Agenda and minutes

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

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 4 September 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.

A Member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee has been invited to present the report.

Cabinet received a report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee together with the final report and recommendations of the Resilience Commission Informal Task Group.  Councillor Caroline Jackson, the Chairman of the task group presented the report.

The options were set out in the report as follows:

1.         To accept the recommendations of Overview and Scrutiny. 

2.         Not to accept the recommendations of Overview and Scrutiny. 

3.         To make alternative proposals to those recommended by Overview and Scrutiny. 

Councillor Hanson proposed, seconded by Councillor Whitehead:-

“That Cabinet notes the recommendations of the Resilience Commission Informal Task Group and requests that the Flooding Cabinet Liaison Group consider the recommendations in more detail when convened.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

That Cabinet notes the recommendations of the Resilience Commission Informal Task Group and requests that the Flooding Cabinet Liaison Group consider the recommendations in more detail when convened.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Director for Communities and the Environment

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is consistent with the Council Plan Principles regarding Community Leadership and Our Ambitions for Clean, Green and Safe Neighbourhoods.  A  Flooding Cabinet Liaison Group will provide a strategic oversight of flooding issues in the district including hearing the action plans and timescales from all the agencies with a responsibility for flooding and hearing from residents about what would help them best prepare and deal with flooding.   It will also provide an appropriate forum to consider the recommendations of the task group in more detail.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Warriner)

Report of Chief Officer (Health & Housing)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Warriner)

Cabinet considered a report which sought approval of the terms of reference of a Flooding Cabinet Liaison Group. Cabinet had agreed to establish a Flooding Cabinet Liaison Group in principle at its meeting on 26 June 2018 (Minute 12 refers).

The options were to agree to the Terms of Reference as attached at appendix 1 to the report or propose alternatives, subject to Cabinet’s desired focus for the Cabinet Liaison Group.  As long as the terms fit with the Constitution, there was no officer-preferred option.

Councillor Clifford proposed, seconded by Councillor Burns:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That the proposed terms of reference for the Flooding Cabinet Liaison Group, as appended, be approved.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Director for Communities and the Environment

Reasons for making the decision:

The establishment of Cabinet Liaison Groups assists the Cabinet in the discharge of executive functions.  The rationale for a Flooding Cabinet Liaison Group was identified as a result of the work undertaken by the Resilience Commission Informal Task Group and is intended to provide a strategic oversight of flooding issues in the district and is consistent with the Council Plan Principles regarding Community Leadership and Our Ambitions for Clean, Green and Safe Neighbourhoods. 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Warriner)

Report of Planning Manager (Regeneration and Planning)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Warriner)

Cabinet received a report from the Planning Manager (Regeneration & Planning) to set aside funding for the development of a sub-regional Community Housing Hub with neighbouring local authorities and to create a new fixed term Community Housing Fund Development Officer post.

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

The Officer Preferred Option is Option 1.  The establishment of a sub-regional Community Housing Hub will improve access to and increase the range of specialist services required to bring Community Led developments into fruition, building on the successes of some of the schemes already completed or being brought forward in Cumbria.  Along with the provision of direct   support (either through a recruitment process or through a Hub) will ensure that Community Groups will have the necessary support and assistance required.  This is particularly important if bids are made for capital grant due to the requirements of Homes England in terms of the quality of bids, acquiring Investment Partner Status, and in some instances, acquiring Registered Provider status for the management of rented units.  

Community Led developments provide an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Report of the Interim Financial Services Manager

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Cabinet received a report from the from the Interim Financial Services Manager to provide an overview of the Council’s financial position for Quarter 2 of the 2018/19 monitoring cycle, and the supporting actions underway.

As the report was primarily for noting, no options were provided.

It was proposed by Councillor Whitehead, seconded by Councillor Hanson and resolved unanimously that the report and supporting actions be noted.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That the report and supporting actions, as set out in the report, be noted.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Report of Chief Executive

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive on the performance of key indicators and projects for July to September 2018. It was noted that the report now included a breakdown of performance against key corporate indicators for the period and these would be developed to provide further information.

Officers responded to a number of questions and as the report was primarily for noting, no options were provided.

It was proposed by Councillor Whitehead, seconded by Councillor Pattison and resolved unanimously that the report be noted.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That the report be noted.