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Meeting Details

Executive
24 Oct 2022 - 16:00 to 16:14
Scheduled
  • Documents
  • Attendance
  • Visitors
  • Declarations of Interests

Documents

Agenda

Standard Items
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
To receive apologies for absence.
EX.129/22
Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Gareth Ellis, Finance, Governance and Resources Portfolio Holder and the Corporate Director of Economic Development.
PUBLIC AND PRESS
To agree that the items of business within Part A of the agenda should be dealt with in public and that the items of business within Part B of the agenda should be dealt with in private.

EX.130/22
It was agreed that the items in Part A be dealt with in public and the items in Part B be dealt with when the Public and Press are excluded.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members are invited to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests, other registrable interests and any interests, relating to any items on the agenda at this stage.
EX.131/22
There were no declarations of interest submitted.
Pdf MINUTES (187Kb)
To sign the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 25 July 2022.
[Minute Book Volume 49(2)].

To agree the minutes of the meetings held on 30 August and 3 October 2022. 
(Copy minutes herewith). 



EX.132/22
RESOLVED - 1) That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 July 2022 be signed by the Leader.

2) That the minutes of the meetings held on 30 August and 3 October 2022 be agreed as a correct record.
Public Items
(Key Decision - KD.21/22)

The Corporate Director of Economic Development to submit a report regarding the delivery of the Shared Prosperity Fund Investment Plan for Carlisle. 
(Copy Report ED.26/22 herewith)
EX.133/22
(Key Decision - KD.21/22)

**(In accordance with Paragraph 15(i) of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, The Mayor had agreed that call-in procedures should not be applied to this item.)

Portfolio     Economy, Enterprise and Housing

Relevant Scrutiny Panel     Place Panel

Subject Matter

The Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder submitted a report regarding the UK Shared prosperity Fund (UKSPF) which had allocated funds to all local authorities in the UK to fund revenue and capital projects over a three-year period 2022-2025. (ED.26/22)

The 
Government had allocated £4.1 million for the Carlisle area.  To draw it down, the Council had submitted an Investment Plan to the Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Communities setting out how it intended to use and deliver the funding. The submitted Investment Plan set out how that first year of the allocation would managed and delivered by Carlisle City Council, whilst the second and third years of delivery would be managed and delivered by the new Cumberland Authority.

The Investment Plan for Carlisle was due to be approved in October 2022.  However, there was a pressing need to confirm the delivery and spend for Year 1 of the programme, which had allocation of £498,138.  A number of projects had been identified through an expression of interest that can be delivered by the end of this financial year, 31 March 2023. The report sets out the proposed projects and grant programmes that would comprise the delivery programme for Year 1 of the programme.

The Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder moved the recommendations as set out in the report.  The Leader seconded them.

Summary of options rejected     Not to draw down the allocated funding for the Carlisle area

DECISION

That the Executive:
1. Approved the Council to be the accountable body for Year 1 of the Carlisle UKSPF programme.
2. Approved the projects and associated spend forming the first year of the delivery programme for the Carlisle UKSPF Investment Plan, set out in Section 7 of report ED.26/22.
3. Approved [for recommendation to Council] a budget of £49,920 be added to the Council’s Capital Programme, according to the financial profile for 2022-23, as set out in Table 1 of report ED.26/22.
4. Approved [for recommendation to Council] a budget of £448,218 be added to the Council’s Revenue Budget, according to the financial profile for 2022-23, as set out in Table 1 of report ED.26/22.
5. Delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Economic Development following consultation with the Leader of the Council, Portfolio Holder for Economy Enterprise and Housing, the Corporate Director of Governance & Regulatory Services and Corporate Director of Finance and Resources, to:
     - Approve the final details of the projects to be funded the first year of the delivery programme for 
       the Carlisle UKSPF Investment Plan
     - Enter into funding agreements and Memorandums of Understanding, as appropriate, with
       recipients of UKSPF grant funding to enable project delivery.
     - The final terms of the contracts, funding agreements and Memorandums of Understanding to be
       agreed by the Corporate Director of Economic 
Development following consultation with the
       Corporate Director of Finance 
and Resources, Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory
       Services, 
Portfolio Holder for Economy Enterprise and Housing and the Leader of the Council.
6. Delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Economic Development, following consultation with the Leader, the Chief Executive, the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services and the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources, to decisions relating to any Change Controls, reprofiling and redistribution of UKSPF funding.
7. Delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Economic Development, following consultation with the Leader, and the Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to enter into contract(s) with the preferred contractor(s) for the delivery of the
     - Uncovering Roman Carlisle project
     - Heritage Trails project
     - Cumberland Visitor Economy branding project
     - Longtown Place Plan project 

