Agenda and minutes

In the absence of Councillor Patel, Councillor Dempster took the Chair.

Apologies were received from Councillors Patel,  Potter and Grant.

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 applied to them. No such declarations were made.

The Chair read the following Statement:

“Since the formation of the new Westminster government much has changed, however, our vision for Leicester to be a city with confidence, resilience, and prosperity remains unchanged.

“Since 2007 when Labour took back control of the city council, Leicester has renewed. We have opened Highcross, Curve and Phoenix Square.We have opened new schools, giving life-changing opportunities to our city’s young people.We have delivered real change and improvements across all our communities.We now have city wardens in every ward, tackling crime and grime.We have launched our pensioners’ passport, One Pass, unlocking new discounts for older people.We are well on the way to planting our 10,000 trees – realising our vision for Leicester to be a greener city.In recent years Leicester has been transformed.NHS investment is making a real difference across the city. We have new health centres delivered in partnership with the council.

“We have done what we said we would do. We have taken action to renew Leicester since 2007; driving forward a city with confidence and ambition.

“No one here needs reminding about the challenges we face in relation to the public finances.The new government has, and is, threatening to bring the axe to important streams of public investment. Some of these schemes had within them commitments to Leicester.People should be under no illusion that these cuts are hitting and will hit Leicester. We already know that the nature of the government’s cuts will hit already deprived areas the hardest.

“Already we see real uncertainty about the future of the Future Jobs Fund: investment which is giving people real opportunities to retrain and get into work.There is real risk to significant investment via EMDA, monies which are intended to shape the next phase of Leicester’s regeneration – the Science Park and New Business Quarter.Major projects which will generate enterprise, bring money into our economy and create new jobs for local people.

“Late last week we saw the axe fall on the grant which fund the hugely popular free swimming for the under-16s. A scheme in Leicester which is much needed in terms of our public health priorities but also in relation to positive activities for young people and tackling anti-social behaviour.

“To cut this grant just weeks before the school summer holidays sends a clear message about the nature of the cuts we face.

“These cuts from the Conservative/ Liberal Democrat coalition government are ideological.And let me say clearly now: this Labour Cabinet’s response to them is also ideological.Our ideology is one of commitment to our frontline services, to protecting and working with all our communities and to continue delivering our One Leicester vision.Our ideology is about a confident and positive city: proud of what we have achieved and determined about the future.That determination requires tough and important decisions.

“And on that basis we are deferring the following reports from today’s Cabinet agenda:

Item 10: Investing in our  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The minutes of the meeting held on  17 May 2010 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 17 May 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

Members are asked to note the membership of Cabinet for the municipal year 2010-11, as listed on the front of the agenda.

RESOLVED:

that the membership of Cabinet for the municipal year 2010-2011 be noted.

Members are asked to note dates of Cabinet meetings for the municipal year 2010-11 as listed below:

All meetings to start at 1.00pm.

12 July 2010

2 August 2010

6 September 2010

4 October 2010

8 November 2010

22 November 2010

13 December 2010

17 January 2011

7 February 2011

7 March 2011

21 March 2011

Members were asked to note the dates of Cabinet meetings for the municipal year 2010-2011, as listed in the agenda.

RESOLVED:

that dates of Cabinet meetings for the municipal year 2010-2011, as listed in the agenda be noted.

In accordance with the International Development Working Party Terms of Reference, Cabinet is asked to confirm that Councillor Westley be appointed as Vice-Chair of the International Development Working Party.

Cabinet were asked to confirm that Councillor Westley be appointed as Vice-Chair of the International Development Working Party.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet confirms that Councillor Westley be appointed as Vice-Chair of the International Development Working Party.

There were no matters referred from Committees.

The Adults and Housing Task Group Leader submits a report that provides Cabinet with the findings of the Adults & Housing Task Groups review into the Housing Repairs Service in Leicester.

Relevant minute extracts of meetings of the Overview & Scrutiny Management Board and a divisional response report are attached.

Cabinet agreed to defer consideration of this item, due to apologies being sent from Councillor Potter, who was due to present the report.

Councillor Dempster submits a report that presents an update on the 3 year capital programme of investment in facilities for our children and young people. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 3 of the report.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Children & Young People’s Scrutiny Committee on 15 June 2010 will be circulated when available.

