Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Cooke.

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 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 Connelly declared a non-prejudicial interest in respect of Item 6, ‘Annual report of the Adoption Team and Statement of Purpose,’ in that he was a Council-appointed member of the Adoption Team.

Councillor Connelly declared a prejudicial interest in respect of Item 24, ‘Accommodation Strategy – Purchase of Property,’ and undertook to leave the room during its consideration.

Councillor Draycott declared a prejudicial interest in respect of Item 24, ‘Accommodation Strategy – Purchase of Property,’ and undertook to leave the room during its consideration.

Councillor Willmott stated that the Council had been successful in its ‘Play Builder’ funding bid and stated that this would enable significant improvements to be made to six sites across Leicester. He thanked Councillors Connelly and Dempster for their work in making proposals for the bid and stated that the success of the bid was part of the Council’s continued commitment to supporting young people. Councillor Connelly added that this was a three-year strategy and further sites would be refurbished after the initial six.

Councillor Willmott congratulated all schools staff and students for their success in the Key Stage 2 and GCSE results. Councillor Dempster added that the improvement was significant and everyone had worked very hard to achieve the results. Although more work was needed to improve results even further, it was important to recognise this achievement.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 July 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 14 July 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

The Town Clerk reported that there were no matters referred from Committees.

Councillor Dempster submits a report that aims to inform Cabinet of changes to the way the 13-19 education system will be managed nationally, important strategic developments in the City, and proposes some first steps in responding to this new planning environment. Cabinet is recommended to note the report.

A copy of the appendices is attached for Members of the Cabinet only. A copy can be viewed by contacting Committee Services on 0116 2298816 or by using the link to the Council’s website below:

http://www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk/ieListMeetings.asp?CId=78&Year=2008

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that aimed to inform Cabinet of changes to the way the 13-19 education system would be managed nationally, important strategic developments in the City, and proposed some first steps in responding to the new planning environment.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet notes the report.

Councillor Dempster submits a report that introduces the Cabinet to the updated Leicester City Council Adoption Agency Statement of Purpose and Annual Report of activity during 2007-08. Cabinet is recommended to note and approve the Statement of Purpose and the activity of the adoption team.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, held on 6 August 2008, is attached.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that introduced the Cabinet to the updated Leicester City Council Adoption Agency Statement of Purpose and Annual Report of activity during 2007-08.

Councillor Connelly, as  a member of the Adoption Team, thanked everyone on the team for their hard work under often difficult and distressing circumstances. Councillor Willmott stated that the importance of the service and the good work it was doing was acknowledged.

RESOLVED:

1)                 that Cabinet notes and formally approves the Statement of Purpose.

2)                 that Cabinet notes and approves the activity of the adoption team (2007 / 2008).

Councillor Dempster submits a report that presents the findings of Leicester’s Joint Area Review (JAR) and to highlight the requirement for the Local Authority to produce a JAR action plan. Cabinet is recommended to note these findings and this requirement.

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

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that presented the findings of Leicester’s Joint Area Review (JAR) and highlighted the requirement for the Local Authority to produce a JAR action plan.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet notes the findings of the Joint Area Review and the requirement to develop and implement a Joint Area Review Action Plan

Councillor Kitterick submits a report that seeks Cabinet approval to implement the proposed Corporate Capital Programme funded Pedestrian Crossing Programme 2008/09 to 2011/12. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 3.2 of the report.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, held on 6 August 2008, is attached.

Councillor Kitterick submitted a report that sought Cabinet’s approval to implement the proposed Corporate Capital Programme funded pedestrian Crossing Programme 2008/09 to 2011/12. He pointed out that this was part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to plan for people, not cars within the city and that, although there were more requests than could be funded, the programme satisfied many Ward Councillors’ representations.

RESOLVED:

1)     that Cabinet approves the proposed Corporate Capital Pedestrian Crossings Programme 2008/09 to 2011/12;

2)     that Cabinet notes that the programme is designated as one in which the Director is authorised to reallocate resources on grounds of operational efficiency;

3)       That Cabinet agrees that such reallocation shall only be carried out after consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member, and reported subsequently to the Cabinet.

Councillor Wann submits a report that seeks to approve the amalgamation of the Daneshill and Westcotes Drive Conservation Areas, their extension of boundaries to include parts of Fosse Road South and Hinckley Road, and to re-designate the area as the ‘West End Conservation Area.’ Cabinet is asked to make any comments and note the points in Paragraph 3 of the report, prior to consideration at Council.

