Transcript
-- Good afternoon, colleagues. Good afternoon, everybody. Welcome to this afternoon's cabinet
meeting. If we go to the agenda, Item No. 1, do we have apologies for absence, please?
Thank you, leader. Apologies have been received from Councillors Gomez-Aspron and Murphy.
Thank you very much. Item No. 2, minutes of the meeting held on the 22nd of May are before
us. Is it agreed that we signed them off as a correct and true accurate record?
The text silence is agreed. Thank you. Item No. 3, declaration of interest from members,
do we have any declarations of interest? No? Then Item No. 4, issues arising from overview
and scrutiny. One item on this is cabinet response to the housing void spotlight review.
Councillor Long. Thank you, chair. Firstly, I would like to
thank elected members, staff from tourists and your housing, and council officers for
taking part in this important play services scrutiny review of the increasing amount of
time it takes, on average, to re-let social housing properties here in St Helens once
they have been vacated. It is important to remind anyone watching the streaming of this
meeting and who might be unclear, that the report is not about council housing, as obviously,
for a long time now, the council does not let homes. So to be clear, it is about homes
provided by housing associations over which the council has no direct influence, though
we have a number of statutory duties listed in the report at 4.6. The report is the outcome
of a really important piece of work, because we know from the data, but most importantly
our residents, that many individuals and families are waiting, many desperately so, for suitable,
safe and quality homes to live in. The first step in being able to lead healthy and successful
lives and we all share their frustration when there are vacated property standing empty.
We know that the borough is very sadly currently experiencing more people presenting as homeless
and more residents are living in temporary accommodation for much longer periods of time.
And as the report comments, as well as the wellbeing cost to the people, there is a huge
financial cost to this for the council, as well, obviously, to housing associations and
loss of rent. In fact, NOVA, Councillor Charlton and I have just come from a council meeting
with tourists where voids was one of the issues discussed and they remain fully accepting
of the challenges. The report gives a good understanding of the challenges faced by social
landlords and we mustn't forget the wider appalling national and local housing crisis
context, which includes demand for social and affordable homes outstripping supply year
on year, a legacy of the long tenure in government of the Tory party and its failure to deliver
secure, affordable, quality homes for individuals and families in St Helens and in the rest
of the country. In terms of voids, as it says in the report, there are practical reasons
for the turnaround times, mainly the length of time it takes for older housing stock needing
full refurbishment to be fully renovated, to bring them up to standard. It's positive
to see the work being done to try to reduce the re-letting time for a property, including
a review of the nomination agreement, investment by the council to support that process, improved
tourist IT systems and the apprenticeship recruitment drive by HMS, the main contractor
supporting tourists to address staffing and skill shortages. The result of the committee's
work is a good set of achievable recommendations. You can see in appendix 3A, which cover first
the provision of more and more regular information to be provided to the registered provider
forum to ensure scrutiny of the progress to reduce letting times is maintained and indeed
it's on this afternoon's registered providers forum agenda. Second, good practice sharing
between providers to reduce letting time. Third, the strengthening of joint working
to address recruitment and skill shortages gaps. Fourth, additional data interrogation
for clarity on the number of empty homes in the local social housing sector. Fifth, an
annual report on the issue to enable place scrutiny committee members to monitor progress.
The only recommendation that hasn't been accepted relates to a good, valid suggestion for future
work, but which isn't in the scope of this report, but of course, you know, can be a
potential item on the future place services scrutiny work programme. So again, many thanks
to all for their work on this, on this particular topic led by scrutiny chair council, Robin
Hattersley. And can I finish by asking the cabinet to firstly note the outcome of the
report attached at appendix one and secondly, to approve the cabinet response to the place
services scrutiny committee spotlight review into housing voids attached at appendix two.
Thank you. Thank you very much for that report. It's
a very detailed piece of work there and thanks must go out to scrutiny for the due and diligent
work on this. And it's an excellent, excellent piece and shows that the true value of scrutiny.
Do we have any comments or questions? Councillor Macaulay.
