Agenda, decisions and minutes

To note any apologies for absence.

See above.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2024.  (minutes attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 July 2024 were agreed and confirmed as a 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.

Appointment to Outside Bodies Document will be published following the full Council meeting on 11 September 2024.

Cllr Stephen Davies outlined that new Cabinet portfolios would be in place following the meeting. An updated version of responsibilities would be circulated.

Cabinet agreed to the following appointments to Outside Bodies:

To appoint to the County Council Network:

Cllr Stephen Davies, Cllr Stephan Fifield, Cllr Lisa Spivey, Cllr John Bloxsom

To appoint to South West Councils:

Cllr Stephen Davies Cllr Stephan Fifield

To appoint to South West Migration Partnership Board:

Cllr Mark Hawthorne

To appoint to Stroud Valley Canal Company:

Cllr Nick Housden

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 12^th September 2024.

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.

3 Public questions were submitted for consideration at the meeting. The following supplementary questions were asked.

Question 1 – David Redgewell asked whether a programme had been agreed with district councils to see if we can install coach charging points across the coach parks of the county?

Cllr David Gray replied that tourism was a district responsibility, and an increasing amount of bus fleet would be electric. It made sense that district councils made provision for a future where more coaches were electric to ensure infrastructure was in place. He would raise with his officers to discuss with the districts.

Question 2- David Redgewell asked would we be able to incorporate bus priority through the agreement so that it was included in the framework?

Cllr David Gray replied that he welcomed the enthusiasm for the scheme. He recognised the responsibility for local planning sat with the district authorities. The county council was keen to promote cycling, walking and bus infrastructure and that would continue to be promoted in schemes.

Question 3 – David Redgewell asked regarding footways, what equality training was provided when contractors were used to carry out works. The example was given of bus stops on kassel kerbs.

Cllr Stephen Davies replied that he would look at what training was carried out with regards to contractors.

6 Member questions were submitted for consideration at the meeting. The following supplementary questions were asked.

Question 1 – Cllr David Willingham asked given GCC had a highways, public health and comms team, it felt as though the response was asking individual members to chase this themselves. Can we get pressure put on national highways?

Cllr Mark Hawthorne replied that the question suggested that suicides could be reduced by highways interventions when in reality the best support to provide to people was to have access to support and advice when they needed it. Statistics indicated 60% of people died within their own home. 1.5% of the overall figures included deaths on the highways. Support to prevent people entering into those difficult periods in their lives was vital.

Question 2 – Cllr David Willingham asked if the council had a list of locations where people were trying to commit these acts, could that be provided so that members could work with the Council to provide support?

Cllr Mark Hawthorne replied that he was happy to discuss with the member outside of the meetings. He cautioned of the dangers of highlighting suicide ‘hotspots’.

Question 6 – Cllr Roger Whyborn asked whose job it was to evaluate claims on our highways and whether it was the contractor who investigated the claim?

Cllr Stephen Davies replied that the investigation of the claim was by the contractor and that the Council was reviewing arrangements for it to have oversight.

Cllr Lynden Stowe provided an update on the Quarter 1 forecast for the 2024/25County Council’s Revenue and Capital Budgets and reported on the Council’s performance and risk during Quarter 1 2024/25.

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

RESOLVED to:

1. Note the forecast revenue year end position based on Quarter 1 forecasts for the 2024/25 financial year, which is an underspend of £500k.

2. Approve £50.812 million use of reserves, compared to a budget of £11.862 million, as summarised in Table 2 and detailed within Section A of the report. The budgeted figure will be amended to reflect the £50.812 million for Quarter 2. The £50.812 million includes £25.828 million in respect of Dedicated Schools Grant, as well as £24.984 million in respect of Useable Revenue Reserves.

3. Note the forecast delivery of £25.584 million savings against a 2024/25 target of £32.453 million, or 78.83%.

4. Approve that £600k surplus income in respect of the Energy from Waste facility is re-allocated to commitments as set out in paragraphs 25 and 26.

