Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from the Executive Director Strategy and Governance (Monitoring Officer), the Executive Director Place together with South Holland Citizens Advice Bureau and Welland Seniors Forum.

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 14 January 2020 (copy enclosed). 

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 14 January 2020 were signed by the Leader 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 review Fees and Charges as part of the Council’s financial and business planning process, and to ensure that they are set at the appropriate level for the Council’s prevailing economic circumstances (report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Executive Director Commercialisation (S151 Officer) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Portfolio Holder for Finance and the Executive Director Commercialisation (S151) officer to review Fees and Charges as part of the Council’s financial and business planning process.

The following amendments were made to the report:

·         Item 3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, 3.4 “In addition to this charges for Garden Waste Sack collection will remain unchanged”.

·         The table detailing charges for Bulky Waste Collection should have £25 Existing Charge for 3 items (not 1 item).

In response to members’ concerns regarding the increase in the South Holland Centre cinema ticket price, officers confirmed that local prices were used as a benchmark and ticket prices were still the most affordable in the area.

Clarification was sought with regard to planning fees breaking even and members were advised that fees were set nationally.

DECISION:

That Cabinet approve Option 2 as detailed in the report to Increase Fees and Charges from 1^st April 2020 and increase fees annually by at least RPI.

(Other options considered:

·         Do nothing.

Reason(s) for decision:

That it maximises any additional income due to the Council with the effect that it has the most significant impact against the Council’s current MTFP)

To consider the Final General Fund and Housing Revenue Account 2020/21 revenue and capital estimates and the Final Financial Medium Term Plan (for Recommendation to Council) (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) officer which asked the Cabinet to consider the Final General Fund and Housing Revenue Account 2020/21 revenue and capital estimates and the Final Financial Medium Term Plan, for recommendation to Council.

The Portfolio Holder advised that there were no significant changes to the budget and highlighted the following areas:

·         Item 3.7.4 of Appendix A Supplies & Services stated that the Designated Councillor Budget was to reduce.  This would not be the case.  The existing budget of £12k would continue to run over the 4 year term.

·         Challenges presented over the financial year from temporary accommodation for homeless people and the downturn in planning income totalled £670k pressure in the budget. 

·         2021 would see the last of the Revenue Support Grant and Rural Services Grant (£435k).  4 years ago the Council received grants totalling £1.5m.  £1m had been lost to date with the remainder set to be lost over the next year.

·         The Council took the middle ground on funding assumptions with business rates. 

·         There had been a delay to the Government Fair Funding review so it had been assumed that there were no financial changes.

·         The Council would receive an allocation of New Homes Bonus again this year which would go towards more commercial opportunities and to invest in towns, villages and parishes.

·         Central Government announced in January additional business rates relief which would benefit 190 district businesses commencing April 2020.

·         Garden waste collection fees were to increase by £3 per year.

·         Council tax would increase by 10p per week for a band D home.

·         The increased Drainage Board levies equated to 50% of the District’s Council tax.

·         The Pride initiative had been built into the base budget to enhance towns, villages and parishes.

·         Household waste collections continued to be every week.

·         The Council will continue to build on the new homes success of 2019/20 with £2.55m to be invested in new affordable homes.

Members asked how much was paid to PSPS and were advised by officers that £3.2m was paid for all services.

Members expressed appreciation that the £12k Designated Councillor Budget (DCB) will continue to run over the 4 year term and the Leader commented that the DCB scheme has been very successful with money being spent appropriately on community projects.

It was stated that the element of Council Tax paid to drainage boards was significant and that it would be preferable for this to be funded separately.  However, despite the challenges, the Council continued to be one of the best value for money councils employing the best people.  

Members thanked the Portfolio Holder and officers within the Finance Team for their hard work in preparation for the budget report and for opportunities to attend meetings in order to fully understand financial decisions and processes.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

1)    Cabinet approved and recommended to full Council:

a.      That the Revenue Estimates for the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Spalding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 84.

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.