Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Hardy.

No declarations of interest were made.

Minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2014

Decision Made:

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 27 November 2014 be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Director of Corporate Services

Councillor Weavers, the Lead Member of the Infrastucture Working Group will outline the key findings and recommendations of the Working Group, set out in the attached report.

Further to Minute No. 9 of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Environmental Services) held on 9 December 2014, the Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Corporate Services which incorporated the report of the Infrastructure Working Group.The Working Group had investigated and considered infrastructure issues arising from the preparation of the draft Local Plan for Sefton.

The Lead Member of the Working Group, Councillor Weavers referred to a wide range of issues which had been considered in detail by the Working Group, as set out in the report and he indicated that one of the key issues arising from the report was the need for the Council to have the capacity to meet the estimated level of affordable housing per annum.

The Cabinet Member – Regeneration and Tourism (Councillor Maher) indicated that he had requested that the Working Group be established to consider the infrastructure issues arising from the preparation of the Local Plan and he thanked the Members of the Working Group for all of the work undertaken in liaison with officers to produce the comprehensive report and recommendations.

Decision Made:

That the recommendations of the Infrastructure Working Group, as set out in paragraph 5 of its Final Report and detailed below, be approved:-

1.         That infrastructure proposals are assessed to ensure that they are sufficient to meet the diverse needs of the local community and mitigate any local adverse effects of development that may result in the failure of Local Plan objectives, recommendations and/or plan policies and to ensure that the key principles for the Spatial Strategy are met.

2.         That the Sustainability Appraisal makes specific reference to infrastructure improvements to mitigate any problems, or maximise benefits, identified through the appraisal process. Such opportunities should be clearly highlighted through cross references between the Sustainability Appraisal and the Infrastructure Delivery Plan. Where mitigation is found to be impracticable or the wider impact on surrounding areas unacceptable, alternatives should be sought.

3.         That account is taken of the local evidence generated by Neighbourhood Plans and policies to ensure a holistic approach to planning within Sefton’s Local Plan and associated documents in relation to the provision of infrastructure and community facilities.

4.         That a report be submitted to the Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Environmental Services) at the appropriate time, setting out the approach to the Community Infrastructure Levy and the potential relative priorities to be attached to the range of infrastructure needs. This process should be supported by giving priority to locally determined infrastructure needs and Government guidance informing how Community Infrastructure Levy contributions should be allocated.

5.         Flood Risk and Drainage: That any new development does not increase flood risk from any source within the site and elsewhere, and where possible reduces flood risk.

6.         Impact of large development building sites on existing communities:  That a clear policy approach is set out in the Local Plan and Infrastructure Delivery Plan to ensure that the infrastructure needed is provided in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

Further to Minute No. 95 of the meeting of the Planning Committee held on 7 January 2015, The Cabinet considered the report of the Director Built Environment setting out the key findings of the 2014 Strategic Housing Market Assessment for Sefton, which was one of a number of key evidence gathering studies that had been commissioned to inform the Local Plan and the Council’s Housing Strategy.

Decision Made:

That the Council be recommended to approve the 2014 Strategic Housing Market Assessment for Sefton.

Reasons for Decision:

To inform the preparation of the Council’s Local Plan and Housing Strategy.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Built Environment in relation to the Local Plan for Sefton. The report presented the Publication Draft Plan, a key stage in the preparation of Sefton’s Local Plan. The Plan set out issues and challenges facing Sefton that included:

·         a vision for Sefton looking ahead to 2030

·         a strategy for how Sefton’s housing, business and other development needs can be met

·         development management policies to help guide development and provide a policy framework for making decisions on planning applications

·         detailed site allocations showing how needs can be met

·         details of the Publication period and next stages.

The Publication Draft Plan was an important corporate strategy document which had being developed within the statutory planning framework.

The Director of Built Environment indicated that the Publication Draft Plan had been produced following a lengthy and rigorous planning process and that it had been considered and scrutinised in detail by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Regeneration and Environmental Services) on 9 December 2014 and the Planning Committee on 12 January 2015 and that following this meeting, the report would be submitted to the Council on 22 January 2015 for approval.

The Leader of the Council (Councillor P. Dowd) indicated that the Publication Draft Plan had been prepared in accordance with the National Planning Policy Framework produced by the Government and that the Council had legal obligation to produce a Local Plan that met the requirements of the Framework. Following the approval of the Publication Draft Plan by the Council, it would be published for a period of eight weeks and then be submitted to the Secretary of State for examination. All of the comments received on the Publication Draft Plan during that eight week period would be submitted to the Government appointed independent inspector for consideration at the examination hearing.

