Venue: Sparkenhoe Committee Room, County Hall, Glenfield
Contact: Anna Poole (Tel. 0116 305 2583) Email: anna.poole@leics.gov.uk
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Webcast and Order Paper. PDF 416 KB A webcast of the meeting can be viewed at https://bit.ly/2NKDhFz |
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Chairman's Announcements. Minutes: The Chairman thanked Mrs. Pam Posnett CC for her work for
the Cabinet over a number of years, and welcomed Mr. Lee Breckon CC to the
Cabinet as the Lead Member for Health. The Chairman announced that the Prime Minister, Theresa May, had formally resigned, and acknowledged the service that she had given to the Country. |
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Minutes of the previous meeting. PDF 165 KB Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2019 were taken as read, confirmed and signed. |
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Urgent Items. Minutes: There were no urgent items for consideration. |
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Declarations of interest. Minutes: Mr. Rushton CC, Mrs. Richardson CC, Mr. Shepherd CC, Mr. Breckon CC, Mr. Blunt CC each declared a personal interest in agenda item 8 (Supporting Growth in Leicestershire) as members of district councils. |
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Additional documents: Minutes: The Cabinet
considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services concerning
the outcome of the public consultation on the development of local Special
Educational Needs and Disabilities provision as part of the High Needs Block
Development Plan and the outcome of the publication of the Statutory Notice for
the development of new provisions in maintained schools. The report also sought agreement for the
Director to determine the Statutory Notice, and to agree a shortlist of
potential academy trusts to be recommended to the Regional Schools
Commissioner. A copy of the report, marked “Agenda Item 4” is filed with these
minutes. Mr. Ould highlighted
the urgent need to increase SEND provision across the County. He was pleased at
the extent of parental support for the proposals, noting the benefits for
children of being educated in their local community. Mr. Rhodes added
that he hoped the cost of the additional statutory provision would be met by
the Department for Education. RESOLVED: (a)
That
the online and written responses to the consultation, and feedback given
through public meetings, in particular the high level of support received for
the development of new Special Educational Needs and Disabilities provisions,
be noted; (b)
That
the Director of Children and Family Services be requested to take the views of
the Children
and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee (due to meet on 4 June) into
account in developing the provision; (c)
That the fact that there have been no objections
made to the Statutory Notice (published on 4 April 2019) setting out proposals
for the development of new SEND provision in maintained schools be noted; (d)
That the Director of Children and Family Services,
following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Children, Families and
Safer Communities, be authorised to agree a shortlist of potential academy
trusts to be recommended to the Department for Education (Regional Schools
Commissioner) for a decision on a preferred Trust to operate the new 80-place
Communication and Interaction school to open in Barwell
in September 2020. (KEY DECISION) REASONS FOR DECISION: The public consultation exercise closed on 31 March and has received a
very positive response. Consideration of the responses received is helping to
further guide the development of the new SEND provisions and provide assurance
for the Council that the actions proposed are appropriate. The Children and
Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee will receive a report on the proposals
on 4 June 2019. Seeking expressions of interest from suitable academy proposers
(sponsors) to operate the new Communication and Interaction school in Barwell, is in keeping with the requirements placed upon
the Council by section 6A (the Free School Presumption) of the Education and
Inspections Act 2006, as introduced by the Education Act 2011. Authorising the Director to decide on the shortlist
of potential academy sponsors to be recommended to the Regional Schools
Commissioner, will enable an early decision to be taken, to ensure that the
process for the new school remains on schedule for September 2020 opening. |
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Supporting Children in Care and Care Leavers in Leicestershire. PDF 268 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: The Cabinet
considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services concerning
the new arrangements for supporting care leavers in Leicestershire. A copy of the report, marked “Agenda Item 5”
is filed with these minutes. Mr. Ould said that
it was important for the Council, as Corporate Parent, to support care leavers to
become independent, as any parent would do. He had attended the launch event of
‘The Promise’ and supported the work that had been developed. He expressed
concern however, that legislation had greatly extended local authorities’ responsibilities
without appropriate levels of Government funding in place. RESOLVED: a)
That
the approach to supporting Care Leavers as outlined in the report be agreed, noting
in particular: ·
The Promise, setting out the Council’s commitment, ·
The Care Leavers Offer, of support available, ·
The Care Leavers Covenant, from the private, public and voluntary
sectors in Leicestershire, and ·
