Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

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 at the time of notification.  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 20 December 2010.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the meeting held on 20 December be approved as a correct record.

To agree to the principles underpinning this development, including the options for the delivery of the proposed service, the financial implications and links to a number of associated proposals relating to future operating models for Care4CE.

Consideration was given to the principles underpinning the development of Health and Wellbeing Services as an arms length provider organisation.  The report included options for the delivery of the proposed service, the financial implications and links to a number of associated proposals relating to future operating models for Care4CE.  The proposal would contribute to the reduction in health and social inequalities in Cheshire East whilst continuing to offer facilities to support health improvements to the whole population of the Council area.

RESOLVED

1. That the principles which underpin this development be agreed.

2. That approval be given to implement the options appraisal to explore the appropriate vehicle for delivery of the service proposed in this report including the exploration of opportunities to become an externalised provider alongside/with Care4CE.

3. That agreement be given to the levels of investment required and that the potential financial and non-financial benefits be acknowledged, including the capital implications, in relation to working towards the lifestyle centre investment, through an options appraisal and feasibility study in 2011-2012.

1. That the links to associated proposals under consideration relating to future operating models for Care4CE be acknowledged.

To agree the proposed changes for incorporation into the final Local Transport Plan Strategy, and to approve the Draft Implementation Plan for consultation.

N.B: The following supporting documents can be viewed on the website as a supplement to the agenda and can be obtained on request from Democratic Services: -

• Local Transport Plan 3 Sustainability Appraisal
• Local Transport Plan Environmental Statement
• Signed Equality Impact Assessment Forms

(Councillor D Brown arrived during consideration of this item)

Consideration was given to the proposed changes for incorporation into the final Local Transport Plan Strategy, and to the Draft Implementation Plan for consultation; following a four week period of stakeholder consultation the report would be submitted to full Council for final approval. 

The transport priorities reflected the wider priorities of the area contained in such plans as the Sustainable Community Strategy, the Corporate Plan, the Local Development Framework and the Economic Development Strategy.  Future investment in highways and transport would be directed to support the priority themes to ensure a sustainable future, and create conditions for business growth.

RESOLVED

1.      That the proposed changes for incorporation into the final Local Transport Plan Strategy, as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report be  agreed.

2.      That approval be given to the draft Local Transport Plan Implementation Plan to be released for stakeholder consultation on 18 January 2011, as detailed in Appendix 1 of the report.

To approve and adopt the Visitor Economy Strategy for Cheshire East as the Council’s framework to deliver services and agree policy relating to the visitor economy.

Consideration was given to the approval and adoption of the Visitor Economy Strategy for Cheshire East.  The strategy and framework set the context within which the Council would deliver services and work with partners to maximise the benefits of the areas visitor economy which was seen as an important economic sector. 

The timescale for the development of the strategy had enabled it to run in parallel with that of the draft Economic Development Strategy, the Local Transport Plan, and also 2020: Meeting the Challenge, the sub regional framework for the visitor economy in Cheshire and Warrington so allowing greater coordination of related policy development.

RESOLVED

That the Visitor Economy Strategy for Cheshire East be approved and adopted as the Council’s framework to deliver services and agree policy relating to the visitor economy.

To consider the projections of financial performance for the 2010/11 financial year at the three quarter year review stage.

Consideration was given to the projected financial performance for the 2010/11 financial year at the three quarter review stage.  The report highlighted the key financial pressures faced by the Council, progress in mitigating action and measures to contain costs within the approved budget. In particular the report focussed upon area of high financial risk to the Council and included updates on the Capital Programme, Treasury Management, debt, and in-year collection rates for Council Tax and Business Rates.

RESOLVED

1.        That the following points, contained in Annex 1 of the report, be noted:

·        the updated forecast outturn position for the Council’s revenue budget at the third quarter stage of 2010-11, and the remedial actions detailed in Sections 2 and 3;

·        the potential impact on the Council’s general reserves position as detailed in Section 4;

·        the Treasury Management update detailed in Section 6;  

·        the Council’s in-year collection rates for Council Tax and Business Rates, detailed in Section 7;

·        the Council’s invoiced debt position as shown in Section 8;

·        progress to date on delivering the 2010-11 Capital Programme, detailed in Section 9 and Appendix 1;

·        Delegated Decisions approved by Directors for Supplementary Capital Estimates (SCE) and virement requests up to £100,000, as shown in   Appendix 2a;

·        Delegated Decisions to be approved by Directors in consultation withthe relevant Portfolio Holder and the Portfolio Holder for Resources for Supplementary Capital Estimates and virement requests over £100,000 and up to and including £500,000 as shown in Appendix 2b.

2.        That approval be given to the following:

·        Supplementary Revenue Estimates totalling £165,000 for the Places Directorate to be met from general reserves, in respect of the following items (Section 3.22 of Annex 1);

(a)              £100,000 in respect of the costs of the Covanta Planning Enquiry;

(b)              £40,000 to meet additional costs relating to the back log of planning applications at Macclesfield; 

(c)               £25,000 for consultancy support for the preparation of the “gypsy and travellers” planning application.

