Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Draycott and Follett.

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 if Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applied to them. No such declarations were made.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2009, 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 9 March 2009, be confirmed as a correct record.

There were no  matters referred from committees.

Councillor Russell, Task Group Leader Regeneration and Transport submits a report that provides the findings of the Task Group investigation into issues relating to a community allowance. Cabinet is asked to support the recommendations in the report.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on 5 March 2009 is attached.

At the request of the Task Group Leader, and with the agreement of the Cabinet, the above item was withdrawn.

Councillor Russell, Task Group Leader Regeneration and Transport submits a report that provides the findings of the Task Group investigation into highways maintenance charges. Cabinet is asked to support the recommendations in the report.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on 5 March 2009 is attached.

Councillor Russell, Task Group Leader, Regeneration and Transport, submitted a report that provided the findings of the Task Group investigation into highways maintenance charges.

Councillor Kitterick welcomed the findings of the report and agreed that the Council could make full information more readily available to residents. Members thanked the Task Group for the work they had done on the issue.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet agree the following:

1)     that officers prepare an information leaflet on vehicle crossings in straightforward language which can be made available at Community Meetings and Customer Service Centres and on the website. It will include reference to the on-going maintenance provision and the interest free re-payment;

2)     that when a letter is sent out with a quotation for a dropped kerb the above mentioned leaflet be also sent, together with a suggestion that a detailed breakdown of the costs will be provided on request;

3)     that a comparison of our ‘family’ of local authorities be made to ascertain whether our charges are comparable.

Councillor Russell, Task Group Leader Regeneration and Transport submits a report that provides the findings of the Task Group investigation into City Centre Services of January 2009. Cabinet is asked to support the recommendations in the report.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on 5 March 2009 is attached.

Councillor Russell, Task Group Leader, Regeneration and Transport, submitted a report that provided the findings of the Task Group investigation into City Centre Bus Services.

Councillor Russell highlighted the most important outstanding issue from the report, namely buses serving Gravel Street, as it was felt that buses should pick up as well as drop off to provide a better co-ordinated transport system.

Councillor Kitterick thanked the Task Group for their work, and thanked Julian Heubeck for the work he did in keeping people informed of all changes that took place in public transport. He accepted the recommendations as a good short-term solution, but stated that a long-term solution was required and funding was being sought for a new bus terminal.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet endorses the recommendations  of the Regeneration & Transport Task Group as follows:

1)     that it be reiterated that any changes to bus services and bus stop locations or functions be accompanied by clear and better co-ordinated publicity released at least one week before any changes.

2)     that clear publicity be displayed on all buses operating into the City at least one week in advance of all planned changes of services and bus stop changes.

3)     the Council website featuring bus routes and stops should also be updated ahead of the planned changes, indicating where applicable that the changes are either bus company led or City Council led. Ward Community meetings to be also used to highlight such changes.

4)     the Gravel Street bus stop function should be amended to allow for the picking up of passengers as well as the current drop-off only facility for bus services using this stop.

5)     introduction of publicity to promote and facilitate the overall connectivity of cross-city travel.

6)     to improve the display of information provided on the bus stop in Churchgate, to include the daytime frequencies of all services using the stop as well as the timings of all evening departures.

7)     that the bus companies operating to/from the City Centre to be urged to ensure that their staff are kept fully informed of all changes to operations.

8)     that operators of taxis and private hire vehicles be strongly advised that their vehicles should not be using the bus bays located in Haymarket.

9)     the former bus stop in Mansfield Street should indicate where the nearest bus stop facilities are located.

10)that bus companies be urged to ensure that their staff are fully briefed on changes to service to ensure a higher quality level of information can be provided to the public.

11) that the 15 bus route be reviewed so that it can be incorporated into the City Centre Loop.

12) that options be explored to reduce the levels of non-bus traffic using Causeway Lane, together with the related issue of traffic volume and throughput in Gravel Street.

13) that discussions on changes/improvements to bus services within the City involve the operators of all commercially provided services.

14) that bus shelters be provided as soon as possible after bus  ...  view the full minutes text for item 248.

Councillor Dempster submits a report which briefs Cabinet on the outcome of the recent Consultation exercise on Admission Arrangements for 2010/11 and seeks immediate approval for the publication of City Council admission arrangements for 2010/11.  Cabinet is recommended to approve the revised Admission Arrangements for entry to City schools for September 2010 as set out in paragraph 1.2 of the report.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on 19 March 2009 will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that briefed Cabinet on the outcome of the recent consultation exercise on Admission Arrangements for 2010/11 and sought immediate approval for the publication of City Council admission arrangements for 2010/11.

