Agenda and minutes

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 3 December 2019 and 17 December 2019  (copies of both minutes enclosed). 

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 3 December 2019 were signed by the Deputy Leader (Council) 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 no Declarations of Interest.

No questions were raised under the Council’s Constitution (Standing Orders).

There were no matters subject to call in.

There were no matters arising from the Policy Development and Performance Monitoring Panels.

To seek approval for the write off of uncollectable Council Tax debt (report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Executive Director Commercialisation (S151 Officer) enclosed).

(Please note that the appendices to this report are not for publication by virtue of Paragraphs 1 (Information relating to any individual), 2 (Information which is likely to reveal the identity of any individual) and 3 (Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)) in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and are therefore attached to this agenda as item 11.

Members stated that they wished to discuss the report relating to the write off of uncollectable debt in detail, and it was therefore agreed that full consideration of the report be undertaken following exclusion of the press and public.

To consider the Draft General Fund and Housing Revenue Account 2020/21 revenue and capital estimates and the Draft Financial Medium Term Strategy (for Consultation) (report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Executive Director Commercialisation (S151) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Executive Director Commercialisation (S151) which requested that the Cabinet consider the Draft General Fund and Housing Revenue Account 2020/21 revenue and capital estimates and the Draft Financial Medium Term Strategy, for consultation.

The following issues were addressed:

·         Members asked whether legacy payments for new homes would be honoured, and it was confirmed that this was anticipated to be the case.

·         The Authority would continue to promote the various types of relief available to businesses.

·         A cross cutting review of fees and charges across all areas was currently underway, and members would have the opportunity to scrutinise these.

·         The precept set by the Internal Drainage Boards formed a significant and increasing percentage of the total amount of Council Tax.  Tax payers needed to be aware of the amounts levied by the IDBs and it was agreed that this needed to be considered further.

DECISION:

a)    That the following documents be issued for consultation, in preparation for the budget setting in February 2020:

·         Revenue Estimates for the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account 2020/21, as set out in Appendices A, B and C of the report;

·         Reserves position 2020/21 to 2023/24 as set out in Appendix D of the report;

·         Capital Programme 2020/21 to 2023/24 as set out in Appendix E of the report;

·         Capital Strategy as set out in Appendix F of the report. 

(Other options considered:

·         That amendments be made by Cabinet before release to Council

Reasons for decision:

·         To comply with the budgetary and policy framework).

Note:         (i)      No other business is permitted unless by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified in the Minutes, the Leader is of the opinion that the item(s) should be considered as a matter of urgency. 

(ii)     Any urgent item of business that is a key decision must be dealt with in accordance with the Constitution’s Access to Information Procedure Rules.

There were no urgent items.

DECISION:

Under section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public were excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1, 2 & 3 of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Appendices to the report at agenda item 8 are enclosed.

Consideration was given to the report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Executive Director Commercialisation (S151) which sought approval for the write off of uncollectable Sundry Debt.

Members discussed specific sundry debts for write off, as detailed within exempt Appendix A and the background to these was provided.  Officers confirmed that since the Place Review, a more robust system was in place with regard to tenancy agreements, compliance with those agreements and for the checking of the condition of rented properties.  

DECISION:

a)    That the amounts identified within the report be approved for write off; and

b)    That the amounts written off under delegated powers be noted.

(Other options considered:

·         To do nothing;

Reasons for decision:

·         All recovery methods available had been considered and where appropriate pursued before making the decision to write off.  Officer time could be maximised on greatest returns, at the same time as ensuring robust procedures for debt management were in place across all revenue streams).