Apologies were received from Councillor Simon Jones.

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

None were declared.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 June 2016.  TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 June 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

RESOLVED:

That the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 June 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

To receive any public questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  The deadline for this meeting is 5.00pm on Friday 8 July 2016.

Mr D Tomlinson had submitted a question relating to the timing of the publication of the report on Swimming Facilities and asking whether it should go back to the Scrutiny Committee in light to revisions to it.  Mr Stephen Gillian asked a follow up question on his behalf regarding the depth requirements of the scuba diving and canoe clubs which he understood would not be met if the pool was located at Sundorne.  The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture undertook to provide a response after the meeting.

Mr R Green had submitted a question asking whether any discussions had taken place with regard to any potential sale of the Quarry Pool Site. 

Mr D Butler had submitted a question relating to the impact on club activities of any reduction of three pools to two, particularly clubs involving canoeing and sub-aqua.  In asking a follow up question he referred to the detailed pool programme at appendix 2 of the report which which made no reference to a canoe club or canoe programme.  The Director of Commissioning said that in moving forward, discussions would be held with existing users to ensure that all needs were accommodated. 

Mr S Gillian had submitted a question asking when the Economic Impact Tool model be made available to those who were preparing alternative Business Case proposals for a community managed town centre based pool facility.  He asked a supplementary question about appendix 1 and appendix 3 of the report which he said appeared to be superficial and biased.  In responding, the Director of Commissioning reported that Strategic Leisure had been commissioned by Shropshire Council to carry out this work.  He explained that they were Leisure Specialists, used by Sport England and the Amateur Swimming Association and their role had been to look into feasibility but not to make recommendations.  Sport England, the Amateur Swimming Association and the County Sport Partnership, Energize had all been involved in auditing the process.

Mr D Eagle had submitted a question asking about assumptions made in the report around journeys made to the Quarry Pool. 

Mr B Wills had submitted a question asking: how Shropshire Council was promoting swimming participation by recommending a smaller swimming facility out of town; about satisfying future demand as well as the current demand for clubs, diving boards and flumes; and about demand from sixth form and university students, disability groups, the young and older people.

Written responses were tabled at the meeting to all of the above questions and a copy of the full questions and responses are attached to the formal record of the meeting.

It was agreed that the Improved Swimming Facilities for Shrewsbury report be taken as the next agenda item. 

Lead Member – Councillor Stuart West – Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture

Report of the Director of Commissioning TO FOLLOW

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

            RESOLVED:

i)             That Cabinet is minded to confirm and approve in principle that in the absence of alternative proposals developed to retain swimming provision on the existing site in recommendation (ii),  that the preferred location for the replacement of existing swimming provision (with new swimming provision) is the Shrewsbury Sports Village based upon the options appraisal evidenced within this report.

ii)            That Cabinet would welcome all parties who wish to do so, including the Shrewsbury BID, Quarry Swimming and Fitness Forum and Shrewsbury Town Council are to be given an opportunity for up to 12 months to develop alternative proposals to retain swimming provision on the existing site. Any alternatives will need to meet the Council’s key objectives referenced within the evaluation criteria described within this report, including for the pool to be affordable and to support participation in the future. 

iii)           That a further report is brought back to Cabinet on the proposed next steps and the detail including the timetable, process and terms of reference in relation to recommendation (ii).

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture presented a report by the Director of Commissioning – copy attached to the signed minutes – setting out proposals for improved swimming facilities for Shrewsbury.  Amendments were proposed to the recommendations by the Cabinet Member for Adults which he hoped would provide reassurance to any parties who wished to work up an alternative proposal to retain the Quarry Swimming Pool.  The amendments were to recommendation A, to include after the words in principle : ‘that in the absence of alternative proposals developed to retain swimming provision on the existing site in recommendation (ii)’  and to recommendation B so that it started with  ‘That Cabinet would welcome all parties who wish to do so’.  The Leader endorsed these amendments and added an amendment that Recommendation A start ‘That Cabinet is minded to’

A number of Members addressed the Cabinet in support of the retention of the location of the Quarry Swimming Pool or a deferral of the decision until case for the Quarry Pool was properly proven.  Assurances were requested that officers would fully co-operate with the group trying to find a solution.   

