Agenda and decisions

A copy of the record of the previous decisions taken at Cabinet on 6 November 2018 are attached.

RECOMMENDED that the record of decisions of the previous Cabinet meeting held on 6 November 2018 be approved as a correct record to be signed by the Leader.

The PSCB Board will be represented by independent Chair Richard John and Lucy Rylatt (PSCB Business Manager) who will introduce the Annual Report of the Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Board on the effectiveness of safeguarding children in Portsmouth.

RECOMMENDATION: The Cabinet is invited to receive the Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Board Annual Report and to note areas of progress and challenges in the work delivered by services to safeguard children and promote their well-being.

(1)  The Cabinet received the Portsmouth Safeguarding Children's Board Annual Report and noted areas of progress and challenges in the work delivered by services to safeguard children and promote their well-being.

(2)  The Cabinet asked that this report be submitted for the information of full Council.

The purpose of the report by the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services is to respond to the Housing and Social Care scrutiny panel's report and recommendations from their review "models of supported accommodation for people with learning disabilities and whether similar provision can be extended to others with a support need".

RECOMMENDED:

(1) That the panel is thanked for its work in undertaking the review.

(2) That the Housing and Social Care Scrutiny panel's recommendations are noted.

(3) Cabinet note the potential to provide alternative models of accommodation beyond the initial learning and disability group and the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services is asked to work with the Director of Adult Social Care and other directors as appropriate with the respective Cabinet members to continue to develop the supported living model.

(4) Cabinet confirm that each scheme should be appraised with a business case that sets out the total financial impact of each development on the Council as a whole, thus acknowledging the positive impact the Supported Housing Portfolio delivers.

(1) That the Housing and Social Care Scrutiny panel was thanked for its work in undertaking the review.

(2) That the Housing and Social Care Scrutiny panel's recommendations were noted.

(3) Cabinet noted the potential to provide alternative models of accommodation beyond the initial learning and disability group and the Director of Housing, Neighbourhood and Building Services is asked to work with the Director of Adult Social Care and other directors as appropriate with the respective Cabinet members to continue to develop the supported living model.

The report by the Director of Housing, Neighbourhoods and Building Services seeks to update members on the mandatory and additional licencing schemes for Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMO) in the city.

RECOMMENDED

(1)       Councillors note the report on Review of Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Appendix 1) as summarised in this report.

(2)       That Cabinet agrees to the refreshing of the Local Consultation Panel on HMO Licencing, recognising that decision making on policy surrounding licencing and HMOs remains with the city council.

(3)       Subject to approval of point 2.2, officers be instructed to work with the portfolio holder for Housing, and relevant internal and external stakeholders, to refresh and refocus the terms of reference, attendees and performance measures for the Local Consultation Panel on HMO Licencing.

(4)       That subject to point 2.2 and 2.3, officers return to councillors before the end of the municipal year, with a report on Local Consultation Panel on HMO Licencing the including refreshed terms of reference.

(1)       The Cabinet notee the report on Review of Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Appendix 1) as summarised in the report.

(2)       That Cabinet agreed to the refreshing of the Local Consultation Panel on HMO Licencing, recognising that decision making on policy surrounding licencing and HMOs remains with the city council.

(3)       (Subject to approval of resolution 2) officers were instructed to work with the portfolio holder for Housing, and relevant internal and external stakeholders, to refresh and refocus the terms of reference, attendees and performance measures for the Local Consultation Panel on HMO Licencing.

(4)       (Subject to resolutions 2 & 3), officers return to councillors before the end of the municipal year, with a report on Local Consultation Panel on HMO Licencing the including refreshed terms of reference

The purpose of the report by the Director of Children, Families and Education is to update the Cabinet on:

(a) the Corporate Parenting principles outlined within The Children & Social Work Act 2017 and

(b) the revised Care Leavers offer that has been developed with the Children in Care Council (CiCC) and with foster carers and staff. 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

(1)  To note the Corporate Parenting principles and consider how each Portfolio can contribute in order to promote the welfare and outcomes of our looked after children and care leavers. 

(2)  To agree the content of the care leaver offer and consider if further improvements can be made in order to optimise opportunities and support for our looked after children and care leavers.

(3)  To agree that as Corporate Parents, it is appropriate that the Council contributes to the Care Leaver offer across its portfolios; and to agree, in particular, that the cost of the birthday / festivities allowance (c £15,000 per year) is met by a proportionate contribution from each Portfolio to be determined by the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

The Cabinet:

(1)       Noted the Corporate Parenting principles and considered how each Portfolio can contribute in order to promote the welfare and outcomes of our looked after children and care leavers. 