This item was deferred.

Councillor Dempster submits a report that advises on the new Ofsted inspection of children’s services in relation to safeguarding and looked after children. Cabinet is recommended to note the report and the work completed to date in preparation for the inspection together with the work planned for the next quarter and beyond.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Children & Young People’s Scrutiny Committee on 15 June 2010 will be circulated when available.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that advised on the new Ofsted inspection of children’s services in relation to safeguarding and looked after children.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     notes the report; and

2)     notes the work completed to date in preparation for the inspection together with the work planned for the next quarter and beyond.

Councillor Wann submits a report that advises Members of the outcome of the consultation to resurface the car park off Alderton Close at Watermead Country Park, seeks approval on the capital finance costs to undertake the works and updates Members on the water safety signage. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations set out in the report.

This item was deferred.

Councillor Russell submits a report that advises Cabinet of the introduction of new licensing powers to regulate lap dancing and other sexual entertainment venues and seeks Cabinet’s approval for the proposed course of action. Cabinet is recommended to approve the proposed timetable, approve the proposed consultation arrangements, and ask full Council to adopt the provisions that will enable Leicester City Council to licence sexual entertainment venues.

Councillor Russell submitted a report that advised Cabinet of the introduction of new licensing powers to regulate lap dancing and other sexual entertainment venues and sought Cabinet’s approval for the proposed course of action.

The comments of the Overview & Scrutiny Management Board were noted, and it was reported that there would be further opportunity for Members to engage with the consultation.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     approves the proposed timetable,

2)     approves the proposed consultation arrangements, and

3)     asks full Council to adopt the provision that will enable Leicester City Council to licence sexual entertainment venues.

Councillor Osman submits a report that notes external Strategic Green Infrastructure funding secured for improvements to open spaces at Rally Park and Abbey Meadows and seeks approval for the projects to be added to the 2010/11 Capital Programme. Cabinet is requested to note and approve the Rally Park and Abbey Meadows SGI projects and for the £595,000 be added to the 2010/11 Capital Programme financed by Growth Fund SGI Capital Grant.

This item was deferred.

Councillor Osman submits a report that seeks approval to procure the Surface Water Management Plan Study. Cabinet is requested to approve the procurement of the Surface Water Management Plan Study by external consultants.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Management Board on 17 June 2010 will be circulated when available.

This item was deferred.

Councillor Osman submits a report that seeks approval of schemes for the 2010/11 Local Environmental Works (LEW) programme. Cabinet is requested to approve the 20010/11 LEW programme of £750,000 as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report and approve that the LEW programme may be varied by the Director of Regeneration, Highways & Transportation in agreement with the Cabinet Lead Member for Regeneration, Highways & Transportation.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Management Board on 17 June 2010 will be circulated when available.

This item was deferred.

Councillor Patel submits a report that shows the outturn position of the capital programme for 2009/10. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations in paragraph 3.1 of the report.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Performance & Value Select Committee on 16 June 2010 will be circulated when available.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that showed the outturn position of the capital programme for 2009/10.

The comments of the Performance & Value for Money Select Committee were noted and it was confirmed that Councillor Patel, as Cabinet Lead would attend a future meeting at an appropriate point in the future.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     notes the outturn capital expenditure of £96.592m;

2)     notes the final capital receipts received of £656K;

3)     notes the prudential indicators for 2009/10;

4)     approves the release of £309k from the Centrally Located Administration Buildings (CLAB) capital budget to fund activities undertaken in 2009/10 and an option appraisal project being undertaken in respect of the accommodation strategy; and

5)     agrees the proposal to cease the former requirement to use operational capital receipts to deliver revenue savings.

