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 Act 1972 applied to them.

There were no declarations.

Councillor Willmott congratulated staff and councillors on the achievement of two beacon status awards for homelessness and for community cohesion. He noted there were only two other councils in the country who had achieved a similar level of beacon status awards.

Councillor Willmott noted the Council had been awarded Neighbourhood Renewal Funding at the current level for 2004/05 and for 2005/06.

Councillor Willmott referred to the success of the New Parks Customer Service Centre which had received 3000 visitors since it opened. Councillor Holden also commented that he had attended a community association meeting in New Parks where he had received very complimentary comments about the level of service provided by the Centre.

Councillor Holden also informed the Cabinet of the Council’s success at the recent Waterways Renaissance Awards. The Council received commendations for its Riverside Ranger Service and for its Leicester Greenlife Boat Project. He noted this was the only Local Authority service of its kind nominated for this kind of award.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 March 2003, have been circulated to Members and the Cabinet is asked to approve them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

that the minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 24 March 2003  and the special meeting held on 24 March 2003, the latter being a ‘qualifying’ meeting under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1972 General Disposals Consents 1998, be taken as read and signed by the Chair as a correct record, subject to minute 237 of the minutes of the ordinary meeting, being amended to include the Chief Executive on the Community Cohesion Taskforce.

FINANCE, RESOURCES AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES SCRUTINY COMMITTEE - 20 MARCH 2003

TRANSPORT CONFERENCE / MEETING THE NEEDS OF DISABLED

PEOPLE – PROGRESS REPORT

The full minute will be circulated as soon as it is available.

RESOLVED:

(1)That the Committee express its disappointment to learn of the inability of the Dial a Ride service to satisfy the level of demand being expressed (ie 1 in 5 requests going unsatisfied) and urges the Cabinet to seek out means to redirect resources to this particular scheme.

Councillor Osman / Bhatti to respond.

The Cabinet received the following item from the Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee held on 20 March 2003.

TRANSPORT CONFERENCE / MEETING THE NEEDS OF DISABLED PEOPLE – PROGRESS REPORT

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Committee express its disappointment to learn of the inability of the Dial a Ride service to satisfy the level of demand being expressed (ie 1 in 5 requests going unsatisfied) and urges the Cabinet to seek out means to redirect resources to this particular scheme.

Councillor Osman commented that he appreciated that the service was well liked and used. He also noted the concerns of the Scrutiny Committee and stated he would be working with Councillor Bhatti to consider these concerns and take the matter forward.

Councillor Willmott also commented that the service was a success and he would want it to improve to meet its users’ needs.

Councillor Kavia submits a report seeking approval for Supplementary Planning Guidance on the use of premises for food and drink purposes (A3 uses) in town district and local centres.

The relevant minutes extract from the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on February 2003 are attached to the report.

The relevant minutes extract from the Development Control Sub-Committee held on 3 December 2002 will be circulated before the meeting.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report seeking approval for Supplementary Planning Guidance on the use of premises for food and drink purposes (A3 uses) in town, district and local centres.

The minutes of the Development Control Sub-Committee held on 3 December 2002 were circulated to the Cabinet and the minutes of the Strategic Planning and Regeneration Scrutiny Committee held on 20 February were attached to the report.

Members of the Cabinet queried whether the comments of the Development Control Sub-Committee had been considered. The Service Director, Planning and Sustainable Development commented that their views had been taken in to account when drafting the final version of the guidance.

RESOLVED:

that the Supplementary Planning Guidance on the use of premises for food and drink purposes (A3 uses) in town, district and local centres, as attached to the report, be approved for publication.

Councillor Holden submits a report updating the Cabinet the progress of the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan. The Cabinet is asked to endorse the final version of the Strategy and Action Plan, support an assessment of the potential implications of climate change on Council services by the Arts, Leisure and Environment Scrutiny Committee and request that the Cabinet Lead Member for Arts, Leisure and the Environment write to the Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt MP, to pursue potential sources of funding to take forward the key actions put forward by the Strategy.

