The Gloucestershire County Council Cabinet meeting on 12 June 2024 covered a range of topics, including financial performance, childcare reforms, and community support services. Key decisions were made on the allocation of funds, procurement processes, and the implementation of various strategies aimed at improving local services.

Finance, Performance and Risk Monitoring Report

Councillor Lynden Stowe updated the Cabinet on the Council's outturn expenditure for 2023/24, reporting an underspend of £10.045 million. This included £4.410 million of additional electricity income generated from the energy-from-waste facility. The Cabinet approved the transfer of the underspend to General Reserves, with £4.410 million earmarked for highways projects and addressing financial risks in 2024/25. The balance of General Reserves increased to £27.974 million, representing 4.5% of the 2024/25 net revenue budget. The report also highlighted progress in reducing emissions from public transport and a reduction in SEND-related complaints.

Childcare Reforms Capital and Delivery Grants

Councillor Stephen Davies sought approval to accept and distribute Childcare Delivery Grant funding from the Department for Education. The funding aims to expand early years and wraparound childcare provision, with £1,175,969 allocated for capital funding and £4,266,300 for delivery funding. The Cabinet approved the allocation of these funds to local childcare providers to meet the demand for additional places and ensure existing places are available for the required hours.

Early Years Special Education Needs (SEN) Centre Procurement

Councillor Stephen Davies also sought approval to increase funding from the Dedicated Schools Grant for commissioning Early Years SEN centres. The proposed contract, valued at £1,320,000 for three years (with an option to extend for two more years), aims to support early education and intervention for children with SEN. The Cabinet approved the allocation of £440,000 per year for this purpose, ensuring sufficient and quality early education and childcare provision for children with SEN.

Community and Accommodation Based Support: Two-Year Extension

Councillor Stephan Fifield sought approval to extend the term of the council’s existing Community and Accommodation Based Support (CABS) contracts for two years, with a total maximum value of £13.2 million. These services help prevent homelessness and rough sleeping by providing skills and resilience to vulnerable individuals. The Cabinet approved the extension, ensuring continued support for some of the county’s most vulnerable residents.

Community and Adult Skills Programmes 2024 – 2025

Councillor Philip Robinson sought approval to run a competitive procurement process for adult learning services and to enter into a funding agreement with the Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA). The combined value of the Call-Off Contracts should not exceed £400,000, funded by the ESFA grant of £2,859,085 for the 2024 – 2025 academic year. The Cabinet approved the proposals, ensuring the continuation of adult education services in Gloucestershire.

Solar PV Installations using Salix Finance Loan

Councillor David Gray sought approval for a £1,000,000 programme to install photovoltaic solar panels across the GCC estate. The programme, funded by a £500,000 interest-free loan from Salix and £500,000 from the GCC Invest to Save fund, aims to reduce energy consumption and emissions. The Cabinet approved the use of funds for the initial phase, covering 11 council-owned properties, and a further phase subject to business case approval.

Exempt Minutes

The Cabinet agreed to consider the exempt minutes without debate and without moving into an exempt session. The exempt minutes of the meeting on 15 May 2024 were agreed as a correct record.

For more details, you can refer to the printed minutes of the meeting.