Agenda and minutes

a)            Gujarat Earthquake

            Councillor Willmott referred to the catastrophic earthquake that had taken place in Gujarat.  He particularly noted that many of Leicester’s residents had strong ties with the region, through family and/or friends.  He stated that both the Lord Mayor and the Council wished to provide wholehearted support for the relief work.  It was noted that although Leicester’s twin city of Rajkot had suffered relatively less than other parts of the region, a message had been received from the Mayor of Rajkot which indicated that there were 1000 people homeless in the City and 4 fatalities – and a large number of deaths in the surrounding area.  Councillor Willmott urged all Members of the Council, Council employees and everyone in the City to consider how best they could contribute to the relief effort.

            Finally, Councillor Willmott asked all those present to stand in silence in respect for those who had lost their lives and also for those who were working to minimise the ensuing suffering.

b)            Funding of Local Government

            It was noted that the Government had announced that afternoon that it had agreed to adopt the option favoured by the City Council for future arrangements for the funding of Local Government in 2001/2002.

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 Finance Act 1992 applied to them.

No declarations were made.

The Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 4 December 2000 and 15 January 2001 have been circulated and the Cabinet is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

Councillor Willmott noted that under Minute 105 of the meeting held on 15 January with regard to the Pasture Lane Waiting Restrictions, he had also asked Councillor Osman to investigate with officers what action could be taken to speed up the process of the introduction of residents’ parking.

RESOLVED:

i) that the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2000, as entered in the Minute Book on pages 35 to 39 inclusive, copies of which had been circulated to Members, be received, taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record; and

ii) that the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2001, as entered in the Minute Book on pages 40 to 55, having been circulated to Members be received, taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record, subject to an additional resolution to Minute 105 as follows

'(5) that Councillor Osman investigate with officers means of speeding up the process of introducing residents’ parking.'

Presentation from Councillor Holden.

Councillor Holden gave a presentation on the services provided by the Environment and Development Department in relation to Environmental and Public Health Services.

RESOLVED:

                        that the report be noted.

Councillor Willmott submits a report reviewing the achievements of the past year and setting out for endorsement a strategic agenda to be followed after detailed engagement with the people of Leicester over the Community Plan.  The report asks the Cabinet to decide in principle whether the time is right to bring forward detailed proposals to Cabinet and Scrutiny on an innovative approach to revitalising neighbourhoods and seeks approval to issues arising from this.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report which reviewed the achievements of the past year and set out the strategic agenda the Council now had to embrace in order to support the Community Plan.  The report also put forward radical proposals for building on the start already made on revitalising neighbourhoods and sought approval to move swiftly into a significant change management programme supported by a dedicated project team, in order to bring detailed proposals to Members during 2001.  Approval was also sought to look at means of rationalising strategic partnerships across the City.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the achievements and areas of improvement of the past year as detailed in paragraphs 3 to 5 of the report be noted;

(2)that the City Council's continuing support for the Community Plan through the Strategic Agenda it implies if the Council is to play its full part in delivering the Plan be confirmed, as detailed in paragraphs 6 to 14 of the report;

(3)that approval be given in principle to bring forward detailed proposals to Cabinet and Scrutiny on an innovative approach to revitalising neighbourhoods;

(4)that further discussion take place with partners with a view to achieving a rationalisation of City partnerships, as detailed in paragraph 25.1 of the report;

(5)that the Chief Executive set up a dedicated project team funded initially from savings arising from the above changes, subject to any additional costs being identified for Member decision in a subsequent report as detailed in paragraph 25.2;

(6)that the current Departments of Environment and Development and Commercial Services be brought together under one Director, the salary negotiation for whom to be determined by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council, as detailed in paragraph 25.3 of the report.

The Cabinet agreed to bring Item 12, Appendix H, 'Evesham Road/Saffron Lane Link' forward to this point on the agenda due to the level of public interest in this item.

Councillor Osman submits a report dealing with the resolution of the Planning and Transportation Committee that “a decision on the Evesham Road/ Saffron Lane Link be deferred for a further report”. The Cabinet  is asked to take no decision to abandon the Evesham Road/Saffron Lane reservation until the matters in the report have been investigated.

Councillor Osman submitted a report dealing with the decision of the former Planning and Transportation Committee with regard to the Evesham Road/Saffron Lane Link.  The Committee had received a report in which the Director of Environment and Development had reviewed Highway Schemes and Reservations and recommended that the Evesham Road/Saffron Lane Link reservation be retained because of its potential for other uses.  The Committee however decided that more information was needed before it considered whether or not the reservation be retained and deferred a decision for a further report.

