Agenda and minutes

At the start of the meeting, the Assistant Director Governance advised that this meeting was being hosted remotely using conferencing software which allowed Members, Officers and public attendance whilst being able to protect themselves and others, whilst observing the Government's lockdown measures.

The Assistant Director Governance also stated that all votes during this meeting would be taken through an informal recorded vote, though would not be noted as such in the minutes.

A Roll Call of all those Members in attendance remotely was then taken.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Greenwood.  

RECOMMENDATION that the public minutes E/38/10/20 to E/48/10/20 of the meeting of the Executive held on 20 October 2020 be confirmed and approved by the Chairman as a correct record of those proceedings (copies previously circulated).

RESOLVED that that the minutes E/38/10/20 to E/48/10/20 of the meeting of the Executive held on 20 October 2020 be confirmed and approved by the Chairman as a correct record of those proceedings.

To receive declarations of the existence and nature of any private interests, both disclosable pecuniary and any other registrable interests, in any matter to be considered or being considered.

To receive questions and representations from the public under Rules 3 and 4 of the Executive Procedure Rules of the Constitution

No questions or representations from the public had been received under Rules 3 and 4 of the Executive Procedure Rules of the Constitution.

To receive questions and representations from Members under Rule 5 of the Executive Procedure Rules of the Constitution

No questions or representations from Members had been received under Rule 5 of the Executive Procedure Rules of the Constitution.

To consider report F35/20 of Interim Director Corporate Services which seeks to:

1.     provide a summary of progress against the revised corporate performance targets for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 September 2020; and

2.     to inform the Executive of any areas of concern or issues requiring attention and the remedial activity in place to deal with these.

RECOMMENDATION that the progress to date and the remedial action being taken be noted.

Members considered report F35/20 from the Interim Director of Corporate Services which sought to provide a summary of progress against the revised corporate performance targets for the period 1 July 2020 to 30 September 2020 and to inform the Executive of any areas of concern or issues requiring attention and the remedial activity in place.

Proposed by Councillor Taylor
Seconded by Councillor Sharp

and RESOLVED that progress to date and the remedial action being taken was noted.

Other options considered: The only other option is not to report on progress against targets set. This is not recommended.

Reasons for decision: To advise Members of progress against outcomes.

To consider report F39/20 of the Interim Director of Corporate Services which is attached and which seeks to:

1.1         summarise the Council’s current Revenue and Capital position and full year projections for the 2^nd Quarter 2020/21; and

1.2         review the current position regarding the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) in the light of Q2 monitoring, the Medium Term Financial Strategy report presented to this Committee on 30^th September 2020 and the new national lockdown announced on 31^st October 2020.

RECOMMENDATIONS that:

1.         the projected revenue and capital position at September 2020 be noted; and

2.         the need for additional works to the Medium Term Financial Plan to be presented to a meeting arranged in December ahead of the Executive be noted.

Members considered report F39/20 from the Interim Director of Corporate Services which summarised the Council’s current Revenue and Capital position and full year projections for the 2^nd Quarter 2020/21, and reviewed the current position regarding the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) in the light of Q2 monitoring, the final Medium Term Financial Strategy report presented to Budget Planning Committee on 30 September 2020 and the new national lockdown announced on 31 October 2020.

Proposed by Councillor Robinson
Seconded by Councillor Tonkin

and RESOLVED that:

1.            The projected revenue and capital position at September 2020 was noted; and

2.            The need for additional works to the Medium Term Financial Plan to be presented to a meeting arranged in December ahead of the Executive was noted.

Other options considered: No other options have been considered.

Reasons for decision: To keep Members updated on Council’s Revenue and Capital budget monitoring positions.

To consider report PP37/20 of Assistant Director Community Services which seeks approval for the award from the Eden Community Fund of grants to the ten projects set out in Appendix A.

RECOMMENDATIONS that:

1.     a grant from the Eden Community Fund is agreed for each of the ten projects set out in Appendix A, to a total of £56,773.00 and that funding should not be allocate to four applicants for which funding was not agreed; and

2.     that the wording of the ‘Guide to the Criteria, Application Process and Conditions of Funding 2020/21’ be amended to clarify the eligibility criteria.

