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 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 applied to them.

No declarations were made.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 11 March 2001, 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 the Cabinet held on 11 March 2002, having been circulated to Members, be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

Councillor Willmott referred to his attendance at a regional programme monitoring Committee of European Union Objective 2 funding held in Nottinghamshire, at which the City Council had been awarded £10 million.  He noted that this was a testament to partnership working in respect of regeneration initiatives.  The £10 million would involve 10 wards in the City and a large part would be used as a contribution to the development of the St George’s area.

Councillor Willmott expressed his thanks to all those who had been involved in securing funding.

Councillor Getliffe submits a report presenting the Quality Protects Management Action Plan (MAP) for 2002/2003 and outlining the process of implementing the Plan. Quality Protects is a national initiative intended to transform Children’s social services and improve the life chances of all children in need. The Cabinet is asked to endorse the Quality Protects Management Action Plan 2002/03 and the process of dissemination, implementation and scrutiny outlined in the report and agree to receive a regular report on the Council’s Corporate Parenting Strategy.

The minutes of the Social Services and Personal Health Scrutiny Committee held on 21 February 2002 and the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee held on 13 March 2002 will be circulated to the Cabinet in due course.

The Quality Protects – Management Action Plan 2002/2003 has been attached for the Cabinet. Copies of this document can be obtained from the City Council’s website (www.leicester.gov.uk) under the link to Council meetings and decisions or by phoning (0116) 252 6022.

Councillor Getliffe submitted a report presenting the Quality Protects Management Action Plan for 2002/2003 and outlining the process of implementing the plan. It was noted that ‘Quality Protects’ was a national initiative intended to transform Children’s Social Services and improve the life chances of all children in need.  There were 11 ‘Quality Protects’ objectives, 2 of which received special priority with ringfenced grants; Objective 5 relating to prevention of social exclusion of young people leaving care and Objective 6 relating to ensuring the needs of children with disability or a health condition are met.

It was noted that the Plan placed an emphasis on Corporate responsibility for Looked After Children and the involvement of Elected Members.  The latter had been achieved by the cross party ‘Quality Protects’ Working Group.

The minutes of the meetings of the Social Services and Personal Health Scrutiny Committee held on 21 February 2002 and the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee held on 13 March 2002 were circulated to the Cabinet.

Councillor Getliffe wished to record his thanks to the work of officers in producing the Plan

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Quality Protects Management Action Plan 2002/03 and the process of dissemination, implementation and scrutiny outlined in the report, be endorsed; and

(2)that a regular report on the Council’s Corporate Parenting Strategy be submitted to Cabinet.

Councillor Subedar submits a report seeking approval to spend money on various transport schemes in accordance with the Council’s transport policies. The report outlines a number of different proposals to improve transport around the City to be funded from different sources. The Cabinet is asked to; authorise expenditure of £10.067 million on the transport capital programme; approve the programme of works for 2002/03 as set out in Appendix A; delegate authority to the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services to implement the programme, including the making of contracts, provided that expenditure on the programme does not exceed the budgets available and to authorise the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services in consultation, with the relevant Cabinet Members, to vary the programme, provided such variations help achieve the Council’s transport policy.

The Minutes of the Highways and Transportation Scrutiny Committee held on 27 February 2002 are attached to the report.

Councillor Subedar submitted a report seeking approval to spend money on various transport schemes, in accordance with the Council’s transport policies. The report outlined a number of different proposals to improve transport around the City, to be funded from different sources.

The minutes of the Highways and Transportation Scrutiny Committee held on 27 February 2002 were circulated with the report.

In response to a question, it was reported that finance for McDonald Road car park could be included, as part of an integrated approach to transport and funded from this programme.

RESOLVED:

(1)that authorisation be given for expenditure of £10.067 million on the transport capital programme;

(2)that the programme of works for 2002/03, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved;

(3)that the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services be authorised to implement the programme, including approving the making of contracts, provided that expenditure on the programme does not exceed the budgets available; and

(4)that the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Members, be authorised to vary the programme, provided that such variations are proposed in order to help achieve the Council's transport policy.

Councillor Holden submits a report updating Members on the Braunstone Park Regeneration Project and the joint working relationship between Leicester City Council and the Braunstone Community Association. The report seeks approval to support the Braunstone Community Association in the appointment of a Landscape Consultant and also outlines plans for a joint management arrangement of Braunstone Park. The Cabinet is asked to; note the partnership with the Braunstone Community Association; approve the Council to act as agent for the BCA to appoint the Landscape Consultant; approve the contents of the consultants brief; request the consultants undertake an objective evaluation of alternative management options for Braunstone Park; approve the appointment of Plincke Landscapes Ltd as landscape consultant for the project subject to additional agreements and agree to receive further reports at appropriate stages in the development of the project.

