Agenda

Minutes of the meeting of the meeting of Cabinet held on Tuesday 9 April 2024, as circulated, to 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.

Enterprise Zone – Ashwood Business Park

The purpose of this report is to update Cabinet on the most recent variation to the Ashwood Enterprise Zone (EZ) business case application from Advance Northumberland (Commercial) Ltd to the NELEP.  The business case requests approval to the investment in site works and utility costs and the need to address higher cost inflation on site works.

Bowes Court Housing Energy Improvements – Outline Business Case

In accordance with the Energising Blyth Programme - Local Assurance Framework, the report seeks the approval of the Outline Business Case (OBC) for Bowes Court Housing Energy Improvements as part of the £20.71m Levelling Up Deep Dive (LUDD) funding awarded to Blyth in 2023. The OBC has been externally appraised with estimated costs, and with a recommendation to proceed to Full Business Case (FBC).

Oracle Contract Refresh

As outlined in the Constitution, any contract award of the value over £0.5m is deemed to be a key decision that requires Cabinet‘s approval. This report seeks to gain Cabinet‘s approval to delegate authority to progress procurement for the Oracle E-Business Cloud Solution core services. The expected value of the contract is above the £0.5m key decision threshold.

Financial Performance 2023-24 – Position at the end of February 2024 (Provisional Outturn)

The purpose of the report is to ensure that the Cabinet is informed of the provisional outturn for the Council against the Budget for 2023-24. Due to the timing of the statutory accounts deadline the forecast provisional outturn is based on the position at the end of February.

Loan to Branxton Parish Council

This report provides details of a potential loan facility to Branxton Parish Council of up to £1,300 in support of their 2024-25 budget.

Public and Community Transport Health Needs Assessment

This report aims to identify what is currently provided in terms of public and community transport across Northumberland, what is needed by the people of Northumberland and where the gaps are.

Nominations to Outside Bodies

To agree Cabinet’s nominations to outside bodies.

To appoint the Cabinet Shareholder Committee as follows:

Membership

Such members of the Cabinet, as may be appointed from time to time by the Leader.

Quorum:

Three members, which must include:

•         the Leader (or other Cabinet member appointed by the Leader for this purpose);

•         Cabinet member with portfolio for finance and resources; and

•         Cabinet member(s) with portfolio for most closely associated with the company or companies concerned with the items of business.

Terms of Reference

The Shareholder Cabinet Committee will exercise responsibility for the Cabinet’s functions in respect of:

1.       The Council’s approach to membership of a company or companies, including:

a.       evaluation of potential new opportunities to deliver social and financial returns on investment through company holdings;

b.       approval of comprehensive statements (business cases) to establish a new company, company membership or joint venture;

c.        sale or liquidation of Council interests in companies;

d.       the adoption of investment or contractual strategies in relation to council held company memberships; 

e.       the provision or requirement of services to or by a company; and

f.        the governance framework and over-arching approach to company memberships.

2.       Decisions concerning the evaluation, monitoring or acting upon:

a.       the financial and social returns on investment (be that shareholding, loans or direct investment); and

b.       risks and opportunities 

arising from any shareholding in a company or companies, including contracts or financial investments in respect of such companies.

3.       Decisions concerning the performance of a company in relation to its Business Plan and, in particular, the company’s performance:

a.       in financial matters

b.       against the social goals of the company as set out in the company’s Objects, Business Case or Business Plan; and

c.        against the values of the Council.

4.       All decisions reserved to the Council for shareholder approval, such as (but not limited to):

a.       Varying Articles of Association

b.       Varying ownership and structure

c.        Variations to shares (number of, rights, etc.)

d.       Entering contracts that:

i.         have a material effect on Council business (including other companies within the group)

ii.        are outside of the business plan or do not relate to the business

iii.       significant in relation to the size of the business, the business plan, etc. 

e.       Material legal proceedings outside of ordinary business

f.        Adopting and amending business plans each year and strategic plans (3 years)

g.       Appointment, removal and the remuneration of directors (members of the company board)

h.       Selection of the chair of the board

i.         Appointment of auditors

j.         Issue of dividends

as more particularly set out in a company’s Articles of Association or Shareholder Agreement.

5.       Other matters as may be referred to the Cabinet Committee for consideration by the CSR, s.151 officer, monitoring officer or chief executive

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.