The Portfolio Holder Leisure and Culture said Cabinet understood the need to allow time for other options to be developed and supported the amendments to the recommendations.  Nothing would proceed until 12 months had expired and all data would be provided to all parties.

RESOLVED:

i)             That Cabinet is minded to confirm and approve in principle that in the absence of alternative proposals developed to retain swimming provision on the existing site in recommendation (ii),  that the preferred location for the replacement of existing swimming provision (with new swimming provision) is the Shrewsbury Sports Village based upon the options appraisal evidenced within this report.

ii)            That Cabinet would welcome all parties who wish to do so, including the Shrewsbury BID, Quarry Swimming and Fitness Forum and Shrewsbury Town Council are to be given an opportunity for up to 12 months to develop alternative proposals to retain swimming provision on the existing site. Any alternatives will need to meet the Council’s key objectives referenced within the evaluation criteria described within this report, including for the pool to be affordable and to support participation in the future. 

iii)           That a further report is brought back to Cabinet on the proposed next steps and the detail including the timetable, process and terms of reference in relation to recommendation (ii).

There were no matters referred from Scrutiny or Council.

Lead Member – Councillor Malcolm Pate – Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Financial Strategy, Budget and Business Plan

Report of the Chief Executive – Appendix TO FOLLOW

Contact: Clive Wright          Tel: 01743 252007

RESOLVED:

i)             That the draft Corporate Plan 2016/17 to 2018/19 be reviewed and agreed;

ii)            That the medium term outcomes and objectives in the Corporate Plan be reviewed in October 2016 and then reviewed each year as part of the Council’s Corporate Planning Cycle alongside the refresh of the Financial Strategy; and

iii)           That the Strategic Action Plans, which are in formulation, be available in October 2016.

The Leader presented the Corporate Plan 2016 – 2017 and congratulated officers on the work involved in developing it.  He confirmed that it would be presented to Full Council for approval. 

RESOLVED:

i)             That the draft Corporate Plan 2016/17 to 2018/19 be reviewed and agreed;

ii)            That the medium term outcomes and objectives in the Corporate Plan be reviewed in October 2016 and then reviewed each year as part of the Council’s Corporate Planning Cycle alongside the refresh of the Financial Strategy; and

iii)           That the Strategic Action Plans, which are in formulation, be available in October 2016.

Lead Member – Councillor Malcolm Pate– Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Financial Strategy, Budget and Business Plan

Report of the Commissioning Support Manager

Contact: Tom Dodds            Tel: 01743 258518

            RESOLVED:

That the emerging findings from the work of the Financial Strategy Task and Finish Group be taken into account in preparation for the further report of the Performance Management Scrutiny Committee.

The Chair of the Performance Management Scrutiny Committee presented the Interim Report of the Financial Strategy Task and Finish Group on behalf of the Group.  A copy is attached to the signed minutes.

RESOLVED:

That the emerging findings from the work of the Financial Strategy Task and Finish Group be taken into account in preparation for the further report of the Performance Management Scrutiny Committee.

Lead Member – Councillor Malcolm Pate – Portfolio Holder for Strategy, Financial Strategy, Budget and Business Plan

Report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance

Contact: James Walton       Tel: 01743 255001

                        RESOLVED:

i)             That further ongoing savings of £9.263m, deliverable by 2017/18 and £9.985m (a further £0.722m) deliverable by 2018/19, as set out in Table 5 and described in Appendix 2, be agreed and recommended to Council.

ii)            That the revision of the Council’s Growth Model and the allocation of ongoing savings and efficiencies that has resulted in a core funding gap in 2017/18 and 2018/19 of £13.690m and £20.211m respectively, be noted.

iii)           That it be noted that further work is being progressed to deliver a Sustainable Business Model for the Council to close the Core Funding Gap and deliver a financially self-sufficient Council in the medium to long term.

