Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Room 1 - Wallasey Town Hall. View directions

Items
No. Item

60.

Sylvia Hodrien

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council referring to the recent death of former Councillor Sylvia Hodrien paid tribute to her work and the Cabinet stood in silent tribute to her memory.

61.

Leader's Announcements

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council expressed delight with the news that a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £393,100 had been awarded for work at Birkenhead Priory. The grant would enable:

 

·  The conservation of the north and west range of Priory buildings and complete other restoration works in order to remove the Priory from the Heritage At Risk register.

·  Improve the visitor experience through a range of interactive activities including the latest smartphone technology

·  Create a digital learning pack for schools and a public performance programme based on the Priory’s heritage

·  Provide opportunities for volunteers to get involved

·  Revamp the museum in the Priory’s undercroft

 

He thanked all the team who had been involved in securing this funding.

 

Councillor Chris Meaden added her thanks and congratulated Jo McGuire, Conservationist, and all her team at the Williamson Art Gallery for all the work they had put into this successful funding bid.

62.

Members' Code of Conduct - Declarations of Interest

Members of the Cabinet are asked to consider whether they have any disclosable pecuniary or non pecuniary interests in connection with any item(s) on this agenda and, if so, to declare them and state the nature of the interest.

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council declared a block personal interest for all Cabinet Members who were governors at a number of schools in the borough in respect of item 17 – Proposed Changes to Schools Funding Formula (see minute 79 post).

63.

Minutes

The minutes of the last meeting have been printed and published.  Any matters called in will be reported at the meeting.

 

RECOMMENDATION:  That the minutes be approved and adopted.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 19 September 2013 be approved.

64.

Annual Governance Statement 2012/13 pdf icon PDF 62 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council introduced a report by the Chief Executive which informed the Cabinet that it was necessary for the Council: to have approved and adopted a Code of Corporate Governance that complied with the principles of the CIPFA/SOLACE Framework Delivering Good Governance in Local Government; and to report publicly through the Annual Governance Statement the extent to which the governance processes outlined in the Code were operating effectively in practice.

 

The report also stated that the preparation and publication of an Annual Governance Statement (AGS) was necessary to meet the statutory requirement set out in the Accounts and Audit (England) Regulations 2011, Regulation 4(3).  Attached to the report for approval were:

 

·  Appendix 1 – the final Annual Governance Statement;

·  Appendix 2 – an Action Plan; and

·  Appendix 3 – the Council’s updated code of corporate governance and evidence of compliance.

 

The Cabinet noted that the production of the Council’s Annual Governance Statement was based on relevant supporting evidence provided by Internal Audit, with the overall direction provided by the Chief Executive Strategy Group to ensure high level corporate engagement and ownership.

 

The Council’s Internal Audit team had been responsible for undertaking the relevant assurance work; however it was important to note that the Annual Governance Statement was not owned by the audit function and was a Council statement on the effectiveness of its governance processes.

 

The Leader commented that he was pleased with the references in the Statement to the progress made in putting the Council’s finances on a sustainable footing. Work was ongoing on creating a longer term vision for the Council and the first annual Policy Council would be held in November to shape the future purpose of the organisation and refresh corporate priorities.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Annual Governance Statement and Action Plan for 2012/13 and the updated code of corporate governance be approved.

65.

Statement of Accounts 2012/2013 pdf icon PDF 122 KB

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council introduced a report by the Interim Director of Resources on the Statement of Accounts which presented the overall financial position of the Council at 31 March 2013, in accordance with prescribed guidance – the Code of Practice on Local Authority accounting in the United Kingdom (the Code).  This was updated annually and specified the accounting principles and practices required to prepare a Statement of Accounts which presented a true and fair view of the financial position.

 

The Council’s Constitution allocated responsibility for the approval of the Statement of Accounts to the Audit and Risk Management Committee (ARMC). Members were informed that the draft Statement for 2012/13 had been published on 28 June 2013 and had then been subject to audit. Grant Thornton, the Council’s External Auditors, had presented their findings, within the Audit Findings Report (AFR) to the ARMC at its meeting on 18 September 2013. The Statement of Accounts 2012/13 had then been published on 30 September 2013 – the statutory deadline for publication.

