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 asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed and /or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Governent Finance Act 1992 applied to them.

There were no declarations.

a)         Best Practice Awards

            The Leader reported on the outcome of the City Council’s Best Practice Awards.  It was noted that the first prize had been awarded to the Housing Apprenticeship scheme for women and the second prize had been awarded to the Litter Wardens Project.

            On behalf of the Cabinet, the Leader congratulated the above winners; those who received commendations and all the entrants.

b)         Cinquefoil Lectures

            The Leader reported that the second ‘Cinquefoil’ Lecture was due to take place on Tuesday 18 May at the New Walk Museum, at which the guest speaker was Sir Michael Lyons.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 April 2004, 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 26 April 2004, having been circulated to Members, be taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Social Services and Personal Health Scrutiny Committee – 28 April 2004

Adapted Housing Services for Disabled People Inquiry – Outcomes and Recommendations

A full minute extract is attached at Appendix A1. An officer response report will be circulated as soon as it is available.

RESOLVED:

(3)       that Cabinet be recommended that the Chief Executive’s office produce a process for methods of inquiry which provided guidelines to Officers and Scrutiny Committees on holding an inquiry on a particular service area.

Councillor Coley to respond.

Victoria Climbie Inquiry Report

A full minute extract is attached at Appendix A2. An officer response report will be circulated as soon as it is available.

RESOLVED:

(3)       that Cabinet be recommended in the strongest possible terms that awareness training on child protection be made compulsory to all Members.

Councillor Coley to respond.

Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee – 28 April 2004

Community Cohesion Fund

An Officer report and a full minute extract are attached at Appendix A3

RESOLVED:

(1)       that the Committee ask Cabinet to consider expanding the scope of the community cohesion fund to wider communities within the City;

(3)       that Cabinet be asked to reconsider the proposed Small Grants and Community Cohesion panel.

Councillor Suleman to respond.

SOCIAL SERVICES AND PERSONAL HEALTH SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – 28 APRIL 2004

Adapted Housing Services for Disabled People Inquiry – Outcomes and Recommendations

The Committee resolved the following at the above meeting:-

-        that Cabinet be recommended that the Chief Executive’s Office produce a process for methods of inquiry which provided guidelines to Officers and Scrutiny Committees on holding an inquiry on a particular service area.

Councillor Coley submitted a report informing the Cabinet that as part of its programme of developing Scrutiny within the Authority, the Chief Executive’s office was intending to develop such guidance as a priority.

RESOLVED:

                        that the report be noted.

Victoria Climbie Inquiry Report

The Committee resolved the following at the above meeting:-

-        that Cabinet be recommended in the strongest possible terms that awareness training on child protection be made compulsory to all Members.

Councillor Coley reported that the full report on the Victoria Climbie inquiry was to be submitted to Cabinet in June and that the issue of training for Members on child protection issues would be incorporated into that report.

RESOLVED:

                        that the response be noted.

FINANCE, RESOURCES AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – 28 APRIL 2004

Community Cohesion Fund

The Committee resolved the following at the above meeting:-

-        that the Committee ask Cabinet to consider expanding the scope of the community cohesion fund to wider communities within the city;

-        that Cabinet be asked to reconsider the proposed Small Grants and Community Cohesion panel.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report on the issues raised by the Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Blackmore stressed that the proposals related to all communities.

RESOLVED:

                        that the report be noted.

Councillor Metcalfe submits a report that informs the Cabinet that the City Council has been awarded Beacon Status for Housing Renewal, this being the fifth year running that Leicester has been given this status and the sixth theme to be recognised. The Cabinet is asked to note the award and congratulate staff in developing and delivering the Housing Renewal Service.

A short presentation will be given at the meeting.

Councillor Metcalfe submitted a report that informed the Cabinet that the City Council had been awarded Beacon Status for Housing Renewal, this being the fifth year running that Leicester had been given this status and the sixth theme to be recognised.  The Cabinet also received a short presentation about the winning bid.

RESOLVED:

that the award be noted and all staff involved in developing and delivering the Housing Renewal Service be highly congratulated.

