Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors M Foster and P Parkin.

With the agreement of the Chair of Cabinet, Councillor J Kenyon contributed to the meeting virtually, through the electronic Conference Call system.  He did not participate in the decisions taken by Cabinet at the meeting.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest, not already on their register of interests, in any item on the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

To approve as a correct record and the Leader to sign the attached Minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 20 May 2021

The Minutes of the meeting held on 20 May 2021 were approved as a true record.

Report of Councillor A Dale, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Overall Strategic Leadership

RESOLVED -

That Cabinet noted the quarterly outturns against the Council Plan 2019-2023 targets.

REASONS FOR DECISION –

To inform Cabinet of progress against the Council Plan targets and to bring to its attention specific achievements and areas of concern. 

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED - No other options were considered.  The report provided information and an overview of performance against agreed targets. 

Please note that this was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers

Cabinet considered performance against the Council Plan targets for the fourth quarter of the 2020-21 financial year. Members heard how nearly half of the Plan targets had been on track to be achieved. They also heard that as a result of the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak, there had been less progress than expected on 25% of the targets.

Members discussed the performance information. Cabinet noted that the target ECO 20 - to ensure that tourism was a focus for the Economic Development Team - was overdue.  Members were reminded that this target was currently being reviewed as part of a wider assessment of the Housing Strategy and Economic Development Service. In this context, a revised staffing structure for this service was in the process of being developed and costed.

Cabinet also noted that the Planning Service did not achieve target ENV 05 - to carry out two proactive planning enforcement exercises during the year. Members were reminded that the Service had now received additional resources, which should enable it to carry out these enforcement exercises during the 2021-22 financial year.

Cabinet considered the overdue target SER 18 - to review the Council’s Petition Scheme. They noted how this target this would be addressed as part of the wider review of the Council’s Constitution. Any relevant amendments would be discussed by the Standards Committee and have to be agreed by Council.

RESOLVED - That Cabinet noted the quarterly outturns against the Council Plan 2019-2023 targets.

REASONS FOR DECISION – To inform Cabinet of progress against the Council Plan targets and to bring to its attention specific achievements and areas of concern. 

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED - No other options were considered.  The report provided information and an overview of performance against agreed targets. 

Report of Councillor A Powell, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Communities and Communications

RESOLVED -

(1)          That Cabinet agreed an external organisation be commissioned to deliver an outcome-based approach to support the Community and Voluntary Sector, for an initial period from 1^st October 2021 to 31^st March 2022.

(2)          That a further extension of the contract for this work into the 2022/23 financial year be permitted, subject to budget availability and regular three-month reviews to measure its impact.

REASONS FOR DECISION - To meet the emerging needs of the Community and Voluntary sector by providing adequate infrastructure support by commissioning a third party, to deliver on an outcome-based approach. This will provide the best value for money, enable the Council to have control over what is delivered and allow for a flexible approach to consider alternative delivery options, with other local authorities and partners.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED - The option of not providing this support to the Community and Voluntary Sector was considered but rejected for the reasons specified in the report.

Please note that this was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers

The report to Cabinet highlighted the requirement for specialist assistance to Voluntary and Community Sector groups in the District. In particular, the report proposed that an external organisation be commissioned to offer ‘Infrastructure Support’ (such as advice and assistance on governance arrangements and financial management) to them.

Members considered the report. They emphasised the important role which the Voluntary and Community Sector plays throughout the District. They reflected on the grant-aid which the Council had given to individual Voluntary and Community Organisations, what this grant aid had helped to deliver and the contribution made by these Groups towards achieving the Council Plan 2019-23 aims and objectives for the District. Cabinet also heard how the provision of this Infrastructure Support would help the Sector to recover more effectively following on from the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak. Members welcomed this.

Cabinet was informed that the external organisation would initially be contracted for six months.  If it was successful then this arrangement could be extended. Cabinet endorsed the suggested approach.

RESOLVED -

(1)          That Cabinet agreed an external organisation be commissioned to deliver an outcome-based approach to support the Community and Voluntary Sector, for an initial period from 1^st October 2021 to 31^st March 2022.

(2)          That a further extension of the contract for this work into the 2022/23 financial year be permitted, subject to budget availability and regular three-month reviews to measure its impact.

REASONS FOR DECISION - To meet the emerging needs of the Community and Voluntary sector by providing adequate infrastructure support by commissioning a third party, to deliver on an outcome-based approach. This will provide the best value for money, enable the Council to have control over what is delivered and allow for a flexible approach to consider alternative delivery options, with other local authorities and partners.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED - The option of not providing this support to the Community and Voluntary Sector was considered but rejected for the reasons specified in the report.

Report of Councillor J Kenyon, Portfolio Holders for Leisure, Transformation and Climate Change, and Councillor A Powell, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Communities and Communications.

RESOLVED -

1)        That Cabinet noted progress made in delivering the successful Business Energy and Industrial Strategy Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery, 1a, 1b and 2 programmes.

(2)          That Cabinet noted the proposed Vision Derbyshire Collaboration Project, to deliver large scale Climate Change interventions across the County.

