There were no apologies for absence.

Members are reminded to consider the categories of interest, identified in the Code of Conduct for Members to determine; whether they have an interest in any agenda item and any action they should take. For further details, see the attached note from the Monitoring Officer.

Members are also reminded to declare the nature of the interest at the earliest opportunity and the agenda item it relates to. Please note that ultimately it is the Members’ responsibility to identify any interests and also update their register of interests form as required by the Code.

If in doubt as to the nature of an interest, you are advised to seek advice prior to the meeting by contacting the Monitoring Officer or Democratic Services.

There were no Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests.

The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Monday 1 August 2022 are presented for approval.

RESOLVED

1.    That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Monday 1 August 2022 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of proceedings.

The Mayor provided an update on consultation exercises in relation to the liveable streets programme. He highlighted that one of the central pledges of his manifesto was to get the borough moving through taking away restrictions on the boroughs roads due to their impact on working people and the congestion caused on neighbouring roads.

However, he also recognised the threat caused by the climate emergency and the role the Council could play in supporting change. He had already initiated a number of projects to help work towards net zero.

Thousands of residents had responded to the surveys on potentially removing the existing road restrictions. Once these surveys had been completed the Council would review the situation and determine the appropriate next steps. An update would be provided in due course.

Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) to report on any issues  raised by the OSC in relation to unrestricted business to be considered.

It was noted that Councillor Musthak Ahmed, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, would be providing a written update to the Mayor on the Committee’s recent activities.

(Under provisions of Section 30, Rule 59 of the Constitution).

There had been no call-ins of decisions taken at the Cabinet meeting held on Monday 1 August 2022.

A slightly updated report was tabled including updated recommendations.

DECISION

1.    To agree that the contract as set out in this report may proceed to procurement in October 2022;

2.    To agree that the Mayor will award the Contract to the most economically advantageous tenderer following an appropriate procurement process;

3.    To authorise the Corporate Director Place to instruct the execution of any and all necessary legal documentation required to give effect to recommendation 2

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Interim Head of Highways and Transportation (N. Davies)

Dan Jones, Director of Public Realm, introduced the report on the procurement of the Council’s Highways and Street Lighting contract. He highlighted that an updated report had been tabled which made a few small changes to the report, namely:

·       Amending the recommendations so that the Mayor would be awarding the contract and authorising the Corporate Director, Place to execute the contract.

·       Adjusting the contract length to 7 years (5+2)

·       In Paragraph 3.14 - Adding a social value framework of 10%

·       In Section 5 making it clear that the employment targets would be delivered by the Council.

During discussion the significant community and social benefits built into the contract were welcomed.

The Mayor welcomed the report and, subject to the amendments set out in the tabled paper, agreed the recommendations.  

RESOLVED

1.    To agree that the contract as set out in this report may proceed to procurement in October 2022;

2.    To agree that the Mayor will award the Contract to the most economically advantageous tenderer following an appropriate procurement process;

3.    To authorise the Corporate Director Place to instruct the execution of any and all necessary legal documentation required to give effect to recommendation 2

The Exempt Appendix was noted.

DECISION

1.    To approve the figure of £2.089m to enable the safety works to be undertaken at Watney Market carpark.

2.    To approve the addition of the project to the 2022 – 25 approved HRA capital programme.

Action by:

CORPORATE DIRECTOR, PLACE (A. SUTCLIFFE)

(Head of Capital Delivery (R. Unegbu)

(Project Manager (K. Rose)

(Head of Facilities Management (S. Brown)

Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living, introduced the report requesting approval to install sprinklers and emergency lighting at Watney Market Car Park. He explained that the underground car park was in poor condition with, in particular, the sprinkler system being at end of life. There were also lots of other problems such as around egress of water. There was also a significant risk of any fire spreading to the residential block above.

There would be significant benefits from bringing the car park back to general use for businesses and residents. The works were urgent and it was important they started as swiftly as possible. Market traders, residents and businesses would be kept up to date.

The Mayor welcomed the report and noted that the works were significantly overdue and that the health and safety implications meant the Council really needed to take on this work.

He asked that, as part of the works, measures to tackle anti-social behaviour be considered and that car park spaces were opened up for both shop owners and residents. Officers confirmed that the exact usage of the car park was being explored and Members would be kept informed. The Mayor then agreed the recommendations as set out.

The Appendix exempted through Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)) was noted.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the figure of £2.089m to enable the safety works to be undertaken at Watney Market carpark.

