Meeting documents

Cabinet
Tuesday, 6th January, 2015 2.00 pm

Place:
Civic Suite, Civic Centre, Southend-on-Sea
 

Attendance Details

ItemDescriptionResolution
Part I
518 Apologies for absence.
 Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Assenheim.
519 Declarations of interest.
 There were no declarations of interest.
520 Minutes of the Meeting held on Tuesday 11th November and 9th December 2014
 Resolved:-

That the minutes of the meetings held on 11th November and 9th December 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed.
521 Monthly Performance Report - October 2014
 Resolved:-

That the submitted report be noted.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Referred direct to all three Scrutiny Committees.
Executive Councillor:- As appropriate to the item.
*Referred to:- People Scrutiny Committee
*Referred to:- Place Scrutiny Committee
*Referred to:- Policy and Resources Scrutiny Committee
522 Grievance and Dignity at Work Policy & Procedure
Business for item 522
Resolved:-

That the revised Grievance and Dignity at Work Policy and Procedure, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, and the Internal Workplace Mediation Policy, set out in Appendix 2, be approved.

Reason for Decision

To enable the Council to deal effectively with employee relation issues.

Other Options

None.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Eligible for call-in to Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee.
Executive Councillor:- Woodley.
523 Universal Credit
Business for item 523
Resolved:-

1. That the submitted report be noted.

2. That a Jobcentre Plus staff presence in Civic reception, on the basis detailed in the submitted report, be endorsed.

3. That a project team be established to manage direct payments for social housing tenants.

4. That options for budgeting support and debt management for residents, be explored.

Reason for Decision

To prepare for the introduction of Universal Credit.

Other Options

None.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Eligible for call-in to Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee.
Executive Councillor:- Gilbert.
This matter had previously been subject to pre-Cabinet scrutiny.
524 Adoption Service Annual Report and updated Statement of Purpose
Business for item 524
Resolved:-

1. That the Annual Report, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be noted.

2. That the updated Statement of Purpose, as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be approved.

Reasons for Decision

To comply with the statutory requirements.

Other Options

None.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Eligible for call-in to People Scrutiny Committee.
Executive Councillor:- A P Jones.
525 Annual Report on Safeguarding Children & Vulnerable Adults
Scrutiny Comment for item 525
Business for item 525
Resolved:-

That the report be noted and that the actions detailed in paragraph 3.8 of the submitted report, be approved.

Reason for Decision

To keep the Council informed of the position in respect of safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in Southend.

Other Options

None.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Eligible for call-in to People Scrutiny Committee.
Executive Councillor:- A P Jones
This matter had previously been subject to pre-Cabinet scrutiny.
*Called in to:- People Scrutiny Committee
526 Draft Annual Education Report
Business for item 526
Resolved:-

1. That the submitted report be noted.

2. That the Annual Education Report (as attached to the submitted report) be approved for publication with the validated national and local school performance data.

Reason for Decision

To provide a comprehensive overview of school standards and educational quality.

Other Options

None.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Eligible for call-in to People Scrutiny Committee
Executive Councillor:- A P Jones
527 Fostering Service Annual Report and updated Statement of Purpose
Business for item 527
Resolved:-

That the Annual Report, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report and the updated Statement of Purpose, as set out in Appendix 2, be approved.

Reason for Decision

The annual report outlines the activities undertaken by Southend Fostering Service during 2014 and the outcomes and impact of the service. The Fostering Statement of Purpose outlines the Fostering Service core services.

Other Options

None.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Eligible for call-in to People Scrutiny Committee.
Executive Councillor:- A P Jones.
528 Success for All Children Annual Report
Business for item 528
Resolved:-

1. That the draft report, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.

2. That the Corporate Director for People, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children & Learning, be authorised to approve the final report.

Reason for Decision

To keep the Council informed of the progress made in delivering the overarching objectives for children's services.

Other Options

None.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Eligible for call-in to People Scrutiny Committee.
Executive Councillor:- A P Jones.
529 The Amalgamation of Leigh North Street Junior School and Leigh Infant School
Business for item 529
Resolved:-

1. That Leigh North Street Junior School and Leigh Infant School be amalgamated.

2. That arrangements be made for the publication of a statutory notice within a timescale that permits the opening of the proposed new primary school with effect from September 1st 2015.

Reason for Decision

To ensure an improved education provision for pupils.

Other Options

None.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Eligible for call-in to People Scrutiny Committee.
Executive Councillor:- A P Jones.
530 Community Energy Project
Scrutiny Comment for item 530
Business for item 530
Resolved:-

1. That a partnership be entered into with OVO Energy Ltd to provide a bespoke energy tariff for residents and businesses within the Borough of Southend-on-Sea.

2. That £100,000 be allocated from the Business Transformation Fund in each of the next two financial years (2015/16 and 2016/17) to fund a small delivery team to progress this and other energy projects that support the Low Carbon Energy and Sustainability Strategy.

3. That the investment detailed in 2 above be repaid from revenues generated from the delivery of individual energy projects.

Reason for Decision

The initiative represents good value for money as revenues are expected to be substantially above costs, whilst delivering a value proposition to residents and businesses.

