To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 15 November 2011.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 November 2011 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members any declarations and the nature in relation to:-

(a)    personal interests in any agenda item

(b)    personal and prejudicial interests in any agenda item.

To receive any matters of communication from the Chairman.

The Chairman had no announcements to make.

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.

A public question was asked under Agenda item 9 ‘Capital Programme 2012/13 to 2015/16’.

To receive the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 December 2011 to 30 November 2012.

That the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 December 2011 to 30 November 2012 be noted.

RESOLVED

that the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 December 2011 to 30 November 2012 be noted.

The report provides the draft Budget for 2012/13 and an update to the Medium Term Financial Plan as previously approved by Council in February 2011.

That the draft budget proposals for 2012/13 be approved as the basis for consultation with the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and other interested parties.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that proposed the draft budget for 2012/13 and updated the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) as previously approved by Council in February 2011. 

In responding to questions the Executive Member explained the need to increase the General Fund reserves to a risk assessed prudent minimum level.  It was proposed that there would be no increase in Council Tax over the plan period but the differing rates between the north and south of Central Bedfordshire would be harmonised at the lower rate in the north over a two year period.  The Leader emphasised the need to make efficiencies by improving the delivery of services.

Reason for decision:  To enable extensive consultation on the draft budget for 2012/13 and Medium Term Financial Plan for 2012-2016, prior to recommendations being made by the Executive to Council in February 2012.

RESOLVED

that the draft budget proposals for 2012/13 be approved as the basis for consultation with the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and other interested parties.

To consider the draft capital programme 2012/13 – 2015/16.

1.      That the draft 2012/13 to 2015/16 Capital Programme be approved, as set out in Appendix B to the report, for consultation with the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and other stakeholders.

2.      To note that a net expenditure of the 2012/13 Capital Programme has increased by £16.620m over that within the Capital Programme 2011/12 to 2014/15 approved by Council in February 2011.

3.      That the draft 2012/13 to 2015/16 Capital Programme - Housing Revenue Account be approved, as set out in Appendix C to the report, for consultation with the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee and other stakeholders.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that proposed the Capital Programme for 2012/13 to 2015/16 for consultation.  Capital investment was required to ensure the delivery of the Council’s priorities within a sustainable and affordable programme.

In accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Public Participation Procedure, the Chairman invited the member of the public who had registered to speak on this item to address the Executive:

• Mr Collier spoke in relation to Stotfold Football Development Project.  He expressed concern that phases two and three of the project had not been included in the Capital Programme.

The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources explained that funding for this project had been allocated by the former Mid Bedfordshire District Council.  During the difficult financial climate Central Bedfordshire Council had to assess all capital schemes against the Council’s finances.  The Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Services confirmed that £300,000 had been set aside for phase 1 of the project which would comprise youth football pitches and changing facilities.

The Executive Members responded to questions in relation to individual schemes. 

Reason for decision:  To enable extensive consultation on the draft Capital Programme 2012/13 to 2015/16 prior to recommendations being made Executive to Council in February 2012.

RESOLVED

1.      that the draft 2012/13 to 2015/16 Capital Programme, as set out in Appendix B to the report, be approved for consultation with the Overview and Scrutiny Committees and other stakeholders;

2.      to note that a net expenditure of the 2012/13 Capital Programme had increased by £16.620m over that within the Capital Programme 2011/12 to 2014/15 approved by Council in February 2011;

3.      that the draft 2012/13 to 2015/16 Capital Programme - Housing Revenue Account, as set out in Appendix C to the report, be approved for consultation with the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee and other stakeholders.

To consider the proposed model for the new 30 year Housing Revenue Account Business Plan, under the self financing regime.

1.         That the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) be noted as it will have a debt of approximately £165m as a result of legislation to implement the self-financing regime for council housing finance.

2.         That the proposal to create a reserve for the re-provision and re-modelling of sheltered housing, within the HRA Finance Plan model be noted.

3.         That the draft HRA Revenue Budget for 2012/13, and the Finance Plan summary at Appendix 1 to the report be noted, including the Landlord Service efficiency programme being developed as part of a Value for Money Strategy.

4.         That any feedback arising from tenant engagement and communication about the change be reported to the Executive in February 2012.

5.         That the provisional level of average rent increase for 2012/13 be noted.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources and the Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing that outlined the opportunities that the self financing regime would provide.  The report also set out the proposed model for the new 30 year Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Finance Plan, under the self financing regime. 

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

RESOLVED

1.         that the HRA be noted which would have a debt of approximately £165m as a result of legislation to implement the self-financing regime for council housing finance;

2.         that the proposal to create a reserve for the re-provision and re-modelling of sheltered housing, within the HRA Finance Plan model be noted;

3.         that the draft HRA Revenue Budget for 2012/13, and the Finance Plan summary at Appendix 1 to the report be noted, including the Landlord Service efficiency programme being developed as part of a Value for Money Strategy;

4.         that any feedback arising from tenant engagement and communication about the change be reported to the Executive in February 2012; and

5.         that the provisional level of average rent increase for 2012/13 be noted.

