Solihull Council

Comments

074Cab03

Proposed Response to the Provisional 2003/04 Settlement

The Cabinet approved the proposed response, as detailed in the report.

To consider the proposed response to the provisional 2003/04 finance settlement.

15 January 2003

075Cab03

Single Capital Pot Allocation 2003/04

The Cabinet:-

(i)             noted the Single Capital Pot Allocations for 2003/04,

(ii)            approved the direct allocations to Transport, Education and Housing;

(iii)           approved the ring-fenced allocations to Social Services and Leisure to be prioritised through the project appraisal system;

(iv)           approved the allocation of £1.035m to be allocated through the Capital Project Appraisal System,

(v)           approved the proposed amendments to the Project Appraisal System contained in Appendix A to the report;

(vi)           approved the process for gathering projects for allocation through the Capital Project Appraisal System;

(vii)          approved the Capital rephasing detailed at Appendix B to the report,          

(viii)         approved the asset charge virement as detailed in Appendix C to the report,

(ix)           approved the proposals put forward for the Management of the Capital Programme from 2004/05.    

To inform Cabinet of:-

- the Single Capital Pot allocation for 2003/04,

- the allocations to services under the approved strategy,

- the proposed amendments to the project appraisal system,

- the proposed sum for allocation through the project appraisal system;

- the rephasing of the 2002/03 capital programme,

- asset charge virements required for the current year, and

- a proposed approach to managing the capital programme from 2004/05 onwards.

15 January 2003

076Cab03

2003/04 Education Service Budget - Schools Block

The Cabinet approved the provisional Schools Block budget for 2003/04 as required by legislation at the level recommended by the DfES of £98.358M including specific formula grant.

To ask Cabinet to approve a provisional Schools Block Budget as required by legislation.

15 January 2003

077Cab03

Local Strategic Partnership and Community Strategy    

The Cabinet noted progress to date and endorsed the next stage of work as detailed in the report.       

To inform the Cabinet of progress and seek endorsement for the development of the LSP and Community Strategy.

15 January 2003

078Cab03

Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA)

The Cabinet authorised the Leader, Deputy Leader, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board,  Opposition Leaders and CMT to conduct the CPA improvement planning negotiations at Roundtable 3, with the Audit Commission.

The next stage of CPA involves negotiating an improvement plan with the Audit Commission.  The 2003/2004 Corporate Plan will contain our priorities and planned improvements.  Negotiations with the Audit Commission will take place at a 3rd Roundtable.  Previous Roundtables have been attended by the Leader, Deputy Leader, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board, Opposition Leaders and CMT.  It is proposed to continue with this arrangement for Roundtable 3.

15 January 2003

079Cab03

Health and Social Care Partnership Board

The Cabinet:-

[a]  approved the Joint Working Protocol on the establishment of a  Health and Social Care Partnership Board consistent with decisions of the Cabinet Portfolio holder for  Social Care  & Health of 17 December 2002 and  as approved by the Primary Care Trust Board on 18 December 2002;

[b]  approved the signing of the Section 31 agreement and its submission to the Department of Health to give effect to the protocol not later than 31 March 2003

To deliver a key task within the Social Services Performance Plan and to establish a Partnership Board with the Primary Care Trust to manage the development of the Health Act flexibilities  and greater integration between health and social care services preparatory to a possible Care Trust should this be formally agreed between the Council and the PCT as the most appropriate way forward.

[Note: the establishment of a Health and Social Care Partnership Board has received support from the Housing, Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Board.]

15 January 2003

080Cab03

Solihull's Local Public Service Agreement

The Cabinet confirmed Solihull's intention to enter into a Local Public Service Agreement in Tranche 11.

To note the key features of Local Public Service Agreements and Solihull's

Agree for Solihull to negotiate an LPSA in Tranche 11 between May and July 2003

To receive a further report outlining the proposed detailed targets to be included in the LPSA for cabinet approval

15 January 2003

081Cab03

LEO Focus Area - Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment

The Cabinet approved the policy/programme decisions from the revised Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment (NRA) for delivery within LEO Focus Area programme.

