Agenda and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed at -

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWFpwBLs6MnUzG0WjejrQtQ

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 May 2018 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 report of the Director of Adults and Communities regarding the outcome of a consultation exercise on proposals to reconfigure the Council’s in-house learning disability residential accommodation, and recommending changes to provision of these services in Coalville and Hinckley.  A copy of the report, marked ‘4’, is filed with these minutes.

Members noted comments of the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, a copy of which is filed with these minutes, and Mr. Rushton referred to a letter received from relatives of a resident at The Trees (Hinckley) in support of the proposals and thanking the Director and his team and Mr. Blunt CC.

Mr. Blunt said that it had proved to be the most challenging issue he had dealt with in recent years and he was grateful for the extra funding that had been provided which had enabled the final proposals to be developed.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That long-stay residential services at The Trees in Hinckley continue to be provided subject to reconfiguration and refurbishment of the existing buildings;

(b)      That long-stay residential services at Hamilton Court in Coalville be closed and the residents be supported to find appropriate alternative accommodation;

(c)      That a new short breaks service be developed on the Hamilton Court/Smith Crescent site to replace the existing short breaks building;

(d)      That it be noted that the development of the seven-bed accessible short breaks service on the existing Hamilton Court/Smith Crescent site will be funded from discretionary capital funds, including the Council’s Future Developments Fund;

(e)      That it be noted that the use of the Hamilton Court/Smith Crescent site for supported living housing will continue to be explored.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The existing accommodation at The Trees is not considered to be satisfactory for continued provision of long-stay accommodation, but a feasibility study confirmed that the property can be reconfigured and refurbished to modern standards. The buildings at Hamilton Court and Smith Crescent (adjacent to each other in Coalville) have also become unsuitable, with particular issues for people with physical and/or sensory disabilities.  A feasibility study has confirmed that it is not possible to reconfigure these buildings but the development of a new service on the site will address the continued need for short break services.

The original proposals to reconfigure the services in Hinckley were planned to compensate for a reduction in short break beds in Coalville.  The revised proposals to retain long-stay accommodation in Hinckley will leave a shortfall in short break beds, hence the proposal for the Hamilton Court/Smith Crescent site.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Independent Chair of the Leicestershire and Rutland Local Safeguarding Children Board regarding the Business Plan for that Board for 2018/19.  A copy of the report, marked ‘5’, is filed with these minutes.

It was noted that the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee had supported the Business Plan.

Mr. Ould CC and Mrs Posnett CC commended the Business Plan, and were pleased that children and young people had been involved with its development.

RESOLVED:

That the Leicestershire and Rutland Local Safeguarding Children Board Business Plan 2018/19 be noted and welcomed.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Submission of the report enables the Cabinet to consider the Business Plan priorities and consider whether these identify matters that it wishes to address in relation to the effectiveness of safeguarding within the work of the Authority.  It has been considered good practice in Leicestershire to submit both the Annual Report and Business Plan for the Local Safeguarding Children Board to the Cabinet and to the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Independent Chair of the Leicestershire and Rutland Local Safeguarding Adult Board regarding the Business Plan for that Board for 2018/19.  A copy of the report, marked ‘6’, is filed with these minutes.

It was noted that the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee had supported the Business Plan.

Mr. Blunt CC said he was pleased that the Board would work closely with the County’s Local Safeguarding Children Board and with the Adult Board for Leicester.

RESOLVED:

That the Leicestershire and Rutland Local Safeguarding Adult Board Business Plan 2018/19 be noted and welcomed.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Submission of the report enables the Cabinet to consider the Business Plan priorities and consider whether these identify matters that it wishes to address in relation to the effectiveness of safeguarding within the work of the Authority.  It has been considered good practice in Leicestershire to submit both the Annual Report and Business Plan for the Local Safeguarding Adult Board to the Cabinet and to the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services seeking approval of the Leicestershire Children and Families Partnership Plan, which had been jointly developed by the Leicestershire Children and Families Partnership.  A copy of the report, marked ‘7’, is filed with these minutes.

Members noted comments of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee, a copy of which is filed with these minutes.

