Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 25 June, 2013 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 25 June 2013, 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 receive declarations by Members of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Members are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Members should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

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.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Report of the Head of Regeneration and Planning

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning) to highlight the problems with the Bare Beck outfall at Scalestones Point in Morecambe and to inform Members of a potential offer of grant funding from the Environment Agency to help rectify the situation and reduce the risk of flooding for nearby properties.

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

Option 3 was the officer preferred option.  There was an on going risk of flooding and financial liability whilst the situation remained un-controlled. Major works would trigger environmental implications which would generate major environmental impact assessment with disproportionate costs and delays. Option 3 provided a solution with minimal impact and cost which would minimise the problem as well as ensuring the future management of any residual problems.

Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Barry:-

“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)                    That, subject to receiving an offer of grant from the Environment Agency,  the Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning) be given delegated authority to accept  the offer in order to fund the works as described, subject to agreement with the Chief Officer (Resources) and there being no further impact on City Council resources than those set out in the report.

(2)                    That, subject to receipt of the grant, approval be given to appoint suitably experienced local contractors to carry out the works, in accordance with the City Council’s contract procedure rules.

(3)                    That subject to (1) above, the Chief Officer (Resources) be given delegated authority to update the General Fund Revenue and Capital Budgets accordingly, to allow the works to progress.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Regeneration & Planning)

Chief Officer (Resources)

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision was consistent with the Clean, Green and Safe Places corporate priority (maintaining standards of flood protection) and with the Health and Wellbeing corporate priority (minimising the risk of flooding) and was indicative of the key theme which underpinned the Council’s priorities:  to manage the Council’s resources efficiently and effectively.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Report of the Head of Governance

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Cabinet received a report from the Leader of the Council which presented the corporate performance monitoring end of year reports for 2012/13.

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.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Governance)

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 issues and associated actions that have arisen and have been escalated to the Leader of the Council for attention.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Report of the Head of Governance

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

The Chief Officer (Governance) submitted a report informing Members of actions taken by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Members in accordance with the scheme of delegation.

It was moved by Councillor Barry and seconded by Councillor Hanson:-

“That the recommendation, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Members then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the actions taken by the Chief Executive, in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Members in accordance with the Scheme of Delegation, in respect of the following, be noted:-

            TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE CANAL CORRIDOR NORTH CABINET LIAISON GROUP

            The terms of reference of the Canal Corridor North Cabinet Liaison Group were approved as follows:-

That a Cabinet Liaison Group be created to consider the emerging development proposals for the Canal Corridor site.

The purpose of the Liaison Group is to provide a forum prior to the submission of a planning application where:

·         information on the detailed studies undertaken, and the evidence base created to support the development proposals can be shared as they become available;

·         details of the form, design and uses within the proposed development can be shared as they develop and without prejudice feedback given

·         the group can advise the appropriate Cabinet Member(s) on how to take proper account of how best to use the City Council’s landownership interests to ensure that the most appropriate regeneration solution for the land is secured within the framework of the development agreement.      

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Governance)

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision fulfils the requirements of the City Council’s Constitution in advising Cabinet of urgent decisions taken by the Chief Executive in accordance with the City Council’s Scheme of Delegation.

Nothing to report at time of publication of agenda.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Cabinet were advised that there was nothing significant to report since the last update to Cabinet on 28 May 2013.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Bryning)

Report of Head of Resources

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Bryning)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Resources) which provided summary information regarding the provisional outturn for 2012/13.  It set out information regarding the carry forward of revenue budgets and capital slippage for Members’ consideration.  It also incorporated the treasury management outturn report and related matters.

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

OPTIONS AND OPTIONS ANALYSIS

The City Council had a legal requirement to ensure that its expenditure was fully funded and to produce a Statement of Accounts in accordance with proper accounting practice.  In addition, the Prudential Indicators were a statutory requirement linked to the budgetary framework.  For these aspects, therefore, there were no alternative options for Cabinet to consider.  Members were being asked to endorse certain actions taken by the Chief Officer (Resources), and Cabinet should consider whether it had sufficient information to do so or whether it required any further justification. 

The report requested Cabinet to consider a number of revenue budget carry forward matters and capital slippage.  The framework for considering these was set out in the report but basically Cabinet might:

-        Approve any number of the items / requests, in full or part.

-        Refuse any number of the requests and if commitments had already been incurred, require alternative funding options to be identified.  Cabinet should note, however, that this might impact on other areas of service delivery.

-        Request further information regarding them, if appropriate.  Cabinet was asked to bear in mind any work required against the value of the individual bids.

OFFICER PREFERRED OPTION AND JUSTIFICATION

On the assumption that the Council continued to support its previously approved spending plans then the Officer preferred options were to approve the revenue budget carry forward requests as well as capital slippage (Appendices F and H), but to require no carry forward of the overspendings (Appendix E).

Although the Council’s General Fund budget and the associated Government funding reduced significantly in 2012/13, it managed these reductions well, and had again improved its financial standing as at 31 March 2013.  Balances for both General Fund and the HRA were higher than forecast, and the Council had other substantial earmarked further reserves to help respond to the tough financial challenges expected over the coming years, in shaping and delivering against future corporate priorities. 

Councillor Bryning proposed, seconded by Councillor Leytham:-

“That recommendations 1 to 5, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the provisional outturn for 2012/13 be noted, including the transfers to provisions and reserves actioned by the Chief Officer (Resources).

(2)        That Cabinet approve that no overspendings be carried forward, as reflected in Appendix E.

(3)        That Cabinet approve the requests to carry forward underspent revenue budgets as set out in Appendix F, for referral on to Council where appropriate.

(4)        That Cabinet approve the requests for capital slippage as set out  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.