Joint meeting of the Executive Cabinet and Audit Panel

Minutes of the Meeting held on 1st April 2009

Time Commenced: 2.00pm  Time Terminated: 4.15pm

Present:

Councillor B Holland (Chair)
Councillors Baines, Davis, Harrison, and Robinson.

Apologies for Absence

Councillor Wareing and Warrington.

1. Appointment of chair

Resolved

That Councillor SR Oldham be appointed Chair of this Joint Meeting of the Executive Cabinet and Audit Panel.

2. Declarations of interest

There were no declarations of interest

3. Annual audit and inspection letter 2007/2008

James Foster, Audit Commission Relationship Manager, together with Tom Powell from Price Waterhouse Coopers (PwC), the Council’s Appointed Auditor, presented the Annual Audit and Inspection letter for 2007/2008 which drew upon the findings and conclusions from the audit of the Council and a wide analysis of the Council’s performance and improvement over the past year, as measured through the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) framework.

The main messages contained in the letter were that Tameside continued to improve, not only was performance consistently high, but had improved even further in areas that local people said were important. The Council had retained its four star rating under the CPA methodology and had achieved a top score of four in seven of the eight themes, the only single tier authority to achieve that many top scores.

The Letter stated that Tameside was a high performing authority that was improving well. It remained one of the top performers nationally with particular strengths in capacity, managerial and political leadership. The management of finances and delivery of value for money remained strong.

In addition the Letter commented that, together with its partners, the Council contributed well to making Tameside a safe place and there was a track record of strong partnership working to reduce crime and the fear of crime and making progress in the important priority of a healthy Tameside, although the scale of the challenge was significant and this remained a key issue for the local area.

The Letter commented that future priorities were being severely tested by the recent global economic downturn. The Council, with its partners was focussing on responding to the downturn in a proactive manner to keep momentum in areas such as economic growth, skills, housing and regeneration.

Significant investment continued to be made in revitalising local parks and open spaces and this was reflected in rising resident satisfaction.

Adult care services were delivering excellent outcomes with excellent capacity to improve, making Tameside the top ranked adult service in the country. The Council provided good services for children and young people and there had been sustained improvement in educational performance and helping young people prepare for work.

The letter also commented on action which needed to be taken by the Council including preparing for the introduction of Comprehensive Area Assessment and the new broader use of resources assessment; responding to the recommendations of the 2008 Joint Area Review; working with partners to continue to prioritise and accelerate efforts to improve the health and well-being of local residents and to continue to actively respond to the global economic downturn.

Following discussion the Executive Leader thanked the Relationship Manager and External Auditor for presenting the Annual Inspection and Audit Letter and in particular for their positive statements on the Council’s overall performance and added that this Council welcomed the forthcoming challenges.

Recommended

That the Annual Inspection and Audit Letter for 2007/2008 be accepted.

4. Enforcement co-ordination panel

Members considered the minutes of the meeting of the Enforcement Co-ordination Panel held on 11 March 2009.

Resolved

That the minutes of the Enforcement Co-ordination Panel held on 11 March 2009 be received;

5. Revenue monitoring

The Borough Treasurer reported on the revenue budget position up to the end of January 2009. The forecast of variation at outturn was an overspend of £1.186m within the expenditure limit (excluding schools) and an underspend of £1.502m outside the expenditure limit.

The main areas of concern within the expenditure limit were on Planning and Economic Development (£0.859m); Engineering (£0.687m); Housing and Community Regeneration (£0.358m); People and Performance (£0.227m); Environmental Health (£0.211m); Property Services (£0.206m) and Exchequer (£0.123m)

Detailed explanations of the variations and the recovery plans for these service areas were detailed in the relevant service area appendix.

Resolved:-

That the revenue budget monitoring position be noted.

6. Capital monitoring

The Borough Treasurer submitted a report which summarised the capital monitoring position at December 2008 and showed a projected net underspend at outturn of £12.040m (after assumed slippage of £3.8m). Reference was made to the following key points:

• The financial statement at Appendix 1 to the report showed that at December 2008, expenditure was £3.356m less than profiled as anticipated expenditure. The expenditure to December 2008, totalling £36.588m, reflected 51% of the annual approved budget. In comparison the actual spend at the same monitoring period in 2007/08 was £31.704m, which equated to 46% of the approved budget. Expenditure would need to accelerate during the remainder of the current financial year to ensure that the programme was delivered.
• The current projected forecast of expenditure at outturn indicated an underspend of £15.840m (£12.040m after the assumed slippage of £3.8m). The additional slippage since September was £13.482m.
• The majority of the increase in slippage related to Services for Children and Young People (£7.887m) and Engineering Services (£2.801m), which was 79% of the overall projected increased slippage. Reasons for the significant changes were set out in the report.
• The capital receipts projected forecast at year end indicated a net under-achievement of £8.059m against target. This was an increase in the projected shortfall in receipts of £1.664m since September 2008. The projected slippage of expenditure (£12.040m) exceeded the projected receipt shortfall.