 

The Statement of Accounts included the Merseyside Pension Fund (MPF) accounts as Wirral Council was the Administering Authority for MPF. As the MPF received a separate AFR this had been considered by the Pensions Committee at its meeting on 16 September 2013 and the ARMC at its meeting on 18 September 2013, as part of the Accounts approving process.

 

The Cabinet noted that the amendments to the financial statements requested by the Auditor were detailed in the AFR. One item identified was not adjusted in 2012/13 but would be in 2013/14. This related to land at Bidston Moss valued at £1.2 million which was no longer owned by the Council. This was being adjusted in the 2013/14 Statement of Accounts as it had no impact on the level of financial resources available to the Council.

 

The financial position of the Council was, therefore, as reported to the Cabinet on 13 June 2013 and the year-end balances of £17.2 million which was in excess of the £13.6 million requirement and close to the target figure for General Fund balances of £17.7 million for 2014/15.

 

The Audit Opinion had been issued on 30 September 2012. This had assured that the financial statements gave a true and fair view of the financial position of the Council at 31 March 2013 and of its expenditure and income for the year and that they had been properly prepared in accordance with the Code of Practice on Local Authority Accounting in the United Kingdom 2012/13.

 

Besides commenting on the Financial Statements, Grant Thornton had also reported on ‘Matters by exception’. The Cabinet noted that Grant Thornton had reported an adverse conclusion on the Councils’ arrangements for securing economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the use of resources for the year ended 31 March 2013.

 

The Financial Resilience Report expanded on these issues and whilst there had been an adverse (red) rating Grant Thornton had recognised the progress made by the Council during 2012/13 with the direction of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

66.

Treasury Management Annual Report 2012/2013 pdf icon PDF 134 KB

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council introduced a report by the Interim Director of Resources which detailed a review of Treasury Management activities in 2012/13 and confirmed compliance with treasury limits and prudential indicators. It had been prepared in accordance with the revised CIPFA Treasury Management Code and the revised Prudential Code.

 

The report set out in detail the Council’s key issues, economic background, investment activity, borrowing activity, compliance with prudential indicators and the financial implications.

 

The Cabinet was informed that in the financial year 2012/13 the Council’s treasury management activities had resulted in a saving of £1.7 million from its capital financing activities. This sum had been returned to the General Fund balances.

 

The Leader thanked all those concerned for this report.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)  the Treasury Management Annual Report for 2012/13 be agreed; and

 

(2)  the transfer of the saving of £1.7 million from capital financing activities in 2012/13 to the General Fund balance be noted.

67.

Financial Monitoring 2013/2014 (Month 4) pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report by the Interim Director of Resources detailed the Monitoring position for Month 4 (ending 31 July 2013). Attached to the report were separate appendices for Revenue and Capital.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

Revenue

 

(1)  the monitoring position of a forecast underspend of £270,000 for month 4 be noted;

 

(2)  the spending freeze be continued until further notice to aid continued good financial management and note there were no rejected freeze items in the month; and

 

Capital

 

(3)  the spend to date at Month 4 of £7.687m, with 33.0% of the financial year having elapsed be noted.

68.

Financial Monitoring 2013/2014 (Month 5) pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

A report by the Interim Director of Resources detailed the Monitoring position for Month 5 (ending 31 August 2013). Attached to the report were separate appendices for Revenue and Capital.

 

The Leader was heartened by the forecast underspend in both reports. He commented upon the importance to monitor those savings agreed in the previous budget and to ensure these were delivered. It was important to continue the spending freeze because of the savings to be delivered this year. 

 

RESOLVED: That

 

Revenue

 

(1)  the monitoring position of a forecast under spend of £320,000 for month 5 be noted;

 

(2)  the spending freeze be continued until further notice to aid continued good financial management  and it be noted that there are no rejected freeze items in the month; and

 

Capital

 

(3)  the spend to date at Month 5 of £9.518m, with 42.0% of the financial year having elapsed be noted.