The report concerns the revocation of the proposal approved by the Executive on 23 August 2011 to merge Hillcrest Community Special School, Weatherfield Community Special School and Glenwood Community Special School to create a single area special school for pupils with complex educational needs aged 3-19. 

1.      To determine not to implement the statutory proposal for the merger of Hillcrest, Weatherfield and Glenwood Schools published on 10 June 2011 and approved by the Executive on 23 August 2011.

2.      That following the current informal consultation, Statutory Notices be published to propose the amalgamation of Hillcrest and Glenwood Schools as an Area Special School for the south of Central Bedfordshire.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Children’s Services concerning the revocation of the proposal approved by the Executive on 23 August 2011 to merge Hillcrest, Weatherfield and Glenwood Community Special Schools to create a single area special school for pupils with complex educational needs aged 3-19.

Reason for decision:  A duty to implement the proposal to merge the 3 schools cannot apply as it is no longer possible to implement these linked proposals following the recent decision by the Secretary of State to issue an Academy Order for Weatherfield Community Special School.  Due to this, Weatherfield Community Special School would no longer be maintained by the local authority and, on the proposed implementation date, Weatherfield Community Special School would operate independently of the Council.

RESOLVED

1.      not to implement the statutory proposal for the merger of Hillcrest, Weatherfield and Glenwood Schools published on 10 June 2011 and approved by the Executive on 23 August 2011; and

2.      that following the current informal consultation, Statutory Notices be published to propose the amalgamation of Hillcrest and Glenwood Schools as an Area Special School for the south of Central Bedfordshire.

The report provides information on the Quarter 2 Revenue Budget Management Position.

That the revenue forecast position be noted as an over spend of £0.086M (>0.05% of net budget) and that Officers be requested to continue with actions to ensure a balanced outturn at year end.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the financial position for 2011/12 based on the end of September.  The report provided detail on the spend to date against the profiled budgets and the forecast financial outturn.

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

RESOLVED

that the revenue forecast position be noted as an over spend of £0.086M (less than 0.05% of net budget) and that Officers be requested to continue with actions to ensure a balanced outturn at year end.

The report provides information on the Quarter 2 Capital Budget Management Position.

1.            That the Capital gross spend of £28.2m which is below the profile, be noted.

2.            To note that the report is based on the position as at the end of September.  The Executive decisions relating to the review of the programme reported to the Executive on 15 November are not reflected in the report.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the capital financial position for 2011/12 based on the end of September.  The report provided detail on the spend to date against the profiled budgets.  The Executive Member confirmed that £3m from 2012/13 had been brought forward into this financial year to enable additional schemes to be completed.

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

RESOLVED

1.            that the Capital gross spend of £28.2m which is below the profile, be noted; and

2.            to note that the report is based on the position as at the end of September.  The Executive decisions relating to the review of the programme reported to the Executive on 15 November are not reflected in the report.

The report presents the 2011 annual performance rating for Central Bedfordshire Children’s Services.

1.            That the 2011 annual performance rating for Central Bedfordshire Children’s Services be noted.

2.            That the action to be taken to improve future assessment outcomes be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Children’s Services that presented the 2011 annual performance rating for Central Bedfordshire’s Children’s Services.  Ofsted had assessed this service as “performs adequately”.  Ofsted had concluded that the majority of services, settings and institutions were good or better. 

The assessment explained that the overall judgement of “performs adequately” was mainly attributed to the under performance of middle schools, upper schools and school sixth forms. 

Members noted that the Council had put in place a strategy to improve the use of achievement data as children move from one key stage to the next stage, or from one school to the next in order to remove barriers to progress.  A support programme was in place at each school that had been judged ‘satisfactory’, to focus on the key areas of leadership, teaching and learning.  To enable improvement in schools the Council would need to work in partnership with the schools governing bodies and parents.  The Executive highlighted that school governors had an important role in improving the performance of schools.   

Reason for decision:  To meet the requirement that this performance rating is reported formally to the Council’s Executive and to ensure that the Council meets its statutory duty as set out in the Children Act 2004 to improve outcomes for children and young people.

RESOLVED

1.            that the 2011 annual performance rating for Central Bedfordshire Children’s Services be noted; and

2.            that the action to be taken to improve future assessment outcomes be approved.

To consider whether to pass a resolution under section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 to exclude the Press and Public from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that the consideration of the item is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED

that in accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 3 and 5 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Act.

To consider the extension of the household waste recycling centres management contract.

To extend the current Household Waste Recycling Centres Management Contract for a period of up to 12 months ending 31 June 2013 and for that purpose to suspend the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.*

*(Not for publication by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972)

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities seeking an agreement to extend the contract for the management of Central Bedfordshire Council’s four Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) for a period of up to 12 months, to coincide with the completion of the tendering arrangements taking place as part of the BEaR Project.  

Reason for decision:  To enable the continued management and provision of the Council’s HWRCs for an initial 9 months with a 3 month contingency.

RESOLVED

to extend the current Household Waste Recycling Centres Management Contract for a period of up to 12 months ending 31 June 2013 and for that purpose to suspend the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.*

*(Not for publication by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972)