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.

Minutes of the meeting held Wednesday, 22 February 2023 attached to be signed as a correct record.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

The minutes of the last meeting were agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

The Notice of Executive Decisions and Cabinet Forward Plan for the period 1 March 2023 – 28 February 2024 is available on the website.

A copy of the latest version, as of agenda publication, is attached.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

The Cabinet Forward Plan was noted.

Report of the Director of Change and Delivery attached.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    The Cabinet accepts the recommendations received from the Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster presented a report of the Director of Change and Delivery that sought to provide Cabinet with a position statement for the Corporate Strategy for quarter three (October-December) 2022/23.

Councillor Foster explained the performance of the authority was good and remains strong. The authority would receive the keys for the houses on Station Road in mid-April. A decision had also been made to push back the commencement of Jubilee Gardens whilst cost challenges were dealt with, this was now rectified.

Councillor Foster referred to the recommendations from the Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel and stated that he accepted the comments and recommendations.  

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.     That the report be noted.

2.     The recommendations from the Scrutiny Budget and Performance Panel were accepted.

Reasons for recommendations:

The Council’s performance framework sets out the process for reporting progress against the objectives of the Corporate Strategy. Robust monitoring ensures that the council continues to deliver its priorities and achieves the best outcomes for residents.

Other options considered and rejected:

No other options were considered.

Report of the Director of Communities attached.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.     To note the successful delivery of the 2022/23 HAF Programme.

2.     To approve delivery proposals for the 2023/24 HAF Programme.

3.     To authorise officers to lobby for any additional HAF funding which becomes available.

The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member (Health and Wellbeing), Councillor Mick Titherington presented a report of the Director of Communities which provided an update on delivery of the 2022/23 HAF Programme. It also sought approval to deliver the 2023/24 HAF programme.

Councillor Titherington explained that four years ago members had identified a problem with children, particularly those on free school meals, going hungry during the school holidays. A project was commenced called the Holiday Hunger programme and it was a fantastic achievement. This later evolved during COVID times into the HAF Programme and was extended to all children, no one was turned away.

Councillor Titherington paid tribute to all those involved, particularly South Ribble Staff and praised them for their hard work and efforts. It was a project that the whole Council could be proud of.

Members of the Cabinet thanked Councillor Titherington for his work and efforts that have gone into making the HAF Programme a success and commented that it was a significant legacy to leave.

Members not on Cabinet also commented on the report and welcomed the success of the programme. Thanks, was also given to Councillor Titherington for his passion and dedication to the programme.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.     To note the successful delivery of the 2022/23 HAF Programme.

2.     To approve delivery proposals for the 2023/24 HAF Programme.

3.     To authorise officers to lobby for any additional HAF funding which becomes available.

Reasons for recommendations:

4.     Funding received for the HAF Programme 2022 enabled a wide-ranging offer of activities and food for children across the borough. There is a will from leisure services, community groups and providers to continue the scheme. Feedback received from parents and carers echoes this.

5.     Delivery of the HAF Programme is directly in line with the Council’s corporate priorities. It complements other schemes which support families with the cost of living, including the school uniform bank and South Ribble Food Network.

Other options considered and rejected:

If Cabinet is minded not to approve proposals for 2023/24, the anticipated funding offer from LCC could be declined. This would result in LCC commissioning external providers in South Ribble; we would have no role or influence in the programme. Given the Council’s extensive knowledge of communities, and strong relationships with groups and organisations locally, we do not believe remote commissioning to be in the best interest of South Ribble families.

Report of the Director of Communities attached.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.     Cabinet notes the work undertaken by Community Hubs in 2022/23.

2.     Cabinet note the 2023/24 Community Hub Action Plans.

The Cabinet Member (Communities, Social Justice and Wealth Building), Councillor Aniela Bylinski Gelder presented a report of the Director of Communities that sought to update Cabinet on the Community Hub Action Plans.

Councillor Bylinski Gelder thanked the Officers who support the Hubs and the Chairs of the Neighbourhood Hubs for the work they do in their roles and for understanding the vision of the hub in ensuring local decision making in local areas.

Councillor Bylinski Gelder explained the action plans were forward facing and demonstrated huge projects over the next twelve months with themes such as, environment, history and heritage and resocialisation. Each hub had designed their own project and the action plans were varied.

Members of the Cabinet commented on the presentation of the report and complimented the Cabinet Member (Communities, Social Justice and Wealth Building) and Officers for this. Members also referred to the number of community groups that had grown within South Ribble and commented on how working together and the hubs had been a major tool in enabling the administration to deliver.

Members also thanked the Head of Communities and Housing for her work on the projects.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.     Cabinet notes the work undertaken by Community Hubs in 2022/23.

2.     Cabinet note the 2023/24 Community Hub Action Plans.

Reasons for recommendations:

The report is the annual presentation of Community Hub Action Plans for Cabinet approval. Projects contained in the plans have been discussed and decided upon with members from each of the hubs at planning meetings.

Other options considered and rejected:

Action plans have been drawn up with contributions from all members, in line with the cross-party review of community involvement. Best practice in community development was considered as part of this review, with robust action plans agreed as an effective delivery mechanism for community priorities.

Report of the Director of Commercial attached.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

Cabinet awards the contract to complete works to Worden Park, as set out in the report, to Landscape Engineering Ltd.

The Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets), Councillor Matthew Tomlinson presented a report of the Director of Planning and Development that outlined the proposed works planned to Worden Park and to award the contract to the successful tenderer following a procurement exercise carried out in accordance with South Ribble procurement protocols.

The Cabinet Member (Finance, Property and Assets) explained that money had been put aside for landscaping Worden Park and the team had worked on ideas and designs themselves which had resulted in the job coming in significantly cheaper than anticipated. The successful bidder is a Lancashire based business which links with the council’s community wealth building commitment. By the end of summer new footpaths would be finished in the park.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

Cabinet awards the contract to complete works to Worden Park, as set out in the report, to Landscape Engineering Ltd.

Reasons for recommendations:

In accordance with the council’s procurement rules a decision is required by Cabinet to award the contract for works to be carried on Worden Park.

Other options considered and rejected:

The option of not doing the work was considered and discounted. In order to complement the recently completed works to Worden Hall there is now a need to improve the green infrastructure of the wider Worden Park and it is this option that has been taken forward.

As it was the last meeting of Cabinet before the election the Leader of the Council thanked all of the officers for their support and commented that it had not been easy at times, particularly through a pandemic that nobody expected. Nevertheless, a lot of business had been undertaken.

The Leader of the Council also personally thanked Councillor Titherington, who was retiring at the upcoming election, for all his hard work and dedication and for being a loyal Deputy Leader.

Councillor Titherington said a few words and also thanked Members of the Cabinet for their solidarity, support and comradeship over the past four years. He also thanked the Labour Group and the Council and commented that he appreciated being part of a team that had delivered what it set out to do.