Venue: Town Hall, Bootle
Contact: Steve Pearce Head of Committee and Member Services
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Apologies for Absence Minutes: No apologies for absence were received. |
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Declarations of Interest Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct. Minutes: The following declarations of interest were received:
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Minutes of Previous Meeting PDF 115 KB Minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2012 Minutes: The Cabinet considered the minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held on 2 February 2012 and a discussion took place on Minute No. 94 (8) relating to the Transformation Programme 2011-2014 and in particular the recommendation in respect of the proposed action to be taken on policy option E3.6 – Sports and Recreation – Review of the life guard cover at all swimming pools. In response to the concerns raised during consultation on this option, it was proposed that the proposed action to be taken on the option of providing “a limited reduction of life guard cover during the low cost periods identified in the report” be deleted and substituted by “life guard cover be provided at all public swimming sessions, as at present and the shortfall in budget savings to be achieved, be met by a increase of 3% above inflation in the charges for swimming sessions.
RESOLVED:
That the Minutes of the Cabinet Meeting held on 2 February 2012 be confirmed as a correct record, subject to the amendment of Minute 94 (8) to enable the recommended action to be taken on option E3.6 to read as follows:
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Transformation Programme 2011 - 2014 PDF 42 KB Report of the Chief Executive Additional documents: Minutes: Further to Minute No. 94 of the meeting held on 2 February 2012, the Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive detailing the progress made towards the establishment of the budget for 2012/13 and the reviews of services and consultation processes completed and in progress, as part of the Transformation Programme.
The report incorporated the following information:
· Introduction/Background · Work Programme and Prioritisation · Consultation and Engagement Overview · Impact Assessment Overview · Risk Management · Low and Medium Impact Options - Further clarification on issues raised at the Cabinet meeting held on 2 February 2012 · Low and Medium Impact Options to progress · Reviews · Options requiring further consideration · Landscape Services · Supporting People · Adults Transport · Re-Commissioning of Nursing and Residential Care · Conclusion
The report also contained the following Annexes -
Annex A Work Programme Timetable Annex B Options previously reported to Cabinet where the impact had been assessed as relatively low or medium following the analysis of the consultation and engagement activity Annex C Option where the impact had been assessed as relatively low or medium following the analysis of the consultation and engagement activity Annex D Voluntary, Community and Faith Sector Review Annex E Terms of Reference - Library Services Review Annex F Terms of Reference - Leisure Activity Review Annex G Terms of Reference - 24 Hour Response Review Annex H Terms of Reference - Street Lighting Review Annex I Landscape Services Change Proposals Annex J Supporting People Proposal
This was a Key Decision and was included in the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.
The Chief Executive introduced the content of the report and reminded Members of the need to take into account the equality analysis assessment, risks and the mitigating actions for each budget saving proposal set out in the report. She referred to the extensive consultation exercise undertaken by the Council on the options and made Members aware that the report contained a range of implications for service users and Members of staff affected by the proposals in the report.
Members referred to the consultation responses referred to in the report and the need to ensure the prioritisation of Council services.
RESOLVED: That
(1) it be noted that the financial recommendations associated with the report had been included in the Framework Budget Recommendation for 2012/13 set out in Minute No. 106 below;
(2) in respect of the proposals within the Framework Budget Recommendation for 2012/13 set out in Minute No. 106, Officers be authorised to prepare for implementation immediately, subject to the duty to consult with employees and trade unions, including the issue of relevant statutory and contractual notifications, subject to the final decision of the Council;
(3) the work programme timetable contained in Annex A of the report be noted;
(4) the Council be requested to approve the following budget savings options set out in Annex B of the report, after taking into account the relevant legislative framework and the issues raised in the consultation, the equality analysis assessment and the mitigating factors for each individual proposal:
E4 Street ... view the full minutes text for item 104. |
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Local Government Act 2003 - Chief Financial Officer's Requirements PDF 88 KB Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT Minutes: The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which provided an assessment of the robustness of the estimates, the adequacy of financial reserves and the longer term revenue and capital plans, based on the proposals set out in the Transformation Programme report (Minute No. 104) and the Framework Budget Recommendation report (Minute No. 106).
