Agenda and minutes

Cabinet received a presentation from The Very Reverend June Osborne, Dean of Salisbury.

The Dean explained the long term plans for the Cathedral and Close and how they relate to the County.

Apologies were received from Councillor Jane Scott, Leader of the Council.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 27 July 2010, previously circulated.

The minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2010 were presented.  It was requested that attendance details be updated to reflect the attendance of Councillors Jerry Kunkler and Trevor Carbin.

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 27 July 2010, subject to the amendments noted above.

The Deputy Leader drew attention to a tragic incident that had taken place on Saturday 11 September following the discovery of the body of a 15 year old girl from the John of Gaunt School in Trowbridge.

To receive any declarations of personal or prejudicial interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

Councillor Jon Hubbard declared a personal interest in item 7 ‘Annual Report to Tenants’ as he is a Director of Selwood Housing Association, as referred to in minute 130.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public. This meeting is open to the public, who may ask a question or make a statement. Written notice of questions or statements should be given to Yamina Rhouati of Democratic Services by 12.00 noon on 10 September 2010.   Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

The Deputy Leader explained that following the usual convention, he would be happy to allow members of the public to speak at the start of each item if they wished to do so.

Report of the Director of Community Services is circulated.

The Deputy Leader as Cabinet member for Adult Care, Communities and Libraries presented a report which sought approval to develop a 66 bed facility on the existing Paddocks site, following a consultation period with the residents and their families.  The new facility would provide purpose-built accommodation for older people with dementia. 

The Deputy Leader explained that although the Paddocks provided excellent care it could no longer be considered fit for purpose and would need to be modernised to conform to modern standards, which was not possible due to the constraints of the existing building.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:-

a.     agrees the redevelopment of The Paddocks to provide dementia care, following a consultation period with the residents;

b.     approves the financial implications of delivering this proposal:

                I.     Short term increase in care costs for those who relocate into extra care, to be offset by longer term reduction in costs.

              II.     Fit out costs for the building for relocated residents, to a maximum of £70,000;

            III.     Land swap:  to note negotiations were ongoing and the final sum has not yet been agreed.

c.     delegates authority to the Director of Community Services and the Director of Resources to agree the final sum for the land swap between The Paddocks and Old Sarum if required. In the event that a part cash payment is necessary, it would be funded from within the Adult Care Capital Programme and the land swap would not be completed until it had been demonstrated that funding was available.

Reason for Decision

Demographic projections indicate there will be significant growth in the 65+ age group in Trowbridge from 7,210 in 2007 to 12,580 in 2026 (74.5% increase).  Additionally, the number of people aged 50+ with dementia in Trowbridge will increase by 85% by 2026.  It was identified in the Accommodation Strategy for Older People that there is an adequate supply of residential care but an identified shortage of dementia and nursing home provision in Wiltshire. 

The Paddocks is a 30 bedded home which was built in the 1970s.  The bedrooms do not have en-suite facilities and communal space is very limited.  Due to its current condition and design, this building is no longer considered ‘fit for purpose’ as the space standards preclude the provision of care to people with high level needs.

The focus of national policies (Putting People First; National Housing Strategy for an Aging Society; Our Health Our Care Our Say) support older people to remain independent, healthy and active.  This proposal offers opportunities for greater independence, choice and control for the current residents of The Paddocks, with one option being to move into their own apartment within the Trowbridge Extra Care Scheme.  People will continue receiving appropriate levels of care, but with the focus on reablement, people will be supported to become more independent.  The redeveloped facility will deliver a purpose built environment that encourages people who require specialist support to maximise their potential.

Orders of St John Care Trust are prepared to fund this development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 129.

Report of the Director of Neighbourhood and Planning is circulated.

Councillor Jon Hubbard declared a personal interest in this item by virtue of him being a Director of Selwood Housing Association.

Councillor John Brady, Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, Planning and Housing presented the Annual report to Tenants to comply with the statutory requirement of the regulatory authority for social landlords, the Tenant Services Authority. 

Councillor Brady explained that following a poor Audit Commission report an improvement action plan had been put into place and the report showed that good progress had already been made. 

In response to a request Councillor Brady agreed to ensure that an up to date copy of the improvement action plan would be made available on the Council’s website.

Resolved:

That the Annual Report be approved for publication.

Reason for Decision

To enable the Council to meet the statutory TSA requirement of publication of the Annual Report by the deadline of 1 October 2010.

Report of the Director of Resources is circulated.

Councillor Toby Sturgis, Cabinet member for Waste, Property and Environment presented a report which invited Cabinet to review the governance and processes in respect of disposal of property assets.  He explained that the present system was no longer fit for purpose and suggested that the Workplace Transformation Board was best placed to become the forum for operational approval of strategic sales and the monitoring of all property disposals.  

