Decisions

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive that provided an update on performance and projects during quarter four of 2023 - 24 (January - March 2024).

As the report was for commenting and noting no options were provided.

Resolved unanimously:

That the report be noted.

Reasons for making the decision:

Monitoring of strategic projects and key performance indicators provides a link between the Council Plan 24-27 by providing progress updates.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillors Parr and Ainscough)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer – Planning and Climate Change to formally set out the City Council’s enhanced statutory responsibilities for biodiversity introduced as part of the Environment Act 2021. The Environment Act introduced a new Biodiversity Duty for all public authorities. The new Duty requires all public authorities who operate in England to consider what they can do to strengthen and enhance biodiversity and report on the delivery of these actions.

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

The preferred option is Option 1: Cabinet approves the actions set out in ‘Meeting the Biodiversity Duty – First Considerations’ (Appendix 1 to this report) to ensure that it can demonstrate that it has taken appropriate action to address new Biodiversity Duty obligations introduce by Environment Act 2021. In doing so the Council will have set itself a clear set of actions that should enable it to demonstrate that it has acted responsibly and appropriately to address the new Biodiversity Duty introduced by the Environment Act whilst also demonstrating actions to address its own declaration of an Ecological Emergency.

Councillor Ainscough proposed, seconded by Councillor Dowding:-

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

Resolved unanimously:

(1)            That Cabinet approves the actions set out in ‘Meeting the Biodiversity Duty – First Considerations’ report to ensure that the City Council can demonstrate that it intends to take appropriate actions to address the enhanced Biodiversity Duty obligations introduced by Environment Act 2021.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer – Planning and Climate Change

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is consistent with the Council Plan:  The objectives of the report support and complement The Council Plan’s Ambition 1.4 “Respecting Nature” on Ecology & Biodiversity to “increase biodiversity, protect our district’s unique ecology and ensure the habitat provided for wildlife is maintained”.

The decision is also consistent with the Planning & Climate Change Service Business Plan 2024-2025:  The objectives of the report support and complement the Service Business Plan objective 1.4 on Respecting Nature. This sets Service priorities aligned with the Council Plan that aim to integrate the new Biodiversity Officer role into service to help deliver net gains across the district.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Wood)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer- Housing and Property to provide an update on changes to complaints handling in line with the new joint Code of Practice from the Housing Ombudsman and Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, including share performance information and required / voluntary self-assessments.

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

Option 1 is the preferred officer option as this allows officers to work towards a realistic plan for full compliance across the Council.

Councillor Wood proposed, seconded by Councillor Caroline Jackson:-

“That recommendation 1 as set out in the report be approved with recommendation 2 revised to read: that Cabinet delegate the ability to provide a publishable statement to Chief Officer for Housing and Property in consultation with the portfolio holder with responsibility for Complaints.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)           That Cabinet notes the proposal set out in this report and approves the principles and approach to complaint handling across the Council.

(2)         That Cabinet delegate the ability to provide a publishable statement to Chief Officer for Housing and Property in consultation with the portfolio holder with responsibility for Complaints.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer – Housing and Property

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is consistent with the Council Plan priority of A Co-operative, Kind, and Responsible Council.

Effective complaint handling and the adoption of a positive complaints culture offers vital feedback on service delivery and should be treated as an opportunity for improvement. The joint Complaint Code adopted by the HO and LGCSO provides clarity in this area. It prioritises open, transparent communication with complainants; consistency in responses and response times; accessibility for complainants; and a strong focus on evidenced learning from complaints. The proposals set out in the report outline the Council’s commitment to effective complaint handling, confirms in which areas the Council is already compliant, and outlines an ambition for full compliance.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Phillip Black)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive to endorse the council’s Productivity Plan, in response to the Productivity in Local Government request, from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities (DLUHC).

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

The recommended option is to proceed with endorsing the Productivity Plan so that officers can submit the final version (Option 1).

Councillor Phillip Black proposed, seconded by Councillor Hamilton-Cox:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That the finalising and submission of the Productivity Plan be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Executive

Reasons for making the decision:

The Productivity Plan mirrors current Policy Framework and will contribute to strategic and financial decision-making already set out in the Council Plan 2024-2027.  Cabinet endorsement will enable officers to submit the Productivity Plan to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC).

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Phillip Black)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive that provided Cabinet with an update on the authority’s progress in updating the Strategic Risk Register. 

During consideration of this report clarification was sought with regard to a risk within the exempt appendix and with the agreement of the meeting Cabinet excluded the press and public whilst the Chief Executive provided that clarification.  The press were then re-admitted to the meeting.

As the report was for noting no options were provided.

Resolved unanimously:

That the updated Strategic Risk Registers for Q3 and Q4 23/24, as appended to the report be noted.

Reasons for making the decision:

The Council have a Risk Management Policy, which is written to provide guidance on the management of risk. Risk Management is identified in the Council Plan 2024-27.