Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received.

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. No such declarations were made.

Councillor Willmott congratulated Councillor Draycott, on behalf of the Cabinet, on her achieving the honour of MBE.

Councillor Willmott announced the sad passing of former Councillor Janet Setchfield. He stated that Cabinet hoped to hold a memorial service in her memory and in recognition of the tremendous contribution she had made to the city.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2008 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 8 December 2008, be confirmed as a correct record.

The Monitoring Officer stated that there were no matters referred from Committees.

Councillor Russell, Regeneration and Transport Task Group Leader, submits a report that presents the findings of the Task Group review of the operational effectiveness of the star trak real time bus timetable information system in Leicester. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations in the report and to make any further comments as they see fit.

Councillor Russell, leader of the Regeneration and Transport Task Group, submitted a report that presented the findings of the Task Group review of the operational effectiveness of the star trak real time bus timetable information system in Leicester.

Councillor Kitterick welcomed the report, and stated that the issue was to do with the poor use of the equipment by the bus companies, as the technology itself worked well. He stated that the Council had no powers to enforce its use, and that the issue would be taken up by the Council, with the Minister for Transport and the Local Government Association.

Councillor Willmott thanked the Task Group for the work they had done on the matter, and stated that it was important to improve the quality of the experience of using buses. He suggested an additional recommendation, that the Council should express its concern to the Minister for Transport and the Local Government Association about the lack of co-operation over the installation and operation of the system from the participating bus companies.

RESOLVED:

1)     that Cabinet approves the recommendations set out in the report of the Regeneration and Transport Task Group, and

2)     that Cabinet agrees that the City Council expresses its concern to the Minister for Transport and the Local Government Association about the lack of co-operation over the installation and operations of the star trak real time bus information system from the participating bus companies.

Councillor Dempster submits a report that provides an update on the consultation with Humberstone Infant and Junior School, and requests approval for the building project to commence. Cabinet is recommended to agree the decision to proceed and approve that the project is added to the capital programme.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that provided an update on the consultation with Humberstone Infant and Junior School, and requested approval for the building project to commence.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     Agrees the decision to proceed with the building project as outlined, and

2)     Approves that the project is added to the capital programme.

Councillor Dempster submits a report that seeks approval for the establishment of a permanent day facility for the Children’s Hospital School on the campus of Eyres Monsell Primary School and to seek approval for the school organisation changes and capital works required to implement the proposal. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 3 of the report.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that sought approval for the establishment of a permanent day care facility for the Children’s Hospital School on the campus of Eyres Monsell Primary School and sought approval for the school organisation changes and capital works required to implement the proposal.

Councillor Willmott thanked Councillor Dempster and officers for the creative solution that they had proposed. He recognised the need for such a provision.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     Agrees to the establishment of a 40 place day school for the Children’s Hospital School (CHS), to be established on the campus of Eyres Monsell Primary School;

2)     Agrees that the planned admission number of Eyres Monsell primary school should be reduced from 45 to 30 from September 2009, effectively reducing the size of the school by 1/3^rd, subject to the approval of the Schools’ Adjudicator;

3)     Authorises the addition of £257,000 to the Schools’ Capital Programme in respect of the initial works necessary to release accommodation for the CHS, to be funded from Basic Need monies pending inclusion within the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Programme;

4)     Authorises the addition of £2.957m to the Schools’ Capital Programme in respect of refurbishment works to Eyres Monsell Primary School, to be funded by Primary Capital Programme monies and other grants (which together with Devolved Formula Capital, makes a total scheme value of £2.957m, as set out in the report);

5)     Authorises the agreement of a building lease between LCC and the CHS for the ‘Infant Block’ at Eyres Monsell Primary school (subject to agreement with the DCSF);

6)     Notes that Cabinet will receive a subsequent report on the proposed BSF Phase 2, which is expected to include proposals to refurbish the Children’s Hospital School accommodation at EMPS; and

7)     Notes that the CHS will require an increase in its delegated budget to meet the running costs of the premises at EMPS, and that some corresponding savings may arise in the EMPS budget. Any net cost will be met from the Dedicated Schools Grant, together with any other cost increases occasioned by the moves.

Councillor Dempster submits a report that advises Members of the current status of the BSF Project, outlines the further work required to progress the project, recommends the schools to be included in the next phase of BSF, and seeks authorisation to commence Phase 2. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 2.1 of the report.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that advised Members of the current status of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Project, outlined the further work required to progress the project, recommended the schools to be included in the next phase of BSF, and sought authorisation to commence Phase 2.  

RESOLVED;

                        That Cabinet:

1)      Notes the current status of the BSF project and the requirement to submit a revised Strategy for Change;

2)      Confirms the schools / centres to be included in the next Phase of the Programme (Phase 2);

3)      Notes the urgent requirement to authorise the start of design work on two fast track schools (Crown Hills and Rushey Mead); and two further Phase 2 schools for whom the design development stage will be more protracted (St Paul’s and City of Leicester) and two further smaller projects (Cherryleas Assessment Centre and The Children’s Hospital School) and

4)      Confirms the action of the Interim Corporate Director, taken in consultation with the Lead Member to move forward under the terms of the SPA ahead of the issuing of a New Project Request for the two fast track schools.

Councillor Kitterick submits a report that seeks approval to the proposed Local Transport Plan Capital Programmes. Cabinet is asked to recommend to Council the programme of works as set out in appendices to the report.

