Agenda and minutes

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.

Councillor Holden declared a non-pecuniary interest in the item entitled ‘Year Two Best Value Review – Scoping Exercise’, with regard to the Best Value Review of Libraries.

The Leader reported the following:-

a)             Congratulations were given to the Director of Social Services for his appointment as Junior Vice President of the Association of Directors of Social Services. It was noted this was the first representative from a unitary authority to reach this position.

b)         The Youth Justice Plan previously approved by the Cabinet, had been endorsed with a commendation, by the Youth Justice Board for its quality and impact. Congratulations were given to the Youth Offending Team.

c)            Gurbux Singh, Chief Executive of the Commission for Racial Equality, sent a letter to the Council thanking colleagues for their support in mounting the regional CRE conference that was held in Leicester on the Race Relations Amendment Act.

d)         The Leicester Urban Regeneration Company had now been given approval from the Government. It was one of only three to be given approval this year.

e)         With regard to the Tuberculosis outbreak in Leicester, the Leader praised the close working between the Council and Leicestershire Health Authority which resulted in quick action being taken. It was noted that schools and parents had been written to and further efforts were being made to consider what more could be done.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 19 March 2001 have been circulated to Members and the Cabinet is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

            that the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 19 March 2001, having been circulated to Members, be received, taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillors Roberts and Draycott to give a presentation.

Councillor Roberts outlined for the meeting, the various regeneration projects that were in progress around the City, their achievements and the strategies for further success in the future.

Councillor Draycott gave a presentation about the aims for Neighbourhood Renewal. The issues, which were to be addressed were outlined and the strategies for achieving the aims were also considered.

RESOLVED:

                        that the reports be noted.

Councillor Willmott submits a report informing the Cabinet of the implications of a proposed national march in Leicester by members of the National Front.  The Cabinet is asked to note the legal powers and duties by which the Chief Constable may instigate a prohibition order on a march and to give delegated authority to the Town Clerk to consider and, if it is deemed appropriate, in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader, make an order, with the consent of the Secretary of State, to prohibit the National Front march, or any other associated march, on or around 21 April, as soon as it is required by the Chief Constable.  The Cabinet is also asked to consider any further action including whether representations should be made the Secretary of State in advance of his consent to a Prohibition Order being possibly requested.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report informing the Cabinet of the implications of a proposed march by the National Front in Leicester.

The Cabinet noted the legal framework which existed to address marches which were likely or may lead to a significant threat to public order and although the City Council had a role in this process, it was only after such action had been initiated by the Chief Constable.

It was reported that the Chief Constable was giving the matter considerable thought and consulting a cross section of the City’s community before forming a view.

The Cabinet acknowledged the difficulties associated with this issue; on the one hand, the views expressed by the National Front were considered a direct affront to all the City holds dear and as such there is no desire to see the National Front in Leicester in any way shape or form; on the other hand there were also fundamental issues of freedom of speech, expression and assembly which the Council also supported. These two competing issues needed to be balanced and it was noted that the Cabinet’s view was that the good of the City outweighed the rights of those who threaten it.

A number of Members amplified this view commenting that the good work to foster racial harmony in the city would be harmed if the march were to go ahead.

RESOLVED:

(1) that the legal powers and duties by which the Chief Constable may instigate a prohibition order on a march be noted;

(2)that authority be delegated to the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader, to make an Order, with the consent of the Secretary of State, to prohibit the National Front march, or any other associated march, on or around 21^st April 2001 as soon as it is required by the Chief Constable;

(3)that a letter be sent to the Secretary of State making the views of the Council clear on this issue, and so that if a prohibition order is requested by the Chief Constable the Secretary of State is already clear on the Council’s views; and

(4)that a formal statement be widely published with the support of community leaders across the City reaffirming the position of the City Council in order that the National Front can be fully clear as to the views of community leaders across the City and through them the views of the majority of Leicester’s citizens.

