Agenda and minutes

Councillor Rishi Shori declared a personal interest in all items under consideration as his partner works for the NHS.

Councillor Andrea Simpson declared a personal interest in all items under consideration as a NHS employee.

No questions were received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 18^th April 2018 are attached.

Delegated decision:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 18^th April 2018 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

A report from the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing, Cllr O’Brien is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report setting out details of:

·        the revenue outturn figures in respect of the last financial year (2017/2018);

·        major variances between the revised estimate and the outturn;

·        the level of school balances;

·        HRA outturn for the year;

·        The minimum level of balances in the light of risk assessments.

Delegated decisions:

It is recommended that;

a)    The final revenue outturn and HRA outturn for 2017/18 be noted along with explanations for major variances;

b)    The level of the General Fund balances be noted;

c)     The minimum level of the General Fund balance calculated at £4.250m for 2018/19 is subject to regular review as part of the budget monitoring process.

Reason for the decision:

The figures in the report are consistent with the figures included within the Statement of Accounts which were approved by the Responsible Finance Officer on 31 May and will be presented to Audit Committee on 17 July, 2018. The figures in this report are presented in a format consistent with the Revenue Budget approved by Council on 22 February 2017.

A report from the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing, Cllr O’Brien is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing presented a report providing information in respect of the Treasury Management Activities in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management.  The Code requires that the Council receives an annual strategy report by 31 March for the year ahead and an annual review report of the previous year by 30 September. The report provides a review of Treasury Management activities during 2017/18.

Delegated decisions:

In accordance with CIPFA’s Code of Practice on Treasury Management, the Cabinet agrees to note the report.  The report will be forwarded on for consideration at the next meeting of Full Council scheduled to take place on the 11^th July 2018.

Reason for the decision:

This report provides information on the Council’s debt, borrowing, and investment activity for the financial year ending on 31^st March 2018 in conformity with the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management.  The successful management of the Council’s borrowing and investments is central to the Council’s financial strategy, both in the short term and in ensuring a balanced debt profile over the next 25 to 60 years. 

The overall strategy for 2017/18 was to finance capital expenditure by running down cash/investment balances and using shorter term borrowing rather than more expensive long term loans. The taking out of longer term loans (1 to 10 years) to finance capital spending would only then be considered if required by the Council’s underlying cash flow needs.

Debt decreased slightly during the year, £194,510 million at 31^st March 2018 compared to £195,682 million at 31^st March 2017. The average borrowing rate rose slightly from 3.96% to 3.95%. Investments at 31 March 2018 stood at £21,250 million, compared to £18,550 million the previous year, the decrease being due to the use of cash/investment balances to repay maturing debt. The average rate of return on investments was 0.24% in 2017/18 compared to 0.58% in 2016/17.

A report from the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing, Cllr O’Brien is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report setting out details of:

• The capital outturn figures in respect of the last financial year 2017/18;
• Major variances between the Revised Estimate and the Outturn;
• The financing of the Capital Programme in 2017/18;
• Re-profile of budgets/allocations and slippage of funding into 2018/19; 

Details of the capital receipts realised during the year.

Delegated decision:

  Members agreed to:

a)     Note the final capital outturn for 2017/2018, and explanations for major variances

b)     Note the financing of the Capital Programme in 2017/18

c)     Consider and recommend for approval the re- profiled/slippage requests and associated funding into 2018/2019

d)    Note the level of Capital Receipts realised in year             and proposed use of the sites disposed of during the year

Reason for the decision:

Capital expenditure has been incurred in accordance with the agreed Capital Programme. This links the expenditure with the objectives of the Council and the Capital Strategy.  The Programme has been financed in a way that optimises to the maximum the resources available, including the prudent use of capital receipts.

A report from Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Councillor Briggs is attached.

Delegated decisions:

This item was deferred for consideration at the next meeting of the Cabinet, scheduled to take place on the 25^th July 2018.

