Agenda, decisions and minutes

No apologies were received.

Members are requested to indicate at this stage in the proceedings any items on the agenda in which they intend to declare an interest. Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of that item. If the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice their judgment of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may make representations, but then must leave the meeting for the remainder of the item.

No declarations were made.

The Notice of Executive Decisions and Cabinet Forward Plan is available on the website.

The Cabinet Forward Plan was noted.

Minutes of the last meeting held Wednesday, 21 June 2023 are attached to be agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the minutes of the last meeting held Wednesday, 21 June 2023 were agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Report of the Director of Change and Delivery.

Decision Made:

Cabinet note the report.

Reasons for decision:

To ensure effective monitoring of the Council’s key contracts and partnerships.

Other options considered and rejected:

No other options were considered as the report is for information only.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, presented a report that provided an update on the performance of the council’s key contracts and partnership arrangements.

Councillor Foster explained that the update was produced in accordance with the framework and sought to inform members of the performance of key partnerships against targets set for the current year.

Members noted that overall performance was progressing well and the Council’s standing with key partners was strong.

Decision Made:

Cabinet note the report.

Reasons for decision:

To ensure effective monitoring of the Council’s key contracts and partnerships.

Other options considered and rejected:

No other options were considered as the report is for information only.

Report of the Director of Communities attached.

Decision Made:

1.     Cabinet note the report.

2.     Cabinet agree the report can be presented for adoption at Full Council.

3.     The Cabinet Member (Neighbourhoods and Waste) will write to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to express concern over speculated government proposals to abolish the International Climate Finance pledge.

Reasons for decision:

Across the world biodiversity is under threat, either from pollution, development or changes in the climate. The lives we currently lead compromises our biodiversity. Habitats are being lost or fragmented, isolating plant and animal communities into ever smaller areas.

Under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, and recently updated by the Environment Act 2021 public authorities in England are under a legal duty to have due regard to the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity in the exercise of its functions. The Environment Act 2021 requires the creation of 48 ‘Local Nature Recovery Strategies’ (LNRS) to cover all areas of England to reverse the ongoing decline of nature.

LNRS, alongside the requirement for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) from development, means that Local Authorities have a proactive role to play in nature recovery.

Public bodies must also determine what action is required to conserve and enhance biodiversity in the exercise of its functions and must determine such policies and objectives as appropriate to achieve this.

They must also publish biodiversity reports providing a summary of the action taken and planned and detailing the resulting biodiversity gains achieved.

Other options considered and rejected:

Do nothing, this would negatively impact on the biodiversity of the borough and result in the council failing in its statutory duties to consider, conserve and enhance biodiversity in the exercise of it’s duties.

The Cabinet Member (Neighbourhoods and Waste), Councillor Deborah Ashton, presented the Biodiversity Action Plan and sought approval for the plan to be presented for adoption at full Council.

Councillor Ashton explained the Environment Act 2021 had been implemented and provided the Council with a statutory duty to publish a biodiversity report and update on its actions. The Council were also required, by condition, to ensure a 10% net gain on biodiversity for all planning applications above a single dwelling.

The Biodiversity Action Plan was first adopted by the Council in 2022 alongside the interim action plan for the first twelve months, a key action was to develop a longer-term action plan. Councillor Ashton advised that extensive consultation had been undertaken with staff, community groups, partners and other government bodies. This feedback had been considered and incorporated into the action plan.

Members of Cabinet endorsed the action plan and thanked the Lead Member for Climate Change and Officers for their work. Members acknowledged that South Ribble was leading the way in the North West for the work undertaken on climate change and for trying to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.

Decision Made:

1.     Cabinet note the report.

2.     Cabinet agree the report can be presented for adoption at Full Council.

3.     The Cabinet Member (Neighbourhoods and Waste) will write to the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change to express concern over speculated government proposals to abolish the International Climate Finance pledge.

Reasons for decision:

Across the world biodiversity is under threat, either from pollution, development or changes in the climate. The lives we currently lead compromises our biodiversity. Habitats are being lost or fragmented, isolating plant and animal communities into ever smaller areas.

Under the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006, and recently updated by the Environment Act 2021 public authorities in England are under a legal duty to have due regard to the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity in the exercise of its functions. The Environment Act 2021 requires the creation of 48 ‘Local Nature Recovery Strategies’ (LNRS) to cover all areas of England to reverse the ongoing decline of nature.

LNRS, alongside the requirement for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) from development, means that Local Authorities have a proactive role to play in nature recovery.

Public bodies must also determine what action is required to conserve and enhance biodiversity in the exercise of its functions and must determine such policies and objectives as appropriate to achieve this.

They must also publish biodiversity reports providing a summary of the action taken and planned and detailing the resulting biodiversity gains achieved.

Other options considered and rejected:

Do nothing, this would negatively impact on the biodiversity of the borough and result in the council failing in its statutory duties to consider, conserve and enhance biodiversity in the exercise of it’s duties.

Report of the Director of Customer and Digital.

Decision Made:

Cabinet to agree:

1.     A direct award to GOSS through a compliant procurement framework, only if favourable commercial terms can be agreed including transparency on future costs for a period of up to 5 years from July 2024, for a joint GOSS iCM platform with Chorley Council.

2.     In the absence of the above i.e., not obtaining favourable commercial terms directly with GOSS, the council will undertake a full market procurement exercise which will include open-source software currently being explored.

3.     To approve the delegation of the outcome and final sign off for either recommendation (a) or (b) to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Customer and Digital).

Reasons for decision:

To ensure that the council maintains and develops its online presence and delivery of online services to residents.

Other options considered and rejected:

Other options to be considered are detailed within the report.

