Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Scuplak.

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

Members were requested to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Act applied to them.

No declarations were made.

Charity Pancake Race

The Leader reported that the above event was to take place the next day, Shrove Tuesday, at Leicester Market, with proceeds towards the Lord Mayor's Charity.

Leicester Leys Leisure Centre

The Leader reported that a new session of Pilates classes were starting at the above Leisure Centre

UNICEF report: Child Poverty in Perspective

The Leader referred to the above recently published report and asked Councillor Suleman to comment.   Councillor Suleman reported that the Council with the Primary Care Trust had commissioned an analysis of the impact of the report on Leicester.

Pastoral Care - Primary Schools

Councillor Suleman reported that arising from the school improvement meetings, it had become clear that there was a need for high level family support posts to work with parents and families on issues that interfered with children’s ability to learn.  He noted that at present dealing with these kinds of issues detracted teaching staff from focusing on the quality of teaching and learning.  He reported that it was proposed to create a number of posts as additional capacity to enable this family work to be completed without over reliance on school based staff.  Further he noted that all of the evidence suggested that freeing up teachers in this way improved outcomes for children and young people and increased the parental capacity to engage with the school in a positive way.

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2007 have been circulated to Members and the Cabinet is asked to approve them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2007, having been circulated to Members, be taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

(a)            Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee – 8 January 2007

Building Schools for the Future – Update and Local Employment Scheme        

The following was agreed at the above meeting.  The full minute extract is attached at Appendix A1.

“That as the issue has corporate implications Cabinet and the Town Clerk

be requested to consider the opportunities available to benefit the City from

the Building Schools for the Future Programme”.

Councillor Suleman to respond

(b)              Economic Development and Planning Scrutiny Committee – 18 January 2007

2006/07 Capital Programme Monitoring

The following was agreed at the above meeting.  The full minute extract is attached at Appendix A2.

“that the committee expresses its concerns to Cabinet about the level of

slippage in Regeneration and Culture Department Capital Programme”.

Councillor Coley to respond

(c)               Resources and Corporate Issues Scrutiny Committee – 16 November 2006

Scrutiny Research Project:  Executive Briefing Note for Scrutiny Reports

The following was agreed at the above meeting.  The full minute extract is attached at Appendix A3.

“that Cabinet and all Scrutiny Committees be recommended to consider amending the existing report format to remove the summary report at the front because it did not serve its purpose and that on future reports a feedback section be attached to the rear for Councillors to give feedback to report authors”.

Councillor Coley to respond

(d)              Adult and Community Services Scrutiny Committee – 10 January 2007

Adult Social Care Performance 2006/2007

The following was agreed at the above meeting.  The full minute extract is attached at Appendix A4.

“that Cabinet’s attention be drawn to the fact that the departments rating to improve has declined and that further financial constraints might well have a serious impact on the capacity to improve”.

Councillor Gill to respond

(e)               Adult and Community Services Scrutiny Committee – 10 January 2007

Adult Learning - Update

The following was agreed at the above meeting.  The full minute extract is attached at Appendix A5. 

“that the information be noted and that the comments expressed regarding

 the future of free ESOL courses be fed back to Cabinet.”.

A briefing note is also attached with regard to ESOL training.

Councillor Gill to respond.

(f)                 Spinney Hills and Stoneygate Area Committee – 20 November 2006 and 29 January 2007

Highways – Response to Working Group

The following was agreed at the meeting on 29 January 2007.  Both minute extracts are attached at Appendix A6.

“that Cabinet be requested to consider the proposals of the Highways  Working Group which were supported by the Area Committee”.

a)            Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee – 8 January 2007

Building Schools for the Future – Update and Local Employment Scheme

The following was agreed at the above meeting

“That as the issue has corporate implications Cabinet and the Town Clerk be requested to consider the opportunities available to benefit the City from the Building Schools for the Future Programme”.

Councillor Suleman agreed that the Building Schools for the Future programme was a great opportunity for the City and reported that a full report on the programme and the opportunities it afforded would be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet 

b)            Economic Development and Planning Scrutiny Committee – 18 January 2007

2006/07 Capital Programme Monitoring – Period 7

The following was agreed at the above meeting

“that the committee expresses its concerns to Cabinet about the level of slippage in Regeneration and Culture Department Capital Programme”.

