Decisions

13.1

The Acting Executive Director, Resources submitted a report providing the month 9 monitoring statement on the City Council’s Revenue and Capital Budget for 2016/17.

13.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

noted the updated information and management actions provided by the report on the 2016/17 Revenue Budget position;

(b)

notes the planned proposal to use New Homes Bonus reserves to reinstate the General Fund Balance to the 31st March 2016 levels following any drawdown required to balance the 2016/17 budget position. We will finalise our approach as part of Outturn;

(c)

In relation to the Capital Programme:

(i)

approves the proposed additions to the Capital Programme listed in Appendix 6.1 of the report, including the procurement strategies and delegations of authority to the Interim Director of Finance and Commercial Services or nominated officer, as appropriate, to award the necessary contracts following stage approval by Capital Programme Group;

(ii)

approves the proposed additions to the Capital Programme relating to the Growth Investment Fund listed in Appendix 6.1 of the report

(iii)

approves the proposed variations, deletions and slippage in Appendix 6.1 of the report;

(iv)

approves the acceptance of the grant detailed on Appendix 6.2 of the report;

(v)

notes the variations authorised by Directors under the delegated authority provisions; and

(vi)

notes the latest position on the Capital Programme.

13.3

Reasons for Decision

13.3.1

To record formally changes to the Revenue Budget and 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.

13.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

13.4.1

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.

13.5

Any Interest Declared or Dispensation Granted

None

13.6

Reason for Exemption if Public/Press Excluded During Consideration

None

13.7

Respective Director Responsible for Implementation

Eugene Walker, Acting Executive Director, Resources

13.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee

10.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report proposing a Tobacco Control Strategy for Sheffield and changes to future commissioning to support the Tobacco Control Strategy.

10.2

RESOLVED: That:-

(a)

the content of the report is noted and approval is given to the Tobacco Control Strategy and the Tobacco Control future commissioning strategy;

(b)

the Director of Culture and Environment be authorised to terminate contracts relevant to the delivery of the Tobacco Control Strategy in accordance with terms and conditions of those contracts;

(c)

in accordance with the commissioning strategy and this report authority be delegated to the Director of Financial and Commercial Services to:

(i) in consultation with the Director of Culture and Environment, and Director of Public Health approve the procurement strategy for the services outlined in this report; and

(ii) in consultation with the Director of Culture and Environment, Director of Public Health and Director of Legal and Governance to award, vary or extend contracts for the provision of services outlined in this report; and

(d)

the Director of Culture and Environment in consultation with the Director of Public Health, the Director of Legal and Governance, and the Director of Finance and Commercial Services is authorised to take such steps as he deems appropriate to achieve the outcomes in this report.

10.3

Reasons for Decision

10.3.1

The proposal set before Cabinet is the preferred option because:

It is based on detailed analysis of local need through a Tobacco Health Needs Assessment in line with commissioning good practice;

It is evidence based, drawing on good practice and evidence of what works in international contexts including the World Health Organisation MPOWER approach;

It has been developed over a 12 month period with the Sheffield Tobacco Control Board partners and is supported by the board;

It has been tested through a 6 week public consultation through Citizen Space and through specific consultation events with key stakeholders, including NHS partners;

An important caveat is that these proposals are not supported by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Lead for Tobacco Control or by ASH, as they include a reduction of investment in individual quits which have a strong evidence base. Sheffield City Council recognises the expertise of ASH and the Regional Lead and welcomes this challenge. Where investment has been earmarked for projects with a less strong evidence base than 4 week quits, a research partnership will be sought to robustly evaluate the projects and add to the evidence base, not just for Sheffield but for wider Tobacco Control. The Director of Public Health will continue a dialogue with local NHS partners regarding increased NHS investment in stop smoking services.

10.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

10.4.1

Do nothing – business as usual re-commissioning or extend current contracts. This option will not provide the greatest opportunity to respond to changing need as evidenced by the Tobacco Health Needs Assessment, and to the diminishing resources available and will not provide the best opportunity to re-consider how to address population prevalence.

10.4.2

Collaborative commissioning as a sub-region of South Yorkshire -  this option is not recommended as the timescales are not conducive to be able to do so, and the aims and ambitions of the different Local Authorities are sufficiently different that there is not a good match.

10.4.3

Increase investment overall in Tobacco Control from additional NHS partner contributions  - this remains an aspiration, as tobacco dependency is a chronic relapsing condition that usually starts in childhood and which is currently under-treated. The London Senate describe treating tobacco dependency as “the highest value intervention for today’s NHS and Public Health system, saving and increasing healthy lives at an affordable cost” http://www.londonsenate.nhs.uk/helping-smokers-quit/ . However, further local NHS investment has not yet been agreed within the timescales for this procurement. These conversations will continue and will be led by the Director of Public Health.

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

Acting Executive Director, Place

10.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Healthier Communities and Adult Social Care Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee

9.1

The Executive Director, Place submitted a report seeking approval to accept Department for Transport (DfT) funding (via Sheffield City Region) which has been awarded from the government’s Large Local Major Schemes Fund. Sheffield City Council will receive the funding.

