Agenda and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed at https://bit.ly/2NKDhFz

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 July 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 interest in respect of items on the agenda for the meeting.

The Chairman declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in item no. 14 on the agenda (Traffic Regulation Order – Lower Church Street and South Street, Ashby de la Zouch – Permit Parking and Relocation of No Entry Scheme) as a local property owner and undertook to leave the meeting whilst that item was considered.

Mr. R. J. Shepherd CC declared a personal interest in item no. 8 on the agenda (Corporate Asset Investment Fund Annual Performance Report 2017-18 to 2022) as one of his relatives worked for ‘The Access Group’ which was referenced in the report.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Independent Chairman of the Leicestershire and Rutland Local Safeguarding Children Board which presented the Boards’ Annual Report for 2017/18.  A copy of the report, marked ‘4’, is filed with these minutes.

Members noted the comments of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the answers to their questions provided by the Independent Chairman, copies of which are filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the comments of the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted;

b)    That the Leicestershire and Rutland Local Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report for 2017/18 be welcomed and noted.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The LRLSCB is a statutory body and local authorities have a duty to ensure that the Board is enabled to operate effectively. 

It is a requirement of (the statutory guidance) Working Together 2015 that the LRLSCB Annual Report be reported to the Leader of the Council together with the Chief Executive of the local authority, the Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board, and the Police and Crime Commissioner.

In Leicestershire and Rutland the annual report has traditionally also been presented to the Cabinet and the Children and Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Independent Chairman of the Leicestershire and Rutland Local Safeguarding Adult Board which presented the Boards’ draft Annual Report for 2017/18.  A copy of the report, marked ‘6’, is filed with these minutes.

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

The Independent Chair advised that the draft report contained a small number of inaccuracies in the financial information section which meant the total combined operating expenditure of the Adult’s and Children’s Boards was lower than originally stated. The revised figure of £353, 397 would be used in the final report.

RESOLVED:

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

b)    That the Leicestershire and Rutland Local Safeguarding Adult Board Annual Report for 2017/18 be welcomed and noted.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Leicestershire and Rutland Local Safeguarding Adult Board (LRSAB) is a statutory body and local authorities have a duty to ensure that the Board is enabled to operate effectively. 

It is a requirement of the Care Act 2014 that the LRSAB Annual Report be reported to the Leader of the Council together with the Chief Executive of the local authority, the Chairman of the Health and Wellbeing Board, the Police and Crime Commissioner and local Healthwatch.

In Leicestershire and Rutland the annual report has traditionally also been presented to the Cabinet and the Adults and Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources which detailed the overall financial position of the Council and the proposed approach to updating the Medium Term Financial Strategy. A copy of the report, marked ‘6’, is filed with these minutes.

Members noted the comments of the Scrutiny Commission, a copy of which is filed with these minutes.

Mr. R. J. Shepherd CC welcomed the report and thanked officers and the Lead Member for Finance, Mr J. B Rhodes CC, for their hard work. He said that despite the Council expecting to be able to set a balanced budget for the next two financial years, the overall position remained challenging and more difficult decisions lay ahead.  

RESOLVED:

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

b)            That the significant financial challenge faced by the County Council be noted;

c)            That the approach outlined in the report to update the Medium Term Financial Strategy be noted;

d)            That the update regarding Savings under Development, as set out in Appendix A of the report be noted;

e)            That the response to the Technical Consultation on the 2019/20 Local Government Finance Settlement, as set out in Appendix B be approved;

f)             That the Director of Corporate Resources following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member for Corporate Resources be authorised to -

                                  i.        submit an application (as part of a Pool) to participate in the 75% business rates retention pilot programme for 2019/20;

                                ii.        if the County Council’s application is successful, take all action necessary to proceed with the pilot.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To respond to the Government consultation on proposals for the 2019/20 Local Government Finance Settlement. 

To enable an application to be made to participate in the 2019/20 business rates retention pilot and, if successful, to ensure that arrangements are put in place at the earliest opportunity.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources regarding the action taken and the performance achieved in respect of the treasury management activities of the Council in 2017/18.  A copy of the report, marked ‘7’, is filed with these minutes. 

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

REASON 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.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources which detailed the performance of the Corporate Asset Investment Fund (CAIF) to date and sought approval to the revised CAIF strategy for 2018 to 2022 which set out the Council’s approach to future asset investments. A copy of the report, marked ‘8’, is filed with these minutes.

Members noted the comments of the Scrutiny Commission, a copy of which is filed with these minutes.

Mr. N. J. Rushton CC welcomed the Council’s approach to asset investment which was performing well. He highlighted the investment in the Loughborough University Science and Enterprise Park which was a good example of how the Council could utilise its resources to promote economic growth and generate income for the Council.

RESOLVED:

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

b)    That the performance of the Corporate Asset Investment Fund as set out in  Appendix A attached to this report, be noted;

c)    That the Corporate Asset Investment Fund Strategy for 2018 – 2022, attached as Appendix B to this report be approved;

d)    That the revised Terms of Reference for the Corporate Asset Investment Fund Advisory Board and the amended delegations to the Director of Corporate Resources as set out in Appendices C and D of the report be approved.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Strategy has been updated to reflect the level of investment within the CAIF which is proposed to be increased over previously approved levels and to reflect changes to the range of investments held in the CAIF, as its scope is expanded from pure direct property investments to include indirect and non-property investments such as pooled property funds and private debt.

In accordance with the Cabinet’s decision in September 2017, the report fulfils the requirement to report annually on the performance of the CAIF to both the Cabinet and the Scrutiny Commission.

