Councillor Mrs Mallinson declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct in respect of Agenda item A.2 – Acceptance of Potential Offer for Sustainable Warmth Competition Local Authority Delivery Phase 3 (LAD3) and home upgrade grants (HUG). The interest related to the fact that Councillor Mrs Mallinson was a private landlord and she would leave the meeting prior to consideration of that item of business.
(Key Decision KD.20/21) Portfolio Communities, Health and Wellbeing
Relevant Scrutiny Panel Health and Wellbeing Subject Matter The Communities, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder presented a review of the existing Regulatory Reform Order (RRO) Housing Renewal Assistance Policy which was last updated in 2018 and approved by Council in January 2019. Revisions had been necessary to ensure the Housing Renewal Assistance Policy was fit for purpose as an offer for residents and reflected the current demands on the service. The revised Policy had been attached to report GD.70/21 as an appendix. The Communities, Health and Wellbeing noted that the report recommended that the City Council used its discretionary powers under the Regulatory Reform Order to further broaden the scope of the Disabled facilities grants (DFGs) and allow specific DFG funding to be used for grants to assist the elderly, disable or other vulnerable groups to live independently and to improve their living conditions and well-being. Specifically, minor works that supports ill health prevention, promote independence and delay transfer into care. She moved that this be added to the recommendations detailed in the report. The Portfolio Holder highlighted the excellent work that City Council staff had undertaken with the NHS to support people moving from hospital to their own hopes as safely as possible.
The Communities, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder moved the recommendations and the Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder seconded them. Summary of options rejected None DECISION That the Executive: i) had considered the proposed revised Housing Renewal Assistance Policy 2022 (appendix 1 of report GD.70/21) ii) referred the said Policy to the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Panel for consideration in accordance with the Council's Budget and Policy Framework; ii) that the City Council used its discretionary powers under the Regulatory Reform Order to further broaden the scope of the Disabled facilities grants (DFGs) and allow specific DFG funding to be used for grants to assist the elderly, disable or other vulnerable groups to live independently and to improve their living conditions and well-being. Specifically, minor works that supports ill health prevention, promote independence and delay transfer into care. Reasons for Decision The revised Housing Renewal Assistance Policy 2022 will assist in ensuring that best use is made of the DFG capital funding making use of existing capacity and expertise within the Housing and Pollution and Homelife teams.
(Key Decision KD.21/21) Councillors Mallinson (J) (Chair) and Mrs Mallinson, having declared disclosable pecuniary interests, retired from the meeting and took no part in the consideration of this item of business.
The Deputy Leader assumed the Chair.
Portfolio Economy, Enterprise and Housing
Relevant Scrutiny Panel Economic Growth
Subject Matter
The Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder submitted a report requesting that the Executive should accept grant funding, if offered, from Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) Sustainable Warmth Competition and act as the lead authority of a Cumbria Consortium of district councils for the delivery of the grant (GD.73/21)
The Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder reported that the City Council had applied for £19,955,000 of funding on behalf of the Cumbrian Sustainable Warmth consortium of district councils to address fuel poverty, improve energy efficiency and carbon savings and help boost the local economy to retrofit a target of 1,310, mainly private sector homes, with energy efficiency measures, including low carbon heating across Cumbria. The Portfolio Holder thanked the Regulatory Services Manager and the Home Improvement Agency Team Leader for their work, and the Economic Growth Scrutiny Panel for their input.
The Economic Growth Scrutiny Panel had considered the matter at their meeting on 21 October 2021 (minute excerpt EGSP.65/21 refered).
The Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder moved, and the Environment and Transport Portfolio Holder seconded the recommendations.
Summary of options rejected not to accept the funding, if offered.
DECISION
That the Executive: i) Delegated authority to the Corporate Director for Governance and Regulatory Services to agree and sign the Memorandum of Understanding and, thereby, accept an offer of the Sustainable Warmth grant funding by Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). ii) Agreed that the Council acts as the accountable body for the Grant on behalf of the Cumbrian Consortium of district councils.