Resolved:

That Cabinet

1. agrees for the Workplace Transformation Board to become the forum for operational approval of strategic sales and the monitoring of all property disposals recognising that non strategic disposals will be approved by the Area Boards where these do not conflict with the Council’s Constitution.

2. approves the processes and principles outlined in the report presented.

Reason for Decision

To provide a governance structure compatible with the delivery of the objectives of the new Council.

Report of the Monitoring Officer is circulated.

Councillor Fleur de Rhé-Philipe Cabinet member for Finance, Performance and Risk presented the draft Annual Governance Statement for the period 2009-10.  It was noted that it was a statutory requirement to produce such a statement.  The document had already been considered by Audit Committee and Standards Committee who had made various amendments.  This was now the final version which sought cabinet’s comments before final approval was sought from the Audit Committee at its meeting on 30 September 2010.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

That Cabinet notes the draft Annual Governance Statement for

2009/10 and notes that the document would be revised to take

account of the ongoing work by the Assurance Group. It would

then be presented to the Audit Committee for final approval for

publication by 30 September 2010.

Reason for Decision

To prepare the AGS 2009/10 for publication in accordance with the requirements of the Audit and Accounts Regulations.

Report of the Service Director, Performance is circulated

Councillor Fleur de Rhe Philipe Cabinet member for Finance, Performance and Risk presented the report and highlighted the key issues.  She explained that this was the first performance report for the Council set against the new Corporate Plan.  It also provided top line summary information on the Council’s work with partners in the Local Agreement for Wiltshire.

Resolved:

That Cabinet notes progress for the first quarter of 2010/11.

Reason for Decision

To keep Cabinet informed about progress and to provide an update on the PRG Scheme for Area Boards.

Report of the Interim Chief Accountant is circulated

Councillor Fleur de Rhe Philipe Cabinet member for Finance, Performance and Risk presented the report which reviewed the actual cash position at the end of 2009-10 against the original forecast for the year.  Pris and other treasury management strategies set for 2009-10 against actual positions resulting from actions within the year and investments during the year in the context of the Annual Investment Strategy.

Councillor Fleur de Rhe Philipe commented that the Council was in a good position.  She also added that it was hoped that the Council would get the majority of its money back form the Icelandic banks.

Resolved:

That Cabinet note

a        the actual cash position at the end of 2009-10 against the original forecast for the year;

b        PrIs and other treasury management strategies set for 2009-10 against actual positions resulting from actions within the year as detailed in Appendix A of the report presented; and

c        investments during the year in the context of the Annual Investment Strategy as detailed in Appendix B of the report presented.

Reason for Decision

To give members of the Cabinet an opportunity to consider the performance of the Council against the parameters set out in the last approved Treasury Management Strategy.

This report is required by the Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities and the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management in the Public Services.

Councillor Stuart Wheeler Cabinet member for Leisure, Sport and Culture presented a report which asked Cabinet to consider how to proceed with regard to providing free swimming sessions for those aged 16 and under and those aged 60 and over now that the Government had ceased its commitment to fund the scheme.

A number of options were presented for cabinet’s consideration.

Resolved:

That the swimming initiative be discontinued once Government funding ceases on 30 September 2010.

Reason for Decision

Continuation of the scheme after the withdrawal of funding is unaffordable.

Reports of the Interim Chief Accountant are circulated.

Councillor Fleur de Rhe Philipe Cabinet member for Finance, Performance and Risk presented a report which sought to advise the Cabinet of the revenue budget monitoring position as at 31 July 2010 for the financial year 2010-11

Resolved:

That Cabinet note the report pending future monitoring reports that wouldhighlight actions being taken to reduce the overspend back to a balanced budget.

Reason for Decision

So that Members can approve a corporate approach to managing the financial pressures and government reductions.

Councillor Fleur de Rhe Philipe Cabinet member for Finance, Performance and Risk presented a report which reflected the position of the 2010-11 capital programme as at 31 July 2010.

Cabinet was asked to decide on how the reduction in education funding from central Government was dealt with in the 2010-11 capital programme through the 3 options identified in paragraph 14 of the report presented.  After a debate it was agreed that option 14.1 was the preferred option, this is to reduce the affected projects in the capital programme by the corresponding reduction in funding from central government. This would reduce the overall spending on education schemes in 2010-11.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

a) That the current position of the 2010/2011 capital programme be noted.

b) That the budget changes in section 1 of Appendix B of the report presented be noted

c) That the cut in education funding from central Government be dealt with in the 2010-11 capital programme through option 1 in paragraph 14 of the report as detailed above.

d) That the addition to the capital programme of schemes at Monument Hill Reed Bed and Marlborough Household Recycling Centre under the conditions set out in the report be approved.

Reason for Decision

To inform cabinet of the current position of the 2010-11 capital programme and identify issues which need to be resolved as a result of cuts in funding from Central Government.

Any other items of business, which the Chairman agrees to consider as a matter of urgency