Councillor Coley referred to the report to the last Cabinet on the progress of the capital programme and that overall the Council was performing well.  He acknowledged that there were 2 key areas of slippage.  One was in relation to the Performing Arts Centre which had encountered delays beyond the Council's control.  The second was the St George's Infrastructure Liveability project and officers had been asked to prepare an update to Scrutiny and Cabinet members on the amount of slippage on this project, the reasons, action taken and any lessons learned.

c)            Resources and Corporate Issues Scrutiny Committee -  16 November 2006

Scrutiny Research Project:  Executive Briefing Note for Scrutiny Report

The following was agreed at the above meeting

“that Cabinet and all Scrutiny Committees be recommended to consider amending the existing report format to remove the summary report at the front because it did not serve its purpose and that on future reports a feedback section be attached to the rear for Councillors to give feedback to report authors”.

            Councillor Coley proposed that Scrutiny experiment with an amended report format over a 6 month period and give feedback to Cabinet.

d)         Adult and Community Services Scrutiny Committee – 10 January 2007

            Adult Social Care Performance 2006/2007

The following was agreed at the above meeting.

“that Cabinet’s attention be drawn to the fact that the departments rating to improve has declined and that further financial constraints might well have a serious impact on the capacity to improve”.

Councillor Ramsdale reported that he shared the Scrutiny Committee's concerns and that the pressure on Adult Social Care budgets was a nationwide issue.  He noted that provision had been made in the budget proposals for an extra £6.3 million to be spent on Social Care Services over the next 3 years.

e)         Adult and Community Services Scrutiny Committee - 10 January 2007

Adult Learning - Update

The following was agreed at the above meeting.

“that the information be noted and that the comments expressed regarding the future of free ESOL courses be fed back to Cabinet.”

Councillor Ramsdale agreed with the importance of ESOL  ...  view the full minutes text for item 185.

Councillor Coley submits a report that informs Members of the items of business from the meeting of full Council on 25^th January 2007, which potentially will impact on the work of Cabinet or will be or relevance to Cabinet in terms of future reports.  Cabinet is recommended to note the Council resolutions and the initiation of the action arising.

Councillor Coley submitted a report a report that informed Members of the items of business from the meeting of full Council on 25 January 2007, which potentially will impact on the work of Cabinet or will be or relevance to Cabinet in terms of future reports.

He noted in particular the list of projects referred for consideration for funding from the Area Committee budget in areas where no Area Committees were currently set up.  He urged Members in these areas to participate in setting up these Area Committees so that these budget proposals could be considered in the areas.

RESOLVED:

(1)            that the Council resolutions and the initiation of the action arising, including steps to establish the remaining Area Committees, be noted; and

(2)that further necessary reports be submitted to Cabinet as soon as practicable.

Councillor Sandringham submits a report that seeks Cabinet endorsement of spending proposals by Area Committees.  Cabinet is recommended to agree the expenditure proposals in Appendix A; and approve budget commitments spent ahead of this Cabinet but agreed by officers in consultation with the relevant Members as a matter of urgency due to time constraints.

Councillor Sandringham submitted a report that sought Cabinet approval of spending proposals by Area Committees.

RESOLVED:

that the expenditure proposals in Appendix A of the report be approved.

Councillor Suleman submits a report that advises Cabinet of the outcome of the Commission for Social care Inspection of the Leicester City Council Adoption Service which took place over 8 days in September 2006.  Cabinet is recommended to note the report of the Commission for Social Care Inspection into the Leicester City Joint Adoption Service, acknowledge the statutory Requirements and Good Practice Recommendations contained within the report and recognise the work of the Adoption Team and the commitment of the staff within the service in maintaining the service as among the highest performing services in the England and Wales.

The relevant minute extract from the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee on 8 January 2007 is attached.

The appendix to the report is attached for Members of the Cabinet only.  Further copies are available on the Council’s Web Site at:  http:www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk or by phoning Committee Services on (0116) 252 6021.

Councillor Suleman submitted a report that advised Cabinet of the outcome of the Commission for Social Care Inspection of the Leicester City Council Adoption Service which took place over 8 days in September 2006.

The relevant minute extract of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee on 8 January 2007 had been circulated to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

(1)               that the report of the Commission for Social Care Inspection into the Leicester City Joint Adoption Service be noted.

(2)               that the statutory Requirements and Good Practice Recommendations contained within the report be acknowledged; and

(3)that the work of the Adoption Team and the commitment of the staff within the service in maintaining the service as among the highest performing services in England and Wales be recognised.

