Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Russell.

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 on the agenda and/or declare if Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applied to them. No such declarations were made.

The Leader welcomed Councillor Cooke, who was in attendance in advance of confirmation to the position of Cabinet Lead for Adults and Social Care at the next Council meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on  13 December 2010 and the minutes of the Special meetings of Cabinet held on 9 December 2010 and 22 December 2010 have been circulated to Members and the Cabinet is asked to approve them as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 13 December 2010 and the Special meetings held on 9 December 2010 and 22 December 2010 be confirmed as correct records.

There were no matters referred from committees.

Councillor Dempster submits a report that provides an overview of progress to date on raising achievement and priorities for further improvement in educational outcomes in Leicester, and which seeks agreement to the principles and key objectives of a new Raising Achievement Strategy, to sustain and build on recent improvements in outcomes.  Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations set out in Paragraph 2 of the report.

A minute extract from the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee meeting on 11 January 2011 will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Dempster submitted a report that provided an overview of progress to date on raising achievement and priorities for further improvement in educational outcomes in Leicester, and which sought agreement to the principles and key objectives of a new Raising Achievement Strategy, to sustain and build on recent improvements in outcomes.

RESOLVED:

                        That Cabinet:

1)     Endorses the ambition of the strategy to raise achievement and attainment levels in Leicester to national averages and higher;

2)     Agrees the five core principles of the Raising Achievement Strategy;

3)     Supports continued development of the strategy

Councillor Osman submits a report that provides an update on progress on the preparation of the Council’s Joint Waste Development Framework Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD).  Cabinet is requested to note the progress on the Joint Waste Development Framework Site Allocations DPD and approve the document for public consultation as set out in the report.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board held on 13 January 2011 will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Osman submitted a report that provided an update on progress on the preparation of the Council’s Joint Waste Development Framework Site Allocations Development Plan Document (DPD).

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet notes the progress on the Joint Waste Development Framework Site Allocations DPD and approves the document for public consultation as set out in the report.

Councillor Osman submits a report that informs Cabinet on the outcome of the public consultation for the draft Climate Change Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), presents the final version and seeks formal adoption. Cabinet is asked to approve the document for formal adoption.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board held on 13 January 2011 will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Osman submitted a report that informed Cabinet on the outcome of the public consultation for the draft Climate Change Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), presented the final version and sought formal adoption.

He stated that the comments of the Overview & Scrutiny Management Board would be taken into consideration.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the document for formal adoption.

Councillor Patel submits a report that advises Cabinet of the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) Assessment of Adult Social Care Services rating for 2010.  Cabinet is recommended to note the overall CQC grade awarded to Leicester in 2009/10.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board held on 13 January 2011 will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Cooke submitted a report that advised Members of the Council of the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) Assessment of Adult Social Care Services rating for 2010 and summarised the result and findings of the Annual Assessment of Performance process for Leicester City Council.

He noted that the Overview & Scrutiny Management Board endorsed the report.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet notes the overall CQC Grade awarded to Leicester in 2009/10.

Councillor Westley submits a report that summarises the financial position of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2010/11 and 2011/12 based on the draft Subsidy Determination. Cabinet is asked to note that if there are any changes to the figures in the Final Determination, they will be reported to Members at the meeting.  Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations set out in Paragraph 2 of the report.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board held on 13 January 2011 will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Westley submitted a report that summarised the financial position of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for 2010/11 and 2011/12 based on the draft Subsidy Determination. 

He drew Members’ attention to amended recommendations. He explained that Cabinet was recommended to limit the maximum increase due to the current difficulties many tenants were facing. He also informed Members that a tenancy working party was to be established and that this would have input into next year’s budget considerations.

He stated that the Overview & Scrutiny Management Board’s recommendation had been taken into account.

Members welcomed the inclusion of extra resources for environmental improvement and the introduction of a tenancy working party, which would continue to strengthen work started by Tenants’ and Residents’ Associations.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet approves the setting of rents for 2011/12 on the basis of formula rents but limit the maximum increase to 6.3%, giving an overall average increase of 5.9% across the stock, and use £267,000 from HRA balances to facilitate this. If adopted this will result in the following revised spread of increases across the stock.

Councillor Westley submits a report that advises Members on the position at period 7 on this years capital programme, revises the forecast for the 2010/11 out-turn and proposes a one year housing capital programme for 2011/12.  Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations set out in Paragraph 2.3 of the report.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board held on 13 January 2011 will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Westley submitted a report that advised Members on the position at period 7 on this year’s capital programme, revised the forecast for the 2010/11 out-turn and proposed a one year housing capital programme for 2011/12, because of the uncertainty around housing finance at the present time, for Members approval.

