Agenda and decisions

Minutes of the meeting of the meeting of Cabinet held on Tuesday 7 November 2023, as circulated, to be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Cabinet held on 7 November 2023, as circulated, be confirmed as a true record and signed by the Chair.

Unless already entered in the Council’s Register of Members’ interests, members are required where a matter arises at a meeting;

a.         Which directly relates to Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (‘DPI’) as set out in Appendix B, Table 1 of the Code of Conduct, to disclose the interest, not participate in any discussion or vote and not to remain in room. Where members have a DPI or if the matter concerns an executive function and is being considered by a Cabinet Member with a DPI they must notify the Monitoring Officer and arrange for somebody else to deal with the matter.

b.         Which directly relates to the financial interest or well being of a Other Registrable Interest as set out in Appendix B, Table 2 of the Code of Conduct to disclose the interest and only speak on the matter if members of the public are also allowed to speak at the meeting but otherwise must not take part in any discussion or vote on the matter and must not remain the room.

c.         Which directly relates to their financial interest or well-being (and is not DPI) or the financial well being of a relative or close associate, to declare the interest and members may only speak on the matter if members of the public are also allowed to speak. Otherwise, the member must not take part in discussion or vote on the matter and must leave the room.

d.         Which affects the financial well-being of the member, a relative or close associate or a body included under the Other Registrable Interests column in Table 2, to disclose the interest and apply the test set out at paragraph 9 of Appendix B before deciding whether they may remain in the meeting.

e.         Where Members have or a Cabinet Member has an Other Registerable Interest or Non Registerable Interest in a matter being considered in exercise of their executive function, they must notify the Monitoring Officer and arrange for somebody else to deal with it.

NB Any member needing clarification must contact monitoringofficer@northumberland.gov.uk. Members are referred to the Code of Conduct which contains the matters above in full. Please refer to the guidance on disclosures at the rear of this agenda letter.

Budget 2024-25 – Draft Engagement Document

This report sets out the draft Budget Engagement document for 2024-25 (attached as Appendix 1).

Budget 2024-25 – Draft Engagement Document

RESOLVED that the Draft Budget Engagement Document be agreed as the basis for consultation with residents, business and partners on the 2024-25 Budget proposals.

Budget 2024-25 and Medium-Term Financial Plan 2024-2028

This report provides an update on the development of the 2024-25 Budget and the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) covering the period 2024 to 2028.

Budget 2024-25 and Medium-Term Financial Plan 2024-2028

RESOLVED that:

1.1          Cabinet review and note the revisions to the assumptions (and the risks) within the 2024-25 Budget and Medium-Term Financial Plan;

1.2          Cabinet note that further work is required to refine and finalise the Medium-Term Financial Plan;

1.3          Cabinet note that the revenue implications of the Capital Programme are still to be updated; and

1.4      Cabinet note that there are still budget balancing measures required to be identified over the term of the Medium-Term Financial Plan and that it is intended that budget balancing measures for the two years 2024-25 and 2025-26 are agreed at the full Council meeting on 21 February 2024.

Setting of the Council Tax Base

The purpose of this report is to advise Cabinet of the tax base calculation for 2024-25 for all domestic properties liable to pay council tax. The tax base must be set by the statutory deadline of 31 January 2024.

Setting of the Council Tax Base 2024-25

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve the council tax base for 2024-25 as detailed within Appendix A, equating to 112,185.46 Band D equivalent dwellings. This is an increase of 2,033.16 Band D equivalents from 2023-24.

Risk Management Report Update

The purpose of this report is to inform Cabinet of the latest position of the County Council’s corporate risks following review by Executive Management Team and Cabinet portfolio holders, and to provide an update in relation to the Council’s risk management arrangements.

Corporate Risk Management

RESOLVED that:-

(a)           Cabinet agrees the contents of the report in accordance with its responsibility for ensuring effective risk management throughout the organisation; and

(b )     Cabinet notes that this report will be presented to the next meeting of Audit Committee as a source of assurance in its role of monitoring the effective development and operation of risk management and risk-related issues across the County Council, and as part of its ongoing evaluation of the framework of governance, risk management and control within Northumberland County Council’s accounting group boundary.

Financial Performance - Position at the end of September 2023

The purpose of the report is to ensure that the Cabinet is informed of the current and forecast financial position for the Council against the Budget for 2023-24.

Financial Performance 2023-24 – Position at the end of September 2023

RESOLVED that:

(a )     Cabinet approve the re-profiling to the Capital Programme of £55.961 million from 2023-24 to 2024-25 to reflect estimated expenditure levels in the current financial year; and.

(b )     Cabinet note:

·       the projected overspend on services of £0.593 million and the assumptions outlined in this report.

·       the projected net overspend of £0.949 million after accounting for outstanding inflationary pressures and the utilisation of the Exceptional Inflation Reserve and contingency.

·       the supplementary estimates at Appendix A and the required changes to the budgets.

·       the delivery of the approved savings at Appendix B.

·       the use of the contingency shown at Appendix L.

·       the use of reserves shown at Appendix M.

