Agenda and minutes

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

You are also invited to disclose any dispensation in relation to any registerable and/or non-registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

Please complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

Councillor K Clark declared a registerable personal interest in agenda Item 7: Procurement Plan 2022/2023 (CAB50/22), as she was a Director and Employee at Justice Prince CIC (Working Roots) which had contracts with North Tyneside Council funded to deliver community based programmes.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 21 September 2022.

Resolved that the Minutes of the previous meeting held on 21 September 2022 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To receive a verbal report on the latest activities of the Young Mayor and Young Cabinet.

The Young Mayor reported on the following activities in which he and Young Cabinet Members and/or Youth Councilors had been involved:

• The Young Mayor had visited four of the five schools in North Tyneside that completed the Eco School Award to present them with their Green Flag presentations.  The schools were Appletree Gardens, Forest Hall Primary, Rockcliffe First School, and Valley Gardens Middle School.

• The Eco School Network Event was held at the Council Offices, Quadrant, with interest from teachers in 29 schools. The lead teachers from the participating schools heard a presentation from Keep Britain Tidy about the steps they must follow to achieve the award, how to buy the Green Flag, the work done by teams from North Tyneside Council on sustainable transport and its waste strategy and energy saving tips, and met volunteers from Hedges for Hope and Groundwork Trust who could all help support the schools to achieve the award.
• Members of the Regeneration team visited the last Youth Council meeting to update them about the developing plans for improvements to Segedunum Roman Fort and Museum where the new development had incorporated ideas taken from a consultation they had taken part in.
• Some Youth Councillors had attended the North East Region Youth Convention hosted by South Tyneside Council and met some South Tyneside elected members and took part in debates with other young people.
• Youth Councillors had taken part in North Tyneside public transport forums, this topic remained important to many of them, and relished the opportunity to have their say.
• The Children’s Council for children aged five to eleven enjoyed an interesting session when they learned about the importance of voting, they heard a debate about whether football should be banned in the school playground and then took part in making their choice and voted.
• The SEND Youth Forum were working on an interesting project, called “What Did You Do Last Summer?” Members were researching the barriers for young people with additional needs or a disability to access activities in North Tyneside. The findings would be used to inform future activities and would be shared with senior managers.
• The Children in Care Council had delivered two of their training sessions called Care4me to a range of different staff across the council and foster carers.  This training was designed and delivered by the young people to help adults understand what was important for children in care, the evaluations of this were really positive and the group were using this to help shape future training. 

The Deputy Mayor thanked the Young Mayor for the update and the Young People for their excellent work in the variety of activities they were involved in.

To seek approval to a North Tyneside Hate Crime Policy Statement as part of the Authority’s ongoing programme of work in relation to reducing inequality, eliminating discrimination and promoting inclusion.

Cabinet received a report seeking approval to a Hate Crime Policy Statement as part of the Authority’s ongoing programme of work in relation to reducing inequality, eliminating discrimination and promoting inclusion.

A hate crime was any criminal offence perceived by the victim or someone else to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on a person’s protected characteristic of Race; Religion; Disability; Sexual orientation and Transgender identity. Additionally, whilst not recognised nationally, Northumbria Police also records crimes based on gender or age as hate crimes.

A hate incident was any incident that is perceived by the victim or someone else to be motivated by hostility or prejudice based on one of the above perceived characteristics, but which may not constitute a criminal offence or result in a conviction.

Reports of hate crimes had been increasing year on year, both locally and nationally. In North Tyneside there had been a significant increase in the number of reported hate crimes between 2015/2016 and 2021/2022. The increase was partially due to an increased awareness of the need to report hate crimes and improvements in reporting practices. The rates of hate incidents were much harder to accurately record but these had also been on the increase.

In 2021, North Tyneside had 404 reported hate crimes.  In North Tyneside, the most reported hate crimes were race related. In terms of hate crime and incidents, anyone can be a victim of a hate crime or hate incident and the consequences could be severe. Each individual’s response to a hate crime or incident can be different but they may feel humiliated, embarrassed, angry, or no longer safe in their home or area. Hate crimes and incidents did not just impact on the victim. The victim’s family and friends could also be negatively impacted by the crime or incident. Those who had not directly experienced the crime or incident could also experience fear and trauma. Communities who shared the protected characteristic of the victim could feel the impact on a member of their community, even when there was not direct connection with the victim.

Whilst an individual crime or incident can be traumatic, the risks of severe distress and long-term effects were increased with repeated incidents. The aftereffects of hate crime and incidents could lead to permanent damage, creating a climate of fear, preventing people from living normal lives and may sometimes lead to death.

The Authority’s Equality and Diversity Policy made clear the Authority’s commitment to stand against discrimination, victimisation, and harassment. The Policy Statement on hate crime set out in Appendix 1 of the report contributed to the delivery of the Authority’s equality objectives as approved by Cabinet in February 2021.

