Agenda and minutes

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests in any item on the agenda.

Councillor W T Beard declared a personal interest in agenda item 6 (Business Planning Process 2010-2013) in respect of grants to Town and Parish Councils on the basis that he was a parish councillor.  Councillor A Moran also declared a personal interest in agenda item 6, in respect of grants to Town and Parish Councils and car parking charges on the basis of his membership of Nantwich Town Council.

No other interests were declared.

In accordance with Procedure Rules Nos.11 and 35 a total period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the Committee on any matter relevant to the work of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers.

In order for an informed answer to be given, where a member of the public wishes to ask a question of a Cabinet Member three clear working days notice must be given and the question must be submitted in writing.  It is not required to give notice of the intention to make use of public speaking provision but, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours notice is encouraged.

There were no questions from members of the public.  

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2010.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st February 2010 be approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Customer Services Manager and to endorse the policy proposal to increase customer access through libraries.

The formation of Cheshire East Council had provided an opportunity to increase customer access to a wide range of Council services through libraries. This would optimise the use of Council resources whilst also providing improved customer access through longer and more flexible opening hours, during a range of times to suit all residents.  Moreover, it would reinforce the role of the libraries as the local community hub to access a range of Cheshire East services and would help to encourage customer adoption of web self-service through the People’s Network.

Cabinet was asked to endorse the proposals in the report.

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report:

That the policy proposal to increase customer access through libraries across Cheshire East, with the relocation of Customer Service Points at Alsager, Congleton, Holmes Chapel, Knutsford, Middlewich, Poynton and Wilmslow be endorsed.

To consider the report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets and the Budget Report for 2010/11.

Cabinet considered the report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets , together with an addendum which was tabled at the meeting. The report introduced the Cheshire East Council Budget for 2010/2011 and had been produced following consultation on the pre-budget report issued in January 2010.

The report set out in detail the spending plans and income targets for the financial year commencing 1^st April 2010, in addition to the financial estimates for the 2011/2012 and 2012/2013 financial years. 

Council would be invited to approve the budget at its meeting to be held on 25^th February 2010.

RESOLVED

That

1. the results of the Budget Consultation exercises undertaken by the Council be noted;

2. the comments of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets (Chief Finance Officer) be noted in respect of the robustness of estimates and level of reserves held by the Council based on the budget, as identified in Appendix B of the report;

3. the 2010/2011 Budget Report be recommended to Council for approval;

4. the three-year Capital Programme for 2010/2011 to 2012/2013 be recommended to Council for approval (Appendix B, Paras 72 to 73 and Annex 4 in the report);

5. A Band D Council Tax of £1,216.34 (1.7% increase over 2009/2010 of £1,196.01) be recommended to Council for approval;

6. the Reserves Policy and Strategy be recommended to Council for approval (Appendix C of the report);

7. the appended schedule of fees and charges be approved, save to the extent that the setting of fees and charges is exercised by other Committees, Panels or individuals under the scheme of delegation or otherwise (Appendix B, Para 199 and Annex 7 of the report);

8. the 2010/2011 Specific Grants (excluding DSG) (Appendix B, Paras 23 to 29 of the report submitted) be agreed and that Portfolio Holders be authorised to agree any necessary amendment to particular grants within their area of responsibility in the light of further information received from Government Departments or other funding bodies;

9. the 2010/2011 Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) of £200.2m (including central expenditure of £19.7m) and the associated policy proposals (Appendix B Paras 20 to 22 and Annex 5 of the report) be agreed;

10. the Children and Family Service Portfolio Holder be authorised to agree any necessary amendment to the DSG position in the light of further information received from DCSF, pupil number changes and the actual balance brought forward from 2009/2010;

11.  the Prudential Indicators for Capital Financial be recommended  to Council for approval (Appendix B, Paras 78 to 79 and Annex 3 of the report); and

12. the risk assessment detailed in Appendix B, Paras 64 to 66 of the report, be noted;

13. in respect of  Fees & Charges (pages 165-166) the Rent of Collapsible Stall units at Alsager, Middlewich & Sandbach Retail Market be corrected as follows:

To consider the report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets and to recommend to Council the approval of the Treasury Management Strategy and the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2010/2011.

Cabinet considered the report of the Borough Treasurer and Head of Assets which presented the Treasury Management Strategy for 2010/2011 to 2012/2013.  The report included the prudential indicators and limits required under Part 1 of the Local Government Act 2003 and the Annual Investment Strategy 2010/2011 and Annual Policy Statement on Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) for the redemption of debt 2010/2011.

The Strategy included the Communities and Local Government reporting requirements in accordance with the Local Government Investments Guidance under Section 15(1)(a) of the Local Government Act 2003.