Councillor Johnson submits a report that explains the rationale and seeks support for the establishment of a City Academy on the site of the former Mary Linwood Secondary School by the Church of England and their industry partner. The report also updates Members on previous agreements made by the Council and sets out the commitment of the Academy’s sponsors to education within the City. The report also updates Members on the consultation for the proposed closure of Newry Junior and Southfields Infants schools. The Cabinet is asked to consider the outcomes of the consultation process and the views of the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee and to determine the issues set out in paragraph 3.1 of the report.

The relevant minutes extract from the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee held on 12 May 2004 will be circulated as soon as they are available.

Councillor Johnson submitted a report that explained the rationale and sought support for the establishment of a City Academy on the site of the former Mary Linwood Secondary School, by the Church of England and their industry partner. The report also updated Members on previous agreements made by the Council and set out the commitment of the Academy’s sponsors to education within the City. The report also updated Members on the consultation for the proposed closure of Newry Junior and Southfields Infants schools.

An addendum report had also been circulated which included consultation feedback, further background information, a risk analysis and updated financial and property impications.

It was noted that extensive community consultation was proposed in relation to the Academy, which it was expected to be complete by mid July.

The relevant minutes extract from the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee held on 12 May 2004 were also circulated to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

(1)       that the outcomes of the consultation process to date, be noted;

(2)       that the Education Scrutiny Committee resolution,  “that the Cabinet be asked to defer making a decision on the City Academy until the support of the local community has been clearly established”, be noted;

(3)       that approval be given for the publication of statutory notices for the closure of Southfields Infants and Newry Junior schools, any closure to be conditional upon a decision as to whether to support the establishment of the City Academy on the site of the former Mary Linwood School; and

(4)       that a final decision be made as to whether to support the Academy once Cabinet has considered:-

i)          the results of the sponsors’ community consultation on the Academy, and

ii)         the Council’s ‘Building Schools for the Future’ proposals.

Councillor Johnson submits a report summarising the results of the annual statutory consultation on admission arrangements and limits for entry into schools for 2005, and it proposes arrangements for implementation. The Cabinet is recommended to reject the proposal concerning priority areas for Secondary Schools, maintain the Published Admission Numbers at present figures and adopt Foundation 1 Published Admission Numbers as detailed at 1.3 of annex 1 of the report, adopt the guidance notes as detailed in the report, defer the decision on sixth form policy until next year and request a further report setting out proposals for changing admission arrangements by removing the use of priority areas.

Councillor Johnson submitted a report summarising the results of the annual statutory consultation on admission arrangements and limits for entry into schools for 2005, and the proposed arrangements for their implementation.

RESOLVED:

(1)       that the proposal concerning priority areas for Secondary Schools (see 1.2 of Annex 1), in favour of maintaining the status quo for a  further year, be rejected;

(2)       that the Published Admission Numbers be maintained at the present figures and the F1 (Nursery) Published Admission Numbers as listed (see 1.3 of Annex 1), be adopted;

(3)       that the guidance notes as set out in Annex 1 of the report, be adopted;

(4)       that a decision be deferred on Sixth Form policy until next year;

(5)       that the Corporate Director of Education and Lifelong Learning be requested to submit a further report setting out proposals for changing admission arrangements by removing the use of priority areas.

Councillor Metcalfe submits a report that updates the Cabinet on the progress of work on the Empty Homes Strategy. The Cabinet is asked to note the report and the progress made to bring down the numbers of long term empty properties in the last twelve months.

Councillor Metcalfe submitted a report which updated the Cabinet on the progress of work on the Empty Homes Strategy.  The Strategy focused Council resources on returning long term empty properties in the private sector back into occupation.

A further appendix to the report (Appendix C), had been circulated to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

            that the report and the progress made to bring down the numbers of long term empty properties in the last twelve months, be noted.

Councillor Metcalfe submits a report that seeks approval to make three Compulsory Purchase Orders under the City Council’s Empty Homes Strategy on three long-term privately owned vacant properties in areas of priority housing need. The Cabinet is asked to give approval to make the land and dwellings, as outlined in the report, the subject of individual Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs), in order to secure their improvement, proper management and occupation as residential dwellings.

Members are asked to note that as part of this report, financial information relating to the properties is attached. These papers are marked ‘NOT FOR PUBLICATION’. The information in these papers is exempt as defined in paragraphs 7 and 8 of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended. The information therefore must not be disclosed or discussed at the meeting. Should Members wish to refer to any of these details it is recommended that the meeting move into private session.

