Agenda, decisions and minutes

To note any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllr Dave Norman, (Cabinet Member for Fire, Community Safety and Libraries), and from Cllr Dom Morris, (Cabinet Member for Highways and Flooding).

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on  23 November 2022. (minutes attached).

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 23 November 2022 were agreed as an correct record of that meeting.

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

Please see information 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 19^th January 2023.

Please submit any questions to stephen.bace@gloucestershire.gov.uk

A written answer will be provided for each written question received (to be presented to the questioner and to Cabinet (in advance of the meeting). The questions and answers will be taken as read and will not be read out at the meeting. At the discretion of the Leader of Council, each questioner ( in attendance at the meeting) will be allowed to ask one supplementary question (in response to the answer given to the original question).

A copy of all written questions and written answers circulated at the meeting will be attached to the signed copy of the minutes of the meeting.

Urgent questions

An urgent written question may be asked by a member of the public about any item on the Cabinet agenda for that meeting which the Chairperson considers could not have been reasonably submitted by the deadline for the receipt of written questions, provided he or she gives notice of the question to the Chief Executive by 12 noon the day before the meeting.

No public questions were received.

Fifty-Four Member questions were submitted prior to the meeting and responded to.

The following supplementary questions were asked at the meeting: -

Question 7 – Cllr Ben Evans asked to confirm whether the £212K additional one-off money was going to be used for recruitment.

Cllr Lynden Stowe confirmed that this was correct. Recruitment and retention were serious problems in a number of the council’s departments and the money was there to look into alternative ways of improving this.

Question 8 – Cllr Ben Evans asked when the Council, in terms of timescales, would be in a position to be able to look at some creative alternative options for use of the estate.

Cllr Lynden Stowe replied that it was difficult to confirm specific timescales at the moment, and also that there was also a need to respect the confidentiality of partners and tenants. This area of work was being driven by the ongoing collection of information and data on the occupancy of the estate post-Covid. Cllr Stowe confirmed that good progress was being made on a potential 2 partners moving into Shire Hall.

Question 35 – Cllr Ben Evans asked for clarification on the process for adoption of the Sufficiency Strategy, and whether this was good practice.

Cllr Stephen Davies stated that adoption of the Sufficiency Strategy would be considered by Cabinet at this meeting. If approved, the Strategy would be adopted at the meeting.

Question 36 – Cllr Ben Evans queried why work referred to in the answer to his question had not been completed within the timescale of the original contract and had now incurred a delay.

Cllr Stephen Davies advised that the delay was due to a meeting of Child Friendly Gloucestershire, where voluntary support groups had raised concerns about their input into the family hub model. He explained that Child Friendly Gloucestershire had felt the proposed approach did not provide enough support and that the Council wanted to address this before moving forward. Cllr Davis confirmed the work had been delayed, but for a good reason.

Question 43 – Cllr Ben Evans asked if the Cabinet Member could explain the reasons for the operational changes referred to in his response and why these had not been factored in initially.

Cllr Stephen Davies advised that the reasons would be covered in more detail during the discussion at today’s meeting.

Question 44 – Cllr Ben Evans welcomed the legal response as provided, but questioned whether there was a need for a wider piece of work from which to explore a more efficient way of tendering for children’s services contracts.

Cllr Stephen Davies confirmed this was one of many significant policies for this area that took time to tender properly. There was a need to ensure the right expertise was available and that the contract was procedurally correct from the beginning. This would avoid any issues going forward.

Question 49 – Cllr Paul Hodgkinson asked what the rate of sexually transmitted disease  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To recommend the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS), Revenue and Capital Budget 2023/24 and Precept to Council.

Supporting documents:

Appendix 1 Medium Term Financial Strategy

Appendix 2 Budget Consultation Report

Appendix 3 Corporate Overview and Scrutiny draft minutes (4 January 2023)

Appendix 4 Equality Impact Assessment (see separate pack)

The decision to take into account the outcomes of the recent formal budget consultation and feedback from Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Cllr Phil Awford (Chair of Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee) to present the Scrutiny Committee’s observations.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, sought Cabinet approval to recommend the Medium Term Financial Strategy, (MTFS), 2023/24 budget and precept to Council.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1)    Consider the outcome of the budget consultation as set out in Appendix 2 and the report from the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee (COSC) in Appendix 3.

2)    Approve the draft budget and to approve the MTFS and final revenue and capital budget for 2023/24 for recommendation to County Council, including all of the proposals set out in the annexes of the detailed MTFS (Appendix 1).

3)    Note the schools funding allocations, the provisional local government finance settlement and forecast reserve movements as summarised in this report and set out in the MTFS.

4)    Recommend to Council a revenue budget of £566.110 million, a band D council tax of £1,523.78 and consequential precepts on District Councils.

5)    Note the Capital Strategy and Treasury Management Strategy & Investment Strategy as set out in Annexes 7 & 10 of the detailed MTFS.

6)    Note the Risk Management Policy Statement & Strategy 2022-25 as set out in Annex 11 of the detailed MTFS for submission to County Council.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, sought Cabinet approval to recommend the Medium Term Financial Strategy, (MTFS), 2023/24 budget and precept to Council.

Cllr Stowe reflected on the impact of the economic challenges experienced during the past year and thanked officers for the work involved in producing the draft budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Outlining the recommendations within the report, Cllr Stowe proposed a revenue budget of £566.110m, an increase of £44.780m from the current year. He confirmed that the proposal was based on an overall Council Tax increase of 4.99%, (made up of 2.99% general Council Tax increase plus a 2% Adult Social Care (ASC) Precept increase), and included: -

Ø  An additional £18.8m towards the Adults Budget

Ø  An additional £17.3m towards the Children and Families Budget

Ø  An additional £9.2m towards the Economic, Environment and Infrastructure Budget

Ø  An additional £1.2m for Community Safety

Ø  An additional £730k for Prevention and Wellbeing

Ø  An additional 2.3m to fund the increase utility costs across the Council

The proposal to include the creation of a £6.2m Children’s Services reserve to help mitigate the volatility in the external placement market, (in addition to the additional £17.3m referred to above).

