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 Act applied to them.

Councillor Coley declared a non prejudicial interest in Appendix B, 'General Fund Revenue Budget Strategy 2006/07 to 2008/09', as his stepdaughter worked in the Youth Offending Service.

Councillor Scuplak declared a non prejudicial interest in Appendix B, 'General Fund Revenue Budget Strategy 2006/07 to 2008/09', as a director of the Leicester Regeneration Company.

City Gallery

The Leader reported that the City Gallery had just secured a grant of £24,000 from the Arts Council to bring the work of one of London’s rising stars – Jamie Shovlin – to Leicester.

It was noted that Jamie was a Leicester-born artist who went on to study at the Royal College of Arts. He was currently showing at Tate Britain and his exhibition would be at the City Gallery from 3 June to 18 July.

The Leader noted that it was unusual for a revenue-funded organisation to receive such a grant for the arts. The grant would fund four commissions and an education programme

The Gallery had also benefited from a confirmed uplift of £20,000 to their revenue grant from the Arts Council. This would mean the Gallery would now receive £120,000 per year from 2006/07. This grant was in recognition of the importance of the Gallery’s role regionally in mainstreaming diversity through their education and exhibition programme of contemporary art and craft.

LCB Depot

The Leader announced that the LCB Depot had been awarded a grant of £69,000 from the DTI's £5million BID (Business Incubation Development) fund to run its 'Future Stars' programme.  It was noted that there was a great deal of competition for the grants, with 160 applications received nationally, with about 34 from the East Midlands.  The LCB Depot was one of four successful applicants in the East Midlands.  The BID fund was the DTI's incubation programme, which aimed to focus on what support was required to help business to grow.

It was noted that 'Future Stars' was a two year programme to work with start up creative businesses from disadvantaged areas, providing a tailor made package of support to each company.  The programme would be run in partnership with the Princes Trust and Leicester Business Link's Creative Industries Regeneration Team.   Each business would get 6 months support, including; free access to hot desk computer; a free postal address; £500 to spend on test marketing or research; 1 to 1 business advice sessions; access to mentors.  Half the start-up businesses assisted would involve people under 30 and unemployed.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2006 have been circulated to Members and the Cabinet is asked to approve them as a correct record.

RESOLVED: 

that the minutes of the meeting held on 30 January, having been circulated to Members, be taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

The Chair has agreed to accept an Item of Urgent Business, 'Corporate Review of Service Directors and the Integrated Services Programme'.  The report is not available with the agenda due to ongoing consultation.  The reasons for urgency are to maintain the timetable for establishing the 2 new departments.

The Leader reported that he had agreed to take an Item of Urgent Business on the 'Corporate Review of Service Directors and Integrated Services Programme'.

The report had not been available with the agenda due to ongoing consultation.  However, the report was urgent in order to maintain the timetable for establishing the 2 new departments.

The Leader had also agreed to take the item first as the Corporate Director of Children's Services had to be at another meeting.

Councillor Grant submitted a report which provided an update of the work undertaken in respect of the implementation of the structural changes at corporate level for Service Directors.

Additional information, via staff side and the Corporate Director, had been circulated to Cabinet with regard to staff views in connection with the review of the Resources, Access and Diversity Department and the Chief Executive's office.

RESOLVED:

(1)            that the business cases for the three staffing reviews set out in the report be endorsed

(2)that the proposed name of the Children’s Services Department be amended to become the Children and Young Persons Department

(3)that the following changes to second tier posts and titles be approved, subject to any detailed adjustments by the relevant Corporate Director in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member in the light of consultation during subsequent stages of each of the reviews:

(a)Deletion of these posts:

Assistant Chief Executive

Current second tier posts in Education and Lifelong Learning, Social Care and Health and Regeneration and Culture.