Councillor Wann submitted a report that sought to approve the amalgamation of the Daneshill and Westcotes Drive Conservation Areas, the extension of their boundaries to include parts of Fosse Road South and Hinckley Road, and to re-designate the area as the ‘West End Conservation Area.’ He stated that this proposal exemplified the Council’s commitment to protect Leicester’s old environment, as well as enhancing the new.

RESOLVED:

1)     that Cabinet supports the recommendation to Council that the extensions to the boundaries of the Daneshill and Westcotes Drive Conservation Areas, as shown on Map 1 of the report, be approved and advertised accordingly;

2)     that Cabinet supports the recommendation to Council that the area shown on Map 1 be re-designated as the “West End Conservation Area”.

Councillor Wann submits a report that informs Cabinet of the manifesto of the Leicester Advocating Fair Trade (LaFT) group and to gain Member approval to a Fair Trade Pledge. Cabinet is recommended to approve the Fair Trade Pledge, to commit to reviewing progress annually and to take part in the launch of the manifesto.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, held on 6 August 2008, is attached.

Councillor Wann submitted a report that informed Cabinet of the manifesto of the Leicester Advocating Fair Trade (LaFT) group and sought Member approval to a Fair Trade Pledge.

Councillor Willmott stated that, by approving the manifesto, the Council was strengthening its commitment to fair trade. He also stated that, if every council in the country did the same, the benefits to people living in countries from which products were purchased, would be significant.

RESOLVED:

1)     that Cabinet approves the Fairtrade Pledge for the Council;

2)     that Cabinet commits to reviewing progress towards the Pledge annually.

3)     that Cabinet takes part in the launch of the manifesto on 26^th September 2008.

Councillors Connelly and Willmott submit a report that seeks Cabinet approval for the development of the old Workplace Nursery building as a new contemporary art gallery to replace the City Gallery. Cabinet is recommended to approve the conversion and to authorise an addition to the capital programme 2008/09 to fund the conversion costs.

Councillors Connelly and Willmott submitted a report that sought Cabinet approval for the development of the old Workplace Nursery building as a new contemporary art gallery to replace the City Gallery.

It was noted that this proposal was part of the Council’s commitment to arts and culture for the city, alongside Curve and the Digital Media Centre, and also contributed to the improvement of New Walk in bringing the building back into use.

RESOLVED:

1)     that Cabinet gives approval for the conversion of the old Workplace Nursery into a new contemporary arts facility at an estimated cost of £984,850;

2)     that Cabinet authorises an addition to the capital programme 2008/09 of £1.1m to fund the conversion costs.

Councillors Connelly and Willmott submit a report that provides further information on the project to undertake an options appraisal and feasibility study on Leicester Castle, included in the 2008-09 Capital Programme, and to seek approval to commence the project. Cabinet is recommended to approve the commencement of the project at a cost of £50,000 from the Council’s 2008-09 Capital Programme.

Councillors Connelly and Willmott submitted a report that provided further information on the project to undertake an options appraisal and feasibility study on Leicester Castle, included in the 2008-09 Capital Programme, and sought approval to commence the project.

Concillor Mugglestone expressed disappointment that the Great Hall could not be reinstated, due to the preservation order on one of the court rooms.

Councillor Willmott stated that the partnership with the County Council to carry out a feasibility study would identify realistic options for the building that could attract external funding. Although any options would be difficult and expensive, the Council had a duty and privilege to try to bring the building back into use.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the commencement of the project at a cost of £50,000 from the Council’s 2008/09 Capital Programme.

Councillor Connelly submits a report that provides information to Cabinet on the replacement of the box office and telephone systems at De Montfort Hall included within the 2008-09 Capital Programme. Cabinet is recommended to approve the commencement of the project at a cost of £135,000 from the 2008-09 Capital Programme.

Councillor Connelly submitted a report that provided information on the replacement of the box office and telephone systems at De Montfort Hall included within the 2008-09 Capital Programme.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet approves the commencement of the project at a cost of £135,000 from the 2008/09 Capital Programme.

Councillor Connelly submits a report that provides further information to Cabinet on the programme of Festivals and Events capital works included within the 2008-09 Capital Programme. Cabinet is recommended to approve the commencement of the work at a cost of £100,000 from the 2008-09 Capital Programme.

Councillor Connelly submitted a report that provided further information on the programme of Festivals and Events capital works included within the 2008-09 Capital Programme.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet approves the commencement of the work at a cost of £100,000 from the 2008/09 Capital Programme.

Councillor Connelly submits a report that informs Cabinet of a proposal by a consortium to develop a football, speedway and cycling centre at Beaumont Park. Cabinet is recommended to approve the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 3 of the report.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board held on 6 August 2008 is attached.