Reasons for Decision

The Scheme would support the delivery of the vision set out in the Carlisle Plan, which was 
to enable Carlisle to grow and prosper as the capital of the Borderlands region. It also contributed directly to the priority of delivering inclusive and sustainable economic growth, by making Carlisle a more attractive place for investment, improving skills and drive key sector development. 
(Key Decision - KD.20/22)

The Corporate Director of Economic Development to submit a report regarding the City Centre Growth Grant policy. 
(Copy report ED.25/22 herewith)
EX.134/22
(Key Decision - KD.21/22)

Portfolio     Economy, Enterprise and Housing

Relevant Scrutiny Panel     Place Panel

Subject Matter

The Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder submitted a report outlining the proposed amendments, of the existing City Centre Growth Policy. (ED.25/22)

Carlisle City Council launched its City Centre Growth Grants Policy pilot scheme for the financial year 2021-22.  The aim of the grants were to support business investment into the city centre by providing a small fund which new or expanding city centre businesses could apply to that would contribute towards on development works on vacant shop units. This would support city centre high street diversification and vitality, while giving local businesses confidence to invest in Carlisle following from the impacts of COVID-19.

To date, £35,250 has been awarded to nine businesses. This had supported the creation of four new businesses in Carlisle, bringing nine vacant units back into use, and the redevelopment of 1261M2 in floorspace in the city centre. In total the funding had secured a total of £264,000 in additional business investment into the city centre. As a result of the successful launch of this Pilot Scheme, the Council had allocated a further £40,000 of funding for City Centre Growth Grants for the financial year 2022-2023. 

Executive approval was sought for the revision of the existing Policy (rebranded as the High Streets Growth Grant) which would be supported by the additional capital and revenue funding identified through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The revision would:
• Make it available to businesses operating on more district and local centre ‘high streets’ in Carlisle (rebranded as the High Streets Growth Grant).
• Use UK Shared Prosperity revenue funding to create a revenue element of the grant fund, for interventions such as: training and development, marketing and promotion, and supporting operational costs.
These amends would ensure businesses across Carlisle could benefit from the fund, and support new businesses financially in a challenging economic context.

The Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio moved the recommendations and the Leader seconded them.

Summary of options rejected     Not to approve the amendment of the City Centre Growth Grant Policy.

DECISION

That the Executive:
- Approved the amendment of the City Centre Growth Grant Policy, rebranded as the High Streets Growth Grant Policy.
- Delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Economic Development, following consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economy, Enterprise and Housing, and the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources to agree any future amendments to the policy.
- Delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Economic Development, to implement the High Streets Growth Grant Policy subject to any decision by the Executive to its decision in report ED 26/22

Reasons for Decision

The Scheme would support the delivery of the vision set out in the Carlisle Plan, which was to enable Carlisle to grow and prosper as the capital of the Borderlands region. It also contributed directly to the priority of delivering inclusive and sustainable economic growth, by making Carlisle a more attractive place for investment, improving skills and drive key sector development. 

(Non Key Decision)

The Notice of Executive Key Decisions, published on 23 September 2022, is submitted for information.

(Copy Notice herewith)

EX.135/22
Portfolio:     Cross Cutting

Relevant Scrutiny Panel

Place Panel; People Panel; Resources Panel

Subject Matter:

The Notice of Executive Key Decisions dated 23 September 2022 was submitted for information.

The Tullie House Business Plan had been scheduled in the Notice of Executive Key Decisions to be considered at this meeting.  Due to the alignment of committee dates and the Tullie House Trust Board meetings it meant that the draft business plan would not have been formally approved by the Trust board in time for this meeting.  The matter would be considered by the Executive on 19 December.

Summary of options rejected     None

DECISION

That the Notice of Executive Key Decisions dated 23 September 2022 be received.

Reasons for Decision     Not applicable 
(Non Key Decision)

A Schedule detailing decisions taken by Officers under delegated powers is attached for information.
(Copy Schedule herewith)

Background Papers - as detailed within the Schedule.


EX.136/22

(Non Key Decision)


Portfolio
     Cross Cutting

Relevant Scrutiny Panel

People Panel; Place Panel; Resources Panel

Subject Matter

Details of decisions taken by Officers under delegated powers were submitted.

