There were no apologies for absence.

There were no announcements from the Chairman or Head of Paid Service.

In accordance with the Regulations, Members are required to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have and the nature of those interests in respect of items on this Agenda and/or indicate if Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the Minutes and Decisions made at the meeting of the Cabinet held on 15^th August 2023.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 15 August 2023.

RESOLVED

a)    That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 August 2023 be APPROVED.

To receive items raised by members of scrutiny which have been submitted to the Leader and Chief Executive.

No items were raised.

To receive Report No.132/2023 from the Leader of the Council.

Report No.132/2023 was introduced by Councillor G Waller, Leader of the Council.

Prior to debate, Councillor Waller proposed an amendment to recommendation 3 to include delegation be given to the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Finance. This was seconded and upon being put to the vote, with six votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

The report asked Cabinet for approval of the Governance for the delivery phase of the Rutland and Melton £23M Levelling Up Fund programme and to approve the procurement of related publicity and communications required to support a robust governance process. 

The resultant communications strategy, and related activities, would deliver on DLUHC requirements on publicising the grant and through effective engagement and consultation deliver the projects detailed within the LUF bid “Rural Innovation In Place”. 

It was moved by Councillor G Waller and seconded that the recommendations of Report No. 132/2023 be approved. Upon being put to the vote, with six votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

a)    APPROVED the Governance approach for the Rutland Melton Levelling Up Fund Programme.

b)    APPROVED the commissioning of works using Levelling Up Fund (LUF) capital grant to support all publicity and communications, engagement and consultation work for the whole programme. 

c)    DELEGATED authority to the Strategic Director for Places in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Finance to approve associated procurement, contract award, and spend.

To receive Report No.135/2023 from the Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services.

Report No.135/2023 was introduced by Councillor T Smith, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services.

The report informed Cabinet of the Early Years Education Pathway and the reasons that Rutland County Council, (RCC), should consult with children and families about future Early Years education and childcare provision.

It was moved by Councillor T Smith and seconded that the recommendations of Report No. 135/2023 be approved. Upon being put to the vote, with six votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

a)    ENDORSED the approach to developing improved Early Years education arrangements in Rutland and the opportunities to set children on a positive trajectory for their education and into later life, and in their community.

b)    AUTHORISED the Strategic Director for Children and Families, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Childrens Services, to move to public consultation over the future of The Parks Special Nursery School.

To receive Report No.124/2023 from the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Property.

Report No.124/2023 was introduced by Councillor P Browne, Portfolio Holder for Planning and Property.

The report asked for Cabinet’s authorisation to carry out consultation on the proposed Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan, followed by submission of that plan to an independent examiner. Subject to the acceptance of the recommendations of the examiner, hold a local referendum and, subject to the outcome of that referendum, delegate the making of the Neighbourhood Plan to the Strategic Director of Places.

Members wanted to thank the team for the enormous amounts of work that had gone into producing such a comprehensive plan.

It was moved by Councillor P Browne and seconded that the recommendations of Report No. 124/2023 be approved. Upon being put to the vote, with six votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet AGREED that:

a)      The draft Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan is published for public consultation for a minimum of 6 weeks.

b)      Following public consultation, the draft plan and representations received be submitted for independent examination.

c)      The Strategic Director of Places be authorised to appoint an independent examiner in consultation with the Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan Group.

d)      That following receipt of the examiner’s report that the Strategic Director of Places, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Planning, be authorised to publish the County Council’s decision notice, update the Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan and undertake a referendum.

e)      Subject to the outcome of the referendum that the Strategic Director of Places, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Planning, be authorised to make the Uppingham Neighbourhood Plan part of the Development Plan for Rutland.

To receive Report No.130/2023 from the Portfolio Holder for Planning and Property.

Report No.130/2023 was introduced by Councillor A Johnson, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources.

The report informed Cabinet that the boilers at The King Centre needed replacing. It set out the background detail and requested approval for the procurement model and award criteria, award of the contract and approval of Capital Budget to meet the expected costs.

It was moved by Councillor A Johnson and seconded that the recommendations of Report No. 130/2023 be approved. Upon being put to the vote, with six votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

a)    APPROVED the procurement model and award criteria for boiler replacement at The King Centre.

b)    AUTHORISED the Strategic Director Places, in consultation with the Portfolio Holders with responsibility for Finance and Property Services, to award the contract resulting from this procurement in line with the Award Criteria.

c)    APPROVED the Capital Budget of up to £87k for the Boiler Replacement Project.

To receive Report No.134/2023 from the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport, and the Environment.

Report No.134/2023 was introduced by Councillor C Wise, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport, and the Environment.