iv)           That the work being undertaken to attempt to reduce or close the reported Core Funding Gap in the short term in 2017/18 and 2018/19 by the use of one-off initiatives (to replace delivery of some Red RAG Rated savings as reported to Cabinet on 27 January 2016) be noted. Cabinet note that to achieve a balanced budget without further Red Savings proposals being implemented would require the identification of almost £34m of one-off proposals over these two financial years which will not reduce the size of the core funding gap in future years (still requiring £28.7m of base budget savings by 2019/20).

v)            That the Efficiency Plan be approved and recommended to Council as described in Section 9 and detailed in Appendix 5 including the proposals around the use of the new flexibilities on the use of Capital Receipts.

vi)           That the latest Adults Growth projections be considered as set out in Section 5 and the creation of a £2.5m contingency Budget for 2016/17 only, be approved as identified in section 4.3.

vii)         That the initial projections produced to identify the Core Funding Gap in 2019/20, as set out in Table 5, be noted.

The Leader presented the report of the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance and provided an update on the Council’s proposals to manage its financial position for 2017/18 and beyond.  He reported that there was still considerable uncertainty in Local Government Finance but the Chief Executive and the Head of Finance, Governance and Assurance now sat on a Government Panel regarding the funding of elderly care.  It was hoped that the work of the Panel would result in a fairer funding formula but In the meantime there were severe financial problems to address and work was underway to try to bridge the gap and avoid making red savings. 

In responding to questions and comments about services being transferred to Parish and Town Councils, the Leader said that the Council had listened and understood that September 2016 would be too soon for submission of final proposals. Some funds had now been identified to provide an extra 12 months to help Parish and Town Councils to meet the challenge, and outline ideas only were now required by September 2016. Shropshire Council would help as much as it could with the development of proposals.   

RESOLVED:

i)             That further ongoing savings of £9.263m, deliverable by 2017/18 and £9.985m (a further £0.722m) deliverable by 2018/19, as set out in Table 5 and described in Appendix 2, be agreed and recommended to Council.

ii)            That the revision of the Council’s Growth Model and the allocation of ongoing savings and efficiencies that has resulted in a core funding gap in 2017/18 and 2018/19 of £13.690m and £20.211m respectively, be noted.

iii)           That it be noted that further work is being progressed to deliver a Sustainable Business Model for the Council to close the Core Funding Gap and deliver a financially self-sufficient Council in the medium to long term.

iv)           That the work being undertaken to attempt to reduce or close the reported Core Funding Gap in the short term in 2017/18 and 2018/19 by the use of one-off initiatives (to replace delivery of some Red RAG Rated savings as reported to Cabinet on 27 January 2016) be noted. Cabinet note that to achieve a balanced budget without further Red Savings proposals being implemented would require the identification of almost £34m of one-off proposals over these two financial years which will not reduce the size of the core funding gap in future years (still requiring £28.7m of base budget savings by 2019/20).

v)            That the Efficiency Plan be approved and recommended to Council as described in Section 9 and detailed in Appendix 5 including the proposals around the use of the new flexibilities on the use of Capital Receipts.

vi)           That the latest Adults Growth projections be considered as set out in Section 5 and the creation of a £2.5m contingency Budget for 2016/17 only, be approved as identified in section 4.3.

vii)         That the initial projections produced to identify the Core Funding Gap in 2019/20, as set out in Table 5, be noted.

Lead Member – Councillor Cecilia Motley - Portfolio Holder for Rural Services and Communities

Report of the Director of Commissioning

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

            RESOLVED:

i)       That the publication of Shropshire Council’s Equality Objectives Action Plan for 2016 to 2020, in line with the Public Sector Equality Duty, be agreed.

ii)     That the progress made in this policy arena be noted and the necessary and optimum linkages to be made between this document, the Corporate Plan 2016 to 2017, and associated corporate and partnership documentation, as part of good practice approaches towards meeting the needs of the diverse communities served by the Council and partners.

iii)    That a progress report on equality developments at local, regional and national level be received at a timely future date, at which point further recommendations may be tabled.

The Portfolio Holder for Rural Services and Communities presented a report of the Director of Commissioning – copy attached to the signed minutes – outlining The Equality Objectives Action Plan 2016/2020.  This was a timely review of the Council’s duties and she reported that she had asked Councillor Gwylim Butler to take on the role of Equality Champion for the Council. 

