Meeting documents
Cabinet
Wednesday, 14th November 2007
Present
Chair
S Foulkes
Councillors
George Davies, PJ Hackett, SA Holbrook, SE Kelly, RK Moon, Jean Quinn
In attendance:
JE Green, Mrs LA Rennie
Apologies
PL Davies, G Gardiner, M McLaughlin
Index to Minutes
- Minute 344 - MINUTES
- Minute 345 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
- Minute 346 - CHIEF CONSTABLE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE POLICE AUTHORITY
- Minute 347 - CHILDREN'S SERVICE AND LIFELONG LEARNING - PRUDENTIAL BORROWING FAMILY SUPPORT
- Minute 348 - STREETSCENE AND TRANSPORT SERVICES - WINTER MAINTENANCE ARRANGEMENTS 2007 / 2008
- Minute 349 - STREETSCENE AND TRANSPORT SERVICES - HIGHWAY AND ENGINEERING SERVICES PROCUREMENT EXERCISE – EXTENSION OF EXISTING CONTRACTS
- Minute 350 - SOCIAL CARE AND INCLUSION - TENDER FOR AN INDEPENDENT MENTAL CAPACITY ADVOCATE SERVICE
- Minute 351 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - INSURANCE FUND BUDGET 2008/09
- Minute 352 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - TRANSACTIONAL WEB
- Minute 353 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - REVISION OF THE COUNCIL’S CORPORATE PLAN
- Minute 354 - CORPORATE SERVICES: APPROVED DUTIES AND APPOINTMENTS
- Minute 355 - EXEMPT INFORMATION - EXCLUSION OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
- Minute 356 - CORPORATE SERVICES - APPOINTMENTS TO SERVE ON THE PARENTAL APPEALS PANEL
- Minute 357 - CORPORATE SERVICES - LISCARD HALL, CENTRAL PARK, WALLASEY
- Minute 358 - ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Minute 344 - MINUTES
Minute Text :
The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 1st November 2007, were published and no matters had been called-in.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the minutes of 1st November 2007 be approved and adopted.
Minute 345 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Minute Text :
The members of the Cabinet were invited to consider whether they had a personal or prejudicial interest in connection with any of the items on the agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of such interest. No interests were declared.
Minute 346 - CHIEF CONSTABLE AND CHAIRMAN OF THE POLICE AUTHORITY
Minute Text :
It was noted that the Chief Constable and Chair of the Police Authority were not able to attend this meeting and arrangements were being made for them to attend a future meeting.
Minute 347 - CHILDREN'S SERVICE AND LIFELONG LEARNING - PRUDENTIAL BORROWING FAMILY SUPPORT
Minute Text :
The Director of Children's Services sought approval for funding for a scheme to modify the residential premises owned by carers to support their grandson and allow him to remain in their care. This was proposed under the previously approved Prudential Borrowing Family Support Capital Fund (Cabinet 3rd August 2005).
A decision was required regarding the funding of adaptations of a property in order to ensure that child R could remain in the care of their extended family. The matter was currently before the Family Court in order for the child to be made subject to a Special Guardianship Order to provide security for their long term needs within the family, rather than become looked after by the Local Authority.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That
(1) as part of the approved Prudential Borrowing Family Capital Support Fund, a grant of £20,000 be made in respect of the case R outlined at 1.9 to fund alteration works; and
(2) this grant be subject to a formal agreement between the council and the relevant parties.
Minute 348 - STREETSCENE AND TRANSPORT SERVICES - WINTER MAINTENANCE ARRANGEMENTS 2007 / 2008
Minute Text :
The Director of Technical Services advised Members of the proposed Winter Maintenance Arrangements for 2007/2008 and sought approval for the arrangements.
A decision was required to advise Members of arrangements for winter maintenance this coming winter.
The Leader of the Council referred to the need to keep the roads safe and clear under any circumstances.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the Winter Maintenance Arrangements for 2007/2008, detailed in this report, be approved.
Minute 349 - STREETSCENE AND TRANSPORT SERVICES - HIGHWAY AND ENGINEERING SERVICES PROCUREMENT EXERCISE – EXTENSION OF EXISTING CONTRACTS
Minute Text :
The Director of Technical Services sought Cabinet approval to extend the current service contracts for Highway and Engineering Services works to March 2009, in order to accommodate the timescale of the Highway and Engineering Services Procurement Exercise.
