Agenda, decisions and minutes

DECISION: The meeting of the Executive Cabinet meeting held on 22 June were confirmed as a correct record for signature by the Executive Leader.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

There were no declarations of interest received.

Members of the public who have requested the opportunity to ask a question(s) on an item(s) on the agenda will have three minutes to put their question(s) to the respective Executive Member(s).  Each member of the public will be allowed to ask one short supplementary question. 

There were no public questions.

To receive the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group and accept it for consideration, with a view to the Executive Cabinet’s recommended response to the recommendations being reported to a future meeting.

The report of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group be received and accepted for consideration, with a view to the Executive Cabinet’s recommended response to the recommendations being reported to a future meeting.

The Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee presented the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group. 

Decision:

1.         Approval granted that the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Task Group be received and accepted for consideration, with a view to the Executive Cabinet’s recommended response to the recommendations being reported to a future meeting.

2.         Approval granted to update recommendation 4 to “To utilise different technologies available to provide Superfast Broadband to white areas, as defined as having minimal coverage and open market review failure”.

Report of Director (Policy and Governance). 

That the report be noted.

The Executive Member for Resources presented the report of the Director of Policy and Governance.

The report set out performance against the Corporate Strategy and key service delivery measures for the first quarter of 2017/18, 1 April to 30 June 2017.  Performance was assessed based on the delivery of key projects and against the measures in the 2016 Corporate Strategy along with key service delivery measures for individual services.

Overall, performance of key projects was good, with seven (50%) of the projects rated as green and four (29%) of projects were currently rated amber.  Two projects (14%) were now complete and outcomes had been recorded.  One project (7%) was now closed relating to the delivery of the Westway integrated sports facility.  A full explanation was provided within the report.

Performance of the Corporate Strategy indicators and key service delivery measures was also good.  50% of Corporate Strategy measures were performing on or above target and 80% of key service delivery measures were performing on or above target or within the 5% threshold.

Those indicators performing below target had action plans outlined with measures which will be put into place to improve performance.

Members discussed the indicator relating to homelessness preventions and noted that the Council had given additional funding to Cotswold Supported Housing in light of Supporting People changes.  The roll out of Universal Credit full digital would also have an impact.  A decision will be taken in the future as to the level of resources required in this service area. 

Members noted that the “Average working days per employee (FTE) per year lost through sickness absence” indicator was below target, but that there was no consistent trend as to why.  This will be kept under review. 

Decision: Approval granted that the report be noted.

Reasons for recommendation(s)

To facilitate the on-going analysis and management of the Council’s performance in delivering the Corporate Strategy.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Report of Chief Executive. 

1.         The full year forecast position for the 2017/18 revenue budget and capital investment programme were noted.

2.         The forecast position on the Council's reserves was noted.

3.         To request Council approval for the contribution of £259,000 from in-year revenue underspends to General Balances in 2017/18.  This will put the Council on target to achieving the goal of increasing general fund balances to £4m, and will achieve this one year earlier than set out in the Medium Term Financial Strategy. This would therefore replace the proposed budgeted contribution to balances in 2018/19 as previously detailed in the Medium Term Financial Strategy and also help reduce the budget deficit in 2018/19.

4.         To request Council note the capital programme to be delivered in 2017/18 to 2019/20.

The Executive Member for Resources presented the report of the Chief Executive which set out the provisional revenue and capital outturn figures for the Council as compared against the budgets and efficiency savings targets set for the financial year 2017/18.

The Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy proposed that working balances were to reach £4.0m over the 3 year lifespan of the MTFS to 2018/19 due to the financial risks facing the Council.  A budgeted contribution into General Balances of £500k was contained within the budget for 2017/18.  The current forecast to the end of June shows that the General Fund balance could be around £3.75m by the end of the financial year.  The additional in-year contribution to general balances of £259,000 will increase the year-end forecast to £4m and be on target to achieve £4m a year early.

The Council recently implemented the introduction of the new subscription based garden waste collection service.  A cautious approach was taken in setting the initial budget to determine the level of estimated income this service would generate and an estimated participation rate of 40% was used in calculating the annual net income of £400,000.  The scheme has proved to be hugely successful with the actual take-up closer to 55%, generating income of around £684,000 for the full year subscription.

Members noted that the Council’s capital contribution to Chorley Youth Zone would be part-funded through a £1.1m contribution from LCC, although this has not yet been received.

Decision

1.         Approval granted that the full year forecast position for the 2017/18 revenue budget and capital investment programme be noted.

2.         Approval granted the forecast position on the Council's reserves be noted.

3.         To request Council approval for the contribution of £259,000 from in-year revenue underspends to General Balances in 2017/18.  This will put the Council on target to achieving the goal of increasing general fund balances to £4m, and will achieve this one year earlier than set out in the Medium Term Financial Strategy. This would therefore replace the proposed budgeted contribution to balances in 2018/19 as previously detailed in the Medium Term Financial Strategy and also help reduce the budget deficit in 2018/19.

