Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

No declarations of any disclosable pecuniary interest were received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 1 September 2016

Decision Made:

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 1 September 2016 be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Head of Corporate Resources

The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Corporate Resources which provided details of the current outturn forecast position for the Council for 2016/2017 as at the end of July 2016, based on the latest analysis of expenditure and income due to the Council, in addition to the progress in delivering approved savings; the current forecast on Council Tax and Business Rates collection for 2016/17; the current financial environment and the previously reported Medium Term Financial Plan position for 2017/18 to 2019/20; the proposed approach to the development of a budget package; and a proposed timetable for reporting to Members.

Decision Made: That

(1)          the current forecast outturn position as at the end of July 2016 be noted;

(2)          the progress to date on the achievement of approved savings for 2016/17 and residual savings carried forward from previous years be noted;

(3)          the forecast position on the collection of Council Tax and Business Rates for 2016/17 be noted;

(4)          the proposed approach to developing a budget package be noted; and

(5)          the proposed timetable for the budget process until the setting of the 2017/18 budget on 2 March 2017 be noted.

Reasons for Decision:

To ensure Cabinet are informed of the forecast outturn position for the revenue budget and delivery of savings as at end of June 2016. In addition, Cabinet were updated on the forecast outturn position with regard to the collection of Council Tax and Business Rates.

To ensure that Cabinet is fully aware of the Medium Term Financial Plan position and the proposed approach to the development of a budget package.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None.

Report of the Head of Schools and Families

The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Schools and Families which provided details of the decision by the Secretary of State for Education to convert Stanley High School, Southport to a sponsored academy in accordance with statutory requirements and sought authorisation for officers to sign the documentation required to by the 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 conversion be noted; and

(3)       the appropriate officers be authorised to complete the necessary agreements required as part of the academy conversion process, as outlined in the report.

Reasons for Decision:

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

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

No – the Secretary of State has the powers to direct that the academy conversion process can continue if the agreements are not signed.

Report of the Head of Inward Investment and Employment and the Head of Regeneration and Housing

The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Inward Investment and the Head of Regeneration and Housing which provided details of the progress of the Coastal Communities Fund submission to improve Southport Pier and Seafront and sought approval for delegated authority be given to the Cabinet Member Regeneration and Skills to accept the offer of funding subject to a detailed analysis of the ‘Offer Letter’ by Officers.

The Cabinet Member – Regeneration and Skills reported that following the publication of the report, the Council had been invited to submit an application for funding from the Coastal Communities Fund.

Decision Made: That

(1)      approval be given to officers proceeding with a Stage 2 application to the Coastal Communities Fund; and

(2)      in respect of the Stage 2 application, the Cabinet Member - Regeneration and Skills be granted delegated authority to determine the following issues in accordance with the details and parameters set out within the report and subject to receiving ongoing detailed reports from the project team:

i)             Submission of the full application and bid;

ii)            Acceptance of the offer if made; and

iii)           Management of the capital and revenue funding

Reasons for Decision:

To enable the submission of detailed application for funding from the Coastal Communities Fund to improve Southport Pier and Seafront.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

To withdraw the Expression of Interest submitted and not participate in the Coastal Communities funding programme 2016/19.

Report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing

The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing which provided details of and incorporated a copy of the Southport Development Framework document which had been produced following the public consultation exercise on the final draft document. The Framework was a strategic document for use over the longer term to guide future developments and attract investment into Southport.

The Cabinet Member – Regeneration and Skills indicated that the Framework had been produced following extensive consultations with the public and the business sector and provided a focus for discussions on future investment in Southport with an emphasis on the town centre and local heritage.

Decision Made:

That approval be given to the publication of the Southport Development Framework to guide future development and investment opportunities.

Reasons for Decision:

An approved Southport Development Framework would help promote the opportunity for investment and development potential that can support the Town.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None - The draft framework had been the subject of extensive consultation and engagement. Various options had been considered and are contained within the draft and final documentation.

Report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing

The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing which provided details of and incorporated a copy of the Bootle Town Centre Investment Framework document which had been produced following the public consultation exercise on the final draft document. The Framework was a strategic document for use over the longer term to guide future developments and attract investment into Bootle Town Centre.

The Cabinet Member – Regeneration and Skills indicated that the Framework had been produced following extensive consultations with the public and the business sector and provided a vision and focus for discussions on future investment in Bootle Town Centre.

Decision Made:

That approval be given to the publication of the Bootle Town Centre Investment Framework to guide future development and investment opportunities.

Reasons for Decision:

The Bootle Town Centre Investment Framework would help promote the opportunity for investment and development potential that can support the Town Centre.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None - The draft framework has been the subject of extensive consultation and engagement. Various options have been considered and are contained within the draft and final documentation.

Report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing

The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing which provided details of the Liverpool City Region Statement of Co-operation on Local Planning which had been approved by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and now needed to be approved by the constituent local authorities.

Decision Made:

That the Liverpool City Region Statement of Co-operation on Local Planning

be approved to guide consultation on Development Plan documents, including the Sefton Local Plan and any reviews thereof, produced at the Liverpool City Region and at Sefton levels.

Reasons for Decision:

The Liverpool City Region Combined Authority approved the Statement of Cooperation on Local Planning on 15 July 2016 and resolved that it be presented to each Constituent Council (including West Lancashire which was an associate member of the Liverpool City Region) for adoption.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

The alternative is not to agree to adopt the Statement of Cooperation. However, the Council would then fail to meet the statutory Duty to Co-operate requirement, both in relation to any Liverpool City Region-wide plans prepared in the future and those prepared by Sefton. There would not be a Liverpool City Region-wide approach to cooperating on strategic issues, and there would also be an impact on our losing out on economies of scale in relation to consultation and procurement where appropriate.

Report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing

The Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Regeneration and Housing which provided details of Liverpool City Region (Tenancy Strategy 2016, which if approved would replace Sefton’s existing Tenancy Strategy which was approved by Cabinet on 13 December 2012.

Decision Made: That

(1)       the Liverpool City Region Tenancy Strategy 2016, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved for publication, and it noted that it would replace the existing Sefton Tenancy Strategy;

(2)       the Cabinet Member - Communities and Housing be granted delegated authority to authorise further amendments potentially required to the Strategy as a result of the approval processes set out in Resolution (4) below, and any future amendments that may be required;

(3)       it be noted that the Liverpool City Region Tenancy Strategy 2016 had been developed in accordance with each individual Local Authorities’ housing needs; and

(4)       it be noted that a report will be taken to the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Combined Authority for endorsement, and that each individual LCR constituent authority included in the strategy would seek approval through their individual formal decision making processes prior to the publication of the finalised strategy in December 2016.

Reasons for Decision:

Sefton’s Tenancy Strategy was approved by Cabinet on 13 December 2012. This strategy was introduced under Section 150 of the Localism Act 2011, which placed a statutory duty on Local Authorities to prepare, consult upon and publish a tenancy strategy. The 2012 strategy should be “reviewed every 3 years or sooner than this if there is any significant national or local policy change that may impact on this strategy.” With the current legislative and policy changes brought about through the Housing and Planning Act 2016, alongside the LCR devolution agenda, it is was now an appropriate juncture to update Sefton’s existing Tenancy Strategy.

As the Tenancy Strategy seeks to influence Registered Housing Providers own approaches to tenancy management, and most Registered Providers operate across the Liverpool City Region Council areas, a common strategy was seen as the most advantageous approach.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

The Council could consider a ‘Sefton only’ strategy.