Agenda and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed at -http://council.webcast.vualto.com/leicestershire-county-council/home?EventId=14356

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 2016 were taken as read, confirmed and signed.

There were no urgent items for consideration.

The Chairman invited members who wished to do so to declare any interests in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting. No declarations were made.

The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Chief Executive and Director of Corporate Resources concerning a proposed review of the Strategic Plan 2014-18 and in particular the development of a single outcomes framework to set the policy context for outcomes-based commissioning and transformation activity. The report also outlined new approaches to commissioning and transformation. A copy of the report, marked ‘4’, is filed with these minutes. 

Comments of the Scrutiny Commission were circulated separately and a copy is filed with these minutes.

The Leader thanked Mr. Rhodes CC for his commitment to the work which would help in achieving the necessary savings in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the comments of the Scrutiny Commission be noted;

(b)      That approval be given to the proposed timetable for the refresh of the Strategic Plan including a single outcomes framework and the intention to obtain County Council approval thereto by the end of the calendar year so that the revised Plan will inform the commissioning cycle in 2017;

(c)      That the current position in relation to the development of commissioning strategies by service departments be noted;

(d)      That the work undertaken to develop departmental commissioning intentions be noted, and it be agreed that these should sit, as far as possible, within the framework of the four key commissioning themes of Prevent Need; Reduce Need; Delay Need and Meet Need;

(e)      That the new approach to be adopted for the Transformation Programme to support the delivery of savings within the Medium Term Financial Strategy as outlined in paragraphs 41 to 43 of the report be approved;

(f)       That the Director of Corporate Resources, following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Resources, be authorised to make changes to the Transformation Programme’s delivery mechanism and list of projects within it to allow for flexibility in supporting current and future MTFS savings and to enable opportunities for improvement within the Council to be progressed as they emerge;

(g)      That it be noted that regular progress reports will be submitted to the Cabinet and Scrutiny bodies on the measures and targets set out in the refreshed Strategic Plan.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Strategic Plan needs to be aligned to the current Medium Term Financial Strategy and have regard to the changes proposed for the Transformation Programme, Commissioning and Procurement Strategy, and Commissioning Intentions. The development of a single outcomes framework will facilitate the implementation of an outcome-based approach to commissioning.

Delegation of authority to the Director of Corporate Resources to deploy transformation resources as appropriate will allow the Transformation Programme to be more flexible in its delivery mechanism and to evolve on a rolling basis.

To ensure that members are aware and supportive of the direction of travel on the Transformation Programme and commissioning strategies and intentions as these will be a key component of the refresh of the Strategic Plan 2016-2020.

The Strategic Plan will identify measures and targets to assess progress and achievements and reports will be made to the Cabinet and Scrutiny bodies as part of the performance management framework.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services presenting the Commissioning Strategy and related Commissioning Intentions for services to support children and families from 2016 to 2020.  A copy of the report, marked ‘5’, is filed with these minutes.

Mr. Ould CC highlighted the four priorities identified in the Needs Analysis which formed the baseline for the Commissioning Strategy and Intentions.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the Children and Family Services Commissioning Strategy 2016-20, together with the Children and Family Services Commissioning Intentions 2016-20 as appended to the report, be approved;

(b)      That the key performance indicators associated with the high level outcomes set out in the Outcomes Framework be approved;

(c)      That it be noted that the Director of Children and Family Services will continue to develop a comprehensive workforce development strategy to support delivery of the Commissioning Strategy;

(d)      That the Director of Children and Family Services following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member be authorised to make amendments to the Commissioning Strategy and Intentions arising from future changes to national policy.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Strategy relates to the County Council’s new approach to Commissioning and is the high level strategic document that informs the commissioning decisions and work programme for Children and Family Services over the next four years, from April 2016 to March 2020.  The Commissioning Plans that sit beneath the Strategy contain more specific needs analysis and identify current performance, trends and future targets.  These will enable a new model for delivering children and family services to be implemented over the four year period.

The Strategy has been developed to fulfil statutory duties, meet savings and efficiency targets and provide a basis for commissioning and delivering Children and Family Services for the next four years.

Enabling the Director of Children and Family Services to make changes to the Commissioning Strategy and Intentions, following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member, will ensure that the documents continue to comply with national policy. In the event of substantial changes being required a report would be submitted to the Cabinet.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport seeking approval for the Interim Commissioning Strategy for 2016 to 2018, and for consultation to commence with key stakeholders to inform the development of a new final Commissioning Strategy from 2018 onwards. A copy of the report, marked ‘6’, is filed with these minutes.

Comments of the Environment and Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the Liberal Democrat Group were circulated separately, and copies are filed with these minutes.

