Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business on the agenda, and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

Members were asked to declare any interests they may have in the business on the agenda and/or declare that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applied to them.

Councillor Cooke declared that he had a prejudicial interest in respect of Item 20, Sale of Land at Brandon Street, in that he was employed as Chair of Leicester Lift Strategic Partnership Board. He undertook to leave the meeting during consideration of the item.

Cllr. Willmott declared an interest in respect of item 20, Sale of Land at Brandon Street, in that he was a non-executive director of Leicester City Primary Care Trust.  He was not clear whether this amounted to a prejudicial interest but he decided to leave the meeting during the consideration of the item.

Councillor Willmott, on behalf of the Cabinet, congratulated all who had been involved in preparing Leicester City Council’s successful £150million Primary Capital Programme bid. He stated that this would significantly benefit local children for many years to come.

Councillor Willmott also thanked all who had been involved, both visibly and behind the scenes, in the Council’s opening night of Curve. He stated that it had been a splendid occasion for the City, showed that Curve was a groundbreaking building, and would have much success.

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 October 2008 and the special meeting held on 29 October 2008 have been circulated to Members and the Cabinet is asked to approve them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 1 October 2008, and the special meeting held on 29 October 2008, be confirmed as correct records.

The Monitoring Officer stated that there were no matters referred from Committees.

Councillor Dempster submits a report that brings forward proposals for the allocation of the £453,000 Youth Capital Plus Fund. Cabinet asked to approve the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 3 of the report.

A minute extract from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, held on 6 November 2008, will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that brought forward proposals for the allocation of the £453,000 Youth Capital Plus Fund.

It was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board had considered and noted the report, and had asked about the process of involving young people in the proposals. Councillor Dempster confirmed that young people would be involved in all developments.

RESOLVED:

1)     that Cabinet notes the report;

2)     that Cabinet agrees the proposed allocation of the Youth Capital Plus Fund (£453,000) with its focus on areas of antisocial behaviour/little or poor youth facilities;

3)     that Cabinet agrees that the Youth Opportunities/Capital Fund Panel be involved in this process by visiting the proposed centres and providing their advice along with the young people using the respective centres.

Councillor Dempster submits a report that details consultation responses including views expressed at the Children and Young People’s Joint Consultative Committee and makes recommendations with respect to term dates for the next three years. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 3 of the report.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that detailed consultation responses including views expressed at the Children and Young People’s Joint Consultative Committee and made recommendations with respect to term dates for the next three years.

She stated that Cabinet was aware of the interest that the issue had generated amongst the press and the public, with regard to initial proposed dates that differed from those proposed by the County Council. It was noted that there was a clear preference amongst consultees to align the dates of both Local Authorities, and that the consultation had resulted in the recommendation being amended to take the preferences into account. Councillor Dempster also stated that there would be closer work between the City and County Councils in future discussions about term and holiday dates, to ensure that this situation did not happen again.

It was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board agreed with the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     Agrees that the County Council date patterns for 2009/10, 2010/11 and 20011/1, as detailed in Appendix D, be adopted in response to preferences expressed and to harmonise dates and facilitate 14-19 curriculum planning. These are to be agreed subject to further discussion and resolution of INSET days;

2)     Agrees that future term date patterns be determined following exploration via a Joint City/County Working Party in accordance with prevailing local, national and regional priorities.

Councillor Dempster submits a report that updates Cabinet on the work of the Children and Young People’s Department with children who are privately fostered. Cabinet is recommended to acknowledge the contents of the report and its conclusions, and support further publicity within the coming year to continue to raise public awareness and awareness in schools of the need to notify all new, or proposed private fostering arrangements.

A minute extract from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, held on 6 November 2008, will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that updated Cabinet on the work of the Children and Young People’s Department with children who were privately fostered.

Councillor Dempster stated that the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board had considered and noted the report; and that they supported the recommendation that further publicity be carried out within the coming year to continue to raise public and school awareness of the need to notify all new or proposed private fostering arrangements.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     Acknowledges the contents of the report and its conclusions;

2)     Supports further publicity within the coming year to continue to raise public awareness and awareness in schools of the need to notify all new, or proposed private fostering arrangements.

Councillor Dempster submits a report that introduces the Annual Report 2007-2008 and Business Plan 2008-2011 and to advise on the progress since April 08. Cabinet is recommended to note the contents of the annual report and business plan.

