To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllr Pauline Crockett.

To receive declarations of interests in respect of Schedule 1, Schedule 2 or Other Interests from members of the committee in respect of items on the agenda.

None.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2023.

Resolved:       That the minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2023 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairperson.

To receive questions from members of the public.

Questions received and responses given are attached as appendix 1 to the minutes.

To receive questions from councillors.

Questions received and responses given are attached as appendix 2 to the minutes.

To receive reports from the Council’s scrutiny committees on any recommendations to the Cabinet arising from recent scrutiny committee meetings.

There were no reports from scrutiny committees for consideration at this meeting.

To approve progress in implementing the Homelessness prevention and rough sleeping strategy and approve the strategic approach for Project Brave.

Cabinet considered a report comprising a mid-point review of the Homeless Reduction and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020 – 2025 and setting out the strategic approach to Homelessness. The cabinet member housing, regulatory services and community introduced the report and explained that the strategy has made good progress overall. The ‘Project Brave’ initiative emerged as a response to homelessness during the covid-19 pandemic and has delivered well. The report set out the proposed long term strategic approach, building on the progress delivered during the pandemic.

Cabinet members discussed the report and noted that feedback from those with lived experience is important and helpful to ensure the provision targets those most vulnerable. The strategy has a wide remit, reflecting the range of issues and challenges faced by those living on the street or at risk of becoming homeless. Close co-operation with voluntary sector organisations has supported the efforts of the council and it is important these links are maintained.

Group leaders expressed their support for the work done to date and the need for a strategic approach to the long term and complex needs of this cohort.

It was resolved that:

a)             Cabinet note and approve the mid-point review and progress of the Homeless Reduction and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2020-2025;

b)             Consider and approve the strategic approach to Project Brave; and

c)             Authority is delegated to the Corporate Director, Community Wellbeing to take all operational decisions required to implement the Project Brave Strategic approach (as set out in Appendix A), including securing and utilising and relevant external grant funding.

To approve the expansion of Aylestone School to accommodate additional pupils admitted from September 2026 in response to rising numbers in Hereford City.

Cabinet considered a report setting out proposals to expand Aylestone High School to meet a growing demand for places in the north of Hereford. The cabinet member commissioning, procurement and assets introduced the report and explained that this is the preferred location for expansion as the other school under consideration, Whitecross Hereford High School, is subject to a PFI contract which makes it financially unviable to expand at this time. A longer term piece of work will be undertaken to set out the need for additional school places, taking account of the emerging Local Plan.

Some cabinet members, including the cabinet member who is also ward member for the school, undertook a site visit ahead of the meeting to see the opportunities and challenges presented by an expansion, including transport issues. The next stage is to undertake detailed design work and there will be consultation with stakeholders, including the nursery on the site.

The ward member had expressed concerns about the proposed expansion but was reassured by the site visit and the promise of consultation on the detailed design.

Cabinet members discussed the proposals and noted the importance of creating the best possible learning environment. The leader of the council highlighted the importance of the strategic work to assess the need for additional places in the longer term and set out an additional recommendation that the draft strategic plan be brought back to Cabinet within the next 12 months.

Group leaders welcomed the proposed developments.

It was resolved that:

a)             Cabinet agree to progress with the permanent expansion of Aylestone High School;

b)             Subject to securing planning consent, Aylestone High School is expanded to enable its permanent expansion to five forms of entry (150 pupils per year group) at a cost of not more than £13.1m including fees and contingency;

c)             Delegated authority for award of procurement contract for the lifecycle of the project, is given to the Corporate Director, Children and Young People; and

d)             The Service Director, Education, Skills and Learning, be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the above in consultation with the S151 Officer and the Cabinet Members for Children and Families and Commissioning, Procurement and Assets; and

e)             The Service Director, Education, Skills and Learning present to Cabinet a draft strategic plan for the delivery of school places across the County for the period 2024 to 2034 for final approval by Cabinet within the next twelve months.

To approve the proposed expenditure of capital grants for school buildings maintenance works and accessibility improvement works.

Cabinet considered a report setting out the proposed programme of works for maintenance of local authority school buildings between 2023 and 2026, and accessibility works for 2023/24. The cabinet member commissioning, procurement and assets introduced the report and explained that the grant funding received from the Department for Education is insufficient to undertake all the maintenance work that the council would like to do. The works identified through condition surveys have been prioritised and a contingency set aside for urgent items that arise during the period.

Cabinet members were frustrated that the lack of funding means the council can only do the minimum works to keep buildings safe and open, and not be proactive and enhance the learning environment for children in Herefordshire schools.

Accessibility works are planned for a number of schools to allow identified learners with special educational needs to access mainstream education. The prudential borrowing agreed by Council in setting the capital programme and budget was welcomed as it allowed work to progress in a timely fashion.

Group leaders gave the views of their groups. The pressure on funding was noted and the condition of schools across the country was highlighted as a national challenge. In response to a query, the cabinet member explained that essential statutory works had been prioritised and that the condition surveys completed in 2019 had informed the programme. Surveys on the environmental standards of schools buildings have been completed and the council will use this information to bid for appropriate grant schemes as and when they are available.

It was resolved that:

a)             The Service Director Education, Skills and Learning be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the programme of works, and any urgent contingency schemes required, within the approved budget of £3.75m for maintenance, subject to addition to the capital programme by the S151 officer;

b)             The Service Director Education, Skills and Learning be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to implement the additional programme of works, within the additional approved budget of £2.7m for maintenance;

c)             The Service Director Education, Skills and Learning be authorised to take all operational decision necessary to implement the accessibility improvement works, within the approved budget of £1m for accessibility;

d)             The Service Director Education, Skills and Learning be authorised to take all operational decisions necessary to vary the programme of works should the amount of funding received from the Department for Education differ from that used to determine the initial programme of works; and

e)             The Corporate Director, Childrens and Young People be authorised to take all operational decisions relating to the award of contract for the above programmes of work.

To review performance for Quarter 3 2022/23 and the forecast budget outturn for the year; and

To provide assurance that progress has been made towards delivery of the agreed revenue budget and service delivery targets, and that the reasons for major variances or potential under-performance are understood and are being addressed to the cabinet’s satisfaction.

Cabinet considered the budget and performance report for the third quarter of 2023/24. The cabinet member finance, corporate services and planning introduced the report and highlighted the forecast increased overspend in the children’s services area. The cabinet member set out the background to the increase and mitigation in place. She also highlighted a number of other key points in the report.

Cabinet members discussed the report and noted that the delivery of capital projects within budget have improved and that while there are concerns about the increased costs in children’s services it is hoped that the investment will deliver improvements and savings down the line.

Group leaders gave the views and comments of their group. In response to queries raised it was noted that:

·       The investment in children’s services is showing results in more permanent staff and reduced caseloads. The improved infrastructure will give the council something to build on and progress will continue to be monitored;

·       The high cost of placements is a national problem, dedicated finance staff have been deployed in the children’s services directorate to try to improve data capture and make sure forecasting is as accurate as possible;

·       The investment from reserves into children’s services was on budget, it is the pressure in delivery, especially residential placements, that are showing in the overspend.

It was resolved that:

Cabinet, having reviewed performance and financial forecast for year 2022/23, as set out the in appendices A-E, have not identified any additional actions to be considered to achieve future improvements.