Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Dalton and Councillor Todd, Cabinet Advisers.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 February 2014 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2014 were agreed as a true and accurate record.

Councillor Cereste made a statement about the new Peterborough Energy Package, highlighting the offers available within the package and its benefits to local residents. The deal was now available, and would continue to be so for a period of four weeks.

Cabinet received a report which requested it to consider the recommendations arising from the Sustainable Growth and Environment Capital Scrutiny Committee, held 12 March 2014, to consider the call-in regarding the Executive Decision – Update on proposed ground mounted and wind developments at Newborough, Morris Fen and America Farm – FEB14/CAB/16.

Following the Cabinet’s executive decision, made on 24 February 2014, a request to call-in this decision was received on 26 February 2014. This was signed by Councillor David Harrington, Councillor David Sanders and Councillor Ed Murphy.

On 12 March 2014, the call-in request was considered by the Sustainable Growth and Environment Capital Scrutiny Committee and the call-in was upheld.

The recommendations from the Scrutiny Committee were that:

‘The decision was to be referred back to Cabinet with the following recommendations:’

1.    That the Wind and Solar Member Working Group consider the Cabinet’s decision when it meets on the 18^th March 2014 and shall report on that decision and the issues raised by the call-in and discussed at this meeting of the Scrutiny Committee, including alternative options; and

2.    That the Cabinet shall not act on the decision made by it on 24^th February 2014 until it has received and considered the report of the Wind and Solar Member Working Group and the comments of the Sustainable Growth and Environment Capital Scrutiny Committee on that report.

Councillor Seaton introduced the report and addressed the recommendations arising from the Scrutiny Committee. He stated that the reasons for call-in correlated with the path which was due to be taken in any event, in that it had been agreed that the decision would not be implemented until the Working Group had met.

The Working Group had met on the 18th March and its report, together with the comments from the Scrutiny Committee, would be available for discussion at a future Cabinet meeting.

Cabinet debated the report and comments included:

·         Going forward, energy security would become an increasingly important issue;

·         None of the individuals who had called in the decision were present at the meeting, therefore the importance they placed on the decision was questioned;

·         A number of explanations contained within the report were very technical and would benefit from being simplified. A plain English update could be produced and provided to Members on a monthly/bi-monthly basis;

·         The Working Group was a cross party Group;

·         The reasons for call-in had been somewhat confusing and unclear. Clear guidance should be provided for future call-ins; and

·         If the proposals were successful, they would generate in the region of £6-£8m per annum for the city council to spend on frontline services.

Following debate, the Legal Officer clarified that the Scrutiny Committee had requested Cabinet to allow time for the Working Group to meet and make recommendations to be submitted back to the Environment Capital Scrutiny Committee for consideration, with further recommendations to be made back to Cabinet prior to implementation of the decision made at the meeting in February.

The Legal Officer further advised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Cabinet received a report which sought its support for the Environment Capital Action Plan (ECAP), and to recommend the ECAP to Council for adoption.

The Plan had been prepared to outline how the city intended to deliver against the ‘Creating the UK’s Environment Capital’ strategic priority. Cabinet had previously approved a draft ECAP for the purposes of consultation at its meeting held on 16 December 2013.

Councillor North introduced the report and stated that there had been a number of consultation responses received, with a high level of satisfaction being achieved in relation to the targets and visions. He further provided an overview of the ECAP, stating that it was a Plan that would foster healthier and happier lives and would support economic prosperity.

There were two different sets of targets within the Plan, 2013-2016 targets, which mostly already existed in the city, and 2050 targets, which were designed to be visionary. At the current stage it could not be categorically identified whether all of the visionary targets would be achievable, however upon adoption of the Plan, research work would be undertaken on each theme, establishing the trajectory and revising the target if necessary.

The Plan would continue to evolve and new targets would be added as they were identified and developed. Progress against the Plan and any additional targets included going forward would be reporting upon annually. It was also to be noted that the ECAP was a starting point and the challenge following adoption would be to address how, collectively as a city, the gap between the 2016 and 2050 vision would be filled.

