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 on the agenda and/or indicate if Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applied to them.

Councillors Getliffe and Roberts declared interests in the items entitled “Housing Capital Programme 2001/2002 and 2002/2003”,  “Housing Revenue Account – Budget 2002/03” and “Customer Care in Housing”. They remained in the meeting as these items were covered by a dispensation from the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions.

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2002, 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 14 January 2002, having been circulated to Members, be received, taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record.  

Councillor Patel submits a report recommending a draft “corporate” capital programme for the period 2002/03 to 2004/05 based on the Council’s Capital Strategy. The report also updates the existing Capital Strategy. The Cabinet is asked to support a number of recommendations regarding the Corporate Capital Programme for submission to Council. The comments of the Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee held on 24 January will be reported at the meeting.

Councillor Patel submitted a report recommending a draft corporate capital programme for the period for 2002/03 to 2004/05 based on the Council’s Capital Strategy. The report also updated the existing Capital Strategy.

The minutes of the Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee from the 24 January 2002 had been circulated to Members of the Cabinet. With reference to the request that Cabinet give consideration to whether the amount allocated to meet the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act was sufficient, he noted this was a three-fold increase over the current year but agreed the situation required monitoring to ensure the Council met the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act. He also supported their request to consider further Block B schemes before Cabinet took a final decision.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the capital strategy detailed in the report be recommended to Council;

(2)that the capital programme shown at Annex 3 to the report be recommended to Council for approval;

(3)that the following be designated as service resources for the purposes of this programme:-

- housing capital receipts,

-80% of housing and 80% of the transport package elements of the Single Capital Pot,

- profits made by the Housing Maintenance DSO;

(4)that the following status of the schemes in Annex 3 to the report, be recommended to Council:-

a)Block A, being schemes which can proceed once the programme is approved, subject to compliance with Finance Procedure Rules,

b)Block B, being schemes which can proceed subject to consideration by Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee, then further approval by Cabinet with regard to the detailed implementation of the scheme;

c)Block C, being schemes which cannot proceed unless adequate resources become available, and are subject to a further report from the Chief Financial Officer to Cabinet;

(5)that Council be recommended to approve that no flexibility be given to the relevant Director to transfer resources in respect of the Bursom sub-station;

(6)that the Council be recommended to approve the expenditure of £0.5m on the Cultural Quarter in 2001/02 to be funded from general funded reserves.

Councillor Holden submits a report which highlights the increasing problems associated with trade waste being illegally deposited at Community Recycling Centres which denies residents the opportunity to deposit their own household waste and causes budget pressures. The Cabinet is asked to; approve the introduction of a free permit scheme for city residents using vans and trailers over 4ft 6 inches to deliver household waste to the City Recycling Centres in the city; approve the implementation of the other Action Plan proposals as set out in the Supporting information to the report; and request that the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services provides a monitoring report to members 6 months after scheme implementation date.

Councillor Holden submitted a report which highlighted the increasing problems associated with trade waste being illegally deposited at Community Recycling Centres (CRCs) which denied residents the opportunity to deposit their own household waste and created budget pressures.

Members queried whether the current early closure of the CRCs would change to the standard opening hours of the sites when the new scheme was in operation. Councillor Holden in reply stated that it was hoped that if, excessive trade waste was reduced, then the facilities would not be overburdened with waste it could not remove at the weekend, therefore enabling the facilities to stay open.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the introduction of a free permit scheme for city residents using vans and trailers over 4ft 6 inches to deliver household waste to the Community Recycling Centres in the city, be approved;

(2)that the implementation of the other Action Plan proposals as set out in Section 2 of the Supporting Information Document, be approved; and

(3)that the Director of Environment, Development & Commercial Services, be requested, to provide a monitoring report to Members 6 months after the scheme implementation date.

Councillor Draycott submits a report reviewing the current years approved Housing Capital Programme and, following receipt of the Single Capital Pot, recommending a programme for 2002/2003. The Cabinet is asked to; approve the revised programme for 2001/2002 as detailed in the report; note that the City Council has been designated by, the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions as a ‘well above average housing authority’; approve the resources shown in paragraph 2.1 of the Supporting Information to support the 2002/2003 Housing Capital Programme and to approve the Housing Capital Programme for 2002/2003 outlined at Appendix B of the report for recommendation to Council. The comments of the Housing Scrutiny Committee from 10 January 2002 will be reported at the meeting.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report reviewing the current years approved Housing Capital Programme and, following receipt of the Single Capital Pot, recommending a programme for 2002/2003.

