Venue: AQUARIUS ROOM, ST IVO LEISURE CENTRE, WESTWOOD ROAD, ST IVES, CAMBRIDGESHIRE, PE27 6WU
Contact: Miss H Ali, Democratic Services Officer, Tel No: (01480) 388006 / e-mail: Habbiba.Ali@huntsdc.gov.uk
No. | Item |
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To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 22nd September 2009. Contact: Miss H Ali 388006 Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 22nd September 2009 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
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MEMBERS' INTERESTS To receive from Members declarations as to personal and/or prejudicial interests and the nature of those interests in relation to any Agenda Item. Please see Notes 1and 2 overleaf. Minutes: Councillor P L E Bucknell declared a personal interest in respect of Minute No. 09/31 by virtue of being a Member of the Licensing and Protection Panel. |
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CALCULATION OF COUNCIL TAX BASE 2010/11 To consider a report by the Head of Customer Services recommending the Council Tax Base for 2010/11. Contact: Mrs J Barber 388105 I Sims 388138 Minutes: In accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 1992 (as amended), the Panel was acquainted with a report by the Head of Customer Services (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) setting out the general principles for the calculation of the tax base, which was based on the number of Band D equivalent properties within the District. Having been reminded that recent parish boundary changes would come into effect on 1st April 2010 and in noting the implications this would have for the affected Wards, the Panel
RESOLVED
(a) that the report by the Head of Customer Services regarding the calculation of the District Council’s tax base for the year 2010/11 be approved; and
(b) that in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Tax Base) Regulations 1992 (as amended), the amount calculated by Huntingdonshire District Council as the tax base for the whole District for the year 2010/11 be 58,580 and shall be as listed below for each Parish of the District:
Abbotsley 240 Abbots Ripton 128 Alconbury 553 Alconbury Weston 280 Alwalton 124 Barham & Woolley 27 Bluntisham 739 Brampton 1795 Brington & Molesworth 106 Broughton 85 Buckden 1150 Buckworth 50 Bury 605 Bythorn & Keyston 142 Catworth 144 Chesterton 58 Colne 344 Conington 73 Covington 42 Denton & Caldecote 25 Diddington 30 Earith 575 Easton 75 Ellington 235 Elton 295 Farcet 580 Fenstanton 1160 Folksworth & Washingley 347 Glatton 130 Godmanchester 2371 Grafham 240 Great & Little Gidding 122 Great Gransden 455 Great Paxton 370 Great Staughton 320 Haddon 25 Hail Weston 240 Hamerton & Steeple Gidding 52 Hemingford Abbots 327 Hemingford Grey 1150 Hilton 445 Holme 238 Holywell-cum-Needingworth 975 Houghton & Wyton 785 Huntingdon 7255 Kimbolton & Stonely 595 Kings Ripton 80 Leighton Bromswold 82 Little Paxton 1250 Morborne 11 Offord Cluny & Offord D’Arcy 508 Old Hurst 98 Old Weston 87 Perry 265 Pidley-cum-Fenton 153 Ramsey 2890 St Ives 5725 St Neots 10195 Sawtry 1730 Sibson-cum-Stibbington 210 Somersham 1385 Southoe & Midloe 158 Spaldwick 229 Stilton 785 Stow Longa 65 The Stukeleys 415 Tilbrook 108 Toseland 37 Upton & Coppingford 85 Upwood & The Raveleys 420 Warboys 1365 Waresley-cum-Tetworth 146 Water Newton 42 Winwick 40 Wistow 215 Woodhurst 150 Woodwalton 85 Wyton-on-the-Hill 414 Yaxley 2910 Yelling __140 58580 |
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ANNUAL REVIEW OF THE RISK MANAGEMENT STRATEGY To receive a report by the Audit and Risk Manager on the annual review of the Risk Management Strategy. Contact: D Harwood 388115 Minutes: With the aid of a report by the Audit and Risk Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Panel gave consideration to an updated Risk Management Strategy. Having noted that no changes were required to be made to the main body of the Strategy, the Panel were advised that minor textural amendments had been proposed for the definitions within the environment and environmental risk categories to reflect the wording within the Council’s Environment Strategy. Some concern was expressed at the proposed exclusion of “Crime and Disorder Act implications” and “Incorrect storage/disposal of waste” under the operational environmental risk category and Members concurred with a suggestion that reference to this should remain within the Strategy. It was therefore
RESOLVED
that the revised Risk Management Strategy be approved, subject to the inclusion of “Crime and Disorder Act implications” and “Incorrect storage/disposal of waste” under the operational environmental risk category proposed within the report. |
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REVIEW OF THE ANTI-FRAUD AND CORRUPTION STRATEGY To note the outcome of the annual review of the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy. Contact: D Harwood 388115 Additional documents: Minutes: By means of a report by the Audit and Risk Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), the Panel was acquainted with the outcome of the annual review of the Council’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy. Members’ attention was drawn to the changes being proposed to paragraph 6.3 of the Strategy. Further amendments were proposed to the effect that the Chairman of the Corporate Governance Panel, together with the External Auditors, should also be informed of all cases of significant fraud and corruption.
RESOLVED
that the revised Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy be adopted, subject to reference being made to the Chairman of the Corporate Governance Panel and the External Auditors being informed of all cases of significant fraud and corruption. |
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EXTERNAL AUDITOR'S REPORTS: USE OF RESOURCES 2009 AND THE ANNUAL AUDIT LETTER FOR 2008/09 To consider the Huntingdonshire District Council Use of Resources Report for 2009 and the Annual Audit Letter for 2008/09. Contact: H Thackray 388035 Mrs E Smith 388157 Additional documents: Minutes: (Mrs L Sandford and P Winrow of Grant Thornton UK LLP, the Council’s External Auditors, were in attendance for consideration of this item).
Consideration was given to a report by the Head of People, Performance and Partnerships (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) detailing the Council’s Use of Resources Report 2009 and Annual Audit Letter 2008/09.
In introducing the Use of Resources Report, Mrs L Sandford from Grant Thornton informed Members that the Council had performed adequately in all areas, had arrangements in place consistent with established professional practice and guidance and was meeting statutory requirements and operating effectively. The Panel’s attention was also drawn to the content of an action plan designed to assist the Council further improve its performance. A brief discussion ensued on the External Auditor’s recommendation that the Council should review its decision not to publish an annual report and Members discussed the possibility of utilising the Districtwide publication in this respect. The Panel was informed of the launch of the “One Place” website which provides an independent overview of local public services in England and in so doing, was encouraged to note that Huntingdonshire’s performance compared favourably against other District Councils.
In respect of the Annual Audit Letter, the Panel was acquainted with the performance of the Council in 2008/09 and noted the key areas for action by the Council over the 2009/10 financial year. Whereupon, it was
RESOLVED
that the Use of Resources Report 2009 and the Annual Audit Letter 2008/09 be noted and the recommendations in Annex A endorsed. |
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To receive a report from the Directors of Central Services and Commerce & Technology on the actions taken to promote compliance with the Council’s Code of Procurement. Contact: I Leatherbarrow 388047 T Parker 388100 Minutes: Pursuant to Minute No. 09/22, the Panel gave consideration to a joint report by the Directors of Central Services and Commerce and Technology (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) on the actions taken and the plans to promote compliance with the Council’s Code of Procurement with a view to encouraging better procurement practices across the Council’s organisation. Having had their attention drawn to the types of breaches that had occurred, Members were advised that there was no suggestion of corruption or collusion between contractors and Officers. In noting that a series of actions had been proposed to ensure future compliance with the Code, the Panel
RESOLVED
that the actions proposed within the report be endorsed by the Panel. |