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The Cabinet considered a report of the Principal Housing Strategy Officer which set out two options for the future procurement arrangements for the services currently provided by First Choice Homes Oldham Ltd. These services included social welfare advice and a range of statutory and non-statutory housing advice and support services for people in Oldham.

The Cabinet was informed that the Oldham Housing and Social Welfare Advice Services (OHSWAS) was procured in December 2015 and was delivered by the lead partner First Choice Homes Oldham Ltd (FCHO).  The current contract, approved by Cabinet in August 2015, was for a period of up to 7 years. After an initial 3 year period, a yearly extension could be granted, provided that the term of the contract did not exceed a total of 7 years.

The Cabinet noted that demand for all the services under this contract had created significant challenges. All of the services provided under the current contract had been subject to regular monitoring and performance review and, despite the current challenges and pressures, the contractor had performed relatively well and had delivered the desired outcomes for the people of Oldham over the period of the contract.

The Cabinet were informed that the Council was developing a new Housing Strategy and reviewing its Residential Development Prospectus. There were also a number of important pieces of work underway at Greater Manchester (GM) level, including the development of a GM Housing Strategy, Spatial Framework, Homeless Strategy, exploration of the future options of Supported Accommodation, GM Social Lettings Agency and access to social housing in the GM districts. The outcome of these work-streams and the emerging strategies would need to be reflected in the forthcoming options appraisal. It was anticipated that these strategies and, in particular, the new Housing Strategy would underpin the delivery of new redesigned service. 

It was explained that an extension to the contract would enable the Council to undertake a full review, accurately reflecting the impact of the homeless legislation, housing related supply and demand issues, challenges and pressures across other Council services, and carry out a detailed options appraisal. This would allow the Council to fully explore and evaluate a number of different delivery models which best met its strategic objectives and priorities.  

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option 1 – Extend the Housing Advice Contract for 12 months at the same terms and conditions as last year.

Option 2 – Do not extend the contract and bring the services in-house.

RESOLVED - That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information contained at Item 13 of the agenda.

Consideration was given to a report of the Assistant Director of Safeguarding and Partnerships which informed the Cabinet that the current contract for the delivery of Oldham’s integrated early years offer – Right Start Service – was due to end on 31st March 2019.  This contract had an option to extend for a period of up to two years. The Cabinet noted that the majority of the functions in this service were statutory in nature, applicable to both Public Health and Education. 

Cabinet was informed that, on 1^st April 2016, the new integrated delivery model for Oldham Early Years Offer – Right Start and School Nursing Service - was brought together from a number of providers into a single service delivered by Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust.  The aim of the service was to tackle a number of key early childhood outcomes through the delivery of a number of functions:-

·       Health Visiting (HCP)

·       Children’s Centres

·       Family Nurse Partnership (FNP)

·       Oral Health; and

·       deliver Oldham’s version of the GM 8 stage assessment and intervention model

In addition the School nursing service was also commissioned to Bridgewater and aligned to the Right Start service to create an integrated 0-19 universal child health service.

Overall performance against the contract had been as expected. The rise in safeguarding demands across the whole system locally had an impact on Health Visiting and School Nursing services and, in responding to this, Bridgewater had seen a negative impact on their ability to deliver the universal element of their roles. This was kept under continual review by Council commissioners.

The Cabinet noted that the SEND inspection of Oldham in October 2017, had highlighted the integrated early years model as a key strength.

The Cabinet was informed that there was encouraging performance in respect of the key ambition around the ‘school readiness’ agenda, with a higher % of mandated reviews at 2 – 2.5 years being undertaken than regional and national averages. The results of these reviews showed that the percentage of children who were at or above the expected level in all five areas of development was higher than the regional average but it remained a key area of focus as children were tracked through the new model.

The Cabinet noted there was ongoing development and improvement activity overseen by Council commissioners linked to other developments around place-based working and the review of Oldham’s preventative offer.

Bridgewater were part of the Alliance under the Oldham Cares arrangements and as such may play a key future role as integrated models for children and young people were developed across the system.

Cabinet noted that Bridgewater NHS Trust had recently been subject to a sustainability review by NHS Improvement as a result of changes across the health and social care system in Wigan which would see a large number of services being transferred from Bridgewater into the new provider arrangement. Such a review was the norm in such circumstances and the outcome was expected in December. The outcome of the review would inform the consideration of the recommended option to extend as would the outcome of the recent CQC inspection.

It was explained that the Council had the ability to extend the contract for up to two years but a one year extension was felt to be appropriate, given that the outcome of the sustainability review was not known and there was a need for the Council to retain flexibility in its ability to commission alternative arrangements from 2020 on the back of new delivery models currently being scoped.

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option 1 – Extend the current arrangements for a period of one year for the period 1st April 2019 – 31st March 2020.

Option 2 – Extend the current arrangement for a period of two years for the period 1st April 2019 – 31st March 2021.

RESOLVED - That the Cabinet would consider the commercially sensitive information contained at Item 12 of the agenda.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Finance which presented to the Cabinet the Council Tax Tax Base and provisional Non-Domestic Rates (NDR) Tax Base forecast for 2019/20, which would underpin the forthcoming Council Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy scheduled for consideration at Council on 27^th February 2019.