The Highways and Transportation Scrutiny Committee considered the issue at its meeting on 20 December 2000, the minutes of which were appended to the Cabinet report.  The Scrutiny Committee referred the issue to the Cabinet with a recommendation that the Evesham Road/Saffron Lane Link Highway Improvement Line and Scheme be revoked.

In place of the report's recommendations, Councillor Osman moved and Councillor Draycott seconded 'that the Director of Environment and Development be asked to report back to the next meeting of the Cabinet on the consequences of removing the road from the list of reservations'.

RESOLVED:

that the Director of Environment and Development be asked to report back to the next meeting of the Cabinet on the consequences of removing from the list, the Highway Improvement Scheme and lines originally approved for the purpose of building the Evesham Road/Saffron Lane Link.

Councillor Willmott submits a report outlining setting out the broad arrangements for the implementation of the year 1 reviews and seeking approval to a way ahead.

Also attached are reports regarding the following Best Value Reviews:-

Arts and Entertainments

Sports

Procurement

Advice Services

Councillor Willmott submitted a report which set out the broad arrangements for implementation of the Year 1 reviews.  He expressed his thanks to officers who had been involved in the reviews which were a completely new way of working.  The next step would be to bring forward detailed implementation plans.  The reports on the Best Value Reviews of Arts and Entertainments, Sport, Procurement and Advice Services including the comments of Scrutiny were included with the report.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the arrangements for overseeing the implementation of year 1 Best Value Reviews and subsequent reviews, to ensure that the detailed plans and expected outcomes are achieved, be noted;

(2)that the proposed progress reporting arrangements to Members, as detailed in the report, be approved;

(3)that the production of detailed implementation plans, with targets, resources and responsibilities clearly defined, be the first task of the lead officers responsible for implementation on completion of the review;

(4)that regular reports be submitted to Cabinet and the Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee identifying financial savings made as a result of recommendations in each review; and

(5)that the recommendations in the Best Value Review reports for Arts and Leisure, Sports, Procurement and Advice Services be approved.

Councillor Subedar submits a report advising the Cabinet of progress to date and seeking the necessary authorisation to implement the proposals for City Learning Centres under the Excellence in Cities initiative.

Councillor Subedar submitted a report informing the Cabinet of the progress to date on the Excellence in Cities Initiative.  It was noted that the Council’s bid for inclusion in the programme was approved by the Department for Education and Employment (DFEE) in July 2000.  City Learning Centres and the linked learning grid – ‘Leicester on line’ were a strand in the programme.  Proposals for two learning centres at Beaumont Leys School and Crown Hills Community College and the associated ICT Network linking them with schools and other centres had been developed in close consultation with schools and detailed proposals had been approved by the DFEE, releasing  £2,400,000 of funding for the project.  The DFEE wished to see the Centres open from September 2001 and therefore a ‘fast track’ process was proposed in order to minimise the time required to design and construct the centres.  This required a waiver of  Contract Standing Orders.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the concept for 'Leicester on Line' including the two Learning Centres and the hub and spoke arrangement, be approved;

(2)that the outline design proposals for the learning centres at Beaumont Leys School and Crown Hills Community College, be approved;

(3)that approval be given for expenditure of up to £2,400,000, to cover start up costs, construction costs, design fees and furniture and equipment, to be funded from government grant;

(4)that the proposal for the procurement of the centres and in particular the proposals to enter into a partnering arrangement with a suitable contractor and to negotiate a contract price, be approved;

(5)that Contract Standing Order 82.2, allowing the contract to be negotiated without competitive tenders, for the reasons detailed in the report, be approved; and

(6)that authority be delegated to the Director of Education to determine the following matters of detail, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with responsibility for Education:

(a)The detailed development of the 'Leicester on Line' concept

(b)the detailed design for the two learning centres

(c)the detailed breakdown of expenditure within the overall budget of £2,400,000

(d)the appointment of consultants as required, using the Council's usual procedures, to carry out the design and supervision of the works

(e)the selection of a suitable partnering contractor

(f)the negotiation of a contract price for the building works

(g)instructions to the Council's Head of Legal Services to enter into a contract with the selected contractor, subject to a mutually acceptable contract price being agreed

Councillor Gettliffe submits a report presenting the draft Youth Justice Plan 2001-02 for approval by Cabinet for submission to the Youth Justice Board.