(b)Creation of, or adjustments to, second tier posts in departments named as follows:

Children and Young Persons (as in paragraph 1.4.5)

Adults and Community Services (as in paragraph 1.4.6)

Regeneration and Culture (as in paragraph 1.6.3)

Resources (as in paragraph 1.7.4)

(4)that it be noted that the equivalent review in Housing has been unavoidably delayed, but the aim is for it to converge in time for co-ordinated arrangements for filling second tier posts

(5)that the remaining stages of the reviews as set out in the report be noted, in particular the role of the Employees Committee; and

(6)that under Cabinet Procedure Rule 12, no call-in of this decision be allowed, in view of the urgent need to complete the procedures for new departmental management teams to be in place as near as possible to 1 April 2006.

a)         Health Scrutiny Committee - 4 January 2006

Public Health Annual Report

The above Committee agreed as follows at its meeting on 4 January:-

RESOLVED:

(1)       That the Chair and Spokespersons of the Health Scrutiny Committee consider how the issues raised in the report could be addressed in the Committee’s work programme

(2)       that the report and the comments of the Health Scrutiny Committee be referred to Cabinet for consideration and relevant Scrutiny Committees be recommended to look at issues from this discussion which are pertinent to them.

The full Minute Extract is attached at Appendix A.

Councillor Gill to respond.

b)            Aylestone, Eyres Monsell and Freemen Area Committee - 18 January 2006

            Saffron Out of School and Saffron Community Enterprises

The above Committee agreed as follows at its meeting on 18 January:-

            RESOLVED:

that the Area Committee recommends to Cabinet that the means be found to ensure that Unit 9 Linwood Workshops remains open to community groups.

The full Minute Extract and officer response is attached at Appendix A.

Councillor Farmer to respond.

a)         Health Scrutiny Committee - 4 January 2006

Public Health Annual Report

The Committee resolved:

(1)       That the Chair and Spokespersons of the Health Scrutiny Committee consider how the issues raised in the report could be addressed in the Committee’s work programme

(2)       that the report and the comments of the Health Scrutiny Committee be referred to Cabinet for consideration and relevant Scrutiny Committees be recommended to look at issues from this discussion which are pertinent to them.

In response, Councillor Gill noted that the annual report presented many challenges in order to make a real difference to the health and well being of the people of Leicester.  He went on to outline some of the actions currently being undertaken in response and reported that the City Council was also working with the Director of Public Health to produce a strategy for public health for Leicester.  It was intended to bring a further report to a future meeting of Cabinet outlining in more detail the programme of health improvement for the City.

b)            Aylestone, Eyres Monsell and Freemen Area Committee - 18 January 2006

            Saffron Out of School and Saffron Community Enterprises

            The Committee resolved:-

that the Area Committee recommends to Cabinet that the means be found to ensure that Unit 9 Linwood Workshops remains open to community groups.

Councillor Farmer submitted a report in response which detailed the current position with regard to a location for the Saffron Out of School and Saffron Community Enterprises.  It was noted that the groups' preference was to refurbish the vicarage located on the corner of Marriot Road and Whitwell Row for their use instead of Unit 9 of the Linwood Workshops.   Pending a move to this new premise, the Economic Development section of the Council would continue to fund the rent on Unit 9 up to the end of March 2006 and would support the rental costs of the vicarage.  It was estimated that this would save £3,500 in reduced rental fees and bring the vicarage back into use.  Unit 9 would be marketed by Property Services.

c)            Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee - 15 February 2006

Petition - Refugee And Asylum Seekers Advice Project (RASAP)

The Committee resolved

that Cabinet be requested to consider a request for interim funding for RASAP of £30,000, from corporate resources or underspends, with an emphasis on the Housing Department, to fund the project which has found itself in an unusual situation

In response Councillor Farmer noted that the Home Office had made a decision to end its funding to the above project.  However, the City Council funding of £20,000 would continue.  Councillor Farmer had sent a letter to the Home Office making representations for the reinstatement of this Group's funding and would report back to Cabinet when a response was received.  In response to a suggestion from Councillor Gill,  Councillor Farmer agreed to participate in a delegation to the Home Office to make the Cabinet's views known.

Councillor Coley submits a report asking Cabinet to approve a 3 year corporate budget strategy, 3 year departmental revenue strategies for each department and a general fund budget for 2006/07, for recommendation to Council.

