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.

Councillor Holden declared a non-pecuniary and remote interest in Appendix B, "National Service Framework for Older People".  Councillors Getliffe and Roberts declared interests in Appendix C, "Housing Investment Programme Strategy 2001/06", Appendix D "Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2001", Appendix U "General Fund Revenue Outturn 2000/01" and Appendix V, "Housing Revenue Account and Housing DSO Outturn 2001", as Council tenants and referred to a dispensation from the Secretary of State to speak and vote.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet on 16 July 2001 have been circulated and the Cabinet is asked to confirm them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 16 July 2001, having been circulated to Members, be received, taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillor Westley submits a report setting out the results of the annual statutory audit of the Council’s Best Value Performance Plan.  The Cabinet is asked to approve the Council’s response and proposed method of publicising the Audit.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report setting out the results of the Annual Statutory Audit of the Council's Best Value Performance Plan.  He commended to Cabinet the unqualified Audit as an overall endorsement of the Council’s approach to modernisation and Best Value.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Council's response to the statutory audit report of the Council's Best Value Performance Plan, be approved; and

(2)that the proposed methods of publicising the audit, be approved.

Councillor Getliffe submits a report informing the Cabinet of requirements being placed on the National Health Service and local authorities to improve services and the quality of life for older people.  The Cabinet is asked to note the actions being taken in response to the National Service Framework.

The Joint Investment Plan for Older People including Older People with Mental Health Difficulties is attached for Members of the Cabinet only.  Copies are available from the Committee and Public Information Section, Leicester Social Services Tel. 252 8885.

Councillor Getliffe submitted a report informing the Cabinet of requirements being placed on the National Health Service and Local Authorities to improve services and the quality of life for older people and outlining the action being taken in response to the National Service Framework.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the elected member and officer champions named for the authority be noted and that Councillor Getliffe would be the Cabinet's link to the Forum for Older People;

(2)that the need to harness and channel issues arising from consultations with older people, their carers and representatives through the Forum for Older People, be noted;

(3)to note that an audit is to be undertaken of current policies within the Authority to determine whether it is a policy to the advantage or disadvantage of older people;

(4)to note that all departments would be requested to identify the financial resources within the Authority which supported current services for older people and potential additional costs to meet the requirements of the National Service Framework for Older People;

(5)to note risk assessments would be led by the Health Authority to review information systems and specify capital requirements and that the City Council would participate in this work;

(6)to note that older people's issues would be specifically addressed by each department in the Council; and

(7)to note that an executive officer group had been established to support the work of the Forum for Older People.

     Councillor Draycott submits a report seeking approval to the Council’s Housing Investment Strategy 2001/06.

The full Housing Investment Strategy document is available to Councillors in the Members’ Library.  Copies can also be obtained from Martin Field, Housing Department, Tel No. 252 8713.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report setting out an "Housing Investment Programme Strategy 2001/06", for approval.  It was noted that the strategy set out the Council's policies and priorities over the next five years for Council housing, affordable housing provided by Housing Associations, private landlords and owner occupiers.  The strategy set out the resources required to deliver the strategy and acted as a bid for Government support.  The document had been through a series of consultations within the Council and with partners.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Housing Investment Programme Strategy 2001/06, be approved; and

(2)that the process to complete the strategy be endorsed and the six principle themes that had been used to shape the overview of strategy for future housing services in the City area, be supported.

Councillor Draycott submits a report seeking approval to the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2001.

The full text of the Business Plan is available to Councillors in the Members’ Library.  Copies can also be obtained from Rod Pearson, Housing Department Tel No. 252 7108

Councillor Draycott submitted a report seeking approval to the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2001.  It was noted that the Business Plan covered the management and maintenance of the Council's housing stock over the next 30 years and given this long timescale included a number of assumptions.