Councillor Holden submitted a report updating the Cabinet on the Braunstone Park Regeneration Project and the joint working relationship between Leicester City Council and the Braunstone Community Association. The report sought approval to the appointment of a Landscape Consultant and also outlined plans for a joint management arrangement of Braunstone Park.  It was noted that  £2 million of New Deal finance had been allocated to the Park, in recognition by the Braunstone Community Association, of the importance of the Park to the local community and the potential for the Park to significantly contribute to the social, economic and environmental regeneration of Braunstone.

A revised recommendation 2. was circulated.

RESOLVED:

(1)       that the partnership established between the Council and the Braunstone Community Association on the Braunstone Park Regeneration Project, be noted and the continuation of this shared approach to derive maximum benefit  to Braunstone and the City, be supported;

(2)       that the Council appoint a Landscape Consultant to develop all aspects of the Park Project and enter into a funding agreement with the Braunstone Community Association for the reasons outlined in the report;

(3)       that the consultants brief  include:-

(a)       the preparation of outline project proposals and a feasibility study on the Park improvement plans ensuring value for money and maximum use benefit for Braunstone and the City,

(b)       the preparation of a funding strategy to ensure maximum leverage of the Braunstone Community Association commitment of £2m to the redevelopment of the Park;

(4)       that the appointed Landscape Architects role be extended to undertake, on behalf of the City Council, an objective evaluation of alternative management options for Braunstone Park (to be funded from existing Parks budgets) to include the long term influence and benefit of the Braunstone Community;       

(5)       that, Plincke Landscapes Ltd. Be appointed as Landscape Consultant for the Braunstone Park Regeneration Project; and

(6)       that further reports be submitted to Cabinet at appropriate stages in the development of the project including completion of outline proposals and the study of alternative management options.

Councillor Draycott submits a report which summarises the proposed programme of environmental works to be carried out in the declared renewal areas to avoid the area falling back into decline. The Cabinet is asked to approve the proposed works in Appendix 1 of the report and approve that owners benefiting from rear wall improvements contribute £150 for skips and other facilities.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report which summarised the proposed programme of environmental works to be carried out in the declared renewal areas to avoid the areas falling back into decline.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the environmental works outlined in Appendix 1 of the report, be approved; and

(2)that owners benefiting from rear wall improvements contribute £150 for skips and other facilities.

Councillor Draycott submits a report summarising the findings from the pilot scheme of a two year citywide Home Maintenance Service approved by the Housing Committee in March 2000. The report recommends what future direction the strategy should take. The Cabinet is asked to approved the proposed programme outlined in the report and to confirm that Home Repair Assistance Grants continue to be available in support of the citywide home maintenance strategy, the minimum cost works eligible for grant to be £200.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report summarising the findings from the pilot scheme of a two year citywide Home Maintenance Service, approved by the Housing Committee in March 2000. It was noted that, since it’s introduction in April 2000, the Citywide Home Maintenance Strategy had been successful in providing services to 7014 owner-occupiers outside of Renewal Areas.  It was noted that services included advice and assistance on home maintenance, energy efficiency and home security and the provision of Home Repair Grants.

The report recommended what future direction the strategy should take.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the proposed programme for Home Maintenance Inspections, as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved; and

(2)that Home Repair Assistance Grants continue to be available in support of the citywide home maintenance strategy, subject to a minimum net cost of works eligible for grant to be £200.

Councillor Subedar submits a report detailing the proposed protocol for major roadworks to be issued to stakeholders of the City’s highway infrastructure. The report also details consultation that has taken place on the protocol. The Cabinet is asked to approve the protocol.

Councillor Subedar submitted a report detailing the proposed protocol for major roadworks to be issued to stakeholders of the City’s highway infrastructure.

RESOLVED:

                        that the protocol be approved.

Councillor Subedar submits a report that seeks to clarify the present situation with regard to the extension of residents parking schemes and the future timetable for such works. The report seeks approval to the basic principles with regard to the design and implementation of such schemes. The Cabinet is asked to; approve the timetable for the extension of residents parking schemes set out in the Supporting Information; confirm that the scheme must be self financing and therefore, with effect from the date of introduction of the Highfields South area scheme, the cost of residents parking permits be raised to £48 per annum; approve the strategy for designing and implementing residents parking schemes as set out in Appendix 1 and approve a further round of public consultation in view of the increase in the cost of permits and the strategies approved for the implementation of the schemes.

Councillor Subedar submitted a report that sought to clarify the present situation with regard to the extension of residents parking schemes and the future timetable for such works. The report also sought approval to the basic principles with regard to the design and implementation of such schemes.

