Agenda, decisions and minutes

To note any apologies for absence.

No apologies were made at the meeting. 

To confirm and sign the minutes of the cabinet meeting held on 13 December 2017 (minutes attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2017 were agreed and signed as a correct record of that meeting.

To  declare any pecuniary or personal interests relating to specific matters on the agenda.

Please see note (1) at the end of the agenda

No declarations of interest were made at the meeting.

Up to 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

Written questions

To answer any written questions from a County Councillor, (or any person living or working in the county, or is affected by the work of the County Council), about any matter which relates to any item on the agenda for this meeting.

The closing date for the receipt of written questions is 4.00 pm on Thursday 25 January 2018

Oral questions

To answer any oral questions from members of the public. An oral question may be asked by a member of the public about any item on the agenda for this meeting, provided notice of the question is given by the questioner to the Chief Executive’s representative at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the meeting.

Depending on the nature of the questions, it may not be possible to provide a comprehensive answer at the meeting, in which case a written answer will be provided as soon as reasonably possible after the meeting. Questions received and proposed responses will not accompany this agenda but will be circulated prior to the meeting.

Public Questions

No public questions were considered.

Member Questions

A total of 13 member questions were submitted in advance of the meeting.

Please refer to the link below to view the responses to the questions: -

http://192.168.220.171:9071/documents/b13926/Member%20Questions%20and%20Responses%20Wednesday%2031-Jan-2018%2010.00%20Cabinet.pdf?T=9

If unable to access the document at the link above, please go to the link below and select the ‘Cabinet Questions and Answers’ PDF document at the top of the web page: - 

http://192.168.220.171:9071/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=117&MId=8897&Ver=4

The following supplementary questions were asked at the meeting.

Question 1: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson

Agenda item 5: Recommendation to Council – Council Strategy and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2018-19 to 2020-2021

Cllr Hodgkinson clarified that his question related specifically to rates of pay and asked if the Cabinet Member would commit to paying social workers at the regional rate of pay?

Response by: Cllr Richard Boyles - Cabinet Member for Finance and Change

Cllr Boyles stated that the council was undertaking a review of pay, including the package/offer to social care staff to ensure the council was a good place to work. Cllr Boyles informed members he was awaiting for a report from the Director of Children’s Services and confirmed that the council currently paid the regional rate of pay, whilst other councils chose to offer different incentives.

Question 3: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson

Agenda item 5: Recommendation to Council – Council Strategy and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2018-19 to 2020-2021

Cllr Hodgkinson stated, a ‘”cut was a cut”. What the budget proposed was a 10.6 % cut in the mental health budget, (within public health). Despite a 13% cut in sexual health services, Cllr Harman appeared to suggest there had been no impact on the county. If this was the case, why was the cabinet member proposing to spend an extra 13.6% when he didn’t need to?

Response by: Cllr Tim Harman - Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities

Cllr Harman reiterated the council’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable people in the community. What was shown in the budget was the total spend in mental health services, one element of what was the public health budget.

Noting the complexities of public health funding and referring to the response to a question from Cllr Iain Dobie at the Health and Wellbeing Board meeting on 23 January 2018, the cabinet member confirmed that the health sector’s spending on mental health, (in real terms), had increased each year since 2015/16.

Cllr Harman informed members that a councillor briefing would be held in the Council Chamber on 21 February 2018. The briefing would provide an opportunity for members to gain a better understanding of Public Mental Health.  

Cllr Harman stated he was confident efficiencies in the council’s sexual health services provided good value for money.

Question 4: Cllr Paul Hodgkinson

Agenda item 5: Recommendation to Council – Council Strategy and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) 2018-19 to 2020-2021

Cllr Hodgkinson referred to the ‘extra hike’ in council tax and questioned why the cabinet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To seek approval for recommendation to Council, the Council Strategy, the detailed Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), and the final Revenue and Capital Budget 2018-19.

The decision to take into account the outcomes of the formal budget consultation and the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, (following approval by the Scrutiny Management Committee on 24 January 2018).

Cllr Patrick Molyneux, (Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee), to present the scrutiny management committee’s observations and recommended budget priorities.

Cllr Ray Theodoulou, Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, presented the Draft Council Strategy and Medium Term Financial Strategy, (MTFS), 2018-19 to 2020-21, (including the proposed Revenue and Capital Budget 2018-19), for recommendation to Council.

