To Be Submitted to the Council at Its Meeting on The

To be submitted to the Council at its meeting on the

19th December, 2002

CABINET

8th November, 2002

PRESENT:Councillor P. Wheatley (in the Chair)

Councillors Bradley, Burnett, Ramsden and Wallace

CB.226MINUTES

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 18th October, 2002 were approved as a correct record.

CB.227MATTERS ARISING

The Chair referred to minute CB.206 of the Cabinet meeting held on 18th October, 2002 and considered the reporting of this item in the Grimsby Evening Telegraph to have been inaccurate. The Director of Finance proposed that he would write to the Grimsby Evening Telegraph to clarify issues arising from this item. This was agreed by Members.

RESOLVED - That the Director of Finance write to the Grimsby Evening Telegraph to clarify issues arising from the Treasury Management Annual Report that was considered by Cabinet on 18th October 2002.

CB.228DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest by any Member of the Cabinet in respect of items on the agenda.

CB.229PRESENTATION - SOCIAL SERVICES INSPECTORATE INSPECTION REPORT OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Cabinet received a presentation from Mr. Geoff Griffiths of the Social Services Inspectorate summarising the findings and conclusions from the Inspection of Mental Health Services (North East Lincolnshire) undertaken by the Social Services Inspectorate. Additionally, Cabinet received a report from the Director of Community Care on the above.

Mr. Griffiths explained that the inspection process for mental health services will eventually be integrated but, at present, the Social Services Inspectorate are responsible for inspecting the social care aspect while the Commission for Health Improvement are responsible for the health care aspect. He noted that the inspection was conducted with the full co-operation of health and social care staff and the resulting action plan is being prepared jointly with Health colleagues.

Mr. Griffiths commented that the inspection evaluated the council's implementation of national and local objectives relating to the social care needs of adults of working age with mental health difficulties. He detailed the findings of the inspection including the strengths and areas for development. Integrated Service issues were identified and aspects of the care programme approach were addressed. Mr. Griffiths concluded by commenting that the overall message from the inspection is that North East Lincolnshire Council, along with all councils, faces a major challenge to ensure social care needs can be addressed within available resources and an integrated mental heath service. However, prospects for improvement within North East Lincolnshire are promising.

Councillor Bradley commented that he was proud to be the portfolio holder for this area and thanked Mr. Griffiths for a very balanced report. He wished to publicly show his appreciation for Jon Wilson, Service Manager, for his involvement in the difficult job of integrating mental health services, and was pleased to see that staff were praised in the inspection report. Councillor Bradley was extremely pleased with the outcomes and assured Mr. Griffiths of the Council's commitment to further improve the service.

Councillor Burnett supported Councillor Bradley's comments and also felt that the comments of service users were extremely important. He noted that the report indicates that service users are happy with the services provided.

Jim Leivers, Chief Executive, commented on the commissioning of services and stressed the importance of having sufficiently robust systems in place to ensure contract compliance and value for money.

RESOLVED - (1) That the final Social Services Inspectorate report be approved and the presentation be noted.

(2) That a further report be submitted to Cabinet in January 2003, detailing the Action Plan from the report and progress made to date.

CB.230CALL-INS

There were no matters referred to Cabinet by either the Full Council or the Scrutiny Commissions for re-consideration following a previous call-in.

CB.231SCRUTINY COMMISSION REPORTS - THE DEVELOPMENT OF OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Cabinet received a report from the Director of Law and Democratic Services regarding a submission from Scrutiny Commission 3 on the Development of Overview and Scrutiny in Local Government.

Councillor Dalton, Chair of Scrutiny Commission 3, introduced the report to Cabinet Members. She commented that officers were weighed down with work from the other Scrutiny Commissions and there is not enough officer support to cope with the huge subject area covered by Scrutiny Commission 3 and in particular the scrutiny of health. Councillor Dalton noted the different approaches to overview and scrutiny by other authorities that are detailed in the report, which she felt need to be further investigated.

Mr. Leivers commented that this report was timely and raised some real and very live issues. He noted that a report on the development of a Change Management programme would be considered at the next meeting of Council on November 28th which will address the issue of member development. He added that there was a need to explore the relationship between officers and members, and to ensure that best use is made of officers time. He suggested that the Council may need to look at the whole shape of overview and scrutiny as part of its work with the IDeA as there could be better models to fit the authority's resources.

Councillor Bradley raised concerns about the use of secondments as he felt they only created pressures elsewhere. He felt that joint scrutiny meetings would resolve the issue of repetition of agenda items.

The Chair looked forward to receiving the report on Change Management at Special Council on November 28th and thanked Councillor Dalton for bringing the issue to Cabinet's attention.

RESOLVED -That the submission from Scrutiny Commission 3 be noted.

CB.232MEMBER REPORTS

There were no reports requested by the Leader, any Portfolio Member of the Cabinet, or any other Member of the Council.

OFFICER REPORTS

CB.233CAPITAL PROGRAMME OUTTURN REPORT 2001-2002

Cabinet considered a report from the Director of Finance detailing the Capital Programme Outturn for 2001/02.

RESOLVED - That the Capital Programme outturn for 2001/02 be noted and the slippage into 2002/03 be approved.

CB.234CAPITAL PROGRAMME MONITORING REPORT TO JUNE 2002

Cabinet received a report from the Director of Finance showing the approved Capital budget for 2002/03; expenditure to the end of June 2002; and the anticipated outturn for the current financial year.

RESOLVED -That the report now submitted be noted.