REASONS FOR DECISION - To enable further improvements to be made to non-traditional built housing, in order to reduce Carbon emissions.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED - The option of doing nothing was considered but rejected as not in the interests of the Council or the District. Taking further action to reduce Carbon emissions, through the improvements to the existing housing stock made possible by the Greens Homes Grant, will both make a significant contribution to achieving the Climate Change objectives of the Council Plan 2019-23 and also benefit the residents of the homes which are improved.

Please note that this was not a Key Decision and so can be implemented with immediate effect by officers

Members received an update report on the improvements which the Council had made to its housing stock across the District, through funding from the Green Homes Grant scheme. The report also explained the proposed ‘Vision Derbyshire’ Collaboration Project and its aim to deliver large scale climate change interventions across the County.

Cabinet discussed the update. As part of this, Members considered the work which had taken place in partnership with Rykneld Homes Limited (RHL) to install external wall insulation to Council owned ‘Hard to Treat’ (HTT), ex-mining homes.

Cabinet highlighted the benefits of these improvements. Members emphasised how the better insulation would help to reduce heating costs for residents. Members also welcomed the significant reduction in Carbon emissions because of the better insulation and how this would help the Council in tackling locally the Climate Emergency.

Cabinet was informed about the work which the Local Authority Energy Partnership (LAEP) to develop and deliver a large County-wide energy efficiency project on behalf of all the Derbyshire District and Borough Councils.  Cabinet supported this work and highlighted the potential economic and other benefits which a successful County-wide energy efficiency project could help to stimulate.

RESOLVED -

1)        That Cabinet noted progress made in delivering the successful Business Energy and Industrial Strategy Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery, 1a, 1b and 2 programmes.

(2)          That Cabinet noted the proposed Vision Derbyshire Collaboration Project, to deliver large scale Climate Change interventions across the County.

REASONS FOR DECISION - To enable further improvements to be made to non-traditional built housing, in order to reduce Carbon emissions.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED - The option of doing nothing was considered but rejected as not in the interests of the Council or the District. Taking further action to reduce Carbon emissions, through the improvements to the existing housing stock made possible by the Greens Homes Grant, will both make a significant contribution to achieving the Climate Change objectives of the Council Plan 2019-23 and also benefit the residents of the homes which are improved.

Report of Councillor A Powell, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Communities and Communications

                                                                                                                  Key Decision

RESOLVED -

(1)       Cabinet noted the Rykneld Homes Limited (RHL) Business Plan 2021 – 2024.

(2)       Cabinet supported a 6-monthly review of the RHL Business Plan 2021 – 2024.

(3)          Cabinet agreed that the review and update of the RHL Business Plan 2021 – 2024 be undertaken when the updated Management Agreement between the Council and RHL is in place.

REASONS FOR DECISION - The Council and Rykneld Homes Limited are working in partnership to agree the future management agreement between them. It would be appropriate to review and update the RHL Business Plan 2021 – 2024 in light of the new management arrangement to ensure a fit for purpose Business Plan.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED - The option for RHL not to develop a Business Plan was considered but rejected. It would not be appropriate to seek to manage the housing service without an up to date business plan.

This is a Key Decision.  The call-in period for the decision will run until Friday 18 June 2021.

The report to Cabinet informed Members that Rykneld Homes Limited (RHL) had produced a Business Plan for 2021-2024 period.  In this context, Cabinet heard how the Coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak had caused significant uncertainty for RHL in terms of business planning and in ensuring that the right priorities had been identified.  The report recommended, therefore, that the Business Plan ought to be reviewed. It recommended that this review should be carried out once the new Management Agreement between the Council and the company was in place.

Members discussed the RHL Business Plan. At the conclusion of the discussion there was a consensus that a review of the Business Plan would be valuable and should be supported along the lines set out in the report.

RESOLVED -

(1)       Cabinet noted the Rykneld Homes Limited (RHL) Business Plan 2021 – 2024.

(2)       Cabinet supported a 6-monthly review of the RHL Business Plan 2021 – 2024.

(3)          Cabinet agreed that the review and update of the RHL Business Plan 2021 – 2024 be undertaken when the updated Management Agreement between the Council and RHL is in place.

REASONS FOR DECISION - The Council and Rykneld Homes Limited are working in partnership to agree the future management agreement between them. It would be appropriate to review and update the RHL Business Plan 2021 – 2024 in light of the new management arrangement to ensure a fit for purpose Business Plan.

OTHER OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND REJECTED - The option for RHL not to develop a Business Plan was considered but rejected. It would not be appropriate to seek to manage the housing service without an up to date business plan.

To consider any other matter which the Leader is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency, in accordance with the provisions of Statutory Instrument 2012 No 2089, Regulation 11.

There were no urgent items.

The Leader to move:-

That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following items of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006).  [The category of exempt information is stated after each item].

Private Session

RESOLVED – That the public be excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the following item(s) of business to avoid the disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006). 

                                                  Joint Director of Environment and Enforcement

                                                                                                      (Paragraph 4)

Cabinet received an update on the contingency planning arrangements that were now ongoing at a regional and national level to help combat the outbreak of the Coronavirus (Covid-19).

(Paragraph 4)

To consider any other matter which the Leader is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency, in accordance with the provisions of Statutory Instrument 2012 No 2089, Regulations 5 and 11.

There were no urgent items.