Agenda and minutes

The meeting stood for one minutes’ silence in memory of those affected by last Thursday’s London terrorist bombs.

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 Coley declared a non prejudicial interest in report F ‘Youth Justice Plan 2005/06’ as his step daughter worked for the Youth Offending Service.

Councillor Farmer declared a non prejudicial interest in report G ‘Bowstring Bridge’ as he had received representations on the future of the Bridge.

New Walk Museum and Art Gallery

The Leader announced that he had attended the launch of the Star Portraits exhibition at the New Walk Museum and encouraged people to attend the exhibition between now and 7 August 2005.

Weddings at the Town Hall

The Leader also announced that up until 9 July, the Town Hall had been the venue of 155 weddings since the relocation of the registration Service from Pocklingtons Walk. It was noted that the Victorian Gallery was also available for weddings.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 June 2005, 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 the Cabinet held on 27 June 2005, having been circulated to Members, be taken as read and approved as a correct record.

Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee – 22 June 2005

The following was agreed at the above meeting. The full minute extract is attached as appendix A.

Update on Public Sector Relocation (The Lyons Review)

RESOLVED:

                        That Cabinet be requested to set up a cross party working group and include relevant parties such as the Leicester Regeneration Company to look at how the Council should go forward in ‘selling’ Leicester as a relocation choice for public sector departments.

Cabinet are asked to note the referral and that a report will be submitted to the next meeting of Cabinet on 25 July 2005.

Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee – 22 June 2005

The Committee resolved the following at the above meeting.

Update on Public Sector Relocation (The Lyons Review)

- That Cabinet be requested to set up a cross party working group and include relevant parties such as the Leicester Regeneration Company to look at how the Council should go forward in ‘selling’ Leicester as a relocation choice for public sector departments.

RESOLVED:

                        That the referral report be noted and that the Cabinet receive a further report at its meeting on 25 July 2005.

Councillor Suleman submits a report recommending a two stage exercise for achieving a balanced budget for the Lifelong Learning Division in the Education and Lifelong Learning Department. The first and most urgent stage, achieving a balanced budget for 2005/06, is the subject of a separate report on the agenda by the Chief Finance Officer. This report recommends that decisions that affect 2006/07 are taken in the context of Council priorities and the anticipated changes to the services involved, either as a result of national policy developments/requirements or the reconfiguration of Council services proposed to Cabinet at its last meeting by the Chief Executive. The Cabinet is recommended to reaffirm the requirement for the Education Department to achieve a balanced budget in 2005/06, seek further reports on the future direction of the services that are part of the Division as part of the Council’s reconfiguration exercise and ask officers to ensure that the proposals for the Division’s services in 2006/07 are consistent with the Council’s overall priorities and direction, and that these proposals are fully incorporated in the Departmental Revenue Strategies linked to any new service delivery or organisational arrangements.

Councillor Suleman submitted a report recommending a two stage exercise for achieving a balanced budget for the Lifelong Learning Division in the Education and Lifelong Learning department. The relevant minute extract of the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee held on 7 June 2005 had been circulated.

Councillor Suleman introduced the report and outlined and addressed the key issues which would affect the future direction of the department.

RESOLVED:

(1)               that the requirement for the Education Department to achieve a balanced budget in 2005/06 be reaffirmed,

(2)               that further reports be sought on the future direction of the services that are part of the Division as part of the Council reconfiguration exercise, required by the Children’s Act 2004, and

(3)that Officers be asked to ensure that the proposals for the Division’s services in 2006/07 are consistent with the Council’s overall priorities and direction, and that these proposals are fully incorporated in the Departmental Revenue Strategies linked to any new service delivery or organisational arrangements.

Councillor Suleman submits a report recommending proposals to balance the budget of the Education and Lifelong Learning Department in 2005/06, and recommends a strategy for balancing the budget in later years. Further supporting information will be circulated before the meeting.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that showed a summary position comparing spending with the budget. 

The relevant minute extract from the Performance and Value for Money Select Committee to be held on 21 February 2008 had been circulated to Cabinet members.

The Chief Finance Officer explained that the report cross-referenced performance matters contained in a separate report on the agenda.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the changes made to the original approved budget for 2007/08 be noted;

(2) that the expenditure to date and the budgetary issues which have emerged so far this year be noted;

(3)that the proposals put forward to ensure that spending is contained within the Departments’ budgets be noted;

(4)that other action necessary to prevent departments from overspending be considered;

(5)that the progress made towards achieving the Business Improvement Programme savings targets for 2007/08, as outlined in Section 8 of the report, be noted; and

(6)that the establishment of an earmarked reserve as outlined in paragraph 8.7 of the report be approved.

Councillor Blackmore submits a report informing the Cabinet of the outcome and implications of the announcement on the second phase of Local Area Agreements (LAA). The Cabinet is recommended to support the development of a LAA as outlined in the report, endorse the outline project plan and management arrangements as set out in the report and receive further reports on detailed arrangements as required.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report informing Cabinet of the outcome and implications of the agreement on the second phase of Local Area Agreements (LAAs).