5. Note the quarter 1 capital expenditure forecast outturn position of £160.261 million, and approves the budget profile changes detailed in paragraphs 40 to 44.

6. Approve the changes to capital programme of transfers (virements) and funding increases, as detailed in paragraph 55.

7. Note the Prudential Indicator monitoring reported at Section D.

8. Note this report of the Council’s performance and risks and any areas of concern requiring further analysis, assurance or action. To do this, the following are provided:

·       Council Strategy Progress Updates

·       Corporate Performance and Risk - Overview of Performance

·       Performance Scorecard

·       Risk Scorecard

6.1     Cllr Lynden Stowe provided an update on the Quarter 1 forecast for the 2024/25 County Council’s Revenue and Capital Budgets and reported on the Council’s performance and risk during Quarter 1 2024/25.

6.2     A net underspend of £500k was reported, against a budget of £616.871 million. This position was after the proposed application of £50.812 million of reserves, including £24.984 million from Useable Revenue Reserves and £25.828 million in respect of the in-year Dedicated Schools Grant deficit. The largest favourable budget variance was the £1.828 million forecast underspend in Economy, Enterprise and Infrastructure.

6.3     Adult Social Care was reporting a net nil outturn variance, however this relied upon the drawdown of £5.494 million from the Vulnerable Adults Reserve. The underlying pressure was primarily driven by the under-delivery of savings – a forecast shortfall of £5.935 million for the current year. The directorate was progressing initiatives to deliver savings opportunities and/or mitigations, including vacancy management.

6.4     Cabinet was asked to approve the capital budget re-profiling which had occurred between the budget setting at Full Council in February 2024, to derive the revised budget of £174.855 million for 2024/25. The forecast outturn against this was £160.261 million, a variance of £14.594 million. Cabinet was further asked to approve capital virements, as well as funding changes and additions to the capital programme. He drew members attention to recommendation 4 relating to additional revenue from energy from waste.

6.5     Just under two-thirds of corporate performance measures were achieving or within tolerance of target position at the end of Quarter 1 2024/25. In addition, 80% of the Council Strategy priorities were on target or partly on target.

6.6     Progress was being made in reducing emissions from GCC buildings, with site designs completed for the retrofit of solar power to 11 sites.

6.7     The annual Highways survey, which surveys a sample of Gloucestershire’s roads, indicated that there had been a reduction in the proportion of principal roads where maintenance should be considered from 2% to 1%. There remained 4% of non-principal roads where maintenance should be considered.

6.8     Permanent exclusions in Gloucestershire continue to increase. Up 55% over the latest rolling 12-month period. Nationally, we have seen greater levels of children absent from school since the pandemic. Almost a quarter of pupils in Gloucestershire were persistently absent in Quarter 1 (absent for more than 10% of school days).

6.9     It was commented that the financial position was very stable and members thanked officers for their work. The Leader noted the continual improvement in the Council’s roads.

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

RESOLVED to:

1. Note the forecast revenue year end position based on Quarter 1 forecasts for the 2024/25 financial year, which is an underspend of £500k.

2. Approve £50.812 million use of reserves, compared to a budget of £11.862 million, as summarised in Table 2 and detailed within Section A of the report. The budgeted figure will be amended to reflect the £50.812 million for Quarter 2. The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Cllr Lynden Stowe sought Cabinet approval of the Gloucestershire County Council Data and Intelligence Strategy.

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

RESOLVED to:

Approve the adoption and implementation of the Gloucestershire County Council Data and Intelligence Strategy set out in the Appendix.

7.1     Cllr Lynden Stowe sought Cabinet approval of the Gloucestershire County Council Data and Intelligence Strategy.

7.2     Data and Intelligence were a key asset of the organisation for driving improvement. The Council had made significant progress in developing its capabilities and governance maturity over the past few years, with room for improvement and further development. The strategy would support future ambitions around use of those assets to drive innovation and improvement across the Council.

