Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies given at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2021.

The minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 18 March 2021 were agreed as an accurate record.

To note any requests to speak on any items that are on the agenda in accordance with the Council’s Public Speaking Scheme (see footnote to this agenda).

There were no public speakers at the meeting.

A report that seeks Cabinet approval for the funding of a series of initiatives through the Revenue Investment Fund.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder – Councillor Peter Butlin

Councillor Peter Butlin (Deputy Leader – Finance and Property) introduced the item and summarised the key elements of the published report. The three initiatives before Cabinet are consistent with the Covid-19 Recovery Plan. Tourism, he added, is across the entire county and the funds assigned will be used where needed.

Councillor Heather Timms (Portfolio Holder for Environment and Heritage & Culture) informed Cabinet that the tourist industry in Warwickshire is ready for the end of Covid-19 restrictions. Tourism is a key element of the county’s economy and needs to resume as soon as possible.

Regarding the Jump Start Project Councillor Jeff Morgan (Portfolio Holder for Children’s Services) asked how those companies that are currently underrepresented in the economy will be communicated with. In reply Cabinet was informed that this will be through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Small Businesses.

Resolved:

That Cabinet:

1)       Supports the progress made on the Place Shaping strategy with the Social Enterprise Support project approved by Corporate Board under the authorisation delegated to Chief Executive at a cost of £0.039m.

2)       Approves the bids as detailed in section 2.1 and 2.9, amounting to £0.103m from the Climate Change Investment Fund and £0.622m from the Place Shaping and Economic Growth Fund.

3)       Authorises the Strategic Director for Communities to procure and enter any agreements to give effect to the above proposals on terms and conditions acceptable to the Strategic Director for Resources.

The Code of Corporate Governance was last reviewed and approved by Cabinet December in 2016 following the issue by CIPFA of their revised framework and guidance. The need to revise our present Code has arisen as a result of feedback from our Auditors through the Annual Governance Statement (AGS) examination.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder – Councillor Kam Kaur

Councillor Kam Kaur (Portfolio Holder for Customer and Transformation) informed the meeting that a review of the Code of Corporate Governance had been requested by the council’s external auditors. The revised document now complies with the guidance produced by CIPFA. The draft document had been considered and welcomed by the council’s Audit and Standards Committee at its meeting on 23 March 2021.

Councillor Kam Kaur closed by stating that the Code of Corporate Governance should be readily accessible to staff and members of the public.

Resolved:

1.       That the Cabinet approves the draft Code of Corporate Governance.

2.       That the Strategic Director for Resources is authorised to update the Code to reflect periodic or any necessary changes in our governance control processes.

The Council adopted its current Code of Conduct in 2012 based on the then model code published by the LGA. Officers have reviewed the new model code of conduct published by the LGA against the Council’s existing code and against the current legislative framework.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder – Councillor Kam Kaur

In introducing the report Councillor Kam Kaur stated that with the upcoming elections a review of the Code of Conduct was timely. The Local Government Association has published a model code of conduct. The council has chosen to use elements of this rather than the entire document.

Councillor Jerry Roodhouse (Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group) welcomed the update.

Councillor Izzi Seccombe added that the code is the basis of how members behave in Warwickshire. Councillor Colin Hayfield suggested that the Code of Conduct has rarely been called upon in Warwickshire as officers and members have always behaved in a friendly and professional manner. This view was echoed by Councillor Andy Crump (Portfolio Holder for Fire & Rescue and Community Safety).

Resolved:

That the Cabinet welcomes the draft Code of Conduct to Council and commends it to council.

This report seeks Cabinet approval for the allocation of up to £1.86 million from the Council Change Fund for the replacement of Fire Control Room Systems.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder – Councillor Andy Crump

Councillor Andy Crump informed Cabinet that the Transformation Programme had resulted in considerable investment in the Fire and Rescue Service. He added that a cloud-based system will enhance business resilience and promote remote working. Councillor Heather Timms informed Cabinet that Warwickshire’s Fire and Rescue Service has been appointed as lead for national fire and rescue climate change initiative. Officers were to be congratulated on this.