RESOLVED:

i)       That the publication of Shropshire Council’s Equality Objectives Action Plan for 2016 to 2020, in line with the Public Sector Equality Duty, be agreed.

ii)     That the progress made in this policy arena be noted and the necessary and optimum linkages to be made between this document, the Corporate Plan 2016 to 2017, and associated corporate and partnership documentation, as part of good practice approaches towards meeting the needs of the diverse communities served by the Council and partners.

iii)    That a progress report on equality developments at local, regional and national level be received at a timely future date, at which point further recommendations may be tabled.

Lead Member – Councillor Michael Wood – Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support

Report of the Director of Public Health

Contact: Rod Thomson       Tel: 01743 252003

                        RESOLVED:

i)             That approval be granted for a review of both the opening times and staffed hours input to larger Customer Service Points on a site by site basis with appropriate public and stakeholder consultation. The outcomes of consultation to be brought back to Cabinet for further consideration.    

ii)            That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support, with input from the Director of Commissioning to make any further decisions on service delivery.

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support presented a report of the Head of Human Resources and Development. He explained that the changes would match business hours to a new level of demand for face to face transactions.                          

RESOLVED:

i)             That approval be granted for a review of both the opening times and staffed hours input to larger Customer Service Points on a site by site basis with appropriate public and stakeholder consultation. The outcomes of consultation to be brought back to Cabinet for further consideration.    

ii)            That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support, with input from the Director of Commissioning to make any further decisions on service delivery.

Lead Member – Councillor Simon Jones – Portfolio Holder for Highways and Transportation

Report of the Director of Commissioning

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

            RESOLVED:

i)             That the content of the report and the Highway Safety Inspection Manual be approved for adoption.

ii)            That the ongoing transition of Highways to an asset management approach, in line with the Department for Transport guidance be noted.

iii)           That it be noted that Shropshire Highways was assessed as a Level 2 Highways Authority by the Department for Transport, and aspects of its assessment were nationally recognised at a national seminar on highways improvements.

iv)           That Highways intent to become a Level 3 Highways Authority by 2018 be noted.

Councillor Peter Adams, Deputy Portfolio Holder for Highways, presented a report of the Director of Commissioning – a copy is attached to the signed minutes – outlining the new Highway Inspection Manual for Shropshire. 

            RESOLVED:

i)             That the content of the report and the Highway Safety Inspection Manual be approved for adoption.

ii)            That the ongoing transition of Highways to an asset management approach, in line with the Department for Transport guidance be noted.

iii)           That it be noted that Shropshire Highways was assessed as a Level 2 Highways Authority by the Department for Transport, and aspects of its assessment were nationally recognised at a national seminar on highways improvements.

iv)           That Highways intent to become a Level 3 Highways Authority by 2018 be noted.

Lead Member – Councillor Mal Price – Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing, Regulatory Services and Environment

Report of the Director of Commissioning

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

            RESOLVED:

            That the proposed Kinnerley Conservation Area be approved in accordance with the area boundary identified in Appendix 1 to the report. 

The Portfolio Holder for Planning, Housing, Regulatory Services and Environment, presented a report of the Director of Commissioning – copy attached to the signed minutes – seeking approval to designate Kinnerley Conservation Area.  He confirmed that the Local Member was in agreement with the proposal. 

RESOLVED:

That the proposed Kinnerley Conservation Area be approved in accordance with the area boundary identified in Appendix 1 to the report. 

Lead Member – Councillor Steve Charmley – Portfolio Holder for Business and Economy

Report of the Director of Commissioning

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

            RESOLVED:

i)             That the revised Local Broadband Plan Shropshire for 2016-2020 be adopted.

ii)            That the Local Broadband Plan be hosted on the Connecting Shropshire website as a public document at the earliest opportunity.

The Portfolio Holder for Business and Economy presented a report of the Director of Commissioning – copy attached to the signed minutes – setting out the Council’s updated strategy for broadband and the approach for improving broadband speeds across the Shropshire Council area to 2020.

