Agenda and minutes
PDF 121 KBVenue: Council Chamber - South Kesteven House, St. Peter's Hill, Grantham. NG31 6PZ
Contact: Democratic Services
Note: Decision implemented date (provided no call-in) - 12 June 2023.
Media
| No. | Item |
|---|---|
|
Apologies for absence
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no apologies for absence. |
|
|
Minutes of the previous meetings
Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 7 March 2023.
Minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on 19 April 2023. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 7 March and the extraordinary meeting held on 19 April were approved as a correct record. |
|
|
Disclosure of Interests
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no disclosures of interests. |
|
|
Contract Awards in relation to social landlord responsibilities
This report is for the contract award for fire compartmentation and fire safety works arising from our Fire Risk Assessment programme. Additional documents: Minutes: Purpose of report
This report sought approval for the contract award for fire compartmentation and fire safety works arising from the Council’s Fire Risk Assessment programme.
The works had been identified following compartmentation surveys previously approved at Cabinet in March 2023.
The procurement had been completed through a compliant procurement process, with the contract to be awarded through the CHC framework. The estimated cost of the works was £500,000.
Decision
That Cabinet approves the direct award of a contract for Fire Safety works via the CHC East England regional lot to Global HSE Solutions Ltd. for a two-year period with the option for two one-year extensions. The estimated contract value was £500,000 per annum for the first two years of the contract.
Alternative options considered and rejected
There were no other options available.
Reasons for decision
The proposed contract award followed compliant procurement processes and would provide the Council with the appropriate contracts to aid the Council to deliver on the Corporate Priority to provide “Housing that meets the needs of all residents”.
Global HSE were a leading supplier who had previously carried out work on behalf of the Council. |
|
|
Use of the Lincolnshire Framework for the purchase of refuse collection vehicles
Approval is sought to utilise the single supplier ‘Lincolnshire Framework Agreement’ for the purchase of refuse collection vehicles. Additional documents: Minutes: Purpose of report
This report sought approval to utilise the single supplier ‘Lincolnshire Framework Agreement’ for the purchase of refuse collection vehicles.
Decision
That Cabinet approves the use of the single supplier ‘Lincolnshire Framework Agreement’ for the outright purchase of refuse collection vehicles until the expiration of the Framework on 31 May 2027.
Alternative options considered and rejected
Failure to procure new refuse collection vehicles (RCVs) could have impacted on the safe and effective delivery of the waste collection service and lead to potential service failure for residents. For this reason, this option was discounted.
Reasons for decision
The purchase of RCVs through the framework would allow for the replacement of vehicles approaching the end of their serviceable life and ensured the continued provision of the refuse and recycling collection services across the district. The Council procured vehicles rather than leasing them, as a procurement strategy concluded that this was the most cost-effective way of adding to the fleet of vehicles. The Council could have gone directly out to the market for each vehicle purchase, however, it was considered that this was unlikely to lead to a more competitive alternative, as the benefits of the economies of scale bought about by using the Framework would not be available. Typically the lifecycle for the vehicles was approximately seven years, and the lead-in time for each new vehicle was between seven to fifteen months. A number of Councils across Lincolnshire and North Yorkshire were able to access a single supplier framework agreement for the provision of RCVs; in fact, if more Councils used the single supplier framework, it would lead to better priced vehicles for the Council. A supplier for South Kesteven District Council would be identified at the most appropriate time. The Council could decide to step outside of the framework, but it would not likely be the most cost-effective way of procuring vehicles. All modifications to vehicles would be tailored to each authority. The following points were raised during debate: · If the Council did not sign up to the Framework Agreement then the fleet could consist of old vehicles, no longer fit for purpose. The Agreement would provide a better built, more efficient vehicle. · Members wished for further information on what level of purchasing was required in order to meet ‘economies of scale’. · Agreeing the use of the framework did not necessarily mean that it had to be followed, but it did make it an option available to the Council. · The relatively lengthy lead-in time between ordering vehicles and their delivery into service was reason itself to adopt the framework. · This framework was focused on freight vehicles, and officers suggested the vehicle type that was currently in use. · The district was not suited to the rollout of electric freight vehicles, due to the size and rurality of the region. The duration of the batteries in such vehicles lent itself to more urban regions where refuse had shorter journeys. The vehicles were also not economically viable at this time. |
|
|
Local Development Scheme for the Local Plan - Revised Timetable
To seek approval to a revision to the timetable associated with the Local Development Scheme (LDS). Additional documents: Minutes: Purpose of report
This report sought approval to revise the timetable associated with the Local Development Scheme (LDS).
Decision
That Cabinet approves the proposals for the revised Local Development Scheme 2023 - 2026, as attached at Appendix A of the report.
Alternative options considered and rejected The alternative of not reviewing the Local Development Scheme was discounted. Failing to keep the Local Development Scheme up to date would contravene the statutory requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Planning Act 2004 (as amended by the Localism Act 2011) and Town and Country Planning (Local Planning) (England) Regulations 12. Reasons for decision The reason for the decision was to ensure the Council was providing an up-to- date position and an accurate timeline for the production of development plan documents. This would ensure the Council was acting in accordance with the requirements of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended). Maintaining an up to date Local Development Scheme would ensure a transparent process. This was important because the local community and others with an interest in the district would be kept aware of development plan production and stages of consultation. Supporting the continuity of the planning function in South Kesteven would aid the recovery of the local economy and the economic resilience of the District by providing greater certainty and confidence for future investment and development. In December 2022 the government published a consultation on amendments to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). A new framework was awaited, which would have implications for the Local Plan. Changes were proposed to the timetable of the Local Plan to consider the implications of delaying the consultation on the draft Local Plan, resulting in an overall delay of nine months. This enabled the Council to prepare a Local Plan that was in accordance with National Policy. Consultation on the Draft Local Plan was now expected in Winter 2023. All key stakeholders, including District Councillors, and Town and Parish Councils would be notified of the revised timetable. The following points were raised during debate: · Many other Councils have put a hold on their Local Plan, therefore this approach was one of common sense. · The report identified a number of risks which could affect the work programme and timetable, that could be addressed through robust planning. These risks included: o Changes in legislation or the National Planning Policy o Higher than expected response to consultation o Covid-19 restrictions or similar o Planning Inspectorate unable to meet the timetable o Failure to comply with Duty to Cooperate o Plan being found unsound o Legal challenge to the Local Plan o Reduced number of officers and knowledge within the team because of staff illness/turnover o Financial resources o Failure of external consultants · Officers involved in compiling the report were praised for the quality of the risk assessments contained within the report. · It was confirmed that there was no risk of the Council breaching any statutory obligations as a result of this decision. · There was no intention to indefinitely ... view the full minutes text for item 6. |
|
|
Key and Non-Key Decisions taken under Delegated Powers
This report provides an overview of decisions taken by individual Cabinet Members since the last ordinary meeting of the Cabinet on 7 March 2023. Additional documents: Minutes: The Key and Non-Key decisions taken by Cabinet members since the last ordinary meeting of Cabinet held on 7 March were noted. |
|
|
Cabinet's Forward Plan
This report highlights matters on the Cabinet’s Forward Plan. Additional documents: Minutes: The Forward Plan was noted. Members were notified that a new Forward Plan had been published since the publication of the agenda, and was available on the South Kesteven website. |