Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 4 December 2018 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 4 December 2018 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 Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Report of the Assistant Chief Executive   (Report to follow)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Cabinet received a report from the Interim Head of Financial Services, which provided an update in relation to the principles that will underpin the Property Investment Strategy.

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

Option 1 is the officer preferred option as the development of a robust Property Investment Strategy is the next logical step following the agreement by Cabinet to the principles of the Funding the Future Financial Resilience Strategy.        

Councillor Whitehead proposed, seconded by Councillor Hughes:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That the key principles to be adopted in a Property Investment Strategy as set out in the report be approved, and that the Strategy be further developed for consideration at Cabinet on 15 January 2019.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Interim Head of Financial Services

Reasons for making the decision:

The development of a Property Investment Strategy will provide a process through which the Council can seek to achieve a positive financial return from property investment to contribute towards the revenue budget in order to protect service delivery and pursue Council priorities.

This is to give further notice in accordance with Part 2, paragraph 5 (4) and 5 (5) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 of the intention to take the following items in private. 

Cabinet is recommended to pass the following recommendation in relation to the following items:- 

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business, on the grounds that they could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.” 

Members are reminded that, whilst the following items have been marked as exempt, it is for Cabinet itself to decide whether or not to consider each of them in private or in public.  In making the decision, Members should consider the relevant paragraph of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and also whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.  In considering their discretion Members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers. 

It was moved by Councillor Pattison and seconded by Councillor Burns:-

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

Members then voted as follows:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act. 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Report of Assistant Chief Executive   (Report to follow)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Cabinet received a report from the Monitoring Officer, which was exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3, of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.  The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the exempt report.

Councillor Blamire proposed, seconded by Councillor Hughes:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

The resolution and reason for making the decision is set out in a minute exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraph 3, Schedule 12 of the Local Government Act, 1972.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

The Interim Head of Legal & Democratic Services/Monitoring Officer

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hanson)

Report of Assistant Chief Executive  (Report to follow)

The meeting were advised that this item had been withdrawn from the agenda.