Councillor Connelly submitted a report that informed Cabinet of a proposal by a consortium to develop a football, speedway and cycling centre at Beaumont Park.

Councillor Willmott expressed his support for the proposal outlined in the report and acknowledged the high level of public support.

RESOLVED:

1)                 that Cabinet authorises the Corporate Directors of Resources and Regeneration & Culture, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Members for Property and Culture & Leisure to agree terms for a lock out agreement, and also to consider any objection received in respect of any proposed disposal or appropriation of public open space;

2)                 that Cabinet authorises the Service Director, Legal Services to enter into any resulting documentation with Beaumont Sports Complex Ltd;

3)                 that Cabinet requests a further report during and at the conclusion of the lock-out period setting out the details of the proposed way forward.

Councillor Osman submits a report that presents the main findings of a project to assess community cohesion in the city. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 3 of the report.

Councillor Osman submitted a report that presented the main findings of a project to assess community cohesion in the city. He thanked officers, De Montfort University and people who took part. He also stated that it was important not to become complacent and highlighted the hard work that went into achieving Leicester’s success.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     notes the overall encouraging findings, certain challenges and implications as detailed in paragraphs. 4.12 to 4.52.

2)     approves the linking of further assessment on community cohesion with the council’s Resident Surveys.

3)     Commissions the Community Cohesion Executive Group to consider the implications of these findings within the action plan to develop the community cohesion strategy. This will include:

a)     Acknowledging that the socio-economic well-being of individuals and communities is a pre-requisite for cohesion:

·        Recognise that investment in the neighbourhood leads to a stronger sense of pride, belonging and neighbourliness. 

·        Targeting deprivation must take into account the perceived or real competition for resources between areas and or communities.

b)     Cohesion work should continue to work on building on the strong sense of belonging to Leicester. This work should be balanced between ethnic minority residents and White British residents:

·        The ‘One Leicester’ Strategy can build on this positive finding and has a vital role to play within the key theme of wanting ‘the people of Leicester becoming more confident – in themselves, their communities and their city’.

·        The work should strengthen initiatives for informal networking and the pursuit of a common sense of belonging to Leicester.

·        Resource allocation to communities of identity (i.e. religious and cultural) is important and should be continued. Attention should also be given to those neighbourhoods where residents feel that community spirit has dwindled (i.e. outer city areas).

c)      Strategies must continue to strengthen connection and co-operation between people and communities who might otherwise not have the opportunity to interact i.e.

·        Community facilities should be encouraged to promote themselves to all communities. This may mean staff or committees running such facilities by consulting and engaging with other communities to overcome real or perceived barriers to access.

·        Attention should be given to those areas of the city where more residents feel that people from different backgrounds do not get on well together.

·        Building on the recommendation of the I&DeA report*, develop innovative ways of communication and dissemination of information to and between communities.

·        Communicate the positives of community cohesion and ‘myth busting’.

·        Facilitate dialogue in safe environments in a way where people can express their differences and perceptions about diversity and cohesion and follow these up through structures of support such as conflict resolution.

·        Organise more opportunities for people to have open dialogue with people across neighbourhoods and communities of identity.

·        Arrange activities where all communities can celebrate pride in the city.

·        Support projects based around specific community needs.

d)     Continue to invest in structures where the diverse communities and residents are able to influence the decisions that affect them i.e.

·        Make sure that these structures include the diversity of existing  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

Councillor Draycott submits a report that seeks approval for the works recommended for funding from the Disability Discrimination Act Initiaves budget for 2008-09 and 2009-10. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 3 of the report.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report that sought approval for the works recommended for funding from the Disability Discrimination Act Initiatives budget for 2008-09 and 2009-2010.

Councillor Connelly welcomed the report, as the plans would have significant benefit to people visiting the two facilities.

Councillor Willmott stated that £1.2million had already been spent on access to Council facilities, and that work was ongoing to allocate resources in the most beneficial way.

RESOLVED:

            that Cabinet:

1)     approves the works of £127,000 listed in Paragraph 4.5 of the report including a contribution to the Access to Work Scheme;

2)     authorises the use of £80,000 from the 2008/09 – 2009/10 corporate capital programme towards funding these works;

3)     authorises the Interim Corporate Director of Resources to order the works and seek all necessary consents;

4)     authorises the Head of Legal Services to sign any contracts as necessary to allow the work to proceed.