Councillor Patel submits a report that shows the final summary outturn position, comparing spending with the budget for all General Fund Services and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations in Paragraph 3.1 of the report.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Performance & Value Select Committee on 16 June 2010 will be circulated when available.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that showed the final summary outturn position, comparing spending with the budget for all General Fund Services and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

Councillor Dempster thanked Members and officers for the achievements in a difficult financial climate.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet notes:

1)     the final outturn for 2009/10 for each division and the Council as a whole;

2)     the reasons for the variances between the 2009/10 budget and the final outturn;

3)     the position of the Council’s General Fund and the HRA balances;

4)     the position in respect of significant earmarked reserves;

5)     the write-off of old and obsolete stock as per paragraph 8.10.11 of the report;

6)     the proposals for the use of under spends.

that Cabinet approves:

1)         a waiver of Finance Procedure Rules allowing the aggregation of trading and non-trading budgets by division in order to achieve break-even (FPR 4.15);

2)         the creation of new reserves set out in paragraph 12.22;

3)         the carry forward of unspent 2009/10 Ward Community budgets for use by Ward Community meetings in 2010/11; and

4)         the setting aside of £2m from Corporate underspends to support the Capital Programme.

Councillor Patel submits a report that presents the results of a review of the Council’s System of Internal Control. Cabinet is recommended to receive the report and agree the conclusion that the Council has an effective system of internal control; andendorse the Annual Governance Statement 2009-10 (Appendix 1) for inclusion within the Council’s published Annual Finance Statements.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that presented the result of a review of the Council’s System of Internal control.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)      receives the report and agrees the conclusion that the Council has an effective system of internal control; and

2)      endorses the Annual Governance Statement 2009-10 (Appendix 1) for inclusion within the Council’s published Annual Finance Statements.

Councillor Patel submits a report that presents a proposal for the top-slicing of Area Based Grant (ABG) to support             Leicester Partnership infrastructure and development, and proposals for initial 2010/11             ABG allocations to Leicester Partnership Strategic Theme Groups (STGs).Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations set out in Paragraph 3 of the report.

Members were advised that this report had been withdrawn.

Councillor Patel submits a report that presents a summary of performance against the priorities set out in One Leicester for the fourth quarter of 2009/10. Cabinet is recommended to Note our performance for the fourth quarter and for those targets deemed to be at risk ensure that relevant strategic directors work with their Priority Boards to develop responses and ensure Cabinet Leads are briefed accordingly.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Performance & Value Select Committee on 16 June 2010 will be circulated when available.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that presented a summary of performance against the priorities set out in One Leicester for the fourth quarter of 2009/10.

Officers were thanked for their significant work in the light of the current economic situation.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     notes the performance for the fourth quarter;

2)     for those targets deemed to be at risk, ensure that relevant Strategic Directors work with their Priority Boards to develop responses and ensure Cabinet Leads are briefed accordingly.

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.

PROGRESS ON THE TRANSFER OF THE HIGHFIELDS CENTRE

Paragraph 3

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Paragraph 4

Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

DISPOSAL OF RESIDENTIAL LAND TO HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS

Paragraph 3

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

CONTRACT PROCEDURE RULES WAIVERS– October 2009 to March 2010

Paragraph 3

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

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 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.

PROGRESS ON THE TRANSFER OF THE HIGHFIELDS CENTRE

Paragraph 3

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Paragraph 4

Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under, the authority.

DISPOSAL OF RESIDENTIAL LAND TO HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS

Paragraph 3

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

CONTRACT PROCEDURE RULES WAIVERS– October 2009 to March 2010

Paragraph 3

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Councillor Palmer submits a report.

Councillor Bhatti submitted a report that highlighted progress that had been made towards the transfer of the Highfields Centre and community services element.

Members were informed of an amendment to recommendation 3.3, as circulated at the meeting, which replaced proposed actions included in Paragraph 4.7 to 4.24 in the report.

Members welcomed that fact that considerable progress had been made, and that it was important to continue this, to meet the expectations of all parties and that legal costs should be minimised.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the recommendations set out in the report, as amended and reported to the meeting.

Councillor Westley submits a report.

Councillor Westley submitted a report that advised on progress with proposals to facilitate affordable housing on land to be sold to housing associations, and to obtain necessary authority to those sales.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet approves the recommendations as set out in the report.

Councillor Patel submits a report.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Performance & Value Select Committee on 16 June 2010 will be circulated when available.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that provided Members with a summary of Contract Procedure Rule waivers.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet notes the summary of Contract Procedure Rule waivers summarised in Appendix 1 of the report.

The meeting closed at 1.26pm.