Councillor Gledhill, Leader and Portfolio Holder for Housing, introduced the report that set out the base position after developing a new Housing Review Account Business Plan for 2017/18. This Plan needed to be financially viable whilst being able to continue to deliver the Council’s Housing priorities.

Councillor Gledhill stated that the continuation of the government’s rent reduction policy reduced the resources available in the Housing Review Account and as a result other ways of generating additional resources had been explored.

A review of the housing service which included all activities funded by the Housing Review Account was currently underway.

Councillor Gledhill stated that no agreement would be given to any new proposals that were under consultation.

Councillor B Rice stated that she was delighted that the consultations had been noticed and that the Council should respect all residents views and to recognise the anger that some residents are currently feeling.

The Mayor invited the Chamber to vote on the recommendation.

Upon being put to the vote, Members voted as follows:

For                   :           18

Against            :           19

Abstain            :           5

Whereupon the Mayor declared the recommendation lost.

Councillor Hebb introduced the report that reviewed the budget setting procedure that had been adopted at February Council and considered the options for reviewing the process going forward.

A Peer Review had been commissioned to look into the way that budgets were set within Thurrock. The Peer Review had been designed to show how the Council operated last year and feedback would be received. The Review may also identify processes that were already seen as best practice.

Councillor J Kent accepted the legal opinion of the Monitoring Officer but that the majority of Members had voted against the budget envelopes for a number of different reasons. Councillor Kent stated his reason for voting against this was that insufficient monies had been allocated to adult social care. Councillor Kent stated that it was regrettable that Cabinet had gone along with the letter of the law rather than with the spirit of what the Council wanted to do and if Cabinet continued along that route it would not be long before the majority of Members would decide on a committee system.

Councillor Duffin stated that the report had missed the points raised by Members during the debate in February and that the reports were not worth the paper they had been printed on and until these issues had been fixed the politics of Thurrock would not function properly.

Councillor S Little stated that the number of Agency Workers had been reduced since the Conservatives had come into Administration which had also been acknowledged in the Eastern Region and the service had in turn had become cost effective with a better outcome for youngsters.

Councillor Halden stated that in this financial year £4.5million extra would be spent on adult social care. It had become clear that it had not mattered how much money went into a system, how much tax was paid or how much cash was thrown at a problem the need was to ensure that the right people were using the right services available at the right times. The Administration had invested more money into adult social services to address those problems.

Councillor Spillman stated that there was a lot of “will” within the Chambers to go forward together and that the committee system should be looked into to ensure that residents’ voices were heard.

Councillor B Rice stated that the report was a budget item and should not be used for political gains at the expense of local residents who required social care. Councillor S Little confirmed that she was referring to Children Social Care Agency Workers where the number had been halved since she had become Portfolio Holder.

Councillor B Little stated that the Peer Review was to look at how processes were managed and how to avoid recommendations not being approved. Councillor B Little suggested that if Members wished to make proposals on how the Administration worked as a Council they should be part of the process and attend joint meetings such as the spending reviews.

Councillor Okunade stated that Councillor S Little should not claim credit for everything but to come to Council and assure Members that she was running a safe service.

Councillor Huelin stated that services had been improved and had kept the budget balanced. The Administration was focused on what residents wanted and spending the budget wisely.

Councillor MacPherson welcomed the report but stated that there was no place in the future for committee systems.

Councillors Snell and Coxshall both agreed that the Peer Review should be undertaken.

The Mayor invited the Chamber to vote on the recommendation.

Upon being put to the vote, Members voted in favour of the recommendation, whereupon the Mayor declared this to be carried.

RESOLVED

That the Council note the advice of the Monitoring Officer set out in Section 2 of the report.

Councillor Coxshall introduced the report and stated this document was the first of a series of documents being produced by the Council to supplement the newly adopted Thurrock Design Guide. The purpose of the Draft Residential Alterations and Extensions Supplementary Planning Document was to provide detailed guidance to planning officers, applicants and agents on how to appropriately alter and extend individual residential dwellings in Thurrock.

Councillor Redsell stated that consideration should be given to properties not being overlooked and looked forward to seeing the consultation.

The Mayor invited the Chamber to vote on the recommendation.