Summary of options rejected     None

DECISION

That the decisions, attached as Appendix A, be noted.

Reason for Decision     Not applicable

(Non Key Decision)

The Minutes of the meeting of the Joint Management Team held on 3 October 2022 are submitted for information. 
(Copy Minutes herewith)

EX.137/22

(Non Key Decision)

Portfolio     Cross Cutting


Relevant Scrutiny Panel

People Panel; Place Panel; Resources Panel

Subject Matter

The minutes of the meeting of the Joint Management Team on 3 October 2022 were submitted for information.

Summary of options rejected     None

DECISION

That the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Management Team held on 3 October 2022, attached as Appendix B, be received.

Reasons for Decision     Not applicable  

(Non Key Decision)

 

The Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services to submit an update on the Council’s use of the surveillance powers open to it under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA).

(Copy Report GD.59/22 herewith)

Background Papers – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covert-surveillance-and-covert-human-intelligence-sources-codes-of-practice

EX.138/22
(Non Key Decision)

Portfolio     Finance, Governance and Resources

Relevant Scrutiny Panel     People Panel

Subject Matter

The Leader submitted report GD.59/22 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 Guidance says that elected members of a local authority should review the usage of the surveillance powers and set the policy once each year. The rules regulating surveillance were restrictive and the reality was that, since the transfer of the Council’s benefit fraud to the Department for Work and Pensions, it was very unlikely that it would need to undertake any covert surveillance activity. The last authorisation of surveillance by the City Council predated the transfer of the Benefit Fraud Team. In effect, the Council did not make use of any covert surveillance in its activity.
 
The last authorisation was in March 2014 for a benefit fraud matter.

The Leader moved the recommendation to note and approve the report and the Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder seconded it.

Summary of options rejected     None

DECISION

That the Executive noted and approved the content of the Report, including the Council’s RIPA policy.

Reasons for Decision

To comply with the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) and its associated Regulations and Guidance.
(Non Key Decision)

The Deputy Chief Executive to submit a report regarding the use if the City Council's available charitable and other bequests monies to support the urgent needs across the communities of Carlisle District: Carlisle Foodbank; Prism Arts; and North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust. 
(Copy Report CS.32/22 herewith)
EX.139/22
(Non Key Decision)

**(In accordance with Paragraph 15(i) of the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, The Mayor had agreed that call-in procedures should not be applied to this item)

Portfolio     Communities, Health and Wellbeing

Relevant Scrutiny Panel     People Panel

Subject Matter

The Communities, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder submitted proposals to use Carlisle City Council's available charitable and other bequests monies to support three urgent needs across the communities of Carlisle District: Carlisle Food Bank; Prism Arts; and North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust.

The Council held a number of bequests for use by the Council:
     • Local Distress Fund (225500) – established in 1914 to aid the relief of distress in the City and immediate district i.e. the prevention or relief of poverty. The available balance was: £10,055.29
     • Parker Bequest (225394) – established in 1954 to benefit disabled children and other young residents of the city in ways not normally covered by the Health Service. The available balance was: £1,356.28
     • District Nursing Amenity Fund (225395) – established to provide amenities for nurse’s homes and retirement allowances to nurses. The available balance was: £7,231.12
Funds can be spent so long as the spending was consistent with the governing document and the money was spent on the charity’s purpose. If closing any of the funds, there was also the option of donating the remaining money to other charities with similar purpose.  A charity closure form would need to be completed to remove a charity from the register but only after the funds had been spent.

The Communities, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder moved the following amended recommendations:

- to consider and approve the proposed use of the available monies, as detailed in Section 2 of Report CS.32/22.
- delegate detailed decision making to the Deputy Chief Executive to take final decisions about fund allocations to the Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust;
- that Council be recommended to release the funds under the terms set out when the bequest was given.

The Culture, Heritage and Leisure Portfolio Holder seconded the amended recommendations.

Summary of options rejected   Not to allocate the bequests to the chosen charities

DECISION

That the Executive:

 
- considered and approved the proposed use of the available monies, as detailed in Section 2 of Report CS.32/22.
- delegated detailed decision making to the Deputy Chief Executive to take final decisions about fund allocations to the Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust;
- recommended to Council the release the funds under the terms set out when the bequest was given

Reasons for Decision

To release funding into the local community in line with terms set out in bequests.
(Non Key Decision)

To consider and respond to references made by the People Panel at its meeting on 25 August 2022.
(Copy Minute Excerpt herewith)


EX.140/22
(Non Key Decision)

Portfolio     

Relevant Scrutiny Panel     People Panel

Subject Matter

The Chair of the People Panel reported that the Panel had met on 25 August 2022 to consider the Victorian and Turkish Baths.  The meeting built on the recommendations from the previous Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Panel meeting in February when Members asked officers to work with the Friends of Carlisle Victorian and Turkish Baths.  The response to the first meeting had been that work had commenced and was being undertaken by Property Services.

