Welcome to Warwickshire County Council

The agenda will be :-

1. General

(1) Apologies.

(2) Members’ Declarations of Personal and Prejudicial Interests.

Members are reminded that they should declare the existence and nature of their personal interests at the commencement of the relevant item (or as soon as the interest becomes apparent). If that interest is a prejudicial interest the Member must withdraw from the room unless one of the exceptions applies.

(3) Minutes of the Meeting held on the 7^th April, 2005 and Matters Arising. (For exempt items see later on the Agenda).

(4) Requests for Discussion of En Bloc Items.

PART A - ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AND DECISION (WHITE PAPERS)

2. CPA Improvement Plan

The report of the Chief Executive.

This report presents the CPA Improvement Plan to the Cabinet for endorsement. The Improvement Plan sets out the actions that will be taken to address the areas of weakness determined by the Audit Commission’s 2004 CPA Assessment of the County Council.

Recommendation

The Cabinet is recommended to approve and adopt the CPA Improvement Plan to oversee the Council's improvement agenda in support of its objective of retaining 'Excellent' CPA Status.

For further information please contact: Ian Caulfield, Chief Executive. Tel: 01926 412000, e-mail: iancaulfield@warwickshire.gov.uk or Monica Fogarty, Head of Policy, Tel: 01926 412514, e-mail: monicafogarty@warwickshire.gov.uk

3. Capital Programme for Transport 2005-06

The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Economic Strategy.

This report sets out the proposed detailed Capital Programme for Transport for 2005-06. The Programme has been discussed with Area Committees and has their support. The Cabinet is now invited to approve the programme.

Recommendation

(1) That the Capital Programme for Integrated Transport and Structural Maintenance of Roads and Bridges listed in Appendix A Tables 1, 2 and 3 of the report be approved and contracts let as required for the projects; the increased cost of Bishopton Park and Ride is assumed to be approved as part of this recommendation.

(2) That the increased costs of Nuneaton Development Project and Rugby Western Relief Road be approved to allow the projects to continue to be developed, on condition that contracts are not let until the funding of the projects has been resolved as proposed at paragraphs 2.5(ii) and (iii) of the report.

(3) That the programme of Major Capital Road Schemes listed in Appendix A Table 4 be approved.

(4) That the Cabinet recommends to the Council that the Transport Capital programme be increased by £0.847M to cover the increased costs reported in Table 4 for Rugby Western Relief Road and Nuneaton Development Project subject to the funding condition at recomendation (2) being satisfied.

For further information please contact: Liz Milne, Principal Engineer Tel: 01926 735661, e-mail: lizmilne@warwickshire.gov.uk

4. Supporting People

The report of the Director of Social Care & Health.

This is an update report on the Audit Commission Inspection of the Supporting People Programme in Warwickshire. It includes the Action Plan, which has been agreed by the SP Commissioning Body on 1st April 2005.

This report also includes progress on the SP Five-year strategy and the ‘ sign-up’ to it.

Recommendation

(1) That this report and Action Plan is presented to Cabinet and full Council for approval and agreement.

(2) That the Supporting People Five-year Strategy is presented to Cabinet and full Council for approval and agreement

For further information please contact: Rosie James, Service Manager – Tel: 01926 476849, e-mail: rosiejames@warwickshire.gov.uk

5. Central Area Special School Reorganisation

The report of the County Education Officer.

Local Members – Councillors Ken Browne and Eithne Goode.

This report asks the Cabinet to confirm, following statutory consultation, the proposals for special school reorganisation in the Central Area of Warwickshire.

Recommendation:

That following statutory consultation, the Cabinet agree the proposals to:

• make Ridgeway School the primary special school for children whose needs cannot be met fully in mainstream schools for the Central Area
• make Round Oak School and Support Service the secondary special school for the Central Area

For further information please contact: Mark Gore, Assistant County Education Officer (Strategy). Tel: 01926 412887, e-mail: markgore@warwickshire.gov.uk

6. Education Capital Issues

The report of the County Education Officer.

Local Members – Councillors Chris Holman, Richard Hyde and John Vereker.