A report from the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing, Cllr O’Brien is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report providing details of the objections received to the proposed disposal of Public Open Space of Land at Ashcombe Drive, Radcliffe.

Delegated decisions:

Members considered the objections received and determined that the Public Open Space could be disposed of.

Reason for the decision:

The Council has complied with the legal requirement to advertise the proposed

disposal of Public Open Space.  This land has been identified as surplus to requirements, this proposal is part of the Council’s approach to asset rationalisation.

Other options considered and rejected:

To uphold the objections received and not dispose of the open space on Ashcombe Drive, Radcliffe.

A report from the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing, Cllr O’Brien is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report providing details of work being undertaken by the Local Government Association to establish mutual insurance arrangements, and seeks approval for the Council to engage in the process as a founder member.

Delegated decision:

The Cabinet agrees to:

a)   support the Authority’s participation as a Founding Member of Local government Mutual and nominate the Leader / Finance & Housing Portfolio Holder to be a Founding Member committee member;

b)   authorise the Interim Executive Director (Resources & regulation) to share the Authority’s relevant risk transfer and protection data with the LGA officers working on the project on a strictly confidential basis; and

c)   agree to instruct officers to consider the business case for utilising the Mutual at the appropriate time and to report accordingly to the Cabinet with a recommendation.

Reason for the decision:

This project has the potential to generate sustainable revenue savings. Conversely the maximum exposure at this stage is capped at £100.

A report from the Leader of the Council, Councillor Shori, is attached.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report summarising the work recently undertaken to progress the regeneration of Prestwich Village Centre. The report provides an overview of the next steps to be taken.

Delegated decision:

Cabinet agrees to

·         note the progress made in regenerating Prestwich Village.

·         authorise officers to undertake preliminary work around scheme content and viability, and funding/ownership models associated with the development. A further report will be submitted to Cabinet on completion of this analysis.

·         authorise the Executive Director of Business, Growth and Infrastructure, the Interim Executive Director of Resources and Regulation and the Assistant Director Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to enter into negotiation with Muse Developments and HMG to formulate a Joint Venture agreement to raise finance, subject to viability testing and external legal advice.

Reason for the decision:

In November 2017 Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham launched his Town Centre Challenge. The initiative is in recognition that many town centres still have viability challenges to make them the multi-functional places they could become.  Prestwich has been put forward as Bury’s initial focus under Town Centre Challenge.

Moving projects such as this forward is key to the Council’s growth ambitions and future financial sustainability

A report from Councillor Andrea Simpson – Cabinet Member, Health and Wellbeing and Councillor Eamonn O’Brien – Cabinet Member, Finance and Housing is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report detailing the findings of a review of the current supporting people contracts and the recommendations to commission a new model of services to replace them.

Delegated decision:

That a new model of Neighbourhood Support Housing Services be commissioned, and:

(i)    That a phased approach is taken to commissioning the model, beginning as soon as practicably possible with lots 1 and 2.

(ii)  That structured consultation and soft market testing takes place with customers and providers prior to starting the tender process.

(iii)That the cost envelop for these commissioned services be £1,890,600; to be reviewed on an on-going basis.

(iv)That an open tender process be used, with an evaluation and selection criteria based on a 40:60 ratio of cost to quality.

(v)  That the CCG be invited to jointly commission the new model of provision to ensure there is a co-ordinated offer across health and social care.

(vi)That commissioning of support packages for people with learning disabilities is not included in the new model and is undertaken via Community Care.

Other options considered and rejected:

Option 2

That all current contracts be extended – this is not an option. Due to procurement legislation, the authority can no longer extend the contracts.

Option 3

That the same pattern of services be re-commissioned - this is not an option. It will not deliver the service improvements the council is seeking to make.

Option 4

Do nothing – allow contracts to end and services to close. This is not an option. All the current contracts are due to expire on 31 March 2018. This would negatively impact on the service users because support would cease.

To consider the minutes of meetings of the AGMA Executive Board and Greater Manchester Combined Authority held on 27^th April 2018.