Councillor Draycott referred to two issues that had been raised by the Chair of the Housing Scrutiny Committee.  One was in reference to the demolition of 250 properties in Braunstone which was referred to in the Business Plan.  It was acknowledged that the Cabinet had agreed to put this demolition on hold whilst negotiations continued with the Braunstone Community Association on possible alternative options; however it was not considered necessary to amend the Business Plan at this stage as the results of these negotiations were not yet known.  If, in the event a different route to demolition was taken, the document could be amended when it was reviewed in 12 months time.  The second issue was with regard to the installation of UPVC doors, the policy on which was clarified by Councillor Draycott.

It was also noted that the Business Plan had to be submitted to the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions by 31 July 2001 and therefore the Cabinet was asked to agree to allow no objection to the decision in order to meet this deadline.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2001 be approved; and

(2)that, in accordance with Standing Order 42(e), as the Business Plan had to be submitted to the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, jointly with the Housing Investment Programme Strategy, by the end of July, it be agreed that the Business Plan was a matter of such urgency that no objection may be allowed to this decision.

Councillor Kavia submits a report seeking the Cabinet’s support for the European EQUAL bid that is being developed with Nottingham and Derby City Councils, which aims to address the issues of skills shortages and increase the job opportunities within the construction trade to women and ethnic minority groups, currently under represented in the industry.

Councillor Kavia submitted a report seeking the Cabinet's support for the European EQUAL bid that was being developed with Nottingham and Derby City Councils and which aimed to address the issues of skills shortages and increase the job opportunities within the construction trade to women and ethnic minority groups who were currently underrepresented in the industry.

RESOLVED:

that the involvement of Leicester City Council in an East Midlands Three Cities EQUAL bid, as detailed in the report, be approved.

Councillor Subedar submits a report  informing the Cabinet of the main contents of the above progress report and seeking approval to the bid for capital funding of local transport improvements in the year 2002/03.

Councillor Subedar submitted a report informing the Cabinet of the main contents of the above progress report and seeking approval to the bid for capital funding for local transport improvements in the year 2002/03.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the bid for capital funding for local transport improvements in 2002/03, be approved; and

(2)that the new submission for major scheme funding for the Leicester West Transport Project, be noted.

Councillor Osman submits a report advising Members of the works included in the Priority List for 2001/2002 (Main List) and Reserve List of the Disability Discrimination Act Initiatives Budget for 2001/2002. The report also advises the Cabinet of the recommended level of the Access to Work portion of the budget and seeks approval to enable the programme to proceed. The Cabinet is recommended to; approve the works in the main list; approve the works in the Reserve List, approve the allocation of funds for Access to Work at £20,000;  and to delegate all necessary authorities to allow the works to proceed.

Councillor Osman submitted a report advising the Cabinet of the works included in the Priority List and the Reserve List of the Disability Discrimination Act Initiatives Budget for 2001/2002.  The report also detailed the recommended level of the Access to Work portion of the budget and sought approval to enable the programme to proceed.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the works contained in the Main List as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

(2)that the works contained in the Reserve List, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report, for inclusion in the Main List only if an item of work in the Main List could not be undertaken or if funds allowed, be approved;

(3)that the allocation of funds for Access to Work at £20,000, be approved;

(4)that the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services be authorised to order the work and seek all necessary consents; and

(5)that the Head of Legal Services be authorised to sign any contract, if necessary, to allow the works to proceed.

Councillor Westley submits a report which includes recommendations of the cross party Member Working Group with regard to the fundamental  challenge stage of the Best Value Reviews of the following areas:-

Services to Homeless People

Highways and Transportation

The full reports on each Review are available with the agenda published on the Council’s Intranet and Internet site (www.leicester.gov.uk).  A copy is also available for Councillors in the Members’ Library.

If you do not have access to any of the above, a copy can be obtained from Frances Wake, Committee Secretariat Tel No, 252 6028

Councillor Willmott submitted a report which detailed the recommendations of the cross-party Best Value Member Working Group with regard to the fundamental challenge stage of the Best Value Reviews of "Services to Homeless People" and "Highways and Transportation".

