Agenda and minutes

To authorise the Chairman to sign, as a correct record, the Executive Decisions made by Cabinet on 4 July 2022 (copy attached).

No Member having raised concern when asked by the Chairman, it was

RESOLVED – That the Chairman be authorised to sign, as a correct record, the Executive Decisions made by Cabinet on 4 July 2022.

To receive declarations by Members of interests in respect of items on this Agenda and to consider any dispensations.

Members are reminded that, in accordance with the revised Code of Conduct, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests or other registrable interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests.  (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting.)

Members may, however, also decide, in the interests of clarity and transparency, to declare at this point in the meeting, any such disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, as well as any other registrable or other interests.

If a Member requires advice on any item involving a possible declaration of interest which could affect his/her ability to speak and/or vote, he/she is advised to contact the Monitoring Officer at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting.

No declarations of interest were raised under this item.

To consider whether the items, if any, in Part II of the Agenda should be considered in the presence of the press and public.

There were no excluded items on the agenda.

Any member of the public who wishes to ask a question, make representations or present a deputation or petition at this meeting should apply to do so by no later than 0:01am (one minute past midnight) two working days before the meeting.  Information on how to make the application can be obtained by viewing the Council’s Website www.southlakeland.gov.uk or by contacting the Committee Services Team on 01539 733333.

(1)        Questions and Representations

            To receive any questions or representations which have been received from members of the public.

(2)        Deputations and Petitions

            To receive any deputations or petitions which have been received from members of the public.

No questions, representations, deputations or petitions had been received in respect of this meeting. 

To note the contents of the latestForward Plan.

No Members having raised concern when asked by the Chairman, it was

Resolved – That the contents of the Forward Plan published on 21 June 2022, be noted.

To receive a verbal update on any matters relating to Local Government Reorganisation.

Summary

The Finance and Assets Portfolio Holder provided a verbal update regarding Local Government Reorganisation. Members were informed that work was progressing, with fortnightly meetings being held with Cumberland Shadow Authority in order to discuss matters including the separation of services. He noted that a decision on the appointment of a Chief Executive was expected.

Decision

RESOLVED - That the verbal update on matters relating to Local Government Reorganisation be noted

To consider the findings of the Task and Finish report as set out in Appendix 1.

Note: Councillor Helen Chaffey, Housing Portfolio Holder arrived 10.05am. 

Summary

The Strategy Lead Specialist presented a report from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee Task and Finish Group which had considered Local Government Reorganisation and the legacy of South Lakeland District Council. The Task and Finish Group report identified good practice, positive culture and productive relationships in South Lakeland and recommended that these are recognised and taken forward by Westmorland and Furness Council.

The Strategy Lead Specialist highlighted good practice, community engagement and positive culture that had been established. The collaborative partnerships were recommended to be further maintained and developed by the new authority. The Strategy Lead Specialist noted the success of the Customer Connect Programme and how it had transformed the way the Council conducted service delivery by focusing on the needs of the customer and community.

The Chairman thanked Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the report and for highlighting the value of locality working, noting that there were important lessons for the new authority moving forward.

Cabinet Members noted the importance of the work done by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and echoed the Chairman’s thanks for the report.

Councillor Janette Jenkinson, Shadow Customer and Locality Services Portfolio Holder, speaking as a representative of the Task and Finish Group, thanked officers for the report and Councillor Mark Wilson for suggesting the review.  She noted the ways in which Ulverston had benefitted from collaborative working between businesses and communities and the importance of this continuing in the future.

During discussion, members noted the important role of Parish Councils and Parish meetings as a link to communities and source of local knowledge.

Decision

RESOLVED - That

1)      The findings of the Task and Finish report in Appendix 1 be noted; and

2)      the recommendations as set out in the report be forwarded to the Westmorland and Furness Shadow Executive.

Reasons for Decision

The report links to the following Council Plan Priorities:

• Working across boundaries

• Delivering a balanced community

• A fairer South Lakeland

• Addressing the climate emergency

Alternative Options

Cabinet may chose not to endorse the recommendations made by the Task and Finish Group.

To consider proposed changes to the DFG policy thus updating the Disabled Facilities Grant Policy 2018 to reflect current needs of the community.

Summary

The Housing Portfolio Holder presented a report on Disabled Facilities Grants Policy. She thanked officers for their work in producing the report and referred to the need for the policy to be updated following recommendation by internal audit.

In particular the Housing Portfolio Holder drew attention to the proposal to increase the level at which the Council applied a means test for the scheme, from £5,000 to £10,000. This would align the Council’s approach with that of Eden District Council and Barrow Borough Council. It was also proposed that authority be delegated to the Director of Customer and Commercial Services to agree a change in the means testing level where required in the future. 

