Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 4^th October 2016 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 3^rd October 2016 were approved as a correct record.

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 9 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. 

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

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Hanson & Leyshon)

Report of Chief Officer (Environment)

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Hanson and Leyshon)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Environment) which provided an update on progress with the Storey Tasting Garden project. 

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

Option 1 - that the scope of the project is broadened to one that includes the whole of the Storey garden space and that the Council provides active direction of this project. This will allow the Friends Tasting Garden restoration project to continue but with officer support.

Option 2 - that the current Friends of Group project is given a further 12 months to continue with minimal officer time allocated to their efforts. The group has made excellent progress to date but without greater input from the Council as landowner there is a risk the project may become disjointed and not provide the best outcome.

The Officer preferred option was option 1. 

Councillor Leyshon proposed, seconded by Councillor Hughes: -

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

Councillors then voted: -

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That the scope of the project is broadened to one that includes the whole of the Storey garden space and that the Council provides active direction (in partnership with the Friends group) of this project, thereby allowing the Tasting Garden restoration project development and fund-raising to continue but with officer support. 

(2)          That Cabinet thanks the Friends of Storey Gardens for their efforts to date and recognises this by the provision of greater support. 

(3)          That Cabinet delegates authority to the Chief Officer (Environment), in agreement with the Chief Officer (Resources) /Section 151 Officer, to approve the making and acceptance of external funding bids above the key decision threshold for this project, where it can be contained within the budget and policy framework and would not require redirection of resources between service areas, functions or activities on an ongoing basis. 

(4)          That Cabinet delegates authority to the Chief Officer Resources / Section 151 Officer, in agreement with the Chief Officer (Environment), to adopt the role of “accountable body” where appropriate, in order to support the partnership with the formally constituted Friends of Storey Gardens group, subject to any due diligence and any financial implications being contained within the budget and policy framework. 

(5)          That that above delegations remain in place until March 2018 and be subject to review at that time. 

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Environment)

Chief Officer (Resources)

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is consistent with the City Council’s ‘Clean and Green’ Corporate Priority.  It will enable the provision of greater support to the efforts of the Friends of group and ensure that, if progressed, the gardens are developed in a way that will best support the wider business plans for the Storey. 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Resources) which provided an overview of the City Council’s financial position for Quarter 2 of the 2016/17 monitoring cycle and the supporting actions underway. 

The report was primarily for information and therefore no options were presented. 

Councillor Whitehead proposed, seconded by Councillor Leytham: -

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

Councillors then voted: -

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That the report and supporting actions be noted. 

(2)          That the Treasury Management report attached at Appendix C to the report (now appended to the Cabinet minutes) be noted and referred on to Council for information. 

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Resources)

Reasons for making the decision:

The City Council’s Performance Management Framework requires the regular reporting of operational, as well as financial performance.  The CIPFA (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy) Code of Practice for Treasury Management recommends that members be updated on treasury management activities regularly to help demonstrate transparency and promote accountability.  It is a requirement that this half yearly update be referred onto Council for information.