Councillor Suleman submits a report that advises Cabinet of the outcome of the Inspection of Leicester City private fostering service by the Commission for Social care Inspection (CSCI).  Cabinet is recommended to note the content of the CSCI report of the private fostering arrangements and the excellent outcome of this inspection and commend staff for their hard work and contribution to the positive report.

The relevant minute extract from the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee on 8 January 2007 is attached.

The appendix to the report is attached for Members of the Cabinet only.  Further copies are available on the Council’s Web Site at:  http:www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk or by phoning Committee Services on (0116) 252 6021.

Councillor Suleman submitted a report that advised Cabinet of the outcome of the Inspection of Leicester City private fostering service by the Commission for Social Care Inspection.

The relevant minute extract of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee on 8 January 2007 had been circulated to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the content of the Commission for Social Care Inspection report of the private fostering arrangements and the excellent outcome of this inspection be noted; and

(2)that the hard work and contribution to the positive report by staff be commended.

Councillor Suleman submits a report that advises Cabinet of the outcome of the Commission for Social Care Inspection of the Leicester City Council Fostering Service, which occurred between 18^th to 22^nd September 2006.  Cabinet is recommended to note the final report of the Commission for Social Care Inspection of the Leicester City Council Fostering Service and commend all staff and foster carers who have worked hard to produce such an outstanding inspection report.

The relevant minute extract from the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee on 8 January 2007 is attached.

The appendix to the report is attached for Members of the Cabinet only.  Further copies are available on the Council’s Web Site at:  http:www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk or by phoning Committee Services on (0116) 252 6021.

Councillor Suleman submitted a report that advised Cabinet of the outcome of the Commission for Social Care Inspection of the Leicester City Council Fostering Service, which occurred between 18 to 22 September 2006.

The relevant minute extract of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee on 8 January 2007 had been circulated to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Final Report of the Commission for Social Care Inspection Report of the Leicester City Council Fostering Service be noted; and

(2)that all of the staff and foster carers who have worked hard to produce such an outstanding inspection report be commended.

Councillor Mugglestone submits a report that seeks Cabinet’s agreement to expenditure on specific schemes included in the ring-fenced Cultural Services Capital Programme.  Cabinet is recommended to authorise the commitment of capital expenditure in 2007/08 of £785,000 on 4 schemes detailed in the report, approve a variation to the ring-fenced programme of investments as set out in Appendix 2 and withdraw the disposal of Humberstone Park Depot and Evington House from the disposals programme for the reasons set out in paragraph 2.1 of the Supporting Information.

Councillor Mugglestone submitted a report that sought Cabinet’s agreement to expenditure on specific schemes included in the ring-fenced Cultural Services Capital Programme.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the commitment of capital expenditure in 2007/08 of £785,000 on 4 schemes detailed in the report be authorised.

(2)that a variation to the ring-fenced programme of investments as set out in Appendix 2 be approved; and

(3)that the withdrawal of Humberstone Park Depot and Evington House from the disposals programme for the reasons set out in Paragraph 2.1 of the Supporting Information be approved.

Councillor Scuplak submits a report that updates Cabinet on the current position of the three projects delivering public realm improvements in the city centre, brings to its attention required programming and funding changes and seeks approval to the release of capital programme funding.   Cabinet is recommended to approve the release of outstanding capital programme moneys to fund the remainder of the City Centre Development Project, approve the release of outstanding capital programme moneys to fund the remainder of the Cultural Quarter Infrastructure Project, approve the reprofiling of the City Centre Development and the Cultural Quarter Infrastructure Projects over 2006/07 and 2007/08 to reflect revised costs and income, authorise the Service Director to proceed with works in the Cultural Quarter to ensure completion of works prior to the Performing Arts Centre being launched to include delegated powers of authority to enter into contract with Builders for Phase 2, the cost of which is detailed on page 9 and note the proposed expenditure on the Leicester Regeneration Company Public Realm Project.

The relevant minute extracts from the Highways and Transportation Scrutiny Committee on 21 November 2006 and Economic Development and Planning on 23 November 2006 are attached.

Councillor Mugglestone submitted a report that updated Cabinet on the current position of the three projects delivering public realm improvements in the city centre, brought to its attention required programming and funding changes and sought approval to the release of capital programme funding.  

