Agenda, decisions and minutes

Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1, Watling House, High Street North, Dunstable

Contact: Sandra Hobbs  0300 300 5257

Items
No. Item

1.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 153 KB

To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 31 March 2015.

Minutes:

 

RESOLVED

 

that the minutes of the meeting held on 31 March 2015 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

 

2.

Members' Interests

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

Minutes:

 

None were declared.

 

 

3.

Chairman's Announcements

To receive any matters of communication from the Chairman.

Minutes:

 

The Chairman had no announcements to make.

 

 

4.

Petitions

To consider petitions received in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution.  The Monitoring Officer has been notified of the following petitions:-

 

1.    To request the Council for Superfast Fibre Broadband in Woburn and the neighbouring villages – 405 signatures.

2.    To request the Council to install CCTV in the alleyway behind Morrisons, Leighton Buzzard – 325 signatures.

Minutes:

 

In accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Annex 2 of Part 4 of the Constitution, the Executive received the following petitions:-

 

1.      Superfast Broadband

 

Councillor Wells presented a petition on behalf of The Bedford Estates  containing 405 signatures requesting the Council to include the area of Woburn and neighbouring villages in the roll out of Superfast Broadband.  Councillor Wells explained that there were many commercial businesses and residents in the area of Woburn that received an extremely poor broadband service.  Councillor Wells requested that Woburn and the neighbouring villages should receive Superfast Broadband before 2018/19.

 

The Executive Member for Corporate Resources explained the investment in Superfast Broadband.  The plan was to deliver access to superfast broadband (defined as being at least 24Mbit/s) to 90% of all premises with the aim of ensuring that all premises in Central Bedfordshire had access to infrastructure able to provide at least 2 Megabits per second.  The properties with the following postcodes were unlikely to receive Superfast Broadband due to the distance from exchanges:-

 

·         MK17 9EW

·         MK17 9FB

·         MK17 9HW

 

The Executive was due to consider a report on 6 October 2015 which would seek approval to extend the current Superfast Broadband Extension project contract, and associated funding, following approval of additional external funding (up to £3.46 million) to increase coverage from the South East Midlands Local Enterprise Partnership and Broadband Delivery UK.

 

2.      CCTV in Leighton Buzzard

 

Councillor Dowell presented a petition on behalf of James Braxton and Hannah Brennan containing 325 signatures requesting the Council to install CCTV in the alleyway behind Morrisons, Leighton Buzzard.  The alley was overgrown and was a known area for anti-social behaviour and criminal activity.  Morrisons and the Police were aware of the issues with the alleyway and Morrisons had started to cut back the trees and bushes. 

 

The Executive Member for Community Services explained that the alleyway belonged to Morrisons and they were currently carrying out work to clear the alleyway.  The Council would review the installation of CCTV in the alleyway once Morrisons had completed the clearance work.  The Executive Member agreed to provide a full written response to Mr Braxton and Ms Brennan.

 

 

5.

Public Participation

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.

Minutes:

 

There were no members of the public registered to speak.

 

 

6.

Forward Plan of Key Decisions pdf icon PDF 301 KB

To receive the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016.

Decision:

That the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016 be noted.

Minutes:

 

RESOLVED

 

that the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016 be noted.

 

 

7.

Central Bedfordshire's Five Year Plan: 2015 -20 pdf icon PDF 100 KB

 

The purpose of this report is to update Executive on progress in developing the plan and to seek approval for the further engagement process planned for the summer.

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the intention to develop a new five year plan for the Council be noted.

2       That the engagement process and timetable for completion of the plan be approved.        

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Leader of the Council that set out the work on developing a five year plan and proposed a process of engagement.  The development of the plan was an important process which would allow the Council to clearly articulate what it was seeking to achieve between now and 2020.  It would form the basis of the Council’s core programmes of activity against which performance would be measured.

 

All Members would have an opportunity to engage with the development of the plan through the Overview and Scrutiny process. 

 

In response to a question, the Executive Member for Community Services agreed to provide the relevant Councillor with a written response regarding the engagement with town and parish councils to enable them to take on more services.