During discussion members noted the importance of the scheme and the need to avoid unnecessary delays.  It was hoped that increasing the means testing threshold would improve the process and benefit residents.  Members also paid tribute to the memory of the Council’s Housing Specialist, David Bradley, for his work on the scheme.

Decision

RESOLVED – that

1)   The amendments to the Disabled Facilities Grant Policy 2018 at Appendix 1 be agreed; 

2)   Authority be delegated to the Director of Customer and Commercial Services in consultation with the Operational Lead – People Welfare and Income Maximisation and the Legal, Governance and Democracy Lead Specialist (Monitoring Officer) to change the means test level where deemed appropriate; and

3)   Authority be delegated to the Legal, Governance and Democracy Lead Specialist (Monitoring Officer) to make the necessary amendments to the Constitution outlined in paragraph 3.2(2) of the report. 

Reasons for Decision

Delivering a balanced community – The Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) Policy 2018 invokes the Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002, which enhances South Lakeland District Council’s (‘SLDC’) powers and duties under the primary legislation (Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996). By administrating grants in this way it helps to facilitate adaptations aiding safety and independence in the home as well as assisting Carers to care. This enables a better quality of life for our residents and helps support the delivery of balanced communities.

A fairer South Lakeland – this policy empowers SLDC to maximize access and use of the Disabled Facilities Grant funding particularly by way of discretionary grants in the district. This enables SLDC to assist more residents across the district where it might not without such a policy.

Alternative Options

A number of proposals have been recommended by Audit. As highlighted in 3.2 of the report. The impact of the changes means the council can help more people more quickly. The Council could decide to keep the existing Policy, however, this is not recommended as it will potentially reduce the number of people we can assist and reduces the ability to be flexible or move quickly to react to the needs of our community, for example, in reviewing the means test as necessary.

The recommendation to clarify the contractual arrangements between the Council, the customer and the contractors is recommended to provide  ...  view the full minutes text for item CEX/34

To consider the submission of the investment plan for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Summary

The Portfolio Holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure introduced the report which outlined the processes in place for submission of the Council’s investment plan for the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) which it was hoped would unlock £3.8 million of investment within South Lakeland.

In addition to the recommendations as outlined in the report, it was proposed that recommendation 2.1(6) of the report be updated for the delegation to the relevant officers to include authority to enter into agreements to make onward payment of the funding in response to successful business cases received.

The Economy, Culture and Leisure Portfolio Holder referenced the evidence base and draft interventions list attached in appendices one and two. Finalisation of the investment plan would be subject to the approval of the Local Partnership Group and Shadow Authority at their meeting on the 22nd July 2022. The deadline for submitting the investment plan to DLUHC was 1st August 2022.

The Portfolio Holder drew attention to the challenges and opportunities that had been identified, including, low productivity, and the importance of local business support and development of people and skills.  The Portfolio Holder also drew attention to the long list of potential interventions.  Members expressed concern regarding timelines in light of local government re-organisation.  It was noted that there was a requirement for the application to the scheme to be submitted by the sovereign authority and that the first part of the funding (approximately £400,000) would be for payment during the current financial year.   

During discussion, Members noted that the challenges faced by rural communities needed to be acknowledged and prioritised. 

The Economy, Culture and Leisure Portfolio Holder acknowledged that transport was a major strategic issue and noted that whilst this particular fund was a step forward in local government being afforded more flexibility regarding how allocated funding could be spent, there was a need to follow the criteria set by central government in relation to the funding stream.

Decision

RESOLVED  –  That

1)    The evidence base and draft interventions list in appendices 1 and 2 be noted.

2)    Authority be delegated to the Director of Customer and Commercial Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure authority to finalise the investment plan (based on the evidence base and draft interventions list) subject to approval of the Local Partnership Group and Shadow Authority at their meeting of the 22nd July 2022.

3)    Authority be delegated to the Director of Customer and Commercial Services and the Portfolio Holder for Economy Culture and Leisure the authority to approve any minor amendments that may arise following consideration of the selected interventions by the Local Partnership Group and Shadow Authority at their meeting on 22 July 2022.

4)    Subject to resolutions 2.1 (2) and (3) authority be delegated to the Director of Customer and Commercial Services in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economy, Culture and Leisure authority to submit the investment plan to DLUHC by the 1st August 2022 deadline.

5)    Authority be delegated  ...  view the full minutes text for item CEX/35

To consider urgent items, if any.

No urgent items were presented.