The draft Care Leavers Protocol (housing), to help address accommodation related
needs; b)
That
the ongoing development of closer working relationships with partners including
district councils, local businesses, and the voluntary and community sector to
improve outcomes for Care Leavers be welcomed; c)
That
the agreement reached with district councils for Care Leavers to be eligible
for 100% Council Tax Support up to the age of 25 be welcomed. REASONS FOR DECISION:
The County Council
is the ‘corporate parent’ for children and young people in care and seeks to do
all it can to ensure that they, and every young person leaving its care, has
the same support and opportunities available to others. Legislation and
guidance emphasise that corporate parenting is a role that needs to be shared
not only across the whole of the Council but with other partners in the local
authority area, such as district councils (which have responsibilities as the
Housing Authorities), the NHS, schools and colleges, and other agencies. Working in partnership with the public,
private, and voluntary and community sector will help ensure positive and
aspirational outcomes for care leavers in Leicestershire. It is recognised
that young people leaving care frequently face more challenges living
independently for the first time. To help mitigate the financial problems for
care leavers, all local authorities in Leicestershire have therefore agreed,
with effect from 1 April 2019, to waive the requirement for Care Leavers to pay
Council Tax until after the age of 25. |
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New Multi-Agency Children's Safeguarding Arrangements. PDF 410 KB Minutes: The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services concerning the proposals for the new multi-agency safeguarding arrangements for children. A copy of the report, marked “Agenda Item 6” is filed with these minutes. Mr. Ould commended the proposals and said that he would take a keen interest in their development. RESOLVED: That the approach to the new multi-agency safeguarding partnership arrangements for children to be known as Leicestershire and Rutland Safeguarding Children Partnership be approved. REASONS FOR DECISION:
It is a requirement
for all local authority areas to have in place by the end of September 2019,
multi-agency partnership arrangements to safeguard and promote the welfare of
all children. It is also a requirement
to publish these arrangements by 29 June 2019. |
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Minutes: The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities which sought approval to delegate certain statutory functions under the Mental Health Act 1983 and the Care Act 2014 to Leicester City Council. A copy of the report, marked “Agenda Item 7” is filed with these minutes. Mr. Blunt said the proposals outlined a sensible and cost-effective approach to the delivery of the out-of-hours service by the Emergency Duty Team. RESOLVED: a) That, in accordance with Section 9EA of the Local Government Act 2000 and The Local Authorities (Arrangements for the Discharge of Functions) (England) Regulations 2012 and all other enabling powers, the statutory functions of the County Council in respect of i. enquiries pursuant to Section 42 of the Care Act 2014 in respect of safeguarding adults from abuse, and ii. carrying out the statutory duties of Approved Mental Health Act Professionals pursuant to Section 13 of the Mental Health Act 1983 be delegated to Leicester City Council during the following hours: i. Monday to Thursday before 08:30 and after 17:00 ii. Fridays before 08:30 and after 16:30 iii. Saturdays, Sundays, and public and bank holidays; b) That the Director of Adults and Communities in consultation with the Director of Law and Governance be authorised to enter into an agreement with Leicester City Council under Section 9EA of the Local Government Act 2000 to ensure the effective operation of the delegated functions. REASONS FOR DECISION: The County Council has a statutory duty for safeguarding adults under Section 42 of the Care Act and to provide Approved Mental Health Act Professionals to undertake assessments for people of all ages under the Mental Health Act. As the number of issues that arise outside of normal office hours is relatively low it is sensible and cost-effective for Leicester City Council to carry out this function on the County Council’s behalf. A new agreement is required to accurately reflect the functions the City Council would be providing on the County Council’s behalf. |
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Supporting Growth in Leicestershire. PDF 386 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The
Cabinet considered a joint report of the Director of Corporate Resources and
the Chief Executive concerning the significant housing and business growth
planned across Leicestershire, the infrastructure required to support this and
seeking support for the steps being taken to address these challenges at a
local and national level. A copy of the
report, marked “Agenda Item 8” is filed with these minutes. Members
noted the comments of Mr. D. C. Bill MBE CC, submitted on behalf of the Liberal
Democrat Group, a copy of which is filed with these minutes. Mr.
Rushton said that a co-ordinated approach was essential to deal with the
predicted growth and to meet the needs of an ageing population and increasing
demand at a time of very significant financial challenge for the Council. He
emphasised the need to plan ahead for Leicestershire’s future, to ensure that
infrastructure such as roads, green spaces, and community facilities were in
place at the right time. Mr.