To present findings of the revised Neighbourhood Renewal Assessment (NRA) study within Lyndon, Elmdon & Olton (LEO) Focus Area programme.

15 January 2003

082Cab03

Regulatory Reform Order 2002

The Cabinet acknowledged the revisions made to the renovation grants programme and approved the Solihull renovation  and assistance policy document.

To adhere to the national statutory reform order relating to the delivery of renovation grants, inclusive of the requirement to have a publicised policy document that identifys local grant provision.

15 January 2003

083Cab03

Commissioning of Loan Providing Agent

The Cabinet approved the commissioning of ART Homes as the loan providing agent for the authority, with the loan programme piloted within the LEO Focus Area programme.

To meet requirements of the Regulatory Refrom Order 2002 which asks Local Authorities diversify and ensure that loan provision is an integral part of renovation grant assistance.

15 January 2003

084Cab03

Re-thinking Construction - Property Services Team

The Cabinet:-

i)              Noted the approach to the Re-thinking Construction                 Initiative.

ii)             approved the proposals for applying the Egan                 principles for construction partnering to the Resources                 Directorate's property maintenance works programme   for day to day repairs and the mechanical and                 electrical elements of planned works.

iii)             agreed to receive a further report in six months time on                 progress with extending the adoption of the Egan                 Principles. 

                Note the approach to introducing the use of "Re-     thinking Construction Principles" (Egan Principles).

ii)             Approve proposals to extend the application of Egan        Principles for construction Partnering into elements of                 the Resource Directorate's property maintenance                 programme.

15 January 2003

085Cab03

North Solihull Regeneration Company

The Cabinet:-

i) endorsed the approach to the development of the North Solihull Regeneration Company through the initiative of the European procurement process

ii)  delegated the approval of the OJEC notice to the Strategic Director (Physical and Economic Regeneration) in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the two Opposition Leaders.

To approve the development of a North Solihull Regeneration Company to implement an integrated approach to the physical, economic and social regeneration of North Solihull

15 January 2003

086Cab03

Council Strategic Objectives and Local Public Service Agreement

The Cabinet:-

(i)  approved the proposed initial list of Strategic Objectives and Step Change Improvement Priorities; and

(ii) agreed that the Chief Executive be instructed to present to Cabinet on 4 February 2003 the Strategic Objectives and Step Changes.

To agree the Council Strategic Objectives and Step Change improvement priorities and a basis for negotiating the LPSA.

15 January 2003

087Cab03

West Midlands Local Transport Plan

The Cabinet:-

(i) noted the LTP settlement, and that the final details would not be available until the West Midlands Planning and Transportation Sub-Committee, and the West Midlands Joint Committee, had considered the relevant issues; and

(ii) subject to confirmation of funding by the West Midlands Joint committee, approved the programme of local safety schemes and other improvement works for the year 2003/04 as detailed in the report.

To report to Members the Secretary of State’s decision on the LTP Annual Progress Report 2002 and transport capital funding for 2003/04, and seek approval to a suggested programme of local safety schemes and other improvement works for 2003/04.

15 January 2003

088Cab03

Forward Plan

The Cabinet noted the Forward Plan for the next 4 Months.

To note the Forward Plan which the Leader of the Council will formally approve following the Cabinet meeting.

15 January 2003

089Cab03

Roll out of Solihull Connect to Chelmsley Wood

The Cabinet approved Phase One of the Connect service to be provided initially from Chelmsley Wood Area Housing office pending the redevelopment of Chelmsley Wood Town Centre when a full Connect service would be provided.

To consider the financing of a Solihull Connect service Chelmsley Wood in 2003.

15 January 2003

Private

090Cab03

Initial phase of Partnering Work

The Cabinet:-

(i)             Received the views of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Board from its meetings on the 21st November 2002 and 2nd January 2003.

(ii)            Noted the timetable and the approach to the legal agreement that has been developed.

(iii)           Agreed to defer a decision on whether to  proceed with Phase 2 of the review programme until the Cabinet Meeting on 14 January 2003.

To agree the scope and framework for the work of the Strategic Partnering project teams.

15 January 2003

Private