To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 19 August 2014.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 19 August 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

Councillor Jamieson declared a personal interest in item 13 ‘Flitwick Leisure Centre Redevelopment – Approval to enter into a Lottery Funding Agreement with Sport England and to note the Capital Budget Position’ as he used Flitwick Leisure Centre and his sons were members of Flitwick Leisure Centre.  He was present during this item.

Item 13 ‘Flitwick Leisure Centre Redevelopment – Approval to enter into a Lottery Funding Agreement with Sport England and to note the Capital Budget position’ would be considered after item 14 ‘Quarter 1 Performance Report’.

The Chairman reported that the Secretary of State for Transport had approved the Development Order for the Woodside Link road on 30 September 2014. 

The Chairman welcomed the new Director of Children’s Services, Sue Harrison to the meeting.

No petitions were received.

There was no public participation.

To receive the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 November 2014 to 31 October 2015.

That the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 November 2014 to 31 October 2015 be noted.

RESOLVED

that the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 November 2014 to 31 October 2015 be noted.

To agree the Early Help offer delivered through Children’s Centres and the procurement process.

1.      That all current Children’s Centres be retained.

2.      That the current services model be retained with enhancements as outlined in paragraphs 20-25 of the report.  In particular:

·      services will continue to be available for 0 to 5 year olds;

·      there will be a greater focus on providing services to babies aged 0 to 12 months, the most critical time for new families; and

·      focus resources on those services that are not readily available elsewhere.

3.         That the procurement process, as set out in paragraphs 26-29 of the report, be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Children’s Services that set out the proposed early help offer to be delivered through Children’s Centres and the procurement process.  The current contract for the running of the Children’s Centres was due to end on 31 March 2015.  The proposed model sought to enhance service delivery and avoid duplication, whilst enabling maximum flexibility with minimum change.

The Executive Member for Children’s Services advised that the paragraph numbers in the proposed recommendations should read as follows:-

·         recommendation 2,  paragraphs 20 – 25 and not 18 – 26; and

·         recommendation 3, paragraphs 26 – 29 and not 27-29 as set out in the report.

The Chairman of the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee (CSOSC) advised the Executive that this issue had been discussed by the CSOSC on 1 April 2014. The CSOSC had made the following three recommendations to the Executive:- 

1.  That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee supports the approach to deliver targeted early intervention but feels it was important that children not included in the identified age range should still be able to access support where necessary.

2.  That the consultation include a range of proposed models that also identified the alternative support that would be available if a ‘spoke’ ceased to operate as a result of the proposal.

3.  That none of the current ‘hubs’ in Central Bedfordshire should disappear as a result of the proposed changes.

Reason for decision:  The proposed model was the most appropriate for Central Bedfordshire in order to get the best outcomes for children and families.

RESOLVED

1.      that all current Children’s Centres be retained;

2.      that the current services model be retained with enhancements as outlined in paragraphs 20-25 of the report.  In particular:

·      services would continue to be available for 0 to 5 year olds;

·      there would be a greater focus on providing services to babies aged 0 to 12 months, the most critical time for new families; and

·      focus resources on those services that were not readily available elsewhere.

3.      that the procurement process, as set out in paragraphs 26-29 of the report, be approved.

To approve commencement of consultation on the Council's Admissions Arrangements and co-ordinated scheme for the academic year 2016/17.

1.         That the commencement of consultation for Central Bedfordshire’s proposed admission arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools for the academic year 2016/17 be approved, noting specific changes to existing admission arrangements including:

(i)         revised wording on the Council’s admission arrangements to make it clearer how places for pupils with a statement of Special Education Needs or Education, Health and Care Plan are allocated, how the Fair Access Protocol works, and the addition of foster siblings in the sibling definition;

(ii)        in response to the recommendations made in the annual report of the Chief Schools Adjudicator published in November 2013, the removal of nursery, pre-school and other childcare criteria from those school admission policies which currently contain them;

(iii)       A revised catchment area for Russell Lower School in Ampthill.

2.         That the commencement of consultation for Central Bedfordshire’s co-ordinated admissions schemes for the academic year 2016/17 be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Children’s Services that set out the consultation arrangements for the proposed Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme and the proposed admission arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools for the academic year 2016/17.

In response to questions, the Executive Member for Children’s Services advised that it was in response to the recommendations made in the annual report of the Chief Schools Adjudicator that the priority given to children attending a nursery, pre-school or a child care setting was proposed to be removed from the school admission policies of Community and Voluntary Controlled schools.  This information would be communicated with parents to help them decide on the most appropriate pre-school place for their child.  It was anticipated that the removal of this criteria would have a limited impact on the smaller schools

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to meet its statutory obligations to consult on admission arrangements.