Reiterating the unprecedented economic challenges of the previous year, Cllr Stowe explained that it had been necessary to use £8.9m of reserves to balance the budget. To maintain a robust and affordable budget in future years, he advised that it would be necessary to undertake a series of service based reviews during 2023/24 to ensure value for money and to ensure expenditure focussed on the objectives laid out in the Council Strategy.

Cllr Stowe proposed a Capital Budget of £235m.

The proposal included: -

Ø  £10.9m of Disabled Facilities Grants

Ø  £9.9m towards the cost of a new primary school in Bishops Cleeve

Ø  £7m towards the provision of semi-independent accommodation for vulnerable young people.

Ø  £36.4m towards M5 Junction 10 improvements

Ø  £9m towards the Gloucester to Cheltenham cycle route

Ø  £800k towards the roll out of Fastershire broadband 

Ø  £600k for improvements to Libraries

Ø  £3m towards new fire appliances,

Ø  £1.5m to upgrade the Council’s ICT infrastructure

Ø  £12.5m to be set aside to fund projects aimed at improving efficiency, reducing costs and increasing income generation, and

Ø  £83.6m of new capital investment (included in the MTFS)

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Hawthorne, referenced the public consultation exercise undertaken in December 2022 and confirmed that the results of the consultation had been reviewed by the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee at its meeting on 4 January 2023. The comments from this meeting were appended to the cabinet report at Appendices 2 and 3. Cllr Hawthorne thanked the Chair and the members of the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their thorough review of the outcomes of the consultation.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1)    Consider the outcome of the budget consultation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, provided an update on the year-end forecast for the 2022/23 County Council’s Revenue and Capital Budgets

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1.    Note the forecast revenue year end position based on December 2022 (Period 9) forecasts for the 2022/23 financial year, which is an overspend of £4.874 million all of which relates to non-Covid-19 expenditure. The Covid-19 related expenditure and income outturn is forecast to be a balanced position.

2.    Note delivery of the £6.772 million of savings against a target of £10.987 million in 2022/23 or 61.64% of target as detailed in Section B.

3.    Note the forecast capital year end position as at the end of November 2022, forecast made in December 2022 (P9) of £132.756 million against the current budget of £150.974 million.

4.    Approve the £1.209 million increase to the capital programme as detailed in Section C.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, provided an update on the year-end forecast for the 2022/23 County Council’s Revenue and Capital Budgets and reported a forecast revenue year end position for the 2022/23 financial year, (based on December 2022 forecasts), as forecasting an overspend of £4.874 million, (non-covid related expenditure). Cllr Stowe confirmed good progress in achieving a balanced position, (covid-related expenditure and income outturn), by the end of the 2022/23 financial year.

Cllr Stowe reported a £14.494 million forecast overspend in the Children and Families Budget, reduced to £10.64 million following the application of a one-off unallocated Covid Grant of £3.854 million. The overspend in the Children and Families Budget was partially offset by the £6.553 million underspend in the Technical & Countywide Budget. It was acknowledged that the overspend in the Children and Families Budget continued to be a concern, impacted on from the increasing numbers of children in care and the cost of placements due to limited market availability, both of which constituted national issues. Social care staffing and disability services budgets were also showing over-spends.

To address the significant over-spend position in the Children & Families Budget, Cllr Stowe announced that the senior leadership team had established a budget working group, with further impetus provided by the Financial Recovery Oversight Group. The work of the two groups to align with the council’s Financial Recovery Strategy and Improvement Strategy by focussing on early intervention and aim to avoid the need for costly social care.

The Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) was forecast to overspend by £28.456 million in 2022/23, including a deficit carry forward of £20.8 million, (high-needs), and an in-year deficit budget, (high needs), of £6.347 million. The county position reflected the national position. Cllr Stowe stated that the High Needs Strategy was in the implementation phase, with revised top-up banding systems being consulted on; a review and redesign of care pathways taking place, in addition to the setting up of digital systems to improve processes. This work supported the Department for Education programme of reviewing Local Authority expenditure from striving to deliver better value. The review to further assess local processes and plans and carry out data analysis. The analysis to identify cost implications and budget pressures, and consider what additional actions can be taken to resolve the deficit position from the application of improvement and management plans.

Cllr Stowe reported £6.772 million savings at the end of Quarter 2, (61.64% of the annual target), with a further £2.131 million savings forecast to be delivered by the end of the 2023 financial year, against a target of £10.987 million. A total of £2.520 million was forecast at risk of being delivered by the end of 2022/23, representing 22.93% of the annual target.

Cabinet noted the forecast outturn position for 2022/23 at £132.756 million, (against a budget of £150.974 million). This represented a forecast in-year slippage of £18.218 million.

Cllr Stowe proposed an increase to the overall capital programme of £1.209  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Cllr Stephen Davies, Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding and Early Years, sought Cabinet approval for the Sufficiency Strategy Home@theHeart 2022-2026 attached at Appendix 1.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1.    Approve the Sufficiency Strategy for Children and Young People Homes@theHeart 2022- 2026

2.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding and Early Years to:

a)    make any final changes prior to publication and implementation; and

b)    develop an implementation plan, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding and Early Years.

