Agenda and decisions

Please note that this meeting may be filmed or recorded by the Council for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s internet site or by anyone attending the meeting using any communication method. Although we ask members of the public recording, filming or reporting on the meeting not to include the public seating areas, members of the public attending the meeting should be aware that we cannot guarantee that they will not be filmed or recorded by others attending the meeting. Members of the public participating in the meeting (e.g. making deputations, asking questions, making oral protests) should be aware that they are likely to be filmed, recorded or reported on. 

By entering the meeting room and using the public seating area, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings.

The chair of the meeting has the discretion to terminate or suspend filming or recording, if in his or her opinion continuation of the filming, recording or reporting would disrupt or prejudice the proceedings, infringe the rights of any individual or may lead to the breach of a legal obligation by the Council.

To receive any apologies for absence.

The Chair will consider the admission of any late items of Urgent Business. (Late items of Urgent Business will be considered under the agenda item where they appear. New items of Urgent Business will be dealt with under Item 15 below. New items of exempt business will be dealt with at Item 20 below).

A Member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a prejudicial interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered:

(i) must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent, and

(ii) may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter and must withdraw from the meeting room.

A Member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Register of Members’ Interests or the subject of a pending notification must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal interests and prejudicial interests are defined at Paragraphs 5-7 and Appendix A of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

On occasions part of the Cabinet meeting will be held in private and will not be open to the public if an item is being considered that is likely to lead to the disclosure of exempt or confidential information. In accordance with the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 (the “Regulations”), members of the public can make representations about why that part of the meeting should be open to the public.

This agenda contains exempt items as set out at Item x: Exclusion of the Press and Public. No representations with regard to these have been received.

This is the formal five clear day notice under the Regulations to confirm that this Cabinet meeting will be partly held in private for the reasons set out in this Agenda.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 30 June 2026 as a correct record.

To consider any requests received in accordance with Standing Orders.

For Cabinet to note (if any).

Report of the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet:

1.    Noted the provisional revenue and capital outturn for 2025/26

2.    Approved the capital carry forward requests

3.    Approved the transfers to/from reserves

4.    Approved the budget virements

5.    Noted the debt write-offs approved by officers in Quarter 4 of 2025/26

6.    Noted the Finance Recovery Closure report

Reasons for decision

A strong financial management framework, including oversight by Members and senior management was an essential part of delivering the Council’s priorities and statutory duties. 

It was necessary at year end to review the use of reserves and balances considering the financial position during the year and knowledge of the Council’s future position and requirements.

Alternative options considered

The Corporate Director of Finance and Resources, as Section 151 Officer, had a duty to consider and propose decisions in the best interests of the authority’s finances and that best support the delivery of the agreed Corporate Delivery Plan outcomes whilst addressing the Council’s financial sustainability.

This report by the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources had attempted to address these points. Therefore, no other options were presented at this time. 

Report of the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet, after considering the information within the exempt appendices:

1.    Approved the Full Business Case for the replacement of the Council’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, including the procurement of an integrated ERP solution, its implementation, and, if required, business integration and support services.

2.    Approved the commencement of two linked procurement activities in accordance with Contract Standing Order (CSO) 2.01(b), comprising:

3.    Delegated authority to decide whether to proceed with the procurement of Business Integration services to the Corporate Director of Finance and Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services.

4. Approved a waiver of Contract Standing Order 6.03, pursuant to CSO 18.01.4(a), allowing the procurement to proceed with a Social Value weighting of 5%.
   
   
5. Approved the transformation element of the proposed budget, including implementation, stabilisation, licensing, support and associated costs, to be funded through the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts programme, subject to Full Council approval of the additional allocation required.
   
   
6. Noted that an increase in the revenue budget would be required when the new system became operational in July 2028. This would be considered through the 2028/29 budget-setting process and Medium-Term Financial Strategy.
   
   
7. Noted that:

·       the cost estimates were indicative and had been developed using market engagement, benchmarking, risk allowances and contingency provisions;

·       final contract values and the recommended supplier or suppliers would be subject to a future Cabinet decision; and

·       no cashable savings had been assumed at this stage, with potential benefits to be further assessed during procurement and implementation.

Reasons for the decision

The existing SAP ECC platform was approaching the end of mainstream support in December 2027. Following that date, the Council would have become increasingly dependent on third-party support arrangements and faced heightened risks relating to security, payroll operations, legislative compliance, system resilience and audit assurance.

The current system was also limiting operational efficiency. Core Finance, Procurement, Human Resources and Payroll processes relied on manual workarounds, offline spreadsheets, duplicate data entry and fragmented workflows. This increased the risk of errors, reduced efficiency and limited access to timely and reliable management information.

The recommended option was supported by a structured assessment process. The Council undertook market engagement, considered five options, and evaluated them against agreed criteria. Delivery approaches were tested through a Request for Information process and supported by a ten-year total cost of ownership assessment.

The Council was required to procure the technology, implementation, support and associated services in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023, Contract Standing Orders and relevant procurement legislation. The proposed route to market was a further competition through the Crown Commercial Service Back Office Software 2 (BOS2) framework.

The Council confirmed that it was an eligible contracting authority under the  ...  view the full decision text for item 10.

Report of the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Housing.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet, after considering the information within the exempt appendices:

1.    Approved the procurement of a multi-service call-off contract to support the delivery of void (empty property) refurbishment, compliance and remediation works across the Council's housing portfolio, as outlined in Section 1, for an initial five-year term with options to extend for up to two additional one-year periods (5+1+1).