RESOLVED

1.      that the commencement of consultation for Central Bedfordshire’s proposed admission arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools for the academic year 2016/17 be approved, noting specific changes to existing admission arrangements including:

(i)      revised wording on the Council’s admission arrangements to make it clearer how places for pupils with a statement of Special Education Needs or Education, Health and Care Plan were allocated, how the Fair Access Protocol works, and the addition of foster siblings in the sibling definition;

(ii)     in response to the recommendations made in the annual report of the Chief Schools Adjudicator published in November 2013, the removal of nursery, pre-school and other childcare criteria from those school admission policies which currently contain them; and

(iii)    a revised catchment area for Russell Lower School in Ampthill.

2.      that the commencement of consultation for Central Bedfordshire’s co-ordinated admissions schemes for the academic year 2016/17 be approved.

To amendment to the Council’s Home to School Transport Policy to provide for circumstances where a statutory proposal to close a school has been approved.

1.      That the proposed amendments to the Council’s Home to School Transport Policy, in relation to entitlement to transport for pupils living in the catchment area of schools that are subject to closure be noted.

2.      That the commencement of consultation on the proposed changes, as set out within the report, be approved.

3.      To authorise the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member of Children’s Services, to determine the proposal subject to there being no significant issues or concerns raised by the consultation exercise.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Children’s Services that sought approval to commence a consultation on the proposed amendment to the Council’s Home to School Transport Policy.  The proposed amendment was in relation to the entitlement to transport for pupils living in the catchment area of schools that were subject to closure in Dunstable.  It was noted that temporary entitlement to Council funded transport had been approved for four children living in the Studham area who were new starters in Year 5 at Priory Academy in Dunstable in September 2014.

Reason for decision:  To enable the entitlement in the Council’s Home to School Transport Policy to be amended to take account of the school closures in Dunstable.

RESOLVED

1.      that the proposed amendments to the Council’s Home to School Transport Policy, in relation to entitlement to transport for pupils living in the catchment area of schools that were subject to closure be noted;

2.      that the commencement of consultation on the proposed changes, as set out within the report, be approved;

3.      to authorise the Director of Children’s Services, in consultation with the Executive Member of Children’s Services, to determine the proposal subject to there being no significant issues or concerns raised by the consultation exercise.

The report proposes the revised fees and charges for 2015 and identifies those charges where increases are significantly different from the 2% advisory increase as per the 2015/16 Budget Strategy.  It also includes the revised Fees & Charges Policy.

RECOMMENDED to Council

1.      That the response to the consultation with Overview and Scrutiny, as set out in Appendix C to the Executive, be noted.

2.      That the fees and charges for 2015, as set out in the Executive report, be approved and the Director of Improvement and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources be authorised to determine the schedule of charges for Registration Services following formal responses from Luton or Bedford Borough Councils.

3.      That the Fees and Charges Policy, as set out in the Executive report, be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that proposed the revised fees and charges for 2015, identified those charges where the increases were significantly different from the 2% advisory increase as per the 2015/16 Budget Strategy and set out the revised Fees and Charges Policy.

The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources advised that the fees and charges for the Registration Services were still waiting approval from Luton and Bedford Borough Councils.  He then proposed the following amendment to recommendation 2, which was duly seconded:-

·         that the fees and charges for 2015, as set out in the Executive report, be approved and that the Director of Improvement and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources be authorised to determine the schedule of charges for Registration Services following formal responses from Luton or Bedford Borough Councils.

In response to questions, the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources welcomed the co-convened meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committees to consider the draft fees and charges scheduled.  The co-convened meeting was a new way of working to improve efficiency across the Council by enabling the three Overview and Scrutiny Committees to meet as one Committee to discuss cross cutting issues.  As this was the first meeting of this kind there were improvements to be made.

Reason for decision:  To agree the fees and charges prices for 2015 as part of delivering a balanced budget for 2015/16 and identify resource requirements for the Medium Term and to agree the Fees & Charges Policy.

RECOMMENDED to Council

1.      that the response to the consultation with Overview and Scrutiny, as set out in Appendix C to the Executive report, be noted;

2.      that the fees and charges for 2015, as set out in the Executive report, be approved and that the Director of Improvement and Corporate Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Corporate Resources be authorised to determine the schedule of charges for Registration Services following formal responses from Luton or Bedford Borough Councils; and

3.      that the Fees and Charges Policy, as set out in the Executive report, be approved.

