Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To receive declarations of interest from Members including the terms(s) of the Grant of Dispensation (if any) by the Audit Board or the Chief Officer & Director of Corporate Services.

There were no declarations of interests.

Summary:

To consider the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 23 February 2023.

Recommendation:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 23 February 2023 be confirmed as an accurate record.

The Cabinet considered the minutes of its meeting which took place on 23 February 2023.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 23 February 2023 be confirmed as an accurate record.

There were no urgent items.

The Cabinet received the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet Advisory Panel B which took place on 20 March 2023 and had regard to the Panel’s views throughout the meeting.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet Advisory Panel B held on 20 March 2023 be noted.

There were no references from other committees.

Summary:

To consider and approve a Cyber Security Strategy for the Council to address the organisational and behavioural elements of cyber security defences with the aim of improving the level of cyber security awareness across the Council.

Recommendation:

That the Cyber Security Strategy, attached at Appendix A to the report, be approved.

The Chief Officer & Director of Corporate Services introduced a proposed Cyber Security Strategy for adoption by the Council. Whilst the Council had not experienced a serious cyber incident to-date it was considered likely, given the volume of cyber activity, that it would be impacted at some point in the future. Such an attack could cause disruption to the Council’s primary services, disrupt the democratic system and process, cause substantial financial and reputational damage, and could potentially lead to data theft, given the high volumes of personal and financial data held by the Council. It was stressed that the proposed strategy was not a technical document but one designed to improve the level of cyber security awareness across the Council which would supplement security provisions contained in other policies and protocols, including the IT Strategy. It detailed the Council’s current cyber security maturity level and the steps required to strengthen the cyber security defences from an organisational and behavioural perspective.

The Cabinet recognised the importance of cyber security, and noted that the proposed Strategy would be part of a suite of measures contained in other documents, notably the IT Strategy, which would be used by the council to protect the integrity of systems and data. The training already provided to staff was discussed, along with ongoing and future measures and resources.The strengthening of cyber security resources within the IT Team was noted. Opportunities to insure against financial loss from cyber-attack were discussed and, although the paucity of suitable insurance products for public authorities was highlighted, the Chief Officer & Director of Corporate Services agreed to follow-up a possible opportunity mentioned by the Cabinet Portfolio-Holder for Finance.

            RESOLVED:

That the Cyber Security Strategy, attached at Appendix A to the report, be approved.

Summary:

To consider the financial arrangements for 2023/24, in respect of the contract with Places Leisure for the operation of Fairfield Leisure Centre and ancillary matters.

Recommendation:

That, for the reasons outlined in the body of the report and exempt Appendix A, the revised financial arrangements, for the financial year 2023/24, be endorsed.

The Chief Officer & Director of Corporate Services presented a report which detailed the financial arrangements for 2023/24 in respect of the contract with Places Leisure for the operation of the Fairfield Leisure Centre. Trading for leisure operators had proved to be extremely challenging during and after Covid and it was therefore important that the Council worked with Places Leisure to ensure it would be able to continue to deliver quality services at the Fairfield Leisure Centre on the Council’s behalf. This was particularly the case as the protection from the Government’s cap on energy costs was due to end on 31^st March 2023 and there were currently no specific proposals to extend this cost protection for leisure operations after this date. Whilst the Government had recently announced the availability of a £63M fund, for which operators could bid, £43M of this funding was specifically to fund de-carbonisation works rather than to assist with higher energy costs. The Council recognised that the substantial increase in energy costs would make it difficult for Places Leisure to invest in the customer experience and to deliver the contracted management fee payable to the Council. The Council considered the provision of quality leisure services to be a true partnership between the Council and the operator and therefore was proposing to accept a revised management fee for 2023/24 in order to facilitate the continued delivery of valuable leisure services.

The Cabinet recognised the importance of leisure service provision for local people and pressures on the leisure industry nationally. Cabinet also noted the experience of neighbouring authorities where leisure services had not been supported and which had resulted in facilities being withdrawn. The Cabinet also noted steps already taken by Places Leisure and the Council to reduce costs, most notably the provision of pool covers and LED lighting, and acknowledged that a recently agreed programme of de-carbonisation works would also help to reduce future energy consumption levels. Whilst the reduction of the management fee for 2023/24 was not ideal, following reductions in previous years to reflect the disruption to services arising from Covid, the Cabinet was keen to work harmoniously in partnership with Places Leisure to continue to provide vital services for local people and in the expectation of moving back to the commercial footing of the contract in future years. It was also confirmed that, should Places Leisure obtain any Government funding to mitigate costs, the benefit of this would be reflected in the management fee that would be paid.  

RESOLVED:

That, for the reasons outlined in the body of the report and in Exempt Appendix A to the report, the revised financial arrangements for the financial year 2023/24, be endorsed,

Summary:

To consider the proposed approach to delivery of the Government’s Heat Network Rates Relief Scheme for 2023-2024.

Recommendation:

That the Heat Network Rates Relief Scheme 2023-2024, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved.

The Cabinet considered proposals to deliver the Government’s Heat Network Rates Relief Scheme for 2023/24 by continuing to use local government discretionary relief powers pending the introduction of mandatory relief, which would require primary legislation. The report described the criteria for eligibility and noted the potential for Heat Networks to reduce bills, support local regeneration and to provide a cost-effective way of reducing carbon emissions from heating.

            RESOLVED:

That the Heat Network Rates Relief Scheme 2023-24, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be approved.

Summary:

To consider the minutes of the following committees:

(a) Policy Overview Committee on13 December 2022; and

(b) Scrutiny Committee on 14 February 2023.

Recommendation:

That the minutes of the meetings of the Policy Overview Committee held on 13 December 2022 and the Scrutiny Committee held on 14 February 2023 be noted.

The Cabinet considered the minutes of the meetings of the Policy Overview Committee held on 13 December 2022 and of the Scrutiny Committee held on 14 February 2023.

            RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meetings of the Policy Overview Committee held on 13 December 2022 and of the Scrutiny Committee held on 14 February 2023 be noted.

Summary:

To consider the exempt Appendix A to the main report.

Recommendation:

That the contents of Exempt Appendix A to the main report be noted.

            RESOLVED:

That, following consideration of the main report (minute 118 above), the contents of Exempt Appendix A to that report be noted.