Cabinet Members expressed their appreciation for the inclusion of policies in the Draft Plan on health and wellbeing issues and the provision of sustainable growth in the Borough.

The Cabinet expressed their thanks to all of the Planning Officers who had been involved in the production of the draft Local Plan over a number of years.

Decision Made:

That the Council be recommended to approve the following:

(i)         the Local Development Scheme as set out in Section 2.6 and Annex A of the report;

(ii)        the Authority Monitoring Report as set out in Section
           20 of the report;

(iii)       the further evidence which supports the Draft Plan, as outlined in Section 21 of the report, for consultation;

(iv)       the Draft Plan for publication;

(v)        the approach to notifying people of the Draft Plan, as outlined in Section 22 of the report;

(vi)       grant delegated powers to the Director of Built Environment to make minor editorial changes to the draft Plan before it is published, as referred to in Section 23.1 of the report;

(vii)      following the end of the publication period, and subject to there being no material change of circumstances, authorise the draft Plan  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

Report of the Chief Executive and Head of Corporate Finance and ICT

Further to Minute No. 41 of the meeting held on 27 November 2014, the Cabinet considered the report of the Chief Executive and Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which provided details of the Council’s financial position for 2015/16 and 2016/17.  This followed the Local Government Finance Provisional Settlement 2015/16; the updated and new savings options that would contribute to the forecast budget gap for the next two years, the budget gap remaining and the timetable for producing a balanced two year budget plan.

In addition the report also reviewed the implementation of the 2014/15 budget reductions and provided details of a proposed amendment to the 2014/15 capital funding which was funded from external resources.

The Chief Executive indicated that the Council had recently received confirmation of the level of Government funding it would receive in 2015/16 and this had confirmed that previous forecasts were accurate and that the Council faces £55 million savings for the period 2015/16 to 2016/17. Savings of £15.478m had still to be identified and approved to meet the shortfall of £55m and further reports would be submitted to the Cabinet on proposed budget savings proposals prior to consideration at the Budget Council meeting on 5 March 2015.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Services and Performance) at its meeting held on 13 January 2015 had considered and noted a report on the Council’s budget position and the budget savings proposals.

Decision Made:

That:

In relation to the 2015/16 and 2016/17 Budget Plan:

(1)       the work programme timetable set out in Annex A of the report be noted;

(2)       the update on the Local Government Finance Provisional Settlement 2015/16 as outlined in paragraph 3 of the report be noted;

(3)       the feedback from the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Corporate Services and Performance) held on 13 January 2015 relating to the budget items included in the report be noted;

(4)       the updated items identified as efficiencies in Annex B of the report be approved and it be noted that these will be implemented immediately by officers;

(5)       the Council be recommended to approve the following revisions to budget savings proposals as set out in Annex C of the report which were originally considered by the Cabinet on 27 November 2014:

Further to Minute No. 29 of the meeting held on 9 October 2014, the Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which provided details of feedback received on the recent consultation exercise regarding the proposed amendments to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2015/16 and details of the updated Council Tax Base for 2015/16.

Decision Made:

That:

(1)                   the Council be recommended to approve and adopt the revisions to the current Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2015/16 summarised in paragraph 3 of the report, to take effect from 1st April 2015;

(2)       the consideration of any minor changes in legislation/guidance in relation to the 2015/16 Council Tax Reduction Scheme be delegated to the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT in consultation with Cabinet Member - Performance and Corporate Services and that any significant changes in such legislation/guidance and any further recommendations be reported to Council on 22January 2015;

(3)       the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT be granted delegated authority to consider and implement any minor textual changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2015/16;

(4)       the Council be recommended to approve the Council Tax Base 2015/16 as set out in Annex B of the report; and

(5)       the Council be recommended to approve the payment of grants to the Parish Councils in 2015/16 to compensate them for the cost of the Council Tax Reduction Scheme as set out in Annex B of the report.

Reasons for Decision:

Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme

Each financial year the Council must consider whether to revise or replace its Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme. The Council must approve and adopt the 2015/16 Council Tax Reduction Scheme by 31 January 2015 to take effect from 1 April 2015.

Any decision to revise or replace the scheme would require compliance with statutory provisions in accordance with The Local Government Finance Act 2012 (Chapter 17), Schedule 4.

The proposed revisions to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme ensure that those householders on the lowest incomes are not adversely affected by the Government annual uprating of state benefits and the introduction of Universal Credit.

