Cabinet Agenda
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CABINET AGENDA Tuesday 17 December 2013 at 10.00am at the Civic Centre, Gateshead From the Chief Executive, Jane Robinson Item Business 1. Apologies for Absence 2. Minutes (Page 5) The Cabinet is asked to approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2013. Key Decision 3. Combined Authority Consultation Report of the Chief Executive (to follow) Recommendations to Council 4. Local Council Tax Support Scheme (Page 13) Report of the Strategic Director, Finance and ICT 5. Mitigating the Impact of Welfare Reform on Council Tenants (Page 23) Report of the Strategic Director, Community Based Services 6. Gateshead Local Plan – Planning for the Future Core Strategy and Urban Core Plan Submission Document for Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne (Page 35) Report of the Strategic Director, Development and Enterprise Non Key Decisions 7. Gateshead Local Plan – Duty to Cooperate (Page 47) Report of the Strategic Director, Development and Enterprise 8. Proposed Supplementary Planning Documents for Bridges Conservation Management Strategy and Walker Terrace/Regent Street Conservation Area Management Strategy (Page 61) Report of the Strategic Director, Development and Enterprise 9. Energy Efficient Heating Scheme, Maintenance and Associated Works to Crowhall Towers (Page 69) Report of the Strategic Directors, Community Based Services and Development and Enterprise Contact: Kevin Ingledew (0191) 433 2142 Date: 9 December 2013 1 Item Business 10. Council Plan – Six Month Assessment of Delivery and Performance 2013/14 (Page 75) Report of the Chief Executive 11. Responses to Consultation (Page 93) Report of the Chief Executive 12. Exclusion of the Press and Public The Cabinet may wish to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds indicated: Item Paragraph of Schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 13 3 14 3 15 3 16 4 2 2 GATESHEAD METROPOLITAN BOROUGH COUNCIL CABINET MEETING 3 DECEMBER 2013 PRESENT: Councillor M Henry (Chair) Councillors: C Donovan, A Douglas, M Foy, M Gannon, L Green, J McElroy, and P Mole Apologies for absence: Councillors M Graham and M McNestry C145 MINUTES The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 5 November 2013 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair. C146 RENT ARREARS FOR FORMER TENANTS – TRANSFER OF UNCOLLECTABLE AMOUNTS Consideration has been given to the recommendation of The Gateshead Housing Company to transfer individual debt amounts from former tenants’ accounts to debtors’ accounts where all possible recovery action has been taken. RESOLVED - That the transfer of £ £83,398 former tenants’ arrears into debtors’ accounts as recommended by The Gateshead Housing Company be approved. The above decision has been made to ensure effective management of the Council’s resources, as any further pursuit of these arrears is unlikely to result in significant sums being recovered. It is more beneficial to concentrate on early proactive recovery of new debt, but debts transferred to debtors’ accounts can be reinstated if further contact details are found. C147 NORTH EAST LA7 EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND (ESF) NOT IN EDUCATION, EMPLOYMENT OR TRAINING (NEET) YOUTH PROJECT Consideration has been given to the action taken in accepting the contract for the Council to lead the North East LA7 ESF NEET Youth Project. RESOLVED - That the action taken by Strategic Director, Learning and Children in accordance with the urgent action procedures set out in paragraph 4(e) of Part 2 of Schedule 5 (General Delegations to Managers) of the Council’s Constitution, in accepting the contract to deliver the North East LA7 ESF NEET Youth Project by the seven Local Authority partners and to the Council acting as the Lead Partner be endorsed. 1 3 The above decision has been made for the following reasons: (A) The project will support 2,500 young people aged 16 -18 from North East who are NEET into education and employment; it will benefit 380 Gateshead residents (B) The project will protect 4 jobs in Gateshead Council and a further 12 across our local authority partners as well as delivering 9 employment opportunities in Gateshead Council (6 jobs are generic, 3 Jobs require specialist knowledge and will probably be external to Gateshead Council). (C) The project will have a direct effect on reducing youth unemployment and child poverty in the sub- region. C148 APPOINTMENT OF AUTHORITY SCHOOL GOVERNORS Consideration has been given to the appointment / re-appointment of Authority School Governors. RESOLVED - That the appointment / re-appointment of the following Authority School Governors for a period of four years (unless otherwise stated) from the date indicated in accordance with the Instrument of Governance/Articles of Association of each school be approved. School Appointment Reappointment Date from Furrowfield Cllr Lee 03.12.13 (SEN) Holmes Charles Thorpe Cllr Jack W From Comprehensive Graham 19.1.14 to (six month 31.7.14 reappointment at Cllr’s request) Glynwood Ms Heather 