He noted the support of the Overview & Scrutiny Management Board and tenants and residents. He drew Members’ attention to amended recommendations that had been circulated.

Members welcomed the report in the light of the investment, particularly the significant increase in grants for disability adaptations. It was also noted that the modernization programme had made a big difference in some communities.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet

1)     Approves the revised programme, outlined in Appendix 1, for 2010/11 and funding arrangements outlined in paragraph 3.2 of the Supporting Information, and authorizes the Director of Legal Services to enter into any contracts necessary to maximize the spend against the revised programme;

2)     Notes the ongoing position concerning Right to Buy and other capital receipts and its impact on the General Fund side of the Housing Capital Programme;

3)     Approves the resources shown in Appendix 2 of the report, including the use of Housing DSO Reserves, Housing Balances and the Prudential Borrowing Framework to support the Housing Capital Programme in 2011/12;

4)     Considers the Equality Impact Assessment appended to this report;

5)     Approves the Housing Capital Programme for 2011/12 outlined at Appendix 3 and delegates authority to the Divisional Director Housing Services in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member for Housing to authorize any contracts, and the Director of Legal Services to sign any contracts within the overall programme, to achieve a maximum spend against the resources available;

6)     Agrees to delegate authority to the Divisional Director of Housing Services, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Cabinet Lead for Housing to vary the programme and the use of Prudential Borrowing should the new Housing Finance System make this source of financing ‘unprudential’;

7)     Agrees to delegate authority to the Divisional Director Housing Services in consultation with the Lead Cabinet Member for Housing to determine the most appropriate use for any new housing capital receipts generated in year to support the Housing Capital Programme;

8)     Approves the use of any commuted sums realized in year for the acquisition of new affordable housing through either HomeCome or RSL’s via the Council’s scheme of Affordable Rent Grant;

9)     Notes that the 2011/12 Programme will be reviewed during the financial year; and

10)Agrees that the Programme includes £900k of HRA money for environmental works on council estates in the City. This money to be ringfenced for HRA schemes and under the control of the new post of Area Manager (Housing Services) and allocated on the basis of the number of Council dwellings in each of the Ward Areas. All schemes to be agreed with tenant’s representatives in the areas before being confirmed by the appropriate Ward Committee.

Councillor Dawood submits a report that sets out the performance for Quarter Two (July to September 2010) of the seven corporate contracts with voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations and the Community Cohesion contract with the Gujurat Hindu Association.  Cabinet is asked to note the recommendations set out in Paragraph 2 of the report.

A minute extract of the meeting of the Performance and Value for Money Select Committee held on 12 January 2011 will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Dawood submitted a report that set out performance for Quarter Two (July to September 2010) of the seven corporate contracts with voluntary and community sector (VCS) organisations and the Community Cohesion contract with the Gujurat Hindu Association.

Councillor Grant outlined the concerns of the Performance & Value for Money Select Committee relating to the lack of detail about targets and the difficulty of imposing targets mid-contract, although one had recently been renewed that also didn’t include targets. Councillor Dawood responded that the process was to be considered with officers. It was noted that this was the first time such a report had been submitted, and was an indication that the Council was taking such contracts seriously. It would be developed for future reporting.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet notes the performance of the contracts as set out in Appendix A of the report, and agrees that, in future these findings, where appropriate, be presented to Cabinet portfolio leads via their regular briefing sessions.

Councillor Patel submits a report that presents a summary of performance against the priorities set out in One Leicester for the second quarter of 2010/11.  Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations set out in Paragraph 2 of the report.

A minute extract from the meeting of the Performance and Value for Money Select Committee held on 12 January 2011 will be circulated as soon as it is available.

Councillor Patel submitted a report that presented a summary of performance against the priorities set out in One Leicester for the second quarter of 2010/11.

RESOLVED:

                        That Cabinet:

1)     Notes the performance for the second quarter;

2)     For those targets deemed to be at risk, asks that relevant strategic directors work with their Priority Boards to develop responses and ensure Cabinet Leads are briefed accordingly;

3)     Notes the implications for future performance reporting and management in the light of the coalition government’s policy statements and comprehensive spending review as set out in section 4 of the report.

Councillor Patel submits a report that seeks the agreement and support of Cabinet for the revised Risk Management Policy Statement and Risk Management Strategy as contained in the report. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations set out in Paragraph 4 of the report.