The report indicated that the proposed budget still contained a number of options which Members may consider before a final budget is proposed to the Council on 1 March 2012. Should significant changes be made or amendments submitted, a revised option would be given.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted. |
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Framework Budget Recommendation 2012/13 PDF 174 KB Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT Additional documents: Minutes: Further to Minute Nos. 104 and 105 above, the Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT on proposed amendments to the Medium Term Finances Plan and the proposed ‘Framework’ Budget/Council Tax recommendation for 2012/2013 to the full Council based, on previously approved decisions and Transformation Programme proposals to be considered by Council on 1 March 2012.
RESOLVED: That
(1) the proposals to amend the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan, including the changes to the previously agreed savings options relating to Terms and Conditions, the Capita contract and the subscription to the North West Employers Organisation be noted;
(2) the expected impact of external levies on the Council budget for 2012/13 be noted;
(3) the Framework Budget set out in the report, as amended by Minute No. 104 above, be referred to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Performance and Corporate Services) for consideration and to the Council for approval;
(4) the Government’s offer of additional grant support (for 2012/13 only) be noted should the Authority agree a Council Tax Freeze;
(5) the new thresholds for Sefton’s maximum Council Tax increase for 2012/13 (+1.94%) without the need for a referendum to be held be noted; and
(6) the level of the Council Tax for 2012/13 be referred to the Council Meeting on 1 March 2012 for determination. |
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Capital Programme 2011/12 and Capital Allocations 2012/13 PDF 78 KB Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT Additional documents: Minutes: The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which provided details of the 2012/13 Capital Allocations received to date and their use in the development of a new starts programme for 2012/13. The report also sought approval for the utilisation of additional allocations of Integrated Transport Block Grant and Disabled Facilities Grant in 2011/12.
This is a Key Decision and was included in the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.
RESOLVED: That
(1) the Council be recommended to approve the revised Capital Programme for 2011/12 as set out in the report;
(2) the utilisation of £203,153 Aiming Higher for Disabled Children resources in 2011/12 as outlined in paragraph 2.2 of the report be confirmed;
(3) it be noted that any revenue implications of the schemes reported to the Cabinet Member - Children, Schools and Families on 7 February 2012, as outlined in paragraph 2.3 of the report would be met from the schools’ delegated budgets;
(4) the utilisation of the additional £163,000 Integrated Transport Block grant in 2011/12 for Transportation purposes be confirmed;
(5) the utilisation of the additional £188,866 Disabled Facilities Grant in 2011/12 for the provision of such grants be confirmed;
(6) the 2012/13 capital allocations received to date be noted;
(7) the proposal for all 2012/13 capital allocations to be pooled and subject to a bidding process be accepted in principle and a further report on this issue be submitted to a future meeting of the Cabinet; and
(8) that further to (7) above the Strategic Asset Management Group be requested to consider a detailed strategy for the 2012/13 Capital Programme and submit its proposals to a future meeting the Cabinet. |
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Treasury Management Policy and Strategy 2012/13 PDF 255 KB Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT Minutes: The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which provided details of the proposed procedures and strategy to be adopted in respect of the Council’s Treasury Management Function in 2012/13.
RESOLVED:
That the Council be recommended to give approval to:
(1) the Treasury Management Policy Document for 2012/13 (Annex A);
(2) the Treasury Management Strategy Document for 2012/13 (Annex B);
(3) the amendment to banking arrangements contained within the Financial Procedures Rules of the Constitution;
(4) the Money Laundering Policy Document (Annex C); and
(5) the option set out in Section 5 of the report being used as the basis for the calculation of the Minimum Revenue Provision for Debt Repayment in 2012/13. |
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Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT Minutes: The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT on proposals to establish the Prudential Indicators required under the Prudential Code of Capital Finance in Local Authorities. This would enable the Council to effectively manage its Capital Finance Activities and comply with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Prudential Code of Capital Finance in Local Authorities.