Councillor Metcalfe submitted a report recommending that Compulsory Purchase Orders be sought on a number of properties under the City Council’s Empty Homes Strategy in order to secure their improvement, proper management and occupation as residential dwellings.

RESOLVED:

(1)       that the following land and dwellings outlined in the appendices to the report be made the subject of Compulsory Purchase Orders (CPOs) under sections 9 and 17 of the Housing Act 1985 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981, in order to secure their improvement, proper management and occupation as residential dwellings:-  

                           104 Warwick Street

                           17 Glenfield Road

                           45 Twycross Street; and

(2)       that the necessary capital expenditure be authorised from the Empty Homes Strategy in line with the agreed Capital Programme.

Councillor Hunt submits a report that informs Members that Leicester has been awarded a Planning Delivery Grant (PDG) of £384,837 for 2004/2005. The report explains what the PDG is, what it can be used for and how it was proposed to spend the grant in Leicester. The report is being brought to the Cabinet as the grant represents significant extra money outside of the approved budget strategy. The Cabinet is asked to agree the proposals set out in the report.

The relevant minutes extract from the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee from the 4 May 2004 will be circulated as soon as possible.

Councillor Mugglestone submitted a report that informed the Cabinet that Leicester had been awarded a Planning Delivery Grant (PDG) of £384,837 for 2004/2005. The report explained what the PDG was, what it could be used for and how it was proposed to spend the grant in Leicester.

The relevant minutes extract from the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on 4 May 2004 were circulated to the Cabinet.

It was noted that the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee supported the proposals for expenditure but were concerned that the use of external resources be minimised.  The Cabinet noted that there was  a shortage of qualified planners and that this option gave flexibility if difficulties were experienced in filling an urgent need.

RESOLVED:

that the proposals in section 5 of the supplementary information section of the report, be approved.

Councillor Hunt submits a report that presents a proposed corporate response to the Leicester Regeneration Company (LRC)’s draft Business Plan, as presented to the LRC Board on 9 February 2004. The report sets out an action programme for the City Council during 2004/2005 in response to the LRC Business Plan. The Cabinet is asked to agree the recommended responses to the LRC Business Plan as set out in the report.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report that presented a proposed corporate response to the Leicester Regeneration Company draft Business Plan, as presented to the Company board on 9 February 2004. The report also set out an action programme for the City Council during 2004/2005 in response to the LRC Business Plan.

RESOLVED:

that the responses to the Leicester Regeneration Company Business Plan, as set out in the report be approved.

Councillor Johnson submits a report that seeks the approval of the Cabinet to conduct a consultation on options for the management of the delivery of adult learning provided by the City Council. The City Council receive a grant from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to provide adult learning to contribute to LSC priorities and to the council’s priorities, in particular its prime objective of raising educational standards across the City.

The Cabinet is asked to endorse the role of the local authority as a provider of adult learning funded by the LSC. The Cabinet is also asked to give approval to conduct consultation on options for management arrangements following the completion of the impending inspection of the council’s adult learning provision by the Adult Learning Inspectorate. The Cabinet is also asked to request a report from officers on completion of the consultation, the report to set out options and recommendations for management arrangements for the adult and community learning provision secured by the local education authority.

Councillor Johnson submitted a report that sought the approval of Cabinet to conduct consultation on options for the management of the delivery of adult learning provided by the City Council. It was noted that the City Council received a grant from the Learning and Skill Council (LSC) to provide adult learning to contribute to the LSC priorities and to the Council’s priorities, in particular its prime objective of raising educational standards across the City.

RESOLVED:

(1)        that the role of the Local Authority as a provider of Adult Learning funded by the Learning and Skills Council be approved; and

(2)        that the recommended consultation on management arrangements for Adult Learning be approved, subject to prior consideration by the Education Scrutiny Committee prior to the commencement of any consultation.

Councillor Johnson submits a report setting out the context for the production of the Local Authority’s Youth Service Plan for 2004-05. The report also seeks the Cabinet’s approval for the Plan prior to its submission to Government Office for the East Midlands. The Cabinet is asked to note the strengthening service capacity, leadership and management, relationships with other services and of corporate working, approve and sign off the Youth Service Plan for 2004-05 and to consider the longer term financial implications of the Government’s advice in its ‘Planning Guidance to Local Authority Youth Services for 2004/05’ letter and ‘Resourcing Excellent Youth Services’.