The Appendix to this report is attached for Members of the Cabinet only. Copies of this document can be obtained either from the Council’s website www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk or by phoning Committee Services on (0116) 252 6022.

Councillor Holden submitted a report updating the Cabinet with progress on the Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan. The strategy reviewed progress in Leicester since the 1994 Leicester Energy Strategy and presented the new strategy on which there had been wide consultation.

Councillor Holden noted in particular that one of the main recommendations was the establishment of an Energy Services Company (ESCO). He commended this idea as it would mean a more efficient means of energy production.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the final version of the Leicester Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan, as attached to the report be endorsed;

(2)that an assessment of the potential implications of climate change on Council services be submitted for consideration to the Arts, Leisure and Environment Scrutiny Committee; and

(3)that the Cabinet Lead Member for Arts, Leisure and Environment write to the Energy Minister, the Rt. Hon. Patricia Hewitt MP, to pursue potential sources of funding to take forward the key actions put forward by the Strategy.

Councillor Draycott submits a report presenting the Youth Justice Plan 2003-04 update. The Plan sets out how youth justice services are to be provided in each area and how they are to be funded. The Cabinet is asked to endorse the Plan and recommend it to Council for approval.

The Plan is attached for Members of the Cabinet only. Copies of the Plan can be obtained on the Council’s website at www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk  by phoning Committee Services on (0116) 252 6022.

Councillor Draycott submitted a report presenting the Youth Justice Plan 2003-04 update. The Plan set out how youth justice services were to be provided in each area and how they were to be funded.

Members of the Cabinet commended the work of the Youth Offending Team and welcomed the progress made.

RESOLVED:

that the Cabinet endorse the Youth Justice Plan 2003-04 Update, as attached to the report and recommend it to Council for approval.

Councillor Holden submits a report providing an update on the delivery of the Visitor Development Strategy and seeking approval for Stage 2 of the Action Plan. The Cabinet is recommended to approve the action plan attached to the report and support future work to develop the Strategy, particularly ‘Leicester Revealed’, with other partners through the Leicester Strategic Partnership.

The Strategy is attached is for members of the Cabinet only. Copies of this document can be obtained from the Council’s website www.cabinet.leicester.gov.uk or by phoning Committee Services on (0116) 252 6022.

Councillor Willmott submitted a report providing an update on the delivery of the Visitor Development Strategy and seeking approval for Stage 2 of the Action Plan.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the Visitor Development Strategy Action Plan as attached to the report be approved; and

(2)that future work be undertaken to develop the Strategy, particularly ‘Leicester Revealed’, with other partners through the Leicester Strategic Partnership.

Councillor Roberts submits a report advising the Cabinet of the capital allocations made available by the Department of Education and Skills for 2003-04 and to update proposals for the Education and Lifelong Learning Department for 2003-04 and subsequent years. The Cabinet is asked to note the allocations made available by the Government, approve additions to the capital programme, approve the revised level of programme expenditure, authorise the Corporate Director of Education and Lifelong Learning to implement the programme following consultation and note that members will receive detailed proposals for the capital programme at the earliest opportunity.

The relevant minutes extract from the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee from 19 March 2003 are attached to the report.

Councillor Roberts submitted a report advising the Cabinet of the capital allocations made available by the Department for Education and Skills for 2003-04 and to update the proposals for the Education and Lifelong Learning Department for 2003-04 and subsequent years.

The minutes of the Education and Lifelong Learning Scrutiny Committee held on 19 March 2003 were attached to the report.  Councillor Roberts commented that the report was noted at the meeting.