Mr. Ould CC highlighted the key messages that had resulted from consultation with children and young people.

RESOLVED:

That the Leicestershire Children and Families Partnership Plan 2018-21 be approved.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Plan and associated actions will provide a vehicle for the Partnership to work together on shared priorities, enabling it to identify opportunities to maximise partnership resources and expertise across the public and voluntary sectors and to avoid duplication.  

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services regarding the outcome of consultation on the Leicestershire school term-time pattern for 2019-2022 for schools controlled by the Local Authority, and seeking approval of the preferred pattern and for these schools to set their own teacher training days.  A copy of the report, marked ‘8’, is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That Option 1, the current Leicestershire term-time pattern as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved;

(b)      That approval be given to allow all schools under Local Authority control the freedom to set their own INSET (teacher training) days.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Education Act 2002 places a statutory obligation on the County Council to determine the number of school days that schools under its control must be open.

The County Council is required to determine a pattern that ensures at least 380 sessions (190 days) during a school year.  In addition, there must be five INSET days for the purpose of teacher training and other duties.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources proposing a new policy on the use of sprinkler systems in Council buildings together with a new fire risk and sprinkler priority assessment tool.  The report also advised the Cabinet with regard to fire safety compliance in Leicestershire academies and the current status of Government legislation and policy.  A copy of the report, marked ‘9’, is filed with these minutes.

The Director reported that since publication of the report, the eight academies in the ‘higher risk’ group had now been classed as satisfactory.

Members commented on the need for others to take responsibility for fire safety in their buildings.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the work undertaken to promote the continued safety of all occupants of County Council buildings, in particular with Leicestershire academies, be noted;

(b)      That the County Council Policy on Use of Sprinkler Systems and the associated Fire Risk and Sprinkler Priority Assessment Tool attached as Appendices A and B to the report be approved;

(c)      That the Director of Corporate Resources be authorised to amend and update the Policy on Use of Sprinkler Systems as is necessary to ensure that it is up-to-date and in line with current legislation and good practice;

(d)      That the work being undertaken to respond to expected changes in legislation and Government policy which might affect the design, construction and on-going management of County Council buildings, be noted.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

A clearly defined policy on the use of sprinkler systems will assist the Authority in discharging its duties and responsibilities to ensure the safety of the Council’s buildings.   The Policy will be kept under constant review and amended by the Director of Corporate Resources as appropriate to ensure it remains up-to-date and in line with current legislation and good practice.  

The County Council takes its responsibilities for the safety and well-being of its buildings seriously and it expects others with similar responsibilities, such as academy schools, to do likewise.  Continued work will ensure the Council remains vigilant and able to respond quickly to legislative changes that will specifically affect the way it designs, constructs and operates its buildings.

The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Director of Adults and Communities and Director of Health and Care Integration regarding Leicestershire’s performance in relation to the Delayed Transfers of Care (DTOC) target for 2017/18, which was imposed by NHS England as part of the Better Care Fund Policy.  The report also set out action taken to improve performance, the effect of these, and the revised provisional DTOC target for 2018/19.  A copy of the report, marked ‘10’, is filed with these minutes.

It was noted that the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee had also received a report on the matter.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To note performance in 2017/18 in relation to Delayed Transfers Of Care, improvements to date, and the emerging position with respect to the DTOC target for 2018/19.

The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Director of Adults and Communities, Director of Corporate Resources and Chief Executive regarding the full business case for the delivery of a new Archives, Heritage and Learning Collections Hub (Collections Hub) to bring together the archive, museums and creative learning service collections into a single publically accessible site.  A copy of the report, marked ‘11’, is filed with these minutes.

