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.

No declarations were made.

Local Government Association (LGA)

The Leader reported that the City Council was to host an event that would play a key role in shaping the Local Government Association's contribution to the Lyon's Review and the government's thinking on the future role and functions of local government.  The Tavistock Institute had been commissioned by the LGA to facilitate the process.  As well as Councillors and officers, the event would be attended by Sir Sandy Bruce-Lockhart, Chairman of the LGA, Sir Brian Briscoe, Chief Executive of the LGA, the Leaders and Chief Executives of both the City and County Councils and representatives of other stakeholder organisations.

Poetry at Belgrave Library

The Leader reported on a poetry event at Belgrave Library last Friday evening that included a reading from one of the countries most acclaimed young poets, Daljit Nagra, who was sometimes referred to as Britain’s first ‘Punglish Poet’ and who fused English and Punjabi in his poetry and explored themes of culture and identity in 21^st Century Britain.

The event also featured work from a number of local poets performing in Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi and English and highlighting the excellent range of multi-lingual poets currently living and working in Leicester.

The event was organised by the Leicester Poetry Society with the support of Leicester Libraries.

Council's website

The Leader reported that Leicester had reached the top category as one of the 20 best local authority websites in the country following a survey by the Society of Information Technology Management.  It had also been cited as an example of best practice in a number of areas, including its local education authority content, finding and applying for jobs and the way it has made services available electronically by 2006 and achieving the Government's targets.  The Leader extended thanks and congratulations to everyone involved in developing the website.

Bus service to East Midlands Airport

The Leader reported that at the '3 cities group' last week a commitment had been given to the provision of an hourly bus service from Leicester to East Midlands airport.

Local Transport Plan

The Leader reported that the provisional Plan had been scored 'very promising' by the Department of Transport which had resulted in additional funding of over £1million to the Council in 2006/07.  The Leader congratulated officers on this achievement.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 February 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 20 February 2006, having been circulated to Members, be taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

There were no matters referred from Scrutiny Committees.

Councillor Gill and Councillor Suleman submit a report presenting a proposed Children and Young People's plan for Leicester City.  The plan is a statutory requirement of the Children Act 2004 and is a single strategic plan drawn up by the Council and relevant partner agencies covering all relevant services.  The Cabinet is asked to approve the Plan for recommendation to Council.

The relevant minutes extracts of the Social Services Scrutiny Committee on 18 January and the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee on 23 January are attached to the report.

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

Councillor Suleman submitted a report presenting a proposed Children and Young People's plan for Leicester City.  It was noted that the plan was a statutory requirement of the Children Act 2004 and was a single strategic plan drawn up by the Council and relevant partner agencies covering all relevant services.  The Cabinet was asked to approve the Plan for recommendation to Council.

The relevant minutes extracts of the Social Services Scrutiny Committee on 18 January, the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee on 23 January and the African Caribbean Working Group on 1 March had also been circulated to the Cabinet and Councillor Suleman thanked them for their contribution.  Councillors Suleman and Gill also thanked and congratulated the officers who had produced the Plan.

RESOLVED:

that the Leicester Children and Young People’s Plan be recommended to Council for approval.

Councillor Scuplak submits a report which seeks Cabinet approval to the extension of the Market Street Conservation Area and the adoption of the Market Street Conservation Area Character Appraisal as supplementary guidance to the City of Leicester Local Plan.

The full appraisal document is attached for Members of the Cabinet only.  Further copies are available on the Council's website at www.leicester.gov.uk/cabinet  or by contacting June Gray, Planner on 252 7281.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report which sought Cabinet approval to the extension of the Market Street Conservation Area and the adoption of the Market Street Conservation Area Character Appraisal as supplementary guidance to the City of Leicester Local Plan.

RESOLVED:

(1)            that the extensions to the Market Street Conservation Area as shown on the plan appended to the Appraisal, be approved; and

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

Councillor Gill submits a report which provides an outline of the proposals for the reconfiguration of the strategic health authorities and ambulance services in the East Midlands and the 2 Primary Care Trusts in the City.  The Cabinet's views are sought.

The relevant minutes extracts of the Health Scrutiny Committee on 4 January and 14 February are attached to the report.

Councillor Gill submitted a report which provided an outline of the proposals for the reconfiguration of the strategic health authorities and ambulance services in the East Midlands and the 2 Primary Care Trusts in the City.  The relevant minutes of the Health Scrutiny Committee on 4 January and 14 February had also been circulated to the Cabinet and their concerns noted.

Mr Robert Walker, Communications and Involvement Manager and Dr Paul Cosford, Director of Health Strategy and Public Health at the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic Health Authority attended the meeting and responded to Members' questions.

