No apologies for absence were received.

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 13^th February 2024.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2024.

RESOLVED

a)   That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2024 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.27/2024 from the Portfolio Holder for Adults and Health.

Report No.27/2024 was introduced by Councillor D Ellison, Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Health.

The report set out the current position of the Adult Social Care market in Rutland and the implications of this in terms of the fees the Council paid for service users eligible for funding to receive services.

It set out the current fees paid for services and the proposed fee rates and uplifts for 2024/25.

It was moved by Councillor D Ellison and seconded that the recommendations of the Report No.27/2024 be approved. Upon being put to the vote, with six votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

a)    NOTED thecurrent position of the Adult Social Care markets and the risks associated with that;

b)    APPROVED the proposed fees and uplifts for Adult Social Care providers for 2024/25.

To receive Report No.28/2024 from the Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Governance and Resources.

Report No.28/2024 was introduced by Councillor A Johnson, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Governance and Resources.

Councillor Johnson explained that the Council was reliant on Microsoft licences for the operational running of the Council and that Microsoft licences were renewed yearly based on specific requirements at the renewal date and overall costs are negotiated by Crown Commercial Services.

Microsoft licences were let in periods of 3 years and a new contract was due in May 2024.  Public Sector Licence costs are agreed centrally with Central Government and are made available to the Council via resellers under frameworks.  

It was moved by Councillor A Johnson and seconded that the recommendations of the Report No.28/2024 be approved. Upon being put to the vote, with six votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

a)    DELEGATED authority to the Strategic Director for Resources, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder with responsibility for I.T, to negotiate and award the contract for Microsoft Software Licences.

To receive Report No.31/2024 from the Portfolio Holder for Transport, Environment and Communities.

Report No.31/2024 was introduced by Councillor C Wise, Portfolio Holder for Transport, Environment and Communities.

The report set out the process and proposed award criteria for the procurement of home to school transport contracts, along with recommendations for approval and delegation of final award.

The Council provided a range of transport services including: home to school transport; transport for children with special educational needs; transport for children looked after; post-16 education transport; and public transport services in line with statute and Council policy.

The increased estimated costs for 2023/24 highlighted within the report was due to all closed bus contracts being put out to tender at the same time, inviting package bids to achieve best value and to enable a smooth implementation of the outcomes of the wider bus network review.

It was moved by Councillor C Wise and seconded that the recommendations of the Report No.31/2024 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 (section 2.5) and criteria for the award of home to school transport (appendix A) contracts for academic year 24/25.

b)    AUTHORISED the Strategic Director for Places in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Highways & Transport to award the contracts resulting from this procurement.

To receive Report No.29/2024 from the Leader of the Council.

Report No.29/2024 was introduced by Councillor P Browne, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Property and Economic Development.

The report set out the key aims and objectives of the Economic Strategy. It also sought approval to publish the Economic Strategy and develop and implement a delivery plan to work towards achieving the aims and objectives of the strategy.

Rutland's economic strategy – Multum in Parvo – set out an aspirational and credible strategy for delivering a shared vision of a successful future for Rutland's economy. It builds on the County’s existing economic strengths and its unique character.

The Economic Strategy had been developed through engagement with local businesses and key stakeholders within the County.

Members wanted to thank the Strategic Overview and Scrutiny Committee who had established an Economic Strategy Task and Finish Group that reviewed the evidence base and heavily influenced the development of this economic strategy. The Economic Strategy Task and Finish Group suggested the economic strategy should be bold and ambitious, focusing on innovation, diversifying the visitor economy, attracting investment and supporting local businesses to grow.

It was moved by Councillor P Browne and seconded that the recommendations of the Report No.29/2024 be approved. Upon being put to the vote, with six votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

a)    APPROVED the Rutland Economic Development Strategy.

b)    DELEGATED authority to the Strategic Director for Places in consultation with the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development to make any minor amendments and publish the Economic Strategy and supporting evidence base.

c)    DELEGATED authority to the Strategic Director – Places in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development to develop the economic strategy including further engagement with stakeholders and businesses.

d)    DELEGATED authority to the Strategic Director for Places in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development to implement the Strategy.

To receive Report No.30/2024 from the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Property and Economic Development.

Report No.30/2024 was introduced by Councillor P Browne, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Property and Economic Development.

The draft Edith Weston Neighbourhood Plan has been submitted to the County Council for statutory consultation and subsequent independent examination.

The report sought Cabinet’s authorisation to carry out consultation on the proposed Edith Weston Neighbourhood Plan, followed by submission of that plan to an independent examiner. Subject to the acceptance of the recommendations of the examiner, authorisation is also sought to hold a local referendum. Subject to the outcome of that referendum, the report requests that Cabinet delegate the making of the Neighbourhood Plan to the Strategic Director of Places.

Councillor Browne wanted to thank the residents of Edith Weston for the amount of time and work they had put into this process.

It was moved by Councillor P Browne and seconded that the recommendations of the Report No.29/2024 be approved. Upon being put to the vote, with six votes in favour the motion was unanimously carried.

RESOLVED

That Cabinet:

a)    APPROVED the draft Edith Weston Neighbourhood Plan was published for public consultation for a minimum of 6 weeks.

b)    APPROVED that following public consultation, the draft plan and representations received are submitted for independent examination.

c)    AUTHORISED the Strategic Director of Places to appoint an independent examiner in consultation with the Edith Weston Parish Council.

d)    AUTHORISED the Strategic Director of Places in consultation withthe Portfolio Holder for Planning, Property and Economic Development, following receipt of the examiner’s report, to publish the County Council’s decision notice, update the Edith Weston Neighbourhood Plan and undertake a referendum.

e)    AUTHORISED subject to the outcome of the referendum, the Strategic Director of Places in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Planning, Property and Economic Development to make the Edith Weston Neighbourhood Plan part of the Development Plan for Rutland.

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

There were no items of urgent business.

Tuesday, 16^th April 2024.

Tuesday, 16^th April 2024.