The Cabinet Member (Customer and Digital), Councillor Ian Watkinson, presented a report that sought to agree the future for the Council’s Content Management System (CMS).

Councillor Watkinson explained that officers would be trying to seek a new contract with favourable commercial terms for a five year term, if this could not be achieved a full procurement exercise would be undertaken.

Members not on Cabinet sought clarification that alternative suppliers would also be considered to ensure the website was fully accessible. In response, the Councillor Watkinson explained that both value for money and quality of service would be considered when obtaining new contracts.

Decision Made:

Cabinet to agree:

1.     A direct award to GOSS through a compliant procurement framework, only if favourable commercial terms can be agreed including transparency on future costs for a period of up to 5 years from July 2024, for a joint GOSS iCM platform with Chorley Council.

2.     In the absence of the above i.e., not obtaining favourable commercial terms directly with GOSS, the council will undertake a full market procurement exercise which will include open-source software currently being explored.

3.     To approve the delegation of the outcome and final sign off for either recommendation (a) or (b) to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member (Customer and Digital).

Reasons for decision:

To ensure that the council maintains and develops its online presence and delivery of online services to residents.

Other options considered and rejected:

Other options to be considered are detailed within the report.

Report of the Chief Executive.

Decision made:

That Cabinet noted and agreed the response to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review of Building Better Homes and Neighbourhoods.

Reasons for decision:

As part of the governance arrangements of the Council and Scrutiny regulations, Cabinet are required to respond to recommendations referred to it by the Scrutiny Committee.

To ensure that the Council continues to place the health and wellbeing of residents at the forefront of its work and to support the Council’s vision for good homes, green spaces and healthy places.

Other options considered and rejected:

No options were considered

The Cabinet Member (Planning, Business Support and Economic Development), Councillor James Flannery, presented a report that provided the Cabinet’s response to the final report from the Scrutiny Committee’s review of Building Better Homes and Neighbourhoods.

Councillor Flannery outlined the key objectives of the report and explained that although the majority of recommendations were accepted, Cabinet were unable to accept recommendations four and five as it was important to retain flexibility on Section 106 and CIL monies.

Decision made:

That Cabinet noted and agreed the response to the recommendations of the Scrutiny Review of Building Better Homes and Neighbourhoods.

Reasons for decision:

As part of the governance arrangements of the Council and Scrutiny regulations, Cabinet are required to respond to recommendations referred to it by the Scrutiny Committee.

To ensure that the Council continues to place the health and wellbeing of residents at the forefront of its work and to support the Council’s vision for good homes, green spaces and healthy places.

Other options considered and rejected:

No options were considered

To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

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

Condition:

Information is not exempt if it is required to be registered under-

The Companies Act 1985

The Friendly Societies Act 1974

The Friendly Societies Act 1992

The Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965 to 1978

The Building Societies Act 1986 (recorded in the public file of any building society, within the meaning of the Act)

The Charities Act 1993

Information is exempt to the extent that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the press and public be excluded for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

That the press and public be excluded for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Report of the Director of Change and Delivery.

This item was considered earlier in the meeting.

Report of the Director of Customer and Digital.

This item was considered earlier in the meeting.

Report of the Director of Customer and Digital.

Decision made:

1.    To approve the award of contract to Civica Property Management (CPM) via a direct award utilising the Crown Commercial Services Framework on a five-year contract term.

2.    To note the requirement for the creation of two new temporary shared posts within the Commercial Services directorate to support data validation, data capture, data entry and overall adoption of the Property and Assets Management system

Reasons for decision:

South Ribble Borough Council and Chorley Council Property and Assets teams now operate within the Shared Service model.

To make further improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the service across both Councils there is a clear need to introduce a property asset management solution. Currently each authority operates with a series of stand alone databases utilising different systems of records management. The benefits a single property management system are detailed later in this report.

A report to both South Ribble Borough Council and Chorley Council Executive Cabinet meetings in November 2022 sought approval of the procurement routes for numerous ICT software solutions, including the procurement route for a Property and Assets Management system.

Discussions have now taken place with Crown Commercial Services (CCS) regarding a direct award utilising their framework. CCS have confirmed that a direct award via their framework is permissible and a compliant route to market.

Other options considered and rejected:

A further competitive procurement exercise was considered but rejected.

The Cabinet Member (Customer and Digital), Councillor Ian Watkinson, presented a confidential report that updated members on the requirement for a property and assets management system, including aims, objectives and benefits of the system.

Decision made:

1.     To approve the award of contract to Civica Property Management (CPM) via a direct award utilising the Crown Commercial Services Framework on a five-year contract term.

2.     To note the requirement for the creation of two new temporary shared posts within the Commercial Services directorate to support data validation, data capture, data entry and overall adoption of the Property and Assets Management system

Reasons for decision:

South Ribble Borough Council and Chorley Council Property and Assets teams now operate within the Shared Service model.

To make further improvements in the efficiency and effectiveness of the service across both Councils there is a clear need to introduce a property asset management solution. Currently each authority operates with a series of stand alone databases utilising different systems of records management. The benefits a single property management system are detailed later in this report.

A report to both South Ribble Borough Council and Chorley Council Executive Cabinet meetings in November 2022 sought approval of the procurement routes for numerous ICT software solutions, including the procurement route for a Property and Assets Management system.

Discussions have now taken place with Crown Commercial Services (CCS) regarding a direct award utilising their framework. CCS have confirmed that a direct award via their framework is permissible and a compliant route to market.

Other options considered and rejected:

A further competitive procurement exercise was considered but rejected.

Members thanked the Director of Change and Delivery for all her hard work and wished her well in her new role as she leaves the authority for pastures new.