The relevant minutes extract from the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee held on 27 April 2004 will be circulated as soon as they are available.

The full Youth Service Plan for 2004/2005 document is attached for Members of the Cabinet only. Copies of this document can be obtained either from the Council’s website at (www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk) or by phoning Committee Services on (0116) 252 6022.

Councillor Johnson submitted a report setting out the context for the production of the Local Authority’s Youth Service Plan for 2004/05. The report also sought the Cabinet’s approval for the plan prior to its submission to Government for the East Midlands.

The relevant minutes extract of the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee held on 27 April 2004, had been circulated.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the strengthening of service capacity, leadership and management, relationships with other services and of corporate working, be noted;

(b)       that the Youth Service Plan for 2004-05, be approved and signed off;

(c)        that the longer term financial implications of the government’s advice in it’s Planning Guidance to Local Authority Youth Services for 2004/05 letter and Resourcing Excellent Youth Services be noted.

Councillor Coley submits a report seeking approval to a series of improvements to the Town Hall, along with associated funding arrangements. The Cabinet is asked to approve the Town Hall improvements and the relocation of the Registration Service to the Town Hall at an estimated cost of £1,799,300; and to approve the total funding package of £1, 799,300, with the current shortfall of £525,000 to be funded from a variation to the approve 2004/05 Capital Programme, or from other such sources as Members may determine.

Councillor Coley submitted a report seeking approval to a series of improvements to the Town Hall, along with associated funding arrangements.

RESOLVED:

(i)        that the Town Hall Improvements / relocation of the Registration Service, with the associated funding arrangements, as detailed in the report, be approved;

(ii)       that in recognition of the landlord responsibilities of some elements of the project and Disability Discrimination Act provisions included within the scheme, a contribution of £100,000 towards the overall funding package from the Central Maintenance fund be noted; and

(iii)      that the revised funding gap of £425,000 be funded either by way of a bid in the 2005/06 Capital Programme (with aspects of the project scheduled accordingly and considered on their merits alongside other priorities) or that if a bid is not successful, from other Resources, Access and Diversity resources.

Councillor Coley submits a report that sets out options for funding the £7 million needed to cover the financial risk associated with the Performing Arts and Convention Centre (PACC). The Cabinet is asked to consider how it would wish to fund the £7 million of risk, after considering the views of the Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee.

The relevant minutes extract from the Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee from 28 April are attached to the report.

Councillor Coley submitted a report that set out options for funding the £7 million needed to cover the financial risk associated with the Performing Arts and Convention Centre.

The relevant minutes extract from the Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee held on 28 April were attached to the report.

RESOLVED:

(1)          that officers seek to bridge any gap in funding by use of the Capital Programme contingency and additional capital receipts received by March 2005; and

(2)       that officers be requested to do all they can to ensure they receive the projected funding and so avoid any recourse to additional Council contributions.

Councillor Johnson submits a report advising Members of the capital allocations made available by the Department for Education and Skills and other funding bodies for 2004-05 and to update the proposed Capital Programme for the Education and Lifelong Learning Department for 2004-05 and subsequent years. The Cabinet is asked to approve a number of recommendations with regard to implementing the Capital Programme.

Councillor Johnson submitted a report advising Members of the capital allocations made available by the Department for Education and Skills and other funding bodies for 2004/05 and to propose an updated Capital programme for the Education and Lifelong Learning Department for 2004-05 and subsequent years.

RESOLVED:

(1)     that the capital allocations made available by the Government, be noted;

(2)     that the additions to the capital programme as detailed in 2.5 and 2.6 of the report, be recommended to Council;

(3)     that the revised level of programmed expenditure as detailed in 3.1 and in Appendix A, be recommended to Council;

(4)     that Council be recommended to authorise the Corporate Director for Education and Lifelong Learning to implement the initial programme in consultation with the Schools Forum and the Cabinet Link for Education and Lifelong Learning;

(5)     that Members receive detailed proposals for the capital programme at the earliest opportunity.