2.    To approve the addition of the project to the 2022 – 25 approved HRA capital programme.

DECISION

1.    To note the council’s forecast outturn position against General Fund, Dedicated Schools Budget, Housing Revenue Account and earmarked reserves for 2022-23, based on forecasts as at 30^th June 2022;

2.    To note the progress made against the 2022-23 savings targets, based on forecasts as at 30^th June 2022;

3.    To note the council’s forecast outturn position against General Fund and Housing Revenue Account capital programme approved budgets for 2022-23, based on forecasts as at 30^th June 2022;

4.    To note that there are no equalities implications directly resulting from this report, as set out in Section 4 of the report.

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (K. BARTLE)

(Director of Finance, Procurement and Audit (N. Visram)

(Head of Strategic Finance (Chief Accountant) (A. Khan)

Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living, introduced the budget monitoring report for Quarter 1 of 2022-23. He highlighted that the Council was currently forecasting a £2.8 million overspend for the year, mainly due to a £2.6 million energy cost pressure. There were also pressures in adult social care, commercial waste and vacant property costs. However, there were currently surpluses in concessionary fares and parking income.

It was further noted that the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was reporting a small overspend, again mainly due to energy costs.

The Council’s was forecast to spend £146.1 million on capital expenditure and the HRA was forecasting £84.8 million on the same.

It was noted that officers would be working to bring spend back into line with the budget.

During discussion, the Mayor noted that the cost of living crisis was having a big impact on residents and it was important to support them as much as possible. He reviewed the report and agreed the recommendations.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the council’s forecast outturn position against General Fund, Dedicated Schools Budget, Housing Revenue Account and earmarked reserves for 2022-23, based on forecasts as at 30^th June 2022;

2.    To note the progress made against the 2022-23 savings targets, based on forecasts as at 30^th June 2022;

3.    To note the council’s forecast outturn position against General Fund and Housing Revenue Account capital programme approved budgets for 2022-23, based on forecasts as at 30^th June 2022;

4.    To note that there are no equalities implications directly resulting from this report, as set out in Section 4 of the report.

The exempt appendix was noted.

DECISION

1.    Approve the proposed procurement of renewed support and maintenance, either directly from the existing supplier or direct award to the existing supplier via a framework, of four critical business applications with total contract costs exceeding £1 million to provide continuity pending strategic decision making on the future of these solutions. These are identified and listed in Appendix 1 to the report They will support a maximum term and value shown in Appendix 1 to the report.

2.    Authorise the Corporate Director of Resources to award the renewal contracts referred above for terms and values not exceeding the maximum terms and values shown in Restricted. Restricted Appendix 1 to the report also shows the current support and maintenance costs and the estimated maximum contract value for the proposed contract duration including extensions.

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (K. BARTLE)

(Director of IT (A. Gorst)

Councillor Saied Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Cost of Living, introduced the report on asking for approval to undergo procurement in relation to key ICT systems.

The Mayor noted the four contracts set out in the report. He noted that the details met the Administration’s needs including in contract length and potential break clauses. He agreed the recommendations as set out.

The Appendix exempted through Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)) was noted.

RESOLVED

1.    To approve the proposed procurement of renewed support and maintenance, either directly from the existing supplier or direct award to the existing supplier via a framework, of four critical business applications with total contract costs exceeding £1 million to provide continuity pending strategic decision making on the future of these solutions. These are identified and listed in Appendix 1 to the report They will support a maximum term and value shown in Appendix 1 to the report.

2.    To authorise the Corporate Director of Resources to award the renewal contracts referred above for terms and values not exceeding the maximum terms and values shown in Restricted. Restricted Appendix 1 to the report also shows the current support and maintenance costs and the estimated maximum contract value for the proposed contract duration including extensions.

DECISION

1.    To note the Record of Corporate Directors’ Actions set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Action by:

INTERIM CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (K. BARTLE)

(Interim Head of Procurement (P. Maskell)

The Mayor reviewed the report and agreed the recommendation as set out.

RESOLVED

1.    To note the Record of Corporate Directors’ Actions set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Nil items.

Should the Mayor in Cabinet consider it necessary, it is recommended that the following motion be adopted to allow consideration of any exempt/restricted documents.

“That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act, 1985, the Press and Public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting for the consideration of the Section Two business on the grounds that it contains information defined as Exempt in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government, Act 1972”.

EXEMPT/CONFIDENTIAL SECTION (PINK)

Nil items.

Nil items.

Nil items.

Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) to report on any issues  raised by the OSC in relation to exempt/confidential business to be considered.

Nil items.

(Under provisions of Section 30, Rule 59 of the Constitution).

Nil items.

Nil items.