The report also sought delegated authority to finalise the 2019/20 Non-Domestic Rates (Business Rates) forecast in order to reflect the information contained in the Local Government Finance Settlement and up to date Non-Domestic Rates details to be submitted to Central Government by 31^st January 2019 via the annual NNDR 1 return.

Approval was sought to delegate the final decision to join in the pooling of Business Rates in 2019/20 with other Greater Manchester Districts, Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester Councils. Oldham had pooled Business Rates with neighbouring Authorities since 2015/16. The receipt of the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement marked the start of a 28 day period for confirming Oldham’s membership within the 2019/20 Business Rates Pool and the timing did not align with Cabinet meetings.

The Cabinet were informed that the total number of chargeable properties included in the Council Tax Tax Base calculation in Oldham for 2019/20 was 94,662. This figure was reduced to 85,761 after allowing for discounts and exemptions and translated to the equivalent of 68,018 Band D properties. After applying adjustments for the Local Council Tax Support scheme, the additional charging to empty properties and an anticipated increase in the number of properties to be included in the valuation list over the year, the

number of Band D equivalent properties reduced to 58,446. The final Tax Base after the application of the anticipated collection rate of 97% was 56,693 which was an increase of 1,027 over the Council Tax Tax Base for 2018/19.

The 2019/20 Tax Bases for Saddleworth and Shaw and Crompton Parish Councils of 8,627 and 5,438 respectively, had been calculated using the same

methodology.

Under the current local government finance system introduced on 1 April 2013, local billing authorities were required to prepare and submit to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) a locally determined and approved Business Rates forecast through the NNDR 1 return by January 31 each year. This forecast would be used to determine the 2019/20 “demand” and payment schedule for Business Rates between Oldham Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Being a participant in the Greater Manchester 100% Rates Retention Pilot Scheme meant the Council no longer paid a share of Business Rates to Central Government. Instead, Oldham currently retained 99% of the income with 1% being paid to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority for Fire and Rescue services.

The estimated rating income for 2019/20 attributable to Oldham Council was currently £53.469m. Delegation was sought to enable the Business Rates forecast to be updated to take account of the Local Government Finance Settlement and up to date Non-Domestic Rates information to be submitted to Central Government by 31 January 2019 via the annual NNDR 1 return.

The Cabinet noted that Oldham had pooled Business Rates revenues with other Greater Manchester districts and the two Cheshire Unitary Authorities since 2015/16 (Cheshire West & Chester joined the pool from 2016/17). The aim of pooling was to retain the benefits of any Business Rates growth within Greater Manchester for the benefit of the region. Approval was sought (subject to the notification of the for Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement (PLGFS)) and the decision of Cheshire East to remain within the pool for the continuation of this arrangement on the basis that no Local Authority should be worse off by pooling than it would be if it did not pool.

Delegation was sought to enable a final decision to be made subject to the PLGFS and the decision of Cheshire East Council.

Options/Alternatives

The Council had little discretion in the calculation of the number of properties incorporated into the Council Tax Tax Base given the legislative framework that was in place. However, there was some discretion over estimating the number of new properties that would be included on the Council Tax register during 2019/20. A prudent view had been taken in this regard. The main area for an alternative approach was over the level of assumed collection rate. An increase in the collection rate would boost the anticipated Council Tax income and a decrease in the rate would decrease income. The Council had chosen to maintain its 2018/19 collection rates at 97%. This decision had been taken in light of a continuing and targeted focus on Council Tax collection rates.

The NNDR1 return generated the figures upon which the Business Rates Tax Base was prepared. It was not therefore appropriate to consider an alternative approach. However, as the figures included on the NNDR1 return on 31 January 2019 may vary from the estimated level, delegation was sought to allow the opportunity to revise the Business Rates forecast and approve a revised and more accurate position for budget setting.

RESOLVED - That:

1.     The Council Tax Tax Base for 2019/20 at 56,693 Band D equivalent properties be approved.

2.     The latest estimate for 2019/20 Business Rates revenue that is attributable to Oldham Council as being £53.469m be approved.

3.     The Tax Bases for Saddleworth and Shaw and Crompton Parish Councils of 8,627 and 5,438 respectively be noted.

4.     The decision to vary the final Business Rates forecast and hence the Business Rates Tax Base, if required, be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Resources in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive Corporate and Commercial Services and the Director of Finance.

5.     The final decision (subject to the information contained in the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement and the decision of Cheshire East Council to remain within the pool) of the Council’s membership of the proposed Greater Manchester, Cheshire East & Cheshire West and Chester Councils Business Rates Pool for 2019/20 be delegated to the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Resources in consultation with the Deputy Chief Executive Corporate and Commercial Services and the Director of Finance.

Consideration was given to a report of the Schools Finance Manager which provided an update following the Government announcement at the end of July about School Funding for 2019/20 and subsequent consultation with schools and Schools Forum. The Cabinet was asked to consider the options and agree an approach as to how the funding for Schools and Academies should be distributed in 2019/20.