Cllr Stephen Davies, Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding and Early Years, sought Cabinet approval of the Sufficiency Strategy Home@theHeart 2022-2026, attached at Appendix 1 of the Cabinet Report.

The ‘sufficiency’ duty to provide or procure placements for Children in Care, (looked after children), is outlined in the Children Act 1989. The duty has since been strengthened by the introduction of Sufficiency Statutory Guidance (2010) and the Care Planning, Placement and Case Review Regulations 2010.

The sufficiency duty requires local authorities and partners to ensure, through direct provision or commissioned services, that a range of placements sufficient to meet the needs of all children are available locally, or that there is a plan in place to move towards this position. The resulting Sufficiency Strategy describes how a Local Authority intends to provide sufficient care placements for its children in care.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1.    Approve the Sufficiency Strategy for Children and Young People Homes@theHeart 2022- 2026

2.    Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding and Early Years to:

a)    make any final changes prior to publication and implementation; and

b)    develop an implementation plan, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding and Early Years.

Cllr Stephen Davies, Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding and Early Years, sought Cabinet approval to enter into negotiations with the incumbent providers of targeted family support services via Children and Family Centres in Gloucestershire (encompassing Gloucester City, Forest of Dean, Stroud,

Cheltenham and Tewkesbury districts), namely Barnardos and Aspire Foundation, with a view to extending the term of the council’s existing contracts with them for a further period of 9 months, from 1 July 2023 to 31 March 2024, and to then consider and, if appropriate, approve such extensions.

Over the same period the provision in the Cotswolds would remain with the council’s in-house provider, delivered alongside the Supporting Families Programme.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to:

1. Enter into negotiations with the incumbent provider of Targeted Family Support Services within Children and Family’s Centres in the Gloucester City district and the Forest of Dean and Stroud districts, namely Barnardos, with a view to extending the term of the council’s existing contract with it for a further period of 9 months commencing 1July 2023; and

2. Enter into negotiations with the incumbent provider of Targeted Family Support Services within Children and Family’s Centres in the Cheltenham and Tewkesbury districts, namely Aspire Foundation, with a view to extending the term of the council’s existing contract with it for a further period of 9 months commencing 1July 2023.

3. Consider and, if appropriate, approve each of the said contract extensions following the conclusion of such negotiations.

Such modifications are necessitated by the transformation proposals the council is developing for its children’s services, in response to the findings of the Ofsted inspection (February 2022) and national reviews, detailed elsewhere in this report, which have made the procurement of two replacement Targeted Family Support Services contracts in the specified districts unachievable until further work is carried out by the council in developing a revised commissioning strategy which incorporates such transformation proposals. It will not be possible to complete such work in time to run a procurement process ready for a contract start date of 1July

2023, i.e., when the council’s current contracts with Barnardos and Aspire Foundation are due to expire.

Separate from the contract extensions referred to in Recommendations (1) (2) and (3) above, but complementary to them, the targeted family support services within Children and Family’s Centres in Cotswold district will continue to be delivered in-house by the council, through the Supporting Families Programme which will have a value of £306,395.

Cllr Stephen Davies, Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding and Early Years, sought Cabinet approval to enter into negotiations with the incumbent providers of targeted family support services via Children and Family Centres in Gloucestershire, (encompassing Gloucester City, Forest of Dean, Stroud,

Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Districts), namely, Barnardos and the Aspire Foundation, with a view to extending the term of the council’s existing contracts for a further period of 9 months, from 1 July 2023 to 31 March 2024.

For the same period, the provision in the Cotswolds to remain with the council’s in-house provider, delivered alongside the Supporting Families Programme.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to:

1. Enter into negotiations with the incumbent provider of Targeted Family Support Services within Children and Family’s Centres in the Gloucester City district and the Forest of Dean and Stroud districts, namely Barnardos, with a view to extending the term of the council’s existing contract with it for a further period of 9 months commencing 1July 2023; and

2. Enter into negotiations with the incumbent provider of Targeted Family Support Services within Children and Family’s Centres in the Cheltenham and Tewkesbury districts, namely Aspire Foundation, with a view to extending the term of the council’s existing contract with it for a further period of 9 months commencing 1July 2023.

3. Consider and, if appropriate, approve each of the said contract extensions following the conclusion of such negotiations.

Such modifications are necessitated by the transformation proposals the council is developing for its children’s services, in response to the findings of the Ofsted inspection (February 2022) and national reviews, detailed elsewhere in this report, which have made the procurement of two replacement Targeted Family Support Services contracts in the specified districts unachievable until further work is carried out by the council in developing a revised commissioning strategy which incorporates such transformation proposals. It will not be possible to complete such work in time to run a procurement process ready for a contract start date of 1July

2023, i.e., when the council’s current contracts with Barnardos and Aspire Foundation are due to expire.

Separate from the contract extensions referred to in Recommendations (1) (2) and (3) above, but complementary to them, the targeted family support services within Children and Family’s Centres in Cotswold district will continue to be delivered in-house by the council, through the Supporting Families Programme which will have a value of £306,395.

Cllr Stephen Davies, Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding and Early Years, sought Cabinet approval for the commissioning of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme.

