Decisions

To reopen outdoor play areas and outdoor gym equipment from 4 July 2020.

Financial/staffing/health & safety (incl virus transmission risks)/service delivery impacts/other risks and impacts considered:
Safety information to be displayed with social distancing stickers and every other swing removed.

Equality impacts:
None.

To reopen outdoor play areas and outdoor gym equipment on 4 July 2020.

Reason: To allow children to use outdoor play areas and all to use outdoor gym equipment.

To reopen the pavement café from 4 July 2020 and Bistro from 6 July 2020.

Financial/staffing/health & safety (incl virus transmission risks)/service delivery impacts/other risks and impacts considered:
Safe system of work in place, agreed with Health & Safety and Public Health.

Equality Impacts:
None.

To reopen pavement café 4 July 2020 and reopen Bistro 6 July 2020.

Reason: To restart catering service in line with Government guidance.

To reopen the Head of Steam from Tuesday 14 July 2020 with booking system in place and reduced price.

Financial/staffing/health & safety (incl virus transmission risks)/service delivery impacts/other risks and impacts considered:

Safe system of work in place, agreed with Health & Safety and Public Health.
Safety information to be displayed with social distancing stickers.

Equality Impacts:
None.

To reopen Head of Steam on 14 July 2020.

Reason: To allow the public to visit the Head of Team in line with Government guidance.

To reopen Crown Street and Cockerton Libraries from Monday 13 July 2020 with the following restrictions:
- Express service for book loans
- Restricted access for browsing
- Booking system for Local Studies
- Restricted access for gallery space
- No ICT usage

Financial/staffing/health & safety (incl virus transmission risks)/service delivery impacts/other risks and impacts considered:

Restricted service to be available as detailed above.
Safe system of work in place as agreed with Health & Safety and Public Health.
Safety information to be displayed with social distancing stickers.

To reopen Crown Street and Cockerton Libraries on 13 July 2020 with the following restrictions in place:
- Express service for book loans
- Restricted access for browsing
- Booking system for Local Studies
- Restricted access for gallery space
- No ICT usage

Reason: To allow the public to visit Crown Street and Cockerton Libraries in line with Government guidance.

In late May 2020 the Government instructed all local authorities to have local outbreak control plans in place before the end of June. The plan sets out how we will work to prevent cases and outbreaks of COVID-19 in Darlington and how we will respond if and when they do. The plan is to be produced, approved and published to a tight timescale.

Financial/staffing/health & safety (incl virus transmission risks)/service delivery impacts/other risks and impacts considered:

No negative service impacts identified. The plan describes actions to prevent and manage outbreaks.
Test and Trace Service Grant allocated to the Council for this work.

To approve the Darlington Local Outbreak Control Plan: June 2020, as a ‘work in progress’, with effect 29 June 2020.

Reason: It is mandated that every Upper Tier Local Authority will publish an approved Local Outbreak Control Plan by the end of June 2020. The timescale has mitigated against wider consultation and debate.

Approval of licence applications/permissions/consents made under the Licensing Act 2003 for the month of June 2020.

Individual decisions made in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation are detailed on the attached document.

To agree the Applications for Planning Permission and Other Consents under the Town and Country Planning Act and Associated Legislation.

Individual decisions made in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation are detailed on the attached document.

As a result of COVID and other challenges in the retail market, Market Asset Management Darlington approached DBC for financial assistance to ensure they could continue to trade and deliver the refurbished Market (circa £1.8m investment by MAMD).

To assist MADM with cashflow it was agreed that loan interest and principle charges would be deferred until 1 April 2022 at which time, full repayment of the loan would commence on a 10-year term therefore there is no financial impact on the council as the loan is still to be repaid in full.

To give direct financial assistance, a discretionary grant of £40,000 was approved from the Council’s discretionary business grant scheme and a two-year rent free period (cash to the Council £20,000) was agreed.

To grant financial support as detailed above, in the executive summary.

Reason- To enable the redevelopment of a major asset in the town centre at minimum cost to the Council of all options .

A decision was taken to recommence the highways maintenance programme in May 2020 and this included a scheme at the junction of Stanhope Road South/ Coniscliffe Road and West St.

Each site has been re-examined with regard to social distancing and appropriate safety measures and almost all are able to progress.

However, upon release of lockdown and the Council trying to support businesses getting back to business one scheme was reviewed as it was considered there may be some disruption to businesses and pedestrians trying to access parts of the town centre and conflict with the social distancing measures now in place around the Imperial Quarter.

