To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 15 May 2012.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 15 May 2012 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to the second paragraph in minute E/12/7 being amended to read:

“Members noted that in regard to the Children’s Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s comments on the Medium Term Plan, the educational attainment targets could only be delivered in conjunction with schools and other partners.”

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 reported on the recent sudden death of Councillor Jon Clarke. Members stood in silent tribute to his memory.

The Chairman acknowledged the positive improvements that were occurring throughout the Council that were reflected within various agenda items.  In particular he congratulated the Executive Member and Director of Social Care, Health and Housing on the significant achievements made in Adult Social Care.

The Chairman had agreed by virtue of the authority vested in him to take an urgent item of business relating to the inclusion of works funded through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund in the Capital Programme as the issue could not be delayed to the next scheduled meeting of the Executive and therefore needed to be considered as a matter of urgency.

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 July 2012 to

30 June 2013.

That the draft Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 be noted.

RESOLVED

that the draft Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 July 2012 to 30 June 2013 be noted.

Following detailed analysis of customer preferences, technical requirements and organisational capacity to change, the report proposes that the Council moves to implementation of a new service delivery model for Customer Service.  Please note that Appendix A has previously been circulated to Executive Members.  A copy is available at http://www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/modgov/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=577&MId=4049&Ver=4 or a hard copy can be obtained from Sandra Hobbs 0300 300 5257.

1.   That the Customer First Implementation Strategy and Plan be endorsed.

2.   That the appointment of a technology partner for the programme, as set out in the exempt Appendix B to the report, be approved.

3.   To draw down funding of £1.689m from the Capital Budget.

4.   That the extension of the contract for the delivery partner, following a gateway review, on a risk and reward basis be approved.

5.   That a second design phase aimed at bringing further services forward for improvement and savings be endorsed.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that detailed the proposed implementation of a new service delivery model for Customer Services.  The new model would deliver improvements for the Council’s customers and unlock revenue savings of over £600k a year from 2013/14 onwards.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to deliver transformed Customer Services through the channels that the Council’s customers want and in the most cost effective way possible.

RESOLVED

1.      that the Customer First Implementation Strategy and Plan be endorsed;

2.      that the appointment of a technology partner for the programme, as set out in the exempt Appendix B to the report, be approved;

3.      to draw down funding of £1.689m from the Capital Budget;

4.      that the extension of the contract for the delivery partner, following a gateway review, on a risk and reward basis be approved; and

5.      that a second design phase aimed at bringing further services forward for improvement and savings be endorsed.

The report provides information on the provisional outturn for 2011/12, subject to audit.

1.         That the outturn position which is an under spend of £0.494M be noted, representing achievement of a balanced outturn.  This enables a contribution to reserves to be made, thus strengthening the Council’s long term financial position.

2.         That the proposed transfers to General Fund and Earmarked Reserves, as set out in Appendix B to the report, be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that detailed the provisional financial position for 2011/12.   The provisional outturn under spend of £0.494M against budget was in line with expectations.  This included the planned use of, and proposed transfer to, reserves.

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

RESOLVED

1.         that the outturn position which was an under spend of £0.494M be noted, representing achievement of a balanced outturn.  This enabled a contribution to reserves to be made, thus strengthening the Council’s long term financial position; and

2.         that the proposed transfers to General Fund and Earmarked Reserves, as set out in Appendix B to the report, be approved.

The report provides information on the provisional capital outturn for 2011/12, subject to audit.

1.         That the outturn position which is an under spend of £21.5M gross, £10.3M net be noted.

2.         That the transfer of budgets for capital schemes in progress from 2011/12 to 2012/13, funded by £8.4M external capital receipts and £13.6M Central Bedfordshire Counci’s contribution be noted, as approved by Council on 14 June.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that provided information on the provisional capital outturn for 2011/12, subject to audit.  Members noted that the provisional outturn gross under spend was £21.5M against the approved budget of £86.5M.  Council on 14 June had approved the carry forward a total of £22.289M from 2011/12 to 2012/13.

Reason for decision:  To complete schemes currently underway and facilitate effective financial management and planning.

RESOLVED

1.      that the outturn position which was an under spend of £21.5M gross, £10.3M net be noted;

2.      that the transfer of budgets for capital schemes in progress from 2011/12 to 2012/13, funded by £8.4M external capital receipts and £13.6M Central Bedfordshire Council’s contribution be noted, as approved by Council on 14 June.

To inform the Executive of the significant achievements made in Adult Social Care, and the subsequent sector wide recognition received from the Towards Excellence in Adult Social Care Board.