4.         To request Council note the capital programme to be delivered in 2017/18 to 2019/20.

Reasons for recommendation(s)

To ensure the Council’s budgetary targets are achieved.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive/Director (Early Intervention and Support). 

That all 10 recommendations be accepted and implemented.

The Executive Member for Early Intervention presented the report of the Director of Early Intervention and Support.

Members noted that Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.  The recommendations will keep CSE awareness at the forefront of people’s minds and the checks and balances will ensure that the Council does not become complacent about its responsibilities and role in the community.

Decision: Approval granted that all ten recommendations be accepted and implemented.

Reasons for recommendation(s)

The recommendations are practical and achieve the outcomes of:

·                Greater understanding across the Council of the definition and issues surrounding Child Sexual Exploitation;

·                To gain an understanding of the Council’s policies and procedures and how they complement those of our partners;

·                Identify those services that were most likely to receive intelligence about service users who were potentially at risk or those perpetrating the abuse and understand the reporting mechanisms officers use to report such intelligence.

Alternative options considered and rejected

No alternatives considered.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive/Director (Early Intervention and Support). 

The progress made with the service was noted.

The Executive Member for Early Intervention presented the report of the Director of Early Intervention and Support.

This was the first update report to Executive Cabinet on progress with the new service.  The report explained that the first enabling phase had been completed and the staff were collocated and the service operational.  Lancashire Care Foundation Trust (LCFT) contribute to the costs of running the offices at Union Street. 

Having put the foundations in place, the focus is now on Phase Two – the Transformation Phase. To guide the transformation, 11 work streams have been identified.  There have been lots of case studies where the service had been able to provide a more joined up response to residents when they have requested support.

Progress reports will continue to be presented to the Executive Cabinet, Chorley Public Service Reform Executive and the Group Executive.  The service will be evaluated in October 2018.  Overview and Scrutiny Committee will be looking at the service in more detail in the New Year. 

Decision: Approval granted that the progress made with the service be noted.

Reasons for recommendation

When Council agreed to the establishment of the Integrated Community Wellbeing Service it was also agreed that there would be regular update reports to Executive Cabinet.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

That the report be noted.

The Executive Member for Customer, Advice and Streetscene Services presented the report of the Director of Customer and Digital.

The report provided details about digital training delivery, digital access points, digital support provision, a new project regarding digital hubs and also a summary of the digital inclusion projects which were approved by Executive Cabinet in June 2017, as part of the approval of the Council’s digital strategy (2017-2020).

Decision: Approval granted that the report be noted.

Reasons for recommendation(s)

To raise awareness of the Council’s ongoing work to address digital exclusion in the borough.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

By Virtue of Paragraph 1: Information relating to any individual.

Condition:

Information is exempt to the extent that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Information is not exempt if it relates to proposed development for which the local planning authority may grant itself planning permission pursuant to Regulation 3 of the Town & Country Planning General Regulations 1992(a).

By Virtue of Paragraph 3: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Condition:

Information is not exempt if it is required to be registered under-

The Companies Act 1985

The Friendly Societies Act 1974

The Friendly Societies Act 1992

The Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965 to 1978

The Building Societies Act 1986 (recorded in the public file of any building society, within the meaning of the Act)

The Charities Act 1993

Information is exempt to the extent that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Information is not exempt if it relates to proposed development for which the local planning authority may grant itself planning permission pursuant to Regulation 3 of the Town & Country Planning General Regulations 1992(a).

To exclude the press and public for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Decision: Approval granted to exclude the press and public for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Report of Director (Policy and Governance). 

That the report be noted.

The Executive Member for Resources presented the confidential report of the Director of Policy and Governance.

Decision: Approval granted that the report be noted.

Reasons for recommendation(s)

To ensure effective monitoring of the council’s key partnerships.

Alternative options considered and rejected

No alternative options considered.

Report of Director (Policy and Governance).

1.         That the request of the Elections Manager to take ERVS in autumn 2019 be accepted.

2.         That the proposed changes to the structure of Legal Democratic and HR Services be approved for consultation.

3.         That authority be delegated to the Executive Member for Resources to receive the results of the consultation and, if appropriate, approve the proposed changes for implementation.

The Executive Member for Resources presented the confidential report of the Director of Policy and Governance.

Decision:

1.         Approval granted that the request of the Elections Manager to take ERVS in autumn 2019 be accepted.

2.         Approval granted that the proposed changes to the structure of Legal Democratic and HR Services be approved for consultation.

3.         Approval granted that authority be delegated to the Executive Member for Resources to receive the results of the consultation and, if appropriate, approve the proposed changes for implementation.

Reasons for recommendation(s)

The proposals contained in the report will ensure that the Council structure will continue to be resilient and will ensure continued delivery after the loss of two senior key members of staff.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Other structures have been considered, including direct replacement of staff, but these do not meet the council’s transformation agenda.