Members considered report PP37/20 from the Assistant Director Community Services which sought approval for the award from the Eden Community Fund of grants to ten projects.

Proposed by Councillor Sharp
Seconded by Councillor Robinson

and RESOLVED that:

1.            a grant from the Eden Community Fund is agreed for each of the ten projects as set out in Appendix A of the report for a total of £56,773.00 and the funding should not be allocated to four applicants for which funding was not agreed; and

2.            the wording of the ‘Guide to the criteria, application process and conditions of funding 2020/21’ be amended to clarify the eligibility criteria.

Other options considered: The Executive is free to decide to approve or not approve all or any of the recommended grants as it sees fit in accordance with the criteria set out within the report.

Reasons for decision:

1.            Ten applicants are recommended for approval. All were considered by the Eden Community Fund Partnership Panel and were recommended for support.

2.            Three applicants were considered ineligible for funding due to the nature of their organisations.

3.            One application was not considered ready for funding at this time, but the applicant was encouraged to reapply with a reworked application at a later date.

4.            The applications are recommended for support as the Council has historically supported community groups and organisations that meet both the Eden Community Fund criteria and Council Plan priorities.

5.            While the panel recognise the great value of the projects/services named in paragraph 3.7 of the report, they feel that to set a precedent to fund those risks the finite resources of the fund being overwhelmed and less funding being available to smaller community groups and organisations. The panel recommend that the ‘Guide to the criteria, application process and conditions of funding 2020/21’ be amended accordingly.

To consider report PP40/20 of Assistant Director Community Services which seeks approval for a report to be submitted to Council seeking approval for a Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 (RRO), to allow flexibility to the use of Disabled Facility Grants (DFG’s), and to approve the setting up of Better Homes Eden, a Housing Improvement Agency (HIA), until March 2023.

RECOMMENDATIONS that:

1.    Council uses its discretionary powers under the Regulatory Reform Order to further broaden the scope of the DFG’s and all specific DFG funding, to allow it to be used to assist the elderly, disabled or other vulnerable groups to live independently, and to improve their living conditions and their health and wellbeing. Importantly, minor works that support ill health prevention, and promote independence can also delay transfer into care. Under the proposed Home Improvement Agency and Policy, mandatory DFGs will continue to be available and will take priority over any discretionary assistance; and

2.    Members note the registration as an HIA, and support the further development of the Home Improvement Agency.

Members considered report PP40/20 from the Assistant Director Community Services which sought the approval for a report to be submitted to Council seeking approval for a Regulatory Reform (Housing Assistance) (England and Wales) Order 2002 (RRO), to allow flexibility to the use of Disabled Facility Grants (DRG’s) and to approve the setting up of Better Homes Eden, a Housing Improvement Agency (HIA), until March 2023.

Proposed by Councillor Derbyshire
Seconded by Councillor Taylor

and RESOLVED that:

1.            Council uses its discretionary powers under the Regulatory Reform Order to further broaden the scope of the DFG’s and all specific DFG funding, to allow it to assist the elderly, disabled or other vulnerable groups to live independently, and to improve their living conditions and their health and wellbeing. Importantly, minor works that support ill health prevention, and promote independence can also delay transfer into care. Under the proposed Home Improvement Agency and Policy, mandatory DFGs will continue to be available and will take priority over any discretionary assistance; and

2.            Members note the registration as an HIA, and support the further development of the Home Improvement Agency.

Other options considered: There is no obligation to set up an HIA, however much of this work is already ongoing and improvements/advantages are detailed within the body of the report.

Reasons for decision: It is recommended that it be agreed to seek approval from Council for Better Homes Eden and use of discretionary powers under the Regulatory Reform Order to further broaden the scope of DFG’s an all specific DFG funding, to allow it to be used to assist the elderly, disabled or other vulnerable groups to live independently, and to improve their living conditions and their health and wellbeing.

There were no other items which the Chairman decided were urgent.

The date of the next scheduled meeting to be confirmed as 15 December 2020.

The date of the next scheduled meeting was confirmed as 15 December 2020.