Councillor Patel submitted a report that sought the agreement and support of Strategic Management Board and Cabinet for the revised Risk Management Policy Statement and Risk Management Strategy as contained in the report.

Councillor Grant asked how the strategy would address issues such as those identified at De Montfort Hall. He was informed that key risks associated with each operational area would be included in a risk register.

RESOLVED:

                        That Cabinet:

1)     Accepts the progress made in implementing the actions arising from the Corporate Risk Management Strategy 2010 – Appendix 1 – Risk Management Strategy 2009/2010 - Action Plan - Update;

2)     Approves the 2011 Corporate Risk Management Policy Statement at Appendix 2. This sets out your attitude to risk and the approach to the challenges and opportunities facing the Council;

3)     Approves the Risk Management Strategy 2011 - Appendix 3 – Risk Management Strategy 2011;

4)     Approves the Action Plan detailing the actions arising from this paper necessary to integrate an acceptable Risk culture within the Council - Appendix 4 – Risk Management Strategy – Action Plan 2011.

Councillor Patel submits a report that seeks the agreement and support of Cabinet for the first Business Continuity Management Policy Statement and Business Continuity Management Strategy as contained in this report.  Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations set out in Paragraph 2 of the report.

Councillor Patel submitted a report that sought the agreement and support of Strategic Management Board and Cabinet for the first Business Continuity Management Policy Statement and Business Continuity Management Strategy as contained in the report.

RESOLVED:

                        That Cabinet:

1)         Approves the 2011 Corporate Business Continuity Management (BCM) Policy Statement at Appendix 1 of the report. This sets out the attitude to BCM and the approach to the challenges and opportunities facing the Council;

2)         Approves the Business Continuity Management Strategy (BCMS) 2011 at Appendix 2;

3)         Approves the ‘high level’ Action Plan detailing the actions arising from this paper necessary to integrate an acceptable Business Continuity culture within the Council. Appendix 3 – Business Continuity Management Strategy – Action Plan 2011.

4)         Agrees that a programme should be developed that covers:

·              Establishment and embeddedness of a BCMS  (PLAN);

·              Implementation of the BCM plans across all Divisions (DO);

·              Establish a system of internal audit reviews; BSI Assessments; and self-assessments by business managers and the BCM Co-Ordinator (CHECK);

·              Establish a mechanism to continually maintain and improve on an ongoing basis the plans, identifying both preventative and corrective actions (ACT).

Councillor Patel submits a report that details the recommended taxbase for the financial year 2011/2012. Cabinet is recommended to endorse a taxbase for 2011/2012 of 78,982 properties expressed as the equivalent number of “Band D” properties.

Councillor Patel submitted a report that details the recommended taxbase for the financial year 2011/2012.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet endorses a taxbase for 2011/2012 of 78,982 properties expressed as the equivalent number of “Band D” properties.

Councillor Patel submits a report that identifies the estimated position of the Collection Fund Account as at 31 March 2011 and seeks the approval of Cabinet to the estimated surplus figures and the amounts payable to the relevant authorities. Cabinet is asked to approve the recommendations set out in Paragraph 3 of the report.

Councillor Patel submitted a report that identified the estimated financial position of the Collection Fund Account as at 31 March 2011.

RESOLVED:

                        That Cabinet:

1)     Approves the estimated collection fund surplus figure of £107Kand

2)     Approves the estimated shares payable to the Police Authority, Fire Authority and the City Council as follows:

Councillor Wann submits a report that informs Cabinet of actions taken to review the culture, sport and physical activity partnership and delivery arrangements in Leicester to provide a clearer governance structure which ensures accountability linked to the delivery of outcomes.  Cabinet is asked to note and support the new governance structure for culture, sport and physical activity.

The Leader agreed to the consideration of this item out of order.

Councillor Wann submitted a report that informed Cabinet of actions taken to review the culture, sport and physical activity partnership and delivery arrangements in Leicester to provide a clearer governance structure which ensured accountability linked to the delivery of outcomes. 

Councillor Grant expressed concern that the item had not appeared on the Forward Plan and that it had therefore not been scrutinised, however, he stated that it would be a positive measure to replace the disparate committees that were in existence. He asked what influence these new bodies would have on budget decisions. Councillor Wann responded that one year’s notice had been given to Curve and Phoenix Square concerning funding reductions. He also stated that Leicester had won a major bid for £500,000 to attract women into sport. He thanked officers for their work on this and stated that the Partnership Board would start to look at this. A renaissance bid had also been submitted to government.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet notes and supports the new governance structure for culture, sport and physical activity.

The meeting closed at 1.40pm.