Decision

Salford City Council - Record of Decision (Cabinet)

I Paul Dennett, City Mayor, in exercise of the powers contained within the City Council Constitution do hereby:

1)    Approve the Environmental Services Modernisation Programme 2026/27 to 2028/29 and mobilisation of Phase 1: Stabilise and Strengthen, as described in this report, within the approved 2026/27 budget.

2)    Approve the Programme governance arrangements summarised in this report: the Lead Member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety will chair the Programme Board as Executive Sponsor; the Deputy Chief Executive (Executive Director of Place) will be Corporate Sponsor; and the Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods will chair the Programme Delivery Group as Senior Responsible Officer.

3)    Approve the establishment of the externally chaired Salford Neighbourhood Environmental Outcomes Review as an advisory part of Phase 2 from 2027/28, subject to a satisfactory Phase 1 gateway assessment and confirmed resources.  The Review’s detailed terms of reference, appointment of its Chair and work programme will be agreed through the appropriate Council processes.

4)    Delegate authority to the Deputy Chief Executive (Executive Director of Place), in consultation with the Lead Member, to mobilise and manage the Programme within confirmed budgets, the Council’s Constitution and existing delegations.  Proposals requiring a separate formal decision will be brought forward through the normal routes.

5)    Consider the equality implications in this report and the initial screening at Appendix 2, and require further assessment at material Programme gateways and before any proposed change to services or workforce arrangements.

The Reasons are:

To improve neighbourhood environmental outcomes and reduce inequalities through a phased programme that strengthens service leadership, organisational capacity, safety, financial control and performance information.  The Programme will combine visible neighbourhood improvements with research, resident and workforce engagement, and local testing to inform future service and investment decisions.

Options considered and rejected were:

·       Continuing existing service delivery without a coordinated programme: this would leave recurring pressures and organisational improvement needs insufficiently addressed.

·       Continuing separate improvement projects: this would make it harder to coordinate priorities, resources, dependencies and benefits.

·       Moving directly to service redesign: the detailed Best Value assessment, neighbourhood evidence, workforce engagement and affordability work are not yet complete.

The phased Programme is preferred because it supports immediate improvements while building the evidence and capacity needed for longer-term decisions.

Assessment of Risk:

The principal risks concern programme capacity, continuity of frontline services, workforce uncertainty and relations, future affordability, the quality of evidence, unequal or unintended effects, and expectations about future service changes.

Mitigation includes prioritising and sequencing workstreams, engaging staff and recognised trade unions, strengthening evidence and assurance, maintaining service continuity arrangements, and committing resources only within approved budgets and delegations.  The Programme Board will oversee the risk register, with gateway assessments and separate approvals for material changes.

The source of funding is:

The approved 2026/27 modernisation budget of £839,911, supported by Extended Producer Responsibility income.  Estimated expenditure for 2026/27 is £791,870, leaving an unallocated balance of £48,041.

Funding beyond 2026/27 is not confirmed. Later-year estimates are indicative, and this decision does not commit future budgets.

Legal Advice obtained:

Surjit Tour, City Solicitor and Monitoring Officer.

Legal implications are set out in the report, covering the Council’s Best Value duty, powers and governance arrangements, the Review’s advisory status, equality duties and the need for further advice and approvals before material changes are implemented.

Financial Advice obtained:

Rachel Rosewell, Chief Finance Officer, dated 2 October 2026.

Financial implications are set out in the report, including the available 2026/27 budget, indicative later-year costs, uncertainty over future funding and the requirement for separate business cases and approvals for additional expenditure or investment.

Procurement Advice obtained:

Anthony Hilton, Head of Procurement, dated 17 August 2026.

Procurement implications are set out in the report. Appointments and commissions must have an approved business need, specification, budget and procurement route, and comply with applicable procurement law, Contractual Standing Orders and financial regulations.

HR Advice obtained:

Daniella McKeown, Strategic HR&OD Manager, Place Directorate, dated 1 October 2026.

HR implications are set out in the report, including workforce planning, staff and trade union engagement, skills and wellbeing. Any future workforce changes will require appropriate HR advice, equality assessment, consultation and approvals.

Climate Change Advice obtained:

Climate change implications are addressed in the report.  The Programme could support more efficient fleet and asset use, waste reduction, recycling, biodiversity and climate-resilient public spaces.  Specific proposals will assess their environmental effects before approval.

The following documents have been used to assist the decision process:

·       Environmental Services Modernisation Programme 2026/27 to 2028/29 report to the City Mayor following consultation with Cabinet, dated 27 October 2026.

·       Appendix 1 – Indicative Programme timeline.

·       Appendix 2 – Initial Equality Impact Assessment for the Programme.

Contact Officer:                        

Rupert Casey, Director of Environment and Neighbourhoods
Email: rupert.casey@salford.gov.uk

Telephone number: 07729 231350

The appropriate scrutiny to call-in the decision is the Community and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Panel.                 

Signed:           Paul Dennett                               Dated:         27 October 2026 

                    City Mayor

For Democratic Services use only

This decision was published on 27 October 2026                                           

This decision will come in force at 4.00 p.m. on 3 November 2026 unless it is called-in in accordance with the Decision Making Process Rules.