To agree the approach to the project including the duration and type of contract.  To adopt relevant background papers and to give approval to proceed.

1.      That the TMC+ be approved as a contract model for the Council from 2016-2023.

2.      That a nominal seven year contract term, with a maximum extension period of a further seven years be approved.

3.      That the continuation of an Assets Management approach and the preparation of a new Highways Asset Management Plan be approved.

4.      That the Network Maintenance Management Plan and the Road Safety Strategy Targets be utilised for the purpose of procuring the highways contract (Appendices A and B to the Executive report) be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Community Services that set out the proposed model for the Highways Contract Renewal Project.  The current contract was due to end on 31 March 2016 and the Council was in the process of procuring a new contract that reflected the current priorities for Central Bedfordshire Council.  This work included a review of the most appropriate contract type and packaging of all highway services.  The proposed was to move to a Term Maintenance Contract Plus (TMC+) arrangement, giving the Council greater control of the services provided by the appointed contractor. 

Reason for decision:  To provide the Highways Contract Renewal Project authorisation to proceed to the next delivery stage of the project, the procurement exercise.

RESOLVED

1.      that the TMC+ be approved as a contract model for the Council from 2016-2023;

2.      that a nominal seven year contract term, with a maximum extension period of a further seven years be approved;

3.      that the continuation of an Assets Management approach and the preparation of a new Highways Asset Management Plan be approved; and

4.      that the Network Maintenance Management Plan and the Road Safety Strategy Targets be utilised for the purpose of procuring the highways contract (Appendices A and B to the Executive report) be approved.

To consider the quarter 1 performance report.

1.      That the continuing good performance in Quarter 1, for the indicators being used to help support monitoring of progress against the Medium Term Plan priorities, be acknowledged.

2.      To recommend Officers to further investigate and resolve underperforming indicators as appropriate.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the Quarter 1 2014/15 performance for Central Bedfordshire Council’s Medium Term Plan indicator set.  Overall performance remained good. 

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

RESOLVED

1.      that the continuing good performance in Quarter 1, for the indicators being used to help support monitoring of progress against the Medium Term Plan priorities, be acknowledged; and

2.      to recommend Officers to further investigate and resolve underperforming indicators as appropriate.

The report proposes that Executive agree to enter into a Lottery Funding Agreement with Sport England (the deed) and its associated grant conditions in respect of Flitwick Leisure Centre and amend the capital budget.

1.      That the terms of the Lottery Funding Agreement (the deed) and its associated grant conditions to secure the Sport England capital grant award of £2,000,000, as set out in the exempt Appendix A to the Executive report, be accepted.

2.      That the increase in the gross capital budget for this project which, as a result of the acceptance of this grant means there is no net impact on the Capital Budget position as approved by Council, be noted.

3.      To delegate authority to the Community Services Director, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Services, to award a building contract for Flitwick Leisure Centre at the overall gross expenditure for this scheme of £14,725,000.

Please note that this item is urgent due to commercial reasons and is exempt from call-in.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Community Services that sought approval to accept a capital grant in respect of Flitwick Leisure Centre and the impact this had on the Council’s financial position.  The Council had been offered a capital Lottery grant from Sport England of £2,000,000 towards the cost of the redevelopment of Flitwick Leisure Centre.  In order to receive the grant the Council had to accept the terms and conditions set by Sport England.  Members noted that the increase in the gross capital budget for this project would have no net impact on the Capital Budget position if the grant was accepted.

In response to questions, the Executive Member for Community Services explained that Flitwick Leisure Centre would be an invest to save project.  There was shortfall of £243,000 in the revised budget for the project and ways of mitigating this were being considered, such as reducing construction costs.  The Executive Member agreed to keep the relevant Member informed of any projects that were at risk of not being delivered if resources had to be diverted to meet this shortfall.

Reason for decision:  To secure £2,000,000 funding contribution towards the cost of the redevelopment of Flitwick Leisure Centre and award the building contract.

RESOLVED

1.      that the terms of the Lottery Funding Agreement (the deed) and its associated grant conditions to secure the Sport England capital grant award of £2,000,000, as set out in the exempt Appendix A to the Executive report, be accepted;

2.      that the increase in the gross capital budget for this project which, as a result of the acceptance of this grant means there is no net impact on the Capital Budget position as approved by Council, be noted; and

3.      to delegate authority to the Community Services Director, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Services, to award a building contract for Flitwick Leisure Centre at the overall gross expenditure for this scheme of £14,725,000.