·       the virements requested by services shown at Appendix N; and

·       the details of capital project reprofiling shown at Appendix O.

Q2 Corporate Performance Report

This report provides a summary of the progress against the Council’s three Corporate Plan priorities using the Council's performance at the end of Quarter 2, 2023/24 (Q2).

Q2 Corporate Performance Report

RESOLVED the progress against the three Corporate Priorities as summarised in the report be noted.

Summary of New Capital Proposals considered by Officer Capital Strategy Group

The report summarises proposed amendments to the Capital Programme considered by the officer Capital Strategy Group.

Summary of New Capital Proposals considered by Officer Capital Strategy Group

RESOLVED that:

(1)      Blyth Relief Road

(a )     Cabinet authorise the allocation of £0.561 million from the 2023-24 budget allocation for the Salt Barns project to the Blyth Relief Road project. Then subsequently reallocate £0.561 million from the Blyth Relief Road project to the Salt Barns project in 2024-25; and

(b )     Cabinet authorise the amendment of the Medium-Term Financial Plan spend profile for the Blyth Relief Road as set out in Table 2.

(2 )     Kyloe House New Recreation Area

(a )     Cabinet approve spend of £0.271 million for a recreation area and secure walls to the High Dependency Unit at Kyloe House. Note the spend is externally funded by the Department for Education (DfE); and

(b)      Cabinet authorise the amendment of the capital programme as outlined in the spend profile in Table 1. 

(3 )     Kyloe House New Media System

(a )     Cabinet approve spend of £0.043 million for a new media system at Kyloe House. Note the spend is externally funded by the Department for Education (DfE); and

(b )     Cabinet authorise the amendment of the capital programme to include the proposed spend in 2023-24. 

Adaptations for Disabled People

To report on additional Disabled Facilities Grant funding received from Government, and to ask the Cabinet to consider the case for revisions to the Council’s discretionary grants policy.

Adaptations for Disabled People

RESOLVED that:-

(a )     Cabinet approve the revised version of the Council's discretionary housing grants policy attached as the Annex to the report, which adds to the existing policy two new elements:

·       a scheme under which non-means-tested grant of up to £6500 (a figure which may be revised to take account of changing costs) will be offered to fund the cost of urgently-needed adaptations for people with a rapidly-progressing health condition that is expected to result in their death;

·       the transfer to the adaptations budget of funding responsibility for ceiling track hoists, which are currently funded through the Council's equipment loan service, and an amendment to the discretionary grant policy to enable the full cost of this adaptation to be covered by grant, so that people who need it will still not be required to contribute towards the cost, regardless of their financial means;  

(b )     the Executive Director for Adults, Ageing & Wellbeing be requested to prepare a future report on the options for further changes to the discretionary housing grants policy, at a point when the future level of costs chargeable against the capital grant from the Government for adaptations and other social care capital costs can more confidently be predicted; and

(c )     Cabinet confirm the inclusion of the additional Disabled Facilities Capital Grant funding of £290,484 in 2023/24 to the Council's capital plan, and note that a small further addition to the national total of this Capital Grant is expected in 2024/25, though the allocation of 2024/25 funding between local authorities has not yet been confirmed.

Outcomes of the Tender for New School Buildings for Astley High and Whytrig Middle Schools

To update Cabinet on the outcomes of the tender process for the construction of new school buildings for Astley High School and Whytrig Middle School and seek the delegated approval to award the construction contract.

An outline capital allocation for investment in Education has already been made within the Council’s medium term capital programme of £37,097,847.  The Final Business Case seeks to confirm the capital required for the construction and management of the proposed scheme, being £50,124,185.

Outcomes of the Tender for New School Buildings for Astley High School and Whytrig Middle School

RESOLVED that:-

(a )     Cabinet note the outcomes of the tender process and agree to delegate the final award of contract to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council;

(b )     Cabinet agree to issue an early works instruction as an extension of the current preconstruction services agreement (PCSA) up to the value of £1.4m to prevent any increases in cost or delays in programme until the award of contract is complete in February 2024; and

(c )     Cabinet note the revised allocation of £50,427,220 capital funding (an increase of £13,282,200, £10,282,200 NCC borrowing, which is subject to Full Council approval) to amend the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan 2024-28 to deliver the scheme.

Education, SEND and Skills Report 2022-23

The Annual Report 2022-23 highlights actions and progress against the key priorities for Education, SEND and Skills 22-24.

Education, SEND and Skills Report 2022-23

RESOLVED that:

(1) Cabinet agree that Members provide scrutiny and challenge to the service responses and developments detailed in the Education, SEND and Skills Annual Report for 22-23 as appropriate; 

(2) Cabinet receive and review the annual report and recognise the performance given the continued challenges in bouncing back from the impact of the pandemic;

(3) Cabinet note the education achievements of our children, young people, and residents across Northumberland in 2022/23; and

(4) Cabinet note the valuable support provided to all learners within:

· Early Years Settings and Schools

· Special Education Needs support and service

· Virtual School

· Learning and Skills Service

· School Organisation and Resources

Northumberland Leisure and Wellbeing Procurement and Provision

The purpose of this report is to provide an update to Cabinet following the conclusion of the Leisure and Wellbeing Service procurement process. The Report also seeks permission to implement arrangements to ensure continuity of provision for the six community facilities excluded from the core contract from 1 April 2024.