 

Reason for decision:  To endorse the proposed approach to the development of the Council’s Five Year Plan.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.      that the intention to develop a new five year plan for the Council be noted; and

 

2       that the engagement process and timetable for completion of the plan be approved.

 

 

8.

The Future of Caddington Hall Older Persons Home pdf icon PDF 247 KB

 

To report the outcome of the consultation and propose recommendations for the future of Caddington Hall Older Persons Home.

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.      That the outcome of the consultation be noted.

2.      That the closure of Caddington Hall Older Persons Home based on the matters set out in the report, its appendices and background papers, be approved.

3.      To authorise the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing to determine the date of closure, taking into consideration the assessed eligible care needs of residents of the home and relevant operational matters.

4.      That the commencement of the processes, set out in paragraphs 63 to 64 in the report, in relation to the staff employed at Caddington Hall Older Persons Home, be approved.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Social Care and Housing that set out the outcome of the consultation on the future of Caddington Hall Older Persons Home.  The Council’s priority was to improve the quality of accommodation for older people. 

 

Caddington Hall did not meet modern expectations as it had relatively small rooms and no en-suite facilities and was located in a rural area with poor public transport links.  Quantum Care had opened a new care home, Dukeminster Court, Dunstable in April 2015 and had indicated that they would be prepared to make 26 places available to the Council within the rates and terms of the Council’s Framework Agreement with care homes in Central Bedfordshire.  This would allow all of the residents from Caddington Hall to move together as a group to Dukeminster Court, if they so wished.  Consultation had been carried out with all the residents at Caddington Hall and their families, including a full risk assessment of the residents’ needs. It was recommended that taking on board the welfare of the residents it was an appropriate time to proceed with the closure of the home.

 

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to improve the quality of accommodation for the residents at Caddington Hall.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.      that the outcome of the consultation be noted;

 

2.      that the closure of Caddington Hall Older Persons Home based on the matters set out in the report, its appendices and background papers, be approved;

 

3.      to authorise the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing to determine the date of closure, taking into consideration the assessed eligible care needs of residents of the home and relevant operational matters; and

 

4.      that the commencement of the processes, set out in paragraphs 63 to 64 in the report, in relation to the staff employed at Caddington Hall Older Persons Home, be approved.

 

 

9.

Commissioning of New Middle School Places in Leighton Buzzard pdf icon PDF 115 KB

 

To seek support for the proposed consultation to provide new Middle School places in Leighton Buzzard from September 2016.

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the proposed commencement of consultation by the Governing Body of Leighton Community Middle School to permanently expand from a 4 form of entry (480 place) middle school for pupils aged 9 to 13 to a 5 form of entry (600 place) middle school for pupils aged 9 to 13, increasing the school’s published admission number from 120 to 150 with effect from 1 September 2016, be approved.

The school will also be invited to prepare a business case which will be subject to consideration by the Council’s Executive in October 2015.

 

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that sought approval to commence consultation to provide new middle school places in Leighton Buzzard from September 2016.  The Governing Body of Leighton Community Middle School were proposing to expand from a 4 form of entry (480 places) middle school for pupils aged 9 to 13 to a 5 form of entry (600 place) middle school for pupils aged 9 to 13, increasing the school’s published admission number from 120 to 150, with effect from 1 September 2016.

 

In response to a question, the Executive Member for Education and Skills was aware of the concerns about the impact that this would have on the traffic in the area and would carry out a traffic survey as well as looking for a solution to these concerns.

 

Reason for decision:  To ensure that the Council continued to meet its statutory obligations to provide sufficient school places and meet the legal requirements placed on the Council by the Education and Inspections Act 2008 regarding proposals to expand maintained schools.

 

RESOLVED

 

that the proposed commencement of consultation by the Governing Body of Leighton Community Middle School to permanently expand from a 4 form of entry (480 place) middle school for pupils aged 9 to 13 to a 5 form of entry (600 place) middle school for pupils aged 9 to 13, increasing the school’s published admission number from 120 to 150 with effect from 1 September 2016, be approved.

