Agenda and decisions

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Up to one hour is allowed for this item

Any member of the public or Councillor may participate in Public Forum. Petitions, statements and questions received by the deadlines below will be taken at the start of the agenda item to which they relate to.

Petitions and statements (must be about matters on the agenda):

• Members of the public and members of the council, provided they give notice in writing or by e-mail (and include their name, address, and ‘details of the wording of the petition, and, in the case of a statement, a copy of the submission) by no later than 12 noon on the working day before the meeting, may present a petition or submit a statement to the Cabinet.

• One statement per member of the public and one statement per member of council shall be admissible.

• A maximum of one minute shall be allowed to present each petition and statement.

• The deadline for receipt of petitions and statements for the 6 February

 Cabinet is 12 noon on Monday 5^th February 2024. These should be sent, in writing or by e-mail to: Democratic Services, City Hall, College Green, Bristol, BS1 5TR

e-mail: democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk

Questions (must be about matters on the agenda):

• A question may be asked by a member of the public or a member of Council, provided they give notice in writing or by e-mail (and include their name and address) no later than 3 clear working days before the day of the meeting.

• Questions must identify the member of the Cabinet to whom they are put.

• A maximum of 2 written questions per person can be asked. At the meeting, a maximum of 2 supplementary questions may be asked. A supplementary question must arise directly out of the original question or reply.

• Replies to questions will be given verbally at the meeting. If a reply cannot be given at the meeting (including due to lack of time) or if written confirmation of the verbal reply is requested by the questioner, a written reply will be provided within 10 working days of the meeting.

• The deadline for receipt of questions for the 6 February Cabinet is 5.00 pm on Wednesday 31^st January 2024. These should be sent, in writing or by e-mail to: Democratic Services, City Hall, College Green, Bristol BS1 5TR.

Democratic Services e-mail: democratic.services@bristol.gov.uk

PLEASE NOTE – The Public Forum deadline for questions has been extended for the following item:

·       Highway Contract Procurement (item 10)

The Public Forum deadline for questions for this item has been extended to Thursday 1^st February at 5pm.

When submitting a question or statement please indicate whether you  ...  view the full agenda text for item 2.

To note any declarations of interest from the Mayor and Councillors.  They are asked to indicate the relevant agenda item, the nature of the interest and in particular whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest.

Any declarations of interest made at the meeting which is not on the register of interests should be notified to the Monitoring Officer for inclusion.

(subject to a maximum of three items)

To note any announcements from the Chair

That Cabinet:

1.      Noted the findings of the public consultation, as outlined in this report in brief and in full at Appendix B.

2.      Approved the implementation of a Targeted Support Fund for children and young people not in receipt of EHC plans.

3.      Approved the commissioning of Outreach services to support and challenge mainstream schools to improve the quality and consistency of their ordinarily available provision and approach to inclusion.

4.      Authorised the Director Education and Skills in consultation with the Cabinet Member Children’s Services, Education and Equalities to take all steps required to implement recommendations 2 and 3 including procuring and awarding contracts over the key decision threshold.

That Cabinet:

1.      Authorised the Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing Services and Energy, and the Chief Finance Officer to accept up to £2,410,000 Green Recovery Fund grant awarded by WECA to South Gloucestershire Council and Bath and North East Somerset Council and to transfer or spend those monies as directed by South Gloucestershire Council and Bath and North East Somerset Council.

2.      Authorised the Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing Services and Energy, and the Chief Finance Officer to enter into a grant agreement to accept and spend up to £2,500,000 Green Recovery Fund grant awarded by WECA to Bristol City Council to deliver electric vehicle infrastructure as outlined in this report.

3.      Authorised the Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing Services and Energy to procure, agree the terms of and enter into any contract(s) (which may be over £500,000) required for the delivery of electric vehicle infrastructure to be funded by the Green Recovery Fund grant award.

That Cabinet:

1.      Authorised the Executive Director of Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport to take all steps required to procure and award the contracts necessary for the implementation of a new

•        Gully Cleansing and Subway Drainage Maintenance Term Contract

•        Highways Asset Management and Associated Works Framework

•        Highways Defect Response and Emergency Works Term Contract

•        Structures Professional Services contract in-line with the procurement routes and maximum budget envelopes outlined in this report.

2.      Authorised the Executive Director of Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport to invoke any subsequent extensions/variations specifically defined in the contracts being awarded, up to the maximum budget envelope outlined in this report.

3.      Authorised the Executive Director of Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport to take all steps required to increase the value of the Gully Cleansing and Subway Drainage Maintenance Term Contract and Highways Asset Management and Associated Works Framework until March 2025 as outlined in this report.

