2. 221129 - Cabinet Minute
North Ayrshire Council · 24 January 2023
Back to Cabinet — 24 January 2023 and its agenda
Text extracted from the council's PDF. Layout and reading order may differ from the original.
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Cabinet 29 November 2022 At a Meeting of the Cabinet of North Ayrshire Council at 2.30 p.m. involving a combination of participation by remote electronic means and physical attendance within the Council Chambers, Irvine Present (Physical Participation) Marie Burns, Scott Davidson, Tony Gurney, Alan Hill, Christina Larsen and Shaun Macaulay; Elizabeth Turbet, Rev Mark Goodman (Church Representatives); and Jackie MacKenzie (Teaching Representative) (Agenda Items 3-4). Present (Remote Electronic Participation) Margaret Johnson. In Attendance C. Hatton, Chief Executive; M. Boyd, Head of Service (Finance), D. Forbes, Senior Manager (Financial Management) and S. Quinn, Senior Manager (Corporate Procurement) (Chief Executive’s Service); R. McCutcheon, Executive Director, D. Hammond, Head of Service (Sustainability, Corporate Property & Transport), A. Cowley, Senior Manager (Roads) and M. Miller, Team Leader (Roads) (Place); A. Sutton, Executive Director, R. Arthur, Head of Service (Connected Communities) and L. Taylor, Senior Manager (Education) (Communities & Education); C. Cameron, Director and P. Doak (Head of Service (Finance & Transformation) (Health and Social Care Partnership); N. McIlvanney, Senior Manager and M. Ritchie, Regeneration Manager (Growth and Investment); R. Lynch, Senior Manager and C. Cochrane, Solicitor (Legal Services), L. Jolly, Communications Officer, C. Stewart and D. Mccaw, Committee Services Officers (Democratic Services). Apologies Andrew Bruce, Lay Member. Chair Marie Burns in the Chair. 1. Minutes The Minutes of the Meeting of the Cabinet held on 1 November 2022 were confirmed and the Minutes signed in accordance with Paragraph 7 (1) of Schedule 7 of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973. 2. Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest by Members in terms of Standing Order 11 and Section 5 of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.
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3. Mayfields Housing Development, Saltcoats and Proposed Catchment Boundary Changes Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Communities and Education) seeking approval to carry out a Statutory Public Consultation on the proposal to amend the primary school catchment boundary lines between Saltcoats and Stevenston. A map showing the site and current catchment boundary lines was attached at Appendix 1 to the report. Appendix 2 to the report indicated the site and proposed new catchment boundary lines, with Appendix 3 outlining the advantages and disadvantages of each option which had been presented, including discussion with stakeholders as part of the early engagement outlined in the timeline at Appendix 4 to the report. Lastly, the breakdown of the pupil roll showing numbers of children registered for primary 1 (P1) residing within the catchment area and those outwith (placing requests) over the last 5 years was shown in the table at Appendix 5 to the report. The Cabinet agreed to approve the proposal to carry out a Statutory Public Consultation on the proposal to amend the primary school catchment boundary lines between Saltcoats and Stevenston. 4. North Ayrshire Children’s Services Plan 2020-23: Progress Report 2021- 22 Submitted a report by the Director (HSCP) presenting the draft North Ayrshire Children’s Services Plan 2020-23: Progress Report covering 2021-22. The North Ayrshire Children’s Services Plan 2020-23: Progress Report 2021-22 was attached at Appendix 1 to the report. Members asked a question and were provided with further information in relation to the provision of health visitors who had continued to deliver full national health visiting pathways throughout the pandemic and the positive impact this had made on helping children and young people continue to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle. The Cabinet agreed (a) to approve the draft North Ayrshire Children’s Services Plan 2020-23: Progress Report 2021-22 set out at Appendix 1 to the report; and (b) that the Progress Report be submitted to the Scottish Government and published on the North Ayrshire Community Planning website, subject to sign-off by relevant Community Planning partners. 5. Establishment of a Policy Advisory Panel Submitted a report by the Chief Executive seeking approval to establish an Elected Member Policy Advisory Panel to assist in the preparation of policy proposals for consultation by Cabinet. A proposed Remit for the new Policy Advisory Panel, which was not limited to any specific area of policy development, was attached at Appendix 1 to the report. The Cabinet agreed to the establishment of a Policy Advisory Panel to support its work.
