Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R Pritchard

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2015 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor S Claymore and seconded by Councillor S Doyle)

To receive any declarations of Members’ interests (pecuniary and non-pecuniary) in any matters which are to be considered at this meeting.

When Members are declaring a pecuniary or non-pecuniary 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 pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest in respect of which they do not have a dispensation. 

There were no Declarations of Interest.

To answer questions from members of the public pursuant to Executive Procedure Rule No. 13

None

None

The Chair of Healthier and Safer Scrutiny Committee Councillor A James updated Cabinet on the proposals for DBS checking and that the members of Healthier and Safer Scrutiny Committee had voted unanimously not to proceed with this any further.

(The Report of the Leader of the Council)

The Leader of the Council provided Cabinet with a performance and financial health-check

(The Report of the Leader of the Council)

The Leader of the Council informed Members of the re-priced base budget for 2016/17, base budget forecasts for the period 2016/17 to 2020/21 (the 5 Year Medium Term Planning Period) and the underlying assumptions and considered the future strategy to address the financial trends.

(The Report of the Leader of the Council)

The Leader of the Council informed Cabinet and requested approval where necessary on decisions relating to Commissioning Cycle 2 – Tamworth Borough Council VCS funding contracts and Locality Commissioning – multi-agency funding contracts.  Also the investment in services provided to Tamworth residents through these contracts will automatically cease on 31 March 2016 unless the decision is taken to take up the option to extend for a further one year.

(The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets)

The Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets reported on the Council Tax Base for the Borough Council for 2016/17.

(The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets)

The Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets provided Members with details of write offs from 1st April 2015 to 30th September 2015 and sought approval to write off irrecoverable debt in line with policy re Housing Benefit Overpayments in excess of £10k.

(The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets)

The Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets presented to Members the Mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy.

(The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Communities and Public Health)

The Portfolio Holder for Communities and Health requested Members to endorse the revised statement of principles following the consultation between 1 August 2015 - 31 October 2015 and the comments from Licensing Committee on 12 November 2015. The comment received from Licensing Committee was that Tamworth Borough Council will promote socially responsible gambling and where possible prevent problem gambling. It is a requirement of the Gambling Act 2005 that the Council publishes a revised Statement of Principles in respect of the requirements of the Act by 1 January 2016.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Housing and Waste Management)

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Waste Management requested Members approval of the refreshed Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2016-20, the annual Strategy Action Plan, the Spend Plan that sets out how the homelessness prevention activity will be resourced over the first two years to 2018 and the supporting review and evidence base document. 

The report also requested Cabinet approval of the Housing Solutions Fund, the Hospital Discharge Protocol and refreshed Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), three key tools that will support the delivery of the Strategy and Action Plan. 

Additionally, the report requested approval from Cabinet to increase the Bed and Breakfast Budget by £50K in order ensure the Council can assist those in need of temporary accommodation at a time of increased demand. 

The report also requested approval to participate in the Government backed Gold Standard scheme that will require the Council to have excellent services and partnerships in place that meet the 10 local challenges that underpin the scheme.

(The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Waste Management)

The Portfolio Holder for Housing and Waste Management requested for Members to agree to the adoption and implementation of revised standards for Housing in Multiple Occupation (HMO) including Category D Lodgings and Hostels for the purpose of temporary accommodation.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education)

The Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education requested Members to agree procurement of a developer for the regeneration of the Tinkers Green Estate and Kerria Centre

To consider excluding the Press and Public from the meeting by passing the following resolution:-

“That in accordance with the provisions of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meeting and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, and Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and the public interest in withholding the information outweighs the public  interest in disclosing the information to the public”

At the time this agenda is published no representations have been received that this part of the meeting should be open to the public.

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education)

The Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education requested Members to agree the approach to redevelopment of Council owned garage sites for affordable housing.