There were no announcements from the Chairman or the 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.

Councillor A Walters declared a pecuniary interest in item 7, Highways Term Maintenance Contract Extension, as a close family member worked for a sub-contractor of Tarmac in Rutland. Councillor A Walters confirmed he would withdraw from the debate and voting on this agenda item.

To confirm the Record of Decisions made at the meeting of the Cabinet held on 27 July 2021.

The record of decisions made at the meeting of the Cabinet held on 27 July 2021 was APPROVED.

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

There were no items raised by Scrutiny.

To receive Report No. 113/2021 from the Strategic Director of Places.

In consultation with Cabinet, Councillor O Hemsley, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Policy, Strategy, Partnerships, Economy and Infrastructure:

1)    Authorised the Strategic Director for Places to appoint a consultant, via the Scape Framework, to carry out surveys and other assessments necessary for the Property Asset Review. Delegates authority to Strategic Director Places, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Property to commission further consultancy advice from the Scape Framework as necessary, subject to any requirements for further expenditure to fund further advice being brought back to Cabinet for consideration.

2)    Approved budget allocation of £205,801.49 from Property Repairs Earmarked Reserves to support the Property Asset Review.

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Councillor D Wilby joined the meeting at this point following technical issues.

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Report No. 113/2021 was introduced by Councillor O Hemsley, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder Portfolio Holder for Policy, Strategy, Partnerships, Economy and Infrastructure. The purpose of the report was to set out background in relation to the Council’s intention to carry out a Property Asset Review and seek approval to appoint a consultant to carry out surveys and other assessments for the review, approve other related supporting activities, approve budget required and delegate authority to the Strategic Director Places, in consultation with the Property Portfolio holder, to commission further consultancy advice.

During discussion the following points were noted:

•           In relation to concerns from Members regarding the potential for extra funding being required for consultancy work, it was agreed that should any requirements for further expenditure to fund further advice emerge then the matter would be brought back to Cabinet for consideration.

•           Penny Sharp, Strategic Director for Places confirmed that the carbon emissions of Rutland County Council’s (RCC) directly owned stock would be looked at through the baseline carbon assessment process.

RESOLVED:

In consultation with Cabinet, Councillor O Hemsley, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Policy, Strategy, Partnerships, Economy and Infrastructure:

1)         Authorised the Strategic Director for Places to appoint a consultant, via the Scape Framework, to carry out surveys and other assessments necessary for the Property Asset Review. Delegates authority to Strategic Director Places, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Property to commission further consultancy advice from the Scape Framework as necessary, subject to any requirements for further expenditure to fund further advice being brought back to Cabinet for consideration.

2)         Approved budget allocation of £205,801.49 from Property Repairs Earmarked.

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Councillor A Walters left the meeting having declared a pecuniary interest in  the next item.

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To receive Report No. 114/2021 from the Strategic Director of Places

In consultation with Cabinet, Councillor L Stephenson, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Portfolio Holder for Communities, Environment and Climate Change:

1)    Recommended to Council to approve the extension of the current Highways Term Maintenance Contract Upon reliance of Regulation 72 (1)(b) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015, by an additional six (6) months from 1st December 2023 until 31st May 2024, to ensure service continuity during the commissioning period of the new RCC Highways Term Maintenance Contract.

Report No. 114/2021 was introduced by Councillor L Stephenson, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Communities, Environment and Climate Change. The purpose of the report was to seek approval for the extension of the current Highways Term Maintenance Contract Upon reliance of Regulation 72 (1)(b) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015, to vary the Contract by an additional six (6) months from 1st December 2023 until 31st May 2024.  This was to ensure service continuity during the commissioning period of the new RCC Highways Term Maintenance Contract.  It had been identified as high risk to change contracts during the Winter Service (gritting provision) period.  The contract extension would enable the mobilisation of a new contract after winter service. During discussions Councillor L Stephenson confirmed that the extension of the Highways Term Maintenance Contract would be delivered within the existing budget. It had been highlighted within the existing overall budget position that subject to a fluctuation of pricing less work would be undertaken.