Councillor Dempster highlighted the issue of the fall in preferences for admission to Riverside College and stated that a report was being prepared regarding its longer-term viability. She suggested that no change in the planned admission numbers should take place until the conclusion of the review.

It was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board supported the recommendations in the report.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet approves the revised Admission Arrangements for entry to City schools for September 2010 as detailed below:

1)      variations to admission numbers in a small number of City primary schools to improve class organisation and assist school improvement (these changes are detailed in Section 3 and at Table 1 of the report). Admission numbers for all schools to be as detailed at Appendix A;

2)      the introduction of revised mid-term admission arrangements across all phases from September 2009;

3)      variation to the current sibling over-subscription criteria at secondary transfer such that a cut off will now apply at Year 10 and not Year 9; if approved revised oversubscription criteria will be as detailed at Appendix B;

4)      it is further recommended that there is no change in Admission Number at Riverside School as such action might be deemed to be prejudicial.

Councillor Wann submits a report which seeks the approval of Cabinet for the establishment of a Multi-Agency Travellers Unit to work throughout Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.  Cabinet is asked approve the recommendations as set out in paragraph 3 of the report.

Councillor Wann submitted a report that sought the approval of Cabinet for the establishment of a Multi-Agency Travellers Unit to work throughout Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

Councillor Osman stated that he welcomed the report and recognised that it tackled an important issue. It was noted that all travellers, and showpersons would be covered by the Unit.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet:

1)     approves the establishment of a Multi-Agency Travellers Unit, to be hosted by Leicestershire County Council to act on behalf of the City Council, Leicestershire County Council, Rutland County Council, and participating District Councils in Leicestershire, together with the Leicestershire Constabulary and the City and County PCTs (NHS Leicester City and NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland), to manage unauthorised encampments and other Traveller related issues, in line with the Code of Practice for Travellers adopted by the local authorities concerned, and to authorise the Corporate Director of Regeneration & Culture in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for the Environment & Sustainability to undertake all actions necessary to give effect to this decision;

2)     approves the budgetary arrangements set out in this report;

3)     agrees to the transfer under the provisions of the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment ) Regulations (TUPE) of two members of staff to Leicestershire County Council as host authority; and

4)     approves, pursuant to the Local Government Acts 1972 and 2000, the delegation of functions to Leicestershire County Council in relation to unauthorised encampments within the area of City Council.

Councillor Connelly submits a report which updates Cabinet on progress with this major citywide investment programme to improve football facilities across the City and to obtain Cabinet approval to progress to Phase 2 of the project.  Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations as set out in Paragraph 3.1 of the report.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board on 19 March 2009 will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Connelly submitted a report that updated Cabinet on progress with a major citywide investment programme to improve football facilities across the City and to obtain Cabinet approval to progress to Phase 2 of the project.

Councillor Connelly thanked and congratulated all officers who were involved in bringing the funding about, partner clubs for their patience, and all funding organisations. It was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board supported the recommendations.

In response to Members’ questions, Councillor Connelly stated that there had been a very successful launch of the programme that had received wide coverage. He stated that the health benefits would be monitored with regard to the Primary Care Trust contribution. He also reported that floodlighting may not be included in the plans, but that any requests would be considered to see if they could be installed by other means.

Members expressed their full support for the programme and noted that work was anticipated to start in June 2009. Members were to be informed of the full timetable when it had been finalised. It was suggested that officers could attend Community Meetings to explain the proposals.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     notes progress on the development of this project;

2)     agrees the commencement of Phase 2 of the project i.e. procurement and construction as detailed in the report at a total capital cost of £11,200,882;

3)     notes the receipt of a revenue grant from the Football Foundation of £521, 692 to enable the appointment of three staff over five years to support the implementation of the Project;

4)     notes that further work will be done on finalising the income and expenditure associated with operating the sites and the results of this work will be included in the 2010/11 budget;

5)     notes the Prudential Borrowing  of £2,970,000 to be financed from revenue;

6)     delegates the final decision on the most cost effective procurement arrangements to the Deputy Corporate Director of Regeneration and Culture, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, as set out in Paragraph 4.21 of the report.

Councillor Kitterick submits a report that sets out the development of the Overseas Links Working Party into a new committee together with revised Terms of Reference (Appendix A) and International Development Strategy (Appendix B).  Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations as set out in paragraph 2 of the report.