The minutes of the Housing Scrutiny Committee from 10 January 2002 were circulated to Members of the Cabinet. It was noted that the minor amendment requested by the Scrutiny Committee had been incorporated into the report.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the revised programme, outlined at Appendix ‘A’, for 2001/2002, be recommended to Council for approval;

(2)that it be noted, the City Council had been designated by the Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, as one of only twenty-seven authorities (one less than last year) out of 354 in the country, as a ‘well above average housing authority’, which is the highest designation an authority can get under the HIP process,  putting the Council amongst the top 7.6% of housing authorities in the Country;

(3)that the resources shown in paragraph 2.1, including the use of Housing Maintenance DSO Profits, to support the Housing Capital Programme in 2002/2003, be recommend to Council for approval; and

(4)that the Housing Capital Programme for 2002/2003 outlined at Appendix ‘B’ including the reserve scheme, be recommended to Council for approval.

Councillor Draycott submits a report summarising the financial position of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2001/02 and 2002/03 and sets out the options for Members in deciding the 2002/03 rent level. The Cabinet is asked to; note the estimated working balance of £3.187m at the start of 2002/03, and the base budget for 2002/03 as detailed in the report; consider the issues outlined in the background information of the report and decide the level of rents to be applied for 2002/03 for recommendation to Council; and consider and decide on the revised level of miscellaneous payments and charges to be applied in 2002/03. The comments of the Housing Scrutiny Committee from 10 January 2002 will be reported at the meeting.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report summarising the financial position of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2001/02 and 2002/03 and setting out the options for Members in deciding the 2002/03 rent level.

Councillor Draycott tabled a number of recommendations for Cabinet’s consideration.

Minutes of the Housing Scrutiny Committee from 10 January 2002 had been circulated to Members of the Cabinet.

With regard to the proposed rent rise, it was noted the proposal was in line with Government recommendations for those authorities that had not gone through the rent restructuring process. It was also noted that the Housing Scrutiny Committee supported the proposed rent rise.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Cabinet note the estimated working balance of £3.187 million to be carried forward to 2002/2003;

(2)that the 2002/2003 budget as detailed at Appendix ‘A’ of the report be recommended to Council for approval;

(3)that a Service Development Bid of £360,000 be recommended to Council for approval to finance the following initiatives:

i)£10,000 for the Development of Tenant Associations in the City, and

ii)£350, 000 for Customer Care Initiatives;

(4)that Council be recommended to increase the rent applied to dwellings, garages, parking spaces, targeted rents, to increase by 2.96%, from 1 April 2002;

(5)that a 3% increase to be applied to district heating and hot water charges and LeicesterCare in 2002/2003 be recommended to Council for approval;

(6)that the recommendations of the Director of Housing and Chief Financial Officer on the list of miscellaneous charges and payments, outlined at Appendix ‘C’ of the report, be recommended to Council for approval; and

(7)that Council be recommended to approve £420,000  from HRA reserves to balance the HRA in 2002/2003.

Councillor Holden submits a report proposing a strategy for licensing hackney carriages for adoption by the City Council. The Cabinet is asked to; adopt the Strategy for Licensing Hackney; adopt a number of other policies in relation to Hackney Carriages as detailed in the report from April 2002; delegate authority to the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services to make minor amendments to these policies if necessary; consult with private hire operators on the application of comparable policies to the licensing of private hire vehicles; and carry out a review of the purpose built policy, commencing in April 2003.

Councillor Holden submitted a report proposing a strategy for licensing hackney carriages for adoption by the City Council. The Strategy was aimed at improving services by restricting the number of hackney carriages, improving the quality of vehicles, increasing the supply of vehicles late at night, improving the rank provision and reducing vehicle emissions.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Strategy for Licensing Hackney Carriages shown in Appendix 4 of the report be adopted;

(2)that the following policies be adopted from 1 April 2002:-

i)Policy on Restricting the Number of Hackney Carriages Licensed,

ii)Policy on Age Limit for Hackney Carriages

iii)Policy on Hackney Carriages that Fail Mechanical Examinations;

(3)that authority be delegated to the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services to make minor amendments to the above policies where necessary in the light of practical experience of their implementation; and

(4)that consultation be commenced with private hire operators on the application of comparable policies to the licensing of private hire vehicles.

Councillor Roberts submits a report seeking approval for; the Education Budget for 2002/03; the proposed addition delegation for 2002/03; the revision of the Local Management of Schools formula following consultation with schools and the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee. The Cabinet is asked to approve a number of recommendations regarding the Education budget. The minutes of the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee from 5 December 2001 are attached to the report.

Councillor Roberts submitted a report which sought the approval for; the Education Budget for 2002/03; the proposed additional delegation to schools for 2002/2003; and the revision of the Local Management of Schools formula.

The minutes of the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee from the 5 December were attached to the report.

Members welcomed the youth strategy outlined in the report, noting the citywide strategy to address areas of individual need. Members also suggested that other funding streams be accessed for the development of youth services across the City. Councillor Roberts commented that the Lifelong Learning Division was currently undertaking a review of youth provision across the City and would be reporting to Cabinet soon on its findings and proposals.

