Agenda and minutes

Watch footage of this Council meeting

The Chairman of the Council advised all attendees that this meeting was being filmed in line with recent changes in legislation and will be made available for public viewing from the Council’s website.

Apologies were received from Councillors David Carter, Jacqui Cross, Eddie Johnson and Phil Waite.

Councillors’ declarations of interest (if any) in relation to any items on the agenda.

Councillor Bill Pryor declared that, in accordance with Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 he would not be voting on Agenda Item 9 d, General Fund Budget 2015/16.

To agree the minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2014.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2014 are agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman gave thanks for the support received in connection with the stage show Living with Luke and the quiz night that took place on 22 January 2015.  It was noted that this generous support would enable the Chairman to make significant donations to his chosen charities.  

None.

The questions together with the answers provided are appended to these minutes.

Watch footage of discussion of agenda item 6.

The questions together with the answers provided are appended to these minutes.

Watch footage of discussion of this agenda item agenda item 7.

None.

The attached documents are due to be considered at the meeting listed above.  The agenda item to which the documents relate are noted below.

Watch footage of discussion of agenda item 9.

Licensing Committee recommended to Council that:

the fees proposed at Appendix 2 of the report to be charged with effect from 1 April 2015 for the purposes of Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Licensing for adoption as part of the annual fees and charges setting process.

The Council received a report from the Licensing Committee which asked that the fees proposed at Appendix 2 of the report be charged with effect from 1 April 2015 for the purposes of Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Licensing for adoption as part of the annual fees and charges setting process.

Proposed by Councillor Tony Durcan (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers):

RESOLVED that:

the fees proposed at Appendix 2 of the report be charged with effect from 1 April 2015 for the purposes of Hackney Carriages and Private Hire Licensing for adoption as part of the annual fees and charges setting process.

the 29 January 2015 Cabinet meeting recommended to Council that the updates to the Corporate Plan 2015/16 – 2017/18, attached to the report, are adopted.

The Council received a report from the Cabinet which asked that the updates to the Corporate Plan 2015/16-2017/18, attached to the report are adopted.

Proposed by Councillor Tony Durcan (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers):

RESOLVED that:

the updates to the Corporate Plan 2015/16-2017/18, attached to the report are adopted.

The 29 January 2015 Cabinet meeting recommended to Council that:

      i.        the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2015/16 to 2019/20 is adopted.

    ii.        the proposals in relation to reserves as set out in this report at paragraphs 24 to 30 and contained within Section 5 of the Medium Term Financial Strategy be approved.

   iii.        the planned increases in Council Tax as set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan be approved.

The Council received a report from the Cabinet which asked that the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2015/16 to 2019/20 is adopted.

Proposed by Councillor Tony Durcan (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers):

RESOLVED that:

i.              the Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2015/16 to 2019/20 is adopted.

ii.            the proposals in relation to reserves as set out in the report at paragraphs 24 to 30 and contained within Section 5 of the Medium Term Financial Strategy is approved.

iii.           the planned increases in Council Tax as set out in the Medium Term Financial Plan is approved.

The 29 January 2015 Cabinet meeting recommended to Council that:

      i.        the General Fund estimates for 2015/16 as set out in Appendix A are approved.

    ii.        the proposed transfers between the General Fund and Earmarked Reserves, set out in paragraphs 16 to 22 of the report, are approved.

   iii.        the proposed Fees and Charges as set out in Appendix C are approved.

   iv.        the Pay Policy Statement as set out in Appendix G is approved.

    v.        the Council’s Band D Council Tax for 2015/16 be set at £263.02, which represents a 1.5% increase compared to the Band D Council Tax for 2014/15, subject to final Government announcements relating to capping expected in early February.

The Council received a report from the Cabinet which asked that the General Fund estimates for 2015/16 are approved.

The original motion was proposed by Councillor Tony Durcan and seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers.

Councillor Russell Perrin (seconded by Councillor Andrew Johnson) moved an amendment from the Conservative Group, circulated as part of the supplementary agenda.

The amendment was lost.

A vote on the original motion was recorded and carried.  The details of the recorded vote are appended to these minutes. Therefore it was;

RESOLVED that:

i.              the General Fund estimates for 2015/16 as set out in Appendix A are approved.

ii.            the proposed transfers between the General Fund and Earmarked Reserves, set out in paragraphs 16 to 22 of the report, is approved.

iii.           the proposed Fees and Charges as set out in Appendix C are approved.

iv.           the Pay Policy Statement as set out in Appendix G is approved.

v.            the Council’s Band D Council Tax for 2015/16 be set at £263.02, which represents a 1.5% increase compared to the Band D Council Tax for 2014/15, subject to final Government announcements relating to capping expected in early February.

The 29 January 2015 Cabinet meeting recommended to Council that:

      i.        the rent increase for individual dwellings as set out in paragraphs 7 to 15 of the report and effective from 6 April 2015 be agreed.  This equates to an average weekly rent of £93.60, an average increase of 2.2%.

    ii.        service charges for individual dwellings, as set out in paragraphs 16 to 23 of the report, effective from 6 April 2015 for tenants and 1 April 2015 for leaseholders be agreed.  This equates to an average weekly service charge to tenants of £1.92.

   iii.        heating charges are increased as set out in paragraphs 24 to 29 of this report, effective from 6 April 2015 for tenants and 1 April for leaseholders.  Average weekly general needs charges are £13.10per week (leaseholders £18.67 per week, equivalent) and, for sheltered accommodation, £10.24 per week.

   iv.        garage rents are increased to £8.36 per week (for a standard garage) and proportionate increases for other garages, car ports and car spaces, from 6 April 2015, as set out in paragraphs 30 and 31 of the report.

     v.        other charges are increased, as set out in paragraph 32 of the report, with effect from 1 April 2015.

   vi.        the growth bids as outlined in paragraphs 33 and 34 of the report are approved.

  vii.        the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget as set out at Appendix A of the report is approved.

 viii.        a minimum HRA working balance of £2,695,000 at 31 March 2015, rising to £2,727,000 at 31 March 2016, as set out in Appendix B to the report, is agreed.