            RESOLVED:

i)             That the revised Local Broadband Plan Shropshire for 2016-2020 be adopted.

ii)            That the Local Broadband Plan be hosted on the Connecting Shropshire website as a public document at the earliest opportunity.

Lead Member – Councillor Lee Chapman – Portfolio Holder for Adults

Report of the Head of Social Care, Efficiency and Improvement

Contact: Ruth Houghton    Tel: 01743 253093

            RESOLVED:

i)             That the award of the management of services be approved at Innage Lane and Oak Farm contract from the beginning of October 2016, or such other date as may be required to conclude all contractual issues, for an initial period of up to 7 years to the Preferred Bidder. 

ii)            That the award of the management of services be approved at the Meres in Ellesmere to include the library and Customer Services contract from the beginning of October 2016, or such other date as may be required to conclude all contractual issues, for an initial period of up to 5 years to the Preferred Bidder. 

iii)           That the Head of Social Care:  Improvement and Efficiency be delegated authority in consultation with the Local Commissioning Manager, to conclude final contractual negotiations with the Preferred Bidder and if these negotiations achieve an acceptable final position to award the two contracts and complete all necessary formalities following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adults, the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture and the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support.

The Portfolio Holder for Adults presented a report on behalf of the Head of Social Care, Efficiency and Improvement – copy attached to the signed minutes.  He commended the proposals for the contract award to Bethphage.  Proposals for the Meres Day Centre would help ensure the continuity of the valued neighbourhood support to both the day service and the Library.   

RESOLVED:

i)             That the award of the management of services be approved at Innage Lane and Oak Farm contract from the beginning of October 2016, or such other date as may be required to conclude all contractual issues, for an initial period of up to 7 years to the Preferred Bidder. 

ii)            That the award of the management of services be approved at the Meres in Ellesmere to include the library and Customer Services contract from the beginning of October 2016, or such other date as may be required to conclude all contractual issues, for an initial period of up to 5 years to the Preferred Bidder. 

iii)           That the Head of Social Care:  Improvement and Efficiency be delegated authority in consultation with the Local Commissioning Manager, to conclude final contractual negotiations with the Preferred Bidder and if these negotiations achieve an acceptable final position to award the two contracts and complete all necessary formalities following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Adults, the Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture and the Portfolio Holder for Corporate Support.

Lead Member – Councillor Karen Calder – Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing

Report of the Director of Commissioning TO FOLLOW

Contact: George Candler   Tel: 01743 255003

                        RESOLVED:

i)          That the novation of the contract be approved from Co-op Funeralcare to Dignity Funerals No. 3 Limited (a subsidiary of Dignity plc), via         Newco (Crematoria) 2 Limited as described above, with an indemnity from the parent company, Dignity Funeral Limited.

ii)         That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Place and Enterprise in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Health & Wellbeing, to                         complete all the necessary paperwork to complete the transfer.

The Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing outlined a report of the Director of Commissioning – copy attached to the signed minutes – asking Cabinet to agree to the Novation of the Contract to Dignity Funerals No. 3 Limited to reflect various transfers as set out in the report.  The Director of Commissioning explained that there had been some changes since the report was published.  Cabinet needed to be advised of these and as this information was Exempt, it was necessary to exclude the press and public whilst it was considered.

RESOLVED:

  That in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and Paragraph 10.2 of the Council’s Access to Information Rules, the public and press be excluded during consideration of the remaining items.

Cabinet noted the exempt information presented by the Director of Place and Enterprise as detailed in the confidential minutes.

RESOLVED:

i)    That the novation of the contract be approved from Co-op Funeralcare to Dignity Funerals No. 3 Limited (a subsidiary of Dignity plc), via Newco (Crematoria) 2 Limited as described above, with an indemnity from the parent company, Dignity Funeral Limited.

ii)   That delegated authority be granted to the Director of Place and Enterprise in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Health & Wellbeing, to complete all the necessary paperwork to complete the transfer.

To approve as a correct record and sign the confidential Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 June 2016.  TO FOLLOW

            RESOLVED:

            That the exempt Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 June 2016 be approved as a correct record            and signed by the Leader.

RESOLVED:

That the exempt Minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 8 June 2016 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Leader.