Decisions

The Minutes of the meeting held on 24^th September 2018 were agreed as a correct record.

Councillor Andy Kay advised that the Budget Settlement from the Government had been as expected, with 75% Business Rates Pooling approved, which was a one year deal which would realise an extra £800k and also some extra money for SEN. Despite this funding, cuts would still have to be made as anticipated.

That the Executive Board:

Notes the outcome of the recent refinancing exercise for the Phase 1 Private Finance Initiative (PFI) Scheme – Pleckgate High School, the funding for which was originally put in place as part of the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme in 2010.

1.  That the Executive Board: NOTES the following:

2.1That the Football Foundation have confirmed external grant funding of £778,045 to Blackburn with

      Darwen Council for the development of 2 new 3G pitches and refurbishment of the changing

      rooms at Witton Park.

2.2 The externally funded scheme will be managed by the council and be completed in September 2019

2.3The changing room refurbishment works were advertised using the councils “Chest” procurement

      system with companies required to price for a design provided by the by the councils building

      consultancy team. A successful contractor has been chosen and the Council is in a position to

      award the contract.                          

2.4 The floodlight, fencing and pitch renewal program was advertised under the Football Foundation procurement framework by the FF consultants Robinson Low Francis ltd. A successful contractor has been chosen and the Council is in a position to award the contract.

That Executive Board APPROVES the following

2.5Award of the works contracts to the successful contractors and delegates authority to the Director of Public Health in consultation with Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Young People  to enter into  works  contracts with both companies to deliver the proposed development within the April – September time frame.

2.6 Delegates to the Director of Public Health in consultation with Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Young People to approve and enter into the Football Foundation funding agreement that will allow the scheme to be delivered and the agree outcomes following the completion of the development.

2.7Authorise the Director of Finance and Customer Servicesto arrange finances to cover the delay in the receipts of Section 106 contributions coming in from the housing developer.

That the Executive Board:

2.1 approves the proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2019/20, detailed in Appendix 1, including the proposed Treasury Management Indicators.

That the Executive Board:

2.1   Note the contents of this report and the Growth Programme for 2019/20 as attached in Annex 1;

2.2   Delegates authority to revise the Growth Programme for 2019/20 by adding or removing sites to the Growth Programme Director and the Chief Executive (designate) in consultation with the Executive Members for Resources and Regeneration;

2.3   Delegates authority to agree the disposal route for each site to the Growth Programme Director and the Chief Executive (designate) in consultation with the Executive Members for Resources and Regeneration with subsequent decisions on disposal by the Exec Member or Exec Board route as required.

2.4   Note the funding of the ‘Development Investment Fund’ as approved at Finance Council on 25^th February 2019 to provide financial support to bring forward and enable Council owned sites for sale and development.

2.5   Approve the extension of the scope of the Development Investment Fund to allow the funding to be used to bring forward and enable all Council owned housing and commercial sites.

2.6   Approve the use of Affordable Homes commuted sum payments received from planning section

106 agreements to be used to support the development of affordable housing schemes by one of the Council’s Registered Provider Partners; Together Housing, Places for People and Great Places.

That the Executive Board is asked to approve the proposal to establish a Strategic Youth Alliance Board and Network to develop and coordinate universal provision across Blackburn with Darwen neighbourhoods in term-time and during holiday periods.

That the Executive Board:

1: Approves the attached list of projects as detailed in Appendix 1 & 2 for inclusion in the 2019 -2020 Schools and Education capital programme funded from Basic Need, School Condition Allocation, Devolved Formula Capital, Healthy Pupil Capital Fund and SEN Capital Fund.

2: Authorises officers to procure works in accordance with the Contracts Procedure Rules as written in the Council’s Constitution.

3: Approves expenditure to be incurred on individual projects, in line with the Council’s Standing Financial Instructions.

4: Notes that regular reports will be provided for the Executive Member detailing any variations/amendments to programmes of work and seeking necessary approvals where these are required to ensure compliance with financial instructions and the Constitution.

The Executive Board is asked to:

·         Note and approve the decision to submit an Expression of Interest to the Government’s Future High Street Fund for Darwen Town Centre by March 22^nd 2019;

·         Authorise the Deputy Chief Executive, in consultation with the Director of Growth and Development, to finalise the Council’s Expression of Interest;

Request the Director of Growth and Development to provide progress updates to the Executive Board.

That the Executive Board: Notes the Quarterly Report which is available on the Council’s website.

Councillor Maureen Bateson declared a Non-Pecuinary interest in Agenda Items 8.3 and 8.4 (Strategic Youth Alliance and Football Foundation investment into new 3G pitches at Witton Park).

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 14^th February 2019 were agreed as a correct record.