To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 3 July 2012.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 3 July 2012 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

None were declared.

To receive any matters of communication from the Chairman.

The Chairman acknowledge the success of Team GB at the Olympics.  He also congratulated ‘A’ level students on their results as the pass rate in Central Bedfordshire had improved.

The Chairman advised that there had been a second reading of the Scrap Metal Dealers Bill which Council had supported on 19 January 2012.

To consider petitions received in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

No petitions were received.

To respond to general questions and statements from members of the public in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Appendix A of Part A4 of the Constitution.

No members of the public had registered to speak.

To receive the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 September 2012 to 31 August 2013.  Please note the Forward Plan for this period will follow after the publication date on 15 August 2012.

That the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 September 2012 to 31 August 2013 be noted.

RESOLVED

that the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 September 2012 to 31 August 2013 be noted.

The report proposes that flexible, older persons’ accommodation should be re-provided on a new site in Toddington, which shall be identified and brought forward through the Neighbourhood Plan process.

That flexible, older person’s accommodation be re-provided on a new site in Toddington, which shall be identified and brought forward through the Neighbourhood Planning process.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing that proposed that a flexible, older persons’ accommodation be re-provided on a new site in Toddington, which should be identified and brought forward through the Neighbourhood Plan process.   

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to provide flexible, older persons accommodation in Toddington that contributes to meeting the growing demand of housing for older people.

RESOLVED

that flexible, older person’s accommodation be re-provided on a new site in Toddington, which shall be identified and brought forward through the Neighbourhood Planning process.

The report proposes the medium term financial planning framework for 2013/14 through to 2016/17.

1.      Noted that there will be a significant impact on the Council due to the proposed changes in funding arrangements, but these were not currently known in detail.

2.      That the proposed framework for updating of the Medium Term Financial Plan and the preparation of a budget for 2013/14 be endorsed.

3.      That the timetable for the consultation process be endorsed.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that proposed the medium term financial planning framework for 2013/14 through to 2016/17.  The report also set out the process and timetable for setting the budget and updating the Medium Term Financial Plan up to its approval by Council on 21 February 2013.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to put in place a framework to meet the financial challenges faced over the medium term.

RESOLVED

1.      that there would be a significant impact on the Council due to the proposed changes in funding arrangements but these were not currently known in detail;

2.      that the proposed framework for updating of the Medium Term Financial Plan and the preparation of a budget for 2013/14 be endorsed; and

3.      that the timetable for the consultation process be endorsed.

Determination of Statutory Proposals to Expand Shefford Lower School, Fairfield Park Lower School and Greenleas Lower School.

1.      That the procedures established by the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (EIA 2006) and The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2007 (as amended by The School Organisation and Governance (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2007 and The School Organisation and Governance (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2009 be noted and have been complied with in bringing forward the proposals outlined in the report.

2.      That the representations attached at Appendix A, to the statutory notices as set out in Appendices B – D to the report, issued on 11 June 2012 under Section 19(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 for Shefford Lower School, Fairfield Park Lower School and Greenleas Lower School be noted.

3.      That the statutory proposal to expand Shefford Community Lower School from a 2 form of entry (300 place) lower school for pupils aged 4+ to 9 to a 3 form of entry (450 place) lower school catering for pupils aged 4+ to 9 be approved with effect from September 2013, increasing the schools planned admission number from 60 to 90.

4.      That the statutory proposal to expand Fairfield Park Community Lower School from a 1 form of entry (150 place) lower school for pupils aged 4+ to 9 to a 2 form of entry (300 place) lower school for pupils aged 4+ to 9 be approved with effect from September 2013, increasing the schools planned admission number from 30 to 60.

5.      That the statutory proposal to expand Greenleas Community Lower School from a 2 form of entry (300 place) lower school for pupils aged 4+ to 9 to a 4 form of entry (600 place) lower school for pupils aged 4+ to 9 be approved through the creation of a new second campus at Pratts Quarry, off Kestrel Way, Leighton Buzzard, with effect from September 2013, amending the schools planned admission number to provide for 60 pupils on each of the school’s two sites.