7.3     The vision was to become an intelligence-led organisation, where data and information enabled our ambition to drive improvement in everything we do.  

7.4     The strategy set out 4 priority development areas:

·       Quality of our data and intelligence: Ensuring that  data was accurate, consistent, complete, timely, and relevant, and that intelligence produced from it mets the needs and expectations of service users and customers.

·       Skills for manipulation and interpretation: The Council would increase the skills and confidence of staff, by providing them with the training, tools, and support they required to use data and intelligence effectively to improve productivity and efficiency.

·       Availability of data and intelligence: The Council would improve the availability and accessibility of data and information, making it easier to find, share, and reuse across the organisation and with partners.

·       Governance: The Council would strengthen governance and security, by ensuring that it had the policies, standards, and processes to manage, protect, and comply with best practice and regulation.

7.5     The strategy established an initial timeline for key developments, the first of which would be a more detailed roadmap and investment plan to deliver the strategy.

7.6     It was emphasised how the strategy was fundamental to the approach of the new Leader and Deputy Leader. The Leader highlighted the importance of data driven and continuous improvement across the Council. The Deputy Leader stated that he was keen to accelerate the timeline identified in the report.

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

RESOLVED to:

Approve the adoption and implementation of the Gloucestershire County Council Data and Intelligence Strategy set out in the Appendix.

Cllr Stephan Fifield sought Cabinet approval for delegated authority to procure:

A multi-purchaser/multi-supplier light touch framework agreement (as defined in the Procurement Act 2023) for the provision of Community and Accommodation Based Support Services for people in vulnerable circumstances, following the expiry of the existing CABS Framework on 31st March 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 Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Delivery to:

1. Conduct a competitive procurement process in respect of an up to 8-year multi purchaser/multi-supplier light touch framework agreement (as defined in the Procurement Act 2023) for the provision of Community and Accommodation Based Support Services for individuals in vulnerable circumstances (CABS services) that will enable GCC and public sector partners to call-off such services, when necessary, under Lot 1) community based support and Lot 2) accommodation-based support.

2. Appoint each of the preferred tenderers to the light touch framework agreement;

3. Periodically re-open the light touch framework agreement in order that new suppliers may be admitted to it, if required;

4. Procure and award as many call-off contracts as may be required by the council (and its public sector partners) for the supply of CABS Services to vulnerable individuals in Gloucestershire.

If the value of any individual call-off contract award by Gloucestershire County Council exceeds £500,000, a separate key decision shall be sought in order to approve the award of such contract.

8.1     Cllr Stephan Fifield sought Cabinet approval for delegated authority to procure a multi-purchaser/multi-supplier light touch framework agreement (as defined in the Procurement Act 2023) for the provision of Community and Accommodation Based Support Services for people in vulnerable circumstances, following the expiry of the existing CABS Framework on 31st March 2025.

8.2     Agreement was sought to conduct a competitive procurement process for an up to 8-year multi purchaser / multi-supplier light touch commissioning framework for CABS services that will enable GCC and public sector partners to call-off such services under two Lots:

The current CABS Framework would expire on 31^st March 2025 and the intention was for the new Framework to go live on 1^st April 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 Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care Delivery to:

1. Conduct a competitive procurement process in respect of an up to 8-year multi purchaser/multi-supplier light touch framework agreement (as defined in the Procurement Act 2023) for the provision of Community and Accommodation Based Support Services for individuals in vulnerable circumstances (CABS services) that will enable GCC and public sector partners to call-off such services, when necessary, under Lot 1) community based support and Lot 2) accommodation-based support.

2. Appoint each of the preferred tenderers to the light touch framework agreement;

3. Periodically re-open the light touch framework agreement in order that new suppliers may be admitted to it, if required;

4. Procure and award as many call-off contracts as may be required by the council (and its public sector partners) for the supply of CABS Services to vulnerable individuals in Gloucestershire.