Other Options

1. Do nothing. This will leave the efforts for the Council focussed on the Essex Energy switch process.

2. Southend Energy switch. Creating a Southend energy switch will be expensive due to the processes which are required to make it work. It is unlikely that the Council would recover the investment based on the experience of others.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Eligible for call-in to Place Scrutiny Committee.
Executive Councillor:- Longley.
*Called in to:- Place Scrutiny Committee
531 Local Transport Plan (LTP3)
Scrutiny Comment for item 531
Business for item 531
Recommended:-

1. That the revised LTP3 Statutory Document (to reflect current Government legislation), as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.

2. That the Implementation Plan for years 2015/16 - 2020/21 (to replace the current plan which ends on 31st March 2015), as set out in Appendix 2 to the submitted report, be approved.

3. That the Corporate Director for Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Public Protection, Waste and Transport, be authorised to make any minor variations to the LTP3 Implementation Plan.

Reason for Decision

The Council needs to ensure that it has an up-to-date transport strategy and it is fit for purpose.

Other Options

One option would be to continue with the existing documents, however, if the revised LTP3 and Implementation Plan are not agreed the Council will not meet its statutory obligation and this could affect future funding. The Strategy Document has outdated polices contained within it, and the LTP3 is also used as a bidding document for funding applications for transport related schemes.

Note:- This is a Council Function.
Eligible for call-in to Place Scrutiny Committee.
Executive Councillor:- Terry.
*Called in to:- Place Scrutiny Committee
532 Review of Shoebury Common Flood Defence Improvements
Scrutiny Comment for item 532
Business for item 532
Resolved:-

1. That the options review report, attached at Appendix 1 to the submitted report, be noted.

2. That the existing preferred option (Option 1) that was agreed by Cabinet on 5th November 2013 and at Council on 12th December 2013, is not progressed.

3. That Mott MacDonald be commissioned to develop a further range of options to provide coastal protection at Shoebury Common.

4. That the Council continue to liaise with stakeholder groups on the development of the project.

Reason for Decision

To identify a coastal protection scheme for Shoebury Common that will deliver the required standard of protection, protect the local environment, offer value for money and be acceptable to local residents and stakeholders.

Other Options

1. The Council considered a number of other options in the development of its previous preferred option and will need to do so again in order to comply with the Environment Agency's (EA) Project Appraisal Report process.

2. Not to progress with a coastal defence scheme. However, the area has been identified as a potential flood risk and the Council and EA have recognised the need to mitigate that risk.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Eligible for call-in to Place Scrutiny Committee.
Executive Councillor:- Terry
*Called in to:- Place Scrutiny Committee
533 Action taken in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 46
 Resolved:-

That the submitted report, be noted.

Note:- The items are Executive Functions.
Eligible for call-in as appropriate to the item.
Executive Councillor: As appropriate to the item.
14:00/14:35

Attendance Details

Present:
Councillor R A Woodley (Chairman)
Councillors I D Gilbert, A P Jones, G E Longley, D A Norman MBE, M W Terry
In attendance:
R Tinlin, J K Williams, S Holland, S Leftley, A Lewis, J O'Loughlin, I Ambrose, V Dewsbury, A Keating and C Gamble

Also present: Councillors Lamb, Moyies, Mulroney, Salter and Wexham

Scrutiny Comment

ItemComment
525 Called in by Councillors A Holland and J Lamb.
Final call on 15/01/2015 at 15:35
530 Called in by Councillors A Holland and J Lamb.
Final call on 16/01/2015 at 15:58
531 Called in by Councillors A Holland and J Lamb.
Final call on 15/01/2015 at 15:35
532 Called in by Councillors Julian Ware-Lane and K R Robinson.
Final call on 14/01/2015 at 10:52
Supported by A Holland, J Lamb

Business

ItemBusiness
522The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate Services recommending the adoption of a combined Grievance and Dignity at Work Policy & Procedure and an Internal Workplace Mediation Policy.
523The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate Services informing Members of the implications of the introduction of Universal Credit in February 2015.
524The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director for People on the activities of the Adoption Service in 2014 and set out, for approval, the updated Statement of Purpose.

Members of the Cabinet acknowledged the commitment and dedication of the officers in the Adoption Team and the sterling work undertaken to achieve positive outcomes for children.
525The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director for People on the annual assurance assessment in respect of the Council's responsibilities for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in Southend.
526The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director for People presenting the draft Annual Education Report on the achievement of children and young people attending Southend schools and colleges.
527The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director for People presenting the Fostering Service Annual Report and updated Statement of Purpose.
528The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director for People presenting the Success for All Children Groups Annual Report April 2013 - September 2014.
529The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director for People detailing the outcome of the stakeholder consultation on the proposal to amalgamate Leigh North Street Junior School and Leigh Infant School and sought approval to proceed to the publication of a statutory notice.
530The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director for Place detailing proposals to create a Southend Energy company to provide a direct energy offer to residents and businesses within the Borough.
531The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director for Place informing Members of the proposed minor revisions to the Local Transport Plan 3 (LTP3) and the introduction of a new Implementation Plan for years 2015/16 - 2020/21.
532The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director for Place presenting the report produced by Mott MacDonald on the Shoebury Common Flood Defence Review.

 

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