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6. The Investigations Manual of the Ethical Standards Commissioner’s office - Consultation Submitted a report by the Head of Service (Democratic Services) advising that the Ethical Standards Commissioner was consulting on the content of the draft Complaints Investigation Manual and seeking approval for the Council’s proposed submission to the consultation. The draft manual and proposed targets were set out at Appendices 1 and 2 to the report and the suggested consultation response at Appendix 3. The Cabinet agreed to (a) note the draft consultation document; and (b) approve the submission of the proposed consultation response provided at Appendix 3 to the report. 7. Revenue Budget 2022/23: Financial Performance to 30 September 2022 Submitted a report by the Head of Service (Finance) on the financial performance of the Council at 30 September 2022. Detailed explanations of the significant variances in service expenditure compared to the approved budgets, together with information on funding to be carried forward to support expenditure during 2022/23 were provided in Appendices 1-4 of the report. A full list of the proposed carry forward of earmarked funds was set out at Appendix 5 to the report. Information in respect of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) was contained in Appendices 6 and 6a and information on virements/budget adjustment requests was provided at Appendix 7 to the report. Information on the IJB financial performance was presented in Appendix 8 to the report. The Cabinet agreed to (a) note (i) the information and financial projections outlined in the report and its associated appendices, (ii) the latest financial projection for the Health and Social Care Partnership highlighted at 2.6 of the report and (iii) the current projected deficit position of KA Leisure; and (b) approve (i) the earmarking of £1.792m identified at section 2.5 of the report to meet future year commitments and (ii) the virements detailed at Appendix 7 to the report. 9. Capital Programme Performance to 31 March 2023 Submitted a report by the Head of Service (Finance) on progress in delivering the Capital Investment Programme for 2022/23. Members asked a question and were provided with further information in relation to the global impact of rising costs and what affect this might have on the Council’s Capital Programme. The Cabinet agreed to note (i) the revisions to budgets outlined in the report, (ii) the General Services and HRA revised budgets at 30 September 2022, and (ii) the forecast expenditure to 31 March 2023.
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10. Treasury Management and Investment Mid-Year Report 2022/23 Submitted a report by the Head of Service (Finance) providing Cabinet with a Treasury Management update for the period 1 April to 30 September 2022. The Mid- Year report was attached at Appendix 1 to the report. The Cabinet agreed to (a) endorse the contents of the Treasury Management and Investment Mid-Year Report for 2022/23 as set out at Appendix 1 to the report; and (b) note the Prudential and Treasury Indicators contained therein. 11. Procurement Annual Activity Report (21-22) Submitted a report by the Head of Service (Finance) providing an update on Procurement activity for the period 2021/22. Members asked questions and were provided with further information in relation to the target figure which the Council had set to increase spend with local suppliers to 26% by 2024. The Cabinet agreed to note the contents of the report. 12. Cost-of-Living Crisis Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Communities & Education) on the Council’s response to the current cost-of-living crisis and associated investments and funds. Appendix 1 to the report provided an update on activity relating to the cost-of-living themes of energy advice & support, food, clothing & essentials, finance & benefits, children & families, health & wellbeing, business & community including transport to work, support for communities, and employee wellbeing. Members asked questions and were provided with further information in relation to the range of help and supports that had been made available to assist North Ayrshire residents in dealing with the current cost-of-living crisis. The Chair took the opportunity to thank the community and Elected Members for their input and participation in this work. The Cabinet agreed to (a) note the progress the Council has made on developing support in relation to the cost-of-living crisis and (b) accept future progress reports on the investments, funds and activity associated with the cost-of-living crisis. 13. Financial Inclusion Submitted a report by the Director (HSCP) providing Cabinet with an update on Financial Inclusion services. The current reporting structures of the teams which were part of the review process were set out at Appendix 1 to the report.
