PRESENT: Councillor Kirk in the chair.
Councillors
Foster (vice chair), Gosling, Grant, Regan and Swift.
Councillors
Barker, B Briggs, J Briggs, Bunyan, Collinson, Davison, England, Glover, Poole,
Mrs Redfern, Smith and Whiteley also attended the meeting.
Simon
Driver, Caroline Barkley, Will Bell, John Coates, Barry Fleetwood, Keith Ford,
Neil Laminman, Geoff Popple, Jeff Tattersall, Marcus Walker, Dave Watson, Mike
Wedgewood, Sarah Williamson, Mike Wood and Mel Holmes also attended the meeting.
763
DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS - Councillor
T Gosling declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 5 as a member of the Humber
Bridge Board and in Agenda Item 8 as a Trustee of the Scunthorpe/Grimsby Rape
Crisis Board.
Councillor
M Grant declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 8 as a member of the Supporting
People Commissioning Body - some of the recommendations would impact on this.
764
MINUTES - Resolved - That the minutes of the meeting of cabinet held
on 17 September 2008, having been printed and circulated amongst the members,
be taken as read and correctly recorded and be signed by the chair.
765
(77) OUTSTANDING ACTION FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS OF CABINET -
The Service Director Legal and Democratic submitted a report which contained
a schedule of outstanding issues on which cabinet had requested reports to future
meetings.
Resolved
- That the report be noted.
)
766
(78) BUDGET REVIEW - OCTOBER 2008 - The Service Director Finance
submitted a report on the October budget review which was part of a quarterly
review process for the revenue and capital budgets. It built on monthly
monitoring and provided an opportunity for cabinet to take stock of the financial
position on a regular basis. This year it had a particular emphasis on
the Local Area Agreement (LAA) to ensure that adequate resources were committed
to delivering the shared local strategic partnership priorities. The June
budget review had considered a number of issues which were detailed in paragraph
2.2 and this latest review provided an update on the revenue and capital position
and the emerging resource implications of the Local Area Agreement and Community
Strategy.
The
report provided a review of the approved revenue budget, considered the implications
of the council's investments with Icelandic Banks, considered the resource implications
of the Community Strategy and Local Area Agreement and identified slippage in
the capital programme and the resources which funded it.
In
relation to the revenue budget for 2008/2009 the report detailed a number of
potential overspends together with some compensating underspends, considered
the Local Area Agreement and Community Strategy in detail and the detail of
the Capital Programme for 2008/2011. Attached as an appendix were details
of the LAA and Community Strategy though these were subject to change.
Resolved
- (a) That revenue budgets be revised within the overall cash limit as set out
in the table at paragraph 4.12; (b) that tight expenditure controls be maintained
to ensure the council's financial plans remain deliverable in view of potential
losses from investments with Icelandic Banks; (c) that cabinet confirm that
any additional spending implications arising from the LAA and Community Strategy
would be dealt with through allocation of the reward monies from the previous
LAA by the Local Strategic Partnership, or by re-prioritisation of existing
resources; (d) that cabinet approve the re-phasing of the capital programme
as shown in the table at paragraph 4.15, and (e) that cabinet authorise a full
review of the capital programme and its funding to be the subject of a further
report to the next meeting of cabinet.
)
767
(79) HUMBER BRIDGE TOLLS - RESEARCH FINDINGS - The Chief Executive
submitted a report which considered the main findings of independent research
into the economic and social impact of the high tolls on the Humber Bridge and
recommended the next steps in the campaign to persuade Ministers of the need
to take decisive action on the tolls - the highest for any UK river crossing.
The
four Humber Unitary Councils had commissioned Colin Buchanan and Partners to
carry out a four month economic and social impact assessment of high Humber
Bridge Tolls. The findings had been published in the House of Commons
on 7 October 2008, with a majority of the city region's MPs in attendance.
The research sought to quantify the impact of the tolls on the Humber Bridge
in the context of the four Humber Unitary Councils making a success of the emerging
city region for the Humber.
The
councils had sought to establish, with a clear evidence base, if it was realistic
to create a successful and dynamic Hull and Humber Port City Region straddling
both banks of the Humber, given the constraints imposed by both geography and
high tolls. In the past, Ministers, and indeed regional bodies, had not
been persuaded that action on the Humber Bridge Tolls was either necessary or
a priority. However, this could no longer be the case with the publication
of the Colin Buchanan and Partners research, on 7 October 2008. Two key
points set this study apart from previous research. These were -
-
The
fact that it was set in the policy context of a city region.
-
It
used an economic model now accepted and approved by the Department of Transport.
This
changed the whole debate and dynamics surrounding the Humber Bridge and for
that reason it was imperative to maintain the momentum and consensus to make
a decisive breakthrough. Indeed, it was felt that unless action on the
tolls was taken, the likelihood of creating a successful Hull and Humber Port
City Region was doubtful. The research made clear in effect there were
two job markets, with little interaction across the bridge.
The
key findings of the research were set out in appendix 1 to the report. Appendix
2 indicated how the four unitary council areas would benefit, sector by sector
with North Lincolnshire performing extremely well. The figures used were
at today's prices.
The
report concluded that, having got this far, and armed with such a powerful evidence
base, the four Humber councils, MPs, business community and other parties and
individuals, had now to take the case to Ministers. With the possibility
of injecting up to £1.1 bn into the city region over the period to 2032,
action to either abolish or substantially reduce the tolls had to be one of
the council's most pressing priorities.
The
report detailed two options for consideration in terms of taking this forward
together with an analysis of those.