Rhodes noted that significant funding was needed to support forecasted
expansion and growth. Whilst the Council
had had considerable success in bidding for Government funding this could not
be guaranteed and the level of developer contributions was uncertain. He hoped
that Council Tax income generated via housing development could be earmarked to
support growth. RESOLVED:
(a)
That the significant forecasted population growth across
Leicestershire, the consequential economic and housing growth planned to
support this, and the financial risks faced by the County Council as the major
infrastructure provider in the area, be noted; (b)
That the Council continues to press Government to ensure that the
infrastructure required to make a success of its growth agenda is adequately
and fairly funded; (c)
That in light of issues arising from the funding of the Melton
Mowbray Distributor Road and the Melton North and South Sustainable
Neighbourhoods, including funding through developer contributions, the need for
a cost-sharing agreement with district councils to enable the County Council to
forward fund the significant infrastructure costs through the use of additional
tax revenues be supported; (d)
That the report be drawn to the attention of the Strategic
Planning Group with the intention for sharing with the Member Advisory Planning
Group for Leicester and Leicestershire (which has overseen the production of
the Strategic Growth Plan); (e)
That the intention to establish a Growth Unit within the Chief
Executive’s Department to strengthen the Council’s internal co-ordination and
management of growth projects together with the demands placed on available
capacity within Environment and Transport and Children and Family Services
departments to ensure timely response to growth matters, be noted. REASONS FOR DECISION:
The financial risks faced by the County Council in
delivering the infrastructure necessary to support growth in the County are
significant. The introduction of
cost/risk sharing arrangements with district councils, maximising
developer contributions and increased income, will help to better manage these
risks and share these in a way that is proportionate and fair. The Government’s approach to the allocation of growth
income e.g. council tax, business rates, new homes bonus, grant funding etc.,
is having a detrimental effect on those authorities responsible for delivering
growth related infrastructure. The Council’s
ability to support and finance local growth needs is likely to be affected
unless there is a change in approach at a national level. The establishment of a central Growth Unit will ensure
that public services are effectively planned over the short, medium and long
term across Leicestershire and that risks associated with the Council’s
financial contribution to large scale growth and infrastructure projects remain
tightly managed. Ensuring that developers make appropriate contributions to mitigate the consequences ... view the full minutes text for item 275. |
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Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020/21 - 2023/24 Proposals for Consultation. PDF 326 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Cabinet considered a report of the
Director of Corporate Resources seeking approval for the proposed approach to a
widespread public, stakeholder and staff consultation on the County Council’s
future financial priorities. A copy of
the report, marked “Agenda Item 9” is filed with these minutes. Mr. Rushton highlighted that the Council had
made huge changes in the way it worked in recent years and it was important
that as many people as possible be consulted on the next MTFS.
He added that the Council’s declaration of a climate change emergency would affect
the delivery of its services. Mr. Rhodes said that he would be working with
Directors over the coming months to draw up budgets and added that it was
important that the Council’s financial position and priorities were shared with
the public, as there were still considerable savings to be made. RESOLVED: (a)
That the significant
financial challenge faced by the County Council, be noted; (b)
That the plan for a comprehensive
public, stakeholder, and staff consultation on the Medium Term Financial
Strategy as set out in the appendix to the report, be approved. (KEY DECISION) REASONS FOR DECISION:
To ensure that
stakeholders’ views are incorporated into the Council’s future financial plans. To
enable the development of the 2020/21 to 2023/24 Medium Term Financial Strategy
for consideration by the Council in February 2020. |
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Annual Treasury Management Report 2018 - 19. PDF 271 KB Minutes: The Cabinet
considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources concerning the
action taken and the performance achieved in respect of the treasury management
activities of the Council in 2018/19. A copy of the report, marked “Agenda Item
10” is filed with these minutes. Mr. Rhodes commended
the Corporate Governance Committee who had worked with officers to maintain
control of the finances. RESOLVED: That the report be
noted. REASONS FOR DECISION:
The Authority’s
full adoption of the CIPFA Code of Practice for
treasury management requires an annual report on Treasury
Management activity and performance to be considered by both the Cabinet and
the Corporate Governance Committee before the end of September each year. |
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2018/19 Provisional Revenue and Capital Outturn. PDF 344 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources
concerning the provisional revenue and capital outturn for 2018/19 and seeking
approval for additional commitments set out in the report. A copy of the report, marked “Agenda Item 11”
is filed with these minutes. Members noted that the Council’s Carbon Reduction Commitment also had
benefits for its budget, for example, a significant fall in CO2 tonnages
resulting from the installation of LED street lighting. Mr. Rhodes commended officers’ efforts to keep expenditure under control.