Subject to amendment at the meeting and clarification of the District Lead Organisations as Cheltenham Borough Council, Cotswolds District Council, Forest Voluntary Action Forum, The Venture White City, Stroud District Council and Young Gloucestershire, and

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1. Approve the allocation of £1,615,710 in funding received by the council from the Department for Education (“DfE”) pursuant to a Section 31 Grant Determination for the Holiday Activities and Food Programme (“HAF”) 2023 -2024 No: 31/6391 (the “HAF 2023-2024 Funding”) to the provision of the council’s HAF Programme, comprising the provision of holiday activities; food; family support; nutritional education, and such other related support as may be required, during the Spring, Summer and Winter school holiday periods as follows:

1.1 £1,263,045 shall, on the basis set out in Annex One to this report, be apportioned in the period 1st April 2023 – 31st March 2024 to providing support to children and families in each of Gloucestershire’s districts. Funding will be distributed in proportion to (a) the number of children and young people who are eligible to receive Free School Meals (“FSM”) in each district; (b) the rurality of each district and c) the number of children and young people with an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) in each district. Such funding will be used by council appointed organisations to meet the requirements of such HAF Programme in line with relevant funding guidance from the DfE.

1.2 £161,571 (i.e., 10% of the HAF 2023 -2024 Funding) shall be utilised, in the period 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024, in support of the business and logistical processes that are essential for delivery of the HAF Programme. Such funding will be used by the council to ensure the effective and timely delivery of the HAF Programme across Gloucestershire.

1.3 £191,094 shall be allocated, in the period 1st April 2023 to 31st March 2024, to the delivery, by council appointed organisations, of any HAF Programme deliverables that are required to address gaps and shortfalls that may exist in relation to the HAF Programme deliverables procured under Recommendation 1.1 above. Such HAF Programme deliverables shall be delivered in accordance with relevant DfE funding guidance.

Save for the HAF 2023-2024 Funding to be allocated to District Leads on the basis set out in Annex One hereto (who were awarded 3-year contracts commencing 29th July 2022 under the under the HAF Modified Framework Agreement), the opportunity for organisations to receive the funding described in this Recommendation 1 will be advertised and made available on the basis described in Recommendation 3 below under the council’s HAF Modified Framework Agreement that was established in May 2022 pursuant to a Cabinet Decision dated 23^rd February 2022, for the purpose of engaging public, voluntary and private  ...  view the full decision text for item 9.

Cllr Stephen Davies, Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding and Early Years, sought Cabinet approval for the commissioning of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme.

In December 2020, the Government announced the expansion of the Holiday Activities and Food Programme, (HAF), as a national programme from April 2021 from which to support children and young people eligible for Free School Meals (FSM). The programme consists of six weeks of services spread out over the main school holidays, (one week in the spring, four weeks during the summer and a final week during the winter school holidays). During 2021, Gloucestershire County Council, working with District Lead Organisations and local providers, successfully delivered the programme.

In the Comprehensive Spending Review October 2021, the Government announced the continuation of the programme for a further three years.

During 2022, the Council implemented a modified framework and procurement process. Three local councils and three voluntary sector organisations secured contracts under a three-year, multi-supplier framework agreement following a competitive procurement process to co-ordinate the council’s future HAF programmes. In 2022, supported by 58 activity providers, the programme reached 36% of children and young people in Gloucestershire eligible for free school meals during the spring school holidays, and 60% during the summer school holidays.

In December 2022, the council received a grant determination letter confirming the allocation of £1,615,710 for delivery of the HAF during 2023- 2024. This will continue annually for each year of the programme.

Cllr Davies outlined proposals to ensure the HAF Programme will be commissioned throughout its existence using a three-year modified framework to enable the commissioning of HAF related activities via six lead organisations, each covering one district as follows: Cheltenham Borough Council (Cheltenham Borough), Cotswolds District Council (Cotswold District), Forest Voluntary Action Forum (Forest of Dean District), Venture White City (Gloucester City), Stroud District Council (Stroud District) and Young Gloucestershire (Tewkesbury Borough). Cllr Davies explained that, using this approach allowed the Council the flexibility to fund activities to meet the requirements of the programme.

Cllr Davies corrected the information provided within the Cabinet report, which had misassigned the lead organisation to each district.  Subject to the amendment, and having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1. Approve the allocation of £1,615,710 in funding received by the council from the Department for Education (“DfE”) pursuant to a Section 31 Grant Determination for the Holiday Activities and Food Programme (“HAF”) 2023 -2024 No: 31/6391 (the “HAF 2023-2024 Funding”) to the provision of the council’s HAF Programme, comprising the provision of holiday activities; food; family support; nutritional education, and such other related support as may be required, during the Spring, Summer and Winter school holiday periods as follows:

1.1 £1,263,045 shall, on the basis set out in Annex One to this report, be apportioned in the period 1st April 2023 – 31st March 2024 to providing support to children and families in each  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Cllr Stephen Davies, Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding and Early Years, sought Cabinet approval to enter into negotiations with the incumbent providers of Youth Support Services with a view to extending the current contract, due to expire on 30th June 2023, for a further 12 months to allow for changes in the operating landscape to be fully embedded within partner arrangements

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to:

1.    Enter into negotiations with the incumbent provider of Youth Support Services, namely Prospects, with a view to extending the term of the council’s existing contract with it for a further period of 12 months commencing 1st July 2023; and

2.    Consider and, if appropriate, approve the said contract extension following the conclusion of such negotiations.

Cllr Stephen Davies, Cabinet Member for Children’s Safeguarding and Early Years, sought Cabinet approval to enter into negotiations with the incumbent providers of Youth Support Services with a view to extending the current contract, due to expire on 30June 2023, for a further 12 months to allow for changes in the operating landscape to be fully embedded within partner arrangements.