2.    Noted that further Cabinet reports would be presented following completion of the procurement process, seeking approval to award the contracts. These reports would set out the outcome of the procurement, recommended contractors, contract values, affordability within approved budgets, and any associated financial implications for the Housing Revenue Account and General Fund.

Reasons for the decision

The Council continued to experience demand for void refurbishment, compliance and remediation works across a housing portfolio that included General Needs, Sheltered Housing, Temporary Accommodation, Hostels, Lodges, Acquisitions and Private Sector Leased properties managed by partner organisations. Properties that remained empty were unable to generate rental income and could incur additional costs relating to security, utilities, council tax and deterioration of the asset.

Delays in returning properties to occupation placed additional pressure on homelessness and Temporary Accommodation services by reducing the availability of housing stock and increasing the need for alternative accommodation arrangements. Given the range of property types, varying property conditions and differing service requirements, the Council required a flexible delivery model capable of responding to changes in demand and supporting the timely re-letting of properties.

The existing delivery model consisted of a combination of in-house resources and multiple contractor arrangements managed across different service areas. This resulted in separate commissioning arrangements, variations in performance management, differing specifications and pricing structures, and limited oversight of overall demand. A single multi-service contract was intended to provide additional capacity, improve coordination, standardise delivery and reporting arrangements, strengthen commercial oversight and reduce void turnaround times.

The anticipated scale and variability of demand across the housing portfolio indicated the need for a coordinated approach. The proposed procurement would establish a multi-provider call-off contract arrangement, enabling the Council to access additional capacity for void refurbishment, compliance and remediation works as required. No minimum value or volume of work would be guaranteed, and works would be commissioned only in response to operational requirements and within approved budgets. The arrangement was intended to provide flexibility, support value for money and assist in reducing rental income loss by returning properties to occupation more quickly.

Alternative options considered

Maintaining the existing arrangements

This option was not pursued. Retaining the existing delivery model would have continued the use of separate commissioning and contractor arrangements across housing services. This would have maintained pressure on in-house resources and limited the Council's ability to respond consistently to variations in demand.

Longer void periods could have reduced the availability of housing stock, increased costs associated with managing empty properties, reduced rental income to the Housing Revenue Account and General Fund, and resulted in higher repair costs where property conditions  ...  view the full decision text for item 11.

Report of the Corporate Director of Culture, Strategy and Communities. To be presented by the Cabinet Member for Housing.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST MADE FOR THIS ITEM:

None

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet, after considering the information within the exempt appendices:

1. Approved the appointment of Contractor A, identified in the exempt section of the report, to undertake the demolition of Whitehall Lodge and 2–32 Whitehall Street and to deliver 61 new Council homes at High Road West Phase 1A, for the contract value and contingency amount set out in the exempt report.
   
   
2. Approved the appropriation of Council-owned land within the Phase 1A site, comprising both General Fund and Housing Revenue Account land, for planning purposes under Section 122 of the Local Government Act 1972. The appropriation was to take place following demolition of the existing buildings on the site.
   
   
3. Agreed that the appropriation for planning purposes was temporary and necessary to enable demolition, site preparation and construction works required for the development.
   
   
4. Approved the use of the Council’s powers under Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, following appropriation of the land, to override easements and other third-party rights or interests that could impede the development of the Phase 1A site.
   
   
5. Approved the subsequent appropriation of the Phase 1A site for housing purposes under Section 19 of the Housing Act 1985 following practical completion of the new-build development.
   
   
6. Delegated authority to the Director of Capital Projects and Property, in consultation with the Director of Finance and Resources, the Cabinet Member for Housing and the Monitoring Officer, to:
   • implement the appropriations referred to in the report and determine their timing;
   • take all necessary steps to enable reliance on Section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016; and
   • agree the terms of, and authorise payment of, any compensation required as a result of exercising those powers.
     
     
7. Delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Housing to approve extensions to the construction and consultancy contracts up to the maximum value set out in the exempt section, subject to approval through the Housing Delivery contingency process.
   
   
8. Approved the total scheme cost for Phase 1A as set out in the exempt report.
   
   
9. Approved the issue of a letter of intent for up to 10% of the contract value specified in the exempt report.
   
   
10. Approved implementation of the Love Lane Estate Management Plan and the associated budget set out in the exempt report. The plan included provision for future decommissioning and demolition, site security and investment in blocks scheduled for later phases of redevelopment.
    
    
11. Approved the commencement of procurement exercises under Contract Standing Order 2.01(b) for site security, decommissioning and demolition works relating to the Ermine, Charles and Moselle blocks once residents had been rehoused and the blocks vacated.
    
    
12. Delegated authority to the Cabinet Member for Housing, through a Cabinet Signing process, to approve the award of contracts for site security, decommissioning and demolition of the Ermine, Charles and Moselle blocks where contract values exceeded £500,000.
    
    
13. Agreed a total budget of £1.1 million for delivery of the Love Lane Estate Management Plan.
    
    
14. Delegated authority to the Director of Placemaking and Community Development to submit funding applications  ...  view the full decision text for item 12.

To note the minutes of the following:

Cabinet Member Signing

11 Jun 2026 11.30 am - Veolia Waste Contract award for 2027 for Housing Estates

To note the delegated decisions taken by Directors.

As per item 3.

Note from the Committees Manager

Items 17,18, and 19 allow for consideration of exempt information in relation to items 10, 11 and 12.

TO RESOLVE

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as items 17, 18, 19 and 20 contain exempt information as defined under paragraph 3, Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972:

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Relating to item 10.

Relating to item 11.

Relating to item 12.

As per item 3.