Councillor Kitterick submitted a report that set out the development of the Overseas Links Working Party into a new committee together with revised Terms of Reference and International Development Strategy.

Councillor Kitterick thanked officers for the work that had been done in preparing the report. Councillor Bhatti stated that this report was a right approach and had been required for some time.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     notes the report;

2)     endorses the establishment of a new International Development Committee;

3)     approves the revised Terms of Reference (Appendix A of the report);

4)     approves the membership also set out in Appendix A;

5)     approves the International Development Strategy (Appendix B).

Councillor Cooke submits a report which describes the proposed use of the provisional capital allocation to Community Services in each of the 2008/09 and 2009/10 budgets, earmarked at £100,000 per year, plus an additional £57,000 (2008/09) for essential refurbishment works at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre.  Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations as set out in paragraph 3 of the report.

Councillor Cooke submitted a report that described the proposed use of the provisional capital allocation to Community Services in each of the 2008/09 and 2009/10 budgets, earmarked at £100,000 per year, plus an additional £57,000 (2008/09) for essential refurbishment works at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre.

Councillor Cooke reported that, since the report was produced, representation had been received from the African Caribbean Centre with regard to the proposed improvements, such as location of the reception and disabled access. He, therefore, asked that Cabinet approve the recommendations, with the addition of a recommendation to allow flexibility in the arrangements for the African Caribbean Centre, so that the money could be spent in a way that complemented their long-term plans. Councillor Willmott also stated that this additional recommendation should be included in Cabinet’s resolution.

RESOLVED;

                        that Cabinet:

1)     notes the contents of this report and the importance of maintaining community centres for the benefit of inhabitants of Leicester City;

2)     agrees the Capital allocations for centres in 2008/09 (£100,000) and 2009/10 (£100,000) as detailed in appendix 1 and 2 of the report;

3)     agrees the additional Capital allocation for the essential refurbishment works for Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre in 2008/09 (£57,000) as detailed in appendix 1;

4)     agrees that officers discuss proposals with Councillors and officers of the African Caribbean Centre before implementation of the proposals for this centre.

Councillor Bhatti submits a report which outlines the changes in the hosting arrangements of the Pooled Treatment Budget (PTB) which is administered by the Department of Health and makes recommendations for the future management of this funding stream.  Cabinet is asked to agree the adoption of the lead commissioning responsibility by Leicester City Council.

Councillor Bhatti submitted a report that outlined the changes in the hosting arrangements of the Pooled Treatment Budget which was administered by the Department of Health, and made recommendations for the future management of this funding stream.

RESOLVED:

that Cabinet agrees to the adoption of the lead commissioning responsibility by Leicester City Council.

Councillor Willmott submits a report which seeks Cabinet’s approval to the procurement plan for 2009/2010.  Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations as set out in paragraph 3 of the report.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that sought Cabinet’s approval of the procurement plan for 2009/10.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     approves the forward plan of procurement activities attached as Appendix 1 to the report;

2)     notes that the plan will be reviewed from time to time;

3)     notes that actual procurement activity will be monitored against the plan by the Select Committee;

4)     notes that on 21 April 2008, the Cabinet reserved to itself the decision to let contracts in excess of the EU thresholds;

5)     delegates the letting of contracts within this Plan to Service Directors, subject to consultation in each case with Cabinet Leads and periodic reporting to Cabinet of contracts let;

6)     in respect of decisions to spend area based grant, delegates approval to the Chief Executive to enter into contracts, in consultation with the Chair of the Leicester Partnership Executive Board, subject to subsequent reporting to Cabinet of contracts let.

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).

SALE OF LAND AT MAIDENWELL AVENUE

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).

                        SALE OF LAND AT MAIDENWELL AVENUE

Councillor Willmott submits a report.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report that sought Cabinet approval of the sale of land at Maidenwell Avenue. He stated that, following the Cabinet decision, the relevant Ward Members should be fully briefed and involved in future discussion on the matter.

RESOLVED:

                        that Cabinet:

1)     approves the sale of the site on the terms set out in the report, subject to the purchaser obtaining planning consent for their scheme and subject to them satisfying the sale conditions laid out in the report;

2)     delegates authority to the Corporate Director of Resources, in consultation with the Lead Member for Property, to agree detailed terms of disposal, approve any alterations to the terms, and to take all necessary actions to progress and complete the disposal;

3)     authorises the Service Director of Legal Services to prepare and execute the documentation for the disposal.

The meeting closed at 1.30pm.