Mr. Osborne CC commented that proposals for parking charges had been made clear in the Medium Term Financial Strategy, previously considered by the Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the Environment and Transport Interim Commissioning Strategy and associated Action Plan be approved subject to the Director of Environment and Transport, following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Members, being authorised to agree any minor amendments considered necessary, including  any changes arising from its consideration by the Cabinet, prior to publication;

(b)      The Director of Environment and Transport be authorised -

(i)       following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Members, to undertake consultation as required to implement the Action Plan attached to the Environment and Transport Interim Commissioning Strategy;

(ii)      to undertake consultations and engagement with key stakeholders, having regard to emerging partner strategies as necessary, to inform the development of a final Environment and Transport Commissioning Strategy for the period from 2018 onwards.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To ensure that the Environment and Transport Department is able to publish its Interim Commissioning Strategy in April 2016. This will form the foundation for the development of the final Strategy and service reviews to enable a new model for delivering services to be developed and implemented to fulfil statutory duties, meet savings and efficiency targets, and provide a basis for commissioning and delivering services.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities regarding further engagement activity carried out in Braunstone Town, Mountsorrel, and Narborough on proposals from local groups to manage their local library, and outlining progress made in relation to Kirby Muxloe library. A copy of the report, marked ‘7’, is filed with these minutes.

Comments of the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee and a letter from Braunstone Town Council (BTC) were circulated separately and copies are filed with these minutes.

The Director advised members with regard to issues raised by BTC, to the effect that

·     The County Council’s published offer concerned both the lease and grant agreement; the Fabula plan incorporated both lease and grant arrangement but the BTC submissions did not. The Fabula proposal was therefore the closest match with the offer.

·     The Fabula submission was made as part of the consultation on alternative service provision, when any groups were invited to suggest other options to the services being consulted upon, including the opportunity to submit an outline business plan to manage the library.

·     Adult lending stock would continue to be available under the Fabula proposals and discussions were ongoing as to what this would comprise.

·     The reduction in hours was temporary whilst the new arrangements were put in place, after which they would return to the minimum agreed.

The Director added that there had been recent correspondence with residents in Kirby Muxloe regarding issues with that library. There were still legal matters to be resolved, hence the proposal to report again in September.

Mr. Blunt CC noted that not all the transfers would be straightforward and it was important to allow plenty of time to ensure that issues could be addressed.  This approach had proved successful to date, with the majority of libraries set to transfer to community management. 

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the comments of the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted;

(b)      That the proposal from Fabula Social Enterprise in relation to Braunstone Town library be accepted and arrangements be made to progress to formal agreements to enable the group to manage the library;

(c)      That discussions continue with the County Council’s landlord with regard to the new Mountsorrel library and, following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member, the Director of Adults and Communities in consultation with the County Solicitor be authorised to determine the most sustainable occupancy agreement for the new library and, accordingly, to make the necessary arrangements to either surrender or sublet the lease, subject to the agreement of the Director of Corporate Resources;

(d)      That the Director of Corporate Resources, in consultation with the County Solicitor, be authorised to agree the terms of the surrender or sublet of the lease referred to in (c) above;

(e)      That the submission of an outline business plan proposed by the Narborough community group be noted and arrangements be made to progress to formal agreements to enable it to manage the library;

(f)       That a progress report in respect of Kirby Muxloe library be submitted to the Cabinet in September 2016, following the completion of the consultation with the Kirby Muxloe community.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Council has a statutory obligation to ensure provision of a comprehensive and efficient library service.  It has sought to enable and facilitate the ongoing provision, wherever possible, of library services by closer working with communities and other providers, whilst at the same time sustaining the countywide infrastructure to enable it to meet both its statutory obligations and budget challenges.  In November 2014, the Cabinet agreed, inter alia, a delivery model for its  ...  view the full minutes text for item 410.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive seeking approval for the continuation of the Signposting and Community Support Service which provided emergency support to people in crisis in Leicestershire. A copy of the report, marked ‘8’, is filed with these minutes.

Comments of the Scrutiny Commission were circulated separately and a copy is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the comments of the Scrutiny Commission be noted;

(b)      That provision of the Signposting and Community Support Service as set out in paragraphs 10 and 11 of the report be approved.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To enable ongoing and effective support to people in crisis in Leicestershire.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive regarding the progress made in respect of equality, diversity, community cohesion and human rights against the Council’s 2014-16 Equality Action Plan and seeking approval to consult on the revised draft Equality Strategy.  A copy of the report, marked ‘9’, is filed with these minutes.

Mrs Posnett CC said that consideration of human rights and equalities issues was embedded throughout the Council’s work and it would continue to seek to improve.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the progress made in promoting equality, diversity, community cohesion and human rights, and in particular the work done to achieve the nine corporate equalities objectives which were agreed in 2012 and which formed the basis of the Equality Strategy 2013-2016 be noted;

(b)      That the Council’s draft Equality Strategy 2016-2020 and the associated draft Action Plan for 2016/17 be approved for consultation;

(c)      That the Council’s commitment to the current equality objectives is re-stated in the meantime;

(d)      That a further report be submitted to the Cabinet on 17 June 2016.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To note the progress made with regard to the equality, diversity, community cohesion and human rights work of the Council.