That Cabinet:

1.      Authorised the Executive Director of Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing Services and Energy and the Council’s Section 151 Officer to take all steps required to implement measures which improve the energy efficiency of residential properties owned by the council (including those detailed in the HRA Energy Efficiency Strategy set out in Appendix A to this report) including:

a)      submit appropriate funding applications (including applications to Homes England) and where such applications are successful, enter into grant agreements (in consultation with the Council’s Legal team) with the appropriate body and accept and spend such funding on such measures.

b)      use HRA investment plan funds and/or reserves to fund and/or match fund projects implementing such measures to maximise funding.

c)      procure and enter into all contracts required to deliver such measures including any contracts over the key decision threshold.

2.      Noted the recommendations set out in the HRA Energy Efficiency Strategy (Appendix A).

That Cabinet:

1.      Approved the introduction of a citywide additional licensing scheme.

2.      Approved the introduction of a targeted selective licensing scheme in three wards.

3.      Approved the proposed associated licensing fee structure outlined in Appendix A2.

4.      To noted the outcome of the consultation.

Appendices published as a supplement to this agenda

That Cabinet:

1.      Approved the submission of a Full Business Case (Appendix A1 and exempt appendix I1) to the West of England Combined Authority (WECA).

2.      Authorised the Executive Director of Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and Section 151 officer, subject to approval of the Full Business Case by WECA to:

                    i.            Take all steps required to accept and spend the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) funding amount as set out in this report and appendices,

                   ii.            Tender and procure contracts (including any over £500K) necessary to deliver the works,

                 iii.            Award contracts and spend the funding to deliver the works as set out in the Full Business Case up to the maximum budget envelope outlined in this report.

That Cabinet:

Frome Gateway

1.      Approved the Frome Gateway Regeneration Framework and note that it will be a material planning consideration in the determination of planning applications.

2.      Authorised the Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Mayor to secure the freeholder requirements set out in this report through lease re-gearing negotiation in the Frome Gateway area and to note the costs of these requirements will be considered when determining best value.

3.      Authorised the Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Mayor to take all steps required to deliver a last-mile logistics hub on the Universal House site and an energy centre with larger family accommodation on the Wellington Road Depo Site as set out in this report.

4.      Authorised the Executive Director of Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Mayor, to explore and to submit funding bids (which may be over the key decision threshold) to enable the redevelopment of Frome Gateway, noting that the acceptance and spend of any funding award over the key decision threshold will be subject to further approval in accordance with the decision pathway.

5.      Authorised the Executive Director of Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Section 151 Officer and Mayor, to explore and to submit funding bids (which may be over the key decision threshold) to enable development of a Community Land Trust or similar appropriate vehicle to run and manage community and cultural spaces in Frome Gateway, noting that the acceptance and spend of any funding award over the key decision threshold will be subject to further approval in accordance with the decision pathway.

6.      To authorised the Executive Director of Growth and Regeneration, to implement a local lettings policy in the Frome Gateway Regeneration area.

7.      Noted the consultation report at Appendix B.

Bedminster Green

8.      Authorised the Executive Director in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Growth and Regeneration to take all steps required to acquire the land as outlined in this report.

That Cabinet:

1.      Authorised the Executive Director Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homelessness to take all steps required to procure and award the contracts necessary for the implementation of the Homelessness Pathways Commissioning Plan, for 3 years with an option to extend for a further 2 years, in-line with the procurement routes and maximum total budget envelope of £6,169,374 (subject to any annual uplift agreed that will be based on CPI and an appropriate Housing index) as outlined in this report.

2.      Authorised the Executive Director Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homelessness to invoke any subsequent extensions or variations specifically defined in the contracts being awarded, up to the maximum budget envelope (subject to any annual uplift agreed that will be based on CPI and an appropriate Housing index) outlined in this report.

That Cabinet:

1.      Noted the achievements of the We Can Make project to date and the innovative approach to addressing local housing need.

2.      Approved the geographical extension of the area of operation of the We Can Make project to the wards in South Bristol.

3.      Authorised the Executive Director Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homelessness to make a new application to the Secretary of State for consent to the extension, which will be completed by the end of March 2024. 3. Authorises the Executive Director Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the S151 Officer and Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homelessness, to approve the disposal of selected HRA micro sites to We Can Make, in the area of operation covered by the Secretary of State consent, for the development of affordable housing (as defined by the NPPF and in accordance with Council affordable housing policies) to address local housing needs.

4.      Noted a review regarding the future of BCC support for and engagement with the We Can Make pilot project will take place in March 2026 and recommendations will be made in accordance with the decision pathway.