(2)       Agreed the content of the care leaver offer and consider if further improvements can be made in order to optimise opportunities and support for our looked after children and care leavers.

(3)       Agreed that as Corporate Parents, it is appropriate that the Council contributes to the Care Leaver offer across its portfolios; and to agree, in particular, that the cost of the birthday/festivities allowance (c £15,000 per year) is met by a proportionate contribution from each Portfolio to be determined by the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Leader of the Council.

The purpose of the report by the Director of Regeneratin, Assistant Director (City Development) and Coastal and Drainage Manager is to advise members of:

a)   the outcomes of the public consultation on the Southsea Coastal Scheme preferred option and the revision of the Seafront Masterplan SPD Review

b)    the key emerging issues that will influence the design of the Coastal Scheme and the preparation of the planning application and associated consultation and the range of work that will be undertaken to prepare a draft Seafront Masterplan SPD for its next stage of consultation

RECOMMENDED that members:

1.         Note the representations received during the consultation on the Seafront Masterplan SPD Review and the Southsea Coastal Scheme which will inform the development of both projects.

2.         Endorse the further technical work to produce a draft revised Seafront Masterplan SPD for consultation.

3.         Agree that public engagement is undertaken on the preferred option for the Southsea Coastal Scheme to inform the preparation of the planning application and the supporting Statement of Community Involvement. 

The Cabinet:

1.         Noted the representations received during the consultation on the Seafront Masterplan SPD Review and the Southsea Coastal Scheme which will inform the development of both projects.

2.         Endorsed the further technical work to produce a draft revised Seafront Masterplan SPD for consultation.

3.         Agreed that public engagement is undertaken on the preferred option for the Southsea Coastal Scheme to inform the preparation of the planning application and the supporting Statement of Community Involvement.

The purpose of this report is to update members on the current Revenue Budget position of the Council as at the end of the second quarter for 2018/19 in accordance with the proposals set out in the “Portsmouth City Council - Budget & Council Tax 2018/19 & Medium Term Budget Forecast 2019/20 to 2021/22” report approved by the City Council on the 13th February 2018.

RECOMMENDED that:

(i) The forecast outturn position for 2018/19 be noted:

(a) An overspend of £5,721,200 before transfers from/(to) Portfolio

Reserves

(b) An overspend of £4,465,200 after transfers from/(to) Portfolio Reserves

(ii) Members note that any actual overspend at year end will in the first instance be deducted from any Portfolio Reserve balance and once depleted then be deducted from the 2019/20 Cash Limit.

(iii) Members note that the overall financial forecast for Quarter 2 for the whole

Council is a serious cause for concern with significant forecast overspends in

the highest spending areas of Children's and Adult Social Care which in

aggregate amount to £8,610,400.

(iv) Members note that the underlying structural deficit which is forecast to

continue into future years amounts to £5.5m. The extent to which this cannot

be remedied in the medium term will add to the Council's current forecast £4m

per annum savings requirements for future years.

(v) Members note that some additional funding from Government has recently

been announced for Adults in 2018/19 and for both Adults and Children's

Social Care in 2019/20 to help alleviate financial pressures nationally across

the system amounting to £890,400 in 2018/19 and £2,411,500 in 2019/20, but

it is not yet clear if this funding will continue beyond 2019/20 and therefore

whether it can be used on an ongoing basis to part remedy the combined

underlying budget deficits of £5.5m.

(vi) Directors, in consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Member, consider

options that seek to minimise any forecast overspend presently being reported and prepare strategies outlining how any consequent reduction to the 2019/20 Portfolio cash limit will be managed to avoid further overspending during 2019/20.

(i) The forecast outturn position for 2018/19 was noted:

(a) An overspend of £5,721,200 before transfers from/(to) Portfolio

Reserves

(b) An overspend of £4,465,200 after transfers from/(to) Portfolio Reserves

(ii) Members noted that any actual overspend at year end will in the first instance be deducted from any Portfolio Reserve balance and once depleted then be deducted from the 2019/20 Cash Limit.

(iii) Members noted that the overall financial forecast for Quarter 2 for the whole

Council is a serious cause for concern with significant forecast overspends in

the highest spending areas of Children's and Adult Social Care which in

aggregate amount to £8,610,400.

(iv) Members noted that the underlying structural deficit which is forecast to

continue into future years amounts to £5.5m. The extent to which this cannot

be remedied in the medium term will add to the Council's current forecast £4m

per annum savings requirements for future years.