Thanks. Thanks. And again, thanks to the scrutiny committee for doing the piece of work. It
is a vital piece of work and pushes right that people see housing associations, still
as council houses, we know knocking on doors, they still call council houses totally, if
only I would say to that, let's hope an incoming government will change some of that. And we
get some control back over housing associations. It's vital that the voids comes down, the
number of voids in the borough. And we've all got, as ward members, we'll always get
people saying such and such houses available and people see it in the communities and how
long it's taking. So it is an issue. And when we've got 4,000 people on our waiting list
and nearly 400 of those in band A and 20, I think it was 20, 32, sorry, it was 32 in
the critical, absolutely critical desperate need for housing. And we've got 27 families
in bed and breakfast at the moment. All that is cost to the council as well as people living
through what they've got to live through in the accommodation that they're currently in
or no accommodation in some cases. So it's an absolutely vital piece of work. And hopefully
with the recommendations and following through we're able to put like a little bit more pressure
on the housing associations to bring them down faster.
Thank you very much, Councillor Macaulay. I echo all those comments. Any further comments,
questions? I think you highlighted in your summing up, Councillor Long, after 14 years
of neglect, the housing crisis that the current Tory government is currently leaving in is
shameful really, but thankfully change is on the horizon with the general election fast
approaching and it's good to see top of the manifesto is housing. It's a real focus for
the new government. So that's fantastic to hear and I hope we see some of that in action.
Is that report agreed? Thank you very much. Next item, then item number five, contract
award for the council's insurance portfolio holder, insurance portfolio, Councillor Bond.
Thank you, Chair. This is a functional agenda item. Obviously the council has obligations
in statute and also commercial from a risk point of view to carry as much insurance as
possible. It makes sense. Last year the contract was open. We rolled it over because there
was a one off discrete issue in being able to go up to tender, which is now sorted. There's
nothing sinister in that. It was just simply a capacity issue. So the tender has been done
this year through Star, our procurement arm, along with the five other councils in Greater
Manchester and Norsley with YPO, which of course were part of to get the best, the best
deal for the authority to ensure that we're fully protected. So I'll move that. There's
use for a contingent insurance, contingent liability reserve that will pay for the premium
and I will move the report. Thank you very much for that, Councillor Bond. Any questions
or comments? Is that report agreed? Thank you very much. Item number six, again, coming
to you, Councillor Bond, revised contract procedure rules.
Sorry, I just thought I'd left it on. Last time this came, it was a fully detailed and
heavy report, but now we've, we've, we've cheaply transferred our, our procurements
out to Star, which, which, which we're part of. It's not been outsourced. It's still part
of the local authority sector and their procedure rules now, along with YPO have been adopted
very much about best value and for, for ensuring that we can source what we can source within
our own areas. So it's, it's, it's collective, collective situation, which will bring good
value to us and I'll move that report as well. Thank you very much, Councillor Bond. Any
questions or comments on that item? Is that agreed? Thank you. Um, onto item number seven
then revised land and property disposal procedure rules, Councillor Macaulay.
Yeah, thanks, Chair. As we know, land and property dealings by local hostess attract
wide public interest. It is therefore absolutely essential that our procedures are clearly
defined and transparent and each and every transaction is supported by documented evidence.
To ensure this happens, it's important that the council has in place a clear code of practice
underpinned by procedural guidelines, which are deemed to by elected members and officers
to ensure propriety and transparency in land and property transactions are set out before
you the revised land and property disposal procedure rules, which set out the principles
and approach by which the council will dispose of its land and property assets. The proposed
land and property disposal rules are set out in appendix three, reflecting the adoption
of the asset strategy and the asset management plan and the community asset transfer policy
together with any legislative and other changes that have occurred. The adoption of this updated
version will ensure compliance and respond to audit recommendations. I therefore ask
cabinet to consider the recommendations and I'll leave it at that to take any questions.
Thank you very much. Any questions or comments? This is a really important document, really
important piece of work that shows that we have to do things and have to do things properly
when regards to land and property. Certainly with some of them strategies you mentioned,
is that report agreed? Oh, sorry, Councillor Bond, did you want to comment?
I was just going to say that most people don't understand the governance framework with which
we have to operate as local authority and the steps we have to take to make a decision
to dispose of land and all sorts of other situations. People think it's easy. They think
it's just like, you know, that we can just do what we want all the time. It doesn't work
like that. It's there to protect the public purse and all sorts of different parts of
statutes and even in the past European legislation, which has been adopted, which gives clarity
and surety to spend on the public purse. So it's really important that we have this so
people can see exactly what we have to do before we're able to dispose of land.
Yeah, I agree. I agree. Sorry for missing you. Is that report agreed? Thank you very
much. Item eight, then enabling people to live healthier, happy lives. Councillor Bowden.