9.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

approves acceptance of up to £1.4m of grant funding from Sheffield City Region who are expected to be the Accountable Body for the grant which they will receive from the Department for Transport (DfT) and then pass on to Sheffield City Council. The grant will be utilised to develop an Outline Business Case (OBC) for a DfT major transport scheme in accordance with DfT process;

(b)

approves procurement of external support to deliver the OBC in accordance with advice from Commercial Services in the Procurement Strategy;

(c)

approves delegation of authority to the Director of Finance and Commercial Services in conjunction with the Head of Strategic Transport & Infrastructure to award contracts to secure the necessary external support to develop the OBC; and

(d)

delegates to the Director of Finance and Commercial Services in consultation with Director of Legal and Governance and Executive Director of Place the power to finalise the grant funding agreement in accordance with council procedures.

9.3

Reasons for Decision

9.3.1

The DfT’s Large Local Major Schemes Fund presents a unique opportunity to develop the significant transport infrastructure improvements required in the SCR Innovation Corridor and promote a bid for hundreds of millions of pounds in government funding at minimal risk to the Council.

9.3.2

DfT major scheme outline business cases have normally to be developed at risk, by the scheme promoter. OBC development costs can be substantial and these are only refunded by the DfT if a scheme is accepted into their funding programmes. The Large Local Major Schemes Fund offers a lower risk approach, in that it provides advance DfT funding to develop the OBC.

9.3.3

The SCR Innovation Corridor suffers from heavy traffic congestion, particularly around junctions 33 and 34 of the M1. These problems are exacerbated by the limited number of access points for cross traffic between Sheffield and Rotherham, much of which uses the motorway junctions. The project will aim to deliver a highway scheme which will relieve the area from traffic congestion and provide better cross linkages between Sheffield and Rotherham.

9.3.4

The area suffers from poor air quality, to which transport emissions are a major contributor. Poor air quality is known to have detrimental effects on health, resulting in premature deaths. The project will aim to produce a scheme which lowers congestion levels, producing beneficial effects on air quality. It will also facilitate better public transport links, reducing the reliance on car trips.

9.3.5

The area suffers from poor public transport connectivity, which limits access to jobs and opportunities and increases reliance on car based trips due to the lack of viable alternatives. The project will aim to produce a scheme which facilitates the provision of improved public transport links to and from this area.

9.3.6

The output of the project will be a DfT compliant outline business case, which will be used to potentially secure very significant funding for the strategic transport infrastructure improvements needed to ensure that the area fulfils its potential as a nationally and globally significant location for advanced manufacturing. Such a transport project, potentially involving hundreds of millions of pounds of construction work, would itself have a beneficial impact on the local economy, but the transport infrastructure built would provide the best possible transport linkages to facilitate development and economic growth, providing access to jobs and opportunities for the citizens of Sheffield City Region.

9.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

9.4.1

Do nothing – do not accept the offered funding and do not develop the SCR innovation Corridor Scheme or any other intervention. This would mean that the issues of traffic congestion, poor public transport links and poor air quality would not be addressed and would in fact worsen due to ongoing traffic growth. These issues would therefore become even greater constraints to development and prevent the area achieving its full economic potential.

9.4.2

Do minimum – do not accept the offered funding but continue to develop and implement local improvements. Local improvements would not have significant impacts on the heavy traffic congestion and consequent air quality issues and public transport connectivity would continue to be an issue. Minor improvements gained would be offset by ongoing traffic growth. These issues would therefore continue to be major impediments to development and prevent the area achieving its full economic potential.

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

Acting Executive Director, Place

9.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing

(NOTE: This decision is not subject to call-in, in accordance with the Fast Track process set out in Scrutiny Procedure Rule 17 of the Constitution.)

12.1

The Acting Executive Director, Resources submitted a report setting out the proposed Capital Programme from 2017-18 onwards describing the programmes to be undertaken, listing the projects to be delivered and setting out the context in which it has been compiled. 

12.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet recommends to the meeting of the City Council on 3rd March 2017:-

(a)

that Members note the specific projects included in the years 2017-18 to 2022-23 programmes at Appendix 9. Block allocations are

included within the programme for noting at this stage and detailed proposals will be brought back for separate Member approval as part of the monthly monitoring procedures;

(b)

to Note the proposed Capital Programme for the 6 years to 2022/23 as per Appendix 9 of the report; and

(c)

Approve the Corporate Resource Pool policy outlined in Appendix 4 such that the commitment from the CRP is limited to one year and no CRP supported schemes are approved beyond 2017/18 unless explicitly stated. Further reports will be brought to Members as part of the monthly approval process should the receipts position improve.

12.3

Reasons for Decision

12.3.1

The proposed projects within the Capital programme will improve the services  to the people of Sheffield

12.3.2

To formally record the Capital Programme in line with the Council’s annual budgetary procedures and gain Member approval for the policy on the management of the Corporate Resource Pool.