Delaying the scheme until later in the year is recommended.

Financial/staffing/health & safety (inc virus transmission risks)/service delivery impacts/other risks and impacts considered:
Finance - Deferring for a year will risk the roads deteriorating further and requiring monitoring and more extensive work the following year and there will be the extra work required throughout the year to keep areas in a safe and serviceable condition for another 12 months.

Equality Impacts:
Each scheme will consider equality needs as part of the temporary works during the delivery phase. The maintenance schemes should result in a reduction of potential hazards in the highway.

Defer the Stanhope Road South/ Coniscliffe Road and West St Highway maintenance scheme.

Reasons - To support town centre recovery.

The Highway Maintenance programme of works is developed from inspections, testing and scanner survey carried out each year and the information from this is used to determine the sites in need of attention, which is then added to a five year rolling programme that is reviewed annually.

A program of works based on the data received from the condition surveys was approved by Cabinet in March based on the programme.

As part of a gradual build up back to business as usual it is the intention to re-start this year’s schemes to prevent the condition of the Highway becoming worse, managing risk on the highway as traffic levels increase and reducing longer term costs of repairs.

Each site has been re-examined with regard to social distancing and appropriate safety measures and almost all are able to progress. An assessment is attached at Appendix 1 showing which schemes are proposed to continue and which may be deferred.

Financial/staffing/health & safety (inc virus transmission risks)/service delivery impacts/other risks and impacts considered:
Finance - Return to business as usual will improve efficiency and prevent more extensive costly repairs.
Insurance claims - Reduce the risk of insurance claims due to reduced maintenance
Public perception - More potholes appearing across the network leading to more complaints
COVID19 - The works can be progressed under the current guidelines with the necessary systems in place. Risk assessments and method statements are in place and being monitored.

All schemes have been reassessed regarding social distancing measures.

Equality Impacts:
Each scheme will consider equality needs as part of the temporary works during the delivery phase. The maintenance schemes should result in a reduction of potential hazards in the highway

Restart the Highway Maintenance programme and add further schemes arising the additional funding recently announced as per the attached schedule.

Reasons - To progress road repairs and reduce the risk of the roads deteriorating further and requiring more extensive work the following year. In addition, it is to avoid extra work required throughout the year to keep them in a safe and serviceable condition for another 12 months.

On the commencement of lock-down numerous operational considerations were taken in relation to the safe operation of public services and protection of the public in terms of reducing the transmission of the virus. One consideration was whether to suspend parking charges.

Financial/staffing/health & safety (incl virus transmission risks)/service delivery impacts/other risks and impacts considered:
Lockdown resulted in the effective closure of town centre activity and as such the demand for parking decreased significantly.
The suspension of parking was considered appropriate to help manage the following:
- The safety of the public who needed to use facilities. Reducing the risk of transmission by removing the need to make contact with ticket machines.
- The safety of staff managing car parks who would have to enforce and service machines. Therefore, reducing the risk of transmission and protecting our staff.

The financial impact was considered and there will be an impact on predicted levels of income in the MTFP. However, given lockdown was going to reduce demand and the levels of parking income pre-Covid could not be reasonably be expected achieved the public health benefits were considered to outweigh any potential income that may be received.

The suspension of parking supported key workers and NHS staff to provide services more easily during lockdown.

Equality Impacts:
The suspension of parking charges was not considered to have any negative impacts in terms of equality.

To suspend parking charges in council parking areas.

Reasons - To reduce the risk of transmission of the virus amongst the public and to protect staff from exposure.

The Cabinet Member with the Economy and Regeneration Portfolio introduced the report of the Director of Economic Growth updating Members on Ingenium Parc and requesting that consideration be given to the granting of delegated authority for the completion of the associated Funding Agreement; releasing the capital funding to allow the first phase of infrastructure works to commence; and land and property matters arising in order to deliver the Masterplan. The submitted report stated Ingenium Parc was a 40-hectare greenfield development site adjacent to a number of established advanced manufacturing and engineering businesses; the site had been earmarked as a strategic employment site; and that to open up the Phase One land, infrastructure works were required.

That the Director of Neighbourhood Services and Resources be authorised to conclude the Funding agreement, with the Tees Valley Combined authority, in relation to the Local Growth Fund contribution; that £4.959m of capital funding be released upon completion of the Funding N/Agreement to deliver works at Ingenium Parc, as described in paragraphs 19 and 20 of the submitted report; and that the Director of Economic Growth be authorised to acquire third party interests at Ingenium Parc and to settle any compensation arising under the Tenancy Agreement.

