Issue - meetings

Report of the Chief Executive

In accordance with Rule 27 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules, the Cabinet considered a petition signed by 25 residents objecting to the proposed closure of seven youth clubs and a second petition signed by 40 residents objecting to the closure of Crosby Youth Club. Mr. J. Wilson and Ms J. Edgar, the representatives of the petitioners, addressed the Cabinet in support of the petitions and Mr. J. Allan, Branch Officer of Unison, also addressed the Cabinet objecting to the closure of the youth centres.

Further to Minute No. 183 of the meeting held on 27 January 2011, the Cabinet then considered the report of the Chief Executive which provided an update on the previously approved savings and budget reviews undertaken as part of the Transformation Programme. The report also set out the next stage of the budget setting process prior to the final decisions to be taken by the Council on 3 March 2011.

This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)      the representations from the two petitioners be considered as part of the budget process at the Council meeting to be held on 3 March 2011;

(2)      the progress to date on the Transformation Programme be noted;

(3)      the initial stage of the Learning and Development review be endorsed and the Council be recommended to give approval to officers being mandated to commence the consultation process with employees and Trade Unions with a view to realising the reduction in costs identified, including the issue of relevant statutory and contractual notifications;

(4)      the Terms of Reference for the Children's Centres Strategic Review as outlined in Appendix A of the report and the associated timescales be approved;

(5)      the Council be recommended to approve the proposals relating to Leisure Centres in Appendix B of the report and to mandate officers to continue the consultation process with employees and Trade Unions with a view to realising the reduction in costs identified including the issue of relevant statutory and contractual notifications;

(6)      approval be given to the appropriation of the Earmarked Reserves and the Insurance Fund surplus totalling £12m as detailed in paragraph 7 and Appendix C of the report, subject to officers clarifying that monies from Area Committees and the Environmental and Technical Services Department identified in Appendix C can be fully appropriated.  This funding to be utilised to fund redundancy costs and any delay in implementing approved savings; and

(7)      officers be authorised to prepare for implementation immediately, pending final decisions of Council.