69.

Corporate Plan Performance Management Report (As at 31 August, 2013) pdf icon PDF 77 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Governance and Improvement introduced a report by the Director of Public Health / Head of Policy and Performance which outlined the current performance of the Council (as at 31 August 2013) against the delivery of the Corporate Plan for 2013/14.

 

The report translated the priorities set out in the Corporate Plan into a coherent and measurable set of performance outcome measures and targets. These were used to evaluate the achievement of strategic priorities over the next year of the plan.

 

Attached to the Director’s report was the following documentation:

 

Appendix 1 - Corporate Plan Performance Report as at 31 August 2013.

Appendix 2 - Local environmental quality (LEQ) of litter, detritus and dog fouling in main gateways and shopping areas target and establishment reduction compared to savings assumption.

Appendix 3 - Establishment reduction compared to savings assumption.

Appendix 4 - Permanent admissions of older people (aged over 65 and over) to residential and nursing care homes, per 100,000 population.

 

Councillor McLachlan drew the Cabinet’s attention to the three ‘exception’ reports (appendices 2, 3 and 4) and the action being taken in respect of each. All Members had the opportunity to review these, as all ‘exception’ reports were taken to the Policy and Performance Committees. Councillor Chris Jones elaborated upon the action being taken in respect of the Adult Social Care target.

 

The Leader of the Council welcomed the report and the fact that 17 targets were green rated, with one on amber.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the information and the relevant exception/delivery plans set out in the report be noted.

70.

Discretionary Housing Payment Fund 2013/2014 Policy - Supporting Tenants Shortfall in Rent pdf icon PDF 106 KB

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Central and Support Services introduced a report by the Head of Business Processes which set out information on the intended allocation of the Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) Fund following the implementation of key aspects of the Welfare Reform Act from April 2013. It also detailed the general principles of how staff would assess each claim given the significant shortfall in funds available.

 

The DHP fund in 2013/14 was intended to assist those in both the private and social rented sector by helping to meet a shortfall in rent, to enable them to remain in their accommodation. When the fund was originally set up in 2001, awards were seen as a short term solution. Clearly, given the range of situations that had been encountered that was not always appropriate and there were circumstances where someone did not have the ability to pay and either there was no suitable alternative accommodation or it would be unreasonable to expect them to move and DHP awards were more long term.

 

Councillors Adrian Jones and George Davies commented that the most vulnerable people in society were being made to pay with the Government’s implementation of the Welfare Reform Act. It was likely that the overall limit of £2,293,035 would not be enough for discretionary housing payments. Expenditure above the government grant of £917,214 would fall to be met from the authority’s own General Fund. Wirral had never exceeded the government grant limit in any previous year.

 

The Leader commented that this was one of the most invidious pieces of legislation introduced by the Government and the growth in the use of foodbanks was a damning indictment of this policy. He expressed his thanks to those staff who were administering the distribution of the fund.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)  the outline procedure for assessing applications for Discretionary Housing payment be approved and that officers keep the policy under review; and

 

(2)  the Cabinet receive periodic updates on the application of this procedure.

71.

Council Tax Support Scheme - Discretionary Relief Policy pdf icon PDF 104 KB

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Central and Support Services introduced a report by the Interim Director of Resources which gave details of the proposed Council Tax Discretionary Relief Policy under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act (LGFA) 1992 to be adopted to support individual cases of Hardship. It also outlined the criteria, procedure and review process. The Cabinet was asked to consider the scheme and approve its use. 

 

The report also recommended that delegated authority be given to the Strategic Director - Transformation and Resources and senior officers to determine individual applications of exceptional hardship. 

 

The Leader of the Council commented that the abolition of the Council Tax Benefit and the 10 per cent cut in direct grant, equivalent to £2.6m was hitting 15,600 working age people who had seen their entitlement to help in paying Council Tax capped at 78 per cent. The best the Council could do within its current financial circumstances was to offer a £50,000 hardship relief fund.