RESOLVED:

(1)            that the creation of a single Primary Care Trust for Leicester be supported; and

(2)            that the Cabinet support the recommendations of the Health Scrutiny Committee.

Councillor Coley submits a report which seeks aproval to the release of funding from the Capital Programme in order to relocate the Council's corporate computer suite.

Councillor Coley submitted a report which sought approval to the release of funding from the Capital Programme in order to relocate the Council's corporate computer suite.  The Cabinet agreed to the proposal but emphasised that this did not in any way pre-empt the findings of the Support Services Review.

RESOLVED:

(1)            that the relocation of the ICT & CA functions of the City Council, as detailed in the report, be approved; and

(2)that expenditure of up to £1 million as detailed in the report, be authorised, this expenditure to be part of the provision for Centrally Located Admin Buildings of £29.676 million approved in the Corporate Capital Programme, to be phased over 3 years.

Councillor Coley submits a report updating the Cabinet on the progress of the capital programme up to the end of December 2005.

The minute extract of the Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee on 2 February regarding Period 7 Capital Programme monitoring is attached to the report.

Councillor Coley submitted a report updating the Cabinet on the progress of the capital programme up to the end of December 2005.

The minute extract of the Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee on 2 February regarding Period 7 Capital Programme monitoring had also been circulated to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

(1)that a revised level of programmed expenditure of £113.9 million be approved

(2) that the level of expenditure to the end of December 2005 of £66.7 million be noted

(3)that the following additions to the programme to be funded from service resources be noted:

Education

Braunstone Youth House (£35,000)

Braunstone Changing Rooms (87,000)

Regeneration & Culture

Braunstone Leisure Centre (£38,000)

(4)that the changes to the Housing programme be noted

(5)that the increase in the Resources, Access and Diversity programme of £293,000 relating to the Science Park, to be funded by Emda be noted

(6) that the position relating to capital receipts be noted

(7)that it be noted that the forecast capital programme performance is 83% of the approved programme compared to a target of 90%;

(8)that it be noted that Action Plans to manage slippage have been prepared by Corporate Directors and discussed with their relevant Cabinet Lead; and

(9) that the prudential indicators for 2005/06 be noted.

Councillor Metcalfe submits a report seeking Cabinet's approval to an option for the  redevelopment of bungalows in Rowlatts Hill.

The relevant minute extract of the Housing Scrutiny Committee on 9 February is attached to the report.

Members are asked to note that as part of this report, financial information is attached. These papers are marked ‘NOT FOR PUBLICATION’. The information in these papers is exempt as defined in paragraph 3 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 proposing the redevelopment of bungalows at Rowlatts Hill.  It was noted that the proposals arose from structural problems identified with 33 properties at Godstow Walk.  Other one bedroom bungalows in the vicinity had also been examined and found to have defects but the latter were not considered to be as serious as the Godstow Walk bungalows.  It was proposed therefore that the 33 properties in Godstow Walk be demolished  and the site redeveloped with the remaining 27 properties being retained and improved.

The minutes of the Housing Scrutiny Committee on 9 February had been circulated with the report.

Councillor Metcalfe reminded Members that as part of this report, financial information was included on the private agenda as the information in these papers was exempt as defined in paragraph 3 of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended. The information therefore must not be disclosed in public.

Cabinet emphasised the need for ensuring that all tenants affected by the redevelopment were rehoused as quickly as possible and that tenants were kept informed of developments.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the proposal to seek on the Council’s behalf the demolition/clearance of Site A (Godstow Walk), by a selected developer, working under contract to and under licence from the Council and to a specification determined by the Council, be approved

(2)that the re-housing of any affected tenants, awarding them priority status through Compulsory Home Loss points in the allocation system, including, if required, exercising powers to obtain vacant possession and the payment of homeloss and associated compensation packages at Site A be approved

(3)that the proposal to keep council-owned properties within Site A empty until they can be demolished be approved

(4)that the Corporate Director of Housing be authorised, in consultation with Cabinet Link for Housing, to arrange a selection process to appoint a developer or Registered Social Landlord to demolish the bungalows and develop a mix of new housing on Site A, and bring a further report to Cabinet on the outcome; and

(5)that the retention of Sites B, C and D be approved.

The Chair has agreed to accept two Items of Urgent Business onto the agenda as follows:-

Corporate Capital Programme 2006/07 to 2007/08

Performing Arts Centre

The reason for urgency is Finance Procedure Rules require the capital programme to be approved by the end of March.  The reports are not available with the agenda in order to consider how any increased cost of the Performing Arts Centre would be funded.

Councillor Blackmore reported that he had agreed to take 3 items of urgent business as follows:-

Performing Arts Centre

The reason the report was not available with the agenda was in order for consideration to be given to how any increased cost of the Performing Arts Centre would be funded.