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Members asked questions and were provided with further information in relation to the timescales for the reporting of the Financial Inclusion Strategy to Cabinet and the importance of ensuring good and effective communication, to make as many people as possible aware of the Financial Inclusion service available to them in North Ayrshire. The Cabinet agreed to note the Financial Inclusion services being provided to local people, the increasing caseloads that were being handled in response to the cost-of- living crisis and through the expansion of service provision, and the initial findings of an ongoing review which would create a more integrated system to better support people in need. 13. Community Asset Transfer Application – Ardeer Quarry Football Ground and adjacent land Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Communities & Education) seeking approval for the transfer of ownership of Ardeer Football Ground and adjacent land. The Plan of Ardeer Quarry Football Ground and adjacent land was set out at Appendix 1 to the report. The work of the TASS volunteers, officers and local Members in bringing the asset transfer to fruition was acknowledged by the Cabinet. On behalf of Members, the Chair also paid particular tribute to Rhona Arthur, Head of Service (Connected Communities) who was retiring from service with North Ayrshire Council. Councillor Burns expressed her sincere thanks to Rhona for all her hard work, diligence and commitment throughout the years and the positive impact this had made on local communities in North Ayrshire. The Cabinet agreed to (a) the asset transfer of Ardeer Quarry Football Ground and adjacent land from North Ayrshire Council to Scottish Incorporated Charitable Organisation (SCIO), "TASS Community Sports”; (b) approve the recommended terms of transfer on this occasion at 10% of the property valuation of £25,000 (totalling £2,500); and (c) authorise officers to conclude the associated legal and community asset transfer processes for Ardeer Quarry Football Ground and adjacent land. 14. Tackling Climate Change: Public Bodies Climate Change Duties Report and Review of North Ayrshire’s Environmental Sustainability & Climate Change Strategy 3 (ESCCS3) Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Place) on the Cabinet’s net zero journey, including highlights from the Public Bodies Climate Change Duties (PBCCD) 2021/22 report and proposed strategic principles to be followed for the review of ESCCS3. Members asked questions and were provided with further information in relation to this being one of the Council’s strategic priorities and looking forward to the climate change benefits that would accrue over time, particularly in terms of reduction in emissions.
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The Cabinet agreed (a) to note (i) the Council’s current progress on the journey to net zero and (ii) the highlights from the PBCCD 2021/22 reporting template submission at section 2.11 to the report; and (b) to approve the strategic principles at section 2.19 to the report to guide development of ESCCS 4 on the Council’s net zero journey. 15. Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Place) on progress and next steps in relation to the publication of the Second Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan and the Final Progress Report on the First Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan. The Final Progress Report on the Local Flood Risk Management Plan (2016- 2022) was set out at Appendix 1 to the report. The Ayrshire Local Plan District Draft Local Flood Risk Management Plan (2022-2028) was provided at Appendix 2 to the report. Members asked questions and were provided with further information in relation to the significant amount of hard work and effort that had been put in by various parties in terms of reducing the likelihood of flood risk in local communities. The Cabinet agreed to (a) approve (i) the Final Progress Report on the First Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan, which would allow its publication prior to the 31 December 2022 and (ii) the Second Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan (North Ayrshire aspects) which would allow its publication prior to the 31December 2022; and (b) note the potential North Ayrshire future financial implications of delivering the actions and flood studies contained within the Second Ayrshire Local Flood Risk Management Plan. 16. Flexible Advanced Manufacturing Space, i3 Irvine: Phase 1, Full Business Case Submitted a report by the Executive Director (Place) on the Full Business Case (FBC) for Phase 1 of the Flexible Advanced Manufacturing Space Project at i3, Irvine. The FBC was set out at Appendix 1 to the report. Members asked a question and were provided with further information on whether the Council was likely to receive feedback soon on the Levelling Up fund. The Cabinet agreed to (a) endorse the Full Business Case (FBC) for Phase 1 of the Flexible Advanced Manufacturing Space project at i3; (b) note the awaited outcome of a bid to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (LUF) 2; and (c) approve the submission of the FBC set out at Appendix 1 to the report to the Ayrshire Economic Joint Committee (AEJC). The meeting ended at 4.10 p.m.