;

(iii)          Authorisation be given to the publication of prescribed Delegation Notices in local papers, on the Council website, and the making of information about each scheme available to those affected; and

(iv)          The Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities be authorised to issue licences and to take enforcement action in relation to licensing throughout the duration of the schemes.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(i)            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.

(ii)       Without SLL it is not possible for the Council to focus any proactive

intervention to protect residents within these areas from the impact of poorly managed privately rented homes.

(ii)           Without Additional HMO Licensing it is not 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.

(iii)          The development of a programme of SLL that phases implementation  

over time is necessary to ensure that the activity is achievable within the resources available, affordable to the Council and as smooth a process for landlords and tenants as possible.

(iv)          A robust evidence base for any property licensing scheme is required.

The Evidence Pack referred to demonstrates that the proposed schemes meet the evidence base criteria required.

(vi)      The Housing Act 2004 requires that consultation with the public and

  stakeholders is carried out and that responses are considered. The Reports appended to the proposed Cabinet Report confirm that Consultation has been carried out in accordance with statutory guidance and amendments to the licensing scheme proposals have been made in response.

Report of the Director of Public Health

Consideration was given to a report which sought approval to receive funds from the Department of Health and Social Care via Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Recovery and Improvement Grant.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The acceptance of the OHID funding be approved for the purposes outlined in the report; and

(ii)           The Director of Public Health be authorised to enter into such funding agreements as necessary, following consultation with the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital and the Strategic Director, Corporate Service and Governance.

The above decision has been made for the following reason:

(i)            To secure a health gain for the community in terms of a more effective treatment and recovery substance misuse service.

Report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Social Care and Lifelong Learning

Consideration was given to a report which requested Cabinet to approve the:

• proposed Community and Voluntary Controlled Primary Schools Admission

Policy, 2026

• proposed Co-ordinated admission schemes for Infant, Junior, Primary schools

and Secondary Schools 2026

• and to note the following:

• proposed Planned Admission Numbers (PAN’s) for Community schools for

2026/27.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The Community and Voluntary Controlled Primary Admissions Policy, set out as Appendix 2 to the report, be adopted for September 2026;

(ii)           the approved admissions policies for September 2025 be used as a basis of consultation, if necessary, with schools and others for formulating the relevant admissions policies from September 2026/27 onwards.

(iii)          The approved two co-ordinated admission schemes for Secondary, Infant Junior and Primary schools, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report, be adopted for September 2026.

(iv)          To note that the Planned Admissions Numbers set out in Appendix 3 for all community Primary schools are to be adopted by the governing bodies of each school.

The above decision was made for the following reason:

(i)            To enable the Council to comply with statutory legislation as it relates to school admissions policies, admission arrangements and co-ordinated admission arrangements.

Report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Social Care and Lifelong Learning

Consideration was given to a report which raised awareness of the current local, regional and national challenges in relation to specialist school sufficiency and to sought approval for the proposal to transfer the former Colegate Primary School Site into the delegation of the The Cedar’s Academy Trust to support the SEND strategy outcomes which includes ensuring sufficient school places to meet the needs of Gateshead’s children with special educational needs and disabilities.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The specialist school sufficiency challenges and need to increase commissioned places for September 2025 be acknowledged; and

(ii)           The transfer of the former Colegate Primary School via a lease decision to the Cedar’s Academy Trust be authorised.

The above decision was made for the following reasons:

i) To ensure we can continue to work positively with an existing Academy in

Gateshead to support placement sufficiency

ii) To ensure that we can place Gateshead children in Gateshead Specialist

Schools, avoiding children having to access out of area, high-cost places

iii) Maintain the Colegate school site as an educational provision meeting the

needs of local children in the Borough

iv) To enable proactive planning of school place sufficiency generally and

specialist school place sufficiency specifically for the future, through the

creation of additional physical space in several key stages

v) To enable SEND Capital to be utilised to support the development of

provision for the remaining five specialist schools in Gateshead

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Consideration was given to a report which requested Cabinet to recommend to Council the proposed Capital programme 2025/26 to 2029/30.  The report would provide significant investment within the borough to support the Council’s strategic approach to make Gateshead a Place Where Everyone Thrives.