A minute extract from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, held on 6 November 2008, will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that introduced the Annual report 2007-2008 and Business Plan 2008-2011, and that advised on the progress since April 2008.

Councillor Dempster stated that, in the light of recent events publicised in the media, that this was an important issue, and it was reassuring to have a highly-commended Local Safeguarding Children’s Board. Councillor Willmott also stated that he was pleased that these arrangements were in place.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet notes the contents of the annual report and business plan.

Councillor Wann submits a report that seeks Cabinet approval to implement the 2008/09 Local Environmental Works Programme. Cabinet is asked to approve the programme of £400,000.

Councillor Kitterick submitted a report that sought Cabinet approval to implement the 2008/09 Local Environmental Works Programme.

Councillor Kitterick stated that the Highways Team had done an excellent job on the Streets and Spaces project in the City Centre, and that the proposals in the report would enable them to carry out work in the areas outside the City Centre.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet approves the 2008/09 Local Environmental Works Programme of £400,000.

Councillor Kitterick submits a report that seeks Cabinet approval to spend the 2008/09 Bridge Refurbishment and Watercourse Improvement budgets. Cabinet is asked to approve the expenditure of the 2008/09 Bridge Refurbishment and Watercourse Improvement budgets

Councillor Kitterick submitted a report that sought Cabinet approval to spend the 2008/09 Bridge Refurbishment and Watercourse Improvement budgets.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet approves the expenditure of the 2008/09 Bridge Refurbishment and Watercourse Improvement Budgets.

Councillor Willmott submits a report that presents a revised “corporate” capital programme for 2008/09 to 2011/12 in light of the present downturn in property sales. Cabinet is asked to recommend to Council the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 2.2 of the report.

A minute extract from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, held on 6 November 2008, will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that presented a revised “corporate” capital programme for 2008/09 to 2011/12 in the light of the present downturn in property sales. He stated that the council would not sell land at a less than reasonable price, as it was important to ensure that the Council’s assets were put to use in the most beneficial way possible. Because of this, proposed schemes had to be re-prioritised; however, they would be rescheduled when the economic climate improved.

RESOLVED:

                        That Cabinet recommends the following to Council:

1)     that the schemes identified in paragraph 4.5 of the report be added to the Block B schemes of the existing corporate capital programme;

2)     that the savings identified in paragraph 4.6 of the report be reduced from the existing corporate capital programme;

3)     the consequential capital programme at Annex A, split between the schemes in block A which can proceed without further approval and schemes in block B which require a report to Cabinet (noting that some such reports have already been taken);

4)     that the sum of £2.245 million, set aside as a contingency for the Digital Media Centre (DMC), be retained as a contingency to support the corporate capital programme, should this not be required for DMC

Councillor Willmott submits a report that seeks authorisation for the release of capital monies for essential Water Hygiene Health and Safety works as identified in the report. Cabinet is asked to approve the release of the allocated funds of £345,000 within the Capital Programme for the implementation of the Water Hygiene works identified in Appendix 1 of the report.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that sought authorisation for the release of capital monies for essential water hygiene health and safety works as identified in the report.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet approves the release of the allocated funds for £345,000 within the Capital Programme for the implementation of the water hygiene works identified in appendix 1 of the report.

Councillor Willmott submits a report that seeks authorisation for the release of capital monies for Property Schemes as identified in the report. Cabinet is asked to approve the list of Property schemes and approve the release of £700,000, from the capital programme which has been allocated for Property Schemes by Council at its meeting on 27 March 2008, for the schemes outlined in Appendix 1 to enable implementation.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that sought authorisation for the release of capital monies for Property Schemes as identified in the report.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     Approves the list of Property Schemes identified in Appendix 1 of the report;

2)     Approves the release of £700,000, from the capital programme which has been allocated for Property Schemes by Council at its meeting on 27 March 2008, for the schemes identified in Appendix 1 of the report to enable implementation.

Councillor Willmott submits a report that explains the process by which the Council’s 2009/10 base budget is being prepared, and summarises the principles supporting the process. Cabinet is asked to endorse the framework for base budget preparation, approve the cash limits for each department, and authorise the Chief Finance Officer to change the provision for pay in the light of better information which may emerge.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that explained the process by which the Council’s 2009/10 base budget was being prepared, and summarised the principles supporting the process.