Reasons - The project will stimulate, promote and help to manage development of the area in line with the Local Plan, employment Land Review and Interim Planning Statement – where it is identified as employment land for B1, B2 and B8 use.

To promote economic growth through opening employment land with the potential to create over 2000 jobs.

Positive addition to our inward investment sales portfolio.

Cabinet previously agreed the release of funding from the Economic Growth Initiative Fund, to produce a more detailed business case for the Feethams Office development. TVCA funding has been secured subject to due diligence and an application for ERDF funding made.

The submitted report outlined the background to the proposed development and the financial and funding implication, stated it had not been possible to pre-let the space prior to commencing development and that the establishment of Grade A office accommodation in the Town Centre is seen as a significant regeneration scheme and job creation opportunity.

That, subject to receipt of satisfactory funding, authority be delegated to the Director of Economic Growth and to the Assistant Director Law and Governance to enter into the construction contract for the design and construction of the office and public realm.

That authority be delegated to the Director of Neighbourhood Services and Resources to enter into the grant funding agreements, on the terms as set out in the March 2018 Cabinet report.

Reasons -
(a) To continue the strategic development of Feethams, in line with the Feethams masterplan.

(b) To attract more professional, business and office-based jobs to the centre of Darlington contributing to Town Centre vitality.

(c) To enable the project to advance in line with the desired timetable.

(d) To put in place funding for any revenue deficits from the scheme.

To approve the assignment of a ground lease of Skerne Park Hotel, Coleridge Gardens, Darlington on the same terms as existing lease.

The assignment of the ground lease of Skerne Park Hotel, Coleridge Gardens, Darlington.

Reason - The assignment will provide the best opportunity for the future success of the hotel and existing businesses on the Skerne Park estate.

In March 2018 Cabinet authorised the acquisition of 55 acres of land at Neasham Road for potential residential development and to facilitate the relocation of the Cattle Mart from Clifton Road. The site to be developed in part for private housing in conjunction with the Council’s developer partner, and as a site for affordable Council housing, built by the Council’s Building Services.

The proposed acquisition of the house and 5.3 acres of land at Snipe Lane to be acquired are adjacent to the Neasham Road land in informal negotiations the owner has provisionally agreed to sell his land holding to the Council subject to agreed terms.

The house and 5.3 acres of land at Snipe Lane be acquired, subject to terms.

Reasons -
(a) To acquire land for potential future residential development.
(b) The Council will have control of land adjacent to its currently proposed residential development site at Neasham Road.

The retail unit, 12 Skinnergate a Grade II listed building suffered extensive fire damage in 2018, resulting in the building being supported by scaffolding.

The owners of the building have agreed, subject to terms and conditions, to sell the property to the Council. While the purchase and subsequent works will ensure a general improvement in the appearance of the building more significant regeneration opportunities for the immediate area may also become available with the inclusion of adjacent vacant properties in any future scheme which could include residential development whilst retaining an improved retail front scheme.

The acquisition of 12 Skinnergate be approved on the terms set out in the report to Cabinet on 11 June 2019.

The Director of Economic Growth and Neighbourhood Services, in consultation with the relevant portfolio holders, pursue and conclude negotiations with the owners of the wider potential development site, and the outcomes of those negotiations and future plans be presented to a future Cabinet meeting for approval.

Reasons - Development of this Grade II listed building will improve the general amenity of the Skinnergate area.

The purchase will present future opportunities to further develop the adjacent properties into a residential site therefore increasing residential occupation and reducing poor retail units in low demand.

In order to satisfy lottery funding requirements the existing leaseholder has asked for an extension of their existing 15-year unexpired lease to run for a period of 30 years.

It is cleaner and simpler to surrender the existing lease and grant a new 3-year lease.

The Leaseholder has also recently changed their company status to a ‘Society’ name and request that their new identity be recognised within the Lease.

That the existing unexpired lease be surrendered and approval be granted of a 30-year lease to the newly named Society, with all terms under their existing lease being transferred.

Reasons - The grant of a 30-year lease to the Society will assist in their application for Lottery Funding which, if successful, will be used to improve the building and facility at The Forum, Borough Road.

Planning permission has been given for a residential development at Oak Meadows, Middleton St George. An electricity sub-station and sewage pumping station are to be provided to service the development. A convenient access for utility companies to these sub-stations is across highway verge and a strip of unadopted Council land. Highways are happy for the access being created for infrequent use and for grasscrete to be provided to the area.