If the value of any individual call-off contract award by Gloucestershire County Council exceeds £500,000, a separate key decision shall be sought in order to approve the award of such contract.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne sought Cabinet approval to adopt the Gloucestershire

Suicide Prevention Strategy 2024-2029.

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

RESOLVED to:

Approve the Gloucestershire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2024-2029 set out in Appendix 1 to this report in order that it may be adopted by the council as part of the Council’s Policy Framework.

9.1     Cllr Mark Hawthorne sought Cabinet approval to adopt the Gloucestershire

Suicide Prevention Strategy 2024-2029.

9.2     A death from suicide could have a devastating impact on families, friends, and communities; and reducing deaths from suicide remained a national and local priority. Gloucestershire had a suicide prevention strategy in place since 2006, the delivery of which was overseen by the Gloucestershire Suicide Prevention Partnership Steering Group. In September 2023, the government published the new national 5-year suicide prevention strategy. It recommended that all areas review their local suicide prevention plans to ensure alignment with national priorities.

9.3     The Gloucestershire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2024-2029 had been updated to take account of the new national strategy. It was informed by engagement with local stakeholders and the latest available evidence. The strategy provided a strategic framework to guide collective action by local partner organisations to reduce suicide, and support those affected by it. It also supported delivery of the Gloucestershire Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy priority to improve the mental health and wellbeing of the Gloucestershire population.

9.4     As noted in the new national strategy, suicide prevention was everyone’s business which required action across a range of settings and sectors. No single agency could achieve suicide prevention alone; and partnership working remained at the heart of our local approach. The Gloucestershire strategy and strategic priorities had been developed following discussion with a range of stakeholders from across the system and voluntary and community sector.

9.5     The proposed new strategic priorities were set out in the report. A comprehensive action plan would be developed following adoption of this strategy, in collaboration with the suicide prevention partnership and wider system partners.

9.6     Cabinet recognised the emergency services who were required to attend incidents and Members recognised the challenges that they faced.

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

RESOLVED to:

Approve the Gloucestershire Suicide Prevention Strategy 2024-2029 set out in Appendix 1 to this report in order that it may be adopted by the council as part of the Council’s Policy Framework.

Cllr David Gray sought Cabinet approval to extend the term of the council’s existing Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure - Installation, Maintenance and Management contract with Connected Kerb Ltd and to also procure a concession contract for Gloucestershire’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Services (GEVIS).

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

RESOLVED to:

1. Approve the use of £3,107,000 of LEVI Grant funding awarded in March 2024, combined with the council’s EV Infrastructure Reserve contribution of £500,000, a total budget of £3,607,000, in a two-phase procurement strategy, set out in paragraph 28 in this report, under which the council shall allocate:

a) up to 30% of the LEVI Grant (£932,000) to fund the existing contract with Connected Kerb Ltd until April 2025 in Phase 1; and

b) at least 70% of the LEVI Grant (£2,175,000) to a new LEVI specified concession contract of 15 years and extensions of up to 3 years in Phase 2

2. Delegate authority to the Executive Director Economy Environment and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning to:

(a) review and award a three year extension of the council’s existing Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure -Installation, Maintenance and Management contract with Connected Kerb Ltd, for the purpose of delivering Phase 1 of the procurement strategy and installation and operation of off-street locations.

b) conduct a competitive procurement process as Phase 2 of the procurement strategy for a concession contract for the supply of Gloucestershire’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Services (GEVIS). The contract shall continue for an initial period of 15 years with options to extend its term for up to 3 years (i.e. 15 +1+1+1 years as either single-year or three-year extensions).

c) award the contract described in Recommendation 2(b) to the preferred tenderer; and,

d) determine whether to exercise options to extend the term of the contract described in Recommendation 2(b).

10.1    Cllr David Gray sought Cabinet approval to extend the term of the council’s existing Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure - Installation, Maintenance and Management contract with Connected Kerb Ltd and to also procure a concession contract for Gloucestershire’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Services (GEVIS).

