To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor D. Ali and Councillor R. Massey.

To approve the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 28th March 2023.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 28^th March 2023 be approved as a correct record.

Members are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary, personal or personal and prejudicial interests they may have and the nature of those interests relating to items on this agenda and/or indicate if S106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.   

In relation to agenda Item No.12 - Purchase of New Accommodation for Brownhill Learning Community, Councillor Wazir declared that he was a governor at Brownhill Academy.  Councillor Wazir took no part in the discussion or vote on the item.

In relation to agenda Item No.12 - Purchase of New Accommodation for Brownhill Learning Community, Councillor Emsley declared that some staff members at Brownhill Learning Community were known to her in a professional capacity, due to her previous employment as a teacher.

In relation to agenda Item No. 13 – Integrated Specialist Domestic Abuse Service Model – Commissioning Intentions, Councillor B Place, for openness and transparency declared that she was employed on a part time basis at Rochdale Connections Trust.

To determine whether there are any additional items of business which, by reason of special circumstances, the Chair decides should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items of business.

To determine any items on the agenda, if any, where the public are to be excluded from the meeting.

RESOLVED

That agenda item Nos. 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 be considered as exempt reports.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate / Director of Corporate Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate / Director of Corporate Services which informed Cabinet of the Council’s outturn 2022/23 financial position, as at the end of March 2023.

Alternatives Considered:

Not to report on financial performance – this option would put at risk the achievement of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP).  Effective budget management was critical to ensuring financial resources were spent in-line with the budget and were targeted towards the Council’s priorities.  Monitoring enabled the early identification of variations against the MTFP and facilitated timely corrective action.

RESOLVED - That Cabinet

1.     Noted the 2022/23 outturn financial positions for Revenue, Capital, and the Collection Fund as at the end of March 2023, as detailed in section 4 of the report.

2.     Approved the Budget Pressure requests, as detailed in section 4.3 of the report.

3.     Noted the Budget Carry Forwards summary, as detailed in section 4.3.1 of the report.

4.     Noted the net Capital budget changes of £11,235k, detailed in section 4.5.1 of the report.

5.     Noted the Capital re-phasing of £16,619k into future years, as detailed in section 4.5.2 of the report.

6.     Approved the requests to switch budgets, as detailed in section 4.5.3 of the report.

7.     Noted the Property Growth Fund update provided in section 4.6 of the report.

8.     Noted the Treasury Management update provided in section 4.7, and appendix D of the report.

Reasons for the Decision

To update Cabinet on the financial position of the Council.  Effective budget management was crucial to ensuring financial resources were spent in-line with the budget and were targeted towards the Council’s priorities.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate / Director of Corporate Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate / Director of Corporate Services that sought approval of a revised Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) Policy.

During May 2022, the Council was inspected by Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office (IPCO) Officers, who examined the use of powers under Part II of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) in relation to directed surveillance and Covert Human Intelligence Source (CHIS). It was concluded that the Council’s Policy provided a thorough explanation of how RIPA powers may be used and the internal processes designed to support this.

The IPCO was pleased to see that the Policy document provided guidance on the review, retention and deletion of RIPA Documentation, in-line with the data safeguards contained in the relevant Codes of Practice.

Alternatives Considered

Not to approve the revised RIPA Policy.  This option was not recommended as it was important that the Council continued to operate in accordance with RIPA to ensure that it was able to effectively manage its reputational risk, whilst also exercising its legitimate evidence gathering powers in connection with enforcement activity.      

RESOLVED

That Cabinet

1.    Approved the Council’s revised RIPA Policy, as attached at Appendix A of the report.

2.    That the Monitoring Officer be designated as the Council’s Senior Responsible Officer.

3.    That the Council’s Audit and Governance Committee receive a report, at least annually, on the operation of the RIPA Policy.

Reasons for the Decision

The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 sets out a compliance structure – of which the Policy is an integral part.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate / Director of Corporate Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate / Director of Corporate Services that sought approval to commence procurement of an enforcement agent and debt collection service.

Alternatives Considered

Not to employ external companies to collect debt – this option was not recommended because it would require additional staffing resource to maintain collection levels.  If no additional staff were employed, arrears would significantly increase.

RESOLVED

1.    That Cabinet approved permission to commence procurement using a mini-competition against a Government approved procurement framework for an enforcement agent and debt collection services contract

2.    That the Director of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate and the Director of STaR Procurement be authorised to agree and conclude the contract awards, following the completion of the procurement exercise.

3.    That the Assistant Director, Legal, Governance and Workforce be authorised to execute the contract and legal documentation, as required.

Reasons for the Decision

The current enforcement agent and debt collection services contract which commenced on 1 November 2019 was due to expire on 31 October 2023. Discussions had taken place with STaR Procurement and it was recommending use of a mini-competition, using a Government approved procurement framework. These services were required to collect the following: debts, Council Tax, National Non Domestic Rates (business rates), Housing Benefits Overpayments and sundry debts due to the Council.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council / Director of Corporate Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Leader of the Council / Director of Corporate Services which sought appointment of the Property Growth Fund Sub-Committee and its membership.

