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.

No declarations of interest were received.

To confirm the Record of Decisions made at the meeting of the Cabinet held on the 16^th February 2021.

The Record of Decisions made at the meeting of the Cabinet held on 16 February 2021, copies of which had been previously circulated, were confirmed as a true record.

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.

Report no: 43/2021

Cabinet noted the present position in Rutland in respect of COVID 19

Cabinet noted the continued applicability of the Civil Emergency Delegation.

Report No.43/2019 was received from the Chief Executive.  Mr. Hemsley, Leader of the Council, introduced the report the purpose of which was to review the use of Emergency Powers and to update on the present COVID position.

During discussion, the following points were noted:

·       It was important that everyone remained vigilant regarding social distancing; hands, face, space.

·       Rutland had now dropped below the national average for infection rates.

·       The one year anniversary of the Covid lockdown would be on 23^rd March 2021 when a national one minute’s silence would be held. The flag at Catmose would be lowered to half-mast and an e-book would be compiled for the community to contribute to.

DECISIONS

That Cabinet NOTED:

1.    The present position in Rutland in respect of COVID 19

2.    The continued applicability of the Civil Emergency Delegation.

.

Report no: 39/2021

(Key decision)

Cabinet approved the spend of the Department for Transport (DfT) Capital Highways Maintenance Block funding allocation received to the value of £1,000,000 be used for highway carriageway, footway and drainage work as per Appendix A of the report.

Report No.39/2021 was received from the Strategic Director of Places. Councillor Stephenson introduced the report the purpose of which was for Cabinet to approve the first allocation of the Highway Capital Programme, funded from the Capital Highway Maintenance Block needs based allocated, by the Department for Transport (DfT) for 2021/22. 

During discussion, the following points were noted:

·       An annual report which detailed approved roadworks and repairs would be completed by May.

·       The condition of Rutland highways was of high quality and the aim was to maintain their good condition.

·       Flooding issues involving Langham, Rutland, Great Casterton and Little Casterton were being resolved by funding and a pro-active programme of works.

DECISION

1.    Cabinet APPROVEDthe spend of the Department for Transport (DfT) Capital Highways Maintenance Block funding allocation, received to the value of £1m, on highway carriageway, footway and drainage work as per Appendix A.

Report no: 44/2021

(Key decision)

Cabinet authorised the Director for Places to form a Project Board and associated structures (attached as Appendix A pf the report) in order to undertake a Highways Contract Project: Project approval sought to review and re-procure the Highways Term Maintenance contract.

Cabinet authorised the Director for Places and the Director for Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with Portfolio for Finance and the Cabinet Member with Portfolio for Culture & Leisure, Highways & Transportation and Road Safety, to agree financial support for the present Highways Contract Project of up to £150,000 in 2022/23, based on other similar size procurements and subject to the formulation of the highway strategy, soft market testing and assessment of procurement route to be taken and existing approved £100,000 (£50k 2020/21 & £50k 2021/22).

Additional Recommendation:

Cabinet agreed that the Membership of the Project Board (at appendix c of the report) would further include the Portfolio Holder for Finance

Report No. 44/2021 was received from the Strategic Director for Places. Councillor Stephenson introduced the report, the purpose of which was to seek approval from Cabinet for the formation of a Project Board to review and re-procure the Highways Term Maintenance contract. 

During discussion, the following points were noted:

·       The current highways maintenance contract expired in November 2023.  A new contract was required to run from December 2023.

·       This was a high risk, public project with significant safety implications.

·       The value of the contract was £35 million over a ten-year period.

·       The Growth, Infrastructure and Resources Scrutiny Committee would have a major role in the monitoring of the contract.

·       The Terms of Reference detailed the membership of the Project Board, which included the Portfolio Holder for Finance.

·       Additional upfront funding of £150,000 would be adequately covered by the proposed 3% to 6% saving on the total contract.

·       The project timescales and deadlines would be included in the Project Milestones (appendix D).

DECISION

That Cabinet AUTHORISED:

1.    The Director for Places to form a Project Board and associated structures (attached as Appendix A) to undertake a Highways Contract Project: Project approval sought to review and re-procure the Highways Term Maintenance contract.

2.    The Director for Places and the Director for Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member with Portfolio for Finance and the Cabinet Member with Portfolio for Culture & Leisure, Highways & Transportation and Road Safety, to agree financial support for the present Highways Contract Project of up to £150,000 in 2022/23, based on other similar size procurements and subject to the formulation of the highway strategy, soft market testing and assessment of procurement route to be taken and existing approved £100,000 (£50k 2020/21 & £50k 2021/22).

