Agenda and minutes

The following Members declared an interest in accordance with Standing Order 16.5:-

Decision – That the notes of the meeting held on 19 August 2020 be approved.

Decision – That the oral report of the Leader of the Council giving an update on a range of issues including the work to ensure that children can return to school and people can return to the workplace safely; how the council is working with the NHS to put testing facilities where they are needed; Keele University and Staffordshire University being shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Awards University of the Year; and the improving relationship between the Council and trade unions; be noted.

Decision – That the minutes of the meeting of the Property Sub-Committee held on 2 September 2020 be received.

Cabinet Member for Communities and Culture

Reasons for the Decision – To consider proposals for one-off funding for a #DoingOurBit Community Grants Scheme to support groups and organisations that will help meet the needs of Staffordshire’s vulnerable children and adults.

Decision – (a) That the important role the voluntary and community sector plays in supporting communities to help themselves be noted.

(b) That the proposal for one-off funding for a #DoingOurBit Community Grants Scheme be agreed.

Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing

Reasons for the Decision – To consider an update from the COVID-19 Member Led Local Outbreak Control Board including the Council’s response to an outbreak related to the Silverdale Working Men’s Club and an ongoing elevated level of infections in parts of Burton; and issues about the completeness and timeliness of contact tracing by the NHS test and trace service.

Decision – That the report be received.

Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing

Reasons for the Decision – To consider reviewing the Council’s plans in respect of the Care Home Market to take account of the profound impact which Covid-19 has had.

Decision – (a) That the extension of the duration of the current Dynamic Purchasing System and overarching agreement with providers until April 2022 be agreed and that the intention to provide a further report to Cabinet detailing the intended procurement for new contracts from April 2022 be noted.

(b) That it be agreed that the intended refurbishment of the Council owned site to provide 38 additional nursing beds within Staffordshire be paused to allow further evaluation of the impact from Covid-19 and associated infection control requirements.

(c) That the continuation of the project to explore building two Council owned care homes to provide additional nursing capacity be approved and that the intended design and delivery models be reviewed to ensure that they are consistent with enhanced infection control requirements from Covid-19;

(d) That it be agreed that the Council proceeds with the review and update of the long-term demand model for care homes placements, taking into account the impact of Covid-19 and the views of local communities to reflect the needs and expectations of current and future residents.

Cabinet Member for Health, Care and Wellbeing

Note by Clerk: Mr Deaville declared a personal interest and left the room during the consideration of this item.

Reasons for the Decision – To consider the procurement process for the future provision of Home Care as the current contracts are due to expire in August 2021.

Decision – (a) That the procurement of home care services, as outlined in the report, be approved.

(b) That authority be delegated to the Director of Health and Care, to award contracts and to enter into contracts, with the successful providers, as appropriate to the outcome of the procurement process.

(c) That authority be delegated to the Director of Health and Care in consultation with the Director of Corporate Services to authorise the Council entering into contracts with Nexxus Trading Services Limited trading as Nexxus Cares (“Nexxus”) for home care services as detailed in the report.

Cabinnet Member for Commercial Matters

Note by Clerk: Mr Deaville declared a personal interest and, after introducing the report, left the room during its consideration and the decision thereon.

Reasons for the Decision – To consider Nexxus Trading Services Limited’s annual report which provides an update on the activities and performance of the company.

Decision – (a) That the Nexxus Care Annual Report be noted.

(b) That the retention of a small surplus of £46k for reinvestment in the business be approved.

Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport

Reasons for the Decision – To seek approval to proceed to the delivery phase of the street lighting LED invest to save initiative as agreed in the 2019/20 Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

Decision – (a) That approval be given approval to proceed to the next phase of the Street Lighting – Invest to Save Initiative; the delivery phase, which will be funded by an interest free loan from Salix.

(b) That the Council enters into the Supplemental Agreement to the Street Lighting PFI Project Agreement with Lighting for Staffordshire Limited dated 31st March 2003, to be able to commence the delivery phase.

Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport

Reasons for the Decision – To consider the proposed approach to making a one-off £2m investment in highways and Public Rights of Way (PRoW) services.

Decision – (a) That a one-off targeted investment of £1.9m in current local highway priorities, as detailed in the report, be supported.

(b) That the provision of £0.1m investment in immediate small-scale improvements to the Public Rights of Way (PRoW) network be supported.

Cabinet Member for Education (and SEND)

Reasons for the Decision – To consider proposed changes at Marshlands School and Greenhall Nursery which seek to maximise the use of the learning environments in both settings.

Decision – That the proposed changes to the following schools be approved:

(i) Marshlands Primary School– a change of age range, from the current Early Years to Year 6 to focus on children in Year 1 to Year 6 by removing Early Years and reception provision and specialising in Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 provision.

(ii) Greenhall Nursery– a change of designation of types of special education needs and disabilities catered for – to include children with needs in the Early Years Foundation Stage prime areas of learning, physical, communication and language and personal, social and emotional development.

Decision – That the following decisions taken by Cabinet Members under delegated powers be noted:

The Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 14 October 2020 to 17 February 2021, which detailed the following issues, was approved:

Decision – That the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business which involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of Local Government Act 1972 indicated below.

PART TWO

(Exemption paragraph 3)

Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources

(Exemption paragraph 3)

Reasons for the Decision – To consider the proposal for Staffordshire County Council to take over the responsibility of Accountable Body for the Midlands Engine.

Decision – That the recommendations contained in the report be agreed.

(Exemption paragraph 3)

Cabinet Member for Children and Young People

(Exemption paragraph 3)

Reasons for the Decision – To consider the proposed purchase of a property to provide local residential placements.

Decision – That the recommendations contained in the report be agreed.

Alan White

Leader of the County Council