RESOLVED:

(i)        Cabinet recommends Council to approve the Capital Programme for

2025/26;

(ii)       Cabinet recommends Council to approve the provisional programmes

                       for 2026/27 to 2029/30; and

(iii)       Cabinet notes the provisional capital financing required for the programme as set out in Appendix 3 and delegates authority to the Strategic Director, Resources & Digital to enter into prudential borrowing which is consistent with the requirements of the Capital Programme and Council’s Treasury Management Strategy.

The above decision was made for the following reasons:

(i)            To continue to provide investment within the borough to deliver

Council priorities; and

(ii)           To assist with the medium -and long-term financial sustainability of the

Council.

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Consideration was given to a report which requested Cabinet to recommend to Council the budget and Council tax level for 2025/26; the prudential indicators; and the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) statement.

RESOLVED:

The following recommendations be made to Council:

(1)        Increase Gateshead’s Band D Council Tax for 2025/26 by 4.99% (including a

2% adult social care precept charge) to £2,282.22.

(2)          Approve the revenue estimates of £328,768,118 for 2025/26.

(3)          Approve the budgeted use of £10.918 million Earmarked Reserves in 2025/26

(comprising of £0.563 million Financial Risk and Resilience, £1.855 million Thrive, and £8.500 million Budget Sustainability).

(4)          Agree the proposed budgets and the indicative schools funding presented in

Appendix 2.

(5)          To note the outcome of budget consultation outlined in Appendix 4.

(6)          To note the conclusions of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital in respect of the robustness of budget estimates and adequacy of reserves outlined in Appendix 5.

(7)          Agree the prudential and treasury indicators set out in Appendix 7 to this report.

(8)          Approve the method of calculating the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) for

2025/26 as set out in Appendix 8.

(9)          To note the responses to the Government’s consultation on Local Authority

funding reform: objectives and principles in Appendix 9 which were submitted to Government on 12 February 2025.

(10)       To note that at the meeting on 21 January 2025, Cabinet agreed the following

amounts for the year 2025/26 in accordance with regulations made under Section 31B (3) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as amended by the Localism Act 2011:-

a.    54,429.2 being the amount calculated by the Council, in accordance with regulation 3 of the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, as its Council Tax base for the year;

b.    1,209.2 for Lamesley Parish being the amount calculated by the Council, in accordance with regulation 6 of the Regulations, as the amount of its Council Tax base for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which special items relate.

(11)       That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year

2025/26 in accordance with Sections 31A,31B and 34 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended by the Localism Act 2011 (‘the Act’):-

a.    £654,666,548 being the aggregate total of the expenditure amounts, which the Council estimates for the items, set out in Section 31A (2) of the Act taking into account the precept issued by Lamesley Parish Council

b.    (£530,431,591) being the aggregate total of the income amounts, which the Council estimate for the items, set out in Section 31A (3) of the Act.

c.    £124,234,957 being the amount by which the aggregate at (a) above exceeds the aggregate at (b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31A (4) of the Act, as its Council Tax requirement for the year including Lamesley Parish Council.

d.    £2,282.5057 being the amount at (c) above, all divided by the amount at (10)(a) above, calculated by the Council,  ...  view the full minutes text for item C290

Report of the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital

Consideration was given to a report which requested Cabinet to recommend to Council the level of fees and charges across all Council services for 2025/26.

