Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 23 July 2013 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 23 July 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 Hamilton-Cox)

Report of Chief Officer (Health & Housing)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Health & Housing) with regard to the submission of an air quality grant bid to DEFRA.  The meeting was advised that since the publication of the agenda officers had been notified that the grant bid submitted to DEFRA on 28 June 2013 had not been successful.  However in view of the positive feedback officers were encouraged to re-submit a bid next year, as resources allow.

Councillor Hamilton-Cox proposed, seconded by Councillor Smith:-

“That in view of the positive feedback received from DEFRA officers be requested to re-submit an air quality grant bid application next year, subject to it fitting with DEFRA’s future bidding arrangements and approved budgets.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That in view of the positive feedback received from DEFRA officers be requested to re-submit an air quality grant bid application next year, subject to it fitting with DEFRA’s future bidding arrangements and approved budgets.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Health & Housing)

Reasons for making the decision:

Local air quality management was a statutory duty and the project work proposed in the grant bid was fully in line with the Council’s proposals under the Local Air Quality Strategy. Resubmitting the application next year would positively position the Council in relation to joint working and local air quality improvement without any new demands on resources, benefitting substantially from a pan-Lancashire focus.

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Blamire and

Bryning)

Report of the Chief Executive

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Blamire and Bryning)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive and were requested to agree the process for reviewing the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework for 2014/15.

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

Thefollowingoptions wereavailable to Cabinet.

(1)                     Approvetheproposalsandtimetablesetoutinthereportforreviewingand revisingthe Council’sBudgetandPolicyFramework.

(2)                     Approve  an  amended  version  of  the  proposals,  drawing  on  any  specific issues thatCabinet have.

OfficerPreferredOption

AssumingthatCabinethadnootherspecificissuestoaddress,Option1 was the Officerpreferred option, as it setouta structuredapproach forCabinettoreview the existingBudgetandPolicyFramework,toidentifysavings/efficiencyoptions,andfor it to bring  forward  its  budget  and  policy  framework  proposals  for  2014/15  andbeyond, within  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Report of Chief Officer (Governance) and Chief Officer (Resources)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Governance) and the Chief Officer (Resources) to present the corporate performance and financial/property monitoring reports at Quarter 1 of the 2013/14 performance monitoring cycle.

The Financial Monitoring report included sections on Future Years Savings Requirements, the General Fund Unallocated Balance and Exceptions to Tenders Awards with more analysis provided on Council Housing Rent Arrears and Collection Fund Monitoring.  The latest position with regards to treasury management activities was included as well as a quarterly update regarding the property portfolio, in line with earlier Cabinet resolutions; the content of which would be developed over the course of the year.

The report was for noting and comment and included commentary provided by officers responsible for each success measure which highlighted achievements, added contextual information, identified issues and outlined actions being taken / planned to get performance back on track. 

Councillor Bryning proposed, seconded by Councillor Blamire:-

“That the report be noted.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the report be noted.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Resources)

Chief Officer (Governance)

Reasons for making the decision:

The Council’s Performance Management Framework requires the regular reporting of operational, as well as financial performance.  The review of progress on corporate plan actions clearly demonstrates the progress being made towards the achievement of the Council’s stated outcomes and priorities.