10.2    It was explained that developing electric vehicle charging infrastructure was important to help reduce CO2 emissions in terms of encouraging the take up of electric vehicles.

10.3    The report explained the council’s procurement strategy and delivery framework for both LEVI and the Council’s corporate fleet, enabling the council to exceed its commitment to deliver 1000 public charge points. The Cabinet Member outlined the minimum 15 year timeline on the contract. The report and recommendations outlined the detailed funding arrangements across two phases.

10.4    In response to a question, the Cabinet Member detailed the intention to map EV chargers across the County and support district councils to increase the number of chargers.

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

RESOLVED to:

1. Approve the use of £3,107,000 of LEVI Grant funding awarded in March 2024, combined with the council’s EV Infrastructure Reserve contribution of £500,000, a total budget of £3,607,000, in a two-phase procurement strategy, set out in paragraph 28 in this report, under which the council shall allocate:

a) up to 30% of the LEVI Grant (£932,000) to fund the existing contract with Connected Kerb Ltd until April 2025 in Phase 1; and

b) at least 70% of the LEVI Grant (£2,175,000) to a new LEVI specified concession contract of 15 years and extensions of up to 3 years in Phase 2

2. Delegate authority to the Executive Director Economy Environment and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning to:

a) review and award a three year extension of the council’s existing Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure -Installation, Maintenance and Management contract with Connected Kerb Ltd, for the purpose of delivering Phase 1 of the procurement strategy and installation and operation of off-street locations.

b) conduct a competitive procurement process as Phase 2 of the procurement strategy for a concession contract for the supply of Gloucestershire’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Services (GEVIS). The contract shall continue for an initial period of 15 years with options to extend its term for up to 3 years (i.e. 15 +1+1+1 years as either single-year or three-year extensions).

c) award the contract described in Recommendation 2(b) to the preferred tenderer; and,

d) determine whether to exercise options to extend the term of the contract described in Recommendation 2(b).

Cllr David Gray sought Cabinet approval to delegate authority to procure and award a contract for the supply of construction works in relation to the A38/A4019 Coombe Hill Junction Improvements scheme (‘the Scheme’) and for the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure to confirm that the Council has control of the necessary land and any necessary planning amendments have been secured.

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

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning) to:

1. Conduct a competitive procurement in respect of a contract for the supply of construction works in relation to the A38/A4019 Coombe Hill Junction Improvements scheme.

2. Award such contract to the preferred tenderers subject to the Council owning the land for the scheme and the Council securing a variation to the planning permission for the scheme

11.1    Cllr David Gray sought Cabinet approval to delegate authority to procure and award a contract for the supply of construction works in relation to the A38/A4019 Coombe Hill Junction Improvements scheme and for the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure to confirm that the Council has control of the necessary land and any necessary planning amendments have been secured.

11.2    The estimated value of the works contract was £3.34m, funded through the successful bid to the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF), administered by Homes England, for £249m for the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme.    The timely delivery of the A38/A4019 Coombe Hill Junction Scheme was essential to prevent any delivery constraints to the M5 Junction 10 Improvements Scheme, due to traffic management requirements.

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

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure (in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning) to:

1. Conduct a competitive procurement in respect of a contract for the supply of construction works in relation to the A38/A4019 Coombe Hill Junction Improvements scheme.

2. Award such contract to the preferred tenderers subject to the Council owning the land for the scheme and the Council securing a variation to the planning permission for the scheme

In the absence of the Cabinet Member, the Leader presented a report which sought Cabinet approval to delegate authority to evaluate the contract options in relation to the council’s Highways Term Maintenance requirements, and to (as appropriate) extend the existing contract or procure an alternative delivery model.

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

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Flood, the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, the Chief Finance (s151) Officer and the Monitoring Officer to:

1. Evaluate contract options in relation to the council’s Highways Term Maintenance Service requirements with effect from 1st April 2026.