 

The school will also be invited to prepare a business case which will be subject to consideration by the Council’s Executive in October 2015.

 

 

10.

Proposals to Amalgamate Arlesey Nursery School and Childcare Centre with Gothic Mede Academy and The Lawns Nursery, Biggleswade with Biggleswade Academy Trust pdf icon PDF 161 KB

 

To seek approval to commence consultations and to publish statutory notices on the proposals to amalgamate Arlesey Nursery School and Childcare Centre with Gothic Mede Academy and The Lawns Nursery, Biggleswade with Biggleswade Academy Trust.

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the commencement of consultation and the publication of statutory notices be approved for the proposals to:

(a)       close Arlesey Nursery School and Childcare Centre with an implementation date of 31 December 2015 to enable amalgamation of the provision with Gothic Mede Academy with effect from 1 January 2016; and

(b)       close The Lawns Nursery Close, Biggleswade with an implementation date of 31 December 2015 to enable amalgamation of the provision with Biggleswade Academy Trust with effect from 1 January 2016.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that sought approval to commence statutory consultations required for the proposal to amalgamate Arlesey Nursery School and Childcare Centre with Gothic Mede Academy, and the proposal to amalgamate The Lawns Nursery, Biggleswade with Biggleswade Academy Trust.

 

It was noted that this issue had been considered by the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee which had supported the recommendations to commence the statutory consultations.

 

Reason for decision:  To ensure the Council continued to meet its statutory obligations to secure sufficient childcare and early years’ provision and meet the legal requirements placed on the Council by the Education and Inspections Act 2006 regarding proposals to close maintained schools.

 

RESOLVED

 

that the commencement of consultation and the publication of statutory notices be approved for the proposals to:

 

(a)       close Arlesey Nursery School and Childcare Centre with an implementation date of 31 December 2015 to enable amalgamation of the provision with Gothic Mede Academy with effect from 1 January 2016; and

 

(b)       close The Lawns Nursery Close, Biggleswade with an implementation date of 31 December 2015 to enable amalgamation of the provision with Biggleswade Academy Trust with effect from 1 January 2016.

 

 

11.

Proposal to Recommission Primary Specialist Provision for Autistic Spectrum Condition in Dunstable pdf icon PDF 117 KB

 

To consider the proposal to recommission Primary Specialist Provision for Autistic Spectrum Condition in Dunstable.

Additional documents:

Decision:

That the commencement of consultation by Ardley Hill Academy for the proposal to establish a new 8 place primary specialist provision for Autistic Spectrum Condition at Ardley Hill Academy in Dunstable from September 2016, be approved.

 

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Education and Skills that sought support to commence the consultation by Ardley Hill Academy for its proposal to establish a new 8 place primary specialist provision for Autistic Spectrum Condition at Ardley Hill Academy in Dunstable from September 2016.

 

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to meet its statutory obligations to secure sufficient school places for children with special educational needs.

 

RESOLVED

 

that the commencement of consultation by Ardley Hill Academy for the proposal to establish a new 8 place primary specialist provision for Autistic Spectrum Condition at Ardley Hill Academy in Dunstable from September 2016, be approved.

 

 

12.

Allocation Policy for Independent Living Schemes pdf icon PDF 183 KB

 

To adopt the Allocations Policy for Independent Living Schemes in Central Bedfordshire. 

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.         That the Allocations Policy for Independent Living Schemes in Central Bedfordshire, at Appendix A to the report, be adopted as the Allocation Scheme for all properties available within Central Bedfordshire where a care and support service is provided within an extra care / independent living environment.  This policy shall apply to all providers.

2.         To authorise the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing, in consultation with the Executive Member for Social Care and Housing to:

(a)       allocate properties in accordance with the Allocations Policy for Independent Living schemes;

(b)       amend or vary the detailed wording of the Allocations Policy, where to do so does not change the strategic intent or overarching aims of the Policy, so as to ensure the Policy is and remains effective in operational terms, to achieve the Policy objectives over time, taking account of considerations related to supply and demand; and

(c)        develop and implement monitoring arrangements to ensure that the aims of the Policy are achieved and to support the Council’s duty to promote equality, in line with the Equalities Assessment, which shall be kept under review.

