Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Wann.

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 1992 applied to them.

Councillor Willmott declared a prejudicial interest in Item 13, “Sale of 43 Cobden Street” and undertook to leave the meeting during discussion of the item.

Councillor Willmott stated that there had been recent positive coverage regarding Leicester’s regeneration and in particular an item in the Guardian regarding the upcoming Highcross Quarter.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 May 2008 have been circulated to Members and the Cabinet is asked to approve them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 12 May 2008, having been circulated to Members, be taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

There were no matters referred from Committees.

Councillor Willmott submits a report that presents the final draft of Leicester’s Local Area Agreement (2008-11) that was endorsed by Leicester Partnership on 21 May 2008. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 3 of the report.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that presented the final draft of Leicester’s Local Area Agreement (2008-11) (LAA) that was endorsed by Leicester Partnership on 21 May 2008.

A document outlining minor amendments was circulated concerning the serious acquisitive crime rate, assault with injury crime rate, number of social rented affordable homes delivered, drug users in effective treatment and per capita CO2 emissions in the Local Agreement area.

Members noted the work that had gone into preparing the targets and indicators contained in the agreement and thanked all Members and officers who had been involved.

RESOLVED:

1)     That Cabinet agrees that the final draft of Leicester’s Local Area Agreement (2008-11) as set out in appendix 1 of the report, be formally submitted to the Government Office for the East Midlands.

2)     That Cabinet instructs officers to present full baseline and benchmarking data for all LAA indicators in a further report to Cabinet in June 2008.

3)     That Cabinet agrees that, in the event of any late amendments to the draft LAA submission being required, that the Chief Executive be delegated to agree these in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council.

Councillor Wann submits a report that describes the process toward developing Part 2 of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan focused on adaptation. Cabinet is recommended to adopt the Action Plan, agree to commit staff resources to the implementation of actions and annual reporting of progress, develop a city-wide Adaptation Action Plan through the Leicester Partnership and note the next steps to be taken.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that described the process toward developing Part 2 of the Council’s Climate Change Action Plan focused on adaptation.

It was noted that this detailed report dealt with all functions of the Council in order to mitigate its effect on climate change. Members commended officers for producing an excellent, evidence-based report.

RESOLVED:

1)      That Cabinet adopts the Leicester City Council Climate Change Adaptation Action Plan.

2)      That Cabinet agrees to commit the staff resources to the implementation of actions and annual reporting of progress as detailed in the Adaptation Action Plan.

3)      That Cabinet develops a city wide Adaptation Action Plan through the Leicester Partnership.

4)      That Cabinet notes the next steps to be taken.

Councillor Dempster submits a report that seeks to establish how the Council may ensure the effective implementation of the Every Child Matters: Change for Children Programme through the process of the roll-out of Integrated Service Hubs (ISH) across the city. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 3.1 of the report.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that sought to establish how the Council may ensure the effective implementation of the Every Child Matters: Change for Children Programme through the process of the roll-out of Integrated Service Hubs (ISH) across the City.

RESOLVED:

1)     That Cabinet approves the eight areas for co-terminocity shown in appendix 1 of the report.

2)     That Cabinet approves the establishment of the Integrated Services governance arrangements including the establishment of a city-wide programme board and neighbourhood advisory boards in each locality.

3)     That Cabinet approves that Integrated Services are rolled-out on an area by area basis in line with the roll-out order as detailed in the report and attached appendix.

4)     That Cabinet approves the establishment of the Change for Children Team to manage the roll-out programme.

5)     That Cabinet approves that the precise make-up of the co-located team in each area is negotiated by the roll-out team and approved by both the Integrated Services programme board and employing agency.

6)     That Cabinet approves that a capital strategy be developed that gives consideration of the best location for 0-12 and 13-19+ phases and that this is included in plans for future phases of BSF.

7)     That Cabinet approves the development of a model for management of the 13-19 ISH.

8)     That Cabinet approves the alignment and ultilisation of funding streams outlined in the paper.

9)     That Cabinet approves consultation with the Schools Forum (extended service revenue).

10)That Cabinet notes that officers from Leicester have been invited to speak at the National Youth Conference in September around the developments on Integrated Services in Leicester.