RESOLVED:

that the following be approved:-

Services to Homeless People

(a)that this service area, which covered housing advice and re-housing and hostels and community care follow the performance management route of the Council's Best Value process;

(b)that the original scope of the review remain unchanged but that the title of the review be changed from 'Homelessness' to 'Services to Homeless People', to more accurately reflect the issues within the review;

(c)that no services be recommended for decommissioning at this stage;

Highways and Transportation

(a)that all services within this review be reviewed under the service assessment route of the Council's Best Value process on the basis that a full performance management framework was not yet in place;

(b)that the scoping exercise be amended, as detailed in the report and that the review should be concluded within the Year 3 Best Value timescale; and

(c)that no services be recommended for decommissioning at this stage.

Councillor Holden submits a report presenting the Cultural Strategy.  The Cabinet is asked to approve the Strategy (the full text to be circulated separately) and to approve the establishment of the Cultural Strategy Partnership to deliver the strategy.

Councillor Holden submitted a report presenting the Cultural Strategy and a proposed mechanism for its implementation and management.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Cultural Strategy, be approved; and

(2)that the establishment of the Cultural Strategy Partnership, as detailed in the report, be approved.

Councillor Kavia submits a report seeking approval for delegated authority in respect of the invitation to tender and acceptance of tenders of works required to secure the relocation of the Abbey Meadows depot within the timescales agreed with the East Midlands Development Agency. Delegated authority is also sought to consider and agree to, if appropriate, any requests requiring the temporary relocation of the depot offices and car park to secure early development of this part of the site, subject to identifying sources of finance in advance of the delegation being carried out.  The Cabinet is also asked to note the circumstances surrounding the electrical supply available within Beaumont Leys and the effect this may have on the relocation of the depot to Leycroft Road.

Councillor Kavia submitted a report updating the Cabinet on issues in relation to the relocation of the Abbey Meadows Depot and seeking delegated authority for the Director to carry out various actions in connection with the relocation.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the completion of the funding package with the East Midlands Development Agency on 30 March 2001, be noted;

(2)that the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services be authorised, in consultation with the Leader, Deputy Leader and the Cabinet Lead Member for Strategic Planning and Regeneration, to:-

(a)agree the detailed design of the proposed scheme at the Leycroft Road site;

(b)obtain tenders in respect of the various proposed works;

(c)accept the lowest tender, or the appropriate tender, in accordance with Standing Orders, in the event the lowest tender could not be recommended for acceptance;

(d)consider and agree to, if appropriate, any requests requiring the temporary relocation of the depot, offices and car park to secure early development of this part of the site, subject to identifying sources of funding in advance of the delegated authority being exercised;

(3)that the Head of Legal Services be authorised to enter into the various works contracts with the successful tenderers in connection with the above; and

(4)that the circumstances surrounding the electrical supply available within the Beaumont Leys area and the effect this may have on the relocation of the depot to Leycroft Road, be noted.

Councillor Kavia submits a report seeking approval to join and fund the Leicester Regeneration Company (LRC) following approval in principle given by the Regeneration Sub-Committee on 1 June 2000. The Cabinet is asked to agree; that the City Council participates in the LRC according to the rules regarding local authority companies; that the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive be nominated as Directors of LRC; that a contribution of up to £250, 000 be provided by the City Council for the first year of the Company’s existence on the basis of equal contributions having been approved by EMDA and English Partnerships; to approval, in principle being given to a similar level of funding for a further 2 years subject to the level of contributions from other funders; that approvals be subject to the Head of Legal Services being satisfied as to the final details of the framework within which the Company will operate; to the interim funding arrangement with the Company as described in the report with a further report being submitted with specific financial arrangements when these have been resolved to the satisfaction of the Chief Financial Officer; to a further report being submitted on the professional staff input need to serve the Company effectively and any additional resources this might involve. 

Councillor Kavia submitted a report seeking formal approval to join and fund the Leicester Regeneration Company.  The report set out the general objectives of the company, the legal and financial frameworks that would apply and its key working mechanisms.

