Agenda and minutes

A verbal report of Councillor Willmott

To review recent activities and consider the forward agenda from the perspective of the Council’s first Cabinet meeting.

Councillor Willmott

To agree any outstanding protocols/financial regulations required to complete the foundations of the new arrangements

Councillor Patel, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities submitted a report of the Chief Financial Officer seeking approval to new financial regulations required to reflect the new political management structures.

RESOLVED:

(1) that the revised financial regulations as posted on the Intranet, be approved; and

(2) that, under the provisions of Standing Order 42(d), as it is essential that the Council has financial regulations which mirror the new political management arrangements from their inception, no objection be allowed to the above decision.

Councillor Roberts

To consider proposed scheme

Councillor Roberts, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Regeneration, presented a report of the Director of Environment and Development which outlined progress with the New Walk Restoration Scheme, the bidding process for funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and recent public response to the proposals, particularly those relating to trees.

The Director of Environment and Development displayed at the meeting plans of an alternative scheme and gave a presentation on these amended proposals.

Further to the presentation, the Chair also put forward an additional proposal, “that Councillor Roberts works with officers to bring forward a vision for a new pedestrian walk, with trees, plants and other green spaces for our City.  This will form both a link to the past achievement of New Walk, and a clear and bold statement of the Council’s future vision”.

RESOLVED:

(1) that, in the light of comments received from consultation, the planning application for the New Walk Restoration Scheme, as submitted by the Director of Commercial Services, be amended to reflect the amended proposals for De Montfort Square displayed at the meeting; and

(2) that Councillor Roberts works with officers to bring forward a vision for a new pedestrian walk, with trees, plants and other green spaces for our City.

Councillor Roberts

To seek approval for the Site Development Guidance

Councillor Roberts, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Regeneration submitted a report of the Director of Environment and Development that proposed Site Development Guidance for Quakesick Valley, Hamilton.

RESOLVED:

that the Quakesick Valley Site Development Guidance, as proposed, be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the City of Leicester Local Plan.

Councillor Roberts

To approve the Site Development Guidance

Councillor Roberts, the Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Regeneration submitted a report of the Director of Environment Development which proposed Site Development Guidance for Northgate Street/Sanvey Gate.

RESOLVED:

that the Northgate Street/Sanvey Gate Site Development Guidance, as proposed, be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the City of Leicester Local Plan.

Councillor Getliffe

To approve the recommendation of the Scrutiny Committees to confirm Saffron as the third Sure Start area.

Councillor Getliffe, the Cabinet Member for Social Services and Personal Health, submitted a report of the Director of Social Services informing the Cabinet of the progress of the third round of the Sure Start initiative and seeking Cabinet's approval to Saffron being submitted as the third Sure Start area in Leicester.  It was noted that the Social Services and Public Health Scrutiny Committee and the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee had both supported the proposal.

RESOLVED:

that Saffron be confirmed as the third Sure Start area.

Councillor Patel

To seek approval to proceed on Local Environmental Works in 2000/01

Councillor Patel, the Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities submitted a report of the Director of Environment and Development seeking approval to the release of capital funding for schemes to be funded from the Local Environmental Works Budget 2000-01.  It was noted that the programme of works had been approved by the former Planning and Transportation Committee and the former Environment Committee at a total cost of £812,000.  Funding of £512,000 was required from capital and £300,000 from revenue budgets.

Ward Councillors would be advised of developments.

RESOLVED:

that approval be given to the release of capital funding of £512,000 for Local Environmental Works Schemes, as follows:-

Councillor Holden

To report the findings of the statutory Review and Assessment of Air Quality and to seek approval of proposed consultation arrangements.

Councillor Holden, the Cabinet Member for Arts, Leisure and the Environment submitted a report of the Director of Environment and Development informing the Cabinet of the Statutory Review and Assessment of Air Quality including proposed Air Quality Management Areas and seeking approval to proposals for consultation on the Review and Assessment report.  It was proposed that for the purposes of public consultation a summary leaflet of the report be produced explaining the main findings and explaining how copies of the full report could be viewed.  Provision would be made for the translation of these leaflets.  The proposed consultation timetable was:-

RESOLVED:

(1) that the findings of the Air Quality Review and Assessment and proposed Air Quality Management Areas, as detailed in the 'Leicester Air Quality Review and Assessment 2000 Final Report - Consultation Draft", be noted and approved as a basis for consultation; and

(2) that the consultation proposals be approved with feedback reported to Scrutiny and Cabinet in November.

Councillor Draycott

To seek approval to the introduction of a Repairs Reporting Website.

Councillor Draycott, the Cabinet Member for Housing gave a presentation profiling the work of the Housing Department and also submitted a report of the Director of Housing seeking approval for the introduction of a Repairs Reporting website which would enable tenants to report repairs via the Internet.  A demonstration of the new system was given to Cabinet Members.

RESOLVED:

that the introduction of Repairs Reporting Website, to be launched from 4 September 2000, be approved.

Councillor Subedar

To seek approval for a loan of £75,000 for the purchase of IT equipment at Fullhurst Community College.

Councillor Subedar, the Cabinet Member for Education and Lifelong Learning, submitted a report of the Director of Education which outlined an application received from Fullhurst Community College for a loan of £75,000 from the Loan Scheme for Schools in order to purchase and upgrade the IT network within the school in response to criticisms in the school's OFSTED report.  It was noted that the school was in North Braunstone Ward and not Castle Ward as stated on the papers.

RESOLVED:

that approval be given for a loan from the Loan Scheme for Schools, in the sum of £75,000 to Fullhurst Community College, for the purchase of IT equipment.

2000

18 September

9 October

23 October

6 November

20 November

4 December

It was noted that the Council, at its meeting on 24 August 2000 had agreed that there be no meetings of the Cabinet in October.  In addition the Cabinet also agreed that it should start its meetings at 5.00pm.

RESOLVED:

that the Cabinet meet on the following dates in 2000 at 5pm:-

Monday 18 September

Monday 6 November

Monday 20 November

Monday 4 December