Agenda and minutes

Cllr Tamoor Tariq

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.

        Councillor Alan Quinn declared a personal interest in all items under consideration as his son and daughter in law works for NHS.

A period of thirty minutes was allocated for any members of the public present at the meeting to ask questions about the work or performance of the Council or Council services.

No questions were received.

Minutes from the last meeting are attached.

That the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th July 2018 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

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

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing submitted a report setting out details of changes to key operational policies following the Care Act 2014.  Operational policies to be amended will include changes to the Assessment and Eligibility Policy; Charging and Financial Assessment Policy and the Personal Budget Policy.  The Residential Care Top Up Policy is a new policy that has been developed as a result of the legislation and will require processes and pathways to be established prior to implementation.

Delegated decisions:

That Cabinet agrees to:

Approve the Assessment and Eligibility Policy, the Charging and Financial Assessment Policy, the Personal Budget Policy, the Residential Care Top Up Policy and the Personal Budget Staff Guidance Policy which is for internal use only.

Reason for the decision:

This report brings the Council’s policies in line with the requirements of the Care Act.  It is estimated that 350 clients will be impacted by the proposals; the extent of which will be known once financial assessments are undertaken.

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

The Cabinet Member for Children and Families presented a report providing information in respect the changing context of the educational landscape, including the evolving role of schools and the local authority in an increasingly school-led model of school improvement.

The report sets out the model of governance adopted at a strategic level in respect of the school-led system, describing how this brings together all key stakeholders to contribute to school improvement across the Borough, and, on the development of alternative forms of governance at school level.  As well as a set of principles that all schools will be expected to commit too in the interests of the local system.

Delegated decisions:

Cabinet note the arrangements for the governance of the schools-led system

Cabinet endorsed the principles in respect of alternative models of school governance.

Cabinet will ensure that the appropriate scrutiny and overview panel be requested to include school performance in its annual work programme.

Reason for the decision:

The educational landscape is changing rapidly and the local authority role is becoming increasingly a facilitation role, working within a diverse and autonomous school system.

It is important that systems and processes recognise this changing landscape, particularly in order to preserve the strengths of existing arrangements.

The school led model has been designed by all stakeholders, taking into account what works well in Bury, and good practice elsewhere, and provides strong foundations to govern at a time of significant change.

That in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as detailed in the conditions of category 3.

A report from the Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing is attached.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Housing submitted a report providing details  

Of the current Housing Management Contract between the Council and Six Town Housing.  This contract expires on the 30^th September 2018.  The tenure of the Chair of Six Town Housing Board also ends on this date.

The contract was previously extended in November 2017, at which time a review of the Housing Management arrangements was undertaken by Savills (UK) Ltd.  This review has now been completed and Cabinet, approved the implementation of the recommendations. 

To allow compliance with local and statutory timescales relating to the implementation of some of the recommendations, approval is sought to extend the agreement and the Chair appointment for up to a further seven months; until 30^th April 2019, or until a revised management agreement between the Council and Six Town Housing has been prepared and implemented.

Delegated decision:

Cabinet approves:

1.     An extension to the current Housing Management Contract between Bury Metropolitan Borough Council and Six Town Housing Limited, on the same terms, until up to 30^th April 2019.

2.     An extension of the tenure of Six Town Housing’s Board Chair until up to 30^th April 2019.

3.     That during this extended contract period:

·           There will be a freeze on the Management Agreement Fee provided to Six Town Housing Limited

·           And that, without prior written permission from the Council, Six Town Housing will not:

o  Utilise reserves/surpluses of Six Town Housing Limited or the Housing Revenue Account

o    enter into any new contracts

o    enter into any new business areas

o    undergo any restructures or staffing restructures

Reason for the decision:

The Council require the contract to be fulfilled in the interim period, prior to the implementation of the recommendations of the review of the housing management service. 

Other options considered and rejected:

Option 2

Cabinet do not approve an extension of the contract and the related aspects