RESOLVED:

(1)that approval be given for the City Council to participate in the Leicester Regeneration Company, always provided that any resulting participation did not trigger the rules relating to local authority companies and that the balance of membership remained as described in the report;

(2)that the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive be nominated as Directors of the company;

(3)that a contribution of up to £250,000 be provided by the City Council for the first year of the company's existence on the basis of equal contributions having been provided by East Midlands Development Agency and English Partnerships;

(4)that approval be given in principle to a similar level of funding for a further two years, subject to the level of contributions from other funders;

(5)that the approvals above be subject to the Head of Legal Services being satisfied as to the final details of the framework within which the company would operate;

(6)that the interim funding arrangement with the company, as detailed in the report, be approved with a further report being submitted with specific financial arrangements when these had been resolved to the satisfaction of the Chief Financial Officer; and

(7)that a further report be submitted to the Cabinet on the professional staff input needed to serve the company more effectively and any additional resources this might involve.

Councillor Kavia submits a report seeking approval to proposals to updated reporting arrangements for SRB funded regeneration programmes. The Cabinet is asked to agree that approval of annual delivery plans for SRB programmes and the authorisation of SRB expenditure be delegated to the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead on Strategic Planning and Regeneration and that an annual report on the progress of SRB programmes be presented to Cabinet and Scrutiny Committee each September.

Councillor Kavia submitted a report seeking approval to proposals to update reporting arrangements for Single Regeneration Budget funded regeneration programmes.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the practice of the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services in using his delegated powers, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Strategic Planning and Regeneration, to sign off annual delivery plans for Single Regeneration Budget programmes and to approve Single Regeneration Budget expenditure, for the lifetime of each programme, be noted; and

(2)that an annual report be submitted to the Cabinet on the progress of Single Regeneration Budget programmes each September and to the appropriate Scrutiny Committee for comment.

Councillor Subedar submits a report outlining urgent action taken by the Director in amending the Tailby Avenue and Catherine Street Highway Improvement Scheme and lines so as to avoid the former Salutation Public House site and seeks approval for an urgent review of Humberstone Road and Forest Road Highway Improvement Lines to be carried out as soon as possible.

Councillor Subedar submitted a report outlining urgent action taken by the Director in amending the Tailby Avenue and Catherine Street Highway Improvement Scheme and Lines so as to avoid the former Salutation Public House site and seeking approval to an urgent review of Humberstone Road and Forest Road Highway Improvement Lines.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the action of the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services, in amending the Tailby Avenue and Catherine Street Highway Improvement Scheme and Lines so as to avoid the former Salutation Public House site as shown dotted on drawing no. CD/TH/GS/04573/74(Y)A, be noted; and

(2)that approval be given for an urgent review of the Humberstone Road and Forest Road Highway Improvement Lines and that the review be carried out soon as possible.

Councillor Subedar submits a report seeking a waiver of Standing Order 84 (competition requirements: large contracts) in order to be able to place orders for equipment and services in connection with the expansion of the star-trak real-time bus passenger information and intelligent bus priority system.

Councillor Subedar submitted a report seeking a waiver of Standing Order 84 in order to be able to place orders for equipment and services in connection with the expansion of the Star Track Real Time Bus Passenger Information and Intelligent Bus Priority System.  It was noted that it was proposed to expand the system and the required equipment could only be supplied from the original suppliers.  This was taken into account in the original evaluation of tenders for the systems.

In answer to a question, it was confirmed that, when fully operational, the system should provide data which could be used to evaluate the effectiveness of bus lanes.

RESOLVED:

(1)that approval be given for the waiver of Standing Order 84 to allow the purchase of equipment for the expansion of the Star Trak system from the original supplier as there is no other appropriate supplier; and

(2)that the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services, be authorised to approve any expenditure on any expansions previously approved by Cabinet.