Okay, thank you, Chair. I'm pleased to be bringing this paper forward today, which sets
out what is an ambitious strategy for adult social care here in St Helensborough, which
aims to take the service to the next level in terms of good practice and the experience
of service users. The strategy has been shaped by our residents who have played a key role
in its production, telling us what improvements they would like to see. And I would like to
thank the over 300 individuals from across the borough, which includes service users,
carers, staff and members of the wider community whose input has assisted in the production
of this strategy. To the report itself, it is a relatively short document, which belies
its importance in terms of its ambition and how it will reshape the service and the experience
of service users. Our priorities as set out in the report include continuing to build
relationships so individuals feel supported, empowering people to make their own decisions
about care and support so they feel in control of decisions, and making sure information
is easier to understand and to access. We need to ensure staff are well informed and
there is consistency in approach through a new practice model, and that we continue to
be creative and ambitious for the future of the service. It's also to be noted that this
strategy complements our wider borough strategy, in particular the commitment to promote good
health, independence and care across our communities, as well as delivering on our labour manifesto
commitment of 2022 to ensure quality care services for older people. I also take the
view that this strategy, as well as improving the lives of those requiring care, will support
us in our upcoming CQC assessment. It will play a key role in helping the public and
staff understanding our strategic direction over the next three years, over the three
year cycle of the, over the next three years, sorry, and it also aligns with practice models
within CYPS with the intention of creating a seamless process from adults, from children
to adult services. So yet again this strategy is demonstrating our commitment as a labour
council to work with residents and to help improve lives despite the impact of 14 years
of Tory and Tory-Lib Dem coalition governments. In what has been proposed today, we are putting
an emphasis, we are putting an emphasis on the individual at the heart of our approach,
but to put this into a wider context, as a borough we are home to over 38,000 adults
who are supported by the local authority. This accounts for a vast majority of what
we spend on social care every year, and in turn makes up a high percentage of what we
as a council spend each year. I have mentioned the challenges brought about
by the Tories and Lib Dems, but I very much take the view that they are the past. Looking
forward it is my hope that in setting out how we want to take adult social care forward,
it will be happening against the back road of a newly elected Labour government, a government
committed to change, a government committed to our NHS and at the cutting edge of healthcare.
Our government intends on workforce development and training in the social care sector,
with a move away from a sticking-pastor approach of a failed government to one looking to solutions
and reform tackling the root causes of ill health and care needs with prevention a key
component of that approach. A Labour government committed to building a consensus on how we
reform care and the creation of a national care service, supporting people to live as
independently as possible, and for those staff who are vital in the delivery of care,
a commitment to fair pay and terms and conditions. Funding will of course, and a commitment to
long-term funding, will of course play a part in improving services, but so too is the need
for reform. Returning to the strategy document itself, its style is a little different to others.
In its avoidance of council and health sector speak, it doesn't make assumptions about the
knowledge of the reader, but in terms it is not taking a condescending tone. It sets out who we
are, what we do and how the strategy was put together, the challenges we face and how we want
to do things going forward. It's an easy to read document and would eventually suggest people do so,
not just those who access or need to access the service or may need to access the service,
but the wider communities as it will give a much better understanding of just what we as a council
spend a large percentage of taxpayers monies on and the challenges we face in doing so.
In particular, I would draw your attention to pages 32 onwards where we set out how we are and
have already begun to change our approach with the introduction of a Centennial Practice Model,
which will deliver the aims of the strategy which is set out on the previous pages.
And in doing so, how we will improve people's, how we will help to improve people's lives and
to help them lead happy and fulfilling lives. And in that, I ask you to support the recommendations
in the report. Thank you very much, Councillor Bowden. An excellent introduction to an excellent
piece of work and thanks goes to yourself and to all the officers for all the hard work in
bringing that together. Do we have questions or comments from coming up? Yes, Councillor Wolland.
Oh yeah, there we go. Yeah, I just want to thank you, Andy, Councillor Bowden,
really. I really enjoyed reading this document. I think it's so resident centred, isn't it?
It's informed by our residents and for me, what's really important is that it's written in language
that we can all understand. So thank you. Did you want to come back? Very briefly,
when discussing this document before it came here, my initial read through of the documents,
I bulked a little bit because it's not in the style that, as a Councillor, I'm sometimes used
to reading and things like that and challenge the officers back. But once we'd had those
conversations about the style and the process, it became very clear about the amount of thought
that officers brought into just how we presented that report in terms of its readability for service
users, for those supporting service users and, of course, staff and the wider public. So it took me
a little bit, I'll be honest, it took me a little bit of getting used to reading something that is
not in a traditional Council style. But once you get past that sort of groupthink approach,
it's very clear about how it's written and the way it's written. I would also mention as well,
an awful lot of this work was done prior to my appointment to this portfolio and it would be
remiss of me not to mention Councillor Quinn, who clearly had a role to play in the early stages of
this. And I've said it personally to Councillor Quinn and some other people involved in the sector
that I have rarely met a politician as passionate as Councillor Quinn in the area of responsibility
that she has had. And I just thought I'd take the opportunity to put that on record.