Councillor Getliffe and Councillor Draycott jointly submitted a report presenting the draft Youth Justice Plan 2001/02 for approval for submission to the Youth Justice Board.  The Cabinet welcomed the plan.

RESOLVED:

that the Plan be approved for submission to the Youth Justice Board.

Councillor Patel submits a report presenting the ICT strategy for the Council for the period 2000/01 to 2002/03. The Cabinet is recommended to approve the strategy.

Councillor Patel submitted a report presenting the Information and Communications Strategy for 2000/01 to 2002/03 for approval.  It was noted that the Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee had been consulted on the strategy and endorsed it.  Their detailed comments were circulated.

RESOLVED:

that the Information and Communications Strategy as appended to the report, be approved.

Councillor Patel submits a report presenting a revised Statement of Accounts, which were given an unqualified audit opinion by the District Auditor in December 2000.  The full set of Accounts are attached for Members of the Cabinet.

Councillor Patel submitted a report presenting the revised Statement of Accounts for 1999/2000 which had been given an unqualified audit opinion by District Auditor in December 2000.

RESOLVED:

that the revised Statement of Accounts for 1999/2000 be noted.

Councillor Patel submits a report seeking to obtain the necessary authorities from the Cabinet to sell the freehold interest in the land at the corner of Featherstone Drive and Queens Park Way, Eyres Monsell, Leicester by auction at the earliest opportunity.

Councillor Patel submitted a report seeking the necessary approval to enable the sale by auction of the land at the corner of Featherstone Drive and Queens Park Way, Eyres Monsell as detailed on map appended to the report.  It was noted that the land was surplus to requirements.  In order to ensure that the best price was achieved, it was proposed to dispose of the property by way of auction.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the freehold interest in the land at the corner of Featherstone Drive and Queens Park Way, Eyres Monsell, as detailed on the map appended to the report, be sold at auction at the earliest opportunity; and

(2)that the Director of Environment and Development be granted delegated authority in respect of the following matters:-

(a)to approve the appointment of suitable auctioneers which shall provide the best value service;

(b)to authorise the auctioneers in accordance with Standing Order 59(c) to sign contracts on behalf of the City Council in respect of land at the corner of Featherstone Drive and Queens Park Way, Eyres Monsell, Leicester in the event that the property is sold at or immediately following the auction;

(c)to approve the reserve price for the property to be sold by auction;

(d)to approve any sale prior to auction arising from offers which are considered unlikely to be achieved at auction;

(e)in the event of the purchaser who has bought the property sold at auction subsequently requesting that their property is purchased in a different name to that of the purchaser, to approve the new purchaser (subject to the Head of Legal Services being satisfied that the Council's legal position is protected throughout);

(f)approve, in the event of the property failing to sell at an auction, the sale of such property at any time subsequent to the auction either by private treaty, formal/informal tender or by way of another auction in the event of an acceptable offer/bid being received;

(g)authorise the Head of Legal Services to exchange contracts and complete the sale of any property in accordance with any terms agreed.

Councillor Holden submits a report reviewing the progress towards the Council’s environmental targets over the previous financial year and presents the council’s third Environmental Statement. The report also outlines the next re-verification process for EMAS. The Cabinet is asked to; agree a number of recommendations with regard to the previous years targets; approve a number of amendments to the Council’s guide to Environmentally Friendly Purchasing; receive papers on certain EMAS elements for a decision; delegate authority on certain EMAS decisions; receive a report on the capital implications of meeting certain EMAS targets and note the outline timetable for the next EMAS re-verification.

Councillor Holden submitted a report reviewing progress towards the Council’s environmental targets over the previous financial years and presenting the Council’s third Environmental Statement .   The report also outlined the next re-verification process.  The report sought clarification of the elements of the EMAS system to be reported to Cabinet and those elements which could be delegated to Officers.  Finally, the report outlined proposed changes to the Guide to Environmentally Friendly Purchasing.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the proposed revisions to certain EMAS targets be approved and progress towards all targets made in the previous financial year be noted;

(2)that the proposed amendments to the Council's Guide to Environment-Friendly Purchasing be approved;

(3)that Cabinet receive papers and take decisions on the following EMAS elements:-

·        External verification of the system

·        Annual review of the 19 EMAS targets and corporate action programme

·        Annual text for the EMAS Public Statement

(4)that all other elements of EMAS be approved under the delegated powers of the Chief Executive and Director of Environment and Development in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Arts, the Environment and Leisure

·        Annual review of EMAS key documents: the policy and registers

(5)that a further report on the capital implications of meeting certain EMAS targets be submitted; and

(6)that the outline timetable for the next EMAS re-verification programme be noted.