The relevant minute extracts of the Highways and Transportation Scrutiny Committee on 21 November 2006 and Economic development and Planning on 23 November 2006 had been circulated to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

(1)that a reduction from £19.39m to £16.09m in the City Centre Development Project, and a reduction in the scope of the current programme be noted.

(2)that the Council contribution to the City Centre Development project of £6.84m, of which £2.4m of this has already be approved be noted; and that a further £4.44m that is required to complete the schemes detailed in paragraph 3.7 of the supporting information, be approved.

(3)that the release of £473,000 of capital programme monies to fund the Cultural Quarter Infrastructure Project be approved.

(4)that additional external funding sourced for the Cultural Quarter programme and a transfer of funding from this programme to support the PAC as agreed in January 2007 be noted.

(5)that the Corporate Director be authorised to proceed with works in the Cultural Quarter to ensure completion of works prior to the Performing Arts Centre being launched to include delegated powers of authority to enter into contract with Builders for Phase 2, the cost of which is detailed on page 9.

(6)that the expenditure on the Leicester Regeneration Company Public Realm Project of £750,000 be noted; and

(7)that the project costs for City Centre Development, Cultural Quarter and Leicester Regeneration Company public realm include each project’s contribution towards the “Big Picture” promotional activities which amounts to £200,000 be noted.

Councillor Coley submits a report that requests Cabinet to consider a 3 year corporate budget strategy, 3 year departmental revenue strategies for each department, and a general fund budget for 2007/08 and to recommend these to the Council.  Cabinet is asked to approve a number of recommendations as set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report.

The appendix to the report is attached for Members of the Cabinet only.  Further copies are available on the Council’s Web Site at:  http:www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk or by phoning Committee Services on (0116) 252 6021.

Councillor Coley submitted a report that requested Cabinet to consider a 3-year corporate budget strategy, 3 year departmental revenue strategies for each department, and a general fund budget for 2007/08 and to recommend these to the Council.

Councillor Coley recommended that Cabinet approve the budget for recommendation to Council but signalled his intention to propose amendments at Council as follows:-

a)         to provide funding for pastoral care in primary schools; and

b)         to delete proposals R2 to R4 in the Housing Department revenue strategy given the reported adverse effect of these measures.

Councillor Coley noted the comments of the Scrutiny Committees and the Unions.  He also referred to an amended Appendix 6 of the Regeneration and Culture budget strategy and an addition to Appendix C of the Resources budget strategy, the latter of which had been omitted from the papers and both of which had been circulated.

Also further to the report, Councillor Coley reported the increases in the Police and Fire precepts of 5%.  It was noted that the proposed increase of the City Council's budget was 2.6%, bringing an overall proposed Council Tax increase of 3% for 2007/08.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the draft corporate budget strategy for 2007/08 to 2009/10, the draft departmental revenue strategies prepared by each director, as amended by the additional papers and the draft overall budget for 2007/08 as described in the report be approved for recommendation to Council;

(2)that the Chief Finance Officer be asked to prepare a formal budget and council tax resolution, and consequent prudential indicators, for Council approval;

(3)that subject to the approval of the budget by the Council on 21 February and the Council’s normal procedures, authorisation be given to corporate directors to take any action necessary to deliver their departmental revenue strategies for 2008/09 to 2009/10;

(4)that the Director of Resources be authorised to spend £0.3m of monies set aside for the cost of job evaluation on project management costs;

(5)that the Chief Finance Officer be authorised to give effect to the budget adjustments arising from the Business Improvement Programme, when these are known;

(6)that the Council, notwithstanding (7) below, recommend that authority be given to the Cabinet (after consulting the party spokespersons for Resources and Corporate Issues Scrutiny Committee) to enter into contracts with individual members of staff to discharge potential “equal pay” liabilities; to determine how the cost shall be met; and to make arrangements for the administration of such agreements;

(7)that Council be asked to agree that the approved budget shall form part of the policy and budget framework of the Council, and that future amendments shall require the approval of Full Council, subject to the following:

that Cabinet may authorise the addition, deletion or virement of sums within the budget to a maximum amount of £1m for a single purpose;

flexibilities and permissions provided in finance procedure rules.

(8)that the schedule of determinations to the Council’s finance procedure rules as shown at Appendix 6 be agreed

(9)  ...  view the full minutes text for item 193.