Thank you very much. Hear, hear on that one. Any more comments, questions? I think you mentioned
it in your speech, Andy, it's a manifesto promise and a manifesto delivery too. And certainly we'll
look forward to seeing it being implemented, hopefully under the more, the better gaze of
a Labour government, if we can get more words out. Certainly these represents some of the most
vulnerable in our society and it's important we do all we can to make sure they're looked after.
Is that report agreed? Thank you very much. Okay. Item number nine, award of contract for frozen
produce for the schools catering service, Councillor Charlton. Thank you, chair. This report
is seeking to award a contract for the provision of frozen produce for the school's catering service.
The school's catering service provides 7,300 primary school meals per day across 55 primary
and special schools and provides daily meals to 3000 secondary students across five secondary
schools. The service also delivers Willoughby's cafe within Newton Lee willows health and fitness
centre, Taylor park boat house cafe, and catering provision for meetings and events within council
public buildings. Food and non-alcoholic drink inflation rate peaked at 19.2% in March, 2023,
placing extensive inflationary pressures on the catering service that continued throughout the
financial year. The school's catering service utilises frozen produce across its menus.
Frozen produce provides a healthy way to preserve fresh produce and can be pre-portioned or prepared
ensuring produce is cost effective and accessible whilst still ensuring the national school food
standards and food for life accreditations are maintained. Procurement to re-procure this service
commenced in December, 2023, utilising the star procurement service. A tender process was conducted
with reference to service specific specifications and utilisation of the YPO direct award food deal
framework under lot two for frozen foods was utilised. Retrospectively a ward of this contract
is being sought due to challenges and delays in the procurement process which hindered the final
sign off of this report. A delegated executive decision has been completed to cover the period
from the 1st of April, 24 to the 19th of June, 2024. This contract award will ensure continued
provision of frozen food items. Can I ask colleagues to consider the recommendations
to award the contract for the provision of frozen produce for the school's catering service
to Hopwells Limited for a contractual period of 12 months, retrospectively commencing from the
1st of April, 2024. Thank you. Thank you very much. Councillor Charlton. Any questions or comments?
Is that report agreed? Thank you very much. Okay on to a very exciting item, item number 10,
St. Helens town centre regeneration programme phase 1a enabling works. Councillor Macaulay.
Yeah, thanks, thanks. It's absolutely brilliant that I'm presenting this today. It's basically
the next important stage of work to bring forward the exciting St. Helens town regeneration programme
at the earliest opportunity really progressing swiftly on the decision we made in September of
2023 to commit 69.2 million to achieve it. The enabling works package includes all of the works
that are required for us to achieve a cleared site, which will then allow the timely development
of a new internationally branded hotel, high quality housing and iconic new market hall
and extensive public realm improvements. The enabling works include for critical pre-development
activities such as asbestos surveys and clearance, soft stripping of fixtures and fittings,
decommissioning of utilities, installation of hoardings and more significantly the demolition
of the Hardshaw Centre itself. Alongside this further enabled works will also be undertaken
with respect of the new St. Helens multi-model interchange which is a posh name for the new
upgraded bus station and as we know the gateway for many into the town centre and also the next
stage of design of detailed design work and the creation of the required temporary bus station on
Chellam Way. Importantly the enabling works will deliver social economic and environmental value
for the border as these are key priorities for this for the council and for ECF outputs will
include employing local people, providing support and guidance to get people ready for work,
work experience opportunities, procuring local suppliers, supporting community initiatives and
providing inspirational careers advice and guidance for our young people. The enabling
world the enabling works will involve the financial commitment of 7.41 million from
the agreed capital fund allocation for the multi-model chain works. Cabinet authorisation
is sought to approve 8.906 million expenditure that includes 7.886 million in advance of the
receipt of funding from Liverpool City Region. This will enable delivery of these works in line
with the required program timetable. The City Region have advised that the gateway for funding
decision will be confirmed in July 2024 with the funding contribution being available for
the council to draw down upon based based upon expansion incurred by the author of this year.