3.         that the Policy be noted, including the sales / lettings processes prescribed in the Policy, which will be an appendix to the Council’s main Allocations Policy (forming the Council’s Allocations Scheme), and shall be applied first to lettings / sales of apartments at Priory View, Dunstable.  The Policy shall be reviewed, in advance of its application to sales and lettings at Greenfields, Leighton Buzzard.

 

 

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Social Care and Housing that set out the proposed Allocations Policy for Independent Living Schemes in Central Bedfordshire.  The Policy would ensure that affordable homes provided by Housing Associations and the Council were let or sold for shared ownership in a fair and transparent way, with local people who would benefit most from Independent Living Schemes having the highest priority to move to them.

 

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to have a policy that established a robust assessment criteria in an area where demand was expected to exceed supply, in the context of an efficiency saving within the Medium Term Financial Plan.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         that the Allocations Policy for Independent Living Schemes in Central Bedfordshire, at Appendix A to the report, be adopted as the Allocation Scheme for all properties available within Central Bedfordshire where a care and support service is provided within an extra care / independent living environment.  This policy shall apply to all providers;

 

2.         to authorise the Director of Social Care, Health and Housing, in consultation with the Executive Member for Social Care and Housing to:

 

(a)       allocate properties in accordance with the Allocations Policy for Independent Living schemes;

 

(b)       amend or vary the detailed wording of the Allocations Policy, where to do so does not change the strategic intent or overarching aims of the Policy, so as to ensure the Policy is and remains effective in operational terms, to achieve the Policy objectives over time, taking account of considerations related to supply and demand; and

 

(c)       develop and implement monitoring arrangements to ensure that the aims of the Policy are achieved and to support the Council’s duty to promote equality, in line with the Equalities Assessment, which shall be kept under review.

 

3.         that the Policy be noted, including the sales / lettings processes prescribed in the Policy, which will be an appendix to the Council’s main Allocations Policy (forming the Council’s Allocations Scheme), and shall be applied first to lettings / sales of apartments at Priory View, Dunstable.  The Policy shall be reviewed, in advance of its application to sales and lettings at Greenfields, Leighton Buzzard.

 

 

13.

Transfer of Children's Public Health (0-5 years) Commissioning to Local Authorities pdf icon PDF 129 KB

 

To set out the arrangements for the transfer and makes proposals on the way ahead.

Decision:

1.         That the fact that SEPT Community Services are the current provider until 31 March 2016, be noted.

2.         To approve in principle the continuation of the service from 1 April 2016 as a joint service with Bedford Borough Council, with Central Bedfordshire Council as lead commissioner on behalf of both councils.

3.         That with regard to (2) above, to authorise the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Executive Member for Health, to arrange for the procurement and commissioning arrangements from 1 April 2016.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Public Health that advised that from 1 October 2015 local authorities would take over responsibility from NHS England for the commissioning of public health services for children aged 0 to 5, which incorporated the Health Visiting Service and the Family Nurse Partnership Programme.  The report also set out the arrangements for the transfer and made proposals on the way forward.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         that the fact that SEPT Community Services are the current provider until 31 March 2016, be noted;

 

2.         to approve in principle the continuation of the service from 1 April 2016 as a joint service with Bedford Borough Council, with Central Bedfordshire Council as lead commissioner on behalf of both councils; and

 

3.         that with regard to (2) above, to authorise the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Executive Member for Health, to arrange for the procurement and commissioning arrangements from 1 April 2016.

 

 

14.

March 2015 Provisional Outturn Revenue Budget Monitoring (subject to audit) pdf icon PDF 69 KB

 

The report sets out the provisional financial outturn position (subject to audit) for 2014/15 as at the end of March 2015. It excludes the Housing Revenue Account which is subject to a separate report.

Additional documents:

Decision:

 

1.      That the provisional revenue outturn position for 2014/15, which is an underspend against budget of £0.2m, be noted.