RESOLVED:

In consultation with Cabinet, Councillor L Stephenson, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Portfolio Holder for Communities, Environment and Climate Change:

1)         Recommended to Council to approve the extension of the current Highways Term Maintenance Contract Upon reliance of Regulation 72 (1)(b) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015, by an additional six (6) months from 1st December 2023 until 31st May 2024, to ensure service continuity during the commissioning period of the new RCC Highways Term Maintenance Contract.

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Councillor A Walters re-joined the meeting at this point.

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To receive Report No. 115/2021 from the Chief Executive.

Councillor Hemsley, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Policy, Strategy, Partnerships, Economy and Infrastructure and the Cabinet:

1)    Noted the present position in Rutland in respect of COVID-19.

2)    Noted the continued applicability of the Civil emergency Declaration.

Report No. 115/2021 was introduced by Councillor O Hemsley, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder Portfolio Holder for Policy, Strategy, Partnerships, Economy and Infrastructure. The purpose of the report was to provide Cabinet with updates on the Covid position and to review the use of emergency powers. Members were fully supportive of continuing the use of delegated powers.

RESOLVED:

Councillor O Hemsley, Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Policy, Strategy, Partnerships, Economy and Infrastructure and the Cabinet:

1)         Noted the present position in Rutland in respect of COVID-19.

2)         Noted the continued applicability of the Civil emergency Declaration

To receive Report No. 116/2021 from the Strategic Director of Adult Services and Health.

In consultation with Cabinet, Councillor A Walters, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Care:

1)    Approved the plans for future delivery of wellness and prevention services;

2)    Approved procurement of the Sensory Impairment and Housing contracts;

3)    Approved the award of a grant to Citizen’s Advice Rutland towards the provision of Rutland’s Information and Advice Service;

4)    Delegated the sign-off of Award Criteria and approval of the Contract Awards for the Sensory Impairment and Housing contracts to the Strategic Director for Adult Services and Health in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care.

Report No. 116/2021 was introduced by Councillor A Walters, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Care. The purpose of the report was to set out the proposed plans for commissioning services which would improve the wellbeing of individuals and reduce and delay the need for statutory services.

RESOLVED:

In consultation with Cabinet, Councillor A Walters, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Care:

1)         Approved the plans for future delivery of wellness and prevention services;

2)         Approved procurement of the Sensory Impairment and Housing contracts;

3)         Approved the award of a grant to Citizen’s Advice Rutland towards the provision of Rutland’s Information and Advice Service;

4)         Delegated the sign-off of Award Criteria and approval of the Contract Awards for the Sensory Impairment and Housing contracts to the Strategic Director for Adult Services and Health in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care.

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 2: Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet would remain in public session for the discussion of item 11 as it was felt that Cabinet would be able to discuss and agree to the recommendations without reference to the information in the exempt appendix.

To receive Report No. 117/2021 from the Strategic Director of Adult Services and Health

In consultation with Cabinet, Councillor A Walters, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Care:

1)    Approved the proposal to formally participate in the Afghan LES relocation scheme and delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Adult Services and Health, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Care, to determine whether the Council participate in other Afghan relocation schemes.

2)    Approves to enter into agreement with Charnwood Borough Council to act as lead authority for the coordination of the scheme.

Report No. 117/2021 was introduced by Councillor A Walters, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Care. The purpose of the report was to seek formal approval and a decision on allocation for The Afghan Locally Employed Re-Settlement Scheme.

During discussion the following points were noted:

•           John Morley, Strategic Director for Adults and Health asked Members to consider the additional Afghan Citizen Relocation Scheme that was not specifically for Military staff. Government had asked for support for 20,000 people with funding confirmed as being identical to the LES scheme. The Strategic Director for Adults and Health highlighted the risk of RCC not knowing the needs of the people concerned.

•           Members outlined support for the report and the additional scheme referenced by Councillor A Walters and the Strategic Director for Adults and Health.

RESOLVED:

In consultation with Cabinet, Councillor A Walters, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Care:

1)         Approved the proposal to formally participate in the Afghan LES relocation scheme and delegated authority to the Strategic Director for Adult Services and Health, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Care, to determine whether the Council participate in other Afghan relocation schemes.

2)         Approves to enter into agreement with Charnwood Borough Council to act as lead authority for the coordination of the scheme.

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

There were no items of urgent business.