(v) Members noted that some additional funding from Government has recently been announced for Adults in 2018/19 and for both Adults and Children's Social Care in 2019/20 to help alleviate financial pressures nationally across the system amounting to £890,400 in 2018/19 and £2,411,500 in 2019/20, but it is not yet clear if this funding will continue beyond 2019/20 and therefore whether it can be used on an ongoing basis to part remedy the combined underlying budget deficits of £5.5m.

(vi) Directors, in consultation with the appropriate Cabinet Member, consider

options that seek to minimise any forecast overspend presently being reported and prepare strategies outlining how any consequent reduction to the 2019/20 Portfolio cash limit will be managed to avoid further overspending during 2019/20.

The report by the Director of Finance & Information Technology (Section 151 Officer) describes the financial challenge facing the City Council for the three years 2019/20 to 2021/22 and the likely implications for Council services to businesses and residents.   It also describes, in overall terms, the way in which the Administration will seek to address this challenge through a Medium Term Financial Strategy with an increasing focus on regeneration, innovation and creativity.

The report sets out the need to find £12m of savings over the next three years with a minimum of £4m to be made in 2019/20 (assuming a 2.99% increase in Council Tax for general purposes and a total of a 1.50% increase for the ASC Precept in 2019/20).  It recommends the level of savings to be made across Portfolios and other activities in 2019/20 consistent with both the outcomes of the recent budget consultation exercise and the overall financial strategy.  The appendices highlight the likely savings proposals and implications associated with the overall Portfolio savings levels proposed.

This report is being brought at this time to provide greater opportunity for any necessary consultation, notice and other lead-in times to take place prior to implementation in order that full year savings can be made.  Should approval of the savings be considered at a later date, a greater number or deeper savings will be required in order to compensate for any delay in implementation.

The detailed recommendations are set out in the report, and this report will be submitted to Council on 11 December for approval.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL

(1) that the following be approved:

(a) That the overall aim of the MTFS and its key strands as described in

Section 8 of the report be adopted by the Council

(b) That the Council's Budget for 2019/20 be prepared on the basis of a

2.99% Council Tax increase for general purposes

(c) That the Council continues to take advantage of the opportunity to

increase the level of Council Tax for an "Adult Social Care Precept" within

the limits set by Central Government (i.e. a 1.5% increase for 2019/20),

and consequently that the additional funding is passported direct to Adult

Social Care to provide for otherwise unfunded cost pressures

(d) The savings proposals for each Portfolio amounting, in total, to £4m for

2019/20 and continuing into future years as set out in Appendix A to

enable appropriate consultation and notice periods to be given to affected

parties

(2) That the following be noted:

(a) The Budget Savings Requirement for 2019/20 of £4m approved by the

City Council is predicated on a total Council Tax increase of 4.49%; each

1% change (increase or decrease) in the Council Tax results in a change

to the savings requirement of £747,0001[1]

(b) The key themes arising from the Budget Consultation

(c) The indicative savings proposals set out in Appendix B which are provided

for the purpose of demonstrating to the Council that the Portfolio savings

as recommended in recommendation 1(d) above are robust and deliverable

(d) The likely impact of savings as set out in Appendix B

(e) That the responsibility of the City Council is to approve the overall Budget

and the associated cash limits of its Portfolios and Committees; it is not

the responsibility of the City Council to approve any individual savings

within those Portfolios / Committees

(f) That it is the responsibility of the individual Portfolio Holders (not full

Council) to approve the individual savings proposals and the Portfolio

Holder can therefore, in response to any consultation, alter, amend or

substitute any of the indicative savings proposal(s) set out in Appendix B

with alternative proposal(s) amounting to the same value within their

Portfolio

(g) Managers will commence the implementation of the approved savings

required and any necessary consultation process or notice process

(h) That there is no general provision for Budget Pressures and that it is the

responsibility of the Portfolio Holder to manage any Budget Pressures

which arise from the overall resources available to the Portfolio (which

includes their Portfolio Reserve)

(i) In accordance with the approved financial framework, it is the

responsibility of the Portfolio Holder, in consultation with the Director of

Finance & Information Technology (S151 Officer), to release funds from

the Portfolio Reserve in accordance with the provisions set out in

paragraph 10.16 of the report

(j) The MTRS Reserve held to fund the upfront costs associated with Spend

to Save Schemes, Invest to Save Schemes and redundancies currently

holds a modest uncommitted balance of £4.0m and will only be

replenished from an approval to the transfer of any non-Portfolio

underspends at year end into this reserve.