To:      COUNCIL

21 April 2021

                                                                                                                                                      

 

EXECUTIVE REPORT TO COUNCIL

The Leader

 

 

1          PURPOSE OF REPORT

 

1.1       Since the Council meeting on 24 February 2021, the Executive has met once, on the 16 March 2021.  This report summarises decisions taken by reference to the relevant portfolio within which they fall. 

 

1.2       Updated Forward Plans are published every Friday and can be viewed online at www.bracknell-forest.gov.uk.  Full details on the decisions taken by individual portfolio holders can also be accessed online through the Council’s website.

 

 

2          RECOMMENDATION

 

2.1       Council is asked to consider the recommendations set out at paragraph 5.5.1.

 

 

3          REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATIONS

 

3.1       The reasons for recommendations are set out in the supporting information and in the reports considered by the Executive.

 

 

4          ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

 

4.1       Alternative options are discussed in the relevant individual reports considered by the Executive.

 

 

5          SUPPORTING INFORMATION

 

Children, Young People and Learning

 

5.1       Apprenticeship Review

 

5.1.2    The Executive received the findings of the Education, Skills and Growth Overview & Scrutiny Panel’s review into Apprenticeships and agreed the following recommendations:

 

·         To work with Apprenticeship pathway providers to ensure our young people aged between 16-21 have the best opportunities and outcomes.

·         To adopt an Apprenticeship policy which sets out expectations around pay, terms and conditions and that the Education, Skills and Growth Panel is consulted on the draft policy and for this to be completed by December 2021 to coronavirus capacity limitations.

·         That Apprenticeships are promoted externally and internally by producing a promotional video which highlights the benefit of becoming an apprentice, growing businesses, and supporting the economy by March 2022 to coronavirus capacity limitations.

·         That the current Apprenticeship webpages are reviewed, and the content updated to include more information, links to job vacancy websites and information about what to expect from an apprenticeship by December 2021 to coronavirus capacity limitations.

·         That it is investigated whether it would be possible to facilitate a mentoring scheme between large businesses and small/medium businesses to encourage more apprenticeship opportunities by March 2022 to coronavirus capacity limitations.

·         That ongoing partnerships are developed across Berkshire to provide a united gateway of support and guidance to businesses enabling them to take better advantage of the apprenticeship levy.

 

5.1.3    The Education, Skills and Growth Overview & Scrutiny Panel was commissioned to undertake a review into Apprenticeships as part of the Overview and Scrutiny work programme.  This review activity was undertaken from November 2020 until January 2021 and witnesses were consulted during this time.  A survey was also sent to local business, apprentices, and schools to gain wider feedback.  The methodology undertaken, findings and recommendations were endorsed by the Overview and Scrutiny Commission on 17 February 2021.

 

 

Council Strategy & Community Cohesion

 

5.2       Procurement Plan for South Central Independent Fostering Agency Framework

2022

 

5.2.1    The Executive agreed the recommendations contained in the Strategic Procurement Plan, that Bracknell Forest Council enter into a partnership agreement (the Partnership) with 15 LA’s where Southampton City Council will be the lead procuring authority for the procurement of a new framework for IFA provision (4 year term commencing on April 2022).  It was anticipated that the total expenditure by the Council through the South-Central framework will be between £800,000 and £1,000,000 per annum, giving a maximum total for the four years of £4,000,000.  Approval of this Strategic Procurement Plan would therefore authorise that all future call offs from this Framework that did not exceed £4,000,000 over the term of the framework.

 

Culture, Delivery and Public Protection

 

5.3       Strategic Procurement Plans for MS Teams Telephony and the Core Network

 

5.3.1    The Executive agreed that the Council access the approved frameworks, detailed in the Strategic Procurement Plans for MS Teams Telephony and the Core Network, to undertake a mini competition to select appropriate solutions and expert support for the implementations

 

5.4       Support package for Everyone Active

 

5.4.1    In order to protect the Council’s leisure services from the effects of the latest lockdown, the Executive agreed that Everyone Active be granted a management fee break for the period from April to June 2021 (inclusive of Government Income Support funding which has been confirmed for the same period).  It was also agreed that Council will underwrite the estimated losses and costs for Everyone Active for the period April 2021 to June 2021 with the actual sum to be calculated on an “open book” basis.  That approach allows for flexibility as and when leisure services are allowed to operate, ensuring the support is only provided when the Council’s leisure facilities are not generating income.  The Executive also agreed to review the situation every three months starting in May 2021 for the remainder of the financial year.  Should further financial support for future quarters be required this will be presented at these reviews.

 

Economic Development and Regeneration

 

5.5       Initial site development Plan - Market Street

 

5.5.1    The Executive recommended to Council approval of the proposed Site Development Plan for Market Street, including land drawdown where conditions have been met as set out in confidential Annex B in the Executive agenda and to make available the Council’s equal share of funding needed to undertake this development up to a peak requirement of £15.4m.

 

5.5.2    The Executive agreed that the Borough Solicitor be authorised to appropriate the land at Market Street edged red on the plan for planning purposes under Section 122(1) of the Local Government Act 1972, when a planning consent is in place.

 

6          NOTIFICATION OF APPOINTMENTS MADE BY THE LEADER

 

6.1       The Leader delegated the responsibility for selecting polling places for the forthcoming elections on Thursday 6 May 2021 to the Chief Executive, Timothy Wheadon.

 

6.2       The Leader agreed that due to the conflict of interest that the Executive Member for Planning and Transport had in regard to the Bracknell Neighbourhood Plan, the decision to go to referendum would be delegated to the Leader.

 

7          ADVICE RECEIVED FROM STATUTORY AND OTHER OFFICERS

 

Borough Solicitor

 

7.1       The Borough Solicitor’s comments have been addressed in the reports to the Executive.

 

Director: Resources

 

7.2       The Director: Resources’ comments have been addressed in the reports to the Executive.

 

Equalities Impact Assessment

 

7.3       Equalities issues, where appropriate, have been addressed in the reports to the Executive.

 

Strategic Risk Management Issues

 

7.4       Any strategic risks have been identified in the reports to the Executive.

 

 

Background Papers

Executive Agenda – 16 March 2021

                                

 

Contact for further information

Hannah Stevenson, Delivery - 01344 352308

Hannah.stevenson@bracknell-forest.gov.uk