Issue - meetings

Cabinet Member: Leader

Forward Plan Ref: 2010/107

Contact: Steven Howell, Assistant to the Cabinet Tel: (01865) 816376

Report by Leader of the Council (CA 10).

To agree a response to the legislative programme outlined in the Queen’s Speech on 25 May 2010.

Cabinet considered a report (CA10) that set out a response to the content of the Queen’s Speech that was delivered on 25 May 2010. The report also summarised an initial reaction to the new measures announced in the emergency budget delivered on 22 June 2010.

Councillor Zoe Patrick, Leader of the Opposition, welcomed the inclusion in the Queen’s Speech of 23 policies proposed by the Liberal Democrat Party. In commenting on individual proposals, she welcomed the pupil premium and Localism Bill. In relation to academies, she expressed some concerns over the funding for the remaining schools. She welcomed the Council’s response on planning issues and felt that with regard to the proposals in the Health Bill it was a question of waiting to see how GPs managed their new role.

Responding to a question from Councillor Mitchell regarding the position of her Group in relation to development at Grenoble Road Councillor Patrick indicated she had nothing to say at this time.

The Leader in proposing the response commented that he welcomed the academy proposals but shared some of the concerns over future funding of remaining schools. He was proposing a conference looking at academies.

During discussion, the Cabinet Member for Schools Improvement referred to the pupil premium and asked that the response include a request to include the children of service men and women in the proposal. Referring to the admissions issue, he was not persuaded that the use of the schools adjudicator would be effective.

The Deputy Leader suggested a strengthening of the response under paragraph 21. He commented that responsibilities were to come to local authorities with no additional funding.

The Cabinet Member for Growth & Infrastructure referred to paragraphs 10 & 11 relating to mineral extraction and suggested an additional point be made to government seeking clarity over arrangements for determining the amount of mineral extraction in localities.

RESOLVED:                        to agree the response set out in the report subject to the strengthening of the response in relation to paragraphs 15 and 21 and an additional point under paragraph 12 relating to mineral extraction.