Agenda, decisions and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 17th January 2019.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17th January 2019 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members declarations as to disclosable pecuniary and other interests in relation to any Agenda item.

No declarations were received.

To present performance management information on the Council’s Corporate Plan for 2018/19 and progress updates for current projects.

Executive Councillor: J A Gray and D M Tysoe.

That progress made against the Key Actions and Corporate Indicators in the Corporate Plan and current projects, as summarised in Appendix A (of the report now submitted) and detailed in Appendices B and C (of the report now submitted) be noted.

That the financial performance at the end of December, as detailed in Appendices D (of the report now submitted) and the register of reviews of Commercial Investment Strategy propositions at Appendix E (of the report now submitted) be noted.

With the aid of a report by the Corporate Team Manager and Finance Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were presented with details of delivery of the Corporate Plan 2018/22, and project delivery, in the context of the Council’s financial performance. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that progress made against the Key Actions and Corporate Indicators in the Corporate Plan and current projects, as summarised in Appendix A and detailed in Appendices B and C of the report now submitted be noted; and

(b)  that the financial performance at the end of December 2018, as detailed in Appendices D, and the register of reviews of Commercial Investment Strategy propositions at Appendix E of the report now submitted be noted.

To receive and recommend to Council the Final Revenue Budget 2019/20 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020/21 to 2023/24.

Executive Councillor: J A Gray.

That the overall Final Budget 2019/20 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020/21 to 2023/24 (as attached as Appendix 1 of the report now submitted and which includes the Revenue Budget at Section 2 and the Capital Programme at Section 3) be recommended for approval to Council.

That the new “Plan-on-a-Page” (as tabled at the meeting as an update version of Appendix 3) be recommended for approval to Council.

By means of a report prepared by the Head of Resources (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet were provided with details of the Final Budget 2019/20 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020/21 to 2023/24 which included the Capital Programme.

Attention was drawn to changes made to the budget since the Cabinet’s previous meeting, the approved efficiency plan and the “Robustness” statement which identified the risks to the Council and its impact upon General Fund reserves. The Head of Resources tabled a briefing note on the outcome of the budget consultation undertaken with the business community together with an updated “Plan on a Page” (Appendix 3) (copies of which are also appended in the Minute Book).

In receiving the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth) and a response from the Head of Resources on the reasons for the £200K overspend on the grounds maintenance part of the Leisure and Health budget during 2018/19, the Cabinet expressed their appreciation to the Executive Councillor for Strategic Resources, Senior Officers and staff for their efforts in producing a comprehensive budget. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

that Council be recommended to approve:

(a)  the overall Final Budget 2019/20 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020/21 to 2023/24 (as attached as Appendix 1 of the report now submitted, which includes the Revenue Budget as Section 2 and the Capital Programme at Section 3); and

(b)  the new “Plan on a Page” (as tabled at the meeting as an updated version of Appendix 3).

To consider and recommend to Council the approval of the 2019/20 Treasury Management, Capital and Investment Strategies.

Executive Councillor: J A Gray.

That the Treasury Management Strategy, Capital Strategy, Investment Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision Statement and Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy (as attached as Appendices 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 respectively of the report now submitted) be recommended for approval to Council.

Consideration was given to a report by the Head of Resources (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking approval of the Treasury Management, Capital, Investment and Flexible use of Capital Receipts Strategies and the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement.

RESOLVED

That Council be recommended to approve:

(a)  the Treasury Management Strategy (as attached as Appendix 1 of the report now submitted);

(b)  the Capital Strategy (as attached as Appendix 2 of the report now submitted);

(c)  the Investment Strategy (as attached as Appendix 3 of the report now submitted);

(d)  the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement (as attached as Appendix 4 of the report now submitted); and

(e)  the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy (as attached as Appendix 5 of the report now submitted).

To consider a report by the Head of Operations.

Executive Councillor: Mrs M L Beuttell.

The Cabinet:

§  evaluated the investment proposed;

§  approved the adoption of Option B (as outlined in paragraph 4.3.1 of the report now submitted);

§  adopted the proposed framework to implement off-street car park charges; and

§  approved the new charging structure to enable “Pay for What You Use”.

The Cabinet received and noted a report by the Head of Operations (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking the approval of technology investment in the management of off-street car parks, endorsement of the proposed framework for setting and implementing off-street car park charges and approval of a new charge structure which enables a “Pay for What You Use” approach.

In introducing the report, the Executive Councillor for Operations and Regulation reported that the proposal supported the aims of the Corporate Plan to become more efficient and effective in the way the Council delivers its services and the Council’s commitment to becoming a more customer focused organisation. At the conclusion of her presentation, the Executive Councillor for Operations and Regulation proposed the adoption of Option B, as outlined in paragraph 4.3.1 of the report now submitted. In response to a question, it was confirmed that a maximum charge of £4 per day would be incurred if service users forgot to “tap” their cards out on the car park machines upon departure.