Councillor Johnson submits a report that updates Members on the consultation for the proposed amalgamations of Queensmead Infant and Junior Schools and also Bendbow Rise Infant and Crescent Junior Schools by the end of May 2004, in order to comply with the DfES terms for funding under the terms of the successful targeted capital bids made to the DfES. The report also provides an update on the Leicester Islamic Academy. The Cabinet is asked to consider the outcomes of the consultation process and the views of the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee and whether or not to approve the proposed amalgamations and the publication of statutory notices for the establishment of two new primary schools in the grounds of Queensmead Infant School and Bendbow Rise Infant School respectively and for the closure of Bendbow Rise Infant School, Crescent Junior School, Queensmead Infant School and Queensmead Junior School.

The relevant minutes extract from the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee held on 12 May 2004 will be circulated as soon as they are available.

Councillor Johnson submits a report setting out the initial findings of the Lifelong Learning and Community Development Premises Review based on the overall aim of the Department to raise standards and the most effective and efficient use of premises to achieve this. The Cabinet is asked to approve the consultation process as set out in the report, agree that the wider options and implications for all Council services and premises be assessed through the Corporate Property Efficiency Review, and request officers to prepare recommendations for the implementation of the property review following the consultation.

The relevant minutes extract from the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee held on 12 May 2004 will be circulated as soon as they are available.

Councillor Johnson submitted a report setting out the initial findings of the Lifelong Learning and Community Development Premises Review based on the overall aim of the Department to raise standards and the most effective and efficient use of premises to achieve this.

The relevant minutes extract from the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee held on 28 April 2004 was circulated to the Cabinet.

It was noted that the review was about making the best possible use of facilities and that consultation should be wide reaching with as many partners, agencies and groups as possible.  It was stressed that this report set out proposals for consultation and there were no proposals included for closure of any facilities.

RESOLVED:

(1)       that Cabinet recognises that community and neighbourhood centres should lie at the heart of vibrant communities;

(2)       that all facilities should be as fully used as possible, meeting the needs of the local community;

(3)       that officers be requested to consult widely on methods to secure the fullest and widest effective use of all Lifelong Learning facilities;

(4)       that officers in Education liaise with other departments of the Council, other groups and agencies in search of suitable premises to explore further options for development;

(5)       that officers explore opportuniites for alternative forms of management, including self-management for those communities who wish to avail themselves of this opportunity; and

(6)       that a further report be submitted to Scrutiny and Cabinet on the outcomes of the consultation.

Councillor Roger Blackmore submits a report that seeks approval to the implementation of the findings from the Transport Efficiency Review which will save £1.5 million per annum from 2005/06 onwards and £0.97 million (net) in 2004/05. The implementation would also reduce vehicle emissions and congestion at peak periods. The Cabinet is asked to consider several recommendations that would enable the findings of the Traffic Efficiency Review to be implemented.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report that sought approval to the implementation of the findings of the Transport Efficiency Review which would save £1.5 million per annum from 2005/06 onwards and £0.97 million (net) in 2004/05. The implementation would also reduce vehicle emissions and congestion at peak periods.

RESOLVED:

(1)       that the Council’s transport for clients be rearranged to enable more efficient use to be made of the Council’s buses as set out in the report;

(2)       that the route planning / financial administration computer system which is being introduced for this service, be noted; and

(3)       that the new taxi procurement process which is being introduced, be noted.

Councillor Johnson submits a report that informs the Cabinet that the City Council has been successful in securing external funding from Sport England to refurbish a ball court attached to the Braunstone Adult Centre. The Cabinet is asked to note the decision of the Corporate Director of Education and Lifelong Learning under his delegated powers, following consultation with Elected Members, to accept the role of Accountable Body for this project.

Councillor Johnson submitted a report that informed the Cabinet that the City Council had been successful in securing external funding from Sport England to refurbish a ball court attached to the Braunstone Adult Centre.

RESOLVED:

that the decision of the Corporate Director of Education and Lifelong Learning under his delegated powers, following consultation with Elected Members, to accept the role of Accountable Body for this project, be noted.

The meeting ended at 6.30 pm.

Councillor Coley, as the Chair of the Employees Consultative Forum raised a matter which had been discussed at the Forum that morning with regard to staffing reviews.  In response, the Town Clerk undertook to evaluate the lessons learned from recent staffing reviews and report back to the Cabinet in June on options for improving protocols for staffing reviews.