Upon being put to the vote, Members voted in favour of the recommendation, whereupon the Mayor declared this to be carried.

RESOLVED

That the Council approve the Thurrock Design Guide: Draft Residential Alterations and Extensions Supplementary Planning Document (Appendix A) for public consultation.

To provide an update of the work of Inspire and the move towards a commercial based organisation.

Councillor Halden, the Portfolio Holder for Education and Health, presented the report and in doing so explained the purpose was to update Members on the most appropriate delivery for Inspire Youth Offer. It was further explained that it had been decided to bring the scheme in house under the Council where it could be moved forward.

He continued by stating he did not want young people to leave school and ‘fall’ into a job, when they could learn a skill and secure a job they wanted to do.

Councillor Halden commented that in addition the council had secured a £2.4million grant in European funding and taken on the management of the Council’s Grangewaters Outdoor Education Centre recovering a further £330,000 in the current year to leave the site cost neutral.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.            Approve the principle that the service, including the operation of Grangewaters outdoor education centre, remain an in-house service and is supported in incubating its commercial principles.

2.         Approve more autonomy for Inspire to meet its objective to form a cost neutral and self-sustaining service, while meeting our goals and principles to improve outcomes for young people.

Reason for Decision - as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

This report describes the first stages of a review of the Careline Service and proposes a series of actions to progress the review.

The Portfolio Holder for Education and Health, presented the report explaining essential work had been undertaken to decommission the hard-wired pull cord community alarm system in sheltered housing blocks and general needs community alarm flats, it was further explained these were to be replaced with dispersed personal alarms where required by the service user.

Members were notified that technology had evolved since community alarms were first introduced and had improved allowing people to live in their own homes for longer.

Councillor Halden informed Cabinet that through the scheme the Council was able to abolish the charges in connection with enhanced technology for social care service users. He continued to thank Officers for all of their hard work.

Councillor Coxshall sought clarity as to where the funding came from to enable the Council to abolish the charges for the service. The Portfolio Holder for Education and Health explained that the Chancellor increased the Better Care Fund by £2.8million and this extra income would come from this source as the savings from early intervention would pay for the service.

RESOLVED that Cabinet approve:

1.    To the essential work being undertaken to decommission the hard-wired pull cord community alarm system in sheltered housing blocks and general needs community alarm flats, and to replace them with dispersed personal alarms where required by the service user.

2.    To the plan to upgrade the Careline monitoring system which is also obsolete and lacks the functionality required to support the service.

3.    To develop the Careline service into a new, enhanced and expanded telecare and assistive technology service, linked to telemedicine services where appropriate;

4.    In relation to charging for Careline and the new telecare service:

·         To make Careline / Assistive Technology and the new telecare service available free of charge to users of adult social care as part of our wider prevention strategy.

Reason for Decision - as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

This report outlines Thurrock Council’s Digital and IT Strategy for the years 2017 to 2020. It covers all aspects of Smart, Digital and IT, and outlines a strategic direction that will position Thurrock as a leading digital borough.

Councillor Hebb, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Legal Services, presented the report to the Cabinet and in doing so highlighted he felt the Council needed to embrace technology.  He continued to comment it was not just IT infrastructure that was required to be improved, but also digitalising services. 

Councillor Hebb explained the strategy would take Thurrock on a journey to become a ‘digital exemplar’ and meet wider community ambitions, around place making and economic growth.

It was discussed that the second recommendation was to have regular updates presented to both the Cabinet and Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED:

1.         That the Connected Thurrock Strategy be approved;

2.         As a result of the feedback received from the meeting of the Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Committee on 14th March 2017,  a regular update be presented to both Cabinet and Corporate Overview & Scrutiny as the strategy moves to the practical implementation stages; and

3.         That sign-posting support for resident (users) is documented on the Contact Us page on the Council’s website.

Reason for Decision - as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

To present the context for a new communication strategy setting out the approach to corporate communication activity in the next few years including a media protocol and social media policy.

Portfolio Holder for Finance and Legal Services introduced the report, notifying Cabinet that the council was a £0.5billion business. He stated that the strategy was to make it clear how the council would engage with the media and vice versa.

He continued by stating residents did not have time to search for information, so it was important for it to be easy to find. Councillor Hebb commented that it was important to become self-service but also put the council out for business.