Councillor Roberts submits a report informing the Cabinet of progress on the Replacement City of Leicester Local Plan and seeking approval to the timetable and proposals leading to the formal deposit of the Plan.

Councillor Roberts submitted a report informing the Cabinet of progress on and the key themes of the Replacement City of Leicester Local Plan and seeking approval to the timetable and proposals leading to the formal deposit of the plan.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the timetable and general format of the Replacement Local Plan be endorsed;

(2)that the views of the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee be sought; and

(3)that the Town Clerk in consultation with the Cabinet Lead for Strategic Planning and Regeneration establish a Member Steering Group to oversee the preparation of the Replacement Local Plan.

Councillor Roberts submits a report informing the Cabinet of progress in this matter and seeking consideration of officers’ comments.  A more detailed report will be circulated at the meeting following evaluation of tenders.

Councillor Roberts submitted a report detailing the current position with respect to the tender for advice services currently being provided by Leicester Law Centre and Leicester Citizens Advice Bureau.

Councillor Roberts moved that this report be noted as there was an addendum report which was to be recommended for consideration in private session because it contained exempt information. (see Minute no. 219)

RESOLVED:

                        that the report be noted and further considered in the private session.

Councillor Willmott submits a report seeking approval to the proposed scoping of the following Best Value Reviews:-

Equalities

Services to Vulnerable Children and Families

Transportation and Highways

People Management

Libraries

Homelessness

Financial Management

Councillor Willmott submitted a report seeking Cabinet’s approval for the scope of each of the year two Best Value reviews.

It was noted that equalities would now be embedded in all Best Value reviews rather than being carried out as a review in its own right.

The Leader recommended to the Cabinet that the recommendations be agreed in principle to allow for flexibility to respond to any continuing dialogue with the Best Value Inspectorate.

Councillor Osman raised the issue of the changed position regarding the use of capital and revenue funding for transport expenditure and the review of the relationship between client and contractor services, and he suggested it would be sensible to extend the scope of the transportation Best Value review to include services funded by Capital. The concerns were noted and it was agreed to keep the scope under review and refer it for discussion at the Best Value Commission.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the scoping recommendation for each review be agreed in principle;

(2)that the incorporation of ‘Regeneration’ and ‘Policy Strategy’ Best Value Reviews in to the Revitalising Neighbourhoods project, be agreed;

(3) that the ‘Human Resources and Personnel’ and the ‘Children and Families’ reviews change their titles to ‘People Management and ‘Vulnerable Children’ respectively; and

(4)that the issue of the change in position regarding the use of capital and revenue in transport funding be noted and referred to the Members Best Value Working Group for consideration.

Councillor Subedar submits a report informing the Cabinet of the details of the ‘Schools Causing Concern Policy’.  The Cabinet is asked to note the potential effects on school performance of decisions taken across the Council. 

Councillor Subedar submitted a report informing the Cabinet of the ‘Schools Causing Concern Policy’.

Members noted this policy was a statutory requirement and was done in consultation with Head teachers.

RESOLVED:

(1) that the policy be adopted; and

(2)that the potential implications of decisions across the Council on school performance, be noted.

Councillor Holden submits a report informing the Cabinet of decisions taken by the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services regarding the use and waiver of Contract Standing Orders.  The Cabinet is asked to note the Director’s decisions.

Councillor Holden submitted a report advising Members of the actions taken by the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services under delegated powers in relation to the PFI Waste Management project.

RESOLVED:

that the Director’s action regarding the use of Standing Order 82.2(b), and the decision to waiver Standing Order 84.1(a) and Standing Orders 85.3(b), be noted.

Councillor Patel submits a report which identifies the effect of an adjustment that has been made to property budgets following revisions to capital receipts expectations and considers requests to identify additional sources of funding for Bradgate Park and to strengthen communications.  The Cabinet is asked to note the saving of £134,600 arising from a reduction in the amount needed to compensate Environment and Development Department for loss of property income and approve that the majority of this is set aside until there is clarity regarding the pay award and also to consider how it wished to fund any contribution to Bradgate Park or to strengthen communications.

