Agenda and minutes

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2021 (copy enclosed).

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of Full Council held on 24 November 2021.

DECISION:

That the minutes be signed as a correct record.

(Where a Councillor has a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest the Councillor must declare the interest to the meeting and leave the room without participating in any discussion or making a statement on the item, except where a Councillor is permitted to remain as a result of a grant of dispensation.)

There were none.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

·         The Chairman’s Civic Service would be held on Sunday 27 February 2022 at 2.30pm at St Mary’s Church in Whaplode – all members would have received an email regarding this;

The Leader requested that all members remain behind following the Council meeting, for a short update.

The Leader had no announcements to make.

There were no announcements from the Cabinet.

There were none.

Question to: Councillor Coupland

Question From: Councillor Newton

Subject: Capital spend on leisure facilities

Councillor Newton congratulated the Council and the Cabinet on the way in which the budget had been presented.  However, she commented that she was disappointed that there was no capital spend on leisure facilities, when interest rates were so low. Despite reports having been commissioned over the last few years, the situation had not moved forward, and there was no provision within the budget for this.

Councillor Coupland responded that the capital programme had been set but would be revised over the next few weeks, particularly with regard to acquisitions, and that all members would have sight of this before the final budget was agreed at Council in March.  Although the Authority held reserves to undertake smaller work projects, the only way that it could proceed with any big leisure projects would be to commit to substantial borrowing.  He acknowledged that the amounts spent over the years in maintaining existing facilities had accumulated.  He could not confirm that the issue would be in this year’s capital programme however, leisure was on the radar following this year’s budget setting. There would come a time when the issue would have to be addressed – finances were the main consideration, and the pandemic had caused a delay in addressing the issue.

Question to: Councillor Taylor

Question From: Councillor Gibson

Subject: Celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Councillor Gibson commented that 2022 was an important year for the monarch who would be celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of her accession to the throne.  Some parishes were already planning celebrations – what was being planned at a district level?

Councillor Taylor advised that he had attended meetings earlier in the month with managers from the Communities department to discuss opportunities for events across the district.  Arrangements had not been confirmed due to Covid-related uncertainty however, following the Government’s announcements today to relax restrictions, it was hoped that progress could now be made and that further information would soon be provided.

Question to: Councillor Porter

Question From: Councillor Brewis

Subject: Internal Drainage Boards

Councillor Brewis asked whether any progress had been made in drawing the Government’s attention to the issue of the increased cost of red diesel to the Internal Drainage Boards, which was in turn affecting all authorities in areas where drainage boards were a necessity.

The Leader responded that last week, a meeting had been held between officers of the Authority and representatives from the Government’s Treasury and Communities Departments, to discuss issues around Internal Drainage Boards.  He commented that it was the most productive meeting that had been held between the Authority and central government and that the issues had been thoroughly explained.  The Leader commented that he had also raised the issue, both verbally and in writing, with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and that he was hopeful that progress was now being made.  He stated that the charge  ...  view the full minutes text for item 76.

To receive the minutes of the following Committees and Panels:-

a)    Performance Monitoring Panel - 9 November 2021

b)    Governance and Audit Committee - 11 November 2021

c)    Policy Development Panel - 16 November 2021

d)    Special meeting of the Performance Monitoring Panel - 7 December 2021

e)    Special meeting of the Policy Development Panel – 14 December 2021

The minutes of the following Committees and Panels were noted:

·         Performance Monitoring Panel – 9 November 2021

·         Governance and Audit Committee – 11 November 2021

·         Policy Development Panel – 16 November 2021

·         Special meeting of the Performance Monitoring Panel – 7 December 2021

Special meeting of the Policy Development Panel – 14 December 2021

Consideration was given to the Key Decision Plan.

DECISION:

That the Key Decision Plan be noted.

To consider recommendations of the Cabinet in respect of:

a)    Garden Waste Scheme Update – To provide an update on the garden waste scheme and consider future options (Cabinet minute 27) (Cabinet agenda item 7);

b)    Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2022/23 – To seek Cabinet decision on the final proposals for the 2022/23 Local Council Tax Support scheme, to be presented to Council for approval on 19 January 2022 (Cabinet minute 32) (Cabinet agenda item 12);

c)    21/22 Financial Report Quarter 2 – To provide information on the Quarter 2 (to 30 September 2021) financial position of the Council (Cabinet minute 33) (Cabinet agenda item 13)

(report of the Cabinet enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of Cabinet which sought approval for the Cabinet’s recommendations:

a)    Garden Waste Scheme Update

The report was presented to the Council by the Portfolio Holder for Environmental Services.

·         Members understood that the purple sack scheme was to be phased out – would those that had already bought some be able to continue to use them up?

·         Members commented that not everybody who wanted to join the brown bin scheme would be able to.  In rural communities, the scheme was not commercially viable – if currently using purple sacks, would people be able to continue to use them?

DECISION:

1)    That the current establishment is increased by 3 full time posts, a full-time supervisor, full-time garden waste HGV driver and full-time garden waste loader and that the costs for these posts be funded from the income generated by the scheme;

2)    That, should the review of terms and conditions of the garden waste scheme prove it necessary, a consultation with staff commence to consider changing start times for garden waste crews to 6am; and

3)    That delegated authority be given to the Head of Environmental and Operational Services, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder of Environmental Services, to implement the outcome of that consultation.

b)    Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2022/23

The report was presented to the Council by the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercialisation and Partnerships.

DECISION:

1)    The continuation of the current Local Council Tax Support scheme, including uprating in line with DWP’s annual update of allowances and premiums for housing benefit for 2022/23;

2)    The introduction of a provision in the scheme for discretion to disregard national schemes introduced during a financial year in the calculation of Council Tax Support; and

3)    Delegation to the Deputy Chief Executive (Corporate Development) and S151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, Partnerships and Commercialisation, to approve the final 2022/23 scheme in line with this report, and any administrative and minor changes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

To seek Council approval for the proposed applicable rent increase allowable under the Rent Standard 2020 for HRA tenants and other housing tenures (report of the Assistant Director Housing enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Housing and the Portfolio Holder for HRA and Private Sector Housing, which sought Cabinet approval for the proposed applicable rent increase allowable under the Rent Standard 2020 for the HRA tenants and other housing tenures.

DECISION:

That the following rent increases be approved:

To provide an update of the treasury management position of the Council as at 30 September 2021 (report of the Deputy Chief Executive – Corporate Development (S151) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Deputy Chief Executive – Corporate Development (S151) which provided an update of the treasury management position of the Council as at 30 September 2021.

DECISION:

That the report, the treasury activity as detailed in Appendix A and the economic update from Link Asset Services at Appendix B be noted.

To receive, from political groups, nominations for any changes to Committees and other seats and to consider any proposed changes to the Constitution.

There were none.

There were none.