A decision was required for approval to extend current contracts.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the contracts be extended to 31 March 2009 in accordance with sections 5.1.2, Contract Procedure Rules, in that this option represents value for money for the Council.
Minute 350 - SOCIAL CARE AND INCLUSION - TENDER FOR AN INDEPENDENT MENTAL CAPACITY ADVOCATE SERVICE
Minute Text :
Members were advised that The Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) required Councils to commission an Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA) service. This involved a key decision first identified in the Forward Plan dated 1st July 2007.
It was proposed that Wirral tender for the IMCA service.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the tender process for an IMCA service be approved.
Minute 351 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - INSURANCE FUND BUDGET 2008/09
Minute Text :
The Director of Finance advised Members of the elements which made up the Insurance Fund, the costs of running the Risk & Insurance Section, and the budget for 2008/09.
A decision was required to agree the Insurance Fund Budget for 2008-09.
It was noted that the budget projections for 2008/9 equated to an overall decrease of approximately 11% and the reduction in costs reflected the progress made in reducing liabilities and exposure to liabilities.
The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group praised the continuing improvement in this area and congratulated staff on their work on this matter.
The Leader of the Council stated that this work would benefit all Council Tax payers and congratulated staff on their achievements.
With the permission of the Chair, the Leader of the Conservative Group addressed the Cabinet. He referred to the lack of contingency in the budget of the Insurance Fund and possible budget changes that could have an impact in this area.
The Director of Finance clarified that whilst the budget took into account known variables, this was a matter of professional assessment.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That
(1) the continuing improvement in the position of the Insurance Fund be noted;
(2) the identified surplus of £1.4 million be returned to General Fund balances;
(3) the revenue saving of £400,000 for 2008/09 agreed on 6 September 2007 be noted and the additional saving of £266,000 be agreed; and
(4) the Council be recommended that the Insurance Fund budget be agreed.
Minute 352 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - TRANSACTIONAL WEB
Minute Text :
In response to the Cabinet's request on 6 September 2007, the Director of Finance presented a report on progress with web transactional services and how they compared with those services expected by the Government to be transactional.
He outlined progress in web-enabled services and explained how the web access channel was part of the overall Customer Access Strategy. His report set out the current position and identified how he intended to develop the website into an efficient cost effective channel to meet the transformational government recommendations.
The Cabinet Member for Community and Customer Engagement welcomed the report and highlighted the reliance on improving the web site. It was noted that the baseline position was set out in the report together with the work being undertaken in this area. It was also noted that staff had been appointed to manage this work.
With the permission of the Chair, the Leader of the Conservative Group addressed the Cabinet. Councillor Green queried whether the necessary expertise was available in-house to carry out this work, the costs of doing the work and how the benefits would be tracked.
The Director of Finance responded that services wouldn't be web enabled without forecasting savings and the business cases needed to show that the savings forecast outweighed the costs. It would be the task of the Web Manager to determine the priority of services for web enablement and in some areas, external expertise would be required.
The Chief Executive referred to the need to make the best use of the platforms and equipment the Council had in place and that where possible, staffing would be reduced as a result of web enablement. There was a clear commitment to move towards web transactions.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the report be noted.
Minute 353 - FINANCE AND BEST VALUE - REVISION OF THE COUNCIL’S CORPORATE PLAN
Minute Text :
Further to the Cabinet report of the 20th September, Members were advised that work had now been undertaken to develop a vision for the Council accompanied by a series of revised corporate objectives and priorities for improvement for inclusion in the new Corporate Plan. Once agreed, they would provide the key drivers for departmental planning for 2008/09.
Work had also been undertaken to refine the overall planning framework within which the Corporate Plan would be delivered and also to develop the remaining sections of the Plan itself.
The Leader of the Council referred to the criticism the Council had received for their lack of progress on this matter. The vision and strategic objectives looked very different and contained a smaller number of objectives of key importance. The Leader felt that they would serve the Borough well and would deliver a Vision that everyone could sign up to.
The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group commended the Vision and highlighted the importance of the Investment Strategy as a key tool for delivering that aim.