RESOLVED:

(1)            that the base budget as set out in Appendix A to the report be recommended to Council for approval;

(2)that the growth and reduction proposals set out in Appendix B and detailed in Appendix C to the report, be recommended to Council for approval;

(3)that the additional growth pressures to be funded from additional funds (£1,640,000) as set out in Appendix D to the report, be recommended to Council for approval;

(4)that the balance of funds to enable the full take up of the government’s Standards Fund to be funded from an Neighbourhood Renewal Fund bid, be recommended to Council for approval;

(5)that the profile for achieving the Leicester Pledge target of 4% as set out in Appendix E of the report, be noted;

(6)that the proposals for additional delegation as set out in Appendix F of the report, be recommended to Council for approval;

(7)that the government’s proposals for a revised system for delegating resources to schools as set out in Appendix F of the report, be noted;

(8) the revision to the LMS Formula as set out in Appendix G of the report, be recommended to Council for approval;

(9)that the proposal to introduce the Formula revisions over a two year transitional period as set out in Appendix G of the report, be recommended to Council for approval; and

(10)that the feedback received on the consultation as set out in Appendix H of the report, be noted.

Councillor Roberts submits a report presenting the priorities and the supporting activities of the Educational Development Plan for 2002/2003. The Cabinet is asked to approve the Plan. The comments of the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee from 21 January will be reported at the meeting.

Councillor Roberts submitted a report presenting the priorities and the supporting activities of the Educational Development Plan (EDP) for 2002/2003.

Councillor Roberts pointed out the extensive consultation already undertaken on the plan and the broad approval of the plan’s strategic priorities. He also noted the difficulties faced by the Education Department in completing the Plan due to the lateness with which the guidance on completing the Plan was received from the Government and all the necessary consultation that was required. It was noted this was a difficulty faced by Local Education Authorities throughout the Country. He also noted the views of the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee regarding the lack of time to carry out full scrutiny on the Plan. He stated that an additional meeting of the Scrutiny Committee was being held to consider the plan, but asked that Officers look at ways of involving them earlier in future.

RESOLVED:

that the Education Development Plan be recommended to Council for approval;

Councillor Patel submits a report proposing a new corporate approach for Voluntary Sector funding arrangements within the Council’s Revenue Budget Strategy for 2002/03 to 2004/05. The Cabinet is asked to comment on the report in the light of the comments of the Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee from its meeting on 24 January, which will be reported to the meeting.

Councillor Patel submitted a report proposing a new corporate approach for Voluntary Sector funding arrangements within the Council’s Revenue Budget Strategy for 2002/03 to 2004/05.

The minutes of the Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee on the 24 January 2002 had been circulated to Members of the Cabinet. With regard to the suggestion that voluntary bodies have a right of representation to the appropriate Scrutiny Committee, the Cabinet supported this in principle, subject to arrangements in each department being agreed with Scrutiny Triumvirates. It was also agreed that as details became available about the reviews of voluntary bodies, Scrutiny Committees should be able to make comment to Cabinet. With regard to Scrutiny concerns that the process was budget driven he said he hoped that the further reports on the detail of the policy would address these concerns.

RESOLVED:

that the new policy approach to funding Voluntary Sector Organisations, be endorsed;

Councillor Getliffe submits a report seeking confirmation of the City Council’s interest in the possible development of a health and social care centre with Leicester City West Primary Care Trust and the Braunstone Community Association in Braunstone. The Cabinet is asked to: confirm the City Council’s interest in participating in the development of a Health and Social Care Centre for Braunstone; delegate to the Director of Social Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead for Social Services and Personal Health, authority to submit the joint Outline Business Case; and receive further reports on the progress of the project, including any future land, property or service implications.

Councillor Getliffe submitted a report seeking confirmation of the City Council’s interest in the possible development in Braunstone of a health and social care centre with Leicester City West Primary Care Trust and the Braunstone Community Association.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the City Council’s interest in participating in the development of a Health and Social Care Centre for Braunstone, be confirmed;

(2)that the Director of Social Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead for Social Services and Personal Health, be given delegated authority to submit the joint Outline Business Case; and

(3)that the Cabinet receive further reports on the progress of the project, including any future land, property or service implications.

Councillor Getliffe submits a report introducing a draft version of the Local Authority led Joint Investment Plan (JIP) for Adults with Learning Disability, which Central Government requires to be completed by 31 January 2002. The Cabinet is asked to endorse the Joint Investment Plan subject to the views of the Learning Disability Partnership Board and to delegate authority to confirm the Plan to the Director of Social Services in consultation with the Cabinet Lead for Social Services and Personal Health. The comments of the Social Services and Personal Health Scrutiny Committee from January 16 will be reported to the meeting.