2. Subject to the outcome of the evaluation process described in Recommendation (1), either:

a) Extend the term of the council’s existing Highways Term Maintenance Service contract with Ringway Infrastructure Services no later than 1st April 2026 by exercising an up to 4 years extension option under the contract: or

b) Seek Cabinet approval to conduct a competitive procurement process to procure and award a replacement Highways Term Maintenance Service contract using the alternative contracting model commencing no later than 1^st April 2026.

12.1    In the absence of the Cabinet Member, the Leader presented a report which sought Cabinet approval to delegate authority to evaluate the contract options in relation to the council’s Highways Term Maintenance requirements, and to (as appropriate) extend the existing contract or procure an alternative delivery model.

12.2    The current highways term maintenance contract period expired in March 2026. Contract clauses allowed the Council to grant up to four years extension. The contract value was expected to be £35m per year. A performance review was being undertaken alongside negotiations to obtain better terms.

12.3    Should the review show that an extension was the most appropriate action, delegated authority would be sought to enact the extension period. Should the review show that an alternative operating model would be beneficial, that decision would return to cabinet to seek authority to return to conduct a competitive tender

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

RESOLVED to:

Delegate authority to the Executive Director of Economy, Environment & Infrastructure, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Highways and Flood, the Cabinet Member for Environment and Planning, the Chief Finance (s151) Officer and the Monitoring Officer to:

1. Evaluate contract options in relation to the council’s Highways Term Maintenance Service requirements with effect from 1st April 2026.

2. Subject to the outcome of the evaluation process described in Recommendation (1), either:

a) Extend the term of the council’s existing Highways Term Maintenance Service contract with Ringway Infrastructure Services no later than 1st April 2026 by exercising an up to 4 years extension option under the contract: or

b) Seek Cabinet approval to conduct a competitive procurement process to procure and award a replacement Highways Term Maintenance Service contract using the alternative contracting model commencing no later than 1^st April 2026.

Cllr Stephen Davies sought Cabinet approval for Gloucestershire’s Childcare

Sufficiency Duty report (2024).

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

RESOLVED to:

1. Approve the Childcare Sufficiency Duty Report 2024, set out in Appendix 1 to this report

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 make any final changes prior to publication and

3. Approve the implementation of the recommendations and measures set out in said report.

13.1    Cllr Stephen Davies sought Cabinet approval for Gloucestershire’s Childcare

Sufficiency Duty report (2024).

13.2    The Childcare Act 2006, placed a duty on local authorities to secure, as far as was reasonably practicable, sufficient childcare provision for children aged 0-14 and up to 18 for children with disabilities.  The aim of the annual Sufficiency Assessment report was to provide an analysis of supply, demand and quality of childcare in Gloucestershire.

13.3    The most significant challenge for the Early Years sector and EY service, was the capacity to respond to the expansion of the Early Years and childcare offer.

13.4    The quality of childcare in Gloucestershire was high: 91.4% of child minders and day care providers collectively were graded ‘good’ or ‘outstanding.’ This represented an increase of 2.5% since June 2023. 2.7% (14) were currently rated as Requires Improvement and 0.6% (3) as Inadequate.  This represented a reduction over the past 12 months in the number of Early Years settings that have received an Ofsted judgement of less than good from 33 to 17 settings.

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

RESOLVED to:

1. Approve the Childcare Sufficiency Duty Report 2024, set out in Appendix 1 to this report

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 make any final changes prior to publication and

3. Approve the implementation of the recommendations and measures set out in said report.

Cllr Stephen Davies sought Cabinet approval to recommend to Council that it approve Gloucestershire’s One Plan for Children & Young People.

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

RESOLVED to:

1. Recommend to Council that it approve the One Plan for all Children & Young People in Gloucestershire 2024 to 2030 attached at Appendix 1 (the “One Plan”), this is a unifying plan, developed with children, families and partners setting out our ambitions for all children and young people in Gloucestershire and

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 make any final amendments to the One Plan following it being considered by the Gloucestershire Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Coalition Board at the end of September in readiness for it to be presented for approval at Full Council on 6 November.