 

This would be funded from year one by using an element of the Local Welfare Assistance Grant (£1,345,925 in 2013/14) which was a non ring fenced grant. Local Welfare Assistance take up was now increasing but was lower than expected in the initial first five months and this sum did not then impact on the ongoing available assistance. The grant was used to support people facing financial hardship which would also be the purpose of this relief.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)  the policy, guidance and scheme of delegation, as set out in the appendix to the report, relating to Section 13a of Local Government Finance Act 1992, in respect of Discretionary Relief for Council Tax is adopted. The policy is to be reviewed and reported back later in the new financial year to agree its ongoing adoption for future years; and

 

(2)  the sum of £50,000 be set as the Hardship Relief for this purpose.

72.

Approval of Wirral Coastal Strategy pdf icon PDF 128 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability introduced a report by the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment which sought approval for the actions and management plan developed as part of the Wirral Coastal Strategy.

 

The Cabinet noted that the Coastal Strategy identified a timescale for intervention to reduce flood and coastal erosion risk. Four priority areas had been identified where intervention had been identified as being required in the next 20 years. However, for these works to be implemented, external contributions in addition to grant-in-aid from the Environment Agency (EA) would need to be found. The report requested that the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment explore opportunities to provide funding outside the EA grant-in-aid system so that the risk to coastal communities and assets could be reduced.

 

The Cabinet also noted that the Coastal Strategy was not a statutory document, however, the Council was exercising its powers as a Coastal Erosion Risk Management Authority in undertaking its production.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)  the Management Plan and Action Plan identified in the Wirral Coastal Strategy be approved; and

 

(2)  the funding required for scheme delivery over the next 20 year timeframe be noted and the Strategic Director for Regeneration and Environment be requested to investigate programme and funding opportunities from grant-in-aid sources, and identify options and opportunities for the shortfalls in funding.

73.

Wirral Coastal Strategy - Variation to Fee Ceiling pdf icon PDF 80 KB

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment under the Council’s Contract Procedure Rule 16.2 which required technical variations to an existing contract to be reported to the Cabinet for noting, if the value or cumulative value of variations exceeded 10% of the original contract sum.

 

A report by the Strategic Director – Regeneration and Environment set out the uplift to the fee ceiling for the Wirral Coastal Strategy by £8,004, which cumulatively with earlier variations, extended the original contract value by more than 10%.

 

The Wirral Coastal Strategy was a non-statutory document which was fully grant aided by the Environment Agency (EA). The uplift fell within the contingency sum for the Wirral Coastal Strategy which had been approved by the EA.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the Technical Variation to the contract be noted in accordance with Contract Procedure Rule 16.2.

74.

Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 pdf icon PDF 84 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment advising the Cabinet of The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 and seeking Cabinet approval for a proposed schedule of fees for the administration and processing of applications under this legislation. The report also proposed the delegation of duties and responsibilities to the Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability and the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment.

 

The Cabinet noted that the new regime under the Act came into force on 1 October 2013 and there was a transitional period for those businesses that were currently registered under the existing legislation. Consequently, every Scrap Metal Dealer would be required to have a licence that would be valid for a period of three years. Operating without a licence would be a criminal offence and if an offence was committed the person convicted would be currently liable for a fine up to a maximum of £5,000.

 

Attached to the report was:

 

·  Appendix 1 – Duties and Responsibilities under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013;

·  Appendix 2 – The List of Scrap Metal Dealers on Wirral; and

·  Appendix 3 – Scrap Metal Licence Fees.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)  the arrangements for discharging the duties and responsibilities arising under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 set out in Appendix 1 to the report be approved;

 

(2)  the charging of fees for Scrap Metal Licences set out in Appendix 3 to the report be approved; and

 

(3)  the Strategic Director - Regeneration and Environment (or his nominee) be authorised to implement all necessary administrative arrangements to give effect to (1) and (2) above.

75.