That the significant improvement in the Council’s Adult Social Care services, as recognised by the Towards Excellence in Adult Social Care Board, be endorsed.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing that detailed the significant achievements made in Adult Social Care and the subsequent sector wide recognition received from the Towards Excellence in Adult Social Care Board.  Members welcomed the improved quality in service and that the improvements embedded in the work of the Council and its partners would be sustained.

Reason for decision:  To recognise the progress made by the Adult Social Care Services in Central Bedfordshire.

RESOLVED

that the significant improvement in the Council’s Adult Social Care services, as recognised by the Towards Excellence in Adult Social Care Board, be endorsed.

To adopt the revised Central Bedfordshire Council Housing Renewal Policy following consultation.

1.      That the revised Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy attached at Appendix B to the report be adopted.

2.      That the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, following consultation with the Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing, enter into an agreement with the Homes and Communities Agency in order to obtain the £200,000 Empty Homes funding, to be utilised in accordance with the Council’s Renewal Policy and Empty Homes strategy.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing that detailed the draft revised Renewal Policy.  The revised Policy included the provision of loan assistance rather than grants, in most cases.  This would enable the Council to recover and recycle funding, which in turn enabled further improvement work to be undertaken.

The Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing moved an additional recommendation, which was duly seconded:-

“To agree that the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, following consultation with the Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing, enter into an agreement with the Homes and Communities Agency in order to obtain the £200,000 Empty Homes funding, to be utilised in accordance with the Council’s Renewal Policy and Empty Homes strategy.”

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to provide revised types of financial assistance to improve the homes of the most vulnerable households whilst ensuring that the assistance could be recovered and recycled for further improvements.

RESOLVED

1.            that the revised Private Sector Housing Renewal Policy attached at Appendix B to the report be adopted; and

2.      that the Head of Legal and Democratic Services, following consultation with the Executive Member for Social Care, Health and Housing, enter into an agreement with the Homes and Communities Agency in order to obtain the £200,000 Empty Homes funding, to be utilised in accordance with the Council’s Renewal Policy and Empty Homes strategy.

This report seeks approval for expenditure for two new contracts to continue (1) the treatment and disposal of residual waste and (2) the treatment and disposal of recycling collected by Central Bedfordshire Council (CBC).

That the expenditure for the following two new contracts be approved to continue:

(a)       the treatment and disposal of residual waste; and

(b)       the treatment and disposal of recycling collected by Central Bedfordshire Council.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities that sought approval for expenditure for the following contracts to continue:

• the treatment and disposal of residual waste; and
• the treatment and disposal of recycling collected by Central Bedfordshire Council.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to continue with the treatment and disposal of residual waste and recycling in line with the Council’s statutory duties.

RESOLVED

that the expenditure for two new contracts be approved to continue:

(a)       the treatment and disposal of residual waste; and

(b)       the treatment and disposal of recycling collected by Central Bedfordshire Council.

To report on Quarter 4 2011/12 performance for Central Bedfordshire Council’s corporate performance indicator set.

That the overall strong performance in Quarter 4 and the encouraging outturn performance for indicators in the corporate indicator set be noted and officers further investigate and resolve underperforming indicators as appropriate.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that detailed the quarter 4 2011/12 performance for the Council’s corporate performance indicator set.

In response to a query, the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources confirmed that continued improvements were being made to reduce the time being taken to process Housing and Council Tax Benefit claims. 

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

RESOLVED

that the overall strong performance in quarter 4 and the encouraging outturn performance for indicators in the corporate indicator set be noted and officers further investigate and resolve underperforming indicators as appropriate.

By virtue of the authority vested in him in accordance with Section 100(b)(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chairman has agreed to allow an additional item to be considered at this meeting as a matter of urgency.  This item relates to the inclusion of works funded through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) in Central Bedfordshire’s capital programme.  Consideration of this item could not be delayed to the next scheduled meeting of the Executive and therefore needs to be considered as a matter of urgency.

That the inclusion of funding obtained from central government as part of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund in the Capital Programme be approved.

The Executive considered an urgent report from the Executive Member for Sustainable Communities – Strategic Planning and Economic Development that sought approval to include works funded through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund in Capital Programme.  The Council had been awarded £4.9m from the Department for Transport to support sustainable transport initiatives in the south of Central Bedfordshire over the period 2012/13 to 2014/15.  The reason for the urgency was that if the Council did not claim the full £1.4M the remaining balance would be lost to the Council.

Reason for decision:  To enable commencement of work such that funding is not put at risk.

RESOLVED

that the inclusion of funding obtained from central government as part of the Local Sustainable Transport Fund in the Capital Programme be approved.

To set out Appendix B to agenda item 8 ‘Customer First Implementation’, the appointment of a technology partner for the Customer First Programme.  

See minute E/12/21 for details.