Council Tax Base

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 1992, as amended, the Council is required to set a tax base for both Sefton Council and for each Parish Area for 2015/16.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

Not to revise the 2015/16 Council Tax Reduction Scheme in line with Department for Work and Pensions annual uprating for state benefits, applicable amounts and personal allowances. This would mean non-pensioner claimants would see a reduction in the amount of means-tested Council Tax Reduction and this would not match the applicable amounts and personal allowances for Housing Benefit and Universal Credit calculation.

To have a more generous Local Council tax Reduction Scheme. This would result in reduced income to the Council and would require further budget savings against services in order to achieve a balanced budget.

The Council could determine to reduce the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Older People which provided details of the draft Carers Strategy 2014-2020, which provided an overarching framework within which the Council could provide support to Carers to continue to undertake their unpaid caring roles with a focus on self-reliance, independence and community resilience

Decision Made:

That:

1.       the content of the report and the feedback from the consultation and engagement process be noted;

2.       the Draft Equality Analysis Report and the actions therein be approved; and

3.       the Council be recommended to approve Council approval of the Carers Strategy for Sefton.

Reasons for Decision:

The Care Act 2014 requires the Council to assess the needs of Carers and provide support and assistance. The Sefton Carers Strategy 2010-13 was approved by Cabinet on 23 June 2010. The revised Strategy provides a refreshed approach to supporting Carers taking into consideration the context within which the Council now finds itself.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Young People and Families which provided details of the decision by the Secretary of State for Education to convert St Michael’s CE High School, Litherland High School and Hillside High School to sponsored academies in accordance with Government policy and sought authorisation for officers to sign the documentation required by the Government’s academy conversion process.

Decision Made:

That:

(1)       the statutory requirements regarding academy conversion be noted;

(2)       the financial implications to the Council of the Academy conversions be noted; and

(3)       officers be authorised to complete the necessary agreements required as part of the academy conversion process for St Michael’s CE High School, Hillside High School and Litherland High School as outlined in the report.

Reasons for Decision:

To authorise the appropriate officers to enter into the agreements required as part of the academy conversion process.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None – the Secretary of State has the powers to direct that the academy conversion process can continue if the agreements are not signed.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Young People and Families which provided details of the requirements of home to school transport provision in Sefton and sought approval to consult on changes to current policy with a view to increasing the level of independence for some students and ensuring the cost effective delivery of services.

Decision Made:

That:

(1)       the statutory duties for home to school transport

           provision be noted;

(2)       officers be authorised to consult on changes to current policy as suggested in paragraphs 4.2 and 4.3 of the report and submit a report on the results of the consultation exercise to a future Cabinet meeting.

(3)       it be noted that Officers will progress the changes as outlined in paragraphs 4.4 to 4.7 of the report.

Reasons for Decision:

To enable consultations on any proposed changes to be held.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

The Council could continue with the current arrangements and adjust budgets accordingly.

Report of the Director of Public Health

Further to Minute No. 48 of the Council meeting held on 25 September 2014, the Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Public Health which provided details of the proposed action and the financial implications of the action to be taken in order to implement the following Motion passed by the Council:

“That:

(1) All shops, service providers and organisations across all sectors in Sefton should be contacted to ensure they understand their responsibilities towards breastfeeding mothers

(2) All shops, service providers and organisations across all sectors in Sefton should be sent a ‘Breastfeeding welcome here’ sticker for them to display if they wish to, and they should be encouraged by Sefton Council to do so.”

Decision Made:

That the financial implications in 2014/15 of implementing the Council Motion be noted and that the Director of Public Health be authorised to implement the actions necessary to support the Motion. This includes:

1.   All organisations in Sefton to receive a letter reminding them of their duty under the Equality Act 2010;

2.   Public facing organisations to be sent a ‘Breastfeeding welcome here’ sticker;

3.   Sefton partners who recently received UNICEF Baby Friendly Status to be requested to promote breastfeeding as part of their role; and

4.   All organisations to be provided with a link to a Breastfeeding Friendly e-reader

Reasons for Decision:

To ensure that Sefton organisations comply with the Equality Act 2010 and to support breastfeeding mothers.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None.

Report of the Director of Corporate Services

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Corporate Services which sought approval to the appointment of an additional Council representative on the Sefton New Directions Limited Board for the remainder of the 2014/15 Municipal Year.

Decision Made:

That Councillor John Joseph Kelly be appointed as the Council’s additional representative on the Sefton New Directions Limited Board for the remainder of the 2014/15 Municipal Year.

Reasons for Decision:

The Cabinet has delegated powers to approve the Council’s representatives to serve on Outside Bodies.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None