Mr. Rushton CC noted that the Council had a statutory responsibility to provide an archive and record keeping service and said that bringing the collections together into a modern accessible facility would ensure that they were conserved and enhanced well into the future.   Mr. Blunt added that the possibility of external funding for the project would now be explored.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the full business case for the Archives, Heritage and Learning Collections Hub be noted;

(b)      That Option 2 - the creation of an Archives, Heritage and Collections Hub on the County Hall campus - be approved;

(c)      That the Directors of Adults and Communities and Corporate Resources be authorised to undertake further work in order to develop the two potential schemes for Option 2 (a new build, and the refurbishment of an existing building) including:

          (i)       exploring the development of a package of external funding and

(ii)      engagement with key stakeholders to begin initial planning for the preferred scheme;

(d)      That a further report be submitted to the Cabinet regarding the outcome of work at (c) above and recommending the most appropriate scheme.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Option 2 fulfils the brief by providing a central single site location for the Collections Hub, delivering a modern public service facility that would bring together the benefits of improved access to collections, increased storage space for the Record Office of Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland, and cashable savings of £350,000.

The option offers two potential schemes, both fulfilling the brief and based on the County Hall campus.  A final decision on the preferred scheme will be taken at a later date once investigations into potential external funding have been carried out.  Commencing discussion with stakeholders, in the meantime, will facilitate dialogue with potential funders.

The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Director of Adults and Communities and Director of Corporate Resources regarding work undertaken to explore alternative management options for the Century Theatre and seeking approval for its transfer to Leicestershire Traded Services, part of the Council’s Corporate Resources Department.  The report also recommended that the Theatre be de-accessioned from the Museum Collection and the Director be authorised to make disposals from the Museum Collection in certain circumstances.   A copy of the report, marked ‘12’, is filed with these minutes.

Members noted comments of the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, a copy of which is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the transfer of operational responsibility and associated resources for the Century Theatre from the Communities and Wellbeing Service (Adults and Communities Department) to Leicestershire Traded Services (Corporate Resources Department) be approved;

(b)      That the de-accessioning of the Century Theatre from the Council’s Museum Collection be approved;

(c)      That the Director of Adults and Communities be authorised to de-accession and dispose of items from the Museum Collection, except where:

          (i)       an item has particular public interest;

(ii)      the original purchase, or cost of its conservation/restoration, was supported by external funding;

          (iii)      the disposal involves a sale;

(iv)     the disposal of an item would result in a significant cost to the Authority.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Planning approval for the development of the Snibston site has recently been secured and this includes a new café provision to serve visitors to the Country Park as well as the new colliery area.  The café will form an extension to the Century Theatre; therefore bringing the operational management of these two elements together will ensure the benefit of this investment is maximised.

The transfer will help secure a sustainable operating model for the Theatre, which will continue to work with volunteers and Performing Arts @ the Century Theatre (PA@CT) and will give a clear focus for PA@CT’s support role going forward.

Making the transfer before work begins on site will enable the new operational team to be involved in this process from the beginning and help ensure any impact on the programme during the development is minimised and managed effectively.

Whilst the Century Theatre remains a significant historic asset, its primary purpose is now as an arts venue, not a museum exhibit.  Its de-accession from the museum collection supports its future use as a vibrant and sustainable arts venue.  This is supported by the curatorial recommendation.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport regarding reviews of parking in county towns as part of the Council’s traffic management work. A copy of the report, marked ‘13’, is filed with these minutes.

The Cabinet noted comments from Mr. Max Hunt CC, a copy of which is filed with these minutes. 

Mr. Pain CC said that the proposals were consistent with the Council’s evidence-based approach to traffic management and support for the local economy.

RESOLVED:

(a)      That the continued use of parking reviews, as part of the Council’s traffic management programme, be approved;

(b)      That it be noted that individual parking reviews will be carried out as part of the Council’s traffic management programme over the next two years (2018/19 and 2019/20), with any proposed changes being the subject of action plans for the town in question and subject to further consideration;

(c)      That it be noted that the outline proposals to introduce on-street parking charges as set out in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy will not be taken forward at present.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Continuing to undertake parking reviews in county towns as parts of its traffic management programme will help ensure that the Council continues to meet its statutory duties and support the local economy, in line with its strategic priorities.

The Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy 2018/19-2021/22 included proposals for on-street parking charges, which had been estimated to produce £600,000 per annum from 2019/20.  However, whilst this is feasible, there are wider economic issues that require further consideration.  Given this, and ongoing national economic uncertainty (particularly in relation to Brexit), it is not considered appropriate to pursue this at present.

There were no items referred from Overview and Scrutiny.