This paper recommends that the former caretaker’s bungalow at Paddox Primary School in Rugby be declared surplus to requirements and that bids be submitted to the DfES for three projects at aided schools.

Recommendations:

(1) That the former caretaker’s bungalow on the Paddox Primary School site in Rugby be declared surplus to the needs of the Education Service and that the property be sold with the capital receipt, net of selling expenses, being divided equally amongst the school, neighbouring schools and the County’s capital programme.

(2) That the following voluntary aided school bids be submitted to the DfES:

for Targeted Capital Fund –

Harris School, Rugby

King Edward VI Grammar School, Stratford

for an Innovative Building Design Project –

Lawrence Sheriff School, Rugby.

For further information please contact: Jenny Andrews, Education Officer (Capital Programmes). Tel: 01926 412150, e-mail: jennyandrews@warwickshire.gov.uk

7. Consumer Direct

The report of the Director of Libraries, Heritage and Trading Standards.

Agreement is sought to bid for Warwickshire to be the call centre provider for Consumer Direct in the West Midlands region.

Recommendation

That Cabinet agrees that the Council should bid to deliver the Consumer Direct service across the West Midlands region on behalf of the Central England Trading Standards Authorities (CEnTSA), subject to the risk assessment currently being undertaken and notes that such a bid could lead to a contract with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) commencing about December 2005 and terminating in 2010 subject to the approval of the County Solicitor and County Treasurer.

For further information please contact: Noel Hunter, Director of Libraries, Heritage and Trading Standards Tel: 01926 412429, e-mail: noelhunter@warwickshire.gov.uk

8. Trent Valley Rail Service Changes and the Proposed Closure of Polesworth Railway Station

The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Economic Strategy.

Local Member – Councillor Alan Smith.

The St rategic Rail Authority (SRA) has recently published proposals for changes to the Trent Valley Line local rail service between Coventry/Rugby - Nuneaton – Stafford. As part of this proposal the Strategic Rail Authority is considering closing Polesworth Railway Station. The report details these matters and discusses the strength of any challenge to the closure proposal that the County Council may wish to bring.

Recommendations

(1) That the Cabinet opposes

(i) the proposed reduction in local train services on the Nuneaton – Stafford route and

(ii) the closure of Polesworth Station.

(2) That the Cabinet authorises the Director of Planning, Transport and Economic Strategy and the County Solicitor and Assistant Chief Executive to lodge the County Council’s formal objection to the proposals, to carry out further investigations regarding the proposals, and to present a further report to Cabinet as soon as feasible regarding the outcome of such investigations.

For further information please contact: Lee White, Senior Transport Planner. Tel: 01926 735671, e-mail: leewhite@warwickshire.gov.uk

PART B - ITEMS FOR EN BLOC DECISIONS (YELLOW PAPERS)

9. Strategic Rail Authority

The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Economic Strategy.

The Strategic Rail Authority has published its draft West Midlands Route Utilisation Strategy and is seeking comments. Cabinet is recommended to note the contents of the report and approve the proposed response of the County Council.

Recommendation

That Cabinet approves the proposed response of the County Council.

For further information please contact: Peter Barnett, Senior Transport Planner. Tel: 01926 735666, e-mail: peterbarnett@warwickshire.gov.uk

10. Department for Transport Consultation on Certain Elements of the Traffic Management Act 2004 and the New Roads and Streetworks Act 1991

The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Economic Strategy.

The Traffic Management Act 2004 received Royal Assent in July 2004 and is being implemented in phases. This report highlights the significance of the new network management duty and recommends how the Council should respond to this consultation.

Recommendation

That the Council supports the general principles of the Traffic Management Act, subject to concerns mentioned in paragraph 3.7 of the report, and authorises the Director of Planning, Transport and Economic Strategy to submit a response to the consultation on those lines together with comments on matters of detail.

For further information please contact: Keith Davenport, Traffic Manager. Tel, 01926 412007, e-mail keithdavenport@warwickshire.gov.uk

11. Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Local Plan - Proposed Modifications

The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Economic Strategy.

To provide an update on the progress of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough’s Local Plan and seek Member approval for the proposed changes.

Recommendation

That the Cabinet endorses the views expressed by its officers in this report on the Proposed Modifications of Nuneaton and Bedworth’s Borough Local Plan, and confirms the officer advice sent to the Borough Council (see Appendix A).

For further information please contact: Suzanne Osborn, Tel. 01926 412538 Tel: 01926 412538, e-mail: suzanneosborn@warwickshire.gov.uk

12. Government Proposals for New Arrangements for Financing Firefighters' Pensions

The report of the County Treasurer.

This report sets out Government proposals to change the financing arrangements for Firefighters' Pensions.

Recommendation

To note the proposed changes to the arrangements for financing firefighters' pensions and approve the response to the Government's consultation on the proposed changes.

For further information please contact: David Clarke, County Treasurer Tel: 01926 412003, e-mail: davidclarketr@warwickshire.gov.uk or: Oliver Winters, Deputy County Treasurer, Tel: 01926 412245, e-mail: oliverwinters@warwickshire.gov.uk

13. Development Partnership with Sierra Leone

The report of the Director of Planning, Transport and Economic Strategy.

The County Council has been invited to be part of a consortium of local authorities bidding for resources from the World Bank to assist in the post-conflict reconstruction of Sierra Leone. This report seeks agreement to participate in the bid.

Recommendation

That the Warwickshire County Council participates in the bid to be made by the consortium of local authorities for resources from the World Bank (and any other bid made by the consortium to any other suitable funding source) to support a development partnership with Sierra Leone.

For further information please contact: Hussinatu Yumkella, Inward Investment Partnership. Tel: 01926 412140, e-mail: hussinatuyumkella@warwickshire.gov.uk

14. Food Law Enforcement Plan

The report of the Chair of the Crime and Safety Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

At its meeting on the 5 April 2005 the Crime and Safety Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s views were requested on the Cabinet report of the Director of Libraries, Heritage and Trading Standards on the Food Law Enforcement Plan 2005/2006. Following discussion the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended Cabinet to support the Plan subject to the inclusion of a reference to imported foods.

Recommendation

That the Cabinet be recommended to support the Food Law Enforcement Plan and work programmes subject to the inclusion of a reference to imported meat in paragraph 3.7 of the Plan under the heading Service Delivery.

For further information please contact: Jean Hardwick, Principal Committee Administrator. Tel: 01926 412476, e-mail: jeanhardwick@warwickshire.gov.uk

15. North Warwickshire and Nuneaton & Bedworth – Area Review of 14-19 Provision

The report of the County Education Officer.

The report asks the Cabinet to comment on the proposed Action Plan drawn up in response to the Area Review of 14-19 Provision jointly commissioned by the Authority and the Local Learning & Skills Council.

Recomendations:

(1) That the Cabinet consider and comment on the Action Plan prepared jointly by the Local Learning & Skills Council and the County Council in response to the Area Review of 14-19 Provision.

(2) That the comments of the Cabinet and those of the North Warwickshire and Nuneaton & Bedworth Area Committees on the Area Review and Action Plan be forwarded to the Local Learning & Skills Council.

For further information please contact: Bob Hooper, Senior Inspector, Tel: 01926 412171, e-mail: bobhooper@warwickshire.gov.uk or: Lynne Upton, General Inspector, Tel: 01926 412387, e-mail: lynneupton@warwickshire.gov.uk

16. Any Other Items

which the Chair decides are urgent.

PART C - EXEMPT ITEMS (PURPLE PAPERS)

17. Reports Containing Confidential or Exempt Information

To consider passing a resolution excluding members of the public from the meeting for the agenda items mentioned below on the grounds that their presence would involve disclosure of confidential or exempt information as defined in the Local Government Act 1972. (NB. Copies of extracts describing exempt information are available in Warwickshire Libraries, the County Council Handbook and the Access to Information Register held in my office).

18. Exempt Minutes of the Meeting held on the 7^th April, 2005 and Matters Arising.

19. Proposed Disposal to Stratford District Council of Ground Leasehold Interest, Knight’s Lane, Tiddington, Stratford-upon-Avon

The report of the Director of Property Services.

Local member - Cllr Richard Hyde

The Cabinet will be asked to consider the disposal to Stratford District Council of the ground leasehold interest, in part of the County Council's smallholding land, Knights Lane, Tiddington, Stratford upon Avon.

For further information please contact: David Halsall, Urban Estates Services. Tel: (01926) 412150, e-mail: davidhalsall@warwickshire.gov.uk

20. Kenilworth Youth Centre: Proposed Sale and Provision of New Facility

The joint report of the Director of Property Services and the County Education Officer.

Local Members – Councillors Alan Cockburn and Haydn Thomas.

The Cabinet will be asked to approve the sale of Kenilworth Youth Centre in exchange for a new facility at 28 Southbank Road, as part of the improvement of Kenilworth’s Town Centre shopping area.

For further information please contact: Steve Cooper, Principal Estates Surveyor. Tel: 01926 736128, e-mail: stevecooper@warwickshire.gov.uk

21. Warwick: The Old Clink, The Holloway

The report of the Director of Property Services.

Local member - Councillor Raj Randev.

The Cabinet is recommended to approve entering into a new lease for the occupation of The Old Clink.

For further information please contact: Ian Dawson, Senior Estates Surveyor. Tel: 01926 412368, e-mail: iandawson@warwickshire.gov.uk

22. Variation To The Eastern Shires Purchasing Organisation (ESPO) Consortium Membership Agreement

This item is the subject the urgency provisions and the decision will have immediate effect.

The report of the County Solicitor & Assistant Chief Executive.

ESPO is faced with managing a significant expansion of its business in premises that are no longer appropriate and as a consequence, the ESPO Management Committee has been considering proposals for the physical relocation of ESPO.

Under its current constitution, ESPO does not have the legal capacity to purchase the property in its own right however in order for the relocation to proceed, Leicestershire County Council would be prepared to purchase new premises on behalf of the consortium. However, the current ESPO membership agreement does not make provision for property ownership and therefore the existing agreement requires modification if the new premises project is to proceed. Leicestershire CC will not proceed with the purchase until a revised membership agreement is in place.

The ESPO Management Committee has now approved the purchase of new premises subject to the formal approval of a revised membership agreement by each of the member authorities.

Recommendation

That the Cabinet:-

(1) Agree to revisions to the principal ESPO consortium membership agreement to facilitate the purchase of new premises for ESPO.

(2) Delegate responsibility for agreeing the final details of the revisions to the County Solicitor & Assistant Chief Executive

For further information please contact: Paul White, County Procurement Officer Tel 01926 736146, e-mail paulwhite@warwickshire.gov.uk

23. No item to consider.

24. Adoption of a Retaining Structure Supporting the Highway at Midland Quarry, Camp Hill, Nuneaton.

Joint report of the Director of Planning, Transport & Economic Strategy, County Solicitor & Assistant Chief Executive and County Treasurer.

The Cabinet will is Report concerns a proposed new housing development at Midland Quarry and the developer’s request for the adoption of a retaining structure supporting the highway.

For further information please contact Chris Egan, Senior Development Officer. Tel: 01926 412660/02476 399093, e-mail chrisegan@warwickshire.gov.uk or Kathryn Scales, Solicitor. Tel: 01926 312693, e-mail kathrynscales@warwickshire.gov.uk

25. Increase in Residential Care Capacity.

The report of the Director of Social Care and Health.

This report seeks agreement to enter into block purchase Service Contracts with two existing independent providers to enable the companies to increase the capacity of EMI Residential Care provision in the Rugby area on behalf of Warwickshire County Council Social Services Department at Kilsby House and Wolston Grange.

For further information please contact John Bull, Head of Adult Services, Tel: 01926 412438 e-mail johnbull@warwickshire.gov.uk or Kim Harlock, Service Manager (Commissioning), Tel: 01926 731078, e-mail kimharlock@warwickshire.gov.uk.

IAN CAULFIELD

Chief Executive

Shire Hall,

Warwick.

General Enquiries: Please contact Pete Keeley, Members Services, Chief Executive’s Department, Tel: 01926 412450 e-mail: petekeeley@warwickshire.gov.uk

The reports are available in large print if required