Councillor Patel submitted a report which identified the effect of an adjustment that had been made to property budgets following revisions to capital receipts expectations and asked the Cabinet to consider requests to identify additional sources of funding for Bradgate Park and to strengthen the communications unit.

It was noted that Bradgate Park’s funding was being reconsidered in the light of the serious loss of income due to foot and mouth disease precautions. The original reduction in funding was made on the basis of increased income from car parking and other commercial activities.

Councillor Getliffe, as a trustee of Bradgate Park thanked colleagues for the action taken on the Park and the support of the public during the foot and mouth crisis.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the saving of £134, 600 arising from a reduction in the amount needed to compensate Environment and Development Department for loss of property income be noted;

(2)that £15,000 of this saving be used to provide funding for the additional half post in the Communications Unit and the balance be retained centrally until there is certainty over the pay award; and

(3)that in the light of their difficulties, a one-off grant of £20,000 be given to Bradgate Park, to be funded from underspending in the Chief Executive’s Office in 2000/2001, if there are sufficient funds after meeting budgetary commitments towards Best Value, and utilising property savings if this is not possible.

Councillor Subedar submits a report  informing the Cabinet of the outcome of the annual statutory consultation about school admission arrangements and recommending a change to the over-subscription criteria to include pupils with a statement as the third criterion after those living in the priority area and those who have a sibling at the same school, with effect from September 2002.

Councillor Subedar submitted a report informing the Cabinet of the outcome of the annual statutory consultation about school admission arrangements. The report recommended a change to the over-subscription criteria to include pupils with a statement as the third criterion after those living in the priority are and those who have a sibling at the same school with effect from September 2002.

Members noted the concerns of some schools and queried if extra support was needed for the implementation of the new arrangements. The meeting was told there were small numbers of pupils involved and should be able to be accommodated from within existing resources.

RESOLVED:

that the published admission over-subscription criteria be changed to include pupils with a statement as the third criterion, after those living in the priority area and those who have a sibling at the same school, with effect from September 2002.

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, 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.”

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.

SALE OF 125A AND B BARKBY ROAD, LEICESTER

Paragraph 4

Information relating to any particular applicant for, or recipient or former recipient of, any service provided by the authority.

Paragraph 7

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).

APPROVAL TO WAIVE STANDING ORDERS FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE CONTRACT

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 involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in the paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

SALE OF 125A AND B BARKBY ROAD, LEICESTER

is exempt under:-

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.

APPROVAL TO WAIVE STANDING ORDERS FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE

is exempt under:-

Paragraph 4

Information relating to any particular applicant for, or recipient or former recipient of, any service provided by the authority.

Paragraph 7

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).

ADVICE SERVICES TENDER

is exempt under:-

Paragraph 7

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).

Paragraph 8

The amount of expenditure proposed to be incurred by the authority under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services.

Councillor Patel submits a report.

Councillor Patel requested that the report be withdrawn. The Cabinet discussed the issue and agreed to defer the item.

RESOLVED:

                        that the report be deferred.

Councillor Getliffe submits a report.

Councillor Getliffe submitted a report seeking approval to waive standing orders which required competitive tenders to be sought in order to award a block contract to be entered in to with a specified provider of care.

RESOLVED:

(1) that the contents of the report and the implications of entering in to a contract with the care provider as specified in the report, be noted; and

(2)that in the special circumstances detailed in the report, approval be given to the waiver of Standing Orders to enable Leicester City Council Social Services Department to enter into purchasing arrangements under a joint block contract as detailed in the report.

Councillor Roberts submitted a report.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the intention of the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services to award the contract for advice services to Leicester Law Centre, subject to satisfactory arrangements, be noted;

(2)that the contract start as soon as possible, preferably within two months;

(3)that discussions take place with both tenderers to ensure a smooth transitional period which protects the interests of the service users;

(4)that the current contracts be extended and reviewed on a  monthly basis until the new contract starts.

The meeting closed at 6.30pm.