RESOLVED:
That the Council be recommended to give approval to:
(1) the Prudential Indicators details in the report, and summarised in Annex A, as the basis for compliance with The Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities;
(2) the amendment of relevant Prudential Indicators in the event that any unsupported borrowing is approved as part of the 2012/13 Revenue Budget; and
(3) delegated authority being granted to the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT to manage the authorised Limit and Operational Boundary for external debt as detailed in Section 5 of the report. |
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Report of the Director of Built Environment Minutes: The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Built Environment on the outcome of the Regional Growth Fund Round 2 applications to the Department of Business Innovation and Science.
During the discussion on this item, a Cabinet Member requested that negotiations be held with Peel Ports and their tenants to ensure that all interested parties were involved in the development of the River Dredging project.
This is a Key Decision and was included in the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.
RESOLVED: That
(1) the progress with the Regional Growth Fund Round 1 and 2 applications be noted;
(2) the conditional offer of £35 million from the Department of Business Innovation and Science (BIS) to Sefton Council for River Dredging, be noted;
(3) the Strategic Director - Place and Head of Corporate Finance and ICT be authorised to undertake all necessary due diligence to progress the offer to unconditional offer stage;
(4) the Council accepts in principle the role of accountable body for the River Dredging project, subject to negotiation of a satisfactory legal agreement with Peel Ports (as Statutory Port Authority), completion of due diligence, and an unconditional grant offer letter from BIS;
(5) officers proceed to negotiate a legal agreement with Peel Ports in respect of the River Dredging project, and report progress to the Cabinet at a subsequent meeting;
(6) approval in principle be given to the commissioning of a Wide Area study to provide a spatial masterplan and investment programme, so that the benefits of investment in Port Expansion can be maximised for local communities; and
(7) officers be authorised to prepare bids for Round 3 of the Regional Growth Fund, and to report back in due course. |
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Local Development Scheme for Sefton PDF 94 KB Report of the Director of Built Environment Minutes: Further to Minute No. 63 of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 11 January 2012, the Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Built Environment outlining the purpose and proposed content of the Local Development Scheme for 2012.
RESOLVED: That
(1) the draft Local Development Scheme be approved for submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government; and
(2) it be noted that the proposal was a Key Decision but, unfortunately, had not been included in the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions. Consequently, the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Environmental Services) had been consulted under Rule 15 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules of the Constitution, to the decision being made by Cabinet as a matter of urgency on the basis that it was impracticable to defer the decision until the commencement of the next Forward Plan because there is a need to have an up-to-date Local Development Scheme. This is purely for procedural reasons, as the independent Inspector for the forthcoming Merseyside Waste Plan will check whether the timescales in each authority’s Local Development Scheme are up-to-date and contain accurate dates for the Waste Plan. |
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Redundancy Pay Policy PDF 75 KB Report of the Director of Corporate Support Services Additional documents: Minutes: Further to Minute No.63 of the meeting held on 10 November 2011, the Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Corporate Support Services on the issue of redundancy pay policy across the region following its consideration at a recent meeting of the North West Employers Human Resources Committee.
RESOLVED:
That the points highlighted by the North West Employers Human Resources Committee at its meeting on 6 December 2011, and confirmed in a letter of 16 December 2011 to the Director of Corporate Support Services, be noted. |
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Notice to Withdraw from Local Government Association Membership PDF 66 KB Report of the Head of Corporate Legal Services Additional documents: Minutes: The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Corporate Legal Services seeking approval to extend the period of notice to withdraw from membership of the Local Government Association (LGA) from 1 April 2012 to 1 April 2013 to enable the Council to continue to receive support from the LGA in respect of joint action on legal claims seeking refunds of past charges for property searches data and in seeking a funding contribution from Central Government.
RESOLVED: That;
(1) approval be given to the extension of the period of notice to withdraw from membership of the Local Government Association from 1 April 2012 to 1 April 2013; and
(2) officers continue to monitor the benefits of the Council’s membership of the Local Government Association.
(The vote on resolution (1) above was carried by 8 votes to 2). |