Councillor Coxshall welcomed the report, stating it was long overdue.

The Leader commented on the excellent work undertaken by officers to produce a wide ranging document to promote Thurrock.

RESOLVED:

1.         To agree the proposed Communication Strategy 2017-20 as the principle policy document for engagement with residents via all communication and media platforms.

Reason for Decision - as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

To agree to the Council entering in to the Better Care Fund Section 75 Agreement with NHS Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group for 2017 – 2019 based on the terms set out in the 2016-17 Agreement.

Councillor Halden, the Portfolio Holder for Education and Health, introduced the report on behalf of Councillor S. Little explaining the agreement allowed the creation of a pooled fund with the purpose of promoting the integration of care and support services.

He continued to explain the Council was the ‘host’ organisation for the pooled fund, which meant that once the Section 75 Agreement had been agreed the Council would commission the relevant community services on behalf of Thurrock CCG and the Council. As the final guidance had not been received from NHS England and because there was no Cabinet until June Cabinet was being asked tonight to agree to delegate the entering of the Section 75 to the relevant Corporate Director in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holder.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.       Agree to the Council entering into the Better Care Fund Section 75 Agreement with NHS Thurrock Clinical Commissioning Group for 2017-2019 based on the terms set out in the 2016-17 Agreement and subject to the Council’s agreed budget.

2.       Agree to delegate agreement for changes to the Better Care Fund Section 75 Agreement to the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health and Director of Finance and ICT in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Children’s and Adult Social Care.

Reason for Decision - as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

Approval to retender the contract for hosting and supporting Oracle.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Legal Services, presented the report informing Members the ICT service had conducted a review of supplier contracts and believed that an opportunity existed to reduce the overall annual running costs of Oracle by re-tendering both the hosting and support contracts.

Councillor Hebb stated by going out to tender on the contract could potentially save the Council £0.5millon.

The Leader of the Council commented that by finding such savings enabled the Council to put funds back into front line services.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.            Agree and support the proposal to commission a tender exercise in accordance with EU procedures for the supply of Oracle DBA Support, Hosting Services, Technical Support and Software Maintenance for a period of 2 years with the option to extend the contract by a further 2 years; and

2.            Approves delegation to the Director of Finance and IT to enter into and award the necessary contracts following the procurement process, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Legal.

Reason for Decision - as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

Note an initiative to assist key workers from outside the borough with shared accommodation, during their first year of employment. This initiative provides incentives which should enable the Council  to recruit to posts which are currently hard to fill

Councillor Halden addressed Members advising the Council had experienced difficulties in recruiting staff to key roles in the borough such as teachers and social workers.  Members were further informed in order to fill vacant posts the Council and NHS had undertaken a number of recruitment drives both nationally and abroad.

He continued to explain one of the key issues obstructing recruitment of Key Workers was Thurrock’ s close proximity to London providing easy access to London jobs with weighting allowances.

The Portfolio Holder for Education and Health advised Cabinet of the Council’s plan to initially rent eight four bedroom properties. The first proposed to be on the St Chad’s site in Tilbury, would be available later in the year. Members were notified that William Edwards Secondary School offered teachers a place to stay while working at the School. 

Councillor Gledhill, Leader of the Council and Housing Portfolio Holder, commented on additional challenges Key Workers from abroad may face, for example they may have no experience of living abroad or renting in a foreign country, they may have no family, friends or other contacts in the UK.

RESOLVED:

1.            That Cabinet agree to the proposal to assist key workers from outside the borough with shared accommodation, during their first year of employment.

Reason for Decision - as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

To renew the authority to continue purchasing gas and electricity.

Councillor Coxshall introduced the report to Members which provided context on the Council’s current means of gas and electricity purchasing through framework contracts. 

Members were notified the internal authority for the gas contracts would expire at the end of September 2017 and the electricity September 2018.  It was further explained that the report, also sought authority for a strategy which would enable the Council to continue for a further four years using flexible procurement frameworks managed by expert procurement teams. This would ensure continuity of supply of bulk purchased gas and electricity and best value.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Head of Property and Development be authorised to;

·      To approve during the next four years up to 1st October 2021, the entering into of gas and electricity contracts called off from the Crown Commercial Service (CCS) frameworks.