A minute extract from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board meeting on 4 December 2008 is attached, and a minute extract from the Regeneration and Transport Task Group meeting on 18 December 2008 will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Kitterick submitted a report that sought approval to the proposed Local Transport Plan Capital Programmes.

Members noted and supported the comments from the Regeneration and Transport Task Group. It was noted that the recommendation for black bands to be put on lighting columns was already taking place, and it was anticipated that this would be rolled out across street furniture throughout the city.

RESOLVED:

1)     that Cabinet recommends to Council the programmes of works, as set out in Appendices A and B of the report;

2)     that Cabinet supports the recommendations made by the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, through the Regeneration and Transport Task Group.

Councillor Willmott submits a report that presents a Corporate Risk Register for Cabinet’s approval and to obtain agreement for a process for monitoring the risks and associated agreed actions contained therein. Cabinet is recommended to adopt the attached Appendix 1 of the report as its Corporate Risk Register, adopt the outline process as set out in the report, and request the Corporate Directors’ Board to monitor and report back on progress made in implementing risk mitigation measures.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that presented a Corporate Risk Register for Cabinet’s approval and sought to obtain agreement for a process for monitoring the risks and associated agreed actions contained therein. He thanked Members and officers for the work done to produce the register.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)      Adopts Appendix 1 of the report as its Corporate Risk Register, and

2)      Adopts the outline process as set out in the report and requests the Corporate Directors’ Board to monitor and report back to the Cabinet on progress made in implementing risk mitigation measures set out in the register.

Councillor Willmott submits a report that enables Cabinet to monitor implementation of the Improvement Plan shown in the report.  Cabinet is recommended to review implementation of the Improvement Plan.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Audit Committee, held on 18 December 2008, will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that enabled Cabinet to monitor

implementation of the Improvement Plan shown in the report.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet notes and approves the implementation of the                                Improvement Plan.

Councillor Willmott submits a report that details the recommended taxbase for the financial year 2009/10. Cabinet is recommended to endorse a taxbase for 2009/10 of 78,299 properties expressed as the equivalent number of “Band D” properties, prior to its consideration by Council.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that detailed the recommended taxbase for the financial year 2009/10.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet endorses a taxbase for 2009/2010 of 78,299 properties expressed as the equivalent number of “Band D” properties.

Councillor Willmott submits a report that updates Members on the progress of spending on the capital programme for 2008/09 up to the end of October, and the forecast spend to the end of the year. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations in Paragraph 3.1 of the report.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that updated Members on the progress of spending on the capital programme for 2008/09 up to the end of October, and the forecast spend to the end of the year.

It was noted that there was a drop in capital receipts due to the economic downturn, so the capital programme had to be amended accordingly. Future work would be done to identify how further capital receipts could be released to support future plans.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     Approves a revised level of programmed expenditure of  £122.5 million;

2)     Notes the level of expenditure to the end of October 2008 of £61.2 million;

3)     Notes that the forecast capital programme performance is to spend 94% of the approved programme compared with a target of 90%. This is a very early forecast, and progress on schemes can change resulting in slippage;

4)     Approves an additional sum of £220,000 for Accommodation Strategy to be released from the original approval of £29.676 million;

5)     Notes the position relating to capital receipts; and

6)     Notes the prudential indicators for 2008/09.

Councillor Willmott submits a report that shows a summary position of spending with the budget. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 3 of the report.

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

RESOLVED;

                        that Cabinet:

1)     Notes the changes made to the original approved budget for 2008/09;

2)     Notes the expenditure to date and the budgetary issues which have emerged so far this year;

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

4)     Notes the progress made so far towards achieving the efficiency target;

5)     Requests Council to increase the budget for costs of energy, as described in paragraph 3.3, and authorises the Chief Finance Officer to allocate this sum to departments in proportion to the impact of cost increases.

Councillor Willmott submits a report that identifies the estimated financial position of the Collection Fund Account as at 31 March 2009. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 3.1 of the report.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that identified the estimated financial position of the Collection Fund Account as at 31 March 2009.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     Approves the estimated collection fund surplus figure of £1m and

2)     Approves the estimated shares payable to the Police Authority, Fire Authority and the City Council as follows:

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).

HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES (LAND DISPOSAL)

ASHTON GREEN

VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE RECOMMISSIONING

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 1

Information relating to any individual

Paragraph 2

Information that is likely to reveal the identity of an individual

Paragraph 3

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

HOUSING FOR PEOPLE WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

ASHTON GREEN

VOLUNTARY AND COMMUNITY SECTOR INFRASTRUCTURE RECOMMISSIONING

Councillor Aqbany submits a report.

Councillor Aqbany submitted a report that made recommendations regarding the land disposal of housing for people with learning disabilities.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet approves the recommendations as set out in the report.

Councillor Kitterick submits a report.

Councillor Kitterick submitted a report that advised Cabinet of progress with the delivery of Ashton Green and to seek approval of the next steps.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet approves the recommendations as set out in the report.

Councillor Willmott submits a report.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that updated Cabinet on the infrastructure requirements to support the Voluntary and Community Sector arising from the development of the Multi Area Agreement and the resulting impact on the market for delivering these services.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet approves the recommendations as set out in the report.

The meeting closed at 1.39pm.