Cllr Davies explained the rationale for the proposal and advised members current timescales were unachievable. It was therefore logical to delay, for which the Council was legally able to take this decision.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Children’s Services to:

1.    Enter into negotiations with the incumbent provider of Youth Support Services, namely Prospects, with a view to extending the term of the council’s existing contract with it for a further period of 12 months commencing 1st July 2023; and

2.    Consider and, if appropriate, approve the said contract extension following the conclusion of such negotiations.

Cllr Philip Robinson, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Bus Transport, sought Cabinet approval to determine the following school admission arrangements for 2024/25 academic year:

• The Co-ordinated Admissions Schemes for all schools and academies
• The Admission Arrangements for Community & Voluntary Controlled Schools
• The Protocol for pupil admittance over Published Admission Number for Community & Voluntary Controlled Schools and Service Personnel.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Approve the School Co-ordination and Admission Arrangements as set out in the documents referred to below:

Appendix 1 The Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme for 2024 for all Primary/Infant/Junior/Secondary Schools and Academies

Appendix 2 The Admissions Arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled Primary/Infant/Junior Schools and Secondary School for 2024 (Including Published Admission Numbers)

Appendix 3 Protocol for pupil admittance over published admission number for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools for 2024

Appendix 4 School Admissions guidance for children of UK service personnel and crown servants for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools

Cllr Philip Robinson, Cabinet Member for Education, Skills and Bus Transport, sought Cabinet approval to determine the school admission arrangements for the 2024/25 academic year.

The Government regulates admissions through the School Admissions Code 2021. Each year the Council must determine the admission arrangements for entry to community and voluntary controlled schools for the following academic year. The deadline for determining the admission arrangements for the 2024/25 academic year was 28 February 2023.

It was noted by the cabinet report that the 2024 admission arrangements had almost unchanged from previous years, with the last consultation completed in 2016 for the 2018 admission arrangements. The next scheduled full consultation will be completed in 2023 for the 2025 admission arrangements.

The report explained that, as there were no significant changes to the proposed admission arrangements for 2024/2025, (no legal requirement for a full public consultation), cabinet was able to approve the proposed admission arrangements without further consultation.

The Council must also prepare a co-ordinated admissions scheme for all maintained schools and academies, (to allow parents to only apply once). This includes applications for infant/primary schools for the reception year, transfer from infant to junior school and secondary schools at Year 7, but not In Year applications. Cabinet was recommended to approve the proposed admissions scheme, (for which consultation had been undertaken previously).

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Approve the School Co-ordination and Admission Arrangements as set out in the documents referred to below:

Appendix 1 The Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme for 2024 for all Primary/Infant/Junior/Secondary Schools and Academies

Appendix 2 The Admissions Arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled Primary/Infant/Junior Schools and Secondary School for 2024 (Including Published Admission Numbers)

Appendix 3 Protocol for pupil admittance over published admission number for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools for 2024

Appendix 4 School Admissions guidance for children of UK service personnel and crown servants for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Hawthorne, sought Cabinet approval to competitively tender and award a contract for the delivery of Community Drug and Alcohol Services for Adults from 1st April 2024.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to:

1.    Conduct a competitive procurement process in respect of a contract for the supply of community drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services for adults. The proposed contract shall continue for an initial period of five years and include options to extend its term either for a further period of four years on its fifth anniversary, or two further periods of two years on its fifth and seventh anniversaries respectively (i.e., 5+4 years or 5+2+2 years).

2.    Award such contract to the preferred tenderer; and

3.    Determine whether to exercise the options to extend the term of such contract for a further period of four years on its fifth anniversary or (as appropriate) two further periods of two years on its fifth and seventh anniversaries respectively

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Hawthorne, sought Cabinet approval to competitively tender and award a contract for the delivery of Community Drug and Alcohol Services for Adults from 1st April 2024. He clarified that the County Council was responsible for the commissioning of drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services for Gloucestershire, and was required, as a condition of the Public Health Grant, to take steps to improve the take up of, and any outcomes from, its drug and alcohol misuse treatment services.

Cllr Hawthorne informed members that, locally, crime survey data had estimated approximately 32,000 adults reporting drug use within the previous year, with an estimated 5,509 individuals experiencing alcohol dependence. In terms of problem drug use there were an estimated 2,849 heroin and crack users in the county, including 2,414 heroin users.

The current contract for the supply of community drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services for adults was due to expire on 31 March 2024, (services for children/young people are commissioned separately). To allow the continued delivery of the service beyond this date, Cabinet was asked to delegate responsibility to the Director of Public Health, together with the lead Cabinet Member, to competitively tender for the service.

Members noted that the proposed length of the contract was nine years, with break clauses at 5 years and seven years. The service specification of the contract would remain largely the same as the current specification. The proposed value of the new contract was £5.8M per annum, drawn from the Public Health Grant, equating to £52.2M over the lifetime of the contract. This did not include funding from the Supplementary Substance Misuse Treatment and Recovery Grant, (monies allocated to local areas by the government between 2022 – 2025). 

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to:

1.    Conduct a competitive procurement process in respect of a contract for the supply of community drug and alcohol treatment and recovery services for adults. The proposed contract shall continue for an initial period of five years and include options to extend its term either for a further period of four years on its fifth anniversary, or two further periods of two years on its fifth and seventh anniversaries respectively (i.e., 5+4 years or 5+2+2 years).

2.    Award such contract to the preferred tenderer; and

3.    Determine whether to exercise the options to extend the term of such contract for a further period of four years on its fifth anniversary or (as appropriate) two further periods of two years on its fifth and seventh anniversaries respectively.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Hawthorne, sought Cabinet approval to continue to commission the Specialist Sexual Health Service via a Section 76 agreement with NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board from 1April 2024, in order to secure the delivery of the Council’s statutory responsibilities for sexual health. Utilising the current arrangement, this will be under Section 76 agreement.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to:

1)    Transfer monies to NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (the ICB) under a Section 76 Agreement (pursuant to s.76 of the National Health Service Act 2006, as amended by the Health and Social Care Act 2012), in order for the ICB to commission the delivery of the Specialist Sexual Health Service. The proposed funding arrangement shall continue for an initial period of 7 years and include an option to extend for a further period of not more than two years (1st April 2024 to 31st March 2033).