The report couldn't wait until the next meeting of Cabinet as the Council's Finance Procedure Rules required the capital programme to be approved by the end of March.

Corporate Capital Programme

The reason the report was not available with the agenda was in order for consideration to be given to how any increased cost of the Performing Arts Centre would be funded.

The report couldn't wait until the next meeting of Cabinet as the Council's Finance Procedure Rules required the capital programme to be approved by the end of March.

The Strategy for Leicester

The reason the report was not available with the agenda and that it couldn't wait until the next meeting was that the Council recently received guidance from Government Office for the East Midlands that Leicester's Community Strategy and Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy (combined in the Strategy for Leicester) should be formally approved in advance of the Ministerial sign off of the Local Area Agreement in 23 March.

Councillor Mugglestone submitted a report which outlined progress with the construction of the Performing Arts Centre and the predicted increase to the final cost of the project.  It was noted that the final total cost of the project based on these predictions was currently forecast at £52.13 million.  To complete the building works, an additional contribution of £2.6 million over and above the existing £26 million commitment from the City Council, may be required.

Councillor Mugglestone reminded Members that as part of this report,  information was included on the private agenda as the information in these papers was exempt as defined in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended. The information therefore must not be disclosed or discussed in public.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Cabinet note and express its disappointment over the increase in costs of the Performing Arts Centre

(2)that the Cabinet's continued support for the project be expressed, as making a vital contribution to the regeneration of Leicester

(3)that approval be given for £2.6 million to be made available within the capital programme as a contingency  to meet additional costs, but at the same time indicating that the Cabinet do not expect this sum to be spent, noting that the Cabinet expects savings to be made in costs, noting that this decision requires reductions to capital schemes that the Cabinet would prefer to go ahead and to give notice to the project's professionals that the Council cannot afford to keep finding extra money for the project in this manner.

Councillor Coley submits a report recommending an updated capital programme for recommendation to Council.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report which developed final proposals emanating from the Revitalising Neighbourhoods Project, following consultation that had taken place with staff, Trade Unions, schools, partner organisations, the Local Strategic Partnership and Community organisations. The report also referred to the Office for Public Management report which was an independent analysis of the consultation undertaken and a benchmarking exercise against similar authorities.

Councillor Willmott made the following points:-

-        that the proposals were designed to bring the Council close to the local community and addressed the Government’s requirements for a neighbourhood renewal strategy

-        that this was only the start of the process and that once the neighbourhood managers were appointed, they should work closely with the project team and the Director of Neighbourhood Renewal and have meetings on a monthly basis with key Cabinet Members

-        that the current City Centre Forums should be recognised in future work and that City Centre residents should be involved

-        that staff development  and communications be looked into as part of the proposals

-        that further discussions were needed on the management of parks

-        that the title of “Town Clerk” would be retained

Councillor Osman requested a minor amendment be made to the recommendation in Appendix 4, number 26, that the words “in consultation” be included before “with Trade Unions”.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the results of the consultation and the response to the issues raised, as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report, be noted;

(2) that the revised proposals set out in Appendix 4 and the text of the report be approved, subject to the additional points made by Members and recorded above;

(3) that a project team be established to oversee the implementation phase of the project as set out in the report; and

(4) that funding of £860,000 be sought from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund for the items in the report requiring 2 year funding.

Councillor Blackmore submits a report seeking Cabinet endorsement for recommendation to Council of a replacement Community Strategy and Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy for Leicester, in the form of a unified

document, 'The Strategy for Leicester'.

Councillor Blackmore submitted a report seeking endorsement for recommendation to Council of a replacement Community Strategy and Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy in the form of a unified dcoument 'The Strategy for Leicester'.

RESOLVED:

                        that the Strategy for Leicester be recommended to Council for approval.

AGENDA

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO NOTE

Under the law, the Cabinet is entitled to consider certain items in private where in the circumstances the public interest in maintaining the matter exempt from publication outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. 

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 ”

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 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

Paragraph 3

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

Beaumont Leys Redevelopment Scheme

Glenfield Tunnel

Councillor Metcalfe submits a report.

Councillor Metcalfe submitted a report with regard to the above.

RESOLVED:

that the Lovell Partnerships submitted revised tender sum figure, as detailed in the report be approved for the purchase and redevelopment of the selected sites at Beaumont Leys, subject to ODPM consent.

Councillor Coley submits a report.

Councillor Coley submitted a report with regard to the maintenance of the above.  The Town Clerk undertook to consider whether there were any income earning opportunities to mitigate the costs.

RESOLVED:

that the release of the funds as detailed in the report for design and implementation of minimum strengthening works outlined in the report be approved.

The meeting ended at 6.18 pm.