RESOLVED:

The following recommendations be made to Council:

(i)            The fees and charges as set out for 2025/26 in Appendix 2 to the report;

(ii)           Authorisation for the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital to make any necessary adjustments to correct any errors in the schedule of Fees and Charges; and

(iii)          Fees and charges for Adult Social Services are subject to provider fee uplifts being agreed.  Delegation is requested for the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital to set these revised charges in consultation with the Strategic Director, Integrated Adults and Social Care Services and the Adult Social Care Portfolio Holder.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(i)            To ensure that Fees and Charges are set in accordance with Council priorities; and

(ii)           To support the delivery of the Council’s budget and the strategic approach to making Gateshead a place where everyone thrives.

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

Consideration was given to a report which requested Cabinet to recommend to Council the approval of:

1)    The proposed Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2024/25

2)    The proposed rent changes from 1 April 2024, in line with the Government’s policy on rent setting;

3)    The detailed proposals for the 2025/26 HRA fees and service charges

4)    The proposed Housing Capital Programme for 2025/26 and the indicative programme for the period 2026/27 – 2029/30

RESOLVED:

Council be recommended to approve:

(i)            The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) as set out in Appendix 2 to the report;

(ii)           The 2.7% rent increase from 7 April 2025 as detailed as Appendix 3 to the report;

(iii)          The HRA service charges as detailed in Appendix 4; and

(iv)          The Housing Capital Programme for the five years 2025/26 to 2029/30 as set out in Appendix 5 to the report.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(i)            To set a Housing Revenue Account for 2025/26 that is not in debit as required under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 (Part VI);

(ii)           To realise the Council’s policies and objectives in relation to the Housing Strategy to maintain and enhance Council Housing provision in Gateshead; and

(iii)          To assist in the delivery of the Council’s vision for Gateshead as set out in Making Gateshead a Place where Everyone Thrives

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Consideration was given to a report which requested Cabinet to recommend to Council the amendment of the Constitution to create a Women & Girls Committee.

RESOLVED:

(i)            That Council be recommended to establish a new formal advisory committee, to be called the Women and Girls Committee, which will advise the Council and Cabinet on any matter relating to the discharge of their respective functions;

(ii)           That Council be recommended that the membership of the Committee comprise of 14 Councillors; and

(iii)          The draft terms of reference, set out at Appendix 3 to the report, be endorsed.

The above decision has been made for the following reason:

(i)            To raise awareness of gender inequality and the impact this has on the lives of all women and girls in Gateshead;

(ii)           To champion positive progress on gender inequality in the Borough; and to help identify gaps and opportunities to increase the rate of change;

(iii)          To make recommendations on policies to ensure they make a positive difference to the lives of all women and girls in the Borough; and

(iv)          To make recommendations on policies where it is proposed to provide separate or single-gender services.

Report of the Strategic Director, Integrated Adults and Social Care Services

Consideration was given to a report which requested Cabinet to recommend to Council the approval of an Autism Strategy.

RESOLVED:

(i)            That Council be recommended to adopt the Autism Strategy

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(i)            To ensure Gateshead place has an up-to-date and relevant strategic approach to supporting Autistic People; and

(ii)           To ensure the implementation of the priorities set out in strategy by relevant stakeholders.

Report of the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

Consideration was given to a report which sought Cabinet approval for the admission of Northumberland County Council to Northeast Museums Strategic Board.

RESOLVED:

(i)            Agreement be given to Northumberland County Council being admitted to, and given equal status in, the Joint Committee that governs North East Museums as is already held by existing Constituent Councils;

(ii)           The Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance be authorised to agree consequential amendments to the governance arrangements of North East Museums; and

(iii)          It is proposed that each Constituent Council will have two members of the strategic board when Northumberland is admitted.

The above decision was made for the following reasons:

(i)            To provide wider collaboration across a larger geographical area;

(ii)           To provide more consistency by replacing rotating members with an additional permanent member; and

(iii)          Access to new ‘shared’ resources will enrich programming potential and the number and range of venues through which activities and opportunities may be made available to the public.