The full appendices are attached for Members of the Cabinet.  Further copies are available on the City Council's website at www.leicester.gov.uk/cabinet or by contacting Committee Services on 252 6028/22.

The relevant minute extracts from Committees are attached to the report.  Any minutes extracts not yet available will be circulated before the Cabinet meeting.

Councillor Coley submitted a report asking Cabinet to approve a 3 year corporate budget strategy, 3 year departmental revenue strategies for each department and a general fund budget for 2006/07, for recommendation to Council.  Further to the report, he circulated some proposed amendments to the proposals in the report as follows:-

The relevant minute extracts of Scrutiny Committees had been circulated to the Cabinet.

The Chief Finance Officer noted that further to the report the comments of UNISON, TCC, NUT and Leicester University had been circulated to Cabinet members and a summary of petitions received had also been circulated.

He noted that the current year's budget monitoring exercise was showing that the position remained very tight in 2005/06 but was anticipated to be contained within overall resources.  The budget monitoring for 2005/06 had not identified any issues that needed to be reflected in the 2006/07 budget.  The most significant area of change since previous information provided to Cabinet was in respect of Social Care and Health transport costs, which had increased significantly.  The Corporate Director would manage these pressures within the overall Departmental resources for 2006/07, as she routinely managed other areas of risk.  Corporate reserves estimates remained as included in the budget report.  He also referred to financial pressures facing the Performing Arts Centre, about which Members had been written.  Further to the report, it was noted that tax increases for the police and fire authority had been set, the Police precept being a rise of 4.99% and the Fire Authority precept a rise of 4.92%.  With these taken into account and the proposals being put forward by the Cabinet Lead, the Council Tax increase would be 2.98%.

Members noted the overall tax increase and that the proposed increase was the lowest of any unitary authority who had participated in 'The Times' survey.  It was noted that the police and fire authority tax  ...  view the full minutes text for item 225.

Councillor Blackmore submits a report seeking approval to spending proposals by Area Committees.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report seeking approval to spending proposals by Area Committees.

RESOLVED:

that the items of expenditure put forward by the Area Committees, as detailed at Appendix A to the report, be approved.

Councillor Mugglestone submits a report seeking Cabinet approval to recommend the Central Leicestershire Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 to Council.

The full Transport Plan is attached for Members of the Cabinet only.  Further copies are available by contacting Sean Richardson on 252 6563 or email Sean.Richardson@leicester.gov.uk.

The relevant minute extract of the Highways and Transportation Scrutiny Committee on 16 February will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Mugglestone submitted a report seeking Cabinet approval to recommend the Central Leicestershire Local Transport Plan 2006-2011 to Council.

The relevant minute of the Highways and Transportation Scrutiny Committee held on 16 February had been circulated to the Cabinet.

In response to a Member's question, it was confirmed by officers that the proposed Plan did not include any proposals for bus lanes in London Road within the city boundary.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Director of Regeneration and Culture submit a further report, as soon as possible, requesting approval of a revised Pork Pie Junction Improvement Scheme, for inclusion in the 06/07 integrated transport capital programme if possible as the proposed integrated transport programme includes funding for the original scheme pending Cabinet’s further decision

(2)that the Corporate Director, be authorised in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation, to vary the programmes within the limits available to Cabinet within finance procedure rules

(3)that funding of 60% of the preparation costs on the Upperton Road Viaduct Scheme in 2006/07 from Prudential Borrowing, with the remainder coming from the Capital Maintenance budget be approved

(4)that advance payments for utility company service diversions funded from Prudential Borrowing on the Upperton Road Viaduct Scheme be approved; and

(5)that Council be recommended to approve:-

i)the Central Leicestershire Local Transport Plan 2006 to 2011,

ii)the programmes of works for 2006/07 as set out in Appendices 2 & 3 subject to authorising expenditure of £10.33m, on the Transport Capital Programme in 2006/07;

iii)that the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Culture be given delegated power to implement the programmes, including the letting of contracts, provided that expenditure on the programmes does not exceed the budgets available;

iv)approval of the proposed Leicester Park and Ride Scheme as part of the Tackling Congestion Strategy of the Central Leicestershire Local Transport Plan 2006 to 2011 and for Cabinet to receive further reports to approve stages of the project as necessary

Councillor Scuplak submits a report on a proposal to designate a Conservation Area in Churchgate.  The Cabinet is asked to recommend to Council that the area shown on the plan attached to the report be designated as the Churchgate Conservation Area and also to adopt the Character Appraisal for the Church Gate Conservation Area as supplementary guidance to the City of Leicester Local Plan.