The Council received a report from the Cabinet proposing a Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2015/16.

Proposed by Councillor Tony Durcan (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers):

RESOLVED that:

i.              The rent increase for individual dwellings as set out in paragraphs 7 to 15 of the report and effective from 6 April 2015 is agreed.  This equates to an average weekly rent of £93.60, an average increase of 2.2%.

ii.            Service charges for individual dwellings, as set out in paragraphs 16 to 23 of the report, effective from 6 April 2015 for tenants and 1 April 2015 for leaseholders is agreed.  This equates to an average weekly service charge to tenants of £1.92.

iii.           Heating charges are increased as set out in paragraphs 24 to 29 of the report, effective from 6 April 2015 for tenants and 1 April for leaseholders.  Average weekly general needs charges are £13.10 per week (leaseholders £18.67 per week, equivalent) and, for sheltered accommodation, £10.24 per week.

iv.           Garage rents are increased to £8.36 per week (for a standard garage) and proportionate increases for other garages, car ports and car spaces, from 6 April 2015, as set out in paragraphs 30 and 31 of the report.

v.            Other charges are increased, as set out in paragraph 32 of the report, with effect from 1 April 2015.

vi.           The growth bids as outlined in paragraphs 33 and 34 of the report are approved.

vii.          The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget as set out at Appendix A of the report is approved.

viii.        A minimum HRA working balance of £2,695,000 at 31 March 2015, rising to £2,727,000 at 31 March 2016, as set out in Appendix B to the report, is agreed.

The 29 January 2015 Cabinet meeting recommended to Council that:

Housing Capital

      i.        the Housing Capital programme 2015/16 is approved, as set out in Appendices A and B of the report.

    ii.        the forecast programme for the period 2016/17 to 2019/20 is noted, as set out in Appendices A and B of the report.

Non Housing Capital

      i.        the revised Non Housing Capital Programme 2014/15 is approved, as set out in paragraphs 30-43 of the report.

    ii.        the Non Housing Capital Programme for 2015/16 is approved, as set out in Appendices C and D of the report.

   iii.        the transfer of 3,581 garages to the General Fund and the implications for the Non Housing Capital Programme as detailed in paragraphs 22, 23 and 50 of the report be noted.

   iv.        aggregate borrowing of £3,276 million up to 31 March 2015, and a further £1.772 million, in 2015/16 be approved to support the Non Housing Capital Programme.

     v.        the Non Housing Capital Programme forecast for 2016/17 to 2019/20 be noted, as set out in Appendices C and D of the report.

The Council received a report from the Cabinet that proposed Capital Programmes for 2014/15-2019/20.

Proposed by Councillor Tony Durcan (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers):

RESOLVED that:

Housing Capital

i.              the Housing Capital programme 2015/16 is approved, as set out in Appendices A and B of the report.

ii.            the forecast programme for the period 2016/17 to 2019/20 is noted, as set out in Appendices A and B of the report.

Non Housing Capital

iii.           The revised Non Housing Capital Programme 2014/15 is approved, as set out in paragraphs 30-43 of the report.

iv.           The Non Housing Capital Programme for 2015/16 is approved, as set out in Appendices C and D of the report.

v.            The transfer of 3,581 garages to the General Fund and the implications for the Non Housing Capital Programme as detailed in paragraphs 22, 23 and 50 of the report is noted.

vi.           Aggregate borrowing of £3,276 million up to 31 March 2015, and a further £1.772 million, in 2015/16 is approved to support the Non Housing Capital Programme.

vii.          The Non Housing Capital Programme forecast for 2016/17 to 2019/20 is noted, as set out in Appendices C and D of the report.

The 29 January 2015 Cabinet meeting recommended to Council that the proposed revised Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2015/16 (attached as Appendix A to the report) be approved for implementation with immediate effect, including specifically:

      i.        the Prudential Indicators (set out in Annex C of the Statement).

    ii.        the Treasury Management Indicators (set out in paragraphs 60 to 62 of the Statement).

   iii.        the approved counterparty methodology (set out in paragraphs 38 to 50 and Annex E of the Statement).

   iv.        the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement (Annex D of the Statement).

     v.        the reporting arrangements (Annex F of the Statement).

The Council received a report from the Cabinet which asked that the proposed revised Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2015/16 be approved for implementation with immediate effect.

Proposed by Councillor Tony Durcan (seconded by Councillor Mike Danvers):

RESOLVED that that the proposed revised Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2015/16 (attached as Appendix A to the report) is approved for implementation with immediate effect, including specifically:

      i.        The Prudential Indicators (set out in Annex C of the Statement).

    ii.        The Treasury Management Indicators (set out in paragraphs 60 to 62 of the Statement).

   iii.        The approved counterparty methodology (set out in paragraphs 38 to 50 and Annex E of the Statement).

   iv.        The Minimum Revenue Provision Statement (Annex D of the Statement).

    v.        The reporting arrangements (Annex F of the Statement).

None.

To note the following Cabinet and Committee minutes.  These minutes remain draft until agreed at the next ordinary meeting of Cabinet or the relevant Committee.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the following Cabinet and Committee meetings be noted:

None.