Agenda and minutes

Reverend Meg Gilley, Bensham & Teams St Chad’s Vicarage, gave the opening address.

COUNCIL RESOLVED -       That the minutes of the meetings held 10 and 25 November 2016 be approved.

(announcements may be made by the Mayor, Leader of the Council or the Chief Executive)

(A)       Lawyers in Local Government (LLG) Awards 2016

The Mayor announced the success of Patrick Houghton, Commercial Solicitor, who won the Project Lawyer of the Year Award at the recent LLG Awards.  The judges paid tribute to Patrick’s work on Gateshead’s District Energy Scheme and a range of other Gateshead schemes including its trading initiatives.  The awards also recognised the Council’s Commercial Legal Team who were runners up in the Legal Team of the Year award category.

The Mayor presented Patrick with his award in recognition of his achievement.

(B)       North East Care Awards 2016

The Mayor informed Council of the annual North East Care Awards which recognise outstanding teams and individuals in the social care workforce.

The Council’s Adult Social Care Provider had seven employees and two teams shortlisted in a wide range of categories and went on to have 3 winners at the awards night on 1 December:

• Sharon Foster who works within the long term domiciliary care team was successful in winning the Dignity in Care Award.

• Diane Ingham who works as a domestic and support worker within Shadon House Dementia Resource Centre in Birtley was successful in winning the Ancillary Worker award.

• The Guidepost Team which enable people with learning disabilities to be supported by staff and their peers, in being inclusive in their own communities and support their independence, were successful in winning the Putting People First Personalisation award.

The Mayor presented the awards in recognition these achievements

(C)       Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE) Awards

Council were informed of the success in two award categories at the APSE Awards 2016.

The Council were successful in winning the Best Performing Cleaning Service and Best School Catering Service in the UK.  The Mayor advised that the awards recognise high quality frontline services delivered to local communities by local authorities who have to be able to demonstrate that they are value for money whilst proving high levels of customer satisfaction.

The Mayor presented the awards to members of the Building Cleaning Team and School Catering Team.

(D)       British Horse Society Awards 2016

The Mayor announced that the Council had received recognition at the British Horse Society Awards and had won the Lady Elizabeth Kirk Award for the best voluntary dedication of a bridleway, on its land at Buck’s Hill Plantation at Whickham, known to many users as the former Footpath Whickham 79.

This voluntary upgrade to a bridleway has also added an equestrian and cycle link to the existing rights of way in Washingwell Woods, providing convenience and enjoyment of the rights of way network for all users.

The Mayor presented the award to Rob Hindhaugh, Public Rights of Way Officer; Jennifer Bradley, Highways Solicitor, and Councillor Keith Woods, Chair of the Rights of Way Committee.

Alice Wiseman, Director of Public Health attended the meeting and presented her annual report, the focus of which is the ambition for a smoke-free Gateshead.

(to receive petitions submitted under Council Procedure Rule 10)

Councillor Jack Graham submitted a petition in relation to the proposed closure of Greenside Doctors Surgery.

(to consider any questions submitted under Council Procedure Rule 7)

There were no questions submitted by members of the public

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of a centrally employed teachers’ pay policy 2016.

COUNCIL RESOLVED -       That the draft policy at Appendix 2 be approved.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of a revised early retirement / redundancy payment policy for employees who are members of the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.

COUNCIL RESOLVED -       That the draft policy be approved.

Consideration was given to a report that informed of progress made to date in the current review of terms and conditions and to seek approval to implement proposals relating to car allowances and the normal working week.

COUNCIL RESOLVED -       That the implementation of the proposals outlined in the report be approved.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval of a suite of strategic documents for special educational needs and disabilities, accessibility and services for children and young people.

COUNCIL RESOLVED -       i) That the following documents  be approved:

                                                            a) Accessibility Strategy

                                                            b) Inclusion Policy

                                                            c) PVI Survey

                                                            d) SEND Report Guidance to Schools

ii) That it be agreed to undertake wide consultation

with all stakeholders on the SEND strategic aims and to receive a further report on the outcome of the consultations once available.

iii) That it be noted that the Joint Commissioning Strategy will be endorsed early in the Spring Term 2017 to align with the Council and CCG budget strategies.

Consideration was given to a report seeking approval for the Council’s Sports Strategy Documents, which comprise a Playing Pitch Strategy, an Indoor and Built Sports Facilities Strategy and the Gateshead Football Plan.

COUNCIL RESOLVED -       i) That the potential implications of the Gateshead Sports Strategy documents, including opportunities for new mechanisms for the provision and maintenance of sports facilities be noted.

                                                ii) That the Gateshead Playing Pitch Strategy 2016 – 2019, the Gateshead Indoor and Built Sports Facilities Strategy 2016 – 2026, and the Gateshead Football Plan 2016 – 2019 be approved.

Consideration was given to a report recommending a Local Council Tax Support Scheme for the year 2017/18 following consultation.

COUNCIL RESOLVED -       i) That the proposed scheme as set out in paragraphs 8 and 9 of the report be approved.

                                                ii) That delegated powers be granted to the Strategic Director, Corporate Resources, to provide regulations to give effect to the scheme.

The Leader of the Council reported on a number of key issues currently affecting the Council.

(to consider any notices of motion submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9.1)

The proposer and seconder of the motion concerning the Sustainability and Transformation Plan for Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and North Durham confirmed that they had now withdrawn the motion.

(to deal with any questions submitted in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 8.1)

There were no questions submitted.