Updated Transportation Capital Programme 2013/14 pdf icon PDF 107 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Highways and Transportation introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment which sought the Cabinet’s approval for proposed revisions to elements of the approved Local Transport Capital Programme - Integrated Transport Block 2013/14, to enable funding to be allocated to the Dock Bridges Replacement Major Scheme Business Case.

 

The report also gave details of recent successful funding bids to SUSTRANS and ‘Living Streets’ and requested Cabinet approval to accept this additional funding and commit it to the identified projects.

 

The Regeneration and Environment Capital Programme would be amended to include the following schemes and funding:

 

·  £150,000 - Dock Bridges Business Case funded by £55,000 of monies originally allocated to the Neighbourhood Forum and £95,000 from monies allocated to Transportation schemes. 

·  £125,000   - Improvements to aid cyclists at the Bolton Road Roundabout on the A41 funded by SUSTRANS GRANT

·  £30,000 - Safer Routes to Schools funded by LIVING STREETS grant

 

The remaining £55,000 of Neighbourhood Forum funding in 2013-14 would be slipped into the 2014-15 capital programme. £55,000 of Transportation funding in 2014-15 would then also be allocated to Neighbourhood Forum funding to reimburse the monies used in 2013-14.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)  the proposed re-allocation of the Local Transport Plan Capital Programme 2013/14 as detailed in the report, for the purpose of undertaking a full Transport Business Case study for the replacement of the life expired Docks Bridges structures and associated new highway improvement works, be approved; and

 

(2)  the acceptance of the awarded SUSTRANS funding allocation of £125,000 and ‘Living Streets’ funding allocation of £30,000 for the purposes detailed in the report and for it to be committed to the projects identified within the report, be approved; and

 

(3)  the proposal to increase the allocation to Neighbourhoods by £55,000 when setting the 2014/15 Local Transport Capital Programme next spring, be approved.

76.

Public Health Outcomes Funding pdf icon PDF 88 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing introduced a report by the Director of Public Health / Head of Policy and Performance which informed Cabinet that in June 2013 a non-recurrent underspend was identified within the public health grant for 2013-15. This had arisen because of preparing for future scenarios in relation to the likely size of the public health grant for 2015 onwards, the sum of which was as yet unknown. With the support of the Portfolio Holder it was suggested that consideration be given to seeing how the underspend could be used to benefit the local population through investing in other areas across the Council, thereby enabling them to contribute further to the delivery of public health outcomes as defined by the national Public Health Outcomes Framework. 

 

As a result, all strategic directorates were invited to submit proposals for non-recurrent spend which would then be assessed for their public health impact and prioritised for investment.

 

On 8 August 2013, all applications (49 in total) were considered by a panel comprising the Portfolio Holder, the Chief Executive and the Director of Public Health. All submissions stated how the activity would contribute towards achievement of indicators from Department of Health’s Public Health Outcomes Framework. Twenty eight applications were assessed as meeting the criteria and twelve were deferred as further information was required. Following the receipt of the additional information and or revisions to the original proposals a high proportion of these were accepted as also meeting the criteria. Consequently, 38 proposals with a total value of £3,419,788 across 2013-14 and 2014-15 financial years had been assessed as relevant to public health outcomes.

 

An appendix to the report gave details of those proposals which had been assessed together with the relevant funding requested.

 

Councillor Chris Meaden also suggested that there were many small groups who had previously had some funding from Area Forums, and with the Constituency Committees not being fully operational in making grants as yet, an emergency fund could be established for these smaller groups to apply to. The Director of Public Health / Head of Policy and Performance informed the Cabinet that she would investigate this suggestion further and bring a proposal back for consideration.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)  the reinvestment of the public health grant funding as outlined in Appendix 1 to the report be approved; and

 

(2)  it be noted that the progress and spend will be monitored by Public Health on a regular basis; and

 

(3)  it be noted that the proposals will be evaluated against their Public Health outcomes in May/June 2015.

77.

