Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2019 were approved.

1.    Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

2.    Other Interests

There were no declarations made.

DECISION:

That the Forward Plan be approved for publication.

The reason for the report was to update the Cabinet on the progress made in developing a new performance framework for 2019-2023 and the plans for communicating and engaging with stakeholders on the Council’s corporate plan priorities.  The report was considered by the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 27 November 2019.

Options considered:

The report was for information and councillors were invited to comment.

DECISION:           

That the content of the report, including the proposal for a new performance framework to be reported at the February Cabinet meeting be noted.

The purpose of the report was to inform members of the Council’s overall performance and financial position for the period ended 30th September 2019 (“Second Quarter 2019/20”).  The report was considered by the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 29 November 2019.  The position was summarised as follows:

Options considered:

Detailed analysis was contained within the report appendices.

DECISION:           

That the Second Quarter 2019/20 financial, procurement and performance position detailed in Appendices A, B and C and summarised at 3.3 of the covering report be noted.

The report presented the Council’s updated Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP). The MTFP presented the Council’s priorities in the context of the likely resources available, providing a financial context to future decision-making.  The report was considered by the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 27 November 2019.

Options considered:

The report was a statement of fact.  As such there were no options to consider.

DECISION:           

That the updated Medium Term Financial Plan (Appendix A of the report) be approved.

The purpose of the report was for Cabinet to consider a change in the Council’s doorstep recycling service provision with a move away from the separation of paper (news and pams) to a fully comingled service where residents would be no longer required to separate and place paper in a clear plastic sack.

Options considered:

There were two options available:

·         Retain the dual stream recycling arrangements; or

·         Move to a comingled arrangements.

These options were evaluated in detail in the report.

DECISION:           

1.    That the move to a fully comingled recycling as proposed by AES be approved.

2.    That the financial and other benefits that are associated with the change be noted.

3.    That the risks associated with the change and the mitigating actions that AES were proposing to ensure an effective transition be noted. 

It was a recommendation of the Food Standards Agency that each local authority draws up, documents and implements a food safety service plan which should be approved by members.  The report set out the food safety service plan for 2019/2020, to be reviewed on a yearly basis.

Options considered:

There were no alternative options as mandatory guidance issued by the Food Standards Agency recommends and requires that Local Authorities adopt a food safety enforcement plan which meets the format prescribed by the Food Standards Agency.

DECISION:           

That the food safety service plan at Appendix A of the report be approved.

The purpose of the report was to inform the Cabinet as to the development work to help establish clear plans for future investment and management options for the Council’s leisure centres, in line with the Physical Activity and Sport Strategy and ambitions for a reduced service subsidy.  The report was considered by the Service Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 20 November 2019.

Options considered:

A number of options would be considered as part of the work undertaken.

DECISION:           

That plans to recruit external consultancy support in order to assist the Council in progressing plans for future investment and management options for leisure centres be noted.

The purpose of the report was to recommend proposed changes to Leek Market’s rules and regulations to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the market operation. These changes included the withdrawal of free or reduced stall rents, withdrawal of cash payments and the introduction of an administration charge for issuing or amending market traders concessionary parking permits. The report was considered by the Service Delivery Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 20 November 2019.  The Panel recommended that the Cabinet should not implement the first proposal of the report (to remove the annual two free trading weeks for regular traders in the Leek Trestle Market) which received the support of the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Development and Property.

Options considered:

Option 1: If the Council did not approve the proposals the current arrangements and payment methods would continue, increasing the administrative burden on the market and finance teams. Not recommended.

Option 2: If the proposals were implemented it would ensure that the arrangements were cost-effective and consistent with the practice in the other markets and car parks. Recommended.

DECISION:

1.    That the concession whereby Charter market traders paid only half of the stall rent if they do not attend a pre booked market be removed.

2.    That all regular stall holders be moved to a direct debit payment method.

3.    That a £10.00 administration charge to issue or amend parking permits for market traders be introduced.