Comments from Members and responses to questions from Councillor North and the Council’s Climate Change Team Manager included:

·         There would be a number of groups and organisations encompassed within the Plan;

·         The City Council’s policy of refurbishment and rebuilding schools had gone towards the stated reduction in carbon emissions;

·         Responses to the questionnaire had highlighted that a third of people were not aware as to how they could personally help to limit the effects of climate change, therefore a communication piece did need to be cascaded wider to highlight that individuals could make a difference;

·         The role of children was paramount, and they needed to play a large part in taking the action plan forward. In response to this point it was highlighted that there was a national scheme called ‘Eco Schools’ in which Peterborough was second nationally, with 94% of the city’s schools registered;

·         The Plan had been kept intentionally short and there were a number of additional layers below each action; and

·         Progress would be monitored and reported via a number of methods and there would be an annual report to the Environment Capital Scrutiny Committee, with ad-hoc reports as appropriate to highlight particular areas of success.

The Council’s Climate Change Team Manager highlighted a number of points of activity including:

·           School Engagement - Ten city schools had recently developed a film to explain the concept of living within the resources of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Cabinet received a report which detailed feedback from an eight week consultation on the proposals for the modernisation of day services for adults under 65 and sought approval for the proposals for development of the future model, as detailed within the Cabinet report.

Councillor Fitzgerald introduced the item and stated that the next step would be to engage with providers and users in order to develop the right model for Peterborough. Inevitably there would be a number of changes, including a lesser number of day centres and it was believed that the best outcome for a large number of people would be to keep them in independent living and employment, however those with severe and complex needs would have no changes, bar improvements to their surroundings etc. All would be treated as individuals in terms of their personal assessments and a care package would be put in place to ensure all of their needs were addressed and assessed.

Members commented that the key concern for many individuals was ‘change’ and the uncertainty as to how long the redevelopment would take. In response, Councillor Fitzgerald stated that no set timescales could be given, however a provisional timescale was for between 12 to 18 months. It was to be noted that there would be no changes until the new model was implemented and suitable alternatives were put in place for individuals to access.

All individuals would have the option to input into the proposed model consultations, and those models would be put into place arising from peoples personal support needs.

Cabinet considered the report and RESOLVED:

1.      To receive the feedback form the 8 week consultation on the proposals for the modernisation of day services for adults under 65;

2.      To note the closure of the Gloucester Centre and alternative arrangements made for existing service users

3.      To approve the proposals for development of the future model in section 4 of the report and that a report be presented to Cabinet to determine the final form of delivery model and to accordingly authorise procurement and other actions

4.      To note that this will include some decommissioning of existing day facilities once the new model has been determined

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

To invest more in Reablement and Transitional Support in order to help people gain employment and skills for living.

To redesign how the current day services operated and to reinvest in support that prevented people from needing long term support from Adult Social Care and helped them to maintain their independence in the community.

To redesign how people’s future opportunities were governed and managed.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

Maintain Current Services

This would minimise disruption to current users but it did not do enough to maximise people’s independence, choice and control. It was costly and inefficient, it did not meet national guidance and fostered a dependency culture therefore doing nothing to change could not be an option.

Decommission in-house services and give all current services users a personal budget

This would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Cabinet received a report updating it on the progress being made in response to petitions submitted at Full Council on 29 January 2014 and 5 March 2014.

Cabinet considered the report and RESOLVED:

To note the action taken in respect of petitions presented to Full Council.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

Standing Orders required that Council received a report about the action taken on petitions. As the petitions presented in the report had been dealt with by Cabinet Members or officers, it was appropriate that the action taken was reported to Cabinet, prior to it being included within the Executive’s report to full Council.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

Any alternative options would require an amendment to the Council’s Constitution to remove the requirement to report to Cabinet.