The Viability Study which had been funded by Architectural Heritage Fund and Cumbria LEP had been completed and consultation on options had commenced.  The next step for the Friends was the Development Study and Business Plan which would inform the viability for a possible future Community Asset Transfer.

The Panel had concerns regarding the lack of plans for conservation work and maintenance of the fabric of the building during the mothballing.  This would be key to preventing deterioration which could cause significant harm to the fabric of the building.  Costings brought to the Executive for the decision on the future of the Baths had not included any conservation or protection works.  Bearing in mind the amount of dust that demolition of the 1970s building would cause, protection of the listed features would be critical.

The Panel had made four specific recommendations to the Executive:

2) That Scrutiny recommended the Council to consider a Meanwhile Tenancy.

4) That the Executive were asked to convene a multi-disciplinary meeting of all parties, including The Friends of the Carlisle Victorian and Turkish Baths to discuss the future operation of the Turkish Baths.
5) That the Panel ask the Executive to support the allocation of the £400,000 Borderlands funding to future proof the stand alone operation of the Turkish Baths.

6) That the Panel ask the Executive to liaise with the NHS to clarify its position with regard to the future use of the 10m as hydrotherapy pool, and advise The Friends of the Carlisle Victorian and Turkish Baths.

The Chair of the People Panel asked the Executive:

- to provide Scrutiny with the latest condition survey or a new one;
- provide Scrutiny with a copy of the 'investment appraisal' to take account of costs, risks and legal responsibilities, to be carried out before mothballing (Historic England Guidance on Managing Risks in Vacant Historic Buildings);
- would GLL be required to put right any damage before handing the building back to the City Council?  It was understood that there had been some damage to Minton tiles where it had been patched with concrete.

The Culture, Heritage and Leisure Portfolio Holder thanked the People Panel for their consideration of a complex issue.  He addressed each of the Panel's recommendations:

2. work was continuing to investigate if it was possible to move forward with a Meanwhile tenancy;

4.  officers had been instructed to maintain an open door to any request from the Friends to arrange a meeting;

5. the Executive continued to support the allocation of the £400,000 Borderlands funding, however, it would be the Cumberland Council who put the funding into operation;

6.  the possibility of a hydrotherapy pool had been discussed with the NHS, who did not have plans for a pool at this stage but the Council would be open to discuss the matter further if the NHS were interested in the future.

With regard to the handing back of the building the Portfolio Holder clarified that GLL would hand the building back in line with the contractual arrangements.

Summary of options rejected     None

DECISION

The Executive thanked the People Panel for their resolution and provided the response above to their recommendations.

Reasons for Decision

To respond to a resolution of the People Panel.
Exempt Items

-NIL-

Members of the Executive

Councillor J Mallinson (Leader's Portfolio)

Councillor G Ellis (Deputy Leader, and Finance, Governance and Resources Portfolio Holder)
Councillor Mrs Bowman (Economy, Enterprise and Housing Portfolio Holder)

Councillor N Christian (Environment and Transport Portfolio Holder)

Councillor S Higgs (Culture, Heritage and Leisure Portfolio Holder)

Councillor Mrs E Mallinson (Communities, Health and Wellbeing Portfolio Holder)

Notes to Members:
Decisions made at this meeting, if not subject to call-in, will normally become live on 3 November 2022.  

Enquiries, requests for reports, background papers etc to: 
democraticservices@carlisle.gov.uk

Attendance

Name
No other member attendance information has been recorded for the meeting.
NameReason for Sending Apology
Councillor Gareth Michael Ellis 
NameReason for Absence
No absentee information has been recorded for the meeting.

Declarations of Interests

Member NameItem Ref.DetailsNature of DeclarationAction
No declarations of interest have been entered for this meeting.

Visitors

Also Present:     Councillor Glover, Chair of People Panel

Officers:     Town Clerk and Chief Executive
                    Deputy Chief Executive
                    Corporate Director of Governance and Regulatory Services
                    Corporate Director of Finance and resources
                    Head of Regeneration