To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor S. Smith and Councillor L. O’ Rourke.

On behalf of Cabinet, the Leader wished to express his thanks, appreciation and best wishes to Mark Widdup, Director of Neighbourhoods, in recognition of his 40 years of service at Rochdale Borough Council.  The Leader explained that Mr Widdup would shortly be leaving the Council to take retirement. 

Cabinet Members and Officers held a round of applause to pay tribute to Mr Widdup for his service to the Council and the Borough.

To approve the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 30^th May 2023.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 30^th May 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.   

There were no declarations of interest.

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. 8 and 9 be considered as exempt reports.

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 approval of the Educational Sufficiency Strategy for education placements across mainstream and Special Educational Needs schools within the borough.

Alternatives Considered

Not to approve the Educational Sufficiency Strategy – this option was not recommended as the proposed Strategy was in line with pupil place planning priorities and commitments approved in previous Cabinet reports. A suite of plans and alternatives were set out within the Strategy, in order to foresee decisions outside of the Council’s control. Failure to have an adopted strategy for educational placements could negatively impact oversight and apparent oversight as considered in the Ofsted framework.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approved the Education Sufficiency Strategy as the formal strategy for education placements across the borough’s mainstream and Special Educational Needs schools.

Reasons for the Decision

The Council had a statutory duty under section 14 of the Education Act 1996, to ensure there was a sufficiency of school places available to meet the needs of all children and young people living within the borough. This included having regard to the need to secure provision for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In addition, section 315 of the Education Act 1996 required that arrangements for children with SEND be kept under review.  The proposed Strategy addressed school place planning for mainstream and SEN school capacity and detailed how Rochdale was connected to the wider Greater Manchester school place sufficiency strategies.

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 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 provided information regarding the strategic proposal to expand the current STAR shared procurement service.

Alternatives Considered

Not to agree the proposals set out in the report – this option would not enhance STAR financial sustainability or operations in terms of efficiency and effectiveness from being a ‘bigger buyer’ and collaborating for multi-partners.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet approved the recommendations as set out in the report.

Reasons for the Decision

It was considered that the proposals set out in the report would enhance STAR operations in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and STAR financial sustainability.

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 performance of the Council’s property investments as at Quarter 4 2022/23.

Alternatives Considered

Not to receive a report – this option was not recommended, as the report was provided for information to ensure robust decision-making. 

RESOLVED

That Cabinet noted the report, including the assessment of risk, as set out in Appendix 2.

Reasons for the Decision

The report was provided for information - awareness of the financial implications of the Council’s property investments was essential to enable informed decision-making.