CB.235REVENUES AND BENEFITS SERVICE STAFFING ISSUES

Cabinet considered a report from the Director of Finance identifying ways of funding additional resources to ensure the backlog of work that has arisen within the Revenues and Benefits Service, due to changes in the IT system, is addressed.

Andy Ecelson, Director of Finance, commented that Members will be aware of the financial difficulties currently facing the Council and made clear the risk element involved with the funding outlined in the report.

RESOLVED -(1) That the contracts for the Agency staff currently employed within the Benefits service be extended in line with the bid from the "Help Fund".

(2) That, should the "Help Fund" bid be unsuccessful or reduced, the shortfall in the benefits budget be met by a supplementary estimate.

(3) That the Council Tax establishment be increased by two members of staff.

(4) That the Council Tax summons cost be increased from £10 to £15 with immediate effect.

CB.236URGENT BUSINESS - BENEFIT SERVICE - INVITATION YO BE A "PATHFINDER" AUTHORITY FOR TESTING THE NEW STANDARD LOCAL HOUSING ALLOWANCE

Cabinet considered a report from the Director of Finance regarding proposed changes to Housing Benefit Administration.

This item was taken as urgent business with the permission of the Deputy Leader and the Chair of Scrutiny Commission 1 due to the request by the Secretary of State/Department for Works and Pensions for an urgent decision on this issue. It is therefore not subject to call-in.

Roger Deboick, Assistant Director of Finance (Revenues), outlined the Executive Summary of the document "Building Choice and Responsibility: A Radical Agenda for Housing Benefit".

Councillor Burnett raised concerns regarding the Council being involved with the publicity campaign and whether the information technology (I.T.) systems would be compatible.

Mr. Deboick responded that out of the ten authorities invited to become "Pathfinder" authorities, five use the same I.T. supplier as North East Lincolnshire Council. He added that the Department for Works and Pensions has said that it would fund the I.T. costs.

Mr. Ecelson commented that the issue of publicity would be pursued with the Department for Works and Pensions.

RESOLVED - That the invitation from the Department for Works and Pensions to become a "Pathfinder" authority for standard local housing allowance be accepted.

CB.237THE HOUSING SERVICE'S ESTATE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

Cabinet considered a report from the Director of Community Care introducing the Housing Service's Estate Management Strategy which details how the Housing Service will take the lead in delivering high quality management to its tenancies and estates.

Councillor Wallace referred to section 11 of the strategy regarding the Housing Service employing its own team to attend to rubbish/dumping on communal areas as well as a team to clear empty gardens. He asked if the DSO were involved in this operation as he was concerned about duplication of work.

Peter Hay, Director of Community Care, responded that this is a one vehicle, one team approach linked to the Housing Services Repairs and Maintenance section. Its prime function is an estate cleaning role though it does work with the DSO in other areas of responsibility.

Councillor Burnett noted the importance of the work carried out by Housing Services staff to correct anti-social behaviour. He praised the courage of officers who actually visit tenants that are creating problems and he added that action is taken to resolve the problem. He felt this was making a positive difference to the quality of life for Council tenants.

The Chair asked that recommendation 2 of the report be amended to give a date by which the strategy will be reviewed. This was agreed by Members.

RESOLVED - (1) That the Housing Service's Estate Management Strategy be adopted.

(2) That the strategy be reviewed in November 2003.

CB.238THE USE OF DELEGATED POWERS TO FACILITATE COMPLETION OF A PROGRAMME OF WORKS - DECENT HOMES

Cabinet considered a report from the Director of Community Care regarding the use of delegated powers to facilitate completion of a programme of works to ensure that Council properties conform to the Decent Homes Standards.

Councillor Wallace enquired whether the DSO would be included on the select list of contractors for this programme of works. Mr. Leivers responded that this information was not available at the meeting but the appropriate officer would contact Councillor Wallace with a response.

RESOLVED - That the action of the Portfolio Holder in using delegated powers to facilitate the completion of the programme of works be noted.

CB.239THE USE OF DELEGATED POWERS TO ALLOW EXPENDITURE IN ORDER TO REMOVE A DANGER TO THE PUBLIC

Cabinet considered a report from the Director of Community Care regarding the use of delegated powers to allow expenditure in order to remove a danger to the public.

RESOLVED - That the action of the Portfolio Holder in using delegated powers to remove a danger to the public be noted.

CB.240THE USE OF DELEGATED POWERS TO ALLOW EXPENDITURE FOR CAVITY WALL INSULATION TO MULTI-STOREY FLATS, GRIMSBY

Cabinet considered a report from the Director of Community Care regarding the use of delegated powers to allow expenditure for cavity wall insulation to Multi-Storey Flats, Grimsby.

RESOLVED - That the action of the Portfolio Holder in using delegated powers to remove a danger to the public be noted.

CB.241EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED - That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that discussion of the following business is likely to disclose exempt information within paragraphs 7 and 9 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

CB.242LAND TO THE REAR OF MEADOWBANK, GREAT COATES

Cabinet considered a joint report from the Director of Environmental Services, Head of Estates Management and the Director of Law and Democratic Services seeking approval for proposals for the change of use and disposal of this public open space.

RESOLVED - That the principle of the following actions be approved, subject to ongoing discussions which are outlined in the report now submitted:

• That a planning application be submitted to seek permission to change the use of this land from public open space to residential garden land.
• That, if such planning application is successful, the disposal of this open space be advertised in accordance with statutory requirements.
• That subject to the prior grant of planning permission and subject also to the outcome of the statutory open space procedures, the land be disposed of to the adjoining residents of Meadowbank as extensions to their rear gardens on terms to be settled by the Head of Estates Management on behalf of the Council with the Director of Law and Democratic Services instructed to complete the legal documentation.