Resolved:

That Cabinet

1. Approves the allocation of up to £1.86 million for the replacement of Fire Control Room Systems, as outlined in the report.

2. Authorises the Strategic Director for Resources to determine the allocation of funding as he considers appropriate between the Fire Transformation Fund and the Corporate Change Fund and in the event that any costs can be capitalised, the Capital Investment Fund.

3. Authorises the Chief Fire Officer to procure and enter into all necessary contracts to give effect to the proposals set out in the report on terms and conditions acceptable to the Strategic Director for Resources.

This report seeks Cabinet approval to establish a Dynamic Purchasing System to facilitate the delivery of a range of business support services and programmes in support of the County Council’s Covid-19 Recovery Plan and the Economic Growth Strategy.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder – Councillor Izzi Seccombe

Councillor Izzi Seccombe explained that the purpose behind this initiative to provide a modern system that allows a more flexible approach for the council and contractors. The advantage to contractors is that they can join the system at any time and do not have to wait for a tender to be issued. It will assist the council to be more efficient when it commissions work and should save money as well.

Councillor Peter Butlin emphasised the need to have good procurement systems in place. Money can be used more effectively providing better value as a result.

That Cabinet:

1)       Approves the establishment of a Dynamic Purchasing System to facilitate the delivery of a range of business support services and programmes in support of the County Council’s Covid-19 Recovery Plan and the Economic Growth Strategy.

2)       Approves commencing with the procurement and delegates authority for the Strategic Director for Communities to negotiate, and to enter into, all contracts on terms and conditions acceptable to the Strategic Director for Resources.

This report seeks Cabinet approval to proceed with an appropriate procurement process to jointly re-commission the Integrated Community Equipment service with the Clinical Commissioning Group.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder – Councillor Les Caborn

Councillor Les Caborn stated that the Integrated Community Equipment Service is a long standing and successful example of partnership working. The service delivers equipment to people to assist them to live independently. It is based on a joint contract between social care and health. Most of the equipment that is issued is reused or recycled.

Councillor Caborn concluded by assuring Cabinet that the procurement process will take full account of the move from three CCGs to one.

Resolved:

1)       That Cabinet approves proceeding with an appropriate procurement process to jointly re-commission the Integrated Community Equipment (ICE) service with the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) or their successor in title.   

2)       That Cabinet approves and authorises the Strategic Director for People to enter into all relevant contracts for the provision of the Integrated Community Equipment service on terms and conditions acceptable to the Strategic Director for Resources.

3)       That Cabinet approves and authorises the Strategic Director for People to enter into a new section 75 agreement with the CCGs or their successor in title to manage the joint commissioning on terms and conditions acceptable to the Strategic Director for Resources.

4)       That Cabinet approves the ICE procurement activity to incorporate the following linked services: telecare service, assistive technology (AT) and the self-assessment / self-purchase solution (currently contracted with Disabled Living Foundation – Ask Sara).

The new Strategic Risk Management Framework aims to build on the council’s established risk management practice and strengths, by delivering improvements at a strategic and whole Council level.

Cabinet Portfolio Holder – Councillor Peter Butlin

Councillor Peter Butlin explained to Cabinet that the Strategic Risk Management Framework sets out the council’s attitude to risk. The Audit and Standards Committee had given the framework its full support.

Councillor Kam Kaur commended officers for their efforts in producing what the auditors have commended as a very good document.

Resolved:

That Cabinet approves the Strategic Risk Management Framework at the Appendix of the published report.

To consider passing the following resolution:

‘That members of the public be excluded from the meeting for the

items mentioned below on the grounds that their presence would

involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph

3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972’.

Resolved:

‘That members of the public be excluded from the meeting for the items mentioned below on the grounds that their presence would involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972’.

To consider the exempt minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 18 March 2021.

The exempt minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on 18 March 2021 were agreed as an accurate record.