3. Note a signing and launch event with statutory and voluntary sector partners planned for November 2024.

14.1    Cllr Stephen Davies sought Cabinet approval to recommend to Council that it approve Gloucestershire’s One Plan for Children & Young People.

14.2    The One Plan for all Children & Young People in Gloucestershire 2024-30 (One Plan) was Gloucestershire’s Children and Young People’s Plan. The One Plan was a high level and ambitious plan that unified the county behind a single vision that would see our children and young people grow up in our great county and go on to live lives of choice and opportunity. The aim was to deliver improved outcomes for all children and particularly our most vulnerable, the One Plan, set out the way to achieve that.

14.3    Informed by the views of children and families, over the past year a cross-sector group of officers and partners from all sectors, under the auspices of the Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Coalition had worked together to construct the One Plan for all Children and Young People in the county. Having analysed the data and heard from children, young people and families the Council had set four objectives which underpin the priorities it would deliver against for children starting out, growing up and entering adulthood:

14.4    The Plan itself, aligned with the existing Integrated Care Strategy and Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and the Coalition which would oversee the delivery of the One Plan, holding partners and the council to account, would report to the Health and Wellbeing Board and Health Partnership. The One Plan would be considered for approval by Full Council on 6 November 2024 and launched formally thereafter.

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

RESOLVED to:

1. Recommend to Council that it approve the One Plan for all Children & Young People in Gloucestershire 2024 to 2030 attached at Appendix 1 (the “One Plan”), this is a unifying plan, developed with children, families and partners setting out our ambitions for all children and young people in Gloucestershire and

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 make any final amendments to the One Plan following it being considered by the Gloucestershire Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Coalition Board at the end of September in readiness for it to be presented for approval at Full Council on 6 November.

3. Note a signing and launch event with statutory and voluntary sector partners planned for November 2024.

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

information.

To discuss the exempt information detailed in the appendices to

the published report, consideration must first be given to whether

the public and press should be excluded from the meeting b

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, consideration must be given to

confirm whether members of the public and press should be

excluded from the meeting for this item of business because it is

likely that, if 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 Lynden Stowe sought Cabinet approval of the proposed Schedule of Disposals in order to meet capital receipt targets.

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

RESOLVED to:

1. Approve those sites described in Appendix A (Exempt) which have previously been declared surplus by Cabinet in March 2024 and not yet disposed of, continue to be declared surplus to requirements.

2. Delegate authority to the Assistant Director – Asset Management and Property Services to dispose of these sites in consultation with the Deputy Leader/Cabinet Member for Finance and Change and Deputy Chief Executive/Executive Director for Corporate Resources.

15.1    Cllr Lynden Stowe sought Cabinet approval of the proposed Schedule of Disposals in order to meet capital receipt targets.

15.2    Prior to the discussion, members were advised that, should Cabinet wish to discuss the contents of the exempt information reported at Appendix A of the 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 this item without having to refer to the exempt

information.

15.3    The report noted that the approval of the Schedule of Disposals and the declaration of those sites as surplus to requirements, would deliver future capital receipts. Asset Management and Property Services were working towards a capital receipt target of £42.697 million by March 2028. For 2023/24, AMPS achieved £1.516 million in capital receipts.

15.4    Capital receipts achieved to date for 2024/25 totalled £4.942 million and sales agreed currently totals £10.904 million with further sales being negotiated. Several of the agreed sales were subject to purchasers securing planning permission.

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

RESOLVED to:

1. Approve those sites described in Appendix A (Exempt) which have previously been declared surplus by Cabinet in March 2024 and not yet disposed of, continue to be declared surplus to requirements.

2. Delegate authority to the Assistant Director – Asset Management and Property Services to dispose of these sites in consultation with the Deputy Leader/Cabinet Member for Finance and Change and Deputy Chief Executive/Executive Director for Corporate Resources.