·      Enter into new contracts under alternative frameworks if suitable options become available, subject to compliance with relevant procurement rules in order to secure the continued purchase of gas and electricity for a further period of four years until the end of September 2021.

Reason for Decision - as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

To approve the draft Customer Services strategy approach, theme and principles for customer Services and associated recommendations/action plan.

Councillor Huelin introduced the report explaining that customer expectations were rising, the local population was growing and changing, and in response, the council was increasingly required to strengthen its customer focus and build integrated service delivery models.

She continued by stating the Customer Services Strategy sets out where the Council wanted to be and how it would get there. It was intended to provide a strategic overview that would lead the direction of travel through service plans and other council procedures.

The Portfolio Holder for Performance and Central Services further commented that the Council’s contact centre did an excellent job and were working closely to assist residents self-serve.

Councillor Hebb remarked that many services were to undergo a review to observe where resources were required to ensure that the best service was given to local residents as they were the council’s customers.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.         Approve the Customer Services Strategy document at Appendix 1.

2.         Approve the proposals as demonstrated in the Pen Portrait examples (Appendix 2) for dealing with customer enquiries

Reason for Decision - as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

To agree the continuation of the Residential Care contract for Adult Social Care.

Councillor Halden presented the report on behalf of Councillor S. Little, notifying Members that Care and Support Statutory Guidance issued under the Care Act 2014 stipulated that where the care planning process had determined that a person’s needs were best met in a care home, the local authority must provide for the person’s preferred choice of accommodation, subject to certain conditions.

He assured Portfolio Holders that Councillor S.Litte had ensured the same quality assurance when looking at the contracts as she did across all aspects of Adult Social Care.

RESOLVED That Cabinet:

1.         Approve a waiver from the constitutional requirement for competitive tendering for the provision of care home services for older people and working age adults, and approve a single sourcing arrangement for new contracts for care home placements commissioned by the Council.

2.         Delegate to the Corporate Director for Adults, Housing and Health in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, the authority to award contracts for care home services to meet the assessed needs and preferences of older people and working age adults.

Reason for Decision - as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

To approve the proceeding to tender for the essential works for Belhus Swimming Pool.

The Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods presented her report detailing to Members that Belhus Park Swimming Pool was part of the leisure complex at Belhus and was run by Impulse Leisure in buildings that were leased from Thurrock Council.

She continued to inform Members the Council had obligations under the lease agreement to maintain the fabric of the building and that Impulse Leisure was responsible for day to day maintenance. Condition surveys, undertaken for the Council had confirmed the swimming pool was in a poor state of repair which required the Council as landlord to carry out significant essential repairs.

During discussions it was highlighted that the survey recommended that works be undertaken to the roof, heating, ventilation and filtration system. Failure to carry out these works could result in an unplanned closure of the swimming pool. 

RESOLVED:

1.         Approve delegated authority being given to the Corporate Director of Environment and Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, to tender and award works up to a value £1.8m subject to a full tendering and procurement process.

Reason for Decision - as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

To approve changes to the delivery arrangements for Grays Underpass

Councillor Coxshall addressed Members explaining that on the 2 February 2017 the Council received notification that its bid for £10.8million from the Local Growth Fund had been successful and that the Council would receive the full amount requested to complete the funding package to deliver the Grays South Project.

He continued to inform Cabinet that the Grays South Project aimed to create public squares and a pedestrian rail crossing to replace the level crossing in Grays High Street, together with the development of modern retail and residential units.

It was mentioned that the project had been a long standing priority for the Council. It was stated that the Council had been working with Network Rail to develop the proposals for the pedestrian rail crossing.

Councillor Gledhill, Leader of the Council, commented that the £11million was awarded by the South East Local Enterprise Partnership, so it was businesses and Council Leaders from East Sussex to the top of Essex who all saw and agreed with the benefit of the scheme. He further commented that the scheme would allow the Council to transform Grays and make it modern.

RESOLVED:

1.    To approve the implementation of the Grays South Project and delegate to the Corporate Director Environment and Place, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, the negotiation of a joint delivery approach and agreement with Network Rail and C2C.