12.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

12.4.1

A number of alternative courses of action are considered as part of the capital approval 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.

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

Acting Executive Director, Resources

12.8

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 3 March 2017 and is not subject to call-in).

11.1

The Acting Executive Director, Resources submitted a report to request that the Cabinet request Full Council to:-

·         approve the City Council’s revenue budget for 2017/18, including the position on reserves and balances;

·         approve a 2017/18 Council Tax for the City Council; and

·         note the levies and precepts made on the City Council by other authorities.

11.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet recommends to the meeting of the City Council on 3 March 2017:-

(a)

to approve a net Revenue Budget for 2017/18 amounting to £395.551m;

(b)

to approve a Band D equivalent Council Tax of £1,428.36 for City Council services, i.e. an increase of 4.99% (1.99% City Council increase and 3% national arrangement for the social care precept);

(c)

to approve the Revenue Budget allocations and Budget Implementation Plans for each of the services, as set out in Appendix 2 of the report;

(d)

to note that, based on the estimated expenditure level set out in Appendix 3 to the report, the amounts shown in part B of Appendix 6 would be calculated by the City Council for the year 2017/18, in accordance with sections 30 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992;

(e)

to note that the section 151 officer has reviewed the robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of the proposed financial reserves, in accordance with Part 2 of the Local Government Act 2003. Further details can be found in Appendix 4 of the report;

(f)

to note the information on the precepts issued by the South Yorkshire Police & Crime Commissioner and of South Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Authority, together with the impact of these on the overall amount of Council Tax to be charged in the City Council’s area;

(g)

to approve the proposed amount of compensation to Parish Councils for the loss of Council Tax income in 2017/18 at the levels shown in the table in paragraph 177 of the report;

(h)

to note the latest 2016/17 budget monitoring position;

(i)

to approve the Treasury Management and Annual Investment Strategies set out in Appendix 7 of the report and the recommendations contained therein;

(j)

to approve the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement set out in Appendix 7 of the report;    

(k)

to agree that authority be delegated to the Director of Finance to undertake Treasury Management activity, to create and amend appropriate Treasury Management Practice Statements and to report on the operation of Treasury Management activity on the terms set out in these documents;

(l)

to approve a Pay Policy for 2017/18 as set out in Appendix 8 of the report; and

(m)

to agree that authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Communities to set – subject to budgetary constraints – a framework of care home & home care fee increases with effect from 1 April 2017.

11.3

Reasons for Decision

11.3.1

The City Council on 3 March 2017 meets to consider the Revenue Budget for 2017/18 and to determine the Council Tax for that year.  The report provides information to enable the Council to set a budget and determine the Council Tax.  The proposals set out in this report provide for a balanced budget to be recommended to Council. 

11.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

11.4.1

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.

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

Eugene Walker, Acting Executive Director, Resources

11.8

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 3 March 2017 and is not subject to call-in).

8.1

The Chief Executive submitted a report presenting for approval a new Financial Inclusion strategy and Action Plan for Sheffield, setting out how the Council and its partners intend to tackle financial exclusion and over-indebtedness in the City.

8.2

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:-

(a)

approves the document ‘A Financially Inclusive City’ attached to the report as a statement of the Council’s strategic approach to financial inclusion;

(b)

approves the accompanying Financial Inclusion Action Plan;

(c)

delegates authority to the Director of Policy, Performance and Communications to make amendments to the Action Plan consistent with the principles set out in ‘A Financially Inclusive City’ if necessary on the basis of further development and consultation with stakeholders;

(d)

requests that the Chief Executive provides a report to the Cabinet Member for Community Services and Libraries on the effectiveness of the Council’s discretionary hardship funds in providing support to those experiencing financial crisis; and

(e)

notes that the implementation of any of the proposed actions may be subject to further decision making in accordance with the Leader’s Scheme of Delegation.

8.3

Reasons for Decision

8.3.1

The introduction of a financial inclusion strategy and action plan will provide the city with an opportunity to build on the excellent work that is already being done to improve financial wellbeing of its residents. The approaches set out here will: ensure that frontline workers are equipped to ask and answer effectively questions about financial issues; support Sheffield Citizens Advice to provide welfare and debt advice where it is needed most; encourage people to save regularly by promoting straightforward products at the beginning of tenancies; ensure that the right kind of self-help information is available for those at major life events such as relationship breakdown or cancer diagnosis to prevent them from going into financial crisis; and embed Financial Inclusion within our City’s strategic approach to fairness and tackling poverty.

8.4

Alternatives Considered and Rejected

8.4.1

The ‘As-is’ option: no new strategy for financial inclusion put in place in the city. Much of the valuable work which takes place in the city supporting people with their financial wellbeing would continue. However, the new opportunities for working together to raise awareness of financial inclusion and target support effectively would be lost, as would the potential to embed financial inclusion more strongly within our city approaches to fairness and tackling poverty.

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

John Mothersole, Chief Executive

8.8

Relevant Scrutiny and Policy Development Committee If Decision Called In

Economic and Environmental Wellbeing