Agenda and minutes

To consider and approve the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 20 October 2015.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Executive on 20 October 2015 together with the accompanying decision records be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Leader.

To seek approval to implement a revised debt recovery policy for both Council Tax and Business Rates.

RESOLVED that the Executive agree both the Council Tax Recovery Policy attached as Appendix A, and the Business Rates Recovery Policy attached as Appendix B to the Director of Corporate Services’ report for immediate implementation

To consider the outcome of the consultation on charging options arising out of the changes to powers and duties on Local Authorities brought about by the Care Act.

RESOLVED that:

      i.        the responses received during the consultation period be noted.

     ii.        That the Executive agree the following options for charging:

1.    That the Council continues to charge for Residential and Nursing care on the basis of the detailed regulations set out in the Charging for Residential Accommodation Guide

2.    That the Council changes its policy on the financial assessment of couples to be compliant with the Care Act, and approves the interim arrangements for people who are adversely affected by this change (see paragraph 5.7 of the Director of Adult Social Care, Health and Housing’s report).

3.    That the Council charges interest on Universal Deferred Payments at the rate set by the Department of Health, currently 2.25%.

4.    That the Council charges interest on discretionary Deferred Payments at the maximum rate set by the Department of Health, currently 2.25%.

5.    That the Council charges an administration fee of £900 for setting up a Universal or discretionary Deferred Payment, and an annual fee of £300 for managing that Deferred Payment.

6.    That the Council charges a fee to self funders in community based settings of £300 for setting up care arrangements, and £200 per annum for ongoing management of the those arrangements.

    iii.        That the Executive notes that there was overwhelming support for its policy of not introducing charges for Carers Services (see paragraph 7.3 of the Director of Adult Social Care, Health and Housing’s report)

To confirm the process for the appointment of school sponsors for proposed new schools, and to note an update to the timeline in relation to the Binfield Learning Village.

RESOLVED that:

      i.        The updated terms of reference and membership of the Education Review Group (Annex 1 of the Director of Children, Young People and Learning’s Report) be agreed.

     ii.        To agree the updated application evaluation criteria (Annex 2 of the Director of Children, Young People and Learning’s Report) be agreed.

    iii.        To note the updated timeline for the appointment of school providers for the new school at Binfield Learning Village (Annex 3 of the Director of Children, Young People and Learning’s Report) be noted

To confirm the process and timeline for the appointment of a school sponsor for the proposed new primary school to the north of Amen Corner.

RESOLVED that:

      i.        the School Sponsor Appointment Plan for the new school to the north of Amen Corner be endorsed.

     ii.        the updated timeline for the appointment of a school provider for the new school at Amen Corner North (Annex 1 of the Director of Children, Young People and Learning’s report) be noted.

To provide an update on the proposal to implement a Bracknell Forest Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and seek endorsement for its establishment.

RESOLVED that

      i.        The Executive formally endorses the proposed implementation of a MASH in Bracknell Forest.

     ii.        The MASH funding proposal is included in the budget plans.              

To seek endorsement of the Statement of Licensing Policy to be submitted to Council for approval on 25 November 2015.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees the submission of the Statement of Licensing Policy to Council on 25 November 2015 for formal adoption with effect from 7 January 2016.

To seek endorsement of the Statement of Gambling Principles to be submitted to Council for approval on 25 November 2015.

RESOLVED that the Executive agrees the submission of the Statement of Gambling Principles to Council on 25 November 2015 for formal adoption with effect from 31 January 2016. 

To inform the Executive of the work of the School Improvement Service and schools’ end of year results for the academic year 2014-15.

RESOLVED that the Executive:

      i.        notes school results for the academic year 2014-15 and

     ii.        endorses thepriorities and direction of travel for the School Improvement Service for the academic year 2015-16. All results quoted in this report and the annex A of the Director of Children, Young People and Learning’s report are provisional and are awaiting validation

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 14 and 15 which involve 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).

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 items 14 and 15 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 to award the contract to provide smoking cessation services across 5 Berkshire Local Authorities; Bracknell Forest, Reading, Slough, West Berkshire and Wokingham.

RESOLVED that the smoking cessation service contract be awarded to Solutions4Health Ltd to begin on 1^st April 2016 for a duration of 3 years in the first instance (with an option to be extended for a further two years) with a maximum contract annual value of £1.38 million (shared across five local authorities).

To consider an offer from the tenant of 50a Ripplesmere to purchase the property from the Council.

RESOLVED that the sale of 50a Ripplesmere to Dr K Rijal for the sum of £280,000 be approved.