RESOLVED:

                        That Cabinet:

1)     Endorses the framework for base budget preparation;

2)     Approves the cash limits for each department;

3)     Authorises the Chief Finance Officer to change the provision for pay in the light of better information which may emerge.

Councillor Willmott submits a report that shows proposed changes to the Constitution. Cabinet is recommended to approve the recommendations as set out in the report.

A copy of the appendices to the report is attached for Members of Cabinet only. These cab be viewed on the City Council’s website at: http://www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.asp?CId=78&MId=2436&      Ver=4

Or by visiting the Customer Services Centre, B Block, New Walk Centre, or by contacting Committee Services on 0116 229 8816.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that showed proposed changes to the Constitution.

RESOLVED:

                        That Cabinet recommends to Council the following:

1)     Agree the attached revision to the Constitution in respect of Contract Procedure Rules, Finance Procedure Rules and Land and Property Transaction Rules;

2)     Authorise the Chief Finance Officer and Service Director – Legal Services to take all necessary action to implement the proposed changes on 1 January 2009, including the production and publication of a revised Constitution in electronic format on the internet/intranet.

Councillor Willmott submits a report that set out the changed approach to performance management and reporting to deliver One Leicester in eh context of the new national performance regime and the recently agreed Local Area Agreement 2008-2011. Cabinet is asked to note performance for the first quarter, note the future work that will be undertaken to improve performance reporting, and to consider the proposals to change the way performance management information is available, to make it responsive to the needs of a wide variety of stakeholders.

A copy of the appendices to the report is attached for Members of Cabinet only. These cab be viewed on the City Council’s website at: http://www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.asp?CId=78&MId=2436&      Ver=4

Or by visiting the Customer Services Centre, B Block, New Walk Centre, or by contacting Committee Services on 0116 229 8816.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report that set out the changed approach to performance management and reporting to deliver One Leicester in the context of the new national performance regime and the recently agreed Local Area Agreement 2008-2011.

Councillor Willmott stated that the report indicated a leap forward in how performance was to be managed, and that a new approach had been taken in that there was a strong line of accountability, due to Local Area Agreement targets being allocated to individual Cabinet Leads for the first time. He also stated that the report showed that Cabinet was committed to managing the day-to-day business of the Council, as well as delivering one-off projects.

RESOLVED:

                        That Cabinet

1)     Notes performance for the first quarter  (sections 5 and 6 of the report and appendices 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6);

2)     Notes the future work that will be undertaken to improve performance reporting;

3)     Considers the proposals to change the way performance management information is available, to make it responsive to the needs of a wide variety of stakeholders.

AGENDA

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO NOTE

Under the law, the Cabinet is entitled to consider certain items in private.  Members of the public will be asked to leave the meeting when such items are discussed.

The Cabinet is recommended to consider the following reports in private on the grounds that they contain ‘exempt’ information as defined by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, as amended and consequently that the Cabinet makes the following resolution:-

“that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following reports in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because they involve the likely disclosure of 'exempt' information, as defined in the Paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and taking all the circumstances into account, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the information as exempt outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Paragraph 3

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED:

that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following reports in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because they involve the likely disclosure of ‘exempt’ information, as defined in the Paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and taking all the circumstances into account, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the information as exempt outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Paragraph 3

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

SALE OF LAND AT BRANDON STREET

Councillor Willmott submits a report.

Councillors Willmott and Cooke left the meeting. Councillor Osman took the Chair.

Councillor Osman submitted a report that sought to obtain Cabinet approval for the sale of land at Brandon Street to the purchaser and under the terms as set out in the report.

Councillor Osman, seconded by Councillor Draycott moved an amendment to recommendation ii), to remove the reference to the Council Leader and replace it with Deputy Council Leader, as the Leader had declared an interest and left the meeting. The Cabinet agreed this  amendment.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet

1)     Approves the sale of land under the terms as set out in the report;

2)     Authorises the Service Director (Property Services) to agree detailed terms for the disposal in consultation with the Deputy Council Leader;

3)     Authorises the Service Director of Legal Services to prepare and execute the necessary documentation to dispose of the site in question.

The meeting closed at 1.32pm.