The full Character Appraisal document is attached for Members of the Cabinet only.  Copies are available on the Council's website at www.leicester.gov.uk/cabinet or by phoning June Gray on 252 7281.           

The relevant minute extract of the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee on 25 January is attached to the report.

Councillor Scuplak submitted a report on a proposal to designate a Conservation Area in Churchgate. 

The relevant minute extract of the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee on 25 January had been circulated to Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

(1)            that Council be recommended to formally declare the area shown on the plan attached to the report as the Churchgate Conservation Area; and

(2)that the Character Appraisal for the Churchgate Conservation Area be adopted as supplementary guidance to the City of Leicester Local Plan.

Councillor Coley submits a report setting out a proposal for the creation of the above post jointly funded by members of the Leicester Partnership.  The Cabinet is asked to agree the establishment of the post, subject to funding being made available and agree to its advertisement.

Councillor Coley submitted a report setting out a proposal for the creation of the above post jointly funded by members of the Leicester Partnership.  The Cabinet was asked to agree the establishment of the post, subject to funding being made available and agree to its advertisement.

RESOLVED:

(1)that subject to the funding being made available by members of the Leicester Partnership, the post of Director of Partnership, Performance and Planning be established as set out in the report

(2)            that, in view of it being a condition of the funding from the Partnership, the post be advertised for open competition, as an exception to the Council’s usual procedures during staff reorganisations; and

(3)            that the partners be consulted on the post having the same salary range as the Council's service directors with a view to that option being considered by the Employees Committee in due course

Councillor Blackmore submits a report seeking Cabinet approval to a way forward for managing the Council's future approach to Best Value.  The Cabinet is asked to approve that the Performance Management Framework be used to deliver Best Value.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report seeking Cabinet approval to a way forward for managing the Council's future approach to Best Value.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Best Value review process, as an improvement tool should not be used to deliver Best Value for the foreseeable future; and

(2)that the performance management framework be used to deliver Best Value.

Councillor Coley submits a report asking the Cabinet to appoint a representative of the City Council to the Learning and Skills Council (County Employer Engagement Group)

Councillor Coley submitted a report asking the Cabinet to appoint a representative of the City Council to the Learning and Skills Council (County Employer Engagement Group)

RESOLVED

that Councillor Farmer be appointed to the County Employer Engagement Group of the Learning and Skills Council.

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.

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.

Councillor Coley submits a report.

Councillor Coley submitted a report.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the purchase by the Council of the freehold interest, with vacant possession, of the area of land shown coloured black on the plan attached to the report, owned by the Secretary of State for Health, along with associated access rights in return for payment as detailed in the report, plus reasonable fees

(2)that the Corporate Director of Resources Access and Diversity, be authorised, in consultation with the Lead Member for Resources, Access and Diversity, to agree detailed terms for this transaction; and

(3)that the Service Director, Legal Services be authorised to enter into the necessary documentation to complete this transaction.

Councillor Scuplak submits a report.

Councillor Scuplak submitted a report and moved a proposal, which was voted on, 6 for and 2 against.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the prospective operator be invited to meet Members and officers with a view to working up and submitting a proposal for a large casino to the Casino Advisory Panel; and

(2)that under the provisions of Cabinet Procedure Rule 12, no call-in of the decision be allowed because of the deadline for submission of proposals of 31 March 2006 and the volume of work involved in developing a proposal.

Councillors Gill and Suleman requested that their opposition to the above decision be recorded.

The meeting ended at 6.10 pm