That Cabinet:

1.      Approved the assets listed in Appendix A1 be declared surplus to Council requirements and subject to them not being considered suitable for HRA transfer, or sold to a registered provider, to be disposed of on the open market for the best consideration.

2.      Approved the appropriation of any suitable properties listed in Appendix A2 to the HRA or to satisfy an alternative service requirement if required.

3.      Authorised the Executive Director – Growth & Regeneration in consultation with the Deputy Mayor/Cabinet Member Finance, Governance and Performance and S151 Officer, to dispose of the freehold interest in: -

a.      Hengrove Leisure Park at a peppercorn rent.

b.      37/39 Whitehouse Street at Market Value as per the terms set out in this report.

4.      Authorised the Executive Director – Growth & Regeneration in consultation with the Deputy Mayor/Cabinet Member Finance, Governance and Performance and S151 Officer, in accordance with the Council’s scheme of delegations, to take all steps required for disposal of the assets whilst ensuring best value is obtained for each property listed in Appendix A1 and A2 in the event they are not required by the HRA or to satisfy an alternative service requirement.

That Cabinet:

1.      Authorised the Executive Director Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Deputy Mayor - Finance, Governance and Performance to take all steps required to procure and award a new Hard FM contract for an initial period of 5 years with the option to extend for 3 further periods of one year, up to the maximum budget envelope as outlined in this report.

2.      Authorised the Executive Director Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Deputy Mayor - Finance, Governance and Performance to take all steps required to secure the continuation of Repair and Maintenance services for up to 12 months whilst the re-procurement process is undertaken.

3.      Authorised the Executive Director Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Deputy Mayor - Finance, Governance and Performance to take all steps required to invoke any subsequent extensions/variations specifically defined in the contracts being awarded, up to the maximum budget envelope outlined in this report.

4.      Approved the Capital programme of Health and Safety activity as set out in Appendix A (at an estimated cost of £2,060,000 and £319,000 for Education Lifecycle)

5.      Authorised the Executive Director Growth and Regeneration in consultation with the Deputy Mayor - Finance, Governance and Performance to take all necessary steps to procure and award contracts to undertake the works set out in Appendix A.

That Cabinet

1.      Authorised the Executive Director Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with Executive Director for Children and Education and Cabinet Member for Housing Delivery and Homelessness and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Equalities to take all steps required to procure and award the contract for 3 years with an option to extend for a further 18 months, in-line with the procurement routes and maximum total budget envelope of £1.570 M (subject to any annual uplift agreed that will be based on CPI and an appropriate Housing index) as outlined in this report

2.      Authorised the Executive Director Growth and Regeneration in consultation with Executive Director for Children and Education to invoke any subsequent extensions or variations specifically defined in the contract being awarded, up to the maximum budget envelope (subject to any annual uplift agreed that will be based on CPI and an appropriate Housing index) as outlined in this report.

That Cabinet:

1.      Noted an update on the project progress to date, remaining programmes, current immediate works and further findings.

2.      Authorised the Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport to take all steps required to proceed with the works in relation to the High-Risk priority sites and additional priority river facing wall sites as outlined in recommended options 3 and 4 in this report including procuring and awarding contracts over the key decision threshold.

3.      Authorised the Executive Director for Growth and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and Cabinet Member for City Economy, Finance and Performance to approve in principle the revised capital funding required for the project noting that priority funding of up to £6.10m be considered for inclusion in the Council’s Capital Programme for 2024-25 , the remainder known to be required as a priority in 2025-26 and beyond will be subject to approval as part of the Council’s capital process.

That Cabinet:

1.      Noted the final update report and influence of the Citizens’ Assembly 2021

2.      Noted the Citizens’ Assembly tracker and other detailed information included at Appendix Ai and Aii.

3.      Noted how the Recommendations have been embedded into the most recent Business Plan for 2023–24.

4.      Noted the lessons learnt for future initiatives like the Citizens’ Assembly

That Cabinet noted:

·       The General Fund forecast £5.5m adverse outturn variance against the approved budget for 2023/24.

·       The performance on delivery of savings (as summarised in Section 3).

·       The General Fund additional net risk of £0.6m against which Executive Directors plan to mitigate in full (as summarised in Section 4).

·       A forecast overspend of £2.1m within the HRA and that over- or under-spends that materialise on the HRA will be funded by a transfer from or to the HRA general reserve at the end of the financial year.

·       A forecast in-year deficit of £16.4m accumulating to a total £56.1m carried forward deficit in the DSG for 2023/24.

·       A breakeven position on Public Health services.

·       A forecast £10.4m underspend against the revised Capital Programme’s Budget (Section 6)