·        Supplementary Revenue Estimate of £864,000 for the Places Directorate in respect of Highways maintenance expenditure to be met from DCLG Winter Impact Grant  (Section 3.22 of Annex 1);

·        Reductions in approved capital budgets, as shown in Appendix 3a.

·        Deferrals in approved capital budgets, as shown in Appendix 3b.

To note the results and positive rating of the annual assessment by the Care and Quality Commission.

Consideration was given to the results of the Annual Assessment of Performance by the Care Quality Commission, to determine the overall performance grading for the Council in respect of adult social care delivery.  The overall performance grading was aggregated into an overall score from four grading levels these being performing poorly/adequately/well/excellently; the Cheshire East rating was ‘performing well’.

The report detailed the seven outcomes upon which the Council was assessed.  It was noted that this would be the last time an assessment was carried out in this way and that a consultation had been received on the new framework, and that the Performance, Standards and Information Team would be responsible for coordinating the Council’s response.

RESOLVED

1. That the results and positive rating of the Care Quality Commission (CQC) performance assessment for 2001/10 be noted, and also that it was the final year of assessment in this way by the CQC.

2. That the future direction for the assessment of performance for this work be noted.

To note the annual performance rating of Children’s Services in Cheshire East and the steps being taken to drive continued improvements in service delivery to children and families.

Consideration was given to the annual performance rating for Children’s Services in Cheshire East, and to the steps being taken to drive continued improvements in service delivery to children and families.  The Council had ‘performed well’ in the assessment by Ofsted, the four point scale being poor/adequate/well/excellent based upon all inspected and regulated activity for children in areas such as childcare provision, schools and colleges, fostering, children’s homes and child protection services.

RESOLVED

1. That the contents of the report, and the Annual Performance Rating of Children’s Services in Cheshire East by Ofsted as ‘performing well’, be noted.

1. That the steps being taken by the Director of Children’s Services to drive continued improvements in service delivery to children and families across the partnership of agencies comprising Cheshire East’s Children’s Trust be noted.

To endorse the Tatton Park Vision which aims to develop the visitor experience and generate new sources of income.

Consideration was given to the new vision for Tatton Park, aiming to substantially develop the visitor experience and to generate new sources of income and in so doing to eliminate the need for a public subsidy.  The report sought guidance on the principle of investing in a number of projects as part of the Tatton vision.

RESOLVED

1.     That the Tatton Park Vision, supported by a capital “invest to save” programme to realise the full potential of the asset, be endorsed

2.     That the Council’s Capital Programme be updated in due course to include investment in development proposals as part of the Tatton Vision programme, supported by firm business cases.

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, 2 and 3 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 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, 2 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

To consider the report of the Strategic Director Places.

At the beginning of the meeting the Chairman had requested that consideration of this matter be deferred to enable Officers to obtain further clarification on legal and commercial aspects of the project.

RESOLVED

That consideration of this item be deferred to enable Officers to obtain clarification on legal and commercial aspects of the project.

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

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Human Resources and Organisational Development.

RESOLVED

1.      That Cabinet supports the decision of the Chief Executive to release the employees whose roles are listed as 1 to 10 of Appendix A under the arrangements agreed in relation to voluntary severance provisions for employees in the Council. 

2.      That Cabinet notes the employee listed as 11 of Appendix A; following a management decision regarding this service, there was an urgent need to consider the request for voluntary severance from this employee.  As a result the Procurement, Assets and Shared Services Portfolio Holder agreed to release them under the terms of his delegated powers.

To consider the report of the Director of Children’s Services.

Consideration was given to the response of the Director of Children’s Services to the recommendations of the Task and Finish Group of the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee, considered by Cabinet on 20 September 20210.

RESOLVED

1.      That the responses to the recommendations made to Cabinet in the report by the Children and Families Scrutiny Committee entitled Review of Residential Provision, considered by Cabinet on 20 September 2010 be noted.

2.      That in response to recommendations 3 & 7 the recommendation that a further 12 residential beds should be made available within Cheshire East for children requiring residential provision and to reduce the reliance upon   provision external to Cheshire East be endorsed.

3.      That the Director of Children’s Services be charged with taking steps to secure access to such provision in the most cost-effective manner; and that the provision should meet all statutory requirements to ensure high quality support is provided and the needs of the young people placed in the provision are met; that this be subject to completion of a cost and benefit analysis and formal approval of the revenue and capital budgetary provision via the Council’s 2011/14 Budget.

4.      That the necessary steps be taken to ensure the present arrangements  with the Together Trust for the delivery of residential care at Wilkinson House in Sandbach can be  continued for a further period of 12 months while additional provision is secured within the Borough.