Agenda and decisions

Minutes of the meeing of Cabinet held on Tuesday 12 September 2023, as circulated, to be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 12 September 2023, as circulated, be confirmed as a true record andf 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.

Environmental Policy Statement

To propose the adoption of an overarching Environmental Policy Statement by Northumberland County Council to demonstrate the high priority being given by the Council to environmental matters, such as Climate Change, Nature Recovery & Biodiversity, Heat and Renewable Energy, Sustainable Waste Management, Travel and Transport, Water Quality, Parks & Green Spaces and Safeguarding Public Health. The Environmental Policy Statement covers the 4-year period from 2023/24 to 2026/27, after which time it will be reviewed and updated. It will clearly identify and communicate how the diverse range of environmental policy and service delivery activities undertaken by the Council are all part of its commitment to maintain, protect and enhance the environment.  It is intended that the Environmental Policy Statement will then be used to help support improved public awareness, engagement and active participation on these important environmental matters (Appendix A).

Environmental Policy Statement

RESOLVED that:-

(a)      Cabinet maintain its commitment to tackling climate change and to the development of a new Climate Change Action Plan which will set out the actions, work programme and targets that will be progressed over the period 2024 to 2026;

(b)      Cabinet adopt the Environmental Policy Statement and continuously strive to meet the on-going commitments contained within the statement (see Appendix A) and the actions and targets (see Appendix B) to the report;

(c)      the Environment Policy Statement be widely communicated and publicised to help raise public awareness, engagement and active participation on environmental matters across the county and

(d)      Cabinet note the ‘Potential Areas of Additional Environmental Activity’ outlined in section 5.4 of the report. It is intended that these additional areas of activity will be subject to further development and, where appropriate, any associated budget implications will be considered as part of this year’s MTFP budget setting process.

Building our Data Capability - Data Academy Pilot

The purpose of this report is to outline the need to develop our data skills and capabilities and seek approval for the proposed establishment of a ‘Data Academy’ and associated use of unallocated Apprenticeship Levy to fund (Appendix B).

Building our Data Capability - Data Academy Pilot

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve the awarding of a pilot programme in data skill apprenticeships to the apprenticeship provider ‘Multiverse’ with a Government Levy spend of £0.6m (excluding VAT).

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 (Appendix C).

Summary of New Capital Proposals considered by Officer Capital Strategy Group

RESOLVED that

Ponteland to Callerton Phase 2

A )      Cabinet approve the revised phase 2 approach and approve the additional funds of £0.518 million to deliver phase 2 and progress to scheme completion; and

(b )     Cabinet approve the inclusion of £0.518 million to the Capital Programme in 2023-24.

Corporate Performance – Quarter 4 202223 Outturn

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 4, 2022/23 (Q4) (Appendix D).

Corporate Performance – Quarter 4 2022/23 Outturn Report

RESOLVED that:-

(a )     Cabinet note the progress against the three Corporate Priorities as summarised in the report; and

(b )     Cabinet agree to progress against the three Corporate Priorities at end of Quarter 4 2022/23 being reported to Full Council at its November meeting.

Food & Feed, Safety & Standards Service Plan 2023/24

The purpose of this report is to present to the Cabinet, for its consideration the Food and Feed, Safety and Standards Service Plan for 2023/24 (Appendix E).

Food & Feed, Safety & Standards Service Plan 2023/24

RESOLVED that Cabinet receives and adopts the Food and Feed, Safety and Standards Service Plan for 2023/24.

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.