13.02.14 Community Maddison Primary Barley Mow Cllr Catherine 03.12.13 Primary Simcox Ryton Mr Jon Comb 03.12.13 Community Junior 2 4 C149 RESPONSES TO CONSULTATION Consideration has been given to responses to recent consultations. RESOLVED - That the responses to the following consultations as set out in appendices 1 to 3 to the report be endorsed. • Draft Special Educational Needs (SEN) Code of Practice – Department for Education • Pre-Submission Draft Local Plan Document and a number of Supplementary Planning Documents – Durham County Council • Protecting Local Authority Leaseholders from Unreasonable Charges - Department for Communities and Local Government The above decision has been made to enable the Council to contribute responses to the consultations. C150 PETITIONS SCHEDULE Consideration has been given to the latest update on petitions submitted to the Council and the action taken on them. RESOLVED - That the petitions received and the action taken on them be noted. The above decision has been made to inform Cabinet of the progress of the petitions received. C151 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC RESOLVED - That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the remaining business in accordance with the indicated paragraphs of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972. C152 DIGITAL QUAY (Paragraph 3) Consideration has been given to the proposal to proceed with the development of the Digital Quay project in the Gateshead Accelerated Development Zone (ADZ) through the acquisition and refurbishment of Baltimore House at Baltic Business Quarter. The alternative options to that being recommended, but which were discounted, included waiting for private sector investment and use of existing Council assets. RESOLVED - (i) That acceptance of European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) funding of the amount set out in the 3 5 report towards the capital costs of Digital Quay be approved. (ii) That the allocation of capital programme resources identified for Economic Growth Projects of the amount set out in the report to be used as match funding and supporting the capital costs of delivering the Digital Quay project including the cost of acquisition of Baltimore House be approved. (iii) That the Council’s acquisition of Baltimore House exercising the power contained in section 120 (1) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972 for the amount set out in the report be approved subject to Heads of Terms being agreed by the Strategic Director, Development and Enterprise under delegated authority within the overall agreed budget. (iv) That an inclusive headline rent of the amount per sq ft (excluding business rates) as set out in the report for space within the Digital Quay project, and the eligibility criteria for occupiers as set out in appendix 2 to the report be approved and this to be reviewed annually (v) That subject to availability and financial viability, space to be made available to accommodate business support organisations and activities at a reduced rent or nil cost where it can be demonstrated this is compliant with ERDF funding conditions and furthers the aims of the Digital Quay project. (vi) That extending the delegated authority of the Service Director Property and Design to include the approval of leases granted to occupiers of all other business centres, including Digital Quay, where they are in accordance with agreed fees and charges and external funding conditions be approved subject to the further approval of Council as part of the annual review of the Council’s Constitution. (vii) That acceptance of Scape Community Investment Funding of up to the amount set out in the report to support start-up businesses be approved. The above decisions have been made for the following reasons: (A) To maximise opportunities for economic growth in Gateshead. (B) To support successful delivery of Vision 2030 objectives, Gateshead Quays and Baltic Business 4 6 Quarter Masterplans and the Accelerated Development Zone (ADZ). (C) To provide a catalyst for new investment in the ADZ, ensure continued development on Baltic Business Quarter and maintain confidence in the development. (D) To bring forward additional SME business accommodation on Baltic Business Quarter. (E) To maximise the opportunities for business start- up in the digital technology sector. (F) To provide a focus for creative businesses, encourage graduate retention and create good quality employment. (G) To maximise available external funding opportunities. C153 SALE OF ABBOTSFORD ROAD DEPOT, FELLING (Paragraph 3) Consideration has been given to the sale of the freehold estate of the Abbotsford Road Depot, Felling. RESOLVED - (i) That the disposal of the freehold interest of the site of the former Abbotsford Road Depot, Felling, to Jacob Adler for a consideration of the amount set out in the report be approved. (ii) That a condition is imposed on disposal to ensure the Council receives a percentage (to be agreed) of the uplift in value should the purchaser develop the site for residential use up to 2023.