Councillor Draycott submits a report that seeks Cabinet endorsement of the spending proposal from the Rushey Mead Ward Community Meeting, notifies Cabinet of an agreement under delegated powers to fund the proposal from the Eyres Monsell Community Meeting, and asks Cabinet to agree that delegated powers will be used to approve future recommendations from Ward Community meetings. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 3 of the report.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report that sought Cabinet endorsement of the spending proposal from the Rushey Mead Ward Community Meeting, notified Cabinet of an agreement under delegated powers to fund the proposal from the Eyres Monsell Community Meeting, and asked Cabinet to agree that delegated powers would be used to approve future recommendations from Ward Community Meetings.

Councillor Draycott circulated an additional recommendation that suggested the implementation of a procedure for approving urgent requests, that were submitted in between meetings, for funding under £500 from the Community Fund and the Social Cohesion Fund. The purpose of this was to be as helpful as possible in supporting community meetings to respond to local needs and wishes.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     notes the approval under delegated powers of the proposal from the Eyres Monsell Ward Community Meeting to award £250 for the promotion and running of the Eyres Monsell Horticultural and Crafts Show;

2)     approves the proposal from the Rushey Mead Ward Community Meeting to award £900 for the promotion and running of a community soccer programme;

3)     approves that future recommendations from Ward Community meetings for spending from Ward Community Funds and Ward Action Plan funds be delegated to the Cabinet Lead for Front Line Service Improvement and Neighbourhoods and the Leader of the Council for approval under delegated powers;

4)     approves that future recommendations from Ward Community meetings for spending from the Community Cohesion budget which has been allocated to Ward meetings be delegated to the Cabinet Lead for Community Cohesion and the Cabinet lead for Front Line Service Improvement and Neighbourhoods for approval under delegated powers;

5)     notes the financial statements set out in Appendices A and B of the report.

6)     that Cabinet authorises the Interim Corporate Director of Resources to approve requests for small amounts of urgent expenditure from the Community Fund and Social Cohesion Fund, in consultation with the Cabinet members in accordance with Cabinet Minute 29, on 31 March 2008 (delegated authority) subject to:

a)     the request not exceeding £500 in value;

b)     it not being possible, due to time constraints, for the application to be considered at the next appropriate Ward Community Meeting;

c)      the request having the support of all Councillors in the Ward;

d)     the request falling within the criteria already approved for Community Meeting expenditure; and

e)     a financial monitoring report being included on each Ward Community Meeting agenda and any items dealt with in the above manner being reported for information.

Councillors Cooke and Willmott submit a report that informs Cabinet of the arrangements for extending the ‘grant aid contracts’ steady state contracts due to expire on 31 March 2009, to enable re-provision to take place in accordance with the decisions of the Commissioning Body. Cabinet is recommended to waive the relevant contract procedure rules and authorise the relevant Corporate Director to offer extended contracts to the providers concerned for up to 6 months from 1 April 2009.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that informed Cabinet of the arrangements for extending the ‘grant aid contracts’ steady state contracts due to expire on 31 March 2009, to enable re-provision to take place in accordance with the decisions of the Commissioning Body.

RESOLVED:

1)     that Cabinet agrees that Contract Procedure Rules as to competition are to be waived and that the relevant Corporate Director be authorised to offer extended contracts to the providers concerned in the case of the contracts identified in the table in the report. 

2)     that Cabinet agrees that extensions be for up to 6 months from 1 April 2009.

Councillor Willmott submits a report that enables Cabinet to monitor implementation of the Improvement Plan. Cabinet is recommended to review implementation of the Improvement Plan.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Audit Committee held on 25 June 2008 will be circulated as soon as it is available

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that enabled Cabinet to monitor implementation of the Corporate Contract Management and Improvement Plan.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet notes the report.

Councillor Willmott submits a report that provides Cabinet with a summary of decisions made at Corporate Director level in consultation with Cabinet Leads. Cabinet is recommended to note the summary of decisions.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that provided Cabinet with a summary of decisions made at Corporate Director level in consultation with Cabinet Leads.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet notes the summary of decisions.

Councillor Willmott submits a report that seeks the release of a further £300,000 from the Service Transformation Programme allocation identified in the Budget Strategy 2008/2011. Cabinet is recommended to release this amount to resource this work.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that sought the release of a further £300,000 from the Service Transformation Programme allocation identified in the Budget Strategy 2008/2011.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet agrees to the release £300,000 from the Service Transformation Programme allocation in theBudget Strategy 2008/2011 to resource the work.

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).

Accommodation Strategy – Purchase of Property

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).

ACCOMMODATION STRATEGY – PURCHASE OF PROPERTY

Councillor Willmott submits a report.

Councillors Connelly and Draycott left the meeting during discussion of the following item.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report concerning the proposed purchase of a property.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet agrees the recommendations set out in the report.

The meeting closed at 2.00pm.