Councillor Holden submits a report updating the Cabinet on the progress of the PFI Waste Management project. The Cabinet is asked to approve actions to be taken for the implementation of the PFI Waste Management procurement process.

Councillor Holden submitted a report updating the Cabinet on progress with the Private Finance Initiative Waste Management Project and seeking approval for actions to be taken to facilitate the implementation of the procurement process which would contribute to the overall deliverability of the project.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Director of Environment and Development prepare and issue a notice in the Official Journal of European Community (OJEC) inviting interest to be declared from potential contractors to provide the Council with a new integrated waste management service, as detailed in paragraph 5 of the background report;

(2)that the Director of Environment and Development, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with lead responsibility for Arts, Leisure and the Environment be responsible for approving all key decisions (as detailed in Appendix 1) relating to the PFI procurement, including the preparation and award of the 25 year contract for the new integrated waste management service; and

(3)that a Council owned site at Bursom Industrial Estate be offered to contractors as part of the procurement process, and that the Director of Environment and Development approve the disposal whether freehold or leasehold of the site and the terms and other matters to which the disposal is subject.

Councillor Patel submits a report informing the Cabinet of discussions which have taken place between the Council and the Braunstone Community Association in respect of Brauntone Hall, together wih the adjoining stable block and walled garden.  The Cabinet is asked to note the report.

Councillor Patel submitted a report informing the Cabinet of discussions that had taken place between the Council and the Braunstone Community Association in respect of Braunstone Hall, together with the adjoining stable block and walled garden, as detailed in the plan appended to the report.  The report set out initial proposals for the refurbishment of the Hall and how the Council could work with the Association and support the development of the this scheme as part of the physical regeneration initiatives being proposed under New Deal.

Members underlined their commitment to work with the local community to deliver New Deal in Braunstone.

RESOLVED:

that approval be given in principle to the Braunstone Community Association having the use of and developing Braunstone Hall, subject to detailed consideration of the legal and lease arrangements being reported back to the Cabinet.

AGENDA

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO NOTE

Under the law, the Sub-Committee 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 Sub-Committee 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, and consequently that the Sub-Committee 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.”

Paragraph 9

Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the Authority in the course of the negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.

BRAUNSTONE HALL

FREEHOLD SALE OF LAND BETWEEN 4 AND 12 HOLMWOOD DRIVE, LEICESTER

SALE OF LAND ON BEAUMONT LEYS LANE, LEICESTER

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.

Paragraph 9

Any terms proposed or to be proposed by or to the authority in the course of negotiations for a contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.

a) Braunstone Hall

b) Freehold Sale of Land Between 4 and 12

Holmwood Drive, Leicester

c) Sale of Land on Beaumont Leys Lane, Leicester

Councillor Patel submits a report.

Councillor Patel submitted a report regarding leasing arrangements for Braunstone Hall.

RESOLVED:

that approval be given in principle to the way forward detailed in the report, subject to any variations agreed by the Director of Environment and Development, in consultation with the Chair and the Cabinet Members for Strategic Planning and Regeneration and Housing.

Councillor Draycott submits a report.

Councillor Patel submitted a report seeking approval for the disposal of the above land.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the sale proceed to the highest bidder in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in the report;

(2)that the Director of Environment and Development be authorised to agree variations to the terms as deemed necessary; and

(3)that the Director of Environment and Development be authorised in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities, to agree terms for the sale of the site in the event of the sale to the highest bidder not proceeding.

Councillor Patel submits a report.

Councillor Patel submitted a report seeking approval for the disposal of the above land.

RESOLVED:

that the Director of Environment and Development be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with the portfolio for Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities to agree:-

(a)terms for the disposal of the freehold interest of 8.7 acres (3.52 hectares) of land at Beaumont Leys Lane, Leicester;

(b)that the Head of Legal  Services be authorised to enter into a lock-out agreement and/or a contract for the sale of this land in accordance with the agreed terms, including a conditional contract if considered appropriate.

The meeting closed at 6.31pm.