Reasons for Decision
Carlisle had over 2,250 owner-occupied and over 700 privately rented properties which had an EPC rating of E, F or G but which could achieve a minimum C Rating. This did not include the homes which did not have current EPCs but were still eligible for grant funding. The purpose of the Sustainable Warmth competition was to reduce carbon and make homes more energy efficient which would support the Council’s credentials as climate change champions and add to the fuel poverty schemes already on offer. The scheme would also help boost the local economy.
Councillors Mallinson (J) and Mrs Mallinson returned to the meeting.
The Leader assumed the Chair.
(Key Decision KD.22/21) Portfolio Economy, Enterprise and Housing
The Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder provided an update on the Council's award of funding through the Government's New Towns Development Corporation Competition and to endorse the key next steps to develop the Development Corporation Business Case over the next 2 years. (ED.31/21)
The Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder gave a brief overview of the background before highlighting the Key Next Steps and Funding Programme 2021 to 2023.
The Portfolio Holder thanked the Head of Planning Policy and team for their ongoing work. The Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder moved the recommendations. When seconding the recommendations the Environment and Transport Portfolio Holder was pleased to support the ongoing work for the Garden Village which would be as close to a zero carbon development as was possible. The Carlisle Southern Link Road would not only divert HGVs out of the City but would also provide improved public transport links as well and walking and cycling routes.
Summary of options rejected None
Reasons for Decision The Executive’s approval for the indicative work packages and funding profile was required given the values involved and the need for transparency given the proposed expenditure of external grant funding. It also reflected that as a major corporate project that the Executive were comfortable with both the progress of the project and the future direction of travel.
(Key Decision KD.24/21) Portfolio Culture, Heritage and Leisure
Relevant Scrutiny Panel Health and Wellbeing
The Leader presented report CS.41/21, the purpose of which was to introduce and allow consideration of the Tullie House Museum and Art Gallery Trust 2022/23 Business Plan in order that the Council may, in due course, agree core funding for the Trust. That was in line with Section 5 of the Partnership Agreement between the Council and Tullie House Trust, which stated that the Business Plan submitted by the Trust should be used as the basis for agreeing future years funding.
Details of the background position; core grant; lease arrangements; building and collection financial implications; impact of COVID-19 and impact of the proposals put forward by Tullie House Trust were provided within the report.
The Executive was asked to give initial consideration to the Business Plan and refer that to the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Panel for their review and recommendations.
The Leader concluded his presentation by moving the recommendation which was seconded by the Finance, Governance and Resources Portfolio Holder.
Summary of options rejected that the Business Plan should not be referred for scrutiny
That the Executive had given initial consideration to the Tullie House Trust Business Plan (Report CS.41/21) and referred it to the Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Panel on 25 November 2021 for their review and recommendations.
The recommendations allowed the report, the associated Business Plan and core funding to be approved in line with the Partnership Agreement
That the Minutes of the meeting of the Joint Management Team held on 27 September 2021, attached as Appendix B, be received.
Reasons for Decision Not applicable
(Non Key Decision) Portfolio Finance, Governance and Resources
Relevant Scrutiny Panel Business and Transformation
The Finance, Governance and Resources Portfolio Holder submitted report GD.68/21 which provided an update on the Council's use of the surveillance powers open to it under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).
The Finance, Governance and Resources Portfolio Holder moved the recommendation to note and approve the report and the Leader seconded it.
That the Executive noted and approved the content of the Report, including the Council’s RIPA policy.
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Councillor J Mallinson (Leader's Portfolio)
Councillor G Ellis (Deputy Leader, and Finance, Governance and Resources Portfolio Holder)
Councillor S Higgs (Culture, Heritage and Leisure Portfolio Holder)
Councillor Mrs E Mallinson (Communities, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder)
Enquiries, requests for reports, background papers etc to: committeeservices@carlisle.gov.uk
Officers: Town Clerk and Chief Executive Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services Corporate Director of Finance and Resources Corporate Director of Economic Development