Agenda and draft minutes

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 12 November 2024 (copy enclosed). 

The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 12 November 2024 were agreed and signed by the Leader.

(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.

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To set out the current financial position for the Council at the end of the second quarter of 2024/25 (report of the Deputy Chief Executive – Corporate (S151) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Deputy Chief Executive – Corporate (S151) which set out the current financial position for the Council at the end of the second quarter of 2024/25.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance introduced the report, and the following issues were raised:

·       It was noted that bank charges were £10,000 over budget – what was the reason for this?

·       Table 1 showed the following points:

                i.         A considerable overspend on agency staffing – what was being done to mitigate this situation?

              ii.         Savings achieved by an underspend in vacant posts which could be seen under a number of headings, and a slippage on capital expenditure.  Were these related?   It was considered a concerning trend bearing in mind the difficulties in recruitment to local authorities generally, and that the Authority was operating at a staffing level of 6% lower than it had budgeted for.

·       With regard to the savings target, achievement of a 100% efficiency target was assumed – how certain was this?

DECISION:

1)    That the forecast revenue position of a £214k underspend for 2024/25 as detailed in Table 1 and the need for a continued focus on the savings and efficiency programme, be noted.

2)    That the forecast revenue position of the HRA for 2024/25 (surplus of £199,000) as detailed in Table 2, be noted.

3)    That the amendments to the Capital Programme at Appendix A – Table 4 be approved to take into account the changes set out in the report.

4)    That the amendments to the HRA Capital Programme at Appendix A – Table 5 be approved to take into account the changes set  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

To determine the Council Tax Support scheme 2025/26 (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 requested determination of the Council Tax Support scheme 2025/26

The Portfolio Holder for Finance introduced the report, and consideration was given to its content.

DECISION:

1.          That the Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2025/26 be revised with all of the following modification options:

a.     Increase the maximum CTS for households with children to 85%.

b.     Remove the earnings disregard to Universal Credit claims.

c.     Introduce a standard £10 rate for non-dependant deductions.

d.     Increase Lower and Upper capital limits.

e.     Increase the threshold for changes in Universal Credit to £30 per week, with discretion for flexibility.

f.      Uprate in line with DWP uprating amounts for 2025/26.

2.          That the Cabinet decision be recommended to Full Council for approval.

3.          That approval for the 2025/26 final scheme policy be delegated to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, including administrative and minor changes.

4.          That an Exceptional Hardship Fund be introduced to operate alongside the Council Tax Support scheme.

5.          That decision on the Exceptional Hardship Fund budget and scheme detail be delegated to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance

(Other options considered:

·       The do-nothing option would see the current scheme retained.  This has been rejected as this would not be consistent with Cabinet’s earlier decision for fundamental review.

Reasons for decision:

·       Full Council must make any revision to its scheme, or any replacement, and agree its final scheme no later than 11 March 2025 in respect of the 2025/26 financial year. 

·       Cabinet’s decision on its recommendation to Full Council for the 2025/26 scheme will reflect on the data and information provided through the fundamental review, and the results of consultation on its proposed modification options).

To present a draft updated Customer Feedback Policy for the Council (report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Governance (Monitoring Officer) which presented a draft updated Customer Feedback Policy for the Council.

The Portfolio Holder – Corporate, Governance and Communications presented the report, and the following issues were raised:

·       Did the Customer Feedback Policy lay out standards of respect expected from the individual asking a question and the responder?

o   The Authority had other policies which dealt with standards of behaviour, and the Local Government Ombudsman’s code dealt with how complaints should be responded to and dealt with.

DECISION

1)    That the draft Customer Feedback Policy at Appendix 1 be approved;

2)    That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make amendments to the Policy to ensure that it remained up to date and reflected Complaint Handling Code guidance and recommendations issued by the Ombudsman.

(Other options considered:

·       Have no separate Policy – this was not recommended;

Reasons for decision:

·       To ensure the Council has suitable procedures in place for responding to and dealing with feedback and complaints received).

To introduce a Partnership Street Naming and Numbering Policy (report of the Assistant Director – Regulatory enclosed).

Consideration was given to the report of the Assistant Director – Regulatory which introduced a Partnership Street Naming and Numbering Policy.

The report was introduced by the Portfolio Holder – Assets and Strategic Planning, and the following issues were raised:

·       Members felt that discretion should be given to the following:

                i.         Historically, the term ‘Yard’ had not been sanctioned when considering street names – it was felt that this was an appropriate term and should be usable;

              ii.         Consideration should be given to the colouring of backgrounds and lettering from an accessibility perspective

o   The Assistant Director – Regulatory commented that these points could be taken on board, and that the second recommendation within the report provided the necessary authority for this discretion.  

DECISION:

1)    That following consideration of the report, policy and feedback from Policy Development Panel at Appendix 2, the South East Lincolnshire Councils Street Naming and Numbering Policy be approved for adoption by South Holland District Council.

2)    That the Group Manager Building Control and the Assistant Director Regulatory be given delegated authority to make such amendments to this policy as may from time to time be required in order to (i) reference any links or amended links to other documents as may be required; and (ii) reflect any issues over which the Council has no discretion including, but not limited to, references to any legislative changes and amended guidance. Any material amendments to the policy will be subject to the usual approval process in line with the Constitution.

(Other options considered:

·       Do nothing – this would not harmonise Street Naming and Numbering across the Partnership;

Reasons for decision:

·       To align and harmonise current best practice and procedures across the three Councils).

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 none.

However, the Leader did wish to make a statement on Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation.  It now seemed almost certain that in the future, District and County Councils would cease to exist and that Unitary Authorities would be created in their place.  The timescale for this was ambitious.  Once there was more clarity and detail on how unitary authorities would be set up, briefings would be organised in the new year for staff and councillors. A huge amount of change was afoot, but this would be handled professionally and through the correct channels.  The best options were being sought for the people of South Holland.