To enable formal consultation to be undertaken with a wide range of stakeholders via a range of consultation and engagement mechanisms.

To ensure that the Council continues to meet its Public Sector Equality Duty whilst preparing and consulting on revised objectives for 2016-2020.

To inform the Cabinet of the results of the consultation and changes made to the Strategy and Action Plan arising as a result.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Public Health concerning the Leicestershire Sexual Health Strategy for 2016-19, which set out key strategic priorities for improving sexual health services and population outcomes across Leicestershire.  A copy of the report, marked ‘10’, is filed with these minutes.

Mr. White highlighted the focus on prevention and early intervention work and said that he was pleased to note the support for the Strategy from the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the Leicestershire Sexual Health Strategy for 2016-19 be approved;

(b)      That the Director of Public Health be authorised to commission sexual health services in line with the final Strategy;

(c)      That it be noted that implementation of the Strategy will be formally monitored annually and progress reported to partners and key stakeholders to ensure alignment across the health system. 

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Sexual health services and commissioning has become fragmented following the implementation of the Health and Social Care Act 2012.  A strategy that is endorsed by key partners including Clinical Commissioning Groups, NHS England, providers and service users will set an agreed direction for sexual health commissioning across Leicestershire which will streamline commissioning intentions, improve patient pathways, efficiency and quality of care.  The Strategy will also be aligned with sexual health strategic priorities for Rutland Council and Leicester City Council to provide a wider Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland system approach.

It will be necessary to make commissioning decisions over the next three years in order for services to continue and to meet Medium Term Financial Strategy targets.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities regarding a proposed change to financial assessments for members of a couple in relation to charging for adult social care services.  A copy of the report, marked ‘11’, is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the Council’s Charging Policy be amended, to

(i)       include a revised approach to financial assessments for couples for all new assessments as outlined in paragraphs 19 to 21 of the report, and

(ii)      confirm that the existing approach to financial assessments will be maintained for current service users who have a current couple’s financial assessment.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The statutory guidance for the Care Act 2014 revised the basis on which couples could be financially assessed.  For some couples this means that it is possible for the Council to require that service users make a larger contribution to the costs of their care.

It is considered that the adoption of a revised approach in line with the statutory guidance could generate additional income. This could be used to offset the requirement to make further budget reductions and support the delivery of the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport concerning a review of the County Council’s Transport Asset Management Plan, Highway Maintenance Strategy, and Policy and Street Lighting Strategy and Policy and seeking approval to consult on proposed changes. A copy of the report, marked ‘12’, is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the Director of Environment and Transport be authorised to commence consultation on revisions to the policy and strategies currently set out in the Transport Asset Management Plan, Highway Maintenance Strategy and Policy, and Street Lighting Strategy and Policy;

(b)      That a report on the outcome of the consultation setting out recommended new key policies and strategies, in the form of a Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Plan and a revised Highway Maintenance Policy and Strategy, be submitted to the Cabinet later in 2016.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Updating the County Council’s approach to managing and maintaining Leicestershire’s highway assets will support the delivery of a service that is appropriate to the budget proposals set out in its 2016-2020 Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The replacement of the Transport Asset Management Plan with a Highway Infrastructure Asset Management Plan together with a revised Highway Maintenance Policy and Strategy will ensure that the Council is in a strong position to secure additional funds, which will be available through the Department for Transport’s Incentive Fund and Challenge Fund processes, up to 2020/21. It will also reflect the new national code of practice, “Well Managed Highways Infrastructure” which is due for publication later in the year.

Initial engagement and consultation with stakeholders is an important part of the process for developing revised policies. This will also help to ensure that the Authority’s asset management strategy, highway maintenance and street lighting policies take account of customer expectations and deliver the most appropriate service levels consistent with the limitations of the budget and the need to build long-term resilience into the network.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport regarding the implementation of a traffic regulation order (TRO) which was required as a condition of the planning approval for the Retirement Living Development, Enderby Road, Blaby to remove on-street parking around access to the site.  A copy of the report, marked ‘13’, is filed with these minutes.

Members noted comments from the local member, Mr. G. Welsh CC, a copy of which is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the Traffic Regulation Order associated with the Enderby Road development, Blaby as shown on the drawing no. BL15_4358/1 appended to the report be approved for implementation.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The TRO is required as a condition of the planning approval for the Retirement Living Development Enderby Road, Blaby.  Its implementation will remove on-street parking in the vicinity of access routes to and from the development and increase highway visibility and safety along Enderby Road.

There were no items referred from Overview and Scrutiny.