6.      That the detailed business cases for each proposal as attached at Appendix E to G to the report be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Children’s Services that set out the responses to the statutory proposals to expand Shefford Lower School, Fairfield Park Lower School and Greenleas Lower School.  The proposals have been subject previously to statutory consultation and a statutory notice period had now concluded requiring the Council to consider representations received and to determine the outcome of the proposals.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services advised that all options including the building of a new school in Shefford had been considered and the appropriate feasible action for this area was to expand Shefford Lower School. 

It was noted that Bedford Borough Council had rejected a submission for a free school in Bedford and the implications for Central Bedfordshire Council were being considered.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to determine the outcome of the statutory proposals following the close of the representation period on 9 July 2012.  If the Council were to fail to decide these proposals within 2 months of the end of the representation period it must forward proposals, and any received representations, to the schools adjudicator for decision.

RESOLVED

1.      that the procedures established by the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (EIA 2006) and The School Organisation (Prescribed Alterations to Maintained Schools) (England) Regulations 2007 (as amended by The School Organisation and Governance (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2007 and The School Organisation and Governance (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2009 be noted and have been complied with in bringing forward the proposals outlined in the report;

2.      that the representations attached at Appendix A, to the statutory notices as set out in Appendices B – D to the report, issued on 11 June 2012 under Section 19(1) of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 for Shefford Lower School, Fairfield Park Lower School and Greenleas Lower School be noted;

3.      that the statutory proposal to expand Shefford Community Lower School from a 2 form of entry (300 place) lower school for pupils aged 4+ to 9 to a 3 form of entry (450 place) lower school catering for pupils aged 4+ to 9 be approved with effect from September 2013, increasing the schools planned admission number from 60 to 90;

4.      that the statutory proposal to expand Fairfield Park Community Lower School from a 1 form of entry (150 place) lower school for pupils aged 4+ to 9 to a 2 form of entry (300 place) lower school for pupils aged 4+ to 9 be approved with effect from September 2013, increasing the schools planned admission number from 30 to 60;

5.      that the statutory proposal to expand Greenleas Community Lower School from a 2 form of entry (300 place) lower school for pupils aged 4+ to 9 to a 4 form of entry (600 place) lower school for pupils aged 4+ to 9 be approved through the creation of a new second campus at Pratts Quarry, off Kestrel Way, Leighton Buzzard, with effect from September 2013, amending the schools  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

The report presents the action plan following the Ofsted inspection of Safeguarding and Looked After Children Services.

That the Action Plan to support improvement following the inspection of services for Safeguarding and Looked After Children be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Children’s Services that presented the action plan following the Ofsted inspection of Safeguarding and Looked After Children Services. 

The overall effectiveness of safeguarding services was judged to be good, but the overall effectiveness of services for looked after children was judged to be adequate.  An Action Plan had been developed with partners and was divided into work streams.  It was anticipated that the Council would be inspected in the autumn of 2013.

Reason for decision:  To enable the health and wellbeing of children to be improved.

RESOLVED

that the Action Plan to support improvement following the inspection of services for Safeguarding and Looked After Children be approved.

The purpose of the report is to provide Executive with an overview of the Government’s proposals to localise Council Tax Benefit (CTB), through the introduction of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme from 1 April 2013.  The report also sets out the key principles of the Central Bedfordshire local scheme which will be consulted upon.

1.      That the draft Central Bedfordshire Council Tax Support scheme be endorsed for the purposes of consultation.  The draft Council Tax Support Scheme is set out in Appendix D to the report.

2.      That the communications and consultation plan as set out in paragraphs 33 to 36 in the report, be approved.

3.      That the draft scheme is required to undergo consultation with the Fire and Police authorities before wider consultation with the Community be noted.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that provided an overview of the Government’s proposals to localise Council Tax Benefit, through the introduction of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme from 1 April 2013 but must be approved by Council by 31 January 2013 following a 12 week consultation period. 

