Agenda and decisions

To receive apologies for absence from Cabinet Members who are unable to attend this meeting.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Kendrick, Pattison and Scott.

In the absence of Councillor Scott, the meeting was chaired by Councillor Turner.

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 27 June 2023.

RESOLVED– That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 June 2023 be approved.

Cabinet Members will be asked to advise if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, which would prevent them from participating in any discussion or participating in a vote upon the item, or any other interests.

No interests were declared.

Most agenda items will be considered in public session, however, it shall be advised whether Cabinet will consider any matters in private, by virtue of the reports containing information which falls within a category of exempt information as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

It was noted that all agenda items would be considered in public session.

The Cabinet will receive any petitions and/or deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also submit a petition at the meeting relating to a matter on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, Members of the Public must submit a deputation in writing, at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting and shall subsequently be notified if the deputation shall be heard. A maximum of four deputations shall be heard at any one meeting.

Cabinet received a deputation from Susie Pavey, on behalf of Unison, which raised concerns regarding changes in the provision of adult social care, and the consequential impact upon communities, service users and potential job loses, and requested more collaboration and joint working regarding the shape of future service provision.

A response was provided by the Cabinet Member for Adults and Health (Councillor Khan).

Cabinet will receive any questions from Elected Members.

In accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 2.3 (2.3.1.6) a period of up to 30 minutes will be allocated.

Cabinet received oral questions in accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 2.3 (2.3.1.6).

To consider changes to the provision of North Kirklees Learning Disability Services.

Contact: Saf Bhuta, Care Provision

RESOLVED –

1)    That the feedback from the consultation exercise regarding the proposal to change the use of Milldale respite service and introduce a new respite offer that continues to support family carers, as set out at Appendix B, be noted.

2)    That approval be given to the proposed changes to respite arrangements, as set out at paragraphs 2.19 to 2.20 of the considered report, and that they be enacted over coming months.

3)    That approval be given to (i) capital expenditure of up to £3.0m for the redevelopment of Crescent Dale and Milldale and (ii) the tendering of the scheme.

4)    That it be noted that, under the provision of Financial Procedure Rule 3.12, authority is delegated to Service Directors to (i) transfer resources within a programme area without restrictions (ii) transfer resources between any project or programme are up to a maximum of £2,000,000 in any financial year (iii) transfer resources within programme areas between any year within the approved capital plan, subject to compliance with Financial Procedure Rules 3.12 to 3.16 (and notification to the relevant Cabinet Member and appropriate ward members) which will be used to manage the project(s) as appropriate.

5)    That approval be given to progress detailed feasibility works as soon as is possible regarding a proposed alternative site for the existing Red Laithes Court setting, including the initial allocation of £500k for detailed feasibility as well as the remaining £9.8m to fund necessary works and that the matter be submitted to Cabinet for consideration of the feasibility and next steps. 

To consider the approach to respond to incidents of damp, mould and condensation within properties.

Contact: Hannah Elliott, Homes and Neighbourhoods

RESOLVED –

1)    That damp, mould and condensation e-learning be compulsory for Council employees who speak to and visit residents, where appropriate to their role.

2)    That the content of the report, and status of the action plan be noted.

3)    That it be noted that further updates on progress against the action plan will be provided.

To receive the 2022-2023 End of Year Corporate Performance and Impact Report.

Contact: Mike Henry, Data and Insight

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive and consider financial monitoring information for Quarter 1, 2023/2024.

Contact: James Anderson, Accountancy

RESOLVED –

1)    That in regards to the General Fund (i) the forecast revenue outturn position at Quarter 1 2023/2024 and the forecast year end position on the Council’s reserves and balances, as set out in the report, be noted (ii) approval be given to endorsing the continuation and strengthening of management actions implemented in the last financial year to contain actual income and expenditure with agreed budgets for 2023/2024, which include but are not limited to the actions as set out at paragraph 7.2 of the report (iii) the actions taken to maintain a Minimum Working Balance of c£15m, as set out in the report, be endorsed and that the requirement to update the Medium Term Financial Plan for the savings necessary to reimburse the Demand Reserve to enable the funding required for the Safety Valve Programme Agreement to be available when required be noted and (iv) it be noted that the use of reserves here onwards would be subject to the approval of the Service Director (Finance), and that he adequacy of the Council’s reserves will remain under review.

2)    That in regards to the Collection Fund (i) the forecast position on the Collection Fund as at Quarter 1, and the assumptions upon which it is based, be noted and (ii) the intention to undertake a review of eligibility of the Single Person Discount for Council Tax at the earliest possible opportunity be endorsed.

3)    That the Quarter 1 forecast Housing Revenue Position and forecast year-end reserves position be noted.

4)    That in regards to Capital (i) the Quarter 1 capital monitoring position for 2023/2024 be noted (ii) it be noted that a review of the Council’s Capital Programme is currently being undertaken with a view to reducing debt charges as a contribution to the Council’s savings target both in 2023/2024 and in subsequent years (iii) that approval be given to the reprofiling of the 2023/2024 capital plan as at out at Appendix 5 and (iv) that approval be given to the addition of the £0.09m UKSPF grant to the Capital Plan (profiled as £0.047m in 2023/2024 and £0.047m in 2024/2025) and its distribution to the voluntary, community, faith and education sectors as a capital grant for capital amenities and facilities to support the safety of Women and Girls.

5)    That in regards to Treasury Management, the Quarter 1 treasury management prudential indicators, as set out at Appendix 6, be noted.

To consider proposals as a basis of public consultation for the Scheme.

Contact: Julian Hobson, Welfare and Exchequer Services

RESOLVED – That the proposals, as set out within the considered report, form the basis of public consultaion and that the consultation process commences as soon as is possible in accordance with the strategy as set out at Appendix 2.