Members to give notice of any interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

No declarations were made by Members of the Executive.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Members for Economic Growth and Planning and for Environment and Operations.

1)    That approval be granted to proceed to the next stage for the procurement of Environmental, Highways and Technical Services through issuing an Invitation to Submit Detailed Solutions to shortlisted bidders for the specified services.

2)    That an update report be presented to Executive in December 2014 to report on progress so far.

3)    That a further report to be brought back to the Executive in early 2015 setting out the outcome of the procurement process for the Executive to consider and approve any proposal prior to the signing of any contract.

4)    That it be requested that the matter be referred to the Scrutiny Committee for consideration prior to the Executive Meeting in early 2015.

The Executive Members for Economic Growth and Planning and for Environment and Operations submitted a joint report which provided an update on progress to engage private sector partners for the delivery of a range of environmental, highways, professional, technical and infrastructure services, and sought approval to proceed to the next stage of the procurement exercise, namely the Invitation to Submit Detailed Solutions.

            RESOLVED:

(1)        That approval be granted to proceed to the next stage for the procurement of Environmental, Highways and Technical Services through issuing an Invitation to Submit Detailed Solutions to shortlisted bidders for the specified services.

(2)        That an update report be presented to Executive in December 2014 to report on progress so far.

(3)        That a further report to be brought back to the Executive in early 2015 setting out the outcome of the procurement process for the Executive to consider and approve any proposal prior to the signing of any contract.

(4)        That it be requested that the matter be referred to the Scrutiny Committee for consideration prior to the Executive Meeting in early 2015.

To receive a report of the Director of Finance and Corporate Director, Children, Families and Wellbeing.

The Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance submitted a report which set out proposed measures to reduce the shortfall which had been identified within the Children, Families and Wellbeing Budget for 2014-15. An opportunity was provided for Members to raise questions, and the Executive agreed to recommend Council to approve a number of proposed measures.

RESOLVED – That it be recommended that Council:

1.    Notes the additional in-year savings within the Children, Families & Wellbeing Directorate of up to £(3.3)m;

2.    Approves the reduction in the Provision for Equal Pay Claims of £(1.0)m and the use of capital receipts of £(1.3)m from Urmston Town Centre as outlined in para. 3.6 of the report;

3.    Approves the further use of up to £(1.6)m from the General Reserve in support of the 2014/15 budget;

4.    Approves the use of the General Reserve (if required) for the Council’s contribution to the accumulated deficit on the Learning Disability Pooled Budget on condition that the General Reserve is restored to the approved minimum level for 2015/16.