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report:

That Council be recommended to approve the Treasury Management Strategy and the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2010/2011.

To consider the report of the Head of Internal Audit and Compliance, to note the identified strategic risks for the Council and the actions in place to mitigate these.

A Risk Management Strategy and Framework had been developed in June 2009 to ensure that risk management was integral to, and incorporated into, , all areas of the Council’s activities. Cabinet had approved the Strategy and Framework at its meeting on 14^th July 2009 following consultation with the Corporate Management Team and the Governance and Constitution Committee.

The Corporate Risk Management Group which had been established to play a key role in the implementation of the Risk Management Framework, had reported periodically to the Corporate Management Team and the Governance and Constitution Committee.

The report now submitted updated Cabinet on risk management to enable the strategic risks to be noted and discussed as appropriate.

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report:

That the identified strategic risks for the Council, and the actions in place to mitigate these, be noted.

To consider the report of the Head of Policy and Performance giving an overview of the third quarter performance for 2009/2010.

Cabinet received an overview of 2009-2010 third quarter performance for the Council.  The report included a summary of the performance for October to December 2009 against indicators included in the Local Area Agreement.

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report:

That the overview of performance and the issues raised in the report be noted in respect of potential underperformance against targets and how these would be addressed, in particular:

·          Performance against the 34 Local Area Agreement (LAA) targets; and

·          Performance against the nine non-designated LAA local priority indicators.

To consider the report of the Strategic Director Places on the Notice of Motion submitted to the Council at its meeting on 17 December 2009.

On 17^th December 2009, in accordance with Standing Orders, Council remitted the following motion to Cabinet –

 “This Council calls upon the Executive to recognise the need to improve the conduct of decision-making and consultation in relation to all matters relating to the Council’s responsibilities as a Highways Authority and its responsibilities through its Transport Policies.

In particular, the Council calls upon the Executive Members with responsibility for Strategic Planning and the Environment to recommend the establishment of bodies, which would effectively carry out the public functions which were previously the responsibility of the three Joint Highways Committees and the Public Transport Liaison Committees, within the area now governed by Cheshire East. These responsibilities should include the public consideration of decisions in relation to parking, Traffic Regulation Orders, Speed limits and engineering improvements and all other matters where effective transparent consultation and decision making is required.

The Council asks for Committees of local Councillors to be established in each of the previous areas covered by Macclesfield, Congleton and Crewe and Nantwich Borough Councils and provision to be made for the involvement of the police and where relevant town and Parish Councils. The Committees to be empowered to receive and consider representations by the public where these are appropriate.”

Cabinet considered a suggested approach to the implementation of local engagement on highways and transportation issues across Cheshire East.

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report:

That -

1.      Highways and Transportation forums be established, based on the Local Area Partnership boundaries, to provide a mechanism for local Ward Members and other interested parties to discuss highways and transportation issues, such as local investment priorities, traffic management and public transport arrangements; and

2.      a Cheshire East Transport Forum be established to bring together transport operators across the Borough with the Council to discuss strategic transport issues.

To consider the report of the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development on the current position and on arrangements from 1 April 2010.

Cabinet considered a report on the current position in respect of the severance scheme within Cheshire East Council, and recommended arrangements to support workforce change with effect from 1^st April 2010.

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report:

That

1.            the Council’s current voluntary severance terms, as detailed in Section 11.1 (i) to (iii) of the report, continue to apply from 1^st April 2010 to 31^st March 2011; and

2.            these provisions apply to all redundancies which occur for any reason during the period.

The reports relating to the remaining items on the agenda have been withheld from public circulation and deposit pursuant to Section 100(B)(2) of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that the matters may be determined with the press and public excluded.

The Committee may decide that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

PART 2 – MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT THE PUBLIC AND PRESS PRESENT

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and the public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

To consider the report of the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development.

Cabinet considered a report detailing a number of applications for voluntary redundancy which the Chief Executive was recommending for approval.

RESOLVED

For the reasons set out in the report:

That

1.                  the recommendation of the Chief Executive to release employees whose roles were listed on Appendix A, Section A of the report, under the arrangements agreed in relation to severance provisions for employees in the Council be approved, subject to approval at Council of the redundancy funding package recommended by Cabinet as part of the Budget Report 20101/2011, at agenda item 6 on the agenda;  and

2.                  Cabinet note the list of employees whose roles were listed on Appendix A, Section B of the report, who may become compulsorily redundant and would receive payments under the arrangements agreed in relation to severance provisions for employees in the Council, subject to approval at Council of the redundancy funding package recommended by Cabinet as part of the Budget Report 2010/2011, at agenda item 6 on the agenda.