The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) on the admission arrangements for community schools for the academic year 2018/19.

Resolved:-

That the final Admissions Arrangements for Community Schools for the academic year 2018/19, be noted.

Reason for Decision

The Council has a responsibility to determine in relation to school admissions the Admission Arrangements for Community Schools.

Other Options

None

Note:- This is an Executive Function.

Eligible for call-in to People Scrutiny Committee.

Executive Councillor :- Courtenay

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) providing an overview of the future phases of the HRA Land Review Project and sought agreement to progress with the second phase of the project.

Recommended:-

1.    That the following sites within Phase 2 of the HRA Land Review Project be brought forward for development:-

§  Rochford Road – 15 units

§  Audleys Close – 1 unit

2.    That resident consultation be undertaken and that following completion of such exercise the Deputy Chief Executive (People), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Planning and Public Protection Services, be authorised to finalise the plans and submit a detailed planning application.

3.    That the proposed method of funding for the project from the 2017/18 capital programme to be met from the HRA Capital Investment Reserve, be approved.

4.    That further feasibility work be undertaken in respect of a number of sites that would form future phases of the HRA Land Review Project.

Reason for Decision

The development will have wider community benefits, ensure a longer term revenue income to the HRA and will meet the Council’s ambition for building further affordable housing.

Other Options

1.    Do Nothing – This option considered leaving the existing garage areas in their current underused state. This option would not increase community safety and reduce antisocial behaviour and its associated costs. It also would not meet the Council’s ambition of developing further affordable housing in the Borough. Therefore it does not meet the Council’s corporate priorities.

2.    Transfer Land to a Registered Provider – This option would follow a development route used in previous projects to develop underused garage sites whereby land is transferred to a Registered Provider to develop the site in exchange for nominations rights in perpetuity. This approach means a loss of capital assets and potential future revenue income to the HRA.

3.    Sale of Sites on the Open Market – This option would allow some of the sites to be sold on the open market with the receipts reinvested in the HRA, potentially to be used for future housing development phases. This approach would result in a loss of potential future revenue income to the HRA.

Note:- This is a Council Function.

Eligible for call-in to Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee.

Executive Councillor :- Flewitt

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Place) providing an update on the establishment of the North Thames Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG).

The North Thames FLAG had been awarded £800k over 3 years (2017-2020) to deliver a range of projects against their 5 priority themes.

Resolved:-

1.    That the North Thames Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) be supported given its potential to make a positive impact on the fisheries sector locally.

2.    That the draft Partnership Agreement, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved in principle and that authority be delegated to the Director of Regeneration and Business Development in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Culture, Tourism and the Economy to agree the final Partnership Agreement and sign it on behalf of the Council.

3.    That FLAG capital projects be forward funded by the Council up to a maximum of £120,000 p.a. (inc VAT) over 3 years which will be fully repaid in arrears and that authority be delegated to the Director of Finance and Resources and Director of Regeneration and Business Development in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Culture, Tourism and the Economy to agree any financial contribution to the FLAG by the Council on a case by case basis.

4.    That the initial Leigh Port feasibility study be funded by the Council at a total cost of £65k to be funded from the Business Transformation reserve which will be reimbursed by the FLAG in arrears following MMO approval.

5.    That existing funding which is already within the Council’s budget for related projects is used as match funding and/or to lever additional investment for FLAG projects where appropriate and relevant.

Reason for Decision

The fishing industry, while representing a small proportion of Southend’s economy, is a significant contributor to the national shell fishing sector and plays an important role in the heritage, community and offer of Leigh-on-Sea. It has not benefitted from investment of this kind previously so this offers a unique opportunity to better tell the story of fisheries in Leigh while deriving the benefits outlined in paragraph 3.5 of the submitted report.

Other Options

The Council has the option to participate in the FLAG as set out in the Partnership Agreement, to seek alterations to the Partnership Agreement or to decline to support the FLAG. The latter of these options does not accord with the Council’s prosperous corporate priority or its desire to support and enable community-led economic growth. Nor does it reflect the support provided by Members and officers in securing FLAG status. Officers have considered the Partnership Agreement and believe the roles and responsibilities set out in there are reasonable and that proportionate and appropriate measures to manage the resource commitment to the FLAG can be put in place so that the partnership agreement can be signed and the FLAG formally supported by the Council.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.

Eligible for call-in to Place Scrutiny Committee.

Executive Councillor :- Holland

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) setting out the proposed school term and holiday dates for the academic year 2018/19.

Resolved:-

That the school term and holiday dates for 2018/19, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.

Reason for Decision

As set out in the submitted report

Other Options

None

Note:- This is an Executive Function.

Eligible for call-in to People Scrutiny Committee.

Executive Councillor :- Courtenay

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) on the relative performance of Southend schools in the academic year 2015-16.

Resolved:-

That the draft Annual Education Report (AER), as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be noted and approved.

Reason for Decision

To ensure that Members are provided with a comprehensive overview of school standards and educational equality.

Other Options

None

Note:- This is an Executive Function.

Eligible for call-in to People Scrutiny Committee.

Executive Councillor :- Courtenay

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) presenting the 2016 Annual Report of the Director of Public Health.

Resolved:-

That the content and recommendations of the 2016 Annual Report of the Director of Public Health, be noted.

Reason for Decision

The Health and Social Care Act 2012 requires Directors of Public Health to prepare an annual report on the health of the local population.

Other Options

None.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.

Eligible for call-in to People Scrutiny Committee.

Executive Councillor :- Salter

The Cabinet considered a report of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) providing an update on the progress of a strategy for the provision of secondary school places as overseen by the School Places Working Party.

Resolved:-

1.    That the recommendations made at the School Places Working Party (as set out in paragraph 2.2 of the submitted report and in 2-5 below), held on 6th February 2017, be noted and approved.

In order to meet the immediate need for secondary school places by September 2018:-

2.    That the expansion discussions with Good and Outstanding Schools, be continued.

In order to meet the additional need for school places for September 2019:-

3.    That an initial exploration takes place with a small number of Academy Trusts regarding a secondary free school.

4.    That the exploration of expansion opportunities takes place with schools that currently require improvement.

5.    That officers continue dialogue with faith schools regarding future expansion, where there is excess demand but places should be for Southend children only.

Reason for Decision

1.    The need for school places from September 2018 is intended to be met by expansion of ‘good or better’ secondary schools.

2.    Additional need from September 2019 is expected to be met through a successful free school application to the DfE.

3.    Additional need from 2020 onwards is aimed to be met from expansions at currently underperforming schools (and faith schools if data evidences an increased cohort of Catholic pupil’s resident within Southend).

Other Options

As set out in the submitted report.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.

Eligible for call-in to People Scrutiny Committee.

Executive Councillor :- Courtenay