11)That Cabinet notes that an expression of interest will be submitted to DCSF for pathfinder status for the Extended Schools Disadvantage Subsidy; that in the first year £8.5m will fund a pathfinder of two school clusters in each of 18 local authorities (two local authorities in each region). Should the Council not be successful with the bid, in the second year additional funding becomes available (£40m) and the DCSF hope to make this funding available to all Local Authorities, not just those participating in the first year.

Councillor Kitterick submits a report that seeks Cabinet approval for the Council to take on the accountable body role for the New Growth Point Partnership. Cabinet is asked to approve the Council becoming the accountable body for the 3 Cities and Counties (6Cs) New Growth Point Partnership.

Councillor Kitterick submitted a report that sought Cabinet approval for the Council to take on the accountable body role for the New Growth Point Partnership.

Clarification was requested concerning the Strategic Green Infrastructure Project Board and it was reported that this addressed the need for a strand within the new growth point accountable body function to cover environmental issues, particularly energy efficiency in new housing stocks and that it would link into the Climate Change Board.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the Council becoming the accountable body for the 3 Cities and Counties New Growth Point Partnership.

Councillor Kitterick submits a report that seeks Cabinet approval of five schemes funded by New Growth Points (NGP) grant to the Regeneration and Culture Capital Programme for 2008-09. Cabinet is asked to approve the addition of the five listed schemes, to a total value of £3.9m, to the 2008-09 Capital Programme.

Councillor Kitterick submitted a report that sought Cabinet approval of five schemes funded by New Growth Points (NGP) grant to the Regeneration and Culture Capital Programme for 2008-09.

It was noted that the schemes listed would enable areas of the city to be better linked, would facilitate further regeneration, create a better impression to visitors to Leicester and, in the case of Birstall Park and Ride, reduce the time required to set up the service and increase its capacity.

Members expressed their support for the schemes, particularly the park and ride, as they were pleased that it could be completed much sooner than originally anticipated.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the addition of the five schemes listed in the report, to a total value of £3.9m, to the 2008-09 Capital Programme.

The Leader has agreed to take the following item as a matter of urgency due to the limited time remaining for consultation:

Details of the Government’s Eco Town Policy and Process

Councillor Kitterick submits a report that informs Cabinet of the Government’s timetable and process in relation to Eco Towns and to provide details of the 1^st phase of the Co-op’s consultation arrangements. Cabinet is asked to carry out the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 3 of the report.

Details of the Government’s Eco-Town Policy and Process

The Leader agreed to consider the item as a matter of urgency due to the limited time remaining for consultation.

Councillor Kitterick submitted a report that informed Cabinet of the Government’s timetable and process in relation to Eco-Towns and provided details of the first phase of the Co-Op’s consultation arrangements.

Members were informed of the five tests that officers believed Leicester should judge Pennbury against, the results of which would influence the City Council’s decision on whether to support the proposals or not.

Members thanked Councillor Kitterick and officers for the work they had done on the report and fully supported the approach, as it was unbiased and showed a willingness to look at the detail and understand the implications. Transport issues were discussed and it was made clear that the City Council would strongly encourage the provision of a tram system. They also stated that a suggestion of opening a link road to the M1 contradicted the Eco Town ethos. It was also stated that clarification would be required regarding provision of affordable housing, as Leicester was in great need of it. Members also stated that provision of sufficient health services should be included within the fifth test of provision of community infrastructure. It was reported that was a possibility of joint marketing of sites within the city with the Pennbury site.

RESOLVED:

1)     That Cabinet notes the government process for determining both the Planning Policy Statement on Eco Towns and for assessing bids including the Co-Op’s at Pennbury.

2)     That Cabinet agrees the launch of the micro website at www.leicester.gov.uk/pennburyecotown which includes a contact and resident feedback facility; also that the Link magazine be used to consult the residents of Leicester in its Summer edition which is distributed in July.

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.

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 report in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because it involves 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.

Paragraph 3

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

Councillor Kitterick submits a report.

Councillor Kitterick submitted a report that sought approval to the one to one disposal of 43 Cobden Street to enable a key relocation from the Waterside area to proceed.

RESOLVED:

1)     That Cabinet approves the disposal of the freehold interest in 43 Cobden Street for the reasons and on the terms as set out in the report.

2)     That Cabinet authorise the Head of Legal Services to prepare and execute all the necessary documentation required to dispose of 43 Cobden Street.

The meeting  closed at 1.45pm.