Through its Embedding Equality programme, the Authority had ensured that, internally, there was a clear focus on promoting equality and inclusion and eliminating all forms of discrimination.The Policy Statement was part of this programme. In 2021, the Authority had taken part in Hate Crime Awareness Week, signposting what support and resources were available to  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB48/22

To receive details on the progress made in Phase Two of the Customer Service Programme, and to agree the priorities for Phase Three of the Customer Service Programme, and an End of Phase Three report to be presented to Cabinet in the Spring of 2024.

Cabinet received an update report on progress in relation to delivering Phase Two of the Customer Service Programme, and sought approval to the priorities for Phase Three of the Customer Service Programme.

The Authority’s Customer Service Programme (the Programme), agreed by Cabinet on 28 May 2019, was an organisation wide focus on how the Authority brought to life its organisation’s values – we listen, and we care. Its alignment with Our North Tyneside Plan was clear, building a better North Tyneside, looking to the future, listening to, and working better for residents.

The Programme was built from customer feedback; be that of residents, Elected Members, teams and / or partners. The Authority had listened to what its customers were saying about their experience of North Tyneside Council services and had four main objectives it wanted to achieve:

1. Improved customer service standards across all Authority services, (Customer Promise)
2. Improved clarity, quality and consistency of the small but vital impressions the Authority makes, in communication and branding (Brilliant Basics)
3. Improved services which are designed and delivered around the needs of customers, (Customer First) and
4. An increased culture of continuous improvement (Better Never Stops).

Not only was improved customer experience and satisfaction the right thing to do for the people the Authority served, but it was also a reflection of the Authority’s ambition for the Borough, residents, and the organisation. The Authority clearly understood the cost of not getting this right, both in terms of poorer outcomes for customers and the cost to the organisation, in time and resource spent ‘fixing things’ later.

Phase One of the Programme was reviewed by Cabinet on 19 February 2021 and priorities for Phase Two were agreed, building in learning from the Authority’s Covid-19 Recovery Programme.  A workplan and governance arrangements for Phase Two started in September 2021.

This report was a review of Phase Two of the Authority’s Customer Service Programme – September 2021 to August 2022. This planned review formed part of the governance arrangements for the Programme.  The purpose of the End of Phase review was to:

·       Reflect on what has been delivered in this Phase – celebrate achievements and assess learning for future Phases of the Programme

·       Assess if the Phase has delivered against the Programme’s main objectives and ask if these remain the right objectives

·       Listen to customer feedback to assess if there are any changes needed for the Programme and subsequent Phases

·       Review Programme management arrangements and assess if these are suitable for the next Phase, and

·       Gain appropriate agreement and buy-in for the priorities for Phase Three of the Programme.

Using the Programme’s four main objectives and priorities agreed by Cabinet on 22 February 2021, the table in section 1.5.3 of the report highlighted the deliverables and achievements that had been realised in Phase Two of the Customer Service Programme.  Section six of the Appendix to the report, listed all the deliverables and achievements for each of the 4 main objectives of the Programme; as summarised in the report.

Phase  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB49/22

To seek approval for the Authority’s Procurement Plan 2022/2023 to proceed with the relevant procurement exercises throughout the financial year and award contracts in accordance with UK public procurement legislation to the most advantageous tenders. The procurement exercises which will commence in the remainder of financial year have been identified and are set out at Appendix 1 to the report.

(Cllr Clark declared a Registerable Personal Interest in the following item of business)

Cabinet considered a report seeking approval to the Authority’s Procurement Plan 2022-2023 to proceed with the relevant procurement exercises throughout the financial year and award contracts in accordance with UK public procurement legislation to the most advantageous tenders.

The Authority continued to spend a considerable sum on third party goods and services. The Authority’s Constitution required that prior to any procurement commencing which exceeded £500,000 Cabinet approval must be obtained. Once the budget was approved by Full Council the third-party requirements were known. The procurement exercises which would commence in the remainder of financial year 2022/2023 had been identified and were set out at Appendix 1 to the report, the contract start date may be in the subsequent year due to the procurement lead in time. This approach would ensure timely procurements whilst continuing to maintain value for money.

The Authority had sought Social Value within its contracts since the implementation of the Social Value Act 2012, however following the adoption of the Procurement and Commercial Strategy the Authority had strengthened how it worked with its suppliers to jointly deliver this key aspect. Through Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) suppliers were already obliged to deliver social value to minimise the impact they had on the environment and maximise benefits to local economy. Through the Authority’s Procurement and Commercial Strategy this would align to ensure that the Authority aligned with the private sector and work together to deliver Social Value within the Borough.