It was noted that the Police would be providing the enforcement of Residents Parking Schemes, under the terms of a contract with the Council.  The cost of the enforcement would be met from income generated by the scheme.  In response to a concern raised by Councillor Draycott regarding clarity for members of the public with regard to responsibility for the scheme, it was acknowledged that the issue of communications with residents needed to be addressed.  In response to a question from Councillor Osman with regard to community groups and faith communities, it was reported that this issue would be addressed during the consultation process with residents in the areas concerned.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the timetable for the introduction of residents parking schemes set out in the Supporting Information of the report, be approved;

(2)that it be confirmed that the scheme must be self financing and therefore, with effect from the date of introduction of the Highfields South area scheme, the cost of residents parking permits be raised to £48 per annum;

(3)that the strategy for designing and implementing residents parking schemes set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved;

(4)that, in view of the increase in the cost of permits and the strategies approved for the implementation of residents parking schemes, a further round of public consultation be carried out.

Councillor Subedar submits a report containing revised proposals for spending the surplus income generated by the on street parking scheme to improve transport in the City. The Cabinet is asked to; approve the proposals for spending the surplus income as set out in the appendix to the report and to delegate authority to the Director of Environment, Development and Commercial Services to vary the amounts spent on the various items referred to in the Appendix, subject to funding being available.

The minutes of the Highways and Transportation Scrutiny Committee held on 27 February 2002 are attached to the report.

Councillor Subedar submitted a report containing the revised proposals to improve transport in the City, to be funded from the surplus income generated by the on street parking scheme.

It was noted that McDonald Street Car Park, referred to in paragraph 1.18 of the Supporting Information could now be deleted, as it was included in the Transport Capital Programme.

The Minutes of the Highways and Transportation Scrutiny held on 27 February 2002 had been circulated with the report.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the proposals for spending the surplus income, as set out in the report, with the deletion of McDonald Street Car Park, be approved; and

(2)that the Director of  Environment, Development and Commercial Services be authorised to vary the amounts spent on the various items, subject to funding being available.

Councillor Subedar submits a report which details a successful joint bid with Leicestershire Police, submitted to the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions in December 2001, to be part of the national programme for additional safety cameras for the Leicestershire Police Area, to be funded from fine income. The Cabinet is asked to; note the success of the joint bid commencing in April 2002; confirm Leicester City Council’s agreement to be part of the scheme as set out in the operational case in Appendix A of the report; note the programme for introducing additional cameras agreed by the Safety Camera Scheme; and to confirm that any requests for safety cameras outside the programme will be assessed for inclusion in future programmes of work.

Councillor Subedar submitted a report which detailed a successful joint bid with Leicestershire Police, submitted to the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions in December 2001, to be part of the national programme for additional safety cameras for the Leicestershire Police Area.  The cameras would be funded from fine income.

RESOLVED:

(1)               to note that the joint bid submitted to the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions, to be part of the rollout programme for additional safety cameras for the Leicestershire Police Area, to be funded from fine income, had been successful and that the scheme would commence in April 2002;

(2)               that Leicester City Council's agreement to be part of the scheme as set out in the operational case in Appendix A of the report, be confirmed;

(3)               that the programme for introducing additional cameras agreed by the Safety Camera Scheme within the City as set out in Appendix B to the report and the Public Relations and Publicity Strategy set out in Appendix C to the report, be noted; and

(4)               to confirm that any requests for safety cameras outside the programme would be assessed for inclusion in future programmes of work.

Councillor Kavia submits a report presenting the Manor Farm Housing Site – Site Development Guidance. The Guidance will be used to guide the design and future layout for this part of Manor Farm to ensure that a high standard of development is achieved. The Cabinet is asked to adopt the Manor Farm Housing Site – Site Development Guidance to City of Leicester Local Plan.

The minutes of the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on the 20 February 2002 are attached to the report.

Councillor Kavia submitted a report presenting the Manor Farm Housing Site – Site Development Guidance. It was noted that the Guidance would be used to guide the design and future layout for this part of Manor Farm to ensure that a high standard of development was achieved.

The comments of the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on 20 February 2001 were circulated with the report and it was noted that changes had been made to the Guidance, arising from the comments of the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:

that the Manor Farm Housing Site – Site Development Guidance, be adopted as supplementary planning guidance to the City of Leicester Local Plan.

Councillor Kavia submits a report setting out the planning and urban design requirements for the Towers Hospital site on Gipsy Lane, part of Wycombe Road Allotments and Albermarle Hall site on Humberstone Drive. The guidance will be used to guide the design and future layout for the site to ensure a high standard of guidance is achieved. Subject to the amendments mentioned in the supporting information, the Cabinet is recommended to adopt the guidance as supplementary planning guidance to the Local Plan.

The minutes of the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on 20 February 2002 are attached to the report.

Councillor Kavia submited a report setting out the planning and urban design requirements for the Towers Hospital site on Gipsy Lane, Part of Wycombe Road Allotments and Albermarle Hall Site on Humberstone Drive. It was noted that the guidance would be used to guide the design and future layout of the site to ensure a high standard of development was achieved.