The Leader of the Council moved a motion, duly seconded and it was -
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That
(1) Cabinet welcomes the opportunity to use a revised Corporate Plan to set out a new Vision for Wirral;
(2) Cabinet believes that this Vision demonstrates an exciting future ahead for Wirral, with real possibilities for economic growth and the chance for Wirral to make its mark on the national and global map, with its own unique cultural and historical identity;
(3) Cabinet recognises that the task ahead is a challenging one and that although a lot of progress has been made over the past decade, and there are substantial developments already in the pipeline, there is still a great deal more to do if we are to achieve the goal of a more equal and prosperous Wirral.
(4) Cabinet therefore agrees the recommendations as set out and below
(a) the Council be recommended that the Vision for Wirral and the Strategic Objectives, medium term aims and immediate priorities for improvement, as outlined in the report and set out in Appendices 1 and 2 be approved; and
(b) a further report detailing how the 2008-2009 priorities for improvement will be measured and potential indicators to be used to measure progress on the medium term aims be brought to the Cabinet.
and gives authority for any minor amendments in wording that may become necessary to be agreed in conjunction with the two leaders of the joint administration.
Minute 354 - CORPORATE SERVICES: APPROVED DUTIES AND APPOINTMENTS
Minute Text :
The Cabinet was requested to consider:
(a) any requests for the designation of an approved duty relating to attendance at meetings;
(b) any applications relating to conferences or seminars made in accordance with the procedure approved by Cabinet on 19 February 2004 (minute 534 refers);
(c) any changes in the membership of bodies to which the Council made appointments.
The following approvals were sought:
(i) A request had been received for approval for Councillor Adrian Jones to attend the North of England Conference January 2008. This was an approved conference for the Children and Young People's Department (1:1:1) but in the light of Wirral hosting the North of England Conference 2009, it was felt that attendance by an additional spokesperson from the Finance & Best Value Committee would be beneficial for planning for NEEC 2009.
(ii) Invitation for Cabinet members for Adult Social Care to attend a 1-day Conference “International Clinical Summit” on behalf of the LGA. Approval was sought for Councillor McLaughlin to attend the Conference to be held in London on 21st and 22nd November 2007.
In addition, a request was received for Councillor Holbrook to attend the NWEGG annual conference in Manchester on 12th December 2007.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That the following be designated as approved duties:
(1) Councillor Adrian Jones to attend the North of England Conference in January 2008;
(2) Councillor Moira McLaughlan to attend the 'International Clinical Summit' on behalf of the LGA in London on 21st and 22nd November 2007;
(3) Councillor Holbrook to attend the NWEGG annual conference in Manchester on 12th December 2007 and places be offered on to the Labour and Lib Dem Groups.
Minute 355 - EXEMPT INFORMATION - EXCLUSION OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
Minute Text :
That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by the relevant paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act.
Minute 356 - CORPORATE SERVICES - APPOINTMENTS TO SERVE ON THE PARENTAL APPEALS PANEL
Exempt :
NOT FOR PUBLICATION: Exempt by virtue of paragraph 1, Part I, Schedule 12A (as amended), Local Government Act 1972.
Minute Text :
The Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Corporate Services invited Cabinet to consider three applications from members of the public as additional members to the Appeals Panel hearing Admission and Exclusion Appeals.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That
(1) the following be appointed to the pool of Lay Members of the Appeals Panel:-
Anne Barker
Marion Flanagan
2) the following be appointed to the pool of persons with experience in education for the Appeals Panel:-
Anne Barker
Marion Flanagan
Alan Spencer
Minute 357 - CORPORATE SERVICES - LISCARD HALL, CENTRAL PARK, WALLASEY
Exempt :
NOT FOR PUBLICATION: Exempt by virtue of paragraph 3, Part I, Schedule 12A (as amended), Local Government Act 1972.
Minute Text :
Members were advised of progress with regard to securing the renovation, refurbishment and re-use of Liscard Hall, Central Park, Wallasey.
A decision was required to progress the disposal of Liscard Hall, Central Park, Wallasey.
Minute Decision :
Resolved - That both Developers, identified in this report, be invited to proceed to Stage 2 of the Selection Process, with a view to Members selecting a preferred Developer.
Minute 358 - ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Minute Text :
The Chair referred to the Council being shortlisted for 4 Local Government Chronicle Awards. The Council had won the Procurement Initiative Award and congratulated all staff who worked in this area.
(Minutes Published: 20 November 2007)