RESOLVED: (a)
That the 2018/19 provisional revenue and capital
outturn be noted; (b)
That the additional commitments, as set out in
paragraphs 51 and 52 of the report, be approved; (c)
That
the prudential indicators for 2018/19 as shown in Appendix E to the report, be
noted. (KEY DECISION) REASONS FOR DECISION:
To note the provisional revenue and capital outturn for 2018/19, and to
set aside funding for additional commitments. |
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Zouch Bridge Replacement. PDF 395 KB Additional documents:
Minutes: The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport concerning the necessary replacement of Zouch Bridge and seeking approval for the provision of the required funds to build the new bridge. A copy of the report, marked “Agenda Item 12” is filed with these minutes. The Director assured members that a regular inspection programme was in place of all 300 bridges and structures maintained by the Council (none of which currently required major work on the scale required for Zouch Bridge). Mr. Pain noted that the A6006 was a key route for the local economy and a new bridge on land to the south would keep disruption to a minimum. RESOLVED: a) That
Option A, to replace the existing Zouch Bridge with a new bridge on land to the
south, be approved; b) That
additional funding of £5.548m required to construct a new bridge, over and
above the £3.1m already allocated in the Medium Term Financial Strategy, be
identified through Environment and Transport Department reserves and the
Department’s existing capital programme; c) That
it be noted that continued monitoring of the Bridge will be undertaken to
ensure safety. (KEY DECISION) REASONS FOR DECISION: Continued monitoring of, and repairs to, Zouch Bridge combined with reactive weight restrictions (weight limits, lane closures and/or road closure) where necessary may suffice to keep it open for the next few years, but the Bridge is nearing the end of its useful life and needs to be replaced. Replacement of the Bridge with a new structure to the south will avoid serious adverse impact on Leicestershire’s road network, minimising disruption to traffic and business, and doing this at the earliest opportunity should enable the project to be completed before reactive weight restrictions are required. To ensure that any safety risks associated with the ageing bridge are identified and addressed. OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED: The following 3 options were considered: Option A – replacing the existing bridge with a new bridge to the south; Option B – continuing with reactive maintenance to the concrete; monitoring the bridge and carrying out repairs as required; Option C – imposing weight restrictions, by way of limiting vehicle weights, closing lanes, or closing the road, as necessary. |
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Additional documents:
Minutes: The Cabinet considered
a report by the Chief Executive seeking approval of the proposed enforcement
programmes for underage sales of tobacco and nicotine products for
2019/20. A copy of the report, marked
“Agenda Item 13” is filed with these minutes. Members were informed
that Leicestershire Police led the enforcement programme for the sale of knives;
the Council worked in partnership with them. RESOLVED: That the 2019/2020 Enforcement Programmes for Underage Sales of Tobacco and Nicotine Products and Aerosol Paint Products
set out in Appendices A and B to the report, be approved. REASONS FOR DECISION:
To enable the
County Council to meet its statutory obligation under Section 5(1) of the Children
and Young Persons (Protection from Tobacco) Act 1991 (as amended) and Section
54A of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. |
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Additional documents: Minutes: The Cabinet
considered a report of the Director of Law and Governance regarding the
Council’s use of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 from 1 October
2017 to 1 May 2019 and seeking approval for the revised Policy Statement. A
copy of the report, marked “Agenda Item 14” is filed with these minutes. RESOLVED: a)
That the County Council’s use of the
Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA)
for the period from 1 October 2017 to 1 May 2019 be noted. b)
That the revised Covert Surveillance and the
Acquisition of Communications Data Policy Statement attached, set out in the
Appendix to the report, be approved. REASONS FOR
DECISION: The Codes of
Practice made under RIPA require elected members of a
local authority to review the Authority’s use of RIPA
and set the Policy at least once a year.
Changes in legislation affecting the acquisition of communications data
by local authorities are to be introduced imminently and have resulted in the
need to update the Council’s current Policy Statement. |
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Items referred from Overview and Scrutiny. Minutes: There were no items referred from Overview and Scrutiny. |
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In attendance |
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Apologies |