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 Finance Act 1992 applied to them.

No declarations were made.

(1)            National Front March

The Leader thanked the Police, community organisations and faith groups that had worked with the Council to provide a united front against the National Front march which had been banned from the City following an application to the Home Secretary.  The Leader was pleased that the City had sent a clear message that it supported and celebrated cultural diversity.

(2)            United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development

The Leader reported that he had attended and addressed the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development in New York and as representative of the International Council for Local Environment Initiatives. As an Environment City, Leicester’s progress in environmental initiatives was well regarded and the discussions held at the Commission would form part of the UN policy statement for negotiations on sustainable development.

(3)            International Workers’ Memorial Day

The Leader reported that International Workers’ Memorial Day on 28 April would be marked by the laying of a wreath in the Town Hall Square to commemorate those workers who had died in the course of their working duties.

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 9 April 2001 have been circulated to Members and the Cabinet is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

            that the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 9 April 2001, having been circulated to Members, be received, taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillor Patel to give a presentation.

Councillor Patel requested that this presentation be deferred to a future meeting, as it would be more appropriate once the newly appointed Assistant Director Human Resources was in post.

RESOLVED:

that the presentation on Corporate Services, Property, Human Resources and Equality be deferred to a future meeting. 

Councillor Draycott submits a report informing the Cabinet of progress made with the Single Homeless Strategy 1999-2002  which also includes proposals for the forthcoming year’s Annual Work Plan.  The Cabinet is asked to note the progress to date and approve the priorities for the Annual Work Plan.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report updating the Cabinet on progress made with the Single Homeless Strategy and proposing work plan priorities for the coming year. It was noted that the number of rough sleepers had been reduced and projects, such as the wet facilities developed with invest to save monies, had been successful. Work to develop longer term initiatives continued and the strategy would also maintain its focus on prevention.

RESOLVED:

            (1)            that progress to date be noted; and

(2)       that work in the coming year focus on the needs identified in the strategy and agreed with partner agencies, including: young homeless people, older single homeless people, substance misuse accommodation provision, ex-offenders and people with learning disabilities.

Councillor Roberts submits a report seeking the Cabinet’s approval for the Bursom Business Park Extension Site Development Guidance.  The Cabinet is asked to note the concerns raised in relation to the development of the Bursom site including the views of the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee and confirm that the Guidance addresses these views, as far as is practicable.

Councillor Roberts submitted a report seeking approval of the Bursom Business Park Extension Site Development Guidance. Consultation had taken place  with the public and through the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee which had identified a number of concerns. The guidance sought to address those concerns by providing a clear framework for development.

RESOLVED:

(1)       that the concerns raised in relation to the development of the Bursom site, including the views of the Scrutiny Committee be noted;

(2)       that the Site Development Guidance be confirmed as addressing, as far as practicable, the concerns raised during the consultation process; and

(3)       that the Bursom Business Park Site Development Guidance be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the City of Leicester Local Plan.

Councillor Subedar submits a report advising the Cabinet of the potential financial implications of progressing the eight bids already accepted by the Department of Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS), for which £3.5 million has been earmarked for Leicester, in respect of ‘Space for Sport and Arts’. The Cabinet is asked to; approve the development of the initial bids so that the grant of £3.5 million can be pursued; approve the commitment to incur up to £297,500 in fees to prepare the bids on an ‘at risk’ basis as there are no funds available to meet such costs should any overspend occur; note and approve the estimated ongoing increase in school revenue funding resulting from the additional buildings and note that free standing equipment cannot be funded from within these grants. 

Councillor Subedar submitted a report advising Cabinet that the Department of Culture, Media and Sports (DCMS) had awarded £3.5m to Leicester for eight bids to provide facilities in schools for sports and arts. In order to develop the lottery bids, the authority would need to incur fees which had not been included in the current budget; accordingly the report sought approval to incur the cost of these fees on an “at risk” basis.

The Director of Education explained that successful bids would mean that the development fees were reimbursed and that the DCMS had been very supportive of the bids. He further clarified that the ongoing revenue costs of successful bids would be incorporated into the fair funding scheme of delegation to schools by way of a growth bid.

Cabinet members welcomed the opportunity provided by the lottery bids and asked for a further report on how the authority would fund the cost of fees in the bids were unsuccessful. It was also requested that the report assess the bids’ impact on the Council’s VAT threshold.

RESOLVED:

(1)       that the development of the initial bids be approved in order to pursue the £3.5m of grant available;

(2)       that commitment of up to £297,500 in fees be approved in order to prepare the detailed bids on an “at risk” basis as there were no funds available to meet such costs within the departmental revenue budget and compensating savings would have to be found to meet any resultant overspend;

(3)       that the estimated ongoing increase in school revenue funding resulting from the additional buildings be noted and approved;

(4)       that it be noted that free standing equipment cannot be funded from these grants; and

(5)       that a further report be submitted in the event that any capital or revenue costs may not be contained within departmental resources, or any adverse impact arises on the Council’s VAT threshold.

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 Sub-Committee 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.

Land at Manor Farm Hamilton

Paragraph 12

Any instructions to counsel and any opinion of counsel (whether or not in connection with any proceedings) and any advice received, information obtained or action to be taken in connection with:

a)         any legal proceedings by or against the authority; or

b)         the determination of any matter affecting the authority,

(whether, in either case, proceedings have been commenced or are in contemplation).

Employment Tribunal Proceedings

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.

Land at Manor Farm

Paragraph 12

Any instructions to counsel and any opinion of counsel (whether or not in connection with any proceedings) and any advice received, information obtained or action to be taken in connection with:

a) any legal proceedings by or against the authority; or

b) the determination of any matter affecting the authority,

(whether, in either case, proceedings have been commenced or are in contemplation).

Employment Tribunal Proceedings

Councillor Patel submits a report.

Councillor Patel submitted a report on the expressions of interest in land at Manor Farm and seeking approval to market the land concerned.

Cabinet acknowledged the need to demonstrate the achievement of best consideration in any land disposal and considered officers’ advice.

RESOLVED:

that the third site be marketed, thus possibly removing some uncertainty as to its future use and assisting with the funding of the required infrastructure, and allowing interested parties to bid for the site.  

The Town Clerk submits a report.

The Town Clerk submitted a report advising members of the conclusion of this matter. The Leader thanked those involved in resolving this sensitive issue.

RESOLVED:

                        that the report be noted.

The meeting closed at 5.30 p.m.