Having considered all of the information, including the outcomes of the council’s formal budget consultation, the due regard statement for the decision and recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, Cabinet noted the decision report and the reasons for the recommendations and,

RESOLVED to: -

1.    Note the outcome of the budget consultation as set out in Appendix 3 of the report and the report of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee (OSMC) in Appendix 4;

2.    Approve the Draft Council Strategy for submission to County Council (Appendix 1);

3.    Approve changes to the draft budget as set out in Section C of the report, and approve the MTFS and final revenue and capital budget for 2018/19 for recommendation to Council, including all of the proposals set out in the annexes of the detailed MTFS (Appendix 2);

4.   Note the schools funding, the provisional local government finance settlement and forecast reserve movements, as summarised in the decision report and as set out in the MTFS, and recommend to Council a revenue budget of £412.90 million, and a band D council tax of £1,232.21, and consequential precepts on District Councils;

5.   Note that Gloucestershire had been successful in becoming a Business Rate Retention pilot in 2018/19 and propose that the additional revenue be split between Children’s Social Care (£2.6 million) and Adult Social Care (£2 million).

6.   Approve, for recommendation to Council, the Treasury Management Strategy, Investment Strategy and Prudential Indicators, as set out in Section I of the decision report and Annex 10 of the detailed MTFS.

7.   Approve, for recommendation to Council, the Risk Management Policy Statement & Strategy, as set out in Section M of the decision report and Annex 11 of the detailed MTFS.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, Leader of the Council, introduced the item before inviting Cllr Patrick Molyneux, as Chairman of the Gloucestershire Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, to present the scrutiny committee’s findings and Cllr Ray Theodoulou, Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, to present the Draft Council Strategy and Medium Term Financial Strategy, (MTFS), 2018-19 to 2020-21, (including Revenue and Capital Budget 2018-19), for recommendation to Council.

Cllr Molyneux informed members that a very successful scrutiny workshop day had been held on 10 January 2018, with scrutiny members invited to provide input on the budget areas for their respective committees. The new arrangement had worked well and had been very useful in identifying key themes for cabinet to consider before making its final budget recommendations to council on 14 February 2018.

It was suggested a similar arrangement be built into the council’s budget process for next year.

Cllr Molyneux stated that the information within the scrutiny committee report had reflected the information that had been available at that time but had subsequently, been subject to several key Government announcements which would now need to be taken into account, including the announcement that the council had been accepted to take part in a national 100% Business Rates Retention Pilot Scheme.

Presenting an overview of the proposals that had been agreed by the Scrutiny Management Committee at its meeting on 24 January 2018, Cllr Molyneux informed members that a key area for consideration was the Children and Families Budget, which had been identified as an area of high risk. Cllr Molyneux stated that, whilst welcoming the investment proposed for this area, scrutiny members had requested that cabinet further consider whether the proposed budget was sufficient to meet the additional demand placed on children’s services and to ensure continued investment in the Ofsted Improvement Plan following an inadequate Ofsted Inspection in 2017.

Other considerations included a request that the Mental Health Budget within Public Health be protected, (i.e. not reduced by the £32,000 outlined within the draft budget proposal), and for the allocation of Highways Local funding to be increased from the base budget position of £10,000 per member to reflect the £30,000 allocation that had been provided in previous years. Following a lengthy discussion on the proposal, the scrutiny committee had suggested that the Environment and Communities Scrutiny Committee might want to undertake a piece of work of the effectiveness of the Highways Local Scheme before consideration of next years’ budget, and this was noted.  

Another proposal was for the spending from the one off funding received from the 100% business rates retention pilot to be targeted towards the most vulnerable people within Gloucestershire.

Cllr Molyneux was thanked for his report and for the work of the scrutiny committee.  

Cllr Theodoulou referred to the public consultation that had been undertaken in December 2017, following approval of the draft budget and the MTFS, and the proposal of a total revenue budget of £407m and council tax increase of 1.99%, plus adult social care  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To note the responses to the draft consultation and proposed changes before making recommendations to Council on the publication of the Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire (2018-2032), for submission to the Secretary of State. 

