Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

Members are asked to consider any Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Interests they may have to disclose to the meeting in relation to matters under consideration on the Agenda.

None.

Resolved: That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 August 2018 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Jane Booth, Independent Chair of the Lancashire Safeguarding Children and Adults Boards, attended to present the draft annual report of the Boards to cabinet for comment.

Cabinet noted the contribution of the Board to the improvements made in service for children and adults, and expressed its appreciation for the work of both the Boards and the team supporting them.

Resolved: That the draft report be noted

Cabinet received a report providing the first quarterly update on the county council's 2018/19 financial position as at the end of June 2018. The report included an update on the current year's financial position for both revenue and capital, and an updated Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

It was reported that progress had been made to address the significant financial pressures faced by the council, but much work was still required to ensure the council could achieve a financially sustainable position over the strategy period.

Resolved: That:

  i.  the current forecast overspend of £2.680m on the revenue budget in 2018/19 be noted.

  ii.  the reduced funding gap of £135.300m covering the period 2019/20 to 2022/23 as set out in the revised financial outlook forecast for the council, be noted.

  iii.  the budget adjustments for 2019/20, and following years' increases, included in the revised MTFS, be approved

  iv.  the contents of the county council's reserves position be noted, and the transfers between reserves contained within the report be approved.

  v.  the re-profiled Capital Delivery Programme of £114.817m for 2018/19 be approved.

  vi.  the current forecast under-delivery of £3.435m on the capital programme in 2018/19 be noted.

Cabinet considered a report seeking approval to commence the following procurement exercises in accordance with the county council's procurement rules:

  i.  Provision of a food distribution network

  ii.  Provision of Extra Care Services at Primrose Gardens

  iii.  Provision of Legionella Risk Assessment Services

  iv.  Provision of Banking Services

Resolved: That the commencement of procurement exercises for the following areas be approved:

  i.  Provision of a food distribution network

  ii.  Provision of Extra Care Services at Primrose Gardens

  iii.  Provision of Legionella Risk Assessment Services

  iv.  Provision of Banking Services

Cabinet received a report setting out a proposed amendment to the county council's debt management policy, to remove the limit on debt referrals to a debt collection agency to allow decisions on debt recovery to be determined on a case by case basis.

Resolved: That the removal of the current £1,500 limit on debt that can be passed to the appointed debt collection agency for collection be approved.

Cabinet considered a report seeking a nomination to act as the council's trustee on the Marsden Heights Educational Foundation.

Resolved: That County Councillor Albert Atkinson be appointed to serve as the council's trustee on the Marsden Heights Educational Foundation.

Cabinet considered a proposed Tree Safety Management Guidance document, which included proposals to include the inspection of trees within the highway safety inspection regime, and a risk-based approach to maintenance and management of trees considered to pose a risk to highway users.

It was noted that, wherever possible, officers would provide timescales for work on trees when issues were identified.

Resolved: That the Tree Safety Management Guidance, as set out in the report, be approved.

Cabinet received a report setting out a proposal to update the county council's policy on the use of "white on brown" tourist and leisure destination signing, replacing current guidance and ensuring that applications would be assessed in a transparent and equitable manner in line with national legislation.

Resolved: That the policy set out in the report for evaluating applications for tourism signing, and the provision and ongoing maintenance of any such signing, be approved.

Cabinet considered a report presenting amendments to the approved Highways and Transport Capital Programmes in order to meet emerging priorities and to respond to some unanticipated service demands.

Resolved: That the proposed amendments to the Highways and Transport Capital Programmes be approved

Cabinet received a report setting out proposals to introduce cycling provision on the Fishergate Hill bus lane and to revoke the bus lane on the Church Street approach to its junction with Ring Way. It was noted that this order would also assist in simplifying the administration of bus lane enforcement within the city centre.

Resolved: That the proposals in connection with Fishergate Hill and Church Street as set out in the report be approved.

Cabinet considered a report proposing the prohibition of motor vehicles from using the southern arm of Moss Hey Lane at its junction with Southport New Road (A565) north east of Mere Brow.

Resolved: That the Prohibition of Driving Order of the southern arm of Moss Hey Lane at its junction with the A565 Southport New Road be approved.

Cabinet received a report on the installation of a zebra crossing on Church Road, to be fully funded by a Section 106 Agreement under the Town & Country Planning Act 1990.

Resolved: That the addition of £22,000 to the externally funded block of the 2018/19 Capital Programme be approved.

A report was presented proposing a waiver to the county council's procurement rules to allow the completion of a direct award contract with Inspira to the value of £120,000 for the delivery of the careers hub service, following the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership being selected by the national Careers and Enterprise Company to deliver one of 20 pilot 'careers hubs'.

Resolved: That

  i.  the proposal to waive the procurement rules to allow the county council to enter into a contract with Inspira Cumbria Ltd (Inspira) for the delivery of the careers hub service be approved.

  ii.  the Director of Finance and Director of Economic Development and Planning be authorised to finalise the contractual arrangements and funding principles, on behalf of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and the county council.

Cabinet considered a report setting out the recommendations of District Youth Councils in relation to the award of small grants to third sector groups.

