Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 8 November 2011 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 8 November 2011 were approved as a correct record.

To consider any such items authorised by the Leader and to consider where in the agenda the item(s) are to be considered. 

The Chairman advised that there were no items of urgent business.

To consider any such declarations. 

No declarations were made at this point.

To consider any such requests received in accordance with the approved procedure. 

Members were advised that there had been no requests to speak at the meeting in accordance with Cabinet’s agreed procedure.

The Chairman advised the meeting of a revision to the order of the agenda and item 9 Council Housing Planned Maintenance Partnering Arrangement would be considered first.

(Cabinet Members  with Special Responsibility Councillors Leytham & Smith)

Report of the Head of Environmental Services

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Leytham and Smith)

The Head of Environmental Services presented a report which provided information on the Council Housing Planned Maintenance Partnering arrangement as requested by a Cabinet Member.

The report was for noting and comment and provided information on:-

·         Experience of partnering to date

·         Hala rendering project

·         Leaseholder issues

Members asked a number of questions and it was noted that the internal audit report was due to be considered by the Audit Committee in Jan 2012.

Councillor Barry proposed, seconded by Councillor Leytham:-

“That Cabinet notes the report and requests that the Audit Committee look more closely at the Hala project specifically and this may entail the need for expert independent advice with regard to the pricing of the Hala project.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That Cabinet notes the report and requests that the Audit Committee look more closely at the Hala project specifically and this may entail the need for expert independent advice with regard to the pricing of the Hala project.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Environmental Services

Head of Financial Services

Reasons for making the decision:

Whilst Cabinet recognises that the Audit Committee will be addressing this issue in detail at its meeting in January, Cabinet considers that it has a duty to oversee services and therefore such issues and if necessary, provide a steer. 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Leytham)

Report of the Head of Health and Housing Services

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Leytham)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Health and Housing Services to seek approval to go out to consultation on Dog Control Orders.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

Option 1, to commence consultation on the Dog Control Orders described in the Proposal Details was the officer preferred option.

Councillor Leytham proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

“That the commencement of the public consultation process be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved:

(7 Members (Councillors Blamire, Bryning, Hamilton-Cox, Hanson, Leytham, Sands and Smith) voted in favour, and 1 Member (Councillor Barry) abstained.)

(1)        That the commencement of the public consultation process be approved.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Health and Housing

Reasons for making the decision:

Dog Control Orders are an important component of maintaining the statutory minimum level of dog-related enforcement in future.  Implementing DCOs is a key activity in the Health & Housing Business Plan 2011-12.  It is necessary to initiate the public consultation process to enable the introduction of Dog Control Orders.  At present dog control is enforced under a range of Byelaws and Acts of Parliament, which leads to inconsistency and confusion.  This is difficult for both dog owners and enforcement officers to understand.  The four proposed DCOs would rectify the situation.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Leytham)

Report of the Head of Health and Housing Services

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Leytham)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Health and Housing to inform members of the options available for the future delivery of the Homelessness Prevention Contract, which is due to expire on 31 March 2012.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

                      Option 1 was the officer preferred Option. This would enable the Council to build on the housing options model and achieve efficiencies.  If Members decided to continue to make available the resources to continue the prevention of homelessness as a strategic priority as outlined in the district’s Homelessness Strategy 2008-13, this would help ensure that the current levels of statutory homeless presentations were maintained.  It would also continue to improve the housing outcomes of the most vulnerable citizens and facilitate an integrated partnership approach to homeless prevention.

Councillor Leytham proposed, seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

“(1)      That Cabinet agree to the continuation of the homeless prevention contract activity

(2)        That it is delivered in house at a reduced cost as part of an enhanced housing options service, as outlined in the report.

(3)        That the recurring saving of approximately £35K be considered for use to create apprenticeships  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Bryning)

Report of Head of Financial Services

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Bryning)

Cabinet received a report from the Head of Financial Services which provided an update on the draft revenue budget and capital programme to inform development of Cabinet’s budget proposals.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

In terms of the budget generally, Cabinet was requested to note the budgetary position but more importantly, take forward a number of actions to help develop a balanced set of budget proposals.  In particular, direction was sought for areas in which savings options should be developed.

Depending on the timing of the Settlement, Cabinet might be requested to review council tax targets for future years.

With regard to the more specific recommendations, options were outlined below:

-        For Treasury Management and land at Ashbourne Road / Tan Hill Drive, no alternative options were available.  This was in view of formal reporting needs, or previous decisions of Cabinet.

-        For Lancaster Market reserve, Cabinet could choose to either approve or reject the proposed amendments in the use of the Reserve.  If the changes were rejected, this could have an adverse impact on progressing negotiations.

-        For Ashton Memorial Steps, Cabinet could choose to support the allocation of funding, or defer a decision until later in the budget process.  Given the nature of the memorial asset, works to rectify the steps must be undertaken at some point.  For this reason, leaving the steps in their current condition for any length of time was advised against; there was no real benefit in delaying.  The Council would be left with an asset that could not be used for its original purpose, together with all the difficulties and potential liabilities that such a situation gave rise to.  Clearly this would go against sound asset management practice.

-        For the Community Capital Fund, Cabinet could choose to confirm or reject the allocation of funding, or defer a decision until later in the budget process.  Cabinet might wish to refer back to the Partnerships report on the November Cabinet agenda.  This allocation would support purely discretional spending.  Members were advised to consider the LSP’s recommendations and assumed commitments, against other potential uses for these funds.

The Officer preferred options were reflected in the recommendations as set out in the report.  Whilst some key elements of budget setting remained uncertain and some good progress had been made by services in making efficiency savings overall, there was still much to be done in balancing the budget.  Although Member focus had been on reviewing areas of activity, it was strongly advised that members now needed to balance these, against the existing priorities in the corporate plan.  Savings will need to be made in future years, and members will need to address priorities, and options for savings.  Although the Council’s balances were substantially higher than originally forecast, any use of balances to create a balanced budget, could be used in the short term  ...  view the full minutes text for item 69.

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Blamire and Bryning)

Report of the Head of Community Engagement

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Cabinet received a joint report from the Leader and Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility for Finance in respect of the corporate performance report for the 2^nd Quarter of the Performance Review Team Cycle for 2011/12.

The report was for noting and comment.

Councillor Blamire proposed, seconded by Councillor Smith:-

“That the report be noted.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the report be noted.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Head of Community Engagement

Reasons for making the decision:

The Council’s Performance Management Framework requires the regular reporting of operational and financial performance to Cabinet as part of the Performance Review Team cycle of meetings.  The Corporate PRT report provides a summary of key matters and associated actions that have arisen in the quarter and have been escalated to the Leader of the Council and Finance Portfolio Holder for attention.  The Corporate PRT report for this quarter and the analysis of delivery against the Corporate Plan demonstrates that positive action has/is being taken to manage corporate performance towards the achievement of stated outcomes and corporate priorities.