Please refer to the link below to view the detailed Minerals Local Plan Document:-

http://192.168.220.171:9071/ieIssueDetails.aspx?IId=25185&PlanId=0&Opt=3#AI19476

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Fire, Planning and Infrastructure, presented the responses to the draft consultation and proposed changes to the detailed Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire (2018-2032) for recommendation to Council and submission to the Secretary of State. 

http://192.168.220.171:9071/ieIssueDetails.aspx?IId=25185&PlanId=0&Opt=3#AI19476

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals and the reasons for the recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to recommend that the Council:-

a)    Note the consideration given to the consultation representations made to the draft Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire (2018 – 2032) and the proposed changes to the plan. (Details of the representations made, the responses provided and proposed changes have been made available separately and can be review via the relevant County Council web pages accessed from: -  http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/planning-and-environment/planning-policy/minerals-local-plan-for-gloucestershire/

b)    Approve the Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire (2018 – 2032) (attached at Appendix 1);

c)    Authorise the Commissioning Director: Communities & Infrastructure in consultation with Cabinet Member for Fire, Planning and Infrastructure to make minor amendments to the Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire (2018 – 2032) (attached at Appendix 1) and any accompanying documents prior to its publication in accordance with the requirements set out under regulations 19 of the Town and Country Planning (England) (Local Planning) Regulations 2012;

d)    Authorise the Commissioning Director: Communities & Infrastructure in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Fire, Planning and Infrastructure to publish for inspection the Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire (2018 – 2032) in accordance with the requirements set out under regulations 19 and 35 of the Town and Country Planning (England) (Local Planning) Regulations 2012;

e)    Authorise the Commissioning Director: Communities & Infrastructure in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Fire, Planning and Infrastructure to receive any representations made to the published Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire (2018 – 2032), to make any minor corrections and clarifications as necessary, and decide whether to submit the plan to the Secretary of State for independent examination;  

f)     Authorise the Commissioning Director: Communities & Infrastructure in consultation with Cabinet Member for Fire, Planning and Infrastructure to submit the Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire (2018 – 2032) and supporting information to the Secretary of State in accordance with the requirements set out under regulation 22 of the Town and Country Planning (England) (Local Planning) Regulations 2012;

g)    Authorise the Commissioning Director: Communities & Infrastructure to make all necessary arrangements and preparations for the independent examination for the Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire (2018 – 2032) including: - the appointment of a Programme Officer; the undertaking and / or commissioning of other work as necessary to prepare for and participate at the public examination; and the appointment of officers and other commissioned experts to prepare and submit evidence to the independent examination and where necessary, appear at any hearing sessions to represent the County Council; and

h)    Authorise the Commissioning Director: Communities & Infrastructure in consultation with Cabinet Member for Fire, Planning and Infrastructure to make any changes to the Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire 2018 – 2032 and supporting information as guided  ...  view the full decision text for item 6.

Cllr Nigel Moor, Cabinet Member for Fire, Planning and Infrastructure, presented the responses to the draft public consultation and details of changes to the detailed Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire (2018-2032) for recommendation to Council and submission to the Secretary of State. 

As the Minerals Planning Authority for Gloucestershire, the County Council has a statutory duty to prepare a minerals local development plan for the county. When adopted, the plan provides the policy framework for making decisions on planning applications for mineral development, including extraction, on-site infrastructure and processing plant. The current minerals local plan was last adopted in 2003. 

Cllr Moor explained how vital it was to have an up to date plan. He advised that a draft plan had undergone public consultation in 2016, for which there had been several subsequent revisions, including the removal of a local policy on oil and gas extraction. The proposed plan identified 7 possible sites for aggregate work in the Forest of Dean and Cotswold Districts.

Referencing the work of the cross party cabinet panel established in 2017, Cllr Moor confirmed that, with no active licensed areas proposed for Gloucestershire, there was no requirement to provide a local policy framework to cover proposals for oil and gas exploration in Gloucestershire at this time.

Should this position change and the need arise to consider the impact of onshore licensing arrangements in the future, the matter would be addressed by a partial review of the Minerals Local Plan to cover proposals for oil and gas development. Cllr Moor said that, although this was not expected, the council would be ready, should the situation arise.