These further authorisations are sought to maintain the positive momentum
through the delivery through the delivery stage of the enabling works. I therefore
ask cabinet to consider and support the recommendations in section two of the report
on page 158 of the regenta pack and let's let's knock the first big domino over and start the
regeneration of our town centre. I'm happy to take any questions. Thank you very much
Councillor Macaulay yeah I can see you getting even more and more excited as every sentence is
coming out. It is we can't always, Councillor Bond mentioned before about how we have to do things
in a certain way things properly and this is another step like you say to knock another domino
over to this once in a generation transformational project at the town centre. Really exciting so who
wants to come in first here we're bringing in first comment to questions.
Councillor Bond yeah I think it does tie back into what I said before.
Lady you're right these things have to happen in a certain way and that's designed to protect the
public first and we just heard Councillor Charlton talk about food inflation over the past 18 months
and inflation is impacting construction massively as well and people want things to happen
immediately. They see a report on social media all the time and think oh that's going to happen next
week. It doesn't work like that because of the governance structure that we have to have and the
way we do things. What I think this report shows is we're right at the cusp of people seeing
the wrecking ball and that's because it takes so long to get here unfortunately but that just
protects public money and this report shows to me how important city region funding is in what
we're doing now and I think that going forward is going to be ever more critical and that's the way
that local government is moving in terms of big organisations with synergies and all the kind of
economies of scale that brings but also been able to fund massive projects like this. It's a
complicated jigsaw in terms of getting the finance together and how we do it. We've made that
commitment we're now right on the edge of that beginning to happen and people stop seeing reports
in newspapers and reports on social media and seeing the action being taken. If you walk to the
Hardshaw Centre you can see what's going on it's empty but to get to the next stage we have to have
this enabling kind of agenda right to free the money up and to get that financing for that first
stage and then off we go so yeah I very much welcome this. I'm interested to see the level
of detail about where the funding is coming from and the stages of it and I'm looking forward to
the city regions giving us some money to get it going thank you. Thank you very much yeah I think
yeah I was going to mention that about city region just shows you one of the benefits that we've got
to be part of the Liverpool city region and and certainly you know one of its aims about it you
know connectivity all the works around net zero and the buses but also around this new bus station
which will be fantastic for us and I know we're talking ahead into the future but it's something
that is very much needed to improve connectivity in our town but also the town centre itself I
mean wow can't wait for it can't wait just as Martin says to start seeing things happen
to see Hardshaw Centre come down to see you know some of the new buildings going up it's really
exciting okay councilman Corr do you want to come back in yeah thanks that Martin made a
bit of a good point there but it is as you'll see from the papers it's a cocktail of funding
really but where we've got the position we've got to and without without the support of the Liverpool
city region we wouldn't be getting the town centre we're getting out without the support of our MPs
we won't be getting the town centre we're going to be getting to the lobbying that was done in
the background to make up to make up the funding package available to do this it just wouldn't have
been possible so regional government has played a big part in it our MPs have played a big part in
it and everyone on this table has played a massive part in it yeah and it's just it's just all coming
together really really excitingly there's loads of frustrations as you go away with delays utilities
and then you get loads of fuss that you get caught into it and everybody's asking me everywhere to go
when's it going to start when's it going to start so it does get frustrating when you can't give a
date and something pushes you back a little bit but as Martin said there's reasons there's reasons
for that not just reasons on site but it's funding our funding our cycle and we can make decisions
there's all sorts of little things that can push you back at times but we've got all our ducks in
a row and we're ready to go with this and the wreck the actual wrecking ball that Martin mentioned
I'll probably know what you think in the paper it'll probably be early into the year all the
soft fittings will probably start in longer august we get vacant possession yeah in august it'll be
soft soft soft fittings be ripped out then wrecking ball itself back end of the year early into the
new year I would imagine that the wrecking balls out but I think that's what everybody's waiting
to see isn't it when things start going out of the ground yeah right and I think it links into
what we're talking about in the previous item about um the previous but one item sorry about
manifesto commitments as well this is one of our commitments in in the manifesto 2022 and it just
shows another step of us delivering that as you say it's difficult you know the environment out
there what's happening you know with construction costs etc etc however we're still pressing on
and this is proof of that and another proof of partnership working you're right we placed the
city region but we can't forget all the other partners ecf the MPs everybody else and I think
it's fantastic the council abode and then council along yes thank you thank you you've actually
mentioned all the lines I was going to mention and this is yet another step forward from talk