Councillor Patel submits a report seeking the Cabinet’s approval to improvement and refurbishment works for inclusion in the Town Hall programme for 2001/2002.

Councillor Patel submitted a report seeking the Cabinet's approval to improvement and refurbishment works for inclusion in the Town Hall programme for 2001/02.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the work set out in paragraph 2.2(a), (b), (c), (d) and (e), of the report be approved;

(2)that the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services be authorised to seek all necessary consents, to seek tenders for the work and order the works;

(3)that the Town Clerk be authorised to accept a tender, subject to appropriate consultation; and

(4)that the Head of Legal Services be authorised to enter into a contract with the successful tenderer.

Cllr Holden submits a report seeking approval to site new toilet facilities on a site located on Belgrave Road adjacent to the corner of Dorset Street and to develop the joint operational partnership for toilets sited at Beaumont Leys Market. The Cabinet is recommended to approve the variation to the project allocation to increase the provision to £116,300 in total and to approve the additional expenditure of £16, 300 from the Environment and Development Capital Programme budget.

Councillor Holden submitted a report informing the Cabinet that following arbitration, agreement had now been reached with the St. Mark's Estate Management Board regarding the provision of new toilet facilities on Belgrave Road adjacent to the corner of Dorset Street.  It was noted that the scheme was now estimated to cost £116,300, which was £16,300 above the current Capital Programme provision.  The additional expenditure represented additional works required following formal arbitration and annual inflationary increases since original tendering.  It was noted that there was an anticipated saving of £31,000 within the Environment and Development Department's Capital Programme and it was recommended that part of that saving be vired to fund the additional costs of the above scheme.

It was noted that preliminary discussions had taken place with the management at Beaumont Leys Shopping Centre, to develop a joint operational partnership for the toilets situated at the Shopping Centre.  If this proved successful, a similar partnership might be possible for the management of the public conveniences in the Haymarket Centre Bus Station.  The Cabinet welcomed this and Councillor Holden agreed to write to the management of the Haymarket Bus Station suggesting  that preliminary discussions start on this issue.

RESOLVED:

that approval be given to increase the expenditure allocation for the above scheme to £116,300 in total and to approve the additional expenditure from the Environment and Development Capital Programme Budget.

Councillor Holden submits a report seeking the Cabinet’s approval to the Service Plan for Food Enforcement 2001/2002, as required by the Food Standards Agency.

Councillor Holden submitted a report seeking the Cabinet's approval to the Service Plan for Food Enforcement 2001/02, as required by the Food Standards Agency.

RESOLVED:

that the Service Plan for Food Enforcement for 2001/02, as attached to the report, be approved.

Councillor Patel submits a report recommending a Capital Strategy Statement to be submitted to the Government Office for the East Midlands by 31 July 2001 for consideration in determining the discretionary element of the Single Capital Pot allocation from 2002/03.

Any views of the Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee will be reported to the meeting.

Councillor Patel submitted a report recommending a Capital Strategy Statement to be submitted to the Government Office for the East Midlands by 31 July 2001 for consideration in determining the discretionary element of the Single Capital Pot allocation from 2002/03.

RESOLVED:

that the Capital Strategy Statement detailed in the report be endorsed for submission to the Government Office of the East Midlands by 31 July and that the Chief Financial Officer be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Finance and Resources, to make changes if necessary to comply with any final Government guidance.

Councillor Patel submits a report seeking approval to a draft revenue budget strategy for the next three years, subject to public consultation and consultation with Scrutiny Committees.

Any views of the Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee will be reported to the meeting.

Councillor Patel submitted a report seeking approval to a draft Revenue Budget Strategy for the next three years, subject to public consultation and consultation with Scrutiny Committees.