Cllr Moor commended the work of officers and in responding to issues when they arose. Cllr Moor proposed that the draft minerals local plan be considered for approval by full council, (at the February council meeting), and submitted to the Secretary of State later in the year. Following examination by an Independent Inspector, it was anticipated the plan would be adopted in 2019.

The estimated costs of the examination, (£150k), would be covered by the Minerals and Local Waste Plan Reserve, for which an amount had been set aside for this purpose. 

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals and the reasons for the recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to recommend that the Council:-

a)    Note the consideration given to the consultation representations made to the draft Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire (2018 – 2032) and the proposed changes to the plan. (Details of the representations made, the responses provided and proposed changes have been made available separately and can be review via the relevant County Council web pages accessed from: -  http://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/planning-and-environment/planning-policy/minerals-local-plan-for-gloucestershire/

b)    Approve the Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire (2018 – 2032) (attached at Appendix 1);

c)    Authorise the Commissioning Director: Communities & Infrastructure in consultation with Cabinet Member for Fire, Planning and Infrastructure to make minor amendments to the Minerals Local Plan for Gloucestershire (2018 – 2032) (attached at Appendix 1) and any accompanying  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To receive an update on the year-end forecast for the Council Revenue and Capital Budgets for the year end 2017-18.

Cllr Ray Theodoulou, Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, gave an update on the year end forecast for the 2017-18 County Council’s Revenue and Capital Budgets.  

Having considered all of the information, known proposals and the reasons for the recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to: -

1)    Note the forecast revenue year end position as at the end of November 2017 for the 2017/18 financial year of a net £0.036 million overspend;

2)    Approve the creation of a “Minimum Wage” Reserve, and the transfer of £1 million from the revenue Adult Social Care budgets into the reserve;

3)    Note the proposed draw down of £0.325 million from the Gloucestershire Business Rates Pool Reserve as approved by the Gloucestershire Economic Growth Joint Committee (GEGJC) under delegated powers;

4)    Note the forecast capital year end position as at the end of November 2017 of £109.277 million against a re-profiled budget of £106.864 million, resulting from additional planned scheme spend of £2.168 million with additional funding expected to be confirmed within the next month;

5)    Note the transfer of a £0.03 million revenue contribution to capital from the previously approved Lock House drainage scheme,(which is no longer required), to the Slimbridge Drainage Scheme;

6)    Approve the revenue contribution to capital of £0.150 million from the revenue Catering budget to the school Kitchen Upgrade capital scheme;

7)    Approve the revenue contribution to capital of £0.063 million from the revenue Capital Maintenance budget towards the Archives capital project budget;

8)    Approve the addition of £0.141 million developer contributions to the Shurdington Primary School scheme and the transfer of £0.141 million Basic Need Grant to the unallocated Basic Need Grant budget;

9)    Approve the allocation of £0.208 million s106 contribution towards a new classroom block at Cirencester Deer Park School;

10)Approves the addition of £0.139 million developer contributions to the Cleeve School scheme;

11)Approve a new scheme for an outdoor learning facility at Mitton Manor Primary School, funded by £0.026 million developer contribution;

12)Approve an increase of £6.345 million in the Highways Capital budget funded from a variety of sources as outlined in the report;

13)Approves an additional increase of £0.04 million to the Archives capital project budget funded from a donation from Gloucestershire Diocese;

14)Approves a new scheme for a Wi-Fi and study area at Cheltenham Library funded by £0.016 million developer contribution;

15)Notes the overall increase to the Capital programme taking into account the above changes of £7.128 million.

Cllr Ray Theodoulou, Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, gave an update on the year end forecast for the 2017-18 County Council’s Revenue and Capital Budgets.  Cllr Theodoulou reported a small overspend for the forecast revenue year end position of £0.036 million.

The following key variances were noted: -.

Adult Social Care

Reporting a year end underspend within the Adult Social Care Budget, (following use of the Adult Social Care Levy and Adult Social Care Support Grant), Cllr Theodoulou proposed a ‘Minimum Wage Reserve’ be created, and transfer of £1m from the revenue Adult Social Care Budgets. The reserve would be used to address backdated sleeping in allowances.

