Agenda and minutes

Apologies were tendered on behalf of Councillor Colin Galloway.

There were no declarations of members' interests.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting (including Councillors Hastings Potter and Vernon-Jackson who attended in the public gallery). Introductions were made by all those attending the meeting.

The decision relating to the report from the Director of Property and Housing entitled " Purchase of xx Priory Crescent, Milton" is a Key Decision for the purposes of the Forward Plan as defined in Article 13 of the Constitution but was not included in the Forward Plan for the period from 21 August 2015 until 30 November 2015 and is therefore an omission from the Forward Plan.

Article 13 defines a Key decision as an Executive decision which is likely to:

result in the Council incurring expenditure or the making of savings which are significant having regard to the local authority's budget for the service or function to which the decision relates, or

be significant in terms of its effects on communities living or working in an area comprising 2 or more wards in the city's administrative area

The Chair of the City Council's Scrutiny Management Panel has been notified that the decision is being made, in accordance with the City Council's Constitution (General Exceptions, Section 15).  As the decision must be taken by such a date that it is impracticable to defer the decision until it has been included in the next forward plan, this decision will not be subject to call-in

The  report by the Director of Property and Housing requires the decision to be taken by a particular date to secure the transaction which is why urgent action is necessary.

The Deputy Chief Executive advised the Cabinet Member that as set out on the agenda and in the notice of omission, this decision is a Key Decision for the purposes of the Forward Plan as defined in Article 13 of the Constitution but was not included in the Forward Plan for 21 August 2015 until 30 November 2015 and is therefore an omission from the Forward Plan. The Chair of the City Council's Scrutiny Management Panel had been notified of the decision being made, in accordance with the City Council's Constitution (General Exceptions, Section 15). As the decision must be taken by such a date that it is impracticable to defer the decision until it has been included in the next Forward Plan, this decision will not be subject to call-in. 

The report by the Director of Property and Housing includes the reasons why urgent action has to be taken in connection with this proposal.

The Cabinet Member noted the Forward Plan Omission.

The purpose of the report is that the Council acquire xx Priory Crescent for a new Children's Home and retain Skye Close Children's Home for the provision of supported living service for up to nine people with a learning disability.

RECOMMENDED that the Cabinet Member for PRED approves the following:

(1)  That the Director of Property and Housing be given authority to purchase xx Priory Crescent;

(2)  That the City Solicitor be authorised to complete the purchase of xx Priory Crescent;

(3)  That the proposed expenditure on Skye Close Children's Home be approved.

(TAKE IN REPORT)

The Cabinet Member advised that a deputation request had been made by Mr Cross and invited him to speak.  Mr Cross spoke against the proposals including that he considered his property would be adversely affected given its proximity to the property concerned and he was concerned about anti-social behaviour.  He felt that the way PCC had progressed this was unfair and undemocratic.  There was a lack of information, no letter and no consultation.  He also felt that the area was not suitable for a children's home.

Clarification was provided by officers that there was no change of use required and that public consultation had not been carried out in similar circumstances in the past.  The Cabinet Member said that it was difficult to carry out consultation in circumstances where a delay may jeopardise a sale.

The Cabinet Member confirmed he had seen and read all the written representations that had come in both by email and letter and would take these into account when making his decision.  He noted that almost all of them had been against the proposals.

Councillor Vernon-Jackson was then invited to make his deputation which he then did, speaking against the proposals including that the council appears to have had difficulty with running its residential children's homes so why would this be any different and included the following points

·         Burrfields Rd had been looked at previously so what had changed between then and now?

·         If the home was unsuccessful and had to close it may then end up costing the council money.

·         The home was near to pubs and was in the wrong place

·         There had been no consultation and he urged the cabinet member to defer his decision.

The Leasehold and Commercial Services Manager agreed to provide Councillor Vernon-Jackson with a list of other properties that had been looked at for providing  a home for the children concerned.

The Cabinet Member invited Cllr Potter to make his deputation which he then did saying he thought that there should be public consultation before the matter went ahead and that other locations should be considered.

The Cabinet Member confirmed that a decision on this matter had not yet been made - this was the purpose of the meeting. 

Officers were invited to respond to the matters raised and explained

·         that the plan was for the property to house 3 children between the ages of 12 and 15 and

·         the aim was to provide them with a domestic model of care as this was advocated by Ofsted as being the best for the children concerned.  Ofsted expect the children concerned to be part of the community.

·         the children needed to be looked after separately from those in older age ranges.

·         the demand to make savings by reductions in the management structure meant that sites needed to be in closer proximity to one another

·         a detached property would enable any issues to be contained within the residence and not impact neighbours.

Councillor Dowling, opposition spokesperson said  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.