2)    Determine whether to exercise the option to extend the arrangement for a further period of not more than 2 years, on the expiry of the initial 7 year term.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Hawthorne, sought Cabinet approval to continue to commission the Specialist Sexual Health Service via a Section 76 agreement with NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board from 1April 2024, in order to secure the delivery of the Council’s statutory responsibilities for sexual health. Utilising the current arrangement, this will be under Section 76 agreement.

Gloucestershire County Council is responsible for making arrangements for the provision of a Specialist Sexual Health Service as part of the Council’s statutory responsibilities for the commissioning of open access sexual health services for the people of Gloucestershire.

Currently, the Council transfers funds for the commissioning of the Specialist Sexual Health Service to the NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (ICB) under a Section 76 Agreement. The ICB then commission the Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust to deliver the service.

Gloucestershire Health and Care deliver a number of the wider sexual and reproductive health services for the county, from the one location, ensuring a joined-up care pathway for patients and a more effective use of public funds. Consistently high scores from patient surveys demonstrated a high level of satisfaction with the level of care provided.

Cllr Hawthorne informed members that the commissioning of the current service was due to end on 31 March 2024. Seeking approval to continue with the current arrangement for a further 7 years, with the option to extend for an additional 2 years, Cllr Hawthorne confirmed that the funding for the service would be met annually from within the ring-fenced Public Health Grant. He explained that the contract between the ICB and the GHC would be reviewed annually, which provided the flexibility to review the service model, should the budget envelope or service requirements change.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Director of Public Health, in consultation with the Leader of the Council to:

1)    Transfer monies to NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (the ICB) under a Section 76 Agreement (pursuant to s.76 of the National Health Service Act 2006, as amended by the Health and Social Care Act 2012), in order for the ICB to commission the delivery of the Specialist Sexual Health Service. The proposed funding arrangement shall continue for an initial period of 7 years and include an option to extend for a further period of not more than two years (1st April 2024 to 31st March 2033).

2)    Determine whether to exercise the option to extend the arrangement for a further period of not more than 2 years, on the expiry of the initial 7 year term.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Hawthorne, sought Cabinet approval to continue to commission Public Health Nursing services by means of a funding transfer from the Council to NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board in order to secure the delivery, from 1st April 2024 until a date no later than 31st March 2033, of the Council’s statutory responsibilities in respect of the commissioning of health visiting and school nursing services.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1)    Approve the continuation of the arrangements currently in place between council and NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (“the ICB”) in respect of the supply of Public Health Nursing Services by means of a funding transfer from the council to the ICB under a Section 76 Transfer Agreement (in exercise of powers under Section 76 of the National Health Service Act 2006) on the basis that such transfer will secure a more effective use of public funds than the deployment of an equivalent amount on the provision of such services by the Council.

The proposed funding arrangement shall continue for an initial period of 7 years and include an option to extend for a further period of not more than 2 years (1st April 2024 to 31st March 2033 if so extended).

2)    Delegate authority to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Leader of the Council to determine whether to exercise the option to extend the term of such arrangements for a further period of not more than 2 years on the expiry of the initial 7-year term.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Mark Hawthorne, sought Cabinet approval to continue to commission Public Health Nursing services by means of a funding transfer from the Council to the NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board from 1 April 2024, (to a date no later than 31 March 2033), in order to fulfil the Council’s statutory responsibilities for the commissioning of health visiting and school nursing services.

Gloucestershire’s Public Health Nursing Service, (offering support to families with additional needs or vulnerabilities), is currently provided by the Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, (contracted through the council’s Collaborative Commissioning Agreement with the Integrated Care Board).

Cllr Hawthorne sought cabinet agreement to continue the current commissioning arrangement for a further 7 years, with the option to extend for an additional further 2 years. The proposal would be to retain the existing annual budget of £7.475 million for the duration of the agreement, taking the total budget to £67.275 million over the full 9 years.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1)    Approve the continuation of the arrangements currently in place between council and NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (“the ICB”) in respect of the supply of Public Health Nursing Services by means of a funding transfer from the council to the ICB under a Section 76 Transfer Agreement (in exercise of powers under Section 76 of the National Health Service Act 2006) on the basis that such transfer will secure a more effective use of public funds than the deployment of an equivalent amount on the provision of such services by the Council.

The proposed funding arrangement shall continue for an initial period of 7 years and include an option to extend for a further period of not more than 2 years (1st April 2024 to 31st March 2033 if so extended).

2)    Delegate authority to the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Leader of the Council to determine whether to exercise the option to extend the term of such arrangements for a further period of not more than 2 years on the expiry of the initial 7-year term.

Cllr Carole Allaway-Martin, Cabinet Member - Adult Social Care Commissioning, sought Cabinet approval to exercise a 2-year extension option under the council’s Framework Partnership Agreement with NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (NHS GICB), (the successor body to NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (GCCG) with whom the agreement was entered into originally) relating to the commissioning of health and social care services

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Approve the exercise of a 2-year extension option under a Framework Partnership Agreement between the council and NHS GICB relating to the commissioning of health, public health, children’s and adult social care services (in exercise of powers under Section 75 of the National Health Service Act 2006) that was entered into pursuant to a Cabinet decision on 11 March 2020 (the “Section 75 Agreement”).

