Agenda and decisions

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: Approval is sought for the granting of investment from the UK Government Shared Prosperity Fund (UK SPF) to projects and interventions listed in Appendix One of this report, as part of the UK Government’s Levelling Up Programme.

Author: Frances O’Brien, Chief Officer Enterprise

Hannah Jones, Head of Economy Employment and Skills

Contact Details: francesobrien@monmouthshire.gov.uk

hannahjones@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet approves the list of UK SPF projects in Appendix One, which contribute significantly to the strategic aims of the Council’s Community and Corporate Plan, namely:

• Communities and Place;

• Local Business;

• People and Skills

That Cabinet agrees with the Monmouthshire People and Place Partnership’s informed decisions in the allocation of Monmouthshire’s UK SPF funding.

Division/Wards Affected: None

Purpose: To present the business case for resources to implement the Microsoft SharePoint Online Electronic Data & Records Management System (MS SPO EDRMS), bringing business benefits and efficiencies and enabling full use of the business tools within the MS Enterprise Agreement.

Author: Sian Hayward - Head of Information Security and Technology

Contact Details: sianhayward@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet agree funding of £355,441 to be drawn from the ICT reserve for the implementation of the SharePoint Online, enabling workforce mobility, data security, data analysis and full use of the O365 suite of business tools provided under the Microsoft Enterprise Agreement. This includes funding of an internal resource requirement that is needed for a 24-month period to support the successful delivery of the project and to ensure the transition of SPO into ‘business as usual’.

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To begin the process of formally applying to become a county of sanctuary for those fleeing persecution and to provide updates on the Council’s ongoing support for Ukrainians and accommodation for asylum seekers arriving in the UK.

Author: Matthew Gatehouse, Head of Policy Performance and Scrutiny

Contact Details: matthewgatehouse@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet agree to the council becoming a member of the City of Sanctuary network and working towards becoming an awarded member by going through an accreditation process.

That Cabinet receive an update on support currently being provided for Ukrainian refugees and identify areas where additional changes may be required.

That Cabinet note the current position regarding the Home Office approach to asylum dispersal in the UK

Division/Wards Affected: All

Purpose: To provide update on the most recent update of the MTFP and to agree the process and timetable for developing the budget for 2023/24.

Author: Jonathan S. Davies Head of Finance (Deputy Section 151 Officer) 

Contact Details: jonathandavies2@monmouthshire.gov.uk

That Cabinet notes the unprecedented challenges facing the Council as a result of the most recent update of the MTFP and the budget shortfall of £23.1m needing to be addressed through the remainder of the budget process.

That the budget process and timetable as outlined in section 9 is adopted and that includes member budget scrutiny and consultation conducted through all-member seminars, member and officer working groups, member scrutiny, community engagement and consultation events.

It be noted that the Chief Executive as Head of Paid Service will be issuing all necessary statutory and non-statutory employment consultation in respect of the staffing implications of budget preparation.