Agenda and minutes

To consider and approve the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 10 February 2015.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Executive on 10 February 2015 together with the accompanying decision records be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

To determine the Executive’s response to the recommendations in the report by the Overview and Scrutiny Commission’s Working Group on ”A Review of Business Rates and Discretionary Relief”.

RESOLVED that

1    The following recommendations of the Working Group on “A Review of Business Rates and Discretionary Relief” be accepted:

a)    That efforts are made to ascertain the rate of take up of Small Business Rates Relief in Bracknell Forest, and if similarly low to the national average, to publicise the availability of this valuable relief scheme more widely.

b)    That the Executive looks for opportunities – perhaps through the Local Government Association, and possibly directly to Government Ministers – to stress to central government the significance of Business Rates avoidance, and the need for early resolution.

c)    That the Executive Members for Culture, Corporate Services and Public Protection; and Economic Development and Regeneration should ensure there is effective promotion of the proposed Discretionary Business Rate Relief scheme.

2    That the following recommendation of the Working Group on “A Review of Business Rates and Discretionary Relief” be accepted, with refinements:

d)    That the draft scheme at Appendix 2, along with further considerations and details at Appendix 3, are put forward for consideration by the Executive and implementation during 2015/16.

To enable the development of services within Bracknell Forest to support people, caring for adults and young people approaching adulthood, in an unpaid caring role.

RESOLVED that the Joint Commissioning Strategy for People in an Unpaid Caring Role 2015 -2020 be approved.

To provide an update on the Council’s progress and successful delivery of Phase 1 the Family Focus Programme (known nationally as the Troubled Families programme), and to seek agreement to the proposals being made in respect of delivering Phase 2 of the programme.

RESOLVED that

1              The progress and success of Phase 1 of the programme be noted.

2              The progression into Phase 2 of the potentially longer, five year programme, on the proposed basis set out in the body of the report be noted.

3              The outline budget plan set out in Annex 2 to the report be agreed.

To enable a clear 'Staying Put' policy to be established for Looked After Children wishing to remain in their foster care placement past the age of 18; to consider proposals for funding Staying Put arrangements and the costs of managing a Staying Put service; to note the financial risk should the new funding from the Government not prove sufficient to meet the expected costs.

RESOLVED that

1          The Staying Put Policy at Appendix A be agreed;

2          Option 3 from Appendix B, Staying Put Financial Implications be agreed.

To seek the Executive’s endorsement of the Community Safety Partnership Plan.

RESOLVED that

1          The priorities and targets contained within the CSP Plan be noted and comments be provided to the Community Safety Manager by Friday 6 March 2015.

2          The Executive recommends to Council the CSP Plan 2014–2017 – 2015 Refresh for adoption as part of the Policy Framework.  (Appendix 1 to the report).

To approve the 2015/16 Integrated Transport and Highway Maintenance Capital Programmes.

RESOLVED that

1          The 2015/16 capital programme budget for Highway Maintenance be targeted at the indicative work programme as set out in Annex 1;

2          The Integrated Transport Capital Programme for 2015/16, as set out in Annex 2 to the report be approved.

To inform the Executive of the performance of the Council over the 3rd quarter of the 2014/15 financial year (October - December 2014).

RESOLVED that the performance of the Council over the period from October - December 2014, highlighted in the Overview Report in Annex A to the report be noted.

To notify the Executive of the decision taken by The Leader on 23 February 2015 to revise the award of contract previously taken by the Executive in September 2014 for the construction works to create new classrooms at Cranbourne Primary School

RESOLVED that the use of Special Urgency Procedures by the Leader to revise the award of contract for the construction works to create new classrooms at Cranbourne Primary School be noted.

To update the Executive on progress with the full Business Case for the redevelopment of the Coopers Hill site to provide a creative, performing and digital arts centre for young people in Bracknell Forest.

RESOLVED that

1          Subject to the outcome of a financial viability study to approve in principle the redevelopment of the Coopers Hill site in partnership with TVHA to provide youth and housing facilities as outlined in the report be agreed.

2.         To test the financial viability study looking at, the creation of a creative, digital and performing arts centre through the redevelopment of the Coopers Hill site, by securing the support of leading national organisations with a track record in delivering effective programmes for young people be agreed.

3          Subject to the successful outcome of 2.2; to negotiate and enter into a development agreement with TVHA be agreed.

4          To report back on the outcome of the feasibility study and the potential terms of a development agreement for the site by December 2015 be agreed.

To consider the following motion:

That pursuant to Regulation 4 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) Regulations 2012, members of the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of items 15,16 & 17 which involves the likely disclosure of exempt information under the following category of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:

(3)        Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

 (NB:    No representations have been received in relation to the notice published pursuant to Regulation 5 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) Regulations 2012.)

RESOLVED that pursuant to Regulation 21 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) Regulations 2000, members of the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the consideration of item 15, 16 & 17 which involves the likely disclosure of exempt information under the following category of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:

(3)        Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority).

To seek approval of a Waiver of the Contract Standing Orders to enter into a new one year contract with the current provider for staffing to support Intermediate Care Services.

RESOLVED that the competition requirements of Contract Standing Orders be waived to allow negotiation of a contract for a period of 1 year (six month contract with option for a further six months) at a total estimated value as set out in the restricted report, with BHFT for staffing to support Intermediate Care Services.

To seek agreement to dispose of a Council site and to acquire an alternative site to provide improved services and facilities for older people.

RESOLVED that

1          The Council acquires the freehold interest of the Dennis Pilcher House site from Bracknell Forest Homes (BFH) as shown in Appendix A for the sum as set out in the restricted report subject to a clawback by BFH if the Council disposes of the freehold interest in the future.

2          The Council disposes of the freehold interest of the Ladybank site as shown at Appendix B to BFH for the amount set out in the restricted report, conditional upon BFH obtaining satisfactory planning permission and to be simultaneous with the acquisition of Dennis Pilcher House.

3          The Council enters into a short term full repairing lease back of the Ladybank site for a nominal fee from the date it acquires vacant possession of the Dennis Pilcher site.

To seek authority to establish a Local Housing Company (LHC) to provide accommodation  for homeless households, households with learning disabilities and /or autism and care leavers.

RESOLVED that

1          The development of Local Housing Company (LHC) to procure accommodation to provide homes for homeless households , households with learning disabilities and/or autism and care leavers so as reduce Council expenditure on accommodation be agreed;

2          The Council provides financial support to the Company in the form of a short term loan as set out in the restricted report, as start-up funding be agreed;

3          The Council  provides loan finance to the company in the future of as set out in the restricted report, so that it can acquire properties, the loan to be repaid from the surplus income it generates be agreed;

4          The structure of the company will be as a company limited by shares, initially set up as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Council be agreed;

5          Minimum Council representation on the Board of the LHC will by the Executive member Adult social care , Health and housing, Executive member Transformation and finance, Chief executive , Borough Treasurer and Borough Solicitor be agreed.