Cllr Carole Allaway-Martin, Cabinet Member - Adult Social Care Commissioning, sought Cabinet approval to exercise a 2-year extension option under the Council’s Framework Partnership Agreement with the NHS Gloucestershire Integrated Care Board (NHS ICB), (formally the NHS Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (GCCG), with whom the agreement was entered into originally, relating to the commissioning of health and social care services

Cllr Allaway-Martin advised members that the extension would allow the continuation of the Council’s existing Section 75 Agreement with the NHS ICB for the commissioning of health, public health, children’s and adult social care services. The council and the ICB are mandated to have a Section 75 Agreement in place for the Better Care Fund, including the recent DHSC: Adult Social Care Discharge Fund, announced on the 18 November 2022. 

Subject to year-end variations, the Section 75 Agreement for the 2022/23 financial year was proposed at £188m, (as reported to the Joint Commissioning Partnership Executive on the 24 November 2022). This included continuing funding Health Care and Funded Nursing Care, (solely NHS), at a value of £46m. Other funding included, Adult and Children’s Mental Health services at £79m, of which £61m related to Adult Mental Health, (NHS Gloucestershire), and the Cover the Better Care Fund (BCF), at a value of £54m, including carers. The remainder of funding related to Integrated Community Equipment Services, Occupational Therapy, and Integrated Brokerage staffing.

The financial schedule within the Section 75 Agreement to be reviewed annually to reflect any funding changes, including demographic growth, inflation and savings.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Approve the exercise of a 2-year extension option under a Framework Partnership Agreement between the council and NHS GICB relating to the commissioning of health, public health, children’s and adult social care services (in exercise of powers under Section 75 of the National Health Service Act 2006) that was entered into pursuant to a Cabinet decision on 11 March 2020 (the “Section 75 Agreement”).

Cllr David Gray, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, provided an update of progress on the Gloucestershire Climate Change Strategy and sought approval of the action plan 2023-2028.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1)    Note the overall emissions for the County Council and for Gloucestershire outlined in the decision report published with the agenda and in Annex 1 to the report;

2)    Note the progress and planned key actions outlined in the published decision report and in Annex 1; and

3)    Approve the outline five-year Action Plan (Annex 1, Appendix 2), for report to Leadership Gloucestershire’s Climate Leadership Group.

Cllr David Gray, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, provided an update of progress on the Gloucestershire Climate Change Strategy and referred members to Annex 1 of the report, (third annual report) and gave an update on progress of the refreshed 5-year action plan to 2027/280.

Confirming the council’s commitment to the vision of achieving a carbon neutral county by 2045 and remaining on target to reach net zero by 2030, Cllr Gray outlined some of the steps included in the programme from which to achieve such outcomes, including, in 2022,

Ø  Commencing construction of the cycle path linking Cheltenham and Gloucester;

Ø  Opening of the carbon neutral Leckhampton High School;

Ø  Planting of 66,000 trees across the county;

Ø  Restoration of the Gloucestershire Youth Climate Group and Climate Leadership Gloucestershire, following the hiatus caused by the pandemic;

Ø  Campaigns to guide residents to reduce their environmental impacts, with an increase in recycling rates across the county increasing to 50.8%.

Outlining some of the activities included in the refreshed 5-year action plan, Cllr Gray highlighted the;

Ø  Planting of over 80,000 trees in the current planting season;

Ø  Installation of 1,000 Electric Vehicle charging points;

Ø  Increasing flood resilience;

Ø  Supporting Biodiversity Net Gain (a new Biodiversity Officer has recently joined the Council to implement the Local Nature Recovery Strategy in Gloucestershire);

Ø  Investing in carbon neutral school buildings;

Ø  Retrofitting activities to decarbonise existing buildings

Ø  Promoting the Staff Green Champions initiative and Carbon Literacy Training.

From such activities, the County Council remained committed to the task of fighting climate change and delivery of a Greener Gloucestershire.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1)    Note the overall emissions for the County Council and for Gloucestershire outlined in the decision report published with the agenda and in Annex 1 to the report;

2)    Note the progress and planned key actions outlined in the published decision report and in Annex 1; and

3)    Approve the outline five-year Action Plan (Annex 1, Appendix 2), for report to Leadership Gloucestershire’s Climate Leadership Group.

Cllr David Gray, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, sought approval to submit the M5 Junction 10 (M5J10) Development Consent Order (DCO) to the Planning Inspectorate and to progress planning permission and compulsory acquisition powers.

Members noted an inaccuracy to paragraph 19 of the decision report. Cllr Gray advised that the information was not relevant to the decision being considered by Cabinet at this meeting and, as such, had been excluded from the report. For clarification, Cllr Gray referred members to the cabinet decision report considered at the cabinet meeting on 22 July 2020; ‘M5J10 Improvement Scheme; Commitment to use Compulsory Purchase Powers’, and subsequent approval by Cabinet to exercise these powers, if required, alongside continued negotiated settlement. Cllr Gray assured members all landowners impacted by the scheme had been part of a comprehensive consultation and engagement process that would remain ongoing throughout the DCO process.

Subject to clarification of the inaccuracy to paragraph 19 above and having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1)    Approve the submission of an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) for planning permission to construct the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme (including powers of compulsory acquisition and any other powers required to facilitate the Scheme).

2)    Delegate authority to Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Infrastructure in consultation with Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning to implement the programme as set out in paragraph 24 of this report.

Cllr David Gray, Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, sought approval to submit the M5 Junction 10 (M5J10) Development Consent Order (DCO) to the Planning Inspectorate and to progress planning permission and compulsory acquisition powers.

In presenting the report, members were advised of an inaccuracy to paragraph 19.