It was noted that the Council would have greater discretion over the discounts from Council Tax available in respect of second homes and empty properties.  Members commented that this could trigger owners of empty properties into bringing them back into use.

The Executive Member highlighted that Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 11 September 2012 would be considering the draft Scheme and that all Members were welcome to attend. 

Reason for decision:  To enable the major preceptors and the wider community to be consulted on the draft Council Tax Support Scheme.

RESOLVED

1.      that the draft Central Bedfordshire Council Tax Support scheme be endorsed for the purposes of consultation.  The draft Council Tax Support Scheme is set out in Appendix D to the report;

2.      that the communications and consultation plan as set out in paragraphs 33 to 36 in the report, be approved; and

3.      that the draft scheme is required to undergo consultation with the Fire and Police authorities before wider consultation with the Community be noted.

The report provides information on the revenue position as at Quarter 1 2012/13 and the forecast outturn position for 2012/13.

1.      Noted that the Revenue forecast position is an overspend of £0.83M.

2.      To request officers to continue with their efforts to achieve a minimum balanced outturn or an under spend.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that provided information on the revenue position as at Quarter 1 in 2012/13 and the forecast outturn position for 2012/13.

Reason for decision:  To enable a greater contribution to reserves to be made, thus strengthening the Council’s long term financial position.

RESOLVED

1.      noted that the Revenue forecast position is an overspend of £0.83M; and

2.      to request officers to continue with their efforts to achieve a minimum balanced outturn or an under spend.

The report provides information on the Capital position as at Quarter 1 2012/13 and the forecast outturn position for 2012/13.

1.      Noted that the overall forecast is to spend £94.3M (proposed slippage of £13.4M into 2013/14 and £0.4M overspend).

2.      Noted that profiled Capital gross budgets are now reported for June results.

3.      Noted that the transfer of unused budgets from 2011/12 has now been incorporated into the June results.

4.      To request officers to review the realism of the approved Capital programme and report back to Executive at the earliest opportunity.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that provided information on the Capital position as at Quarter 1 2012/13 and the forecast outturn position for 2012/13.  The transfer from 2011/12 had been transferred across into the 2012/13 budget. 

Members noted that officers were reviewing the realism of the approved capital programme and would be reported back to the Executive in due course.

RESOLVED

1.      noted that the overall forecast is to spend £94.3M (proposed slippage of £13.4M into 2013/14 and £0.4M overspend);

2.      noted that profiled Capital gross budgets are now reported for June results;

3.      noted that the transfer of unused budgets from 2011/12 has now been incorporated into the June results; and

4.      to request officers to review the realism of the approved Capital programme and report back to Executive at the earliest opportunity.

The report provides information on the Housing Revenue Account revenue and capital position as at Quarter 1 2012/13 and the forecast outturn position for 2012/13.

That the Housing Revenue Account financial position as at the end of June 2012 be noted.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing and the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that provided information on the Housing Revenue Account and capital position as at Quarter 1 2012/13 and the forecast outturn position for 2012/13.

RESOLVED

that the Housing Revenue Account financial position as at the end of June 2012 be noted.

To report on Quarter 1 2012/13 performance for Central Bedfordshire Council’s corporate performance indicator set.

That the overall strong performance in Quarter 1 for the indicators in the corporate indicator set be noted and to recommend officers to further investigate and resolve underpinning indicators as appropriate.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that presented the Quarter 1 2012/13 performance for the Council’s corporate performance indicator set.  Members noted that Quarter 1 had seen the introduction of seven new Public Health indicators further aiding the Council’s understanding of factors affecting Central Bedfordshire.

Executive Members responded to question regarding their individual responsibilities.  In particular Members welcomed the comments to thank officers regarding the Council’s positive support for residents who were in arrears with their rent and council tax.

Members also acknowledged the request that where an indicator had not been scored and explanation should be included within the report.

Reason for decision:  To ensure a rigorous approach to performance management across Central Bedfordshire Council.

RESOLVED

that the overall strong performance in Quarter 1 for the indicators in the corporate indicator set be noted and to recommend officers to further investigate and resolve underpinning indicators as appropriate.