The Terms of Reference for the Board and the delegations to the Director of Corporate Resources have been updated to align with the aims and objectives of the revised Strategy.

The Cabinet considered a joint report of the Director of Adults and Communities and the Director of Children and Families  which presented the County Council’s Whole Life Disability Strategy and associated document ‘Preparing for adulthood – a protocol for young people with special educational needs or disability’ for approval. A copy of the report marked ‘9’ is filed with these minutes.

Members noted the comments of the Scrutiny Commission, a copy of which is filed with these minutes.

Mr. R. Blunt CC welcomed the Strategy which promoted a seamless approach to helping young people with disabilities as they reached adulthood and hoped that in time partner agencies could be encouraged to join the Council in its approach.

RESOLVED:

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

b)    That the Whole Life Disability Strategy and associated protocol for young people with special educational needs or a disability, “Preparing for adulthood” be approved, subject to a change in the wording within the Strategy from ‘disabled people’ to ‘people with disabilities’. 

(KEY DECISION)

REASON FOR DECISION:

The Whole Life Disability Strategy will ensure that all disabled people, their families and other stakeholders receive a co-ordinated and proportionate response from Council services to enable them to live a healthy, safe, independent and fulfilling life in their own community.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities and Director of Corporate Resources concerning ‘The Lives We Want to Lead’ – the Local Government Association Green Paper for adult social care and wellbeing.  A copy of the report, marked ‘10’, is filed with these minutes.

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

Mr. R. Blunt CC welcomed the Green Paper which set out a number of options as to how adult social care could be funded in order for councils to try to address the significant and increasing cost of providing social care.

RESOLVED:

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

b)    That the Local Government Association Green Paper ‘The Lives We Want to Lead’ be noted;

c)    That the Director of Adults and Communities, together with the Director of Corporate Resources, following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Members for Adult Social Care and Corporate Resources, be authorised to respond to the consultation on behalf of the County Council, having regard to the comments now made.

REASONS FOR DECISION:

In response to the delay of the Government’s publication of a Green Paper on adult social care, and in recognition of the increasing demands on these services and the escalating cost to councils, the Local Government Association (LGA) has published its own consultation on adult social care and wellbeing.   The LGA will respond to the findings in the autumn to inform and influence the Government’s Green Paper and spending plans.

The Green Paper was issued on 31 July and responses are required by 26 September.  The Director of Adults and Communities, together with the Director of Corporate Resources following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Members for Adult Social Care and Corporate Resources, is authorised to submit the County Council’s response , which will be based on its assessment of the issues as set out in Part B of the report.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Chief Executive which advised the Cabinet of progress with delivery of the aims and objectives in the Council’s Equality Strategy 2016-20. A copy of the report marked ‘11’ is filed with these minutes.

Mrs. L. Richardson CC welcomed the report which identified the Council’s commitment to equalities within its workforce and communities. She encouraged people to respond to the Council’s surveys in order for the Authority to better understand how it could improve its approach to equalities.

RESOLVED:

a)    That progress made in 2017/18 with regard to the aims in the Council’s Equality Strategy be welcomed;

b)    That the Equality Action Plan for 2018/19 be supported.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To support and encourage work being done across the Authority to develop a diverse workforce and inclusive and responsive services and promote good relations across the local community.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport regarding the implementation of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) as part of the new Cadeby Development site off Forest Road, Coalville. A copy of the report marked ‘12’ is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the Traffic Regulation Order associated with the Choyce Road, Coalville development, as shown on drawing number TM4427/1/2016 appended to the report be approved for implementation.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Implementing the Traffic Regulation Order will create safe access into and out of the Forest Road development as well as meeting a condition of the planning application which was imposed as part of a new Cadeby Homes residential development off Forest Road.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport regarding the implementation of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) as part of the newly built Amazon site off Beverage Lane, Ellistown.  A copy of the report marked ‘13’ is filed with these minutes.

The Cabinet noted the comments received from the local member Mr. M. Wyatt CC, a copy of which is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the Traffic Regulation Order associated with the Beveridge Lane, Ellistown development, as shown on drawing no.TM4445 appended to the report be approved for implementation.

REASON FOR DECISION:

The introduction of street lighting along a road would normally make it subject to a 30 mph speed limit but in this instance it is considered that it would be more appropriate to retain the national 60 mph speed limit.  In such circumstances it is necessary to make a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) to de-restrict the route.

TROs are usually determined by the Director of Environment and Transport but in this case the local member did not support the proposal so it was referred to the Cabinet.

(Mr. N. J. Rushton CC, having declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in the matter, left the meeting whilst this item was considered. Mr I. D. Ould CC took the chair).

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport regarding the implementation of a permit parking scheme for Lower Church Street and South Street in Ashby de la Zouch by way of a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) which would also see the relocation of a no entry point to extend the one way system on South Street.  A copy of the report marked ‘14’ is filed with these minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the Traffic Regulation Order associated with Lower Church Street and South Street, Ashby de la Zouch, as shown on drawing no.TM4471/T1/1 attached as Appendix A to the report be approved for implementation.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Existing available on-street parking facilities are limited for the residents and businesses of Lower Church Street; partly due to parking by people visiting the town centre.  A permit parking restriction will make parking made available for those who work and live on Lower Church Street.

The relocation of the no entry point will remove two-way traffic on South Street, freeing kerbside space for parking and reducing the potential for vehicle collisions.

There were no items referred from Overview and Scrutiny.