Cllr Gray clarified that detail referenced at paragraph 19 of the report, concerning land acquisition via the DCO and supplementary information on specific land parcels impacted by the scheme, were not relevant to the proposal being made to Cabinet at this meeting, and could be excluded. For clarification, Cllr Gray referred members to the cabinet decision report considered at the cabinet meeting on 22 July 2020; ‘M5J10 Improvement Scheme; Commitment to use Compulsory Purchase Powers’, and subsequent approval by Cabinet to exercise these powers, if required. Cllr Gray assured members, all landowners that had been impacted by the scheme had been part of a comprehensive consultation and engagement process that would remain ongoing throughout the DCO process.

Cllr Gray informed members that presentation of this report marked the culmination of three years planning, design and consultation work following the successful bid to Homes England, to deliver on a long-standing council priority and the M5 J10 Improvement Scheme. The proposed Scheme to create an all-movements junction, including widening of the A4019, and construction of a new link road into west Cheltenham.

The improvements aim to support the economic growth of the county and facilitate growth in jobs and housing, (around 9000 new homes), by providing improved transport network connections for the West and North-West of Cheltenham. The proposal is supported by policies in the Gloucestershire Local Transport Plan, the GFirst LEP Strategic Economic Plan and the Gloucestershire 2050 Vision. The scheme also includes for the provision of an upgraded Transport Hub at Arles Court, including cycle parking and 150 electric vehicle charging points).

Seeking approval of the recommendations, the decision will allow the formal Development Consent Order process to progress the necessary planning permission and compulsory acquisition powers required to deliver the scheme.

Subject to this clarification and having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

1)    Approve the submission of an application for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) for planning permission to construct the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme (including powers of compulsory acquisition and any other powers required to facilitate the Scheme).

2)    Delegate authority to Executive Director of Economy, Environment and Infrastructure in consultation with Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning to implement the programme as set out in paragraph 24 of this report.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, sought Cabinet approval to conduct a tender process for the procurement of a four year framework agreement and call-off contracts thereunder relating to the supply of medium and large asset management and property related services and/or projects. The council’s total estimated aggregate spend under the proposed framework agreement is £140m.

This Major Works Framework would also be offered to other public sector bodies within Gloucestershire giving them the ability to access these contractors and services, entering their own contracts with suppliers using GCC’s framework agreement.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Asset Management & Property Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Change and the Executive Director of Corporate Resources to:

1) Conduct a competitive procurement process in respect of a 4-year Major Works Framework Agreement relating to the delivery of medium and large asset management and property related works, services and/or projects where the value of such works, services and/or projects under any individual call-off contract thereunder is £150k or more.

Such Framework Agreement shall be divided into the following two Lots:

• Lot 1 - any works, services and/or projects whose value exceeds £150k but is less than £600k;
• Lot 2 - any works, services and/or projects whose value is £600k or more, (no upper limit)

and shall permit District Councils, Parish, Town Councils, the NHS, and Academies in Gloucestershire to use such Framework Agreement to acquire works, services and/or projects under their own call-off contracts.

2) Appoint each of the preferred tenderers to the relevant Lot under the proposed Framework Agreement.

3) Procure and award as many Call-Off Contracts as may be required by the council under the relevant Lots of the proposed Framework Agreement, whose combined aggregate values, including the aggregate value of call-off contracts awarded by the public sector bodies described in Recommendation 1) above, shall not exceed £140m.

In the event that the value of any single proposed call-off contract under such Framework Agreement will exceed £500,000, a separate key decision shall be sought in order to approve the award of such call-off contract in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.

Cllr Lynden Stowe, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance and Change, sought Cabinet approval to conduct a tender process for the procurement of a four year framework agreement and call-off contracts relating to the supply of medium and large asset management and property related services and/or projects. The council’s total estimated aggregate spend under the proposed framework agreement is £140m.

It was explained that the proposed framework would also be offered to other public sector bodies within Gloucestershire, giving them the ability to access contractors and services, and to enter their own contracts with suppliers, using the GCC’s framework agreement.

The framework agreement to be divided into the following Lots:

Lot 1 - any works, services and/or projects whose value exceeds £150k, but less than £600k;

Lot 2 - any works, services and/or projects whose value is £600k or more, (with no upper limit)

Members were advised that the frameworks had proved beneficial since their introduction, allowing for efficiencies in procurement and contract management, whilst enabling competition and assurance of value for money.

Having considered all of the information, Cabinet noted the report and

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Assistant Director of Asset Management & Property Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Change and the Executive Director of Corporate Resources to:

1) Conduct a competitive procurement process in respect of a 4-year Major Works Framework Agreement relating to the delivery of medium and large asset management and property related works, services and/or projects where the value of such works, services and/or projects under any individual call-off contract thereunder is £150k or more.

Such Framework Agreement shall be divided into the following two Lots:

• Lot 1 - any works, services and/or projects whose value exceeds £150k but is less than £600k;
• Lot 2 - any works, services and/or projects whose value is £600k or more, (no upper limit)

and shall permit District Councils, Parish, Town Councils, the NHS, and Academies in Gloucestershire to use such Framework Agreement to acquire works, services and/or projects under their own call-off contracts.

2) Appoint each of the preferred tenderers to the relevant Lot under the proposed Framework Agreement.

3) Procure and award as many Call-Off Contracts as may be required by the council under the relevant Lots of the proposed Framework Agreement, whose combined aggregate values, including the aggregate value of call-off contracts awarded by the public sector bodies described in Recommendation 1) above, shall not exceed £140m.

In the event that the value of any single proposed call-off contract under such Framework Agreement will exceed £500,000, a separate key decision shall be sought in order to approve the award of such call-off contract in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.