Agenda, decisions and minutes

A webcast of the meeting can be viewed here

Mr. P. Harrison CC, Mr. J. Poland CC, Mr. C. Smith CC, Mrs D. Taylor CC

Apologies for absence were reported on behalf of Mr. V. Richichi CC.

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.  No declarations were made.

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

b)    That the 2024/25 provisional revenue and capital outturn be noted;

c)    That the prudential indicators for 2024/25 as shown in Appendix E to the report be noted;

d)    That the net underspend be used for the additional commitments as specified in the report;

e)    That it be noted that the current MTFS gap of £90m by 2028/29 may be exacerbated by the Government’s Spending Review announced on 11^th June and that the Director of Corporate Resources report further to the Cabinet at its next meeting on the Spending Review, its implications for the County Council’s finances and services;

f)     That in light of that further report, the procurement of external support to deliver savings be approved by the Cabinet at its next meeting.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To note the provisional revenue and capital outturn for 2024/25 and agree the transfers to earmarked reserves to fund future commitments.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Corporate Resources setting out the provisional revenue and capital outturn for 2024/25.  A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 3’, is filed with these minutes.  Comments from the Scrutiny Commission, which had considered a report at its meeting on 9 June, and from Mr. A. Innes CC, were circulated separately and copies are also filed with these minutes.

Mr. Harrison CC and Miss Butler CC explained that the Cabinet wanted to assess the implications of the Government’s Spending Review announced on 11^th June before deciding on the proposed bank risk share investment and procuring support to deliver savings, recognising the urgent need to address the budget gap.

Miss Butler thanked Mr. Innes for his comments and said he would be sent a written response to the points he had raised.

RESOLVED:

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

b)     That the 2024/25 provisional revenue and capital outturn be noted;

c)     That the prudential indicators for 2024/25 as shown in Appendix E to the report be noted;

d)     That the net underspend be used for the additional commitments as specified in the report;

e)     That it be noted that the current Medium Term Financial Strategy gap of £90m by 2028/29 may be exacerbated by the Government’s Spending Review announced on 11 June and that the Director of Corporate Resources report further to the Cabinet at its next meeting on the Spending Review, its implications for the County Council’s finances and services;

f)       That in light of that further report, the procurement of external support to deliver savings be approved by the Cabinet at its next meeting.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To note the provisional revenue and capital outturn for 2024/25 and agree the transfers to earmarked reserves to fund future commitments.

To consider the implications of the Spending Review before making a decision on proposed treasury management investment and external support for the delivery of savings.

a)    That the outcome of consultation on the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) including comments of the Environment and Climate Change Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted;

b)    The LNRS be submitted to the Council meeting on 2 July 2025 for approval;

c)    That the Director of Environment and Transport, following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member, be authorised to make any final amendments to the draft LNRS and supporting documents prior to its submission to the Council meeting.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The County Council is the ‘responsible authority’ for the development of a LNRS for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland and as such has a statutory duty to produce an LNRS. The consultation has informed the content of the LNRS.

The LNRS identifies nature priorities for the area and will support national environmental targets as well as the UK’s international biodiversity commitment.

The LNRS will form part of the Council’s Policy Framework and thus requires approval by Council.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Environment and Transport regarding the outcome of public consultation on the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland and seeking approval for its submission to full Council.  A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 4’, is filed with these minutes.  Comments from the Environment and Climate Change Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which considered a report on 11 June, were circulated separately and are also filed with these minutes.

Mr. Tilbury CC commended the Strategy, which would provide tangible benefits for the area, and thanked everyone who had been involved in its development.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the outcome of consultation on the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland (LNRS) including comments of the Environment and Climate Change Overview and Scrutiny Committee be noted;

b)    The LNRS  be submitted to the Council meeting on 2 July 2025 for approval;

c)    That the Director of Environment and Transport, following consultation with the Cabinet Lead Member, be authorised to make any final amendments to the draft LNRS and supporting documents prior to its submission to the Council meeting.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The County Council is the ‘responsible authority’ for the development of a LNRS for Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland and as such has a statutory duty to produce an LNRS. The consultation has informed the content of the Strategy.

The LNRS identifies nature priorities for the area and will support national environmental targets as well as the UK’s international biodiversity commitment.

The LNRS will form part of the Council’s Policy Framework and thus requires approval by Council.

a)    That the outcome of consultation on the refreshed SEND and Inclusion Strategy be noted;

b)    That the SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2025-2028 be approved.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To note the consultation feedback which has informed the final Strategy.

The revised Strategy will provide a framework for planning, commissioning and delivering SEND services and support by the Council and its partners for children and young people living in Leicestershire.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Children and Family Services regarding the outcome of the consultation on the refreshed SEND and Inclusion Strategy and seeking approval of the Strategy.  A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 5’, is filed with these minutes.

Mr. Pugsley CC referred to the Council’s commitment to deliver better outcomes for children and young people with SEND and help them to thrive, and commended the Strategy.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the outcome of consultation on the refreshed SEND and Inclusion Strategy be noted;

b)    That the SEND and Inclusion Strategy 2025-2028 be approved.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

To note the consultation feedback which has informed the final Strategy.

The revised Strategy will provide a framework for planning, commissioning and delivering SEND services and support by the Council and its partners for children and young people living in Leicestershire.

a)    That the outcome of the consultation on the Adults and Communities Strategy 2025-2029 “Delivering Wellbeing and Opportunity in Leicestershire 2025-2029” be noted;

b)    That the Adults and Communities Strategy 2025-2029 “Delivering Wellbeing and Opportunity in Leicestershire 2025-2029” be approved.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Strategy provides a framework for policy, process and ways of working for the Adults and Communities Department and supports the delivery of the County Council’s statutory duties, national policy and statutory guidance. The consultation feedback has informed the final Strategy.

The Cabinet considered a report of the Director of Adults and Communities regarding the outcome of consultation on the draft Adults and Communities Department Strategy 2025-2029 “Delivering Wellbeing and Opportunity in Leicestershire” and seeking approval of the Strategy.  A copy of the report, marked ‘Agenda Item 6’, is filed with these minutes.

Mr. Boam CC noted that the Strategy responded to changing demand for services and promoted personal independence and strong communities.  It built on a proven model to provide effective and efficient services.

RESOLVED:

a)    That the outcome of the consultation on the Adults and Communities Strategy 2025-2029 “Delivering Wellbeing and Opportunity in Leicestershire 2025-2029” be noted;

b)    That the Adults and Communities Strategy 2025-2029 “Delivering Wellbeing and Opportunity in Leicestershire 2025-2029” be approved.

(KEY DECISION)

REASONS FOR DECISION:

The Strategy provides a framework for policy, process and ways of working for the Adults and Communities Department and supports the delivery of the County Council’s statutory duties, national policy and statutory guidance. The consultation feedback has informed the final Strategy.

There were no items referred from the Overview and Scrutiny bodies.