The Authority adopted its Procurement Strategy in March 2022. Utilising the social value principles within the Procurement Strategy, the Authority would continue to gain commitments of local employment and apprenticeships whenever applicable. The Authority’s tendering process would be streamlined, and better information would be provided to the market. Where appropriate, lower value tenders would be issued. The Authority was seeing an increase in the number of Small and Medium Enterprise’s (SME’s) and local suppliers that it procured with. The procurement exercises due to commence in 2022/23 would continue to give SME’s and local suppliers the chance to work with the Authority, again enabling and encouraging smaller businesses. Working with the Business Forum and the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO), bespoke workshops would be developed to support SME’s. The principles set out in the Authority’s Responsible Procurement Charter would be embedded in the tender requirements.

The relevant service area would develop tender packages and robust specifications to ensure that the Authority was protected in terms of financial and commercial risk. The duration of the contract would be considered to help shape new and emerging markets; lessons learned from any previous contracts would be considered when developing the tender package. Relevant existing frameworks would be explored if appropriate to the contract. Collaborative regional working would be explored if appropriate to the contract. The contract award criteria would be developed considering social value as appropriate.

Consultation prior to commencing a procurement with the relevant Cabinet Members was key,  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB50/22

To seek approval for the revised Transport and Highways Supplementary Planning Document, which sets out updated guidance on the Authority’s planning policies relating to transport and highways considerations.

Cabinet considered a report seeking approval to the revised Transport and Highways Supplementary Planning Document (SDP), which sets out the updated guidance on the Authority’s planning policies relating to transport and highways considerations.

Supplementary Planning Documents build upon and provided more detailed advice and guidance on the policies contained in the Local Plan. The purpose of the Supplementary Planning Document on Transport and Highways was to provide direction and guidance for prospective developers so as to ensure that the transport implications of new developments were rigorously, and consistently, assessed and appropriate mitigation measures secured.

The current SPD, previously also referred to as Local Development Document LDD12, was last revised in 2017. Since then, the national, regional and local policy context had substantially developed, with greater emphasis, for example, on provision for electric vehicles (EVs) and on carbon net zero objectives.

A report to Cabinet of 28 March 2022 set out how an updated draft SPD had been prepared to reflect this changing context: for example, details of car parking and cycle parking standards had been reviewed and realigned to the Use Classes Order which was updated at national level in 2020. Focus was given to sustainable transport requirements and additional detail was provided on the provision of infrastructure for EVs. The updates to the document sought to ensure that the draft SPD supported development that was sustainable, made efficient use of land and resources and demonstrated good design, in accordance with relevant policy at national, regional and local level. 

Cabinet in March agreed that a process of stakeholder engagement should take place on the draft SPD. It was noted in the report that, owing to the technical nature of the document, the engagement process would particularly seek to involve relevant stakeholders such as developers, local and national voluntary and public sector organisations, as well as neighbouring local authorities. The engagement process was carried out over a six-week period between 31 May and 15 July 2022. Nine responses were submitted by or on behalf of relevant external stakeholders. These included Historic England, Natural England and National Highways, which are statutory consultees for planning applications. Responses were also received from further public and voluntary sector stakeholders such as the Energy Saving Trust, Nexus and Northumberland County Council, and from private sector stakeholders including the consortium of developers for the Killingworth strategic site identified in the Local Plan.

Revisions had been made to specific aspects of the draft SPD where appropriate to reflect feedback received as part of the stakeholder engagement process. These had included clarifying the links to specific policies in the North Tyneside Local Plan; referring to recent updates to the Building Regulations regarding charging provision for electric vehicles; and making the wording less prescriptive on specific measures expected as part of a developer’s Travel Plan, while continuing to emphasise the importance of supporting the use of more sustainable modes of transport. A summary of the responses received, and revisions to the document proposed as a consequence, was attached as  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB51/22

To seek approval to commence engagement on an updated North Tyneside Cycling Strategy and an updated version of the associated North Tyneside Cycling Design Guide, which sets out design standards for cycling provision.

Cabinet received a report which sought approval to commence engagement

on an updated North Tyneside Cycling Strategy and an updated version of

the associated North Tyneside Cycling Design Guide, which sets out the

standards for cycling provision.

In October 2021, Cabinet approved the revised and updated North Tyneside Transport Strategy. Its vision is “Moving to a green, healthy, dynamic and thriving North Tyneside”.

Its key principles included reducing carbon emissions from transport and improving health outcomes. This linked to ‘Equally Well’, the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and its strategic ambitions of supporting equal life chances for all, thriving places and communities and maintaining independence.  It also complemented the regional North East Transport Plan developed by Transport North East and its aims of supporting the decarbonisation of transport and encouraging active travel.