Resolved
- (a) That cabinet agrees to work with local MPs to arrange a Ministerial meeting
to explore in detail the research findings commissioned from Colin Buchanan
and Partners into the economic and social impact of Humber Bridge Tolls on the
Hull and Humber Port City Region; (b) that a Ministerial delegation, to include
a wide range of interested parties, including the Hull and Humber Chamber of
Commerce, seeks to achieve Ministerial recognition of the substantial economic
benefits of eliminating the tolls on the bridge, as cited in the Colin Buchanan
and Partners research; (c) that the council and other stakeholders seek Ministerial
recognition, based on the research, that for a successful Hull and Humber Port
City Region to become a reality, government action on the tolls is required;
(d) that cabinet reaffirms its commitment to play a leading role in the development
of the Hull and Humber Port City Region; (e) that the Leader and the Chief Executive
work closely with the Humber Unitary Leaders Group on the key points to be made
to the Minister, and (f) that cabinet seeks the support of the Regional Minister.
)
768
(80) WASTE CONTRACTS PROCUREMENT PROJECT - The Service Director
Neighbourhood and Environment submitted a report which set out and sought confirmation
of the procurement approach to be adopted for the new waste contract.
Current
contracts let to deliver waste management services for the council were scheduled
to terminate by 31 March 2011. The council had recognised that in order
to meet future Landfill Allowance Requirements (LATS), investment in additional
infrastructure in the form of treatment capacity would be required. The
procurement of waste treatment and disposal service contracts with a current
annual value of around £6m had to be undertaken strictly in accordance
with EU and UK rules. Counsel's opinion had been sought in April 2008
on the appropriate procurement route and on the facts presenting at that time.
Counsel had confirmed that the council was entitled to use the restricted procedure
for the full package of proposed contracts although use of the competitive dialogue
procedure was not ruled out.
In
July 2008, cabinet previously approved, in principle, the letting of contracts
under the restricted procedure for -
-
Residual
Waste Treatment
-
Compost
Site and Household Recycling Centre Management
-
Kerbside
Recycling Collections
Subject
to this decision, the council had engaged the services of legal, financial and
technological experts as external advisers. The firms engaged had long
and successful involvement with local councils in procuring services and infrastructure
to support local waste management strategies. Their opinions and recommendations
were sought on the council's strategy. In the light of long and complex
discussions the further advice of counsel had been sought on the 9 October 2008.
This presented a useful opportunity to appraise counsel of the discussions that
had taken place with the external advisers subsequent to his earlier advice.
Counsel concurred that in the light of the particular complexities identified
with the residual waste treatment and disposal element of the contract it would
be possible for that element to be procured under the competitive dialogue procedure
and in accordance with regulation 18 of the Procurement Regulations (Contract
B). As those complexities did not present in relation to the remaining
elements of the contract (as detailed in paragraph 3.3) it would still be appropriate
for these to be procured under the restricted procedure (Contract A).
The
report then considered the council's options in relation to this matter together
with an analysis of the options. Paragraph 3.3 set out how the contracts could
be packaged. As it was unlikely that a treatment facility would be operational
by April 2011, interim arrangements would be required for the waste which was
currently landfilled in order that the council could remain LATS compliant (Contract
C). The report contained further detailed information in relation to this
matter including the resource implications and outcomes of detailed consultations.
Resolved
- (a) That cabinet approve the formal commencement of the procurement process
and issue OJEU contract notices in line with the contract packaging and procurement
routes detailed in paragraph 3.3, and (b) that officers submit reports on the
technical specifications for each of the contracts when the details are finalised.
)
769
(81) REVIEW OF SUPPORT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE
- The Head of Strategic Regeneration, Housing and Development submitted
a report which considered an action plan relating to the support for small businesses
in North Lincolnshire.
At
its meeting held on 19 March 2008, council had considered a report of the Economic
Development and Corporate Issues Scrutiny Panel in relation to a review of support
for small businesses in North Lincolnshire. The report had been referred
to cabinet which in turn had asked appropriate officers and members to produce
an action plan in response to the recommendations. Attached as an appendix
to the report were details of the recommendations together with the actions
proposed in relation to each.
Resolved
- That the action plan be approved and adopted.
)
770
(82) REVIEW OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICE PROVISION AND AREAS OF VULNERABILITY
- The Service Director Legal and Democratic submitted a report which considered
the recommendations of the Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny Panel in
relation to a review of domestic violence service provision and areas of vulnerability.
At
its meeting held on 24 September 2008, council had considered a report of the
Safer and Strong Communities Scrutiny Panel in relation to a review of domestic
violence service provision and areas of vulnerability. The report had
been approved by council and referred to cabinet for consideration of the recommendations
with a view to the preparation of an action plan.
The
report referred to the brief in relation to the review and attached as an appendix
were the detailed conclusions and recommendations. Cabinet was asked to
approve the recommendations and ask appropriate members, officers and other
agencies to prepare an action plan in response.
Resolved
- (a) That the report and recommendations be approved and adopted, and (b) that
the relevant officers and other agencies prepare an action plan in response
to the recommendations of the report for submission to a future meeting of cabinet.
)
771
RECYCLING OF WASTE - This matter was considered after the chair had decided
it was urgent because of the need to update members on important information
relating to recycling.
The
Deputy Leader referred to the anniversary of the council introducing the burgundy
bin for the recycling of plastics and cardboard. He informed cabinet that
the scheme had been an overwhelming success with over 3,200 tonnes of plastic
and 3,258 tonnes of cardboard recycled. This waste had been diverted from
landfill. He indicated that this was a great credit to the public of North
Lincolnshire and to the council's staff. North Lincolnshire Council was
one of the best recycling authorities in the Region and indeed in the United
Kingdom.
Resolved - That the report be noted.
Note: Reports are in Portable Document Format (PDF)
and therefore require a suitable reader to view them. A reader can be downloaded
free from the Adobe
website (full instructions for downloading the reader are provided on the
site).