The report also set out the achievements which had been delivered in 2008/09 as follows:-

• The reopening of Ashton Market Hall;
• The completion of several years of major environmental improvement work in Denton Town Centre;
• The former Market Ground Square had been refurbished to form the new Denton Civic Square; and
• A major new £1.4m Canal Marina had been completed in Droylsden as part of the Droylsden Canalside redevelopment project.

Reference was also made to the most significant variations from budget, the latest position on the variations reported at September 2008 and the changes to the Approved 3 Year Capital Programme.

It was reported that the Prudential Indicators for 2008/09 and the following two years had been set by the Council on 19 February 2008 and were detailed at Appendix 3.

Resolved

1. That the current capital budget monitoring position be noted;
2. That the current capital receipts monitoring position be noted;
3. That the current Prudential Indicator position be noted.

7. Capital strategy

Consideration was given to a report of the Borough Treasurer which detailed the Capital Strategy 2009, which was the Council’s framework for the allocation and management of capital resources within the authority and took into account the Local Strategic Partnership’s priorities as laid out in the Community Strategy 2007 – 2017 and the Council’s key priorities in the Corporate Plan 2008 – 2011.

The Capital Strategy identified the current three year capital programme and the processes that were undertaken to maintain an ongoing investment plan together with the links between its objectives and that of the Community Strategy and Corporate Plan. It also gave an insight into how the strategy could develop in terms of achieving the priority outcomes in the next 5-10 years.

The contents of the Capital Strategy 2009 included the following sections:-

• Introduction;
• Capital Strategy Objectives;
• Council Key Objectives;
• Capital Programme and Resources;
• Framework of the Capital Programme;
• Roles and Responsibilities;
• Links to Partners;
• Links to other relevant plans and strategies;
• Cross-cutting Schemes;
• Consultation;
• Future Plans; and
• Summary.

Recommended:

That the 2009 Capital Strategy be approved and reviewed an ongoing basis every 3 years

8. Surestart programme

The Executive Director, Services for Children and Young People submitted a report which updated Members on progress with Surestart Children’s Centres. It was explained that the Centres were at the forefront of transforming the way services were delivered for young people and their families. Children’s Centres were a key mechanism for facilitating the local delivery of re-shaped mainstream services to families with young children.

The Council had completed 15 Children’s Centres by March 2008 and would be developing a further two for completion by March 2010. The report set out the impact of the Children’s Centre Programme to date together with details of the funding that had been provided to develop the centres.

In considering this item Members commented on the geographical spread of Children’s Centres across the Borough. Whilst it was accepted that with the outreach work undertaken from the centres most of the Borough received good coverage an assessment should be made of the service provision in the Hyde area.

Resolved:

That the report be noted

9. Update on transport infrastructure issues

Consideration was given to a report of the Executive Director, Economy and Environment which provided an update on three major transport schemes in the Borough:

• Metrolink 3B Extension to Ashton-under-Lyne;
• Ashton Northern Bypass Stage 2;
• Mottram to Tintwistle Bypass/Glossop Spur.

It was explained that the Secretary of State for Transport had recently indicated that additional funding could be provided to those schemes that were at a stage of planning such that they could be delivered in the short term. The Executive Leader and the three MPs had agreed that a submission would be made to the Secretary of State outlining the advanced nature of Ashton Northern Bypass Stage 2 and of the advanced works already in place to deliver Metrolink 3B to Ashton-under-Lyne.

The report also set out options for dealing with the Mottram to Tintwistle Bypass/Glossop Spur. It was explained that the regional Leaders’ Forum had recommended the delay of the scheme from 2012/13 to 2016/17. Members were also informed that the AGMA Executive had recently resolved to undertake a major scheme prioritisation exercise for Greater Manchester’s transport investment proposals. Given the recommendations of the Leaders Forum and work within AGMA it was necessary to consider a more affordable and deliverable alternative to the current Mottram to Tintwistle Bypass/Glossop Spur, possible solutions were set out in the report.

Resolved:

That the strenuous efforts made to secure a Bypass solution to the problems experienced by the Longdendale villagers be noted and the actions by local Members of Parliament to lobby the Secretary of State to provide additional funding for Metrolink 3B and Ashton Northern Bypass be supported.

10. Tameside works first ‘a vision’ team and business summit meeting

Consideration was given to a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (Media, Marketing and Communications) which explained the background and the role of the ‘A Vision’ Team which would support, co-ordinate and take forward actions from the Tameside Works First Business Summit meetings. The team would also support the over arching programme board and its individual projects activities and help to provide assistance in overcoming barriers and challenges.

The report referred to the high level ‘Tameside Works First Summit Meeting’ being arranged for late April/early May which would be used to agree the future role and scope of the group and its participation. It would also provide an opportunity to discuss and further develop the Tameside Works First scheme with key and influential local business leaders from across all sectors in the Borough.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

11. Progress on delivery of Tameside Works First programme

Consideration was given to a report of the Executive Director, Economy and Environment which summarised the progress made to date as part of the Tameside Works First Programme. The report provided details of the capital projects that had been identified for inclusion in the Tameside Works First Programme, to support local small and medium sized companies through the recession, reducing unemployment and improving skills in the borough. Members were reminded of the approach that had previously been agreed and the report set out the progress to date.

