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Agenda and minutes

Cabinet - Wednesday, 25th July, 2012 6.00 pm

Venue: Committee Room 1 Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth

Contact: Democratic Services  01827 709264

Items
No. Item

28.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor S Doyle

29.

Corporate Update

Title:    Executive Consultation on Council Tax Support and reforms with Request for Endorsement by Members

 

            Presenter:      Karen Taylor (Head of Benefits) and

Michael Buckland (Head of Revenues)

Minutes:

The Head of Benefits and the Head of Revenues gave a presentation on the changes to Council Tax Support and reforms which was endorsed by Members, going forward for consultation and report back to Cabinet on 15 August 2012.

30.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 52 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2012 were approved and signed as a correct record.

 

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor J Oates)

31.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations of Members’ interests (personal and/or personal and prejudicial) in any matters which are to be considered at this meeting.

 

When Members are declaring a personal interest or personal and prejudicial interest in respect of which they have dispensation, they should specify the nature of such interest.  Members should leave the room if they have a personal and prejudicial interest in respect of which they do not have a dispensation. 

 

Minutes:

There were no Declarations of Interest.

32.

Matters Referred to the Cabinet in Accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules

None

Minutes:

None

33.

Grants To Voluntary Organisations (Small Grants Scheme)/Local Arts Grant Scheme pdf icon PDF 50 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Core Services & Assets)

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Core Services and Assets informing Members of the Small Grants, Arts Grants and Sport Grants awards made during 2011/12 was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

That the outturn of the Cabinet (Grants) Sub-Committee be endorsed.

 

(Moved by Councillor R Pritchard and seconded by Councillor S Claymore)

 

34.

Re-Development Of Tranches 2 And 3 Garage Sites pdf icon PDF 42 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Portfolio Holder for Core Services and Assets)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Portfolio Holder for Core Services and Assets providing members with an update on progress concerning the disposal of 26 Council owned garage sites for the purpose of developing affordable housing was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That:

 

1

The progress made to date regarding the disposal of garage sites to partner Registered Providers (RPs) to develop affordable housing be noted, and;

 

 

2

The commencement of work in relation to sites identified in Trenches 2 and 3 be approved.

 

(Moved by Councillor M Greatorex and seconded by Councillor R Pritchard)

 

35.

Tamworth Homelessness Education Programme pdf icon PDF 39 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing seeking approval for the revised Tamworth Homelessness Education Project (THEP) was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

That the use of the revised Tamworth Homelessness Education Programme as a key prevention tool to support homelessness prevention activity be approved.

 

(Moved by Councillor M Greatorex and seconded by Councillor J Oates)

 

 

36.

The Impact of Welfare Benefit Reform on Tenants pdf icon PDF 57 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing setting out the challenges and opportunities arising from the Welfare Reform Act 2012 following the receipt of Royal assent in March was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That:

 

1

The impact arising from the key legislative changes, as set out at Annex 1 as set out in the Member Presentation delivered at the end of May 2012 be acknowledged, and;

 

2

Investment in the Third sector be increased to £10,000 in order to facilitate the improvement of debt management services and sensible lending solutions, and;

 

3

The principles used to access funding available through the “homelessness prevention grant” as set out in the report, delegating authority to the Portfolio Holder to agree the final details of a scheme be endorsed, and;

 

4

The increase in income management staff, subject to the usual Appointments and Staffing Committees arrangements be supported, and;

 

5

The investigation into the introduction of electronic means to pay rent using the rent app, mobile payment methods as part of the corporate change management programme be endorsed, and;

 

6

The development of a Social Enterprise Partnership with Mears to develop a skills academy, delegating authority to the Portfolio Holder of Housing to agree the detail be supported, and;

 

7

The Communications and Action plans (attached at annexes 2 and 3) which set out the next steps in relation to the wider partnership opportunities around the LEP and the banking sector to help tackle financial exclusion and worklessness be agreed, and;

 

8

A further report to be received in the summer of 2013 detailing the initial impact of the changes and to set out final preparations for Universal Credit in October 2013.

 

(Moved by Councillor M Greatorex and seconded by Councillor R Pritchard)

 

37.

Safeguarding Update pdf icon PDF 49 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing)

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing updating Members on the number and type of initial safeguarding concerns that the council received between April 2011 and March 2012 and informing Members of the current position in relation to our Policy regarding safeguarding children and vulnerable adults was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That:

 

1

The proposal to delay (until the autumn of 2012) the scheduled review of our current Safeguarding policy in order to benefit from the national guidance due to be published in summer 2012 be endorsed, and;

 

2

Attendance by Tamworth Borough Councillors be promoted at all future Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adult awareness training.

 

(Moved by Councillor M Greatorex and seconded by Councillor R Pritchard)

 

38.

Tamworth Assembly Rooms Development Phase pdf icon PDF 55 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Enterprise)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Enterprise updating Members on the Tamworth Assembly Rooms Development Project and seeking permission and agreement on the “Development Phase” timeline and actions was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That:

 

1

The £88,200 Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) round one grant be accepted and the use of £50,000 TBC capital (from the £400k) budget be endorsed to enable further feasibility work as part of the Development Phase, and;

 

2

The actions contained in the Development Phase timetable attached at appendix 1 be endorsed, and;

 

3

The procurement of Architectural support (Including survey works) and the procurement of a project manager be approved, and;

 

4

It was noted that a further report detailing the proposal for a second round Heritage Lottery Grant will be brought to Cabinet prior to the submission in December 2012.

(Moved by Councillor S Claymore and seconded by Councillor D Cook)