Northumberland Leisure and Wellbeing Procurement and Provision

RESOLVED that:-

(a )     Cabinet acknowledge that the delegated authority decision notice was approved on 14th November 2023 enabling the award of this contract to be made by the Executive Director of Public Health, Inequalities and Stronger Communities to the successful operator, to deliver the Northumberland Leisure and Well-being Service;

(b )     Cabinet note and accept the report as a conclusion of the leisure procurement conducted in accordance with the Contract Concessions Regulations 2016;

(c )     Cabinet agree, in principle, that the Dave Stephens Centre and Blyth Beach Huts are packaged within a combined Community Asset Transfer to Blyth Valley Enterprise from 1 April 2024, and that the transfer is supported with a one-year revenue allocation of £50,000 and a £72,000 capital allocation to cover outstanding maintenance;

(d )     Cabinet agree that responsibility for the management of Northburn Sports and Community Centre is transferred to Northumberland County Council from 1 April 2024 with a two-year revenue contribution of £58,000 per annum;

(e )     Cabinet agree that responsibility for the management of Druridge Bay Fitness Centre is transferred to Northumberland County Council from 1 April 2024 with a two-year revenue contribution of £61,000 per annum;

(f )      Cabinet agree that responsibility for the management of Rothbury Sports Centre is transferred to Northumberland County Council from 1 April 2024 with a two-year revenue contribution of £48,000 per annum;

(g )     Cabinet agree to support Hirst Welfare Centre Trustees to commence management of the Hirst Welfare Centre from 1 April 2024 with a year one contribution of £250,000, a year two contribution of £180,000 and a year three contribution of £100,000 (funded from the Public Health Grant); and

(h )     Cabinet note the preferred bidder and the outcome of the procurement exercise is Places for People Leisure Management Limited (PfPLM).

Merger of North and South Northumberland Coroner Areas

This report seeks Cabinet approval to the proposed merger of the North and South Northumberland Coronial areas and the Business Case for the merger, detailed in the confidential appendix elsewhere on this agenda.

Merger of North and South Northumberland Coroner Areas

RESOLVED that Cabinet agree:-

(a )     to the merger of the North Northumberland and the South Northumberland Coronial areas and to endorse the Business Case for the merger included on the agenda as a confidential appendix for submission to the Ministry of Justice;

(b )     that the name of the new service will be the ‘Northumberland Coroner Area’’;

(c )     to authorise the Executive Director of Public Health, Inequalities and Stronger Communities?in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for?Looking After our Communities?to take all necessary steps to progress the Business Case including (but not limited to) making amendments or adjustments to the Business Case and to authorise the submission of the Business Case to the Ministry of Justice on behalf of the Authority; and

(d )     to authorise the Executive Director of Public Health, Inequalities and Stronger Communities,?in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for?Looking After our Environment, to take any further steps necessary to facilitate the merger of North and South Northumberland Coronial areas on behalf of the Authority.

PFI Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) Responsibilities

This report provides the detail of this provision and seeks Cabinet approval for the removal of the loose furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) element of the current North East Fire & Rescue Authority (NEFRA) Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract. This proposal has potential to achieve a total efficiency of £1,375,750, from its proposed effective date of 1st April 2022 to the expiration of the contract in 2035/36.

PFI Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment (FF&E) Responsibilities

RESOLVED that

(a )     Cabinet approves the removal of the FF&E element of the current NEFRA PFI contract, in order to realise efficiencies in the region of £1,375,750from its proposed effective date of 1st April 2022 up to the expiration date of the contract in 2035/36 and delegates authority to the Chief Fire Officer to authorise the deed of variation to be entered into, to effect this variation; and

(b )     an earmarked reserve be created to facilitate an alternative more cost effective solution for FF&E ongoing repair, maintenance and parts, following the proposed withdrawal from the existing FF&E element of the current NEFRA PFI contract. The reserve will be created from the remainder from the efficiency saving of £1,375,750 after the existing savings target of £60k pa has been realised.

To consider such other business as, in the opinion of the Chair, should, by reason of special circumstances, be considered as a matter of urgency.

The Committee is invited to consider passing the following resolution:

(a)    That under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items on the Agenda as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the 1972 Act, and

(b)    That the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure for the following reasons:-

RESOLVED:-

(a)     That under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items on the agenda as they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the 1972 Act, and? 

(b)     That the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosure for the following reasons:-?? 

Risk Management Report Update

To consider a confidential appendix in relation to item 7 on this agenda.

Outcomes of the Tender for New School Buildings for Astley High and Whytrig Middle Schools

To consider a confidential appendix in relation to item 12 on this agenda.

Merger of North and South Northumberland Coroner Areas

To consider a confidential appendix in relation to item 15 on this agenda.