Councillor Roberts circulated a set of amended recommendations. Members were concerned that these would delay the implementation of the Capital Programme although these were necessary to meet constitutional requirements. Officers commented that they did not expect the implementation of the Capital Programme to be affected by this change.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the capital allocations made available by the Government, be noted;

(2)that the Corporate Director of Education and Lifelong Learning be authorised to approve the additions to the capital programme as detailed in 2.2 and 2.3 of the report, subject to the provisions of Rule 14 of the Access to Information Rules of the Council’s constitution;

(3)that the Corporate Director of Education and Lifelong Learning be authorised to approve the revised level of programmed expenditure as detailed in paragraphs 3.1 and appendix A of the report, subject to the provisions of Rule 14 of the Access to Information Rules of the Council’s constitution;

(4)that Council be recommended to approve those matters contained within the Capital Programme (as detailed in the table attached to the report) which relate to Single Capital Pot resources, as follows:-

-Schools Access Initiative 2003/04: £400,000

-Hamilton Sports Hall £300,000

-Basic Needs £752,000

-Expanding Popular Schools £248,000

and to note these matters will be referred to the Finance, Resources and Equal Opportunities Scrutiny Committee;

(5)that the Corporate Director of Education and Lifelong Learning be authorised to implement the initial programme in consultation with the Schools Forum and the Cabinet Lead for Education and Lifelong Learning, subject to the provisions of Rule 14 of the Access to Information Rules of the Council’s constitution; and

(6)that the Cabinet receive detailed proposals for the capital programme at the earliest opportunity.

Councillor Patel submits a report which reviews the current Risk Management Strategy and presents a new strategy which will positively support both the Comprehensive Performance Assessment and Corporate Governance agenda. The Cabinet is recommended to adopt the revised Risk Management Strategy.

Councillor Patel submitted a report which reviewed the current Risk Management Strategy and presented a new strategy which supported both the Comprehensive Performance Assessment and the Corporate Governance agenda.

RESOLVED:

that the Risk Management Strategy, as attached to the report be adopted and in particular the following be approved:-

-      policy statement,

-      roles and responsibilities of key individuals,

-      use of a risk assessment matrix in all reports seeking significant decisions,

-      development of risk registers in each department, facilitated by external consultancy,

-      designation of specific officers in departments to be departmental risk officers with responsibility for progressing Risk Management,

-      use of £100,000 in 2003/04 from the Risk Management Fund as pump priming money for the Departmental Risk Officers, to be allocated to departments with reference to the amount of operational risk faced by each,

-      production of an annual report on delivery of the risk management strategy.

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

Paragraph 7

Information relating to the financial affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).

PFI AND WASTE MANAGEMENT – EXCEPTION / EXCLUSION FROM THE CONTRACT PROCEDURE RULES OF THE COUNCIL’S CONSTITUTION

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

Paragraph 7

Information regarding the financial affairs of any particular person (other than the authority).

PFI AND WASTE MANAGEMENT – EXCEPTION / EXCLUSION FROM THE CONTRACT PROCEDURE RULES OF THE COUNCIL’S CONSTITUTION

Councillor Patel submits a report.

Councillor Patel submitted a report regarding the progress of the Development Partnership project following the expiration of the lock-out period within the lock-out agreement entered into last year. The report also sought to clarify the roles between this project and the Leicester Regeneration Company’s projects.

RESOLVED:

(1)that the lock-out be extended for six months to allow outstanding issues to be resolved with the intention of the City Council not only entering into a development agreement with the developer identified within the report to take forward the proposals in respect of Phase 1 of the project but also to start the process for appraising a possible Phase 2;

(2)that the City Council responds to the Leicester Regeneration Company as recommended within the report;

(3)that the Corporate Director of Resources, Access and Diversity be authorised, in consultation with the Cabinet Leads for Finance and Resources, and Strategic Planning and Regeneration to agree the following:

a)to extend the lock-out period beyond the 6 months if the circumstances arise which necessitates such action,

b)the Business Plan and the terms of the proposed development agreement, as referred to in the report.

Councillor Holden submits a report.

Councillor Holden submitted a report advising the Cabinet of the application of Contract Procedure Rule 4.1(k) to facilitate the procurement of urgent facilities for the receipt and processing of collected recyclable waste following the closure of Planet Works.

RESOLVED:

that the decision of the Corporate Director of Environment, Regeneration and Development to apply Contract Procedure Rule 4.1(k) in view of the circumstances outlined in the report, be noted.

The meeting closed at 5.25pm.