The report provided a breakdown of the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) for 2019/20 and information about the National Funding Formula for Schools and High Needs Blocks for Oldham. It also presented a recommended approach for the distribution of the Schools block of the DSG to schools and academies from 2019/20.

The report highlighted the consultation process that had taken place during October and November in order to consider a means of allocating resources for 2019/20 and a way forward in reducing the cumulative deficit on the DSG.

Options/Alternatives considered:-

Option1 - Continue to use Oldham’s formula and move further to the National Funding Formula by providing a minimum per pupil funding level of £3,500 per primary pupil and £4,800 per secondary pupil with an MFG of zero per cent and a cap on gains.

Option 2 - Continue to use Oldham’s formula and move further to the National Funding Formula by providing a minimum per pupil funding level of £3,500 per primary pupil and £4,800 per secondary pupil with Prior attainment, Lump Sum and Basic per Pupil at NFF values and Income deprivation affecting children index (IDACI) bands E and F included at 20% NFF values. This option also includes an MFG of zero per cent and a cap on gains.

Option 3 - Continue to use Oldham’s formula and move further to the National Funding Formula by providing a minimum per pupil funding level of £3,500 per primary pupil and £4,800 per secondary pupil, basic per Pupil at NFF values and Income deprivation affecting children index (IDACI) bands E and F included at 50% NFF values. This option also includes an MFG of zero per cent and a cap on gains.

Option 4 - Continue to use Oldham’s formula and move further to the National Funding Formula by providing a minimum per pupil funding level of £3,500 per primary pupil and £4,800 per secondary pupil with an MFG of zero per cent and a cap on gains for Primary Schools and move further to the NFF for secondary schools. For secondary schools only bands E and F have been included at 10% NFF values funded by a reduction in basic per pupil entitlement.

The Cabinet was recommended to approve Option 4. This ensured no school would lose funding and there would be additional resources for those with higher needs.

Members noted that most local authorities had insufficient funding and, although there was expected to be additional government funding to help with the DSG recovery plan, it was unlikely this would be sufficient to meet the need.

RESOLVED - That:

1.     Option 4 be approved, which would provide a minimum per-pupil funding level of £3,500 per primary pupil, £4,800 per secondary pupil and for secondary schools IDACI (income deprivation affecting children index) was been included at 10% values, together with a 1% transfer of funding between the Schools and the High Needs Blocks.

2.     The development of a DSG recovery plan would continue as a means of reducing the cumulative DSG deficit in consultation with Schools Forum, with the option of implementing the reduction to top up funding for mainstream and special schools and over capacity funding in special schools (as outlined in section 2.5) from September 2019 if necessary.

The Cabinet gave consideration to a report of the Principal Policy Officer with regards to the draft Strategy that responded to a motion to the Council on single-use plastics.

At its meeting on 28^th March 2018, the Council had received a motion in relation to the elimination of single-use plastic materials to achieve a significant reduction in plastic waste. The Council had resolved to ask the Cabinet to:

·       Develop a robust strategy to make Oldham a ‘single-use plastic-free’ authority by the end of 2018 and encourage the Borough’s institutions, businesses and citizens to adopt similar measures;

·       End the sale and provision of single use plastic products such as bottles, cups, cutlery and drinking straws in council buildings, or council supported venues, wherever possible; promoting the use of non-plastic recyclable alternatives e.g.paper straws to ensure our venues remain accessible to those with additional needs.

·       Encourage traders across the Borough to sell re-usable containers and invite customers to bring their own.

·       Consider the merits and practicalities of introducing a ‘window sticker’ scheme to accredit local businesses that are committed to reducing plastic waste through, for example, offering free water bottle refills.

·       Investigate the possibility of requiring pop-up food and drink vendors at council supported events to avoid single use plastics as a condition of their contract; with a view to phasing out all single use plastics at markets and events in the Borough by the end of 2018.

·       Work with tenants in commercial properties owned by Oldham Council to encourage them to phase out single use plastic cups, bottles, cutlery and straws.

Members noted that the Council had already been considering how to reduce plastic waste and there was an opportunity to lead by example. The report set out the draft strategy and supporting action plan to address the Council motion.

Four objectives had been identified:-

a)              Reduce Council use of single use plastics

b)              Engage strategic partners and businesses

c)               Engage schools and community groups

d)              Engage residents

The Action Plan had actions for each of these objectives, including specific actions on communications for each objective, which formed an overall communications plan.

Members noted that the strategy highlighted the existence of replacement products for those that would cease to be available from 2020. It was recognised that these may be more expensive initially and there would be a need to keep up to date with new products as they came on the market.

The Cabinet noted that small lifestyle changes by everyone could make a significant difference in the amount of plastic re-used and recycled.

Options/Alternatives considered:

Option 1 – Recommend to Council the implementation of the Single-Use Plastics Strategy 2019-2022.

Option 2 – Do not recommend to Council the implementation of the Single-Use Plastics Strategy 2019-2022.

RESOLVED - That the Single-Use Plastics Strategy 2019-2022 be recommended to the Council for approval.