The report asked for Cabinet’s approval for Rutland County Council to join the formal membership of the Leicestershire Safer Communities Strategy Board and the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board.

It was moved by Councillor C Wise and seconded that the recommendations of Report No. 134/2023 be approved. Upon being put to the vote, with six votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

a)    APPROVED the arrangements for Rutland County Council to join the formal membership of the Leicestershire Safer Communities Strategy Board and the Domestic Abuse Local Partnership Board.

b)    NOTED that these arrangements were in addition to the Council’s existing Rutland-based arrangements, which would continue.

To receive Report No.126/2023 from the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport, and the Environment.

Report No.126/2023 was introduced by Councillor C Wise, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport, and the Environment.

The report set out the projects to be funded through Levelling up fund (LUF) capital grant monies to deliver operational transport projects detailed within the bid.

The report also requested approval to access LUF capital grant monies to procure the transport operations element of Rutland’s LUF projects.  The report also seeks delegated authority to procure and spend the transport operations element of the LUF capital grant and the new bus service improvement plan + (BSIP+) grant.

It was moved by Councillor C Wise and seconded that the recommendations of Report No.126/2023 be approved. Upon being put to the vote, with six votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

a)    APPROVED the procurement of the required vehicles and associated infra-structure detailed within the bid, using Levelling Up Fund (LUF) capital grant and BSIP+ funding.

b)    DELEGATED authority to the Strategic Director for Places in consultation with the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for Transport to approve associated procurement and award, resulting in spend to deliver transport operations projects. This was subject to the caveat that award of any call-off contract with a value above the UK Procurement Threshold must be authorised by Cabinet in accordance with Rule 16.64 of the Council’s Contract Procedure Rules.

Report No.133/2023 from the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport, and the Environment.

Report No.133/2023 was introduced by Councillor C Wise, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport, and the Environment.

The report requested Cabinet approval of the additional cost for the supply and installation of new upgraded Speed Indication Devices (SIDs) across the county over a three-year period.

All 69 existing SIDs would be replaced with upgraded units, including supply and installation, which both offer clearer messaging and have the addition facility of speed data logging equipment.

It was moved by Councillor C Wise and seconded that the recommendations of Report No. 133/2023 be approved. Upon being put to the vote, with six votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

a)    APPROVED the additional costs of £80,100 as set out in the report for the supply and installation of new upgraded Speed Indication Devices (SIDs) across the county over a three-year period.

To receive Report No.121/2023 from the Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport, and the Environment.

Report No.121/2023 was introduced by Councillor C Wise, Portfolio Holder for Highways, Transport, and the Environment.

Prior to debate, Councillor Wise proposed an amendment to recommendation 1 for it to read ‘Approves the Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan – LCWIP (Appendix A) and agrees to review it at an appropriate point to reflect changes in the local plan currently being developed’. This was seconded and upon being put to the vote, with six votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

The report set out the strategic direction of active and sustainable travel and introduced new plans to implement key activities and projects, provided an update on works relating to electric vehicle infrastructure and requested approval for the new strategies and action plans so that ambitions for sustainable and active travel can be achieved.

It was moved by Councillor C Wise and seconded that the recommendations of Report No. 121/2023 be approved. Upon being put to the vote, with six votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

a)    APPROVED the Local Cycling & Walking Infrastructure Plan – LCWIP (Appendix A) and agrees to review it at an appropriate point to reflect changes in the local plan currently being developed.

b)    APPROVED the Sustainable Modes of Travel Strategy – SmoTS (Appendix B)

c)    APPROVED the Alternative Fuels Plan (Appendix C)

d)    NOTED the update provided in relation to Local electric vehicle infrastructure (LEVI) progress (Appendix D)

Cabinet is recommended to determine whether the public and press be excluded from the meeting in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, and in accordance with the Access to Information provisions of Procedure Rule 239, as the following item of business is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Paragraph 3: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

It was agreed by Cabinet to remain in public session for the discussion of Report No.128/2023.

To receive Report No.128/2023 from the Chief Executive.

Report No.128/2023 was introduced by Councillor T Smith, Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services.

The report informed Cabinet of the Change Programme Partnership and associated finances in relation to the national SEND and Alternative Provision reforms.

It was moved by Councillor T Smith and seconded that the recommendations of Report No. 128/2023 be noted. Upon being put to the vote, with six votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

a)    NOTED the agreement of the Chief Executive, Leader, Portfolio Holder for Finance and Chief Finance Officer to the acceptance of terms and conditions within the memorandum of understanding for the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities and Alternative Provision Change Programme.

To receive items of urgent business which have previously been notified to the person presiding.

There were no items of urgent business.

Tuesday, 17^th October 2023.

Tuesday, 17^th October 2023.