It was noted that the Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee had considered the Strategy at its special meeting on 24 July 2001 and had recommended that under paragraph 2, with regard to taxation, the wording should be amended from "The Council will aim to keep its tax increase to a level which is consistent with Government expectations for tax increases" to "The Council will aim to keep its tax increase to a level which is not greater than Government expectations for tax increases".  The Cabinet considered that setting a ceiling for tax was too risky given that the level of Government funding was not predictable.  The Cabinet therefore agreed that the wording should remain as detailed in the report.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the draft Revenue Budget Strategy 2002/03 to 2004/05 as detailed in the report be adopted for consultation; and

(2)that the departmental planning targets for the completion of departmental revenue strategies, be approved.

Councillor Patel submits a report showing the outturn position for Capital expenditure, compared with the position reported previously in February. The report also contains details regarding the generation of capital receipts compared with the targets. The Cabinet is asked to note variations to programmes since February totalling £2,321 and note the progress in generating capital receipts.

Councillor Patel submitted a report detailing the outturn position for capital expenditure compared with the position reported previously in February.  The report also contained details regarding generation of capital receipts compared with the target.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the outturn expenditure of £43.106 million, be noted;

(2)that the variations to programmes since February 2001, totalling £2.321 million, be noted; and

(3)that the progress in generating capital receipts, be noted.

Councillor Patel submits a report showing the summary position comparing spending with the budget for all General Fund Services and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). The Cabinet is asked to note; the outturn position for each Department and the Council as a whole; the reasons which the final outturn differed from the budget; the final position on the Council’s uncommitted general reserves; the position in respect of various significant earmarked reserves and approve the requested budget virements and transfers.

Councillor Patel submitted a report showing the summary position comparing spending with the budget for all General Fund Services and the Housing Revenue Account.  Appreciation was expressed to officers in all Departments for the considerable achievement in delivering the budget despite significant pressures.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the outturn position for each department in the Council as a whole, be noted;

(2)that the reasons why the final outturn differed from the budget, be noted;

(3)that the final position on the Council's uncommitted general reserves, be noted;

(4)that the position in respect of various significant earmarked reserves, be noted; and

(5)that the requested budget virements and transfers, be approved.

Councillor Draycott and Councillor Patel submit a joint report giving the outturn position for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and the Housing DSO for the financial year 2000/01.  The Cabinet are recommended to; note the HRA and Housing DSO outturns for 2001/02 and agree that HRA balances should be set at £1.5m and any surplus should be earmarked to meet future investment as outlined in the report.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report giving the outturn position for the Housing Revenue Account and the Housing DSO for the financial year 2000/2001.  The Leader thanked staff in the Housing Department for successfully managing to contain expenditure within the budget despite the pressures.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Housing Revenue Account and Housing DSO outturns for 2001/02, be noted; and

(2)that approval be given for the Housing Revenue Account balances to be set at £1.5 million and any surplus to be earmarked to meet future investment.

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 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.”

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.

Development Partnership 

Crown Hills Community College – Proposals For A 5-A-Side Football Centre

Land At Quakesick, Hamilton – 1987 Development Agreement

Paragraph 8

The amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the authority under any particular contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.

Replacement Of Local Taxation And Housing Benefit IT Systems

Paragraph 8 and 9

The amount of any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the authority under any particular contract for the acquisition or disposal of property or the supply of goods or services.

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.

Revised Project Management Arrangements

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.

Development Partnership

Crown Hills Community College – Sports Facilities

Land at Quakesick, Hamilton - 1987 Development Agreement

Paragraph 8

The amount or any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the authority under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services.

Replacement of Local Taxation and Housing Benefit IT Systems

Paragraphs 8 and 9

The amount or any expenditure proposed to be incurred by the authority under any particular contract for the acquisition of property or the supply of goods or services.

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.

Revised Project Management Arrangements

Councillor Kavia submits a report.