Approval of Easement/Wayleave to provide access across highway verge and a strip of Council unadopted land at Oak Meadows, Middleton St George.

Reason - To provide a convenient access for utility services at Oak Meadows at Middleton St George.

The condition the unclassified carriageway road network was identified through our annual condition surveys as requiring urgent attention. A business case was accepted into the MTFP for £500k per year for three years to invest additional funding to improve the condition and carry out preventative treatments to halt or slow the decline.
The process involves repairs to deep failures followed by a complete road surface covering stopping the ingress of water which causes failures, therefore extending the life of the road by more than ten years.
This micro asphalt treatment has been successful in stemming a decline in condition data and delivering a 20% improvement in the condition of the network. This year is the last year of the additional funding and expect to see a further improvement.
When lockdown commenced a decision was taken by Cabinet to suspend this year’s programme given the circumstances and guidance at the time relating to Covid-19. Since then guidance has changed and the contractor has been able to adapt to new working arrangements and safely and successfully deliver this type of works in other parts of the Country.
A review was undertaken of the DBC programme which is due August/September and a proportion of the programme is now considered deliverable subject to the new working arrangements. By the time the programme commences there maybe further changes to guidance which will able more of the programme to be delivered and this will be kept under review. (see Appendix for revised programme).
Financial/staffing/health

To progress with a revised Micro Asphalt Patching

As a result of lockdown, from 24 March 2020 wedding ceremonies ceased to be able to take place.

As part of the review of lockdown and the easing of restriction from the 4 July 2020 the Government announced that wedding ceremonies could take place from 4 July 2020, with some restrictions.

A decision needs to be made about the recommencement weddings in a way that protects the public and staff.

General Registry Office guidance was issued on 29 June 2020 and this has been taken into account.

Financial/staffing/health & safety (incl virus transmission risks)/service delivery impacts/other risks and impacts considered:
Because of the restrictions, many people have chosen to postpone weddings and the numbers booking or rebooking marriage ceremonies are likely to continue to be down with a consequential loss of income.

The need to continue to protect the public attending weddings and key staff (Registrars) to deliver priority services (Birth and death registration).

The need to ensure that the services we provide are done so in accordance with current guidance on social distancing and public health guidance.

The disappointment people will feel in no longer being able to have the numbers of guests that they were expecting to be able to attend a wedding/ceremony.

Equality Impacts - consider separate impact assessment where appropriate:
No direct impacts.

In order to limit viral transmission risks and maintain a 2 metre social distance the following number limitations will apply when wedding ceremonies restart on 4 July 2020.

Statutory Marriage Room – couple + 2 witnesses.
Council Chamber Foyer – Couple + 6 guests.
Council Chamber – Couple + 16 guests

[Hotels – 30 guests including registrars, couple being married and 26 guests which includes photographers and musicians].

Reason - To support service recommencement and the protection of public health.

The governments job retention scheme was initiated to assist organisations in response to covid-19 allowing employers to place employee on furlough with the employees agreement and the government would pay 80% of the wages upto £2,500 per month. Eligibility for the scheme depends on whether the organisation is public funded. The Council operates a number of Leisure and culture facilities which are funded by sales, fees and charges, there are also a number of trading areas where staff have not been able to work due to site closures e.g. construction.
Furlough leave must last at least three weeks and the employee cannot work during that time period.
The decision to be made is whether to apply for the job retention scheme.
Financial/staffing/health and safety (including virus transmission risks)/service delivery impacts/other risks and impacts considered:
The first application for furlough if approved would be £126k and would help offset the lost income. It would affect approximately 130 staff.
Staff would not be able to work for the council during the furlough period however they can be called back if required.
Further applications could be made if successful
Equality impacts:
The Furlough of staff was not considered to have any negative impacts in terms of equality

Decision made to apply for the scheme to offset expenditure and mitigate in part the financial pressures faced due to COVID-19.

Approval of licence applications/permissions/consents made under the Licensing Act 2003 for the month of May 2020.

Individual decisions made in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation are detailed on the attached document.

Approval of licence applications/permissions/consents made under the Licensing Act 2003 for the month of April 2020.

Individual decisions made in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation are detailed on the attached document.

Approval of licence applications/permissions/consents made under the Licensing Act 2003 for the month of March 2020.

Individual decisions made in accordance with the provisions of the relevant legislation are detailed on the attached document.