Having thanked the Executive Councillor for Operations and Regulation and Officers for their efforts in identifying and reviewing all options presented and in noting the comments of the Overview and Scrutiny Panel (Performance and Growth), the Cabinet

RESOLVED

(a)  that Option B (as outlined in paragraph 4.3.1 of the report now submitted) be adopted;

(b)  that the proposed framework to implement off-street car park charges be adopted; and

(c)  that the new charging structure, to enable “Pay for What You Use” be approved.

To consider a report by the Revenue and Benefits Manager seeking approval of amendments to Council Tax discounts.

Executive Councillor: J A Gray.

Cabinet approved the following amendments to Council Tax discounts to take effect from 1 April 2019:

§  Unoccupied and substantially unfurnished properties to receive 0% discount; and

§  Premiums to be applied to long term empty properties in line with the amended legislation.

Consideration was given to a report by the Revenues and Benefits Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) seeking approval of amendments to Council Tax discounts. In welcoming the report, it was

RESOLVED

that Cabinet approve the following amendments to Council Tax discounts to take effect from 1 April 2019:

§  Unoccupied and substantially unfurnished properties to receive 0% discount; and

§  Premiums to be applied to long term empty properties in line with the amended legislation.

To receive a report from the Procurement Manager on increasing social value in contracts.

Executive Councillor: J A Gray.

Cabinet approved:

§  to mandate Social Value questions in all tenders (greater than £100k) in contracts for works and services;

§  a maximum percentage of 5% allocated to Social Value;

§  the development of a programme to engage with and support small and local businesses in contributing to Social Value and building public procurement knowledge;

§  the adoption of the Social Value framework (as attached as Appendix 1 of the report now submitted) as the basis of delivering Social Value through procurement;

§  the Senior Leadership Team to monitor  the results of competitions and any indications of increased prices; and

§  a review of the impact of the changes to Social Value policy to be undertaken after a year.

With the aid of a report by the Procurement Manager (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book) the Cabinet considered the measures required to improve Social Value delivered by suppliers through procurement processes together with the steps necessary to raise the understanding and response to Social Value from suppliers.

In introducing the report, the Executive Councillor for Strategic Resources reported that the proposal sought to increase the participation of small and local businesses in procuring contracts for works and services and that a 5% Social Value weighting would be applied to all tenders received in excess of £100K. Whereupon, it was

RESOLVED

(a)  that Social Value questions are mandated in all tenders (greater than £100K) in contracts for works and services;

(b)  that a maximum percentage of 5% be allocated to Social Value;

(c)  that a programme be developed to engage with and support small and local businesses in contributing to Social Value and building public procurement knowledge;

(d)  that the Social Value framework (as attached as Appendix 1 of the report now submitted) be adopted as the basis of delivering Social Value through procurement;

(e)  that the results of competitions be monitored and any indications of increased prices be reported to Senior Leadership Team; and

(f)  that a review of the impact of changes to Social Value policy be undertaken after a year.

To consider a report by the Planning Service Manager (Growth) on the East West Rail Consultation.

Executive Councillor: R Fuller.

The Cabinet has authorised the Head of Development and Planning Service Manager (Growth), after consultation with the Executive Leader and Deputy Executive Leader, to prepare and submit formal comments on the route options proposed on behalf of the Council.

With the aid of a report prepared by the Planning Service Manager (Growth) (a copy of which is appended in the Minute Book), it was

RESOLVED

that the Head of Development and Planning Service Manager (Growth), after consultation with the Executive Leader and Deputy Executive Leader, be authorised to prepare and submit formal comments on the route options proposed for the East West Rail consultation on behalf of the Council.

To resolve:

  that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

RESOLVED

  that the press and public be excluded from the meeting because the business to be transacted contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

To receive the HDCV Security Services Limited Business Plan 2018 – 2023.

Executive Councillor: D M Tysoe.

The Cabinet received and noted HDCV Security Services Limited Business Plan 2018-2023.

The Cabinet gave consideration to an exempt report by the Head of Community (a copy of which is appended in the Annex to the Minute Book) outlining HDCV Security Services Limited Business Plan 2018-2023.

The Corporate Director (Services) reported that the Business Plan provided the framework on which HDCV Security Services Limited would undertake its activities and provided clarity on the governance and reporting arrangements between them and the District Council.

In noting the delays which had occurred to date, Executive Members commented on the need to progress the implementation of the Plan sooner rather than later.

RESOLVED

  that HDCV Security Services Limited Business Plan 2018-2023 (as attached as Appendix 1 of the report now submitted) be received and noted.