Decisions

12.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report in relation to the registration of High Hazels Park as a Charitable Trust.

12.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

approves registration of High Hazels Park as a charitable trust at the Charity Commission;

(b)

approves the trust deed for the future governance and management of High Hazels Park; and

(c)

agrees to start using the proposed trust deed for High Hazels Park as the charity’s governing document.

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

The recommendation for registration of the Park as a charitable trust will ensure that the Council is compliant with the provisions of the Charities Act 2011.

12.3.2

The registration of High Hazels Park as a charitable trust will regularise the Council’s previous and future management of the Park and uphold public trust and confidence in the Council by extending the protection afforded by charities legislation and ensuring transparency in the Council’s future management of the Park.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

12.4.1

The only alternative option is not to register the Park as a charity. However, this would potentially damage the Council’s reputation and erode public trust due to incorrect information previously being given to the public regarding the Park’s status as a charitable trust.

12.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

12.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

12.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Laraine Manley, Executive Director, Place.

12.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing

10.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report requesting acceptance of Sheffield City Region’s Sustainable Travel Access Fund (STAF) revenue grant of £2,322,495 for the years 2017/18 to 2019/20.

10.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

notes the acceptance of Sheffield City Region’s Sustainable Travel Access Fund (STAF) revenue grant of up to £2,322,495 and match funding of £266,984;

(b)

approves the Council entering into, and signing, the grant agreement with Sheffield City Region to accept the STAF revenue grant and the terms of the grant;

(c)

notes that the Council will act as a delivery partner for projects totalling £2,589,479 (SCR grant of up to £2,322,495 + £266,984 of match funding) and will be the Accountable Body in respect of this Sheffield City Region grant; and

(d)

delegates authority to the Director of Finance & Commercial Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability , the Executive Director of Place and the Director of Legal and Governance, to take such steps as they deem appropriate to achieve the outcomes set out in the report.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

Acceptance of the grant would enable the continuation of complimentary revenue measures (such as cycle training and events, independent travel training and road safety education and training) to capital investment in improving road safety, including facilities for walkers and cyclists that will help achieve the Transport outcome of having better connected transport to increase travel choices.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

An alternative option would be to reject the Sustainable Travel Access Fund grant, which would have a detrimental effect on the overall funding for Transport, Traffic and Parking Services and consequently Sheffield City Council.  All of the STAF projects are underway and have incurred some expense, including employee costs. Should the grant be rejected there would be a significant pressure to find alternative funding sources.

10.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

10.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

10.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Laraine Manley, Executive Director, Place.

10.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing

9.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report providing the 2018/19 update of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan and outlining a number of proposals for consideration.

9.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet recommends to the meeting of the City Council on 7 February 2018 that:-

(a)

the HRA Business Plan report for 2018/19 as set out in the appendix to the report is approved;

(b)

the HRA Revenue Budget 2018/19 as set out in the appendix to the report is approved;

(c)

rents for council dwellings including temporary accommodation are reduced by 1% from April 2018 in line with requirements in the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016;

(d)

a single rate for garage rents of £9.35 per week for a garage plot and £2.10 per week for a garage site be applied to new garage tenancies from April 2018 and to existing garage tenancies once improvements have been made to existing garage sites and plots;

(e)

the community heating unit charges remain unchanged for 2018/19;

(f)

the sheltered housing service charge remain unchanged for 2018/19;

(g)

burglar alarm charges remain unchanged for 2018/19; and

(h)

service charges for furnished accommodation remain unchanged from April 2018.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

To optimise the number of good quality affordable council homes in the City.

9.3.2

To maximise the financial resources to deliver key outcomes for tenants and the city in the context of a self-financing funding regime.

9.3.3

To ensure that tenants’ homes continue to be well maintained and to optimise investment in estates.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

Sheffield City Council has a statutory duty to produce an annual HRA Business Plan update, therefore no other alternative option was considered to producing the report.

9.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

9.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

9.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Laraine Manley, Executive Director, Place.

9.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

N/A

(Note: This is subject to approval at Full Council at its meeting to be held on 7 February 2018 and is not subject to call-in).

11.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report updating Cabinet on the progress of the review of the Council’s social housing Conditions of Tenancy, informing Cabinet of the feedback received from the consultation with tenants on the proposed updated tenancy conditions, recommending revised Tenancy Conditions, and seeking Cabinet’s approval to vary the terms of all Council tenancies in May 2018.

11.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

notes the reasons for reviewing the Conditions Of Tenancy, and the outcome of consultation with tenants on the proposals;

(b)

approves the proposed revised set of Tenancy Conditions attached as an appendix to the report;

(c)

delegates authority to the Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods Service to take the necessary steps to implement the new tenancy conditions with effect from 7th May 2018 by undertaking the statutory process to vary the terms of the Council’s secure social housing tenancies or terminating and reletting non-secure tenancies as described in the report; and

(d)

delegates authority to the Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods Service to make any final amendments to the conditions necessary in response to comments received after service of the preliminary notice.

11.3

Reasons for Decision

11.3.1

There are a number of reasons for recommending the approval of these conditions:

•           If the proposed revised conditions are approved and implemented, tenants will have a clearer understanding of their obligations and of those of the Council. 

•           There will be a fairer process surrounding pet ownership, alongside it being easier for the Council to take action against irresponsible pet owners.

•           Fire safety will be further strengthened and promoted, and there will be savings for the HRA by more tenants paying by direct debit.

11.3.2

The statutory process that must be followed to vary the Council’s housing tenancies gives tenants the opportunity to comment on the proposed variation and requires the Council to consider these comments. Whilst it is unlikely, in view of the consultation that has already taken place, that any comments will result in a need to amend any draft condition of tenancy, this does remain a possibility. It is therefore recommended that the Director of Housing and Neighbourhoods be given delegated authority to make any final amendments to the conditions necessary after the preliminary notice has been served to avoid the need to come back to Cabinet again for further approval before the tenancy variation can be completed.

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.4.1

One possible alternative to these proposals is to leave the Council’s tenancy conditions as they are.  However, for the reasons stated in Section One of the report, this is not believed to be the best option as it would leave the Council with an outdated and unclear set of tenancy conditions, which is to the detriment of both the Council and its tenants.

11.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

11.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

11.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Laraine Manley, Executive Director, Place.

11.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Safer and Stronger Communities

8.1

The Executive Director, Resources submitted a report providing details of proposed changes to the Capital Programme as brought forward in Month 8, 2017/18.

8.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

approves the proposed additions and variations to the Capital Programme listed in Appendix 1 of the report, including the procurement strategies and delegates authority to the Director of Finance and Commercial Services or nominated Officer, as appropriate, to award the necessary contracts; and

(b)

approves the variations to the Housing Capital Programme as part of the annual programme refresh as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

The proposed changes to the Capital Programme will improve the services to the people of Sheffield.

8.3.2

To formally record changes to the Capital Programme and gain Member approval for changes in line with Financial Regulations and to reset the Capital Programme in line with latest information.

8.3.3

Obtain the relevant delegations to allow projects to proceed.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

A number of alternative courses of action are considered as part of the process undertaken by Officers before decisions are recommended to Members. The recommendations made to Members represent what Officers believe to be the best options available to the Council, in line with Council priorities, given the constraints on funding and the use to which funding is put within the Revenue Budget and the Capital Programme.

8.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

8.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

8.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Eugene Walker, Executive Director, Resources.

8.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee