Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence have been received from Councillors S. Kasumu (Executive Member, Environment and Climate Change) and F. Thomson (Executive Member, Housing).

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2022 (previously circulated).

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2022 were approved as a correct record and noted by the Chairman.

Report of the Assistant Director (Legal and Governance) on the status of actions agreed at the last Cabinet meeting.

The status of actions agreed at the Cabinet meeting on 6 September 2022 and for decisions taken by Cabinet Members exercising their individual delegated powers between 26 August 2022 to 26 September 2022 in the report of the Assistant Director (Legal and Governance) were noted.

To note declarations of Members’ disclosable pecuniary interests, non-disclosable pecuniary interests and non-pecuniary interests in respect of items on the Agenda.

Councillor S. Boulton declared a non-pecuniary interest in items on the Agenda as a Member of Hertfordshire County Council.

Councillor T. Kingsbury declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 7a of the Agenda as the decision involved Adult Social Care Services at Hertfordshire County Council and he is also an Executive Member for the area and recused himself from the meeting for that item.

To consider the following item for decision in the current Forward Plan:-

The following item for decision in the current Forward Plan was considered:-

Report of the Executive Director (Place) on the use of the Better Care Fund (BCF) to support the One YMCA redevelopment at Peartree Lane, Welwyn Garden City.

(1)   Cabinet agreed the principle of allocating £300,000 funding from the Better Care Fund, by way of a grant, to support the delivery of the new One YMCA hostel.

(2)   Cabinet delegated authority to the Executive Director (Place) and S151 Officer, in consultation with the Executive Member (Planning and Resources) and Executive Member (Housing) to agree the details of, and enter in to, a funding agreement in relation to recommendation 2.1.

Report of the Executive Director (Place) on the use of the Better Care Fund (BCF) to support the One YMCA redevelopment at Peartree Lane, Welwyn Garden City.

(1)        The Decision Taken

RESOLVED:

(unanimous – 4 Members present)

(1)  Cabinet agreed the principle of allocating £300,000 funding from the Better Care Fund, by way of a grant, to support the delivery of the new One YMCA hostel.

(2)  Cabinet delegated authority to the Executive Director (Place) and S151 Officer, in consultation with the Executive Member (Planning and Resources) and Executive Member (Housing) to agree the details of, and enter in to, a funding agreement in relation to recommendation 2.1.

(2)       Reasons for the Decision

The Council has been working in partnership with One YMCA, Hertfordshire County Council and Homes England to facilitate the redevelopment of the existing hostel site at Peartree Lane. One YMCA provide a vital service at the site, supporting some of the Borough’s most vulnerable residents, but the buildings on site are no longer fit for purpose. A scheme for the redevelopment of the site to deliver a modern, purpose-built facility has previously been granted planning permission, and is at an advanced pre-construction stage.

A number of funding sources are being utilised by One YMCA to fund the redevelopment, including Homes England grant funding, donations and borrowing/investment. There is now an opportunity to also support the project through the allocation of £300k of funding from the Better Care Fund. The fund is administrated by Local Authorities, with the aim of delivering the integration of health and social care in a way that supports integrated and person-centred care. Key stakeholders are supportive of the principle of using part of the fund for this purpose, with the funding met from the existing budget.

This is an exciting project that will secure the future of this important service in the local area. A funding agreement will also be put in place to ensure suitable protections relating to the use of the funding are put in place.

(Note: Councillor T. Kingsbury declared an interest in this item and recused himself from the Council Chamber before the discussion started and the decision was made on this item. He did not take part in the discussion and he did not vote on the item).