Report of the Strategic Director of Children’s Social Care and Lifelong Learning

Consideration was given to a report asking Cabinet 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)            The nomination for appointment/reappointment of a Local Authority Governor be approved for the term of office determined by the schools’ Instrument of Government

The above decision has been made for the following reason:

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

Consideration was given to a report which presented to Cabinet the final feedback report from the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Corporate Peer Challenge with an associated action plan to address its key recommendations.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The LGA Corporate Peer Challenge Final Report be approved;

(ii)           The publication of the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge Action Plan be approved; and

(iii)          The plans for a progress review of the Corporate Peer Challenge by November 2025 be noted.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(i)            To meet the terms of the commitment to the LGA Corporate Peer Challenge process and make the recommended improvements.

Report of the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance

Consideration was given to a report which asked Cabinet to agree a revised Probationary Period Policy, as set out at Appendix 2 to the report.

RESOLVED:

(i)            That the Probationary Period Policy be agreed.

The above decision has been made for the following reason:

(i)            To ensure that the Council has an appropriate probationary policy in place within its human resources framework

The Cabinet may wish to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following item(s) on the grounds indicated:

Items 19 - 22                                                  

Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972

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, Economy, Innovation and Growth

Consideration was given to a report which sought approval in principle to purchase land at South Farm, Barlow.

RESOLVED:

(i)            That the purchase of land, as set out in the report, be agreed in principle, subject to grant funding being confirmed, as detailed in the report;

(ii)           Agreement be given for remaining funds to come from the Climate Change revenue budget;

(iii)          The Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth and the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, be authorised to purchase the land, upon confirmation of funding from the North East Community Forest to assist in the purchase and the creation of new woodland; and

(iv)          The Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth and the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, be authorised to accept the grant from North East Community Forest to assist in the purchase and creation of new woodland.

The above decision was made for the following reason:

(i)            To assist the Council in its commitment to plant 100,000 trees by 2030 and create 250ha of new woodland by 2050.

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

Consideration was given to a report which sought approval of the disposal of land at the former Clasper Village, Teams.

RESOLVED:

(i)            That entering into the BHF Grant Funding Agreement with NECA to secure the redevelopment of Clasper Village be approved;

(ii)           The disposal of the freehold interest, as set out in the report, be approved;

(iii)          The purchase of affordable home provision, as set out in the report; and

(iv)          The Strategic Director, Economy Innovation & Growth and the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital, in consultation with the Leader, be authorised to enter into further negotiations as necessary.

The above decision was made for the following reasons:

(i)            To dispose of an asset and realise a capital receipt;

(ii)           To enable development of new homes in Gateshead subject to planning permission; and

(iii)          To increase the supply of Council Housing in Gateshead.

Report of the Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth

Consideration was given to a report which sought approval for the acquisition of Audit and Saville House, Oakwellgate, in Gateshead.

RESOLVED:

(i)            That the acquisition of land and buildings comprising of Audit House and Saville House be approved: and

(ii)           The Strategic Director, Economy, Innovation and Growth, in conjunction with the Strategic Director, Resources and Digital, be authorised to negotiate the terms of the transaction.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(i)            To support the aspirations for regeneration of a key, visible gateway into Gateshead Town Centre in line with the adopted Quays Framework and Local Plan; and

(ii)           To enable future delivery of new homes and commercial property to commence.

Report of the Interim Strategic Director, Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities and the Strategic Director of Children’s Social Care and Lifelong Learning

Consideration was given to a report that sought approval for the Dryden Centre to be disposed of by way of a long-term lease to an educational establishment.

RESOLVED:

(i)            The principle of disposal of the Dryden Centre as an educational establishment on a long-term lease, be agreed; and

(ii)           The Strategic Director of Housing, Environment and Healthy Communities, in consultation with the Strategic Director, Corporate Services and Governance and Strategic Director, Resources and Digital, be authorised under delegated powers to agree final terms.

The above decision has been made for the following reasons:

(i)            To remove the liabilities of an empty property from the Council’s obligations;

(ii)           To receive a premium; and

(iii)          In addition the facilitation of appropriate school accommodation for a protected characteristic community is achieved through this transaction.