RESOLVED:

(1)that the development of a Local Area Agreement as outlined in the report be supported,

(2)that the outline project plan and management arrangements as set out in paragraph 3 and appendix 1 of the report be endorsed, and

(3)that further reports be received on detailed arrangements as required.

Councillor Coley submits a report reviewing progress made towards implementing the Council’s Corporate Risk Management Strategy, and seeks the agreement of the Cabinet to the revised Risk Management Policy and Strategy contained within the report. The Cabinet is recommended to nominate the Cabinet Member for Finance as the lead member for Risk Management and approve the policy and strategy, endorse the work plan and approve the roles and responsibilities as set out in the report and agree the proposed changes to the terms of reference to the Cabinet as set out in the report.

The minute extract from the Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee held on 27 June 2005 is attached.

Councillor Coley submitted a report reviewing progress made towards implementing the Council’s Corporate Risk Management Strategy, and sought the agreement of the revised Risk Management Policy contained in the report. The relevant minute extract from the Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee held on 27 June 2005 had been circulated.

RESOLVED:

(1)               that the Cabinet Member for Finance be nominated as the lead member for Risk Management and to approve the policy and strategy, endorse the work plan and approve the roles and responsibilities as set out in the report, and

(2)that the proposed changes to the terms of reference be agreed.

Councillor Farmer submits a report setting out how Youth Justice services are to be provided in each area and how they are to be funded by the statutory partners (Social Care and Health, Education, Police, Probation and Health). The Cabinet is recommended to note the Youth Justice Plan 2005/06 and approve its submission retrospectively to the Youth Justice Board by 30 June 2005 and to recommend approval of the Youth Justice Plan 2005/06 retrospectively by Council.

The full Youth Justice Plan is attached for members of the Cabinet only. Copies can be found on the Council’s website at www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk, in the Group Rooms in the Members’ Area or by telephoning Committee Services on (0116) 252 7154.

Councillor Coley declared a non prejudicial interest in the report as his step daughter worked for the service.

Councillor Farmer submitted a report setting out how Youth Justice services are to be provided in each area and how they are funded by the statutory partners (Social care and Health, Education, Probation and Health).

Councillor Farmer reported that it had been confirmed that the Youth Offending Service was performing in the top third in the Country against its performance indicators, and was the top performing unitary Council in the East Midlands. The Cabinet expressed their thanks to the officers involved in achieving this.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Youth Justice Plan 2005/06 be noted, and its submission be approved retrospectively to the Youth Justice Board by 30 June 2005,

(2)that the Youth Justice Plan 2005/06 be recommended to Council for retrospective approval,

(3)that the Corporate Lead for Crime and Disorder talk to the Government Office for East Midlands about linking targets with those in the Local Area Agreements, and

(4)that Officers be requested to bring forward a report to a future meeting on restorative justice.

Councillor Coley submits a report seeking authority to instruct the Bridges Section of the Regeneration and Culture Department to arrange for the demolition of the Bowstring Bridge and make safe both sides of the viaduct exposed by such demolition work. The Cabinet is recommended to approve the immediate use of the funds allocated in the Capital Programme for 2005/06 to 2007/08 to undertake this work, and authorise the Head of Legal Services to enter into all necessary contracts and agreements arising out of the proposed demolition works.

Members are asked to note that as part of this report, financial information relating to the estimated costs of various options for the work, is attached on the private agenda. These papers are marked ‘NOT FOR PUBLICATION’ as the information in these papers is exempt as defined in paragraph 9 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 Farmer declared a non prejudicial interest in the report as he had received representations on the future of the Bridge.

Councillor Coley requested that this item be deferred to allow further consideration of a recently received inquiry from the Director of Great Central Railways.

RESOLVED:

                        That the item be deferred to the meeting of Cabinet on 25 July 2005.

Councillor Grant submits a report describing the project management arrangements and seeks full approval for the costs relating to the Chief Executive’s proposals for improving services for children and young people and adults, as agreed by Cabinet on 13 June 2005. The Cabinet is recommended to approve project management costs up to £240,000 gross, the costs to be funded equally by the Education and Lifelong Learning Department and the Social Care and Health Department.

Councillor Gill submitted a report describing the project management arrangements for the Chief Executive’s proposals for ‘Improving Services for Children and Young People and for Adults’, and also sought approval for the full costs.

RESOLVED:

(1)That project management costs be approved up to £240,000 gross, the costs to be funded equally by the Education and Lifelong Learning Department and the Social Care and Health Department, and

(2)that under the provisions of Cabinet procedure rule 12d, the decision be considered urgent because of the need to initiate the project  so that the new structure could be implemented on 1 April 2006, and therefore that no ‘call in’ be allowed.

Councillor Coley submits a report setting out the current position with regard to the delegation of virements from Cabinet to Officers. The Cabinet is recommended to consider whether it wishes to revoke the extant resolutions, as set out in the report.

Councillor Coley submitted a report setting out the position with regard to the delegation of virements from Cabinet to Officers.

RESOLVED:

that the extant resolutions set out in paragraph 2.1 of the report be revoked.

The meeting closed at 5.40pm