Councillor Getliffe submitted a report that introduced a draft version of the Local Authority let Joint Investment Plan (JIP) for Adults with a Learning Disability, which Central Government requires to be completed by 31 January 2002.

The minutes of the Social Services and Personal Health Scrutiny Committee from 16 January 2002 had been circulated to Members of the Cabinet. Councillor Getliffe noted their views stating they were broadly supportive to the Plan. They did however request that the existing Gorse Hill Hospital not be closed by the NHS until alternative arrangements had been put in place. The Cabinet agreed with this view.

RESOLVED:

                     that the Joint Investment Plan be endorsed, subject to the views of the Learning Disability Partnership Board and the Director of Social Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Social Services and Personal Health be given delegated authority to confirm the plan.

Councillor Draycott submits a report indicating how improvements can be achieved in the day-to-day delivery of housing services to tenants, homeless people, benefit claimants, and others by additional investment in customer care initiatives. The Cabinet is asked to allocate £350,000 from the Housing Revenue Account reserves to progress service improvements through customer care initiatives; and authorise the Director of Housing, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead for Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal, to spend up to £350, 000 following consultation with tenants and other housing clients.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report indicating how improvements could be achieved in the day-to-day delivery of housing services to tenants, homeless people, benefit claimants and others by additional investment in customer care initiatives.

RESOLVED:

(1)that £350, 000 is allocated from the Housing Revenue Account reserves to progress service improvements through customer care initiatives; and

(2)that the Director of Housing be given delegated authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Housing and Neighbourhood Renewal, to spend up to £350, 000 following consultation with tenants and other housing clients.

Councillor Patel submits a report which notes changes required to be made to the Revised Statement of Accounts 2000/01 following the unqualified audit opinion by the District Auditor. The Cabinet is asked to note the revised Statement of Accounts for 2000/2001. Copies of the revised statement of accounts are available from the Accountancy Section in the Town Clerk’s and Corporate Resources Department on (0116) 252 6013.

Councillor Patel submitted a report which noted the changes required to be made to the Revised Statement of Accounts 2000/01 following an unqualified audit opinion by the District Auditor.

RESOLVED:

                        that the Cabinet note the revised Statement of Accounts for 2000/2001.

Councillor Osman submits a report informing Cabinet of the new Attendance Management Policy and seeks approval for implementation. The Cabinet is asked to endorse the Attendance Management Policy enabling implementation following appropriate notice to all employees; and to note the identified changes in the new policy compared to the previous policy as at appendix 2 of the report.

Councillor Osman submitted a report informing the Cabinet of the new Attendance Management Policy and seeking approval for implementation.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Attendance Management Policy be approved enabling appropriate notice to be given to employees before implementation; and

(2) that the identified changes in the new policy compared to the previous policy be noted.

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.

FREEHOLD PURCHASE OF 499, SAFFRON LANE

FREEEHOLD SALE OF FORMER COLEMAN INFANT SCHOOL, THE WAYNE WAY, LEICESTER, BY SEALED OFFER

FREEHOLD SALE OF 63 HIGHFIELD STREET TO THE FOUNDATION HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED

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 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.

FREEHOLD PURCHASE OF 499, SAFFRON LANE

FREEHOLD SALE OF THE FORMER COLEMAN INFANT SCHOOL, THE WAYNE WAY, LEICESTER, BY SEALED OFFER

FREEHOLD SALE OF 63 HIGHFIELD STREET TO THE FOUNDATION HOUSING ASSOCIATION LIMITED 

Councillor Patel submits a report.

Councillor Patel submitted report requesting the Cabinet’s approval for the freehold purchase of 499 Saffron Lane.

RESOLVED:

that the purchase of the freehold interest in 499 Saffron Lane be approved under the terms detailed in the report.

Councillor Patel submits a report.

Councillor Patel submitted a report seeking authorisation to sell the freehold interest in the former Coleman Infant School, The Wayne Way, Leicester.

Councillor Draycott sought assurances that the terms agreed by the Cabinet meeting on 10 September 2001, that safeguarded the interests of nearby occupiers were included in the conditions of sale. The Officer assured Members that these conditions would be included as covenants in the terms of the sale.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services be given delegated authority to agree the freehold sale of the former Coleman Infant School, under the terms detailed in the report, including the conditions agreed by the Cabinet, at it’s meeting on 10 September 2001;

(2)that the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services be granted delegated authority, in consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Finance and Resources to approve the sale of the premises to an alternative purchaser should the proposed sale not proceed to completion.

Councillor Patel submits a report.

Councillor Patel submitted a report which sought the Cabinet’s approval to sell the freehold interest in 63 Highfield Street, Leicester.

RESOLVED:

                        that the Council’s freehold interest in 63 Highfield Street be sold                 under the terms detailed in the report.

The meeting closed at 5.50pm.