Councillor Kavia submitted a report informing the Cabinet of progress made with the selection of a Development Partner to work with the City Council on major development initiatives within the an area of the City, as detailed in the report.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the preferred project partner, identified in the report, be selected as the City Council partner to take this project forward;

(2)that the City Council enter into a lock-out agreement with the preferred project partner, as described in the report and that the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Members on Finance and Resources and Strategic Planning and Regeneration, to agree the terms of the agreement and the Head of Legal Services be authorised to enter into the agreement;

(3)that the property described in paragraph 1.10 of the supporting information be excluded from the lock-out agreement;

(4)that the work during the lock-out period be reported back to the Cabinet on expiry of the period with recommendations regarding the future of the project and if it is to be continued the form of joint venture vehicle recommended as appropriate to secure a successful working arrangement; and

(5)that approval be given for funding of the work, as detailed in the report.

Councillor Roberts submits a report.

Councillor Roberts submitted a report outlining an offer from a private sector operator to develop a sports facility at Crown Hills Community College and seeking authorisation to implement the proposal.

RESOLVED:

(1)that approval be given in principle to the proposals to develop a sports facility at Crown Hills Community College, as detailed in the report;

(2)that authorisation be given for the use of the general consent to dispose of assets for the ‘provision of recreational facilities’;

(3)that the Director of Education be authorised to apply to the Secretary of State for Education for consent to dispose of an interest in school playing fields;

(4)that the Acting Assistant Director – Corporate Property Officer be authorised, in consultation with the Director of Education, to negotiate with the private sector operator detailed in the report for the lease, as described in the report and for an agreement to secure certain free use of the facilities for the College and the local community;

(5)that the Town Clerk be authorised to enter into a lease agreement and an agreement to provide certain free use of the facilities, subject to rental being set as indicated in the report and subject to satisfactory terms being agreed that would protect the Council’s financial interests; and

(6)that the initial premium and the annual income arising from the lease, both net of administrative expenses, be passed to Crown Hills Community College on conditions that it is used for the sole purpose of developing sporting opportunities for local schools.

Councillor Draycott and Councillor Patel submit a report.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report seeking approval to the replacement of IT systems for Local Tax and Housing Benefits.

RESOLVED:

(1)that approval be given for the creation of a project to replace the current Housing Benefit and Local Taxation IT systems with an integrated package, to go live from 2003;

(2)that the Town Clerk and the Director of Housing be authorised to enter into a contract for replacement systems and authorise their financing; and

(3)that the incurring of project management expenditure in advance of acquiring a new system be noted, subject to these being contained within the Town Clerk's/Housing Department's resources.

Councillor Patel submits a report.

Councillor Patel submitted a report seeking approval to the principle of variations to the 1987 Development Agreement between the City Council and the Alliance Assurance Company relating to the development of land at Hamilton.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Finance and Resources, to agree terms and any necessary variation to the 1987 Development Agreement which enabled the option to be exercised to the satisfaction of the Council and ensure the Council's interest was protected and matters progressed both in respect of the option and payment of net development value, as referred to in the report; and

(2)that the Head of Legal Services be authorised to enter into any resulting formal documentation arising from the above.

Councillor Holden submits a report.

Councillor Holden submitted a report detailing the revised project management arrangements for the new leisure facility and cultural quarter and also seeking a waiver of contract standing order 84 to enable the Director to proceed with an optimum solution to secure the new arrangement should it not be possible to secure them under normal competition rules provided for within Standing Orders.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the revised project management arrangements as detailed in the report, be noted;

(2)that the process being undertaken to procure the Project Director and Project Manager's posts be approved;

(3)that a waiver of Standing Order 84 be approved and the use of the Director's delegated powers in the event that four written bids could not be obtained;

(4)that approval be given for the use of Capital Programme feasibility funds to cover the costs of the revised arrangements over and above current budget allocations in the Arts and Leisure Department;

(5)that the Director of Arts and Leisure be authorised, in consultation with a Cabinet Working Group, to be chaired by the Leader, to approve project direction, management and expenditure, to monitor the project and to ensure regular briefings to Scrutiny Spokespersons and reports to Cabinet, the Working Group to be a standing group meeting regularly; and

(6)that the Head of Legal Services be authorised to enter into such contracts as required.

The  meeting ended at 6.08pm.