Resolved:

1. That the content of the report be noted.
2. That expenditure of £20K from the £360k campaign budget for 2009/10 to effectively message “Tameside Works First” to the key stakeholders including the general public and Businesses be agreed.

12. Local development scheme for the local development framework

Consideration was given to a report of the Executive Director, Economy and Environment which outlined work required on the project to deliver a core strategy for the Local Development Framework and ancillary documents.

It was explained that under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 the Council needed to prepare a Local Development Scheme. This would be a programme of documents that would be prepared as part of Tameside’s Local Development Framework. This contained the details of existing and new planning policy documents prepared to a timetable showing how the Council intended to replace existing planning policies over the next four years.

Appended to the report was a suggested Local Development Scheme which it was proposed should be submitted to the Government Office North West for approval.

Resolved:

That the Local Development Scheme as appended to the report be adopted for the purposes of submission to Government Office and Approval under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004. In the event of minor changes, the Cabinet Deputy for Technical Services be authorised to alter the scheme to meet the detailed requirements of Government Office and the Planning Inspectorate.

13. Aquifer exhibition project

The Assistant Executive Director, Cultural and Customer Services submitted a report which explained that a scheme had been developed to enhance the visitor attraction within Ashton Town Hall and to maximise the utilisation of space available. The attraction would be a permanent educational exhibition that focussed on the benefits of clean water supplies to the public’s health and how water affected the communities and landscape of Tameside. A budget of £462,000 had been allocated over a three year period to fund both the enabling works and museum development. The attraction would:

• Provide interactive displays on the benefits of clean water supplies and the impact that this has had on people’s lives and eradication of disease.
• Displays showing the topography of the Tameside Landscape and how it has been shaped by water, both due to the natural environment and also through the many reservoirs and man-made features.
• The main attraction would be a walk through a simulated water supply tunnel into a cinema that shows an educational and entertaining cinematic experience.
• The simulated water supply tunnel would be a part replica of the water supply network that runs through the Longdendale valley. It would include replicas of many of the engineering features, for example the ventilation towers that are prominent on the moor top landscape

Resolved:

That outline proposals for this project be approved.

14. Primary and secondary school admission arrangements – determination of admission arrangements 2010-2011

The Executive Director for Services for Children and Young People submitted a report which outlined the outcome of consultation on the Tameside co-ordinated admissions schemes and the admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled schools. The report also set out those aspects of the schemes and the arrangements that must be amended in order to comply with the new School Admission Code 2009.

Members were reminded that all admission authorities were required to consult on their admission arrangements on an annual basis. It was explained that a new Code of Practice on School Admissions came into force on 10 February 2009 which emphasised equity and fair access and the need for greater clarity in schools admission arrangements.
The report set out the responses to the consultation and the action taken to deal with suggestions. The report also set out amendments to the schemes and the arrangements which would be necessary to comply with the statutory requirements of the new code. It was explained that the Schools Forum had considered the proposals at its meeting on 30 March 2009 and had suggested changes to the scheme.

Resolved:

1. That the coordinated admission scheme for community and voluntary controlled primary schools for 2010/11 as set out in Appendix 1A with amendments detailed in section 4 of this report be approved.
2. That the coordinated admission scheme for community secondary schools for 2010/11 as set out in Appendix 1B with amendments detailed in section 4 of this report be approved.
3. That the admission arrangements for community and voluntary controlled primary schools and Stalyhill Junior School for 2010/11 as set out in Appendix 2A with amendments detailed in section 4 of this report be approved.
4. That the admission arrangements for Community High Schools for 2010/11 as set out in Appendix 2B with amendments detailed in section 4 of this report be approved.
5. That the recommendation of the Admissions Forum that throughout all published documentation it should be recorded for the avoidance of doubt that “No changes to ‘preferences’ can be considered even where there are exceptional circumstances once information has been exchanged with the other admission bodies by the Council, because the allocations process has commenced. In the case of primary schools this cut off date is the 15 January 2010 and in the case of secondary schools this date is the 20 November 2009.” be accepted

15. Agma

Consideration was given to a report of the Chief Executive which informed Members of the issues considered at the February meeting of the AGMA Executive Board which had considered the following items:

• City Region Governance and Greater Manchester Strategy;
• AGMA New Growth Point Programme;
• Unaccompanied Asylum Seeker Children Reform Programme;
• AGMA Scrutiny Arrangements;
• AGMA Units Budgets 2009/10 – Allocation of Budgets to Districts;
• Proposed Implementation of the Health Commission Tobacco Manifesto;
• Prioritising Major Transport Infrastructure Expenditure in Greater Manchester;
• NWDA Consultation: Strategic Regional Sites.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Chair