interaction and great credit to all those you've mentioned that have played a part in getting us
to this stage and I do to be fair understand sometimes when you get grumblings from the
community and things like that well you keep talking about it but it's not actually happening
and hopefully if we take this yet another step and another step people will see that the talk turning
into reality and as I said as you've mentioned yet another commitment that we made in 22
on the way to being delivered in the timescale that we said it would be done despite all the
challenges that council mccauley has outlined but it is also worth remembering that notwithstanding
that grumbling and not not recognize that impatience of community to actually see things
happening on the ground what we're trying to achieve was opposed in this room and was opposed
in the council chamber this is only happening because of a labour administration I sat in this
room and opposition councillors voted against our plans for the town centre I've sat in meetings
where they voted against the funding streams and the budgetary packages that have enabled us to get
to this point so people should be under no illusion that this is happening because of this
administration and had others been sat where we are sat this would not be happening because they
opposed it and unfortunately I feel a little bit that they get away with that and they will look to
take the baubles and be associated with a positive outcome at some future stage
but let's make sure that we and others remind them that none of this would have been happening
if they had their way thank you yeah here here Councillor Bowden it's very easy to oppose
Councillor Long yeah thank you chair um this the regeneration is what um we hear all the time isn't
it where are we up to with the regeneration when we go knocking on doors um so it's really exciting
isn't it that we've got this report in front of us because it matters so much to residents doesn't it
and this report takes us forward even more I just want to highlight a couple of points you know I'm
really delighted to see in the report 10.6 I think it is how um you know local people have been
targeted um for jobs for jobs offers um but also what's very dear to my heart is how the project
team at 10.7 have been involved in um careers advice and guidance to our in our local schools
and colleges and how successful that that is going so how they're using this project really to
inspire and and um you know contribute to all our aspirations for our young people in the borough
thank you thank you very much council yes council mcconnell you want to come back on that
I wasn't going to lay it on too thick really but as Councillor Bowden
sort of alluded this was a manifesto commitment we gave we went out we went out
and a few years ago same way we regenerate the jail centre yeah and part of all that
yeah to do all the things we've got to do we had to get the local plan we had to get the local plan
through and as Councillor Boyd said the opposition to that was horrendous but without that local plan
this now wouldn't be anywhere near where it is yeah so let's you know the politics does come into
this where we are knocking on doors and people say where's the difference the council of council
board said that that is the difference the things that we're doing now the difference yeah Tricia
one of the things we've said what we're going to do an old cake spin uh involved heavily involved
in the social value aspects of these and with businesses and making sure we're pushing our
contractors hard on the social value aspect and making sure we get we get the jobs out of it we
won't we get the apprenticeships out they won't we get the learning the high-end jobs all them
all them things and we're pushing our suppliers really hard on that uh so that's all that they
do deliver them outputs that we want to see there's little things in there isn't in the reports as
well if you've got the report the glass that is in the hard shell center of the minute it's going
to be recycled at pilx and used in the new one coming forward there's loads of little things
in this they're absolutely fantastic yeah uh to make it good the guys that vinci were doing the
martin mentioned the construction costs yeah the guys we've got working on that value engineering
our officers are working tirelessly on that as well and full credit to them by the way
how they're pushing our contractors to make sure we get the savings we need to get but without
diminishing the quality we're going to get and keeping that some telling us within this project
yeah so it's a credit it's a credit to everything we've we've when people start seeing them out the
ground it'd be unique to some television it's not off the shelf project yeah and it's got plenty in
there that everybody can be excited about thank you uh i think yeah to your earlier comments
i remember somebody saying recently the difference between protest and power so read out of that what
you will but yeah um i i completely agree i think it's it's it's it's great to get to this stage
uh and and thanks to everyone who's been involved we mentioned thanking the MPs let's thank a future
MP who started this who used to be sat in this um in this seat to uh to David Baines for all his
hard work over the years as well on it um but also to the officers and i think it's really important
to i know we we moan sometimes about the capacity limits that we have at local authority and we
certainly struggle and we ask a lot of our officers but this is an example of them going above and
beyond so to Kath and your team and Lisa and Sean and everybody who's involved in this is absolutely
tremendous work and we really do appreciate it so with that is that item agreed thank you very much
okay so for the next items it's recommended that due to the content that they have been considered
as exempt in the absence of the press and public can i therefore ask for someone to move and second
this resolution for the reasons set out in the agenda thanks and second Councillor Bond okay
thank you very much