Report no: 42/2021

(Key decision)

Cabinet approved the extension to the Healthy Child Programme Contract from April 2022 by a maximum of 6 months at a value of circa £254,000.

Report No. 42/2021 was received from the Director of Children’s Services. Councillor Wilby introduced the report, the purpose of which was to seek Cabinet’s approval to extend the 0-19 Healthy Child Programme up to a further 6 months from April 2022. 

During discussion, the following points were noted:

·       There was a statutory responsibility for the Council to deliver this service.

·       The services were provided by Leicestershire Partnership NHS and funded through Public Health.  The current contract expired at the end of March 2021 and 12 months’ notice was required to extend the contract.

·       Re-procurement of the contract had already begun but timescales were now tight due to delays resulting from the pandemic.

·       The aim was to extend the current contract by 6 months, at a cost of £254,000, to allow for the delays in contract re-procurement.

·       The Council was happy with the current contract and the service provided but it was good practice to see what opportunities were available for cost saving.

DECISION

1.    That Cabinet APPROVED the extension to the Healthy Child Programme Contract from April 2022 by a maximum of 6 months at a value of circa £254,000.

Report no: 45/2021

Cabinet approved the procurement model and overarching award criteria for the Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Services for Rutland.

Cabinet authorised the Director for Children’s Services and the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Safeguarding – Adults, Public Health, Health Commissioning & Community Safety to approve the final Award Criteria.

Cabinet authorised the Director for Children’s Services and the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Safeguarding – Adults, Public Health, Health Commissioning & Community Safety to approve the contract award.

Report No. 45/2021 was received from the Director of Children’s Services. Councillor Walters introduced the report, the purpose of which was to inform Cabinet of the recommissioning of Domestic and Sexual Violence Abuse Services (DSVA) in conjunction with Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC). 

During discussion, the following points were noted:

·       The current contract had been extended until 31 March 2022.

·       The new contract would run for 4 years from 1 April 2022, with an option to extend for further 2 years.

·       The award criteria was not defined so services could be varied to meet agreement with partners.

·       This contract was vital because of the increased incidences of domestic and sexual violence during the pandemic lockdown.

·       The quality of the service provided needed to be of a high standard whilst providing good value for money

DECISIONS

1.    That Cabinet APPROVED the procurement model and overarching award criteria for the Domestic and Sexual Violence and Abuse Services for Rutland.

2.    That Cabinet AUTHORISED the Director for Children’s Services and the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Safeguarding – Adults, Public Health, Health Commissioning & Community Safety to approve the final Award Criteria.

3.    That Cabinet AUTHORISED the Director for Children’s Services and the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Safeguarding – Adults, Public Health, Health Commissioning & Community Safety to approve the contract award.

Report no: 46/2021

(Key decision)

Cabinet approved the procurement model and overarching award criteria for a substance misuse community treatment service and inpatient detoxification for Rutland.

Cabinet authorised the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Director for Adult Services and Health, and Health and the Cabinet Member for Safeguarding – Adults, Public Health, Health Commissioning & Community Safety to approve the final Award Criteria.

Cabinet authorised the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Director for Adult Services and Health, and the Cabinet Member for Safeguarding – Adults, Public Health, Health Commissioning & Community Safety to approve the contract award.

Report No. 46/2021 was received from the Director of Public Health. Councillor Walters introduced the report, the purpose of which was to inform Cabinet members of the substance misuse services procurement.  During discussion, the following points were noted:

·       The current contract with Turning Point had been extended until 31 March 2022.

·       Previously RCC alone had contracted services but for the new contract RCC would like to procure services jointly with Leicestershire County Council.

·       There would be no increase of budget, which would remain at £118,000 per annum.

·       The award criteria was not defined so services could be varied to meet agreement with Leicestershire County Council.

·       No savings opportunities were available as an increased demand for services was expected in the future

DECISIONS

1.    That Cabinet APPROVED the procurement model and overarching award criteria for a substance misuse community treatment service and inpatient detoxification for Rutland.

2.    That Cabinet AUTHORISED the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Director for Adult Services and Health, and Health and the Cabinet Member for Safeguarding – Adults, Public Health, Health Commissioning & Community Safety to approve the final Award Criteria.

3.    That Cabinet AUTHORISED the Director of Public Health in consultation with the Director for Adult Services and Health, and the Cabinet Member for Safeguarding – Adults, Public Health, Health Commissioning & Community Safety to approve the contract award.

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

No items of urgent business were received.