Children and Families

Cllr Theodoulou reported a forecast overspend of £9.32 million. He stated that this position had been prior to applying £3.05 million from the Vulnerable Children’s Reserve, which, when applied, had reduced the overspend to £6.27 million. Cllr Theodoulou confirmed that the Children & Families forecast had decreased by £0.11 since last reported, largely due to fewer commitments within disability services.

Members noted that the current financial pressures were mainly due to the impact of an increased number of children coming into care and increasing pressures within the external agency placement and safeguarding budgets. It was noted that the number of children coming into care had increased from 479 in April 2014 to 650 in December 2017. 

Technical and Cross Cutting

Financial pressures within the Children & Families Budget were currently being offset by positive variances within corporate budgets. In making his recommendations, Cllr Theodoulou requested cabinet note the proposed transfer of £0.325 million from the Gloucestershire Business Rate Pool Reserve that had been approved by Gloucestershire Economic Growth Joint Committee (GEGJC) under delegated powers.

Capital

Cllr Theodoulou reported a forecast capital year end position of £109.032 million against a re-profiled budget of £106.864 million. Referring to the revenue contributions and external contributions outlined within the covering report, Cllr Theodoulou requested cabinet approve increases totalling £7.128 million.

Cllr Theodoulou referred to the due regard statement that accompanied the report and confirmed that the areas of major revenue risk to the council related to the care of the most vulnerable children and adults within the community. He informed members that current pressures on these demand-led budget areas continued to be subject to significant volatility arising from significant changes in numbers and care needs.

Having considered all of the information, known proposals and the reasons for the recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to: -

1)    Note the forecast revenue year end position as at the end of November 2017 for the 2017/18 financial year of a net £0.036 million overspend;

2)    Approve the creation of a “Minimum Wage” Reserve, and the transfer of £1 million from the revenue Adult Social Care budgets into the reserve;

3)    Note the proposed draw down of £0.325 million from the Gloucestershire Business Rates Pool Reserve as approved by the Gloucestershire Economic Growth Joint Committee (GEGJC) under delegated powers;

4)    Note the forecast capital year  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To seek approval for the award of 2 year contract extensions to the council’s current outsourced ICT and SAP managed service providers.

Cllr Ray Theodoulou, Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, sought approval to award 2 year contract extensions to the council’s current outsourced ICT and SAP managed service providers.  

Having considered all of the information, known proposals and the reasons for the recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to: -

1) Delegate authority to the Chief Fire Officer and Operations Director to exercise the option to extend the ICT support contract for 2 years from April 2019 to March 2021, and

2) Delegate authority to the Director of Strategic Finance to exercise the option to extend the SAP support contract from April 2019 to March 2021 and to negotiate the terms and conditions when extending the SAP support contract.

Cllr Ray Theodoulou, Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, proposed that the council’s current outsourced ICT and SAP managed service contracts be extended for a further 2 years, following expiry of the contracts in March 2019.  

Having considered all of the information, known proposals and the reasons for the recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to: -

1) Delegate authority to the Chief Fire Officer and Operations Director to exercise the option to extend the ICT support contract for 2 years from April 2019 to March 2021, and

2) Delegate authority to the Director of Strategic Finance to exercise the option to extend the SAP support contract from April 2019 to March 2021 and to negotiate the terms and conditions when extending the SAP support contract.

To seek approval for the award of contracts for the provision of accommodation and community based support services.

Cllr Roger Wilson, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Commissioning, sought approval to award contracts for the provision of accommodation and community based support services. 

Having considered all of the information, known proposals and the reasons for the recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to: -

Authorise the Director of Public Health to direct award 18 month contracts to each of the current providers of accommodation and community based support services listed in Appendix 1 to the decision report. Each contract to commence on 1st October 2018 for an initial term of 6 months and contain two options to extend for up to a further 6 months in each case.

Cllr Roger Wilson, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Commissioning, proposed the award of 18 contracts for the provision of accommodation and community based support services, following expiry of the contracts in September 2018.

Cllr Wilson reported a number of legislative changes that had affected the council’s support for people in vulnerable circumstances and suggested that this might provide an opportunity for the council to consider the findings of consultations on children’s social care and preventing homelessness. 

Having considered all of the information, known proposals and the reasons for the recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to: -

Authorise the Director of Public Health to direct award 18 month contracts to each of the current providers of accommodation and community based support services listed in Appendix 1 to the decision report. Each contract to commence on 1st October 2018 for an initial term of 6 months and contain two options to extend for up to a further 6 months in each case.

