Agenda and draft minutes

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting held on 19^th November, 2012 be approved as a correct record.

Consideration was given to a report presented by Andrew Shaw, Insurance and Risk Manager, which referred to the numbers and costs of insurance claims made against the Council.

The Council continued to have a very good and improving record in most areas.  Proactive risk management measures were helping to reduce the number of claims made against the Council and effective monitoring/inspection systems were enabling the Council to successfully defend many claims that were received.

The report highlighted areas where risk management action was helping to achieve the greatest savings in support of the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy and also showed areas where opportunities may exist to improve performance and reduce costs further.

Discussion ensued on the Municipal Mutual Insurance Trigger Litigation and the notification that the company would have insufficient funds to meet its liabilities and confirming the Directors had placed it into liquidation. Any shortfall in funding experienced by the Company had to be met by the mutual members, including the Council.  An Administrator had been appointed to deal with the Company’s affairs and expected to give the Council an estimate of its potential liability in the near future. It was hoped the Insurance Fund can make a significant contribution towards any liability, thereby reducing any impact on the General Fund.

Reference was also made to the performance on claims with regards to school fires, which was very good and it was suggested that further work be undertaken to assess the premium subsidy from schools and whether this needed to be revised in light of changes with academy status.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received and the generally good performance of the Council in managing its risks and minimising successful insurance claims against the Council be noted.

(2)  That the current issues referred to in the report be noted.

(3)  That further work be undertaken on the premium subsidy from schools with regards to school fires.

The following information was provided:-

(a)     Stuart Booth, Director of Central Finance, confirmed that the Consultation Findings on the Council Tax Support Discount and Exemption was to be presented to the Cabinet on Wednesday, 19^th December, 2012 with a view to agreement by full Council on the 30^th January, 2013.

(b)     Matt Gladstone, Director of Commissioning, Policy and Performance, also confirmed a report was to be submitted to Cabinet in the New Year with regards to the future of Digital Region.

(c)     Further to Minute No. N40 of the meeting held on 19^th November, 2012 Phil Howe, Director of Human Resources, confirmed the report on Public Health was still to be tabled detailing the proposals prior to transfer on the 1^st April, 2013.

Resolved:-  That the information be noted.

The following issues were raised:-

(a)     Richard Copley, Corporate ICT Manager, gave his assurance that the electronic equipment would be made available to all Cabinet Members and Members of the Planning Board today.  A demonstration session was also planned immediately before the Planning Board on Thursday, 10^th January, 2013.

         It was also noted that good progress was being made on the “Good Reader” and this would be rolled out to Elected Members on the pilot scheme shortly.

         Due to the need to respond to the technology market advances other electronic devices would also be trialled as part of the pilot.

(b)     Phil Howe, Director of Human Resources, gave an outline of the current position with regards to the national pay award, the discussions that had been taking place nationally and the decisions that would potentially have to be taken locally.

(c)     Janine Parkin, Strategic Commissioning Manager, gave an update on the current position with regards to Melton Court Nursing Home in Maltby, the involvement of CQC and the Council and the outcomes that may be expected on Thursday with regards to the Nursing Home’s future.

         Members wished to place on record their thanks and appreciation to officers on how the situation had been handled and to commend staff who had continued to provided a service to the elderly residents under very difficult times.

(d)     Matt Gladstone, Director of Commissioning, Policy and Performance, outlined the level of press interest in the recent fostering publicity and that actions were being undertaken to respond to issues highlighted.

The following item is likely to be considered in the absence of the press and public as being exempt under Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended March 2006 – information relates to finance and business affairs).

Resolved:-  That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act (as amended March, 2006 (information relates to finance and business affairs).

Consideration was given to a report presented by Richard Copley, Corporate ICT Manager, which sought approval for exemption from Financial Standing Orders in re-procuring maintenance support for the corporate Electronic Data Records Management System, on the basis that there was only one supplier of this specific service.

The proposal has been considered and agreed by Legal and Financial Services and it was noted that the current maintenance charges had not increased and were funded from existing Directorate revenue budgets.

Resolved:-  That the contract for the maintenance of the Electronic Data Records Management System be exempt from the provisions of Standing Order 47.6 (requirement to obtain three written quotations for work with a value of £20,000 or more but less than £50,000) and the contract be awarded to the current supplier.

- Monday, 14^th January, 2013 at 9.30 a.m.

Resolved:-  That a further meeting be held on Monday, 14^th January, 2013 at 9.30 a.m.