Agenda and minutes

28.1     The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 7 November 2023 were agreed as a correct record.

29.1     Copies of the reports referred to below are included in the minute book.

Report by the Chief Executive.

30.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive.

30.2     It was RESOLVED to:

          1) Note the latest monitoring position for the Council;

2) Approve a further and final annual extension of the Additional Measures Scheme for specialist money advice services through 2024/25, funded from the Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) with a total value of £363,000, as set out in Appendix 9 of the report; and

3) Approve the use of the unused carried forward Contain Outbreak Management Fund (COMF) underspend in 2023/24 to fund any residual pressures in Children’s Services arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, as set out in the Funding of Children’s Services Pressures table at 3.1 of the report.

Reason

30.3     The report sets out the Council’s position and year-end projections for the Council Plan targets, Revenue Budget, Capital Programme, and Savings Plan, together with Risks at the end of September 2023.

Report by the Assistant Chief Executive.

31.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Assistant Chief Executive and a report by the Director of Children’s Services with observations on the Scrutiny Committee’s report.

31.2     It was RESOLVED to:

            1)         Note and welcome the report of the Scrutiny Committee;

            2)         Recommend the County Council to welcome the report of the scrutiny committee and to agree the response of the Director of Children’s Services to the recommendations and their implementation as set out in the action plan attached as Appendix 1 to the Director’s report.

Reason

31.3     The Scrutiny review has been welcomed as it provided an opportunity to review School Exclusions and the Council’s role in developing understanding amongst schools of appropriate responses to children at risk of permanent exclusion, including vulnerable pupils, as well as whole school approaches and targeted preventative measures.

Report by the Director of Children’s Services.

32.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Children’s Services.

32.2     It was RESOLVED to note the annual progress report of Looked After Children’s Services in 2022/23.

Reason

32.3     The report summarises the performance of Looked After Children’s Services in 2022/23.

Report by the Chief Operating Officer.

33.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.

33.2     The Cabinet RESOLVED to note the Treasury Management performance in 2022/23, incorporating the Mid-Year Review for the first half of 2023/24.

Reason

33.3     The report fulfils the requirement to submit an annual/half yearly report in the form prescribed in the Treasury Management Code of Practice. The key principles of security, liquidity and yield are still relevant. Officers are currently investigating further opportunities within the strategy to increase investment income whilst minimising costs and maintaining security.

34.1     It was agreed that items 5, 6 and 7 should be reported to the County Council.

[Note: The items being reported to the County Council refer to minute number 30, 31 and 32.]