2.      That the creation of new proposed earmarked reserves, as set out in paragraph 8 in the report and detailed in Appendix B, be approved.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Corporate Recourses that set out the provisional financial outturn position (subject to audit) for 2014/15. 

 

The Executive thanked Officers for their hard work in achieving the underspend against budget for 2014/15.

 

Reason for decision:  To facilitate effective financial management and planning.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.      that the provisional revenue outturn position for 2014/15, which is an underspend against budget of £0.2m, be noted; and

 

2.      that the creation of new proposed earmarked reserves, as set out in paragraph 8 in the report and detailed in Appendix B, be approved.

 

 

15.

March 2015 – Capital Budget Monitoring Provisional Outturn Report (Subject to Audit) pdf icon PDF 58 KB

 

The report provides information on the provisional capital outturn for 2014/15 as at March 2015 (subject to audit). 

Additional documents:

Decision:

1.         That the overall outturn capital expenditure for 2014/15 of £87.5M compared to the budget of £116.8M, be noted.  The variance of £29.3M includes the proposed deferred spend of £25.5M.

2.         That the proposed deferred spend from 2014/15 to 2015/16, as detailed at Appendix B to the report, be approved.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources that provided the provisional capital outturn for 2014/15 (subject to audit).

 

Reason for decision:  To facilitate effective financial management and planning.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.      that the overall outturn capital expenditure for 2014/15 of £87.5M compared to the budget of £116.8M, be noted.  The variance of £29.3M includes the proposed deferred spend of £25.5M; and

 

2.      that the proposed deferred spend from 2014/15 to 2015/16, as detailed at Appendix B to the report, be approved.

 

 

16.

March 2014/15 Housing Revenue Account Budget Monitoring Provisional Outturn Revenue and Capital Report ( Subject to Audit) pdf icon PDF 86 KB

 

The report provides information on the 2014/15 Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Provisional Outturn Revenue and Capital position as at March 2015 (subject to audit).

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

 

1.      That the provisional Housing Revenue Account (HRA) outturn for 2014/15 be noted, including a contribution to HRA reserves of £6.590M, thus strengthening the Council’s ability to invest and improve its stock of Council Houses, be noted.

2.      That it be noted that Right to Buy sales are at a similar level to the previous financial year, resulting in a year end balance of unapplied capital receipts of £3.451M.

3.      That it be noted that as part of the HRA Capital Programme there was a contribution of £6.744M from the Independent Living Development Reserve to Priory View, Dunstable.

4.      That it be noted that there was a net decrease in reserves of £0.154M, so that, at the year end, the HRA will have £20.556M of reserves available, of which £2.0M is identified as a minimum level of HRA Balances.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the 2014/15 Housing Revenue Account provisional outturn and capital position (subject to audit).

 

Reason for decision:  To facilitate effective financial management and planning.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.      that the provisional Housing Revenue Account (HRA) outturn for 2014/15 be noted, including a contribution to HRA reserves of £6.590M, thus strengthening the Council’s ability to invest and improve its stock of Council Houses, be noted;

 

2.      that it be noted that Right to Buy sales are at a similar level to the previous financial year, resulting in a year end balance of unapplied capital receipts of £3.451M;

 

3.      that it be noted that as part of the HRA Capital Programme there was a contribution of £6.744M from the Independent Living Development Reserve to Priory View, Dunstable; and

 

4.      that it be noted that there was a net decrease in reserves of £0.154M, so that, at the year end, the HRA will have £20.556M of reserves available, of which £2.0M is identified as a minimum level of HRA Balances.

 

 

17.

2014/15 Quarter 4 Performance Report pdf icon PDF 1 MB

 

To report on Quarter 4 2014/15 performance for Central Bedfordshire Council’s Medium Term Plan (MTP) indicator set.

Decision:

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

2.         That officers further investigate and resolve underperforming indicators as appropriate.

Minutes:

 

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the quarter 4 2014/15 performance for Central Bedfordshire Council’s Medium Term Plan indicator set. 

 

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

 

RESOLVED

 

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

 

2.         that officers further investigate and resolve underperforming indicators as appropriate.