Alternatives Considered

Not to appoint a Property Growth Fund Sub-Committee - this option may result in a delay to decision-making.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Property Growth Fund Sub-Committee be appointed for the 2023/2024 municipal year.

2.    That the Leader, Councillor D. Ali and Councillor J. Emsley be appointed to the Property Growth Fund Sub-Committee for 2023/2024.

3.    That the quorum of the Sub-Committee be set at three Members.

4.    That any Cabinet Member be able act as a substitute on the Sub-Committee.

Reasons for the Decision

It was for Cabinet to appoint the Property Growth Fund Sub-Committee.

Cabinet Members not appointed to the Sub-Committee able to act as a substitute – enabled flexibility, timely and effective decision-making. 

To consider that the press and public be excluded from the remaining part of the meeting pursuant to Section 100(A)4 of the Local Government Act 1972 on the grounds that discussions may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the provisions of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 and public interest would not be served in publishing the information.

RESOLVED: That, in accordance with the provisions under Section 100(A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, the press and public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the following items of business.

Reason for the Decision: Should the press and public remain during consideration of the items, there may be a disclosure of information that was deemed to be exempt under Part 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider a report of the Leader of the Council / Director of Transformation.

Consideration was given to a report of the Leader of the Council / Director of Transformation which sought approval to undertake a tender process to procure a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution that met the requirements of the Council and the residents of Rochdale.

Alternatives Considered

Not to replace the existing solution – full details regarding why this option was not recommended were set out in the exempt report.

RESOLVED

That the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

Reasons for the Decision

The existing CRM solution needed to be replaced – full details, setting out the reasons for the decision were provided in the exempt report.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education / Director of Children’s Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Education / Director of Children’s Services which sought in-principle approval to enter into negotiations to purchase a new building to facilitate the expansion of Brownhill Learning Community.

Alternatives Considered

Not to agree the recommendations set out in the report.  The proposals submitted to Cabinet were in line with pupil place planning priorities and commitments previously approved by Cabinet.

A number of alternative sites had been considered by Children’s Services and options had been discounted due to unsuitability and the time needed to bring the sites into use as educational provision. 

RESOLVED
That the recommendations as set out in the report be approved.

Reasons for the Decision

Full details of the reasons for the decision were set out in the exempt report.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Health / Director of Public Health

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Health / Director of Public Health which sought approval of a new Specialist Domestic Abuse Service Model.

Alternatives Considered

Not to agree the proposed Model.  Many alternatives had been considered when developing the proposed service model.  The proposed model was deemed to be the most effective approach to deliver services within the resources available. 

RESOLVED
That the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

Reasons for the Decision

The proposed Specialist Domestic Abuse Service Model would ensure the Council met the new domestic abuse statutory duty in the most effective way within the resources available.

The proposal had taken into account findings and recommendations within the Domestic Abuse Needs Assessment and Safe Accommodation Strategy. Feedback from a wider range of partner agencies had been considered when developing the model as well as the input from people with lived experiences - stakeholders had been involved throughout the design process.

The Rochdale Domestic Abuse Partnership, Safer Communities Partnership and Health and Wellbeing Board had been consulted with, and had approved the proposed model.

The decision would ensure the Council remained compliant with procurement regulations.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Equalities, Safety and Reform / Director of Neighbourhoods.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Equalities, Safety and Reform / Director of Neighbourhoods which sought approval of the proposed Domestic Abuse New Burdens Spend Plan 2023/2024.

Alternatives Considered

Not to approve the recommendations set out in the report.  This option would delay the commissioning process for the proposed Integrated Specialist Domestic Abuse Model.

RESOLVED

That the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

Reasons for the Decision

Under the new statutory duty brought in by the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, all local authorities were required to:

• Convene a Strategic Domestic Abuse Partnership Board
• Assess the need for safe accommodation support locally
• Prepare and publish a strategy for the provision of such support in its area
• Commission services in line with the assessment and strategy
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the strategy

The domestic abuse new burdens funding had been made available to local authorities to enable them to fulfil the functions of the new statutory duty relating to the provision of support to victims of domestic abuse and their children residing within safe accommodation.

The proposed spend plan would supplement the costs of proposed Integrated Specialist Domestic Abuse model.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing / Director of Economy.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing / Director of Economy which provided an update on the enabling works contract at Upperbanks (Rochdale Riverside Phase 2).

Alternatives Considered

The report provided an update for information.

RESOLVED

That the recommendation set out in the report be endorsed.

Reasons for the Decision

To inform Cabinet of enabling works contract modifications.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Cooperation

/ Director of Neighbourhoods.

Consideration was given to a report of the Cabinet Member for Communities and Co-operation / Director of Neighbourhoods which sought approval for the procurement of alterations of Middleton Gymnastics Club at Bowlee Sports Centre, Middleton.

Alternatives Considered

Not to agree the proposals set out in the report – this option was not recommended as there were no feasible alternatives available.

RESOLVED

That the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

Reasons for the Decision

The decision was in-line with requirements of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.