Agenda and minutes

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 September 2015 were taken as read and signed as a correct record.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People and Economy, on proposals to re-profile the Dedicated School Grant (DSG).

The Board was advised that the DSG was allocated annually based on the number of primary and secondary pupils, those in early years provision and those in receipt of high needs provision. This was then allocated to mainstream schools and academies in Halton using the funding formula calculated by the Local Authority Finance Team. It was noted that the estimated amount of grant for 2016/17 would be £101,572,789.

The report set out a summary of the funding challenges in balancing the DSG and the proposals to address the funding gap so as to ensure a sustainable and balanced DSG. The Budget Options for Special Schools Funding, Options A and B were detailed for Members’ consideration. It was further noted that permission was sought to consult the Schools Forum on the proposals to re-profile the DSG funding for 2016/17 and 2017/18.

Reason(s) for decision

To ensure that there was a fair distribution of resources across the DSG and that the DSG was profiled so that its budget commitments were sustainable.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected

Consideration was given to reducing schools budget by £1.8m to balance the budget in 2016/17, however, the minimum funding guarantee would cap any reductions to 1.5%, i.e. approximately £863,000.

Implementation Date

1 April 2016.

RESOLVED: That

1)          the proposal to consult with the Schools Forum on the proposal to re-profile the DSG funding for 2016/17 and 2017/18 be approved;

2)          Option B be supported;

3)          the proposal to review and revise the top up funding for special schools within the Borough, to bring the funding in line with the available budget be supported; and

4)          a further report on the outcome of the consultations be brought to a future meeting of Executive Board.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People and Economy, which sought approval to offer Direct Award contracts for the delivery of community based supported accommodation services for the period 31 March to 30 September 2016.

At its meeting on 2 July 2015, Executive Board endorsed a Direct Award of a contract to thirteen supported accommodation providers from 1 November 2015 to 31 March 2016. In addition, it also approved the procurement of the vulnerable adult supported accommodation services framework during 2015.

          Members were advised that the procurement process had been implemented, but had been aborted to allow a modified tender process to be developed with a revised specification and pricing model. Given this delay, it was reported that it would be difficult for successful tenderers to mobilise the new contracts by 1 April 2016, with a risk to continuity of service for vulnerable adults. It was therefore proposed to extend the current VEAT (Voluntary Ex-Ante Transparency Notice) in order to comply with EU Procurement Regulations and to give Direct Award contracts up to 30 September 2016 to those providers listed in paragraph 5.2 of the report.   

RESOLVED: That

1)          the recommendation to support the current VEAT Notice and Direct Award to supported accommodation providers (as listed in paragraph 5.2 of the report), from 1 April 2016 to 30 September 2016 be supported; and

2)          Executive Board confirms its continuing approval of the procurement of the vulnerable adult supported accommodation services framework with a contract start date no later than 1 October 2016. The contract will be for a period of three years with an additional one year extension based on the quality of service delivery.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People and Economy, which provided an update on the Liverpool City Region (LCR) Employment and Skills Initiatives in Halton.

          The Board noted that the Employment and Skills Board was the LCR lead strategic voice for improving the employment, skills and productivity of the LCR’s residents and workforce. The report set out details of the four programmes within the Youth Employment Gateway, where Halton benefitted and had taken a lead role on implementing those initiatives. These included:

·       Liverpool City Region Apprenticeship Hub;

·       Skills for Growth Capital Fund;

·       Calls for European Funding; and

·       Access to Employment.

It was reported that in future, it was likely that Government would transfer the allocation of resources to the City Region level and that the current Growth Plan concept would be extended, so that the Combined Authority and the Employment and Skills Board would have more influence over the allocation of resources within the LCR.

          RESOLVED: That the positive progress being made to deliver Liverpool City Region initiatives in Halton be supported.

The Board considered a report of the Operational Director, Finance, on initial budget proposals for 2016/17.

The Board was advised that the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) forecast revenue budget funding gaps would be approximately £16m in 2016/17 and £9m in 2017/18. A first set of savings proposals from the Budget Working Group were attached at Appendix 1. It was proposed to implement these immediately to achieve a part in-year saving in 2015/16, to assist in keeping the Council’s overall spending in line with budget.

It was noted that the Government would announce its Grant Settlement for Local Government in December 2015, at which point the Council’s actual budget gap for 2016/17 would be identified as well as indications for 2017/18 and 2018/19.

RESOLVED: That Council be recommended to approve the initial budget proposals for 2016/17, as set out in Appendix 1.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, People and Economy, on Term Maintenance Contracts.

The Board was advised that the existing maintenance and minor work term contracts across the Borough were due to end by 1 June 2016. The Operational Director, Economy, Enterprise and Property had proceeded with a procurement process to invite tenders for three new contracts to cover all the required elements across the Borough, as detailed in the report. It was proposed that the new arrangements would be set up for a three year period with the potential to extend by one year, subject to satisfactory performance.

RESOLVED: That the Board note that a procurement process will be entered into via The Chest, with the purpose of securing maintenance and minor works contracts for mechanical, electrical and building elements for use across the Borough.

The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Community and Resources, on a proposed response to the HM Courts and Tribunals Service Consultation Paper in the North West Region.

The Board was advised that the HM Courts and Tribunals Service had consulted the Council on wide ranging changes to the Court and Tribunal estate within the North West. All Elected Members and regular Court users amongst Council staff had been invited to express their views on the proposals, and the responses received were summarised as a draft response at Appendix 2.

It was reported that the key areas of concern were the increased cost and difficulty of travel for Halton residents, the impact on staff and their time, the pressure on Court provision and the view that Runcorn Magistrates Court should be removed from the proposals as it was comparatively well used.

RESOLVED: That HM Courts and Tribunals Service be notified that the Council does not agree with the proposals set out in the Consultation Paper, for the reasons contained within Appendix 2 attached to the report.

MINUTES ISSUED: 2 OCTOBER 2015

CALL-IN: 9 OCTOBER 2015

Any matter decided by the Executive Board may be called in no later than 5.00pm on 9 October 2015