The North Tyneside Transport Strategy contained a commitment to update, where appropriate, the specific strategies and plans which fit within the context of the Transport Strategy. One of these is the North Tyneside Cycling Strategy, adopted in 2018.  Everyday cycling was a healthy, sustainable and affordable way to get to work, school or the shops, for people of all ages. Cycling in the borough continues to grow, having increased by more than 60% in the four years since the current Cycling Strategy was adopted.  In that time the Authority had expanded the delivery of Bikeability cycling training in schools, while the annual Summer of Cycling campaign had seen a rise in popularity and attendance. The Authority had delivered new cycling routes, such as a cycleway alongside A189 Salters Lane in Longbenton, and put in place improvements for cycling and walking provision as part of its regeneration activity, such as at Howard Street in North Shields.

Cabinet’s approval was sought to commence consultation on an updated North Tyneside Cycling Strategy and an updated version of the associated North Tyneside Cycling Design Guide, which sets out design standards for cycling provision.  Updating the strategy would ensure that it continued to support the commitments in the Our North Tyneside Plan 2021 to 2025 toincrease opportunities for safe walking and cycling. This included providing a segregated cycleway at the coast,and publication of an action plan of the steps the Authority would take, and the national investment it will seek, to make North Tyneside carbon net-zero by 2030.  It would also reflect the Authority’s declaration of a climate emergency, made in July 2019, and the aims of the North Tyneside Local Plan, which commits to provide infrastructure and facilities which increased the opportunities for, and attractiveness of, cycling; give greater priority to people cycling, walking and wheeling; and incorporated improvements for these modes of transport as part of other transport schemes. The updated draft Cycling Strategy sets out the outcomes which it seeked to achieve, which fitted with the aims of our Transport Strategy: i) helping more people to cycle; ii) helping to improve cycling safety; iii) designing cycling into our highways, infrastructure and regeneration investment; iv)  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB52/22

This is to give further notice in accordance with paragraphs 5(4) and 5(5) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 of the intention to consider items (11) and (12) below in private.

Cabinet is requested to consider passing the following resolution:

Resolved that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and having applied a public interest test as defined in Part 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Reasons for taking the items in private: The reports in items (11) and (12) below contain information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding the information).

Resolved that under Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and having applied a public interest test as defined in Part 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

To consider the latest review of key corporate risks undertaken by the Senior Leadership Team.

Cabinet considered a report which detailed the corporate risks that had been identified for monitoring and management by the Authority’s Senior Leadership Team and relevant Cabinet members. The report also provided detailed information on each risk and how it was being managed.

Cabinet considered the following decision options: to consider the information provided for each of the corporate risks and endorse the outcome of the latest review by the Authority’s Senior Leadership Team; and after consideration of the detailed information provided for the corporate risks, suggest changes to the corporate risks and their controls.

Resolved that the latest review of key corporate risks undertaken by the Senior Leadership Team be endorsed.

(Reason for decision: Each of the corporate risks has undergone substantial review and challenge as part of the corporate risk management process. This is designed to provide assurance that corporate risks and opportunities are being identified and appropriately managed.)

To seek approval for the extension of the Household Recycling Contract.

Cabinet received a report seeking approval to the extension of the Authority’s current Household Recycling Contract.

The Authority had a statutory duty to make arrangements to collect household waste that can be recycled.  This responsibility was met primarily by providing householders in the Borough with a recycling bin and caddie and collecting it at the kerbside. Collection of these materials was a service provided in-house and during 2021/22 the Authority collected just under 17,500 tonnes of recycling at the kerbside.  As part of the Authority’s waste disposal operations, the material was delivered to a contracted processor who was responsible for separating it and finding markets to secure value from it.

This recycling service was being delivered under a contract which comes to an end on 30 September 2023. As the Authority entered the final year of this contract, there was uncertainty over proposed changes to the waste sector and this added financial risk to any newly procured contract. Officers and Cabinet Members had concluded that the service cannot be provided in-house at this point and this report therefore sought authority from Cabinet to finalise negotiations and to extend the current contractual arrangements.

Cabinet considered the following decision options: to accept the recommendations set out in paragraph 1.2 of the report; or alternatively, to not accept the recommendations.

Resolved that (1) the extension of the Authority’s current recycling contract as detailed in the report, be approved;

(2) the Director of Environment in consultation with the Director of Resources, the Assistant Chief Executive, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources and Cabinet Member for Environment, be authorised to conclude negotiations and enter into the necessary agreements to extend the recycling contract with the current contractor.

(Reason for decision: The Authority has a duty to obtain value for money. Tendering the service at this time will increase financial risk to the Authority. The payment mechanism within the contract is beneficial to the Authority, it is unlikely to be accepted by the market as newer contracts expect the Authority to take further pricing risk given the volatility of commodity trading.)

Monday 28 November 2022 at 6.00pm.

6pm on Monday 28 November 2022.