2.    To resolve that the use of Compulsory Purchase powers under Section 226(1) (a) and powers of acquisition under section 227 and 237 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) and Section 13 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 would in principle be justified in order to facilitate the delivery of a pedestrian rail crossing to replace the level crossing in Grays High Street (the Scheme) on the land outlined red on the plan in Appendix 1.

3.    Delegate to the Corporate Director of Environment and Place  in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Regeneration the implementation of the Land Acquisition and Partnership Strategy including:

                 i.             To grant written authority to officers and their appointed agents to enter on to the land and other land for the purposes of carrying out surveys under section 15 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976

               ii.             To issue notices requisitioning information from persons in relation to the land  and other land under section 16 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 or Section 5A of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981.

              iii.             Undertake land referencing and rights to light surveys to identify all owners, tenants, occupiers, and other interests or those who would be likely to be qualifying persons under Section 12(1) of the Acquisition of Land Act 1981 in relation to the scheme.

iv.          Negotiate to acquire land needed to facilitate the Scheme by agreement.

4.    To approve the option 4 design for the pedestrian rail crossing as the basis for the next stage of design and for further consultation about the Scheme to be undertaken.

5.    To approve the funding strategy.

6.    To note that

i.            A detailed report in relation to the exercise of the Compulsory Purchase Powers, setting out the full justification for their use including a full statement of reasons, will be presented for consideration by a future Cabinet.

ii.           The appropriation of Council owned land required for the Scheme from the purposes for which it is currently held to planning purposes is likely to be required under section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972 to deliver the Scheme and the need to do so will be identified once detailed proposals have been prepared.

iii.          The use of stopping up powers under section 247 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) is likely to be required to deliver the Scheme.

iv.          An equalities assessment will be carried out during the following design stages.

Reason for Decision - as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

To note the position on the major capital schemes undertaken by the Council.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Legal Services, addressed Members informing them the 2016/17 Capital Programme was last considered at the December meeting.

It was explained that since the last reported position, additional funding had been added to the programme. Councillor Hebb continued to state that £15million had been re-profiled for libraries and the Purfleet Project. 

Councillor Halden mentioned that £11milion had been allocated by the School’s Basic Need Grant for the improvement and expansion for Schools and Academy in the borough, such as the expansion of St Cleres secondary school and East Tilbury Primary.

The Leader of the Council commented on the previously reported over spend within the Housing department. He stated he felt the spending of money to repair housing structures was not over spend but instead necessary spend for council residents.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.    Note the General Fund capital programme is projected to have unspent capital budgets of £14.897m as at 31 March 2017 being carried forward to 2017/18 to fund schemes currently in progress or under development;

2.    Note the Housing Revenue Account capital programme is currently forecasting an overspend of £0.502m, but work continues to be undertaken to eliminate this by the 31 March 2017; and

3.  Note the Schools Basic Need Government Grant allocation of £5.026m (2017/18) and £6.830m (2018/19) which will be added to the capital programme to fund further school improvements/expansions within the borough.

Reason for Decision - as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in

To update Cabinet on the Medium Term Financial Plan of the Council.

Councillor Hebb presented the report explaining it provided an update on the forecast 2016/17 outturn position as at the end of January 2017.  He continued by highlighting previous reports had shown that the Council had met considerable financial pressures.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Legal Services mentioned that whilst no additional budget savings to front line services had been proposed, the 2016/17 budget did include previously agreed savings.

It was discussed that the overspend position for the year end included funds to deliver the ‘Clean it, Cut it, Fill it’ initiative for 2016/17, which was highlighted by residents through the recent Resident Survey.  Members were further notified that the most significant pressure remained within Children Services.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Gledhill, commented there were many pressures within Children’s Services, one of which was asylum seeking children. He informed Cabinet that following the Government’s decision to allocate these children across the region, Thurrock’s allocation was 28 children, but here were currently 63 asylum seeking children being homed across the borough.

RESOLVED that Cabinet:

1.         Note the forecast outturn position for 2016/17; and

2.         Agree the use of capital receipts to fund transformation spend in line with the capital receipt flexibility policy introduced as part of the Governments multi-year settlement and council’s efficiency plan.

Reason for Decision - as stated in the report

This decision is subject to call-in