To seek approval to extend the Section 75 Agreement between the County Council and the Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group.

Cllr Roger Wilson, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Commissioning, sought approval to extend the Section 75 Agreement between Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) and the Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (GCCG) for a further two years.

Having considered all of the information, known proposals and the reasons for the recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to: -

Authorise the Commissioning Director: Adults (and DASS), in consultation with the Director of Public Health and the Director: Strategic Finance todispense with the need to give notice under clause 2.3.1 of the Agreement and, with the agreement of the GCCG:

1.    To extend the Agreement for the period 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019; and then, 

2.    At the same time, to further extend the Agreement for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020.

Cllr Roger Wilson, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Commissioning, sought approval to extend the Section 75 Agreement between Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) and the Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (GCCG) for a further two years. Seeking an extension of the joint commissioning arrangements until March 2020, Cllr Wilson confirmed that the current value of the Agreement was approximately £140m per annum.  

Having considered all of the information, known proposals and the reasons for the recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to: -

Authorise the Commissioning Director: Adults (and DASS), in consultation with the Director of Public Health and the Director: Strategic Finance todispense with the need to give notice under clause 2.3.1 of the Agreement and, with the agreement of the GCCG:

1.    To extend the Agreement for the period 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019; and then, 

2.    At the same time, to further extend the Agreement for the period 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020.

To consider the disposal of properties and sites deemed surplus to requirement in line with the Policy for the Disposal of Property.

Please note: this report contains both exempt and non-exempt information.

To discuss the exempt information contained in the appendices to the published report, consideration must first be given to whether the public should be excluded from the meeting by passing the following resolution: -

In accordance with Regulation 4(2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the public to be excluded from the meeting for this item of business because it is likely that, if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12 A to the Act, and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information to the public.

Cllr Ray Theodoulou, Cabinet Member: Finance and Change, sought approval of the Schedule of Disposals proposed to meet the three year ‘Meeting the Challenge 2’ capital receipt target of £60 million covering the period 2015/16 to 2017/18. 

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals and the reasons for the recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and, in line with the council’s Policy for the Disposal of Property: 

RESOLVED to: 

1)    Confirm that those sites described at Appendix A (Exempt) which have previously been declared surplus by Cabinet in September 2017 and not yet disposed of, continue to be declared surplus to requirements

2)    Declare the sites listed on the proposed Schedule of Disposals Appendix B (Exempt) surplus to the Council’s land and property requirements,

and in relation to both of these schedules, delegate authority to the Head of Property Services to dispose of the sites in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Change.

Prior to the discussion, members were advised that, should Cabinet wish to discuss the contents of the exempt information reported in Appendix A and Appendix B of the decision report, consideration would need to be given as to whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting in accordance with Regulation 4(2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

Cabinet agreed to consider the item without making reference to the exempt information.

Cllr Ray Theodoulou, Cabinet Member: Finance and Change, sought approval of the Schedule of Disposals proposed to meet the three year ‘Meeting the Challenge 2’ capital receipt target of £60 million covering the period 2015/16 to 2017/18. 

Responding to the announcement that the council had achieved £40m in completed sales from April 2015 to March 2017, cabinet members commended the success of programme and the merits of recycling the council’s assets to reinvest in protecting the vulnerable people within the county.

Having considered all of the information, including known proposals and the reasons for the recommendations, Cabinet noted the report and, in line with the council’s Policy for the Disposal of Property: 

RESOLVED to: 

1)    Confirm that those sites described at Appendix A (Exempt) which have previously been declared surplus by Cabinet in September 2017 and not yet disposed of, continue to be declared surplus to requirements

2)    Declare the sites listed on the proposed Schedule of Disposals Appendix B (Exempt) surplus to the Council’s land and property requirements,

and in relation to both of these schedules, delegate authority to the Head of Property Services to dispose of the sites in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Change.

Prior to the discussion, members were advised that, should Cabinet wish to discuss the contents of the exempt information reported in Appendix A and Appendix B of the decision report, consideration would need to be given as to whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting in accordance with Regulation 4(2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.

Cabinet agreed to consider the item without reference to the exempt information.