The comments of the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on 20 February 2001 were circulated with the report.   In particular the comments of the Scrutiny Committee with regard to links with the Mundella site were noted and endorsed.

RESOLVED:

that the Towers – Site Development Guidance be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the City of Leicester Local Plan.

Councillor Kavia submits a report which sets out the planning and urban design requirements for the development of the former Mundella Community College site. The Supplementary Planning Guidance will be used to guide the design and future layout of the site to ensure a high standard of development is achieved. The Cabinet is asked to adopt the guidance as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the City of Leicester Local Plan.

The minutes of the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on 20 February 2002 are attached to the report.

Councillor Kavia submitted a report which set out the planning and urban design requirements for the development of the former Mundella Community College site. It was noted that the Supplementary Planning Guidance would be used to guide the design and future layout of the site to ensure a high standard of development was achieved.

It was noted that Supplementary Planning Guidance, whilst providing an indication of what the Council would consider as suitable development for a site, was not a definitive statement of what would be allowed and there was always room for flexibility, each application being considered on it’s merits, whilst bearing the Guidance in mind.  Therefore, although the proposals for the site would be primarily based around residential schemes, it would be possible to consider residential development on this site with associated community facilities located on the Towers site.

RESOLVED:

that the supplementary planning guidance for the former Mundella Community College be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the City of Leicester Local Plan.

Councillor Kavia submits a report outlining the site development guidance for St George’s Church and the former Odeon Cinema. Both of these buildings are listed and stand within the St George’s Conservation Area and Strategic Regeneration Area. Once adopted the site development guidance will advise existing landowners and potential developers of the types of alternative uses that will be appropriate within the listed buildings. The Cabinet is recommended to adopt the site development guidance for St George’s Church and the former Odeon Cinema as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the City of Leicester Local Plan.

The minutes of the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on 15 January 2002 are attached to the report.

Councillor Kavia submitted a report outlining the site development guidance for St George’s Church and the former Odeon Cinema. It was noted that both of these buildings were listed and stood within the St. George’s Conservation Area and Strategic Regeneration Area. Once adopted, the Site Development Guidance would advise existing landowners and potential developers of the types of alternative uses that would be considered appropriate within the listed buildings.

RESOLVED:

that the site development guidance for St. George’s Church and the former Odeon Cinema be adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance to the City of Leicester Local Plan.

Councillor Patel submits a report asking the Cabinet to consider and approve a Prosecutions Policy which has been produced as the result of the view expressed by the District Auditor in his management letter, that a policy should be produced to link in with action the Council is taking to combat fraud. The Cabinet is asked to agree the policy for adoption and to note in agreeing the policy, it also includes a specific departmental enforcement policy from Environment, Development and Commercial Services. The report also seeks authority for the Town Clerk, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Lead Member, to keep the Prosecutions Policy under regular review and to deal with further development of the policy and any consequential changes.

Councillor Patel submitted a report asking the Cabinet to consider and approve a Prosecutions Policy which had been produced as the result of the view expressed by the District Auditor in his management letter, that a policy should be produced to link in with action the Council is taking to combat fraud.

RESOLVED:

(1)       that the Prosecutions policy, as attached to the report, be adopted; 

(2)       that it be noted, in agreeing the policy, it also included a specific departmental enforcement policy for Environment and Development services; and

(3)       that the Town Clerk, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Lead, be authorised to keep the Prosecutions Policy under regular review and to deal with further development of the policy and any consequential changes.

Councilllor Patel submits a report recommending that the Council offer to trade up to £3 million of its Basic Credit Approval with another local authority or authorities for 2001/02, in order to reduce revenue expenditure in 2001/02 and 2002/03. The Cabinet is asked to authorise the Chief Financial Officer the power to trade up to £3 million of the authority’s Basic Credit Approval in 200102, in exchange for credit approval in 2002/03 and to make such trades in future years if it is financially advantageous to the Council.

Councillor Patel submitted a report recommending that the Council offer to trade up to £3 million of its Basic Credit Approval with another local authority or authorities for 2001/02, in order to reduce revenue expenditure in 2001/02 and 2002/03.  It was noted that it was anticipated that the Council would have a cashflow surplus of corporate resources for the end of the current financial year.  As a result, there was an opportunity to trade some of the Council’s Basic Credit Approval with another local authority or authorities.  Any trading of resources would be on the basis of simultaneous repayment in 2002/03, so there would be no loss of funding to the Council.  Such trading enabled the Council to ‘save’ 4% of the value of the traded Basic Credit Approval.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Chief Financial Officer be authorised to trade up to £3million of the authority’s Basic Credit Approval in 2001/02, in exchange for credit approval in 2002/03; and

(2)that the Chief Financial Officer be authorised to make such trades in future years, if it is financially advantageous to the Council.

The meeting ended at 5.45 pm.