Resolved: That the recommendations of the District Youth Councils on the applications for grants from third sector groups which are registered with the Children and Family Wellbeing Service, as set out in the report, be approved.

Cabinet considered a report providing an overview of how the proposals for improving health, care and wellbeing across Pennine Lancashire have been developed and recommending the Pennine Plan for approval.

Resolved: That:

  i.  the Pennine Plan, as set out in the report, be approved as the blueprint for health and care transformation in Pennine Lancashire.

  ii.  assurance be sought from the Pennine Partnership that in its delivery of the Pennine Plan it will also take account and ensure delivery of the emerging priorities of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System.

Cabinet considered a report setting out the results and implications from a recently completed consultation exercise about the future of Lower Ridge older persons' residential care home in Burnley.

Cabinet were advised of the background to the decision, including information on occupancy rates, building condition, alternative provision and future options. Staff at Lower Ridge were praised for their efforts to provide a high level of quality care for residents in the face of a number of difficulties. Detailed analysis was provided on the consultation, the key issues raised and the council's view and response to the points raised. It was emphasised that, in making the decision, discretion and flexibility must be provided in order to properly support current residents and their families.

Resolved: That:

  i.  the background and rationale for considering the possible closure of Lower Ridge as set out in the report be noted.

  ii.  the results of the consultation process conducted between 23 April and 15 July 2018 be noted.

  iii.  the closure of Lower Ridge Older Person's Residential Care Home, Burnley, be approved.

  iv.  the Director of Adult Services be authorised to:

i)  Ensure a schedule is drawn up for the home closure, that balances the need for each individual and their family to have appropriate time to make decisions against the overall need for the closure process, to be managed within a timescale that minimises uncertainty for residents, families and staff affected.

ii)  Hold any appropriate vacancies within county council operated care homes in East Lancashire, until current Lower Ridge residents and their families have had an opportunity to decide to which home they would prefer to move.

iii)  Ensure appropriate delegation of responsibility for officers to exercise oversight, discretion and flexibility in agreeing fee levels for Lower Ridge residents who wish to move into independent sector homes.

  v.  the county council's proposal to collaborate with local government and NHS partners to develop Extra Care services for older people in Burnley be endorsed in response both to the strategic needs of the area and the views of local people and stakeholders expressed through this consultation.

Cabinet considered a draft Housing with Care and Support Strategy 2018 – 2025, which outlined the county council's proposals in relation to the development of Housing with Care and Support for older adults and younger adults with disabilities.

Resolved: That

  i.  the draft Housing with Care and Support Strategy 2018 – 2025, as set out in the report, be endorsed.

  ii.  the undertaking of consultation with key partners on the draft strategy be approved.

  iii.  the Executive Director of Adult Services and Health & Wellbeing, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Services and the Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, be authorised to make any necessary amendments to the Strategy at the conclusion of the consultation.

Cabinet received a report setting out the preferred care and support model for the new Extra Care scheme in Chorley (Primrose Gardens), to which the county council has contributed £1 million of capital funding.

Resolved: That the preferred model for the new Chorley Extra Care

Scheme (Primrose Gardens) as set out within the report, including a core weekly charge of £17.50, be approved.

The following urgent decisions have been taken by the Leader of the County Council and the relevant Cabinet Member(s) in accordance with Standing Order 34(1) since the last meeting of Cabinet, and can be viewed by clicking on the relevant link(s)

1.  Supply and Distribution of Fresh Non-Halal Meat Products (Emergency Direct Award(s))

The Urgent Decision taken by the Leader and relevant Cabinet Members was noted.

An item of urgent business may only be considered under this heading where, by reason of special circumstances to be recorded in the Minutes, the Chair of the meeting is of the opinion that the item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.  Wherever possible, the Chief Executive should be given advance warning of any Member’s intention to raise a matter under this heading.

There was no urgent business.

The next meeting of the Cabinet will be held on Thursday 11 October 2018 at 2.00 pm at County Hall, Preston.

It was noted that the next meeting of Cabinet would be held on Thursday 11 October 2018 at 2.00pm at County Hall, Preston.

No representations have been received.

Click here to see the published Notice of Intention to Conduct Business in Private.

Cabinet noted the Notice of Intention to Conduct Business in Private and that no representations had been received.

The Committee is asked to consider whether, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, it considers that the public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business on the grounds that there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as indicated against the heading to the item.

Resolved: That under Section 100A(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 there would be a likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the appropriate paragraph of Part I of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 as indicated against the heading to the item.

(Not for Publication – Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.)

(Not for Publication – Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.)

Cabinet considered a report setting out a proposal to appoint a Building Schools for the Future consultant.

Resolved: That the recommendation set out in the report be approved

(Not for Publication – Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.)

(Not for Publication – Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.)

Cabinet considered a report setting out required works to operational premises.

Resolved: That the recommendations set out in the report be approved

(Not for Publication – Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.)

(Not for Publication – Exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. It is considered that in all the circumstances of the case the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.)

Cabinet considered proposals for a Community Asset Transfer in relation to the former Thornton Young People's Centre

Resolved: That the recommendation set out in the report be approved