Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved:     That the minutes of the meeting held on 14 September, 2016 be

agreed as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

1. That the draft Open Spaces and Green Infrastructure Strategies be received and are approved for wider consultation with stakeholders as detailed in the report.

2. That as part of the planned consultation process, the Cleaner, Greener and Safer Communities Scrutiny Committee receive a copy of the draft strategies for consideration and comment.

3. That a report on the outcome of the consultation be brought to a future meeting of the Cabinet for consideration prior to adoption of the strategies.

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking approval for consultation of the draft Open Spaces and Green Infrastructure Strategies (formerly the Green Space Strategy).  The document contains  a comprehensive list of sites within the Borough to ensure that Newcastle residents have access to decent quality green sites.

Cabinet members stressed that there was no hidden agenda and that everything was contained within the report and appendices.  The consultation process would give residents the opportunity to put their views across.

The Strategies would also be considered by the Council’s Cleaner, Greener and Safer Communities Scrutiny Committee for its comments.

Resolved:     (i)         That the draft Open Spaces and Green Infrastructure

Strategies be received and are approved for wider consultation with stakeholders as detailed in the report.

                        (ii)        That as part of the planned consultation process, the

Cleaner, Greener and Safer Communities Scrutiny Committee receive a copy of the draft strategies for consideration and comment.

(iii)       That a report on the outcome of the consultation be brought to a future meeting of the Cabinet for consideration prior to adoption of the strategies.

That the draft Sport and Active Lifestyles Strategy be endorsed and approved for wider consultation with the local community and stakeholders as detailed in the report.

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking approval for consultation of the draft Sport and Active Lifestyles Strategy. 

The document would identify a range of strategic goals for future sports provision as well as an action plan for delivery.

Resolved:     That the draft Sport and Active Lifestyles Strategy be endorsed

and approved for wider consultation with the local community and stakeholders as detailed in the report.

That the Stoke on Trent Bid for the City of Culture 2021 title be supported as a key partner through appropriate Borough Council Elected Member and officer involvement.

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking support for a bid from Stoke on Trent for the UK City of Culture 2021.

The Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture, Councillor Amelia Rout advised members that Stoke on Trent would receive significant media attention for this and that it was important that Newcastle’s Communications team work in partnership with the City Council.

Resolved:     That the Stoke on Trent Bid for the City of Culture 2021 title be

supported as a key partner through appropriate Borough Council Elected Member and officer involvement.

i.              That the Newcastle Housing Advice Service Contract with Midland Heart be extended for a  further three years to 31 March, 2020 in accordance with the original award of contract.

ii.             That officers be authorised to take the necessary steps to replace a Housing Advisor with a Private Sector Officer role with the NHA contract.

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking authorisation to extend the Current Newcastle Housing Advice Service Contract to 31 March, 2020.

The Portfolio Holder for Planning and Housing, Councillor Kyle Robinson said that he would like to see a more robust approach to the delivery standards if the contract was renewed.

A Private Sector Support Officer would be brought in to replace a Housing Advisor.   The portfolio Holder for Communities and Social Cohesion, Councillor Tony Kearon said that it was nice to see an opportunity to provide an improved service on a limited budget.

Resolved:     (i)         That the Newcastle Housing Advice Service Contract with

Midland Heart be extended for a  further three years to 31 March, 2020 in accordance with the original award of contract.

(ii)          That officers be authorised to take the necessary steps to replace a Housing Advisor with a Private Sector Officer role within the NHA contract.

(i)         That the report be noted.

(ii)        That the policy framework provided by the Car Park Management

Review be endorsed.

(iii)       That a more detailed report be brought back to a future meeting of the

            Cabinet.

A report was submitted to Cabinet providing information arising from a Car Park Review undertaken by Alpha Parking and giving direction to the future management of the Council’s car parks.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Elizabeth Shenton felt that more information was needed before considering the fourteen recommendations contained within the report.

Resolved:     (i)         That the report be noted.

(ii)        That the policy framework provided by the Car Park Management Review be endorsed.

(iii)       That a more detailed report be brought back to a future meeting of the Cabinet.

i.              That the Council introduce a local lottery for the Borough of Newcastle with the aim of raising funds for local charities, voluntary organisations and good causes.

ii.             That authorisation be given to officers to work with an External Lottery Manager to develop and Implement a local lottery to commence as soon as practically feasible.

iii.            That the Portfolio Holder and the Chief Executive receive regular update reports on the progress of the implementation of the local lottery.

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking approval for recommendations to implement a local lottery for Newcastle-under-Lyme.

The Leader / Portfolio Holder for Policy, People and Partnerships, Councillor Elizabeth Shenton stated that it would be a good way of funding small organisations, sports clubs etc and a lot of Council’s were picking up on this.

The Portfolio Holder for Operational Services stated that local people would be helping to support local groups.

Resolved:     (i)         That the Council introduce a local lottery for the Borough

of Newcastle with the aim of raising funds for local charities, voluntary organisations and good causes.

(ii)        That authorisation be given to officers to work with an

External Lottery Manager to develop and Implement a local lottery to commence as soon as practically feasible.

(iii)         That the Portfolio Holder for Policy, People and Partnerships and the Chief Executive receive regular update reports on the progress of the implementation of the local lottery.

Potential closure of community beds at Bradwell Hospital

i.              That the Cabinet contact the Clinical Commissioning Group to establish an open line of communication.

ii.             That the Council investigates support available for staff affected by the potential closure of community beds.

The Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Dave Jones had requested to speak to the Cabinet with regard to the potential closure of sixty-three community beds at Bradwell Hospital on 28 October, 2016.

Councillor Jones raised concerns regarding the potential impact on patients and also the support staff who work at the hospital.  He advised the Cabinet that a special meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee had been arranged for 26 October, 2016 and attendance had been confirmed by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG),  University Hospital North Midlands and the Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Partnership.

Cabinet was asked to Contact the CCG in order to open up a line of communication.  In addition, Councillor Jones asked that Cabinet look into what help is available for the support staff at the hospital should they lose their jobs.

Resolved:     (i)         That the Cabinet contact the CCG to establish an open

line of communication.

(ii)          That the Council investigates support available for staff affected by the potential closure of community beds.

Councillor attendance at Cabinet meetings:

(1)  The Chair or spokesperson of the Council’s scrutiny committees and the mover of any motion referred to Cabinet shall be entitled to attend any formal public meeting of Cabinet to speak.

(2)  Other persons including non-executive members of the Council may speak at such meetings with the permission of the Chair of the Cabinet.

Public attendance at Cabinet meetings:

(1)  If a member of the public wishes to ask a question(s) at a meeting of Cabinet, they should serve two clear days’ notice in writing of any such question(s) to the appropriate committee officer.

(2)  The Council Leader as Chair of Cabinet is given the discretion to waive the above deadline and assess the permissibility if the question(s). The Chair’s decision will be final.

(3)  The maximum limit is three public questions at any one Cabinet meeting.

(4)  A maximum limit of three minutes is provided for each person to ask an initial question or make an initial statement to the Cabinet.

(5)  Any questions deemed to be repetitious or vexatious will be disallowed at the discretion of the Chair.