Healthy Child Programme - 5-19 Years Old pdf icon PDF 486 KB

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing introduced a report by the Director of Public Health / Head of Policy and Performance which highlighted current provision for the delivery of the Healthy Child programme for 5-19 year olds in Wirral and presented a rationale to develop and commission an integrated service model. An effective healthy child programme was one way of ensuring that children and their families got the right support at the right time. The responsibility for the commissioning of the healthy child programme for 5-19 year olds now lay with the Council, following the transfer of the public health function.

 

The aim of the re-commissioned model would be to ensure that commissioned services were intervening as early as possible to prevent problems developing and escalating. There was also the opportunity to reflect the new approach developing in the Children and Young People’s team in the service model to ensure services were fit for purpose and providing the best outcomes for local children and young people.

 

There was also the opportunity to undertake a joint procurement process with NHS England who were re-commissioning the Healthy Child Programme for 0-5 year olds to deliver economies of scale and integrated services.

 

The report provided an overview of proposed areas to be included in the new model, finer details of these would be specified following extensive consultation with key stakeholders, including young people and their families.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)  officers be authorised to commence the re-commissioning process to enable the development of an integrated healthy child programme for 5-19 year olds; and

 

(2)  a joint procurement process with NHS England for the healthy child programme for 0-5 year olds be supported; and

 

(3)  Cabinet receive a report on the outcomes of the tendering exercise for final decision on the awarding of the contract(s) for the Healthy Child Programme for 5-19 year olds.

78.

Drug and Alcohol Services pdf icon PDF 129 KB

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing introduced a report by the Director of Public Health / Head of Policy and Performance which sought approval to commence a process to re-commission an Integrated Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery system for Wirral with the aims of:

 

·  Ensuring clients move through treatment services to recovery as quickly as possible to become a fully functioning member of the community

·  To ensure treatment services are clinically effective

 

Wirral had acquired a reputation for providing strong drug treatment services, accessible, realistic, non-punitive, and having a degree of flexibility that allowed drug users to move on with their lives.

 

The Coalition Government’s 2010 Drug Strategy placed an increased emphasis on the individual’s right to expect treatment to promote their journey towards recovery. This approach balanced community benefit with individual aspiration, supported by continued investment and clinical guidance.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)  officers be authorised to commence the re-commissioning process to enable the development of an integrated drug and alcohol treatment service; and

 

(2)  Cabinet receive a report on the outcomes of the re-commissioning exercise for final decision on the awarding of the contract(s) for an integrated drug and alcohol treatment service.

79.

Proposed Changes to Schools Funding Formula pdf icon PDF 89 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Children and Family Services introduced a report which recommended that a number of changes were made to the local funding formula for primary and secondary schools and academies from April 2014.

 

The proposals had been the subject of a 4 week consultation with schools (which was subsequently extended by a further week) and had been discussed with the Schools’ Forum. Changes to Wirral’s formula for funding mainstream schools had to be submitted to the Education Funding Agency by 31 October 2013.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the changes to the Local Funding Formula are made in accordance with Department for Education timescales and discussions continue with schools regarding the future level of funding for Looked After Children.

80.

Exempt Information - Exclusion of the Press and Public

The following items contain exempt information.

 

RECOMMENDATION:  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. The Public Interest test has been applied and favours exclusion.

Minutes:

Prior to the exclusion of members of the press and public, the Head of Legal and Member Services gave an explanation as to the process followed for item 20 on the agenda, being considered as an exempt item.

 

RESOLVED:

That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and 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 paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to that Act.  The Public Interest test has been applied and favours exclusion.

81.

Application for Financial Assistance

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for the Economy introduced a report by the Strategic Director of Regeneration and Environment which sought Cabinet’s approval to provide a grant to the company named in the report to assist towards its business expansion project.

 

RESOLVED: That

 

(1)  a grant, paid over two years from the date of the signing of the legal agreement, be approved towards the business Development Project being undertaken by the company named within the report;

 

(2)  the Head of Legal and Member Services be authorised to draw up and sign a legal agreement between the Council and the business based upon the content of the report and subject to the detailed contracting process.