Councillor Coley submits a report that asks Cabinet to consider the objections to the loss of public open space at Blackbird Road Playing Fields in the light of the Council’s decision to sell the land.   Cabinet is recommended to note the objections received, note that issues relating to open space were dealt with at the outline planning permission stage, reject the objections received in the light of the open space provision which will be provided as part of the development of the site. 

Councillor Coley submitted a report that asked Cabinet to consider the objections to the loss of public open space at Blackbird Road Playing Fields in the light of the Council’s decision to sell the land.  There had been 4 objections although it was noted that one of the objections had been signed by 7 people from the Blackbird Road Playing Fields Action Group.  It was noted that the majority of the land was owned by Gateway College and the rest by the City Council.  All of the land was currently undeveloped.  However, the proposed development included 25% more public open space than the area of land currently owned by the City Council.  It was also noted that all of the issues raised by the objectors had been addressed at the planning approval stage and no new issues had emerged.

Councillor Ramsdale referred to the Blackbird Road Playing Fields Action Group and their concerns regarding the development of the land and urged that every effort be made to encourage the best development possible for the benefit of the existing properties.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the objections received be noted.

(2)that it be noted that the issues relating to open space were dealt with at outline planning permission stage; and

(3)that the objections received be rejected in the light of the open space provision, which will be provided as part of the development of the site.

Councillor Blackmore reported that he had agreed to accept three items of urgent business to the agenda as follows:-

a)         Matter referred by the Economic Development and Planning Scrutiny Committee on 8 February 2007 on the Barker Review of Land Use Planning which the Committee had requested that Cabinet consider and comment on.  The reason for urgency was that comments were required back to the Department for Communities and Local Government by 5 March 2007.

b)         Matter referred from the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee on 14 February 2007 on the Functional Structure Review.  The reason for urgency was that the item related to the budget.

c)         Matter referred from the Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee on 14 February 2007 on the Future of the 14-19 Curriculum.  The reason for urgency was that the item related to the budget.

At its meeting on 8 February 2007, the Economic Development and Planning

Scrutiny Committee agreed the following:-

“That the Committee refer the report to Cabinet for their consideration and comments”.

Councillor Blackmore reported that Cabinet supported the Scrutiny Committees views.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet note and support the comments on the Barker Review of Land Use Planning made by the Economic Development and Planning Scrutiny Committee on 8 February 2007 and that the Acting Director of Regeneration and Culture be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead for Regeneration, to finalise the Council's comments on this matter for dispatch to the Department for Communities and Local Government, East Midlands Development Agency and the Regional Assembly.

At its meeting on 14 February 2007, the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee agreed the following:

‘that Cabinet be asked to reconsider the requirement for the Department to meet Integrated Services programme efficiency savings targets in the light of the transformational change’

Councillor Suleman responded that he and Cabinet recognised the challenges involved in the creation of a new department and were looking at the management of efficiency targets within existing budgets.

At its meeting on 14 February 2007, the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee agreed the following:

‘that Cabinet be requested that sufficient resources be made available to the department to meet the requirement to develop the 14-19 curriculum in the City and that consideration be given to the creation of a 3^rd tier post to manage this work’.

Councillor Suleman reported that he and his Cabinet colleagues recognised the enormous challenge of transformation that the department faced, of which 14-19 was part and had asked the Corporate Director to consider this as part of the departments organisational review.

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 report in private on the grounds that it contains ‘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 report in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because it involves the likely disclosure of 'exempt' information, as defined in the Paragraph 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).

Councillor Blackmore reported that he had agreed that Councillor Draycott could remain in the meeting for the consideration of the private agenda in her capacity as ward councillor.

RESOLVED:

that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following report in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because it involves the likely disclosure of 'exempt' information, as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, 'Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)', 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.

Councillor Smith submits a report.

Councillor Smith submitted a report on the above.

The Corporate Director agreed to look into options for bringing forward the timetable of demolition works subject to their being no significant increase in costs.

RESOLVED:

(1) that approval be given for the sale of the freehold interest with vacant possession of Godstow Walk as indicated edged on the plan attached to the report totalling approximately 0.67hectares (1.66 acres) to Bellways in the sum detailed in report.

(2)that the Corporate Director of Adults and Housing and the Corporate Director of Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead for Housing, be authorised to negotiate the detailed terms of sale including if necessary a minor variation reduction of no more than 15%  on the price approved in (1) above; and

(3)that the Service Director Legal Services be given authorisation to enter into all legal documentation to facilitate the sale.

The meeting ended at 6.10 pm.