Agenda item - Recommendations from the Cabinet

Agenda item

Recommendations from the Cabinet

 

 

 

To consider the recommendation from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 7th December 2016  (consideration of this item was postponed at the previous Council Meeting on 25th January 2017)

 

·         Business Waste Recycling Service (the background papers to this item are confidential)

 

 

To consider the recommendations from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 1st February 2017 

 

·         The Council Plan 2017 – 2020

·         Planning Services Development Business Case

·         Medium Term Financial Plan 2017/18 – 2020/21

·         ICT Infrastructure (the background Appendix to the Cabinet report is confidential)

 

To consider the recommendations from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 28th February 2017 (To be circulated)

 

·         Pay Policy Statement 2017/18

·         Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy 2017/18 to 2018/19

·         Council Tax Resolutions 2017/18

 

 

Note: that under the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) Amendment Regulations 2014, the Council is required to take a named vote when a decision is made on the budget calculation or precept at a budget decision meeting of the Council.

 

Note: that under Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, any Councillor who is 2 or more months in arrears with their Council Tax payments cannot participate in any item at the Council meeting concerning the budget.

 

 

The background papers to the recommendations are contained at the back of the Council Agenda

Minutes:

Business Waste Recycling Service

 

As it was likely that discussion of this item would require the exclusion of the public from the meeting, the Chairman deferred the item to the end of the agenda.

 

 

The Council Plan 2017-2020

 

The recommendation from the Cabinet in relation to the Council Plan 2017- 2020 was proposed by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor K. J. May.

 

In proposing the recommendation Councillor Denaro referred to the “refreshed” Council Plan and to the amendments which had been made following the discussion at a previous Council meeting. The Council’s key priorities and strategic purposes were set out on page 6 of the Plan and it was emphasised that the overarching aim was to ensure a sustainable Council. The Plan itself was now  a more concise and understandable document.

 

During the debate some Members expressed the view that the Council Plan contained insufficient detail to enable Portfolio Holders and officers to be held to account in the future. In addition reference to prudence and efficiency in respect of the Council’s finances was challenged. 

 

Other Members however recognised that the revised plan was an improved document from the original version and requested that it now be used going forward by Portfolio Holders to drive improvement through their individual Action Plans.

 

The Leader confirmed that the Plan would be reviewed on a regular basis and that he  would be working with Portfolio Holders and officers in order to deliver the actions arising from the Plan.

 

RESOLVED that Council Plan 2017- 2020 attached at Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

 

 

Planning Development Services Business Case

 

The recommendation from the Cabinet in relation to the Planning Development Services Business Case was proposed by Councillor C. B. Taylor and seconded by Councillor G. N. Denaro.

 

In proposing the recommendation Councillor Taylor reminded Members of the previous discussions at Council and referred to the additional information previously requested and which was contained in Appendix 2 to the report. Councillor Taylor reported that the number of posts at risk of redundancy had reduced from two to one as one of the officers involved had now secured alternative employment. 

 

Councillor Taylor acknowledged the concerns of some Members regarding the location of staff and confirmed that a strong staff presence would be retained in Bromsgrove. Planning Surgeries were effective and were well attended.  It was important to move forward with the proposals in order to remove uncertainty and to progress.

 

During the debate some Members continued to express concern regarding the majority of planning staff being located in Redditch and the perceived impact on services to Bromsgrove residents. In addition it was hoped that the costs split between the Authorities would be reviewed regularly. 

 

Councillor Taylor responded that formal shared service arrangements would enable a more robust and resilient Planning Development Management Service to continue to offer an improved service to residents. It was important now to progress with the shared service and to end uncertainty for staff.

 

RESOLVED that the Business Case for the Planning Development Management Shared Service be approved. 

 

 

Medium Term Financial Plan 2017/18 – 2020/21

 

The recommendations from the Cabinet in relation to the Medium Term Financial Plan 2017/18 – 2020/21 were proposed by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor K. J. May.

 

In proposing the recommendations Councillor Denaro referred to the Efficiency Statement which had been previously agreed by this Council  and accepted by the Secretary of State and which now had to be implemented. The Medium Term Financial Plan would save £1.916million and would ensure that frontline services were protected.

 

Councillor Denaro acknowledged that whilst a good start had been made there was still much to do in order to achieve this and highlighted a number of issues including the following:

 

·         the need to drive down costs without impacting on frontline services;

·         there was a reduction in the New Homes Bonus funding however Communities would still be able to bid for funding for projects;

·         the need for the Authority  to become more commercially  minded;

·         the possibility of establishing an Energy Company together with other Authorities;

·         that objections had been lodged in respect of the proposed negative Revenue Support Grant payment from 2019/20;

·         the proposed changes to Business Rates 

·         no cuts were proposed to services;

·         Council Tax was proposed to rise by £5 per annum per Band D equivalent;

·         the Council’s assets would be reviewed to ensure they were being used to support Strategic Purposes;

·         savings of 5% from departmental expenditure were projected;

·         It was proposed to transfer £259k to balances for 2017/18 achieved from projected income and from savings;

 

Councillor Denaro stressed that officers would be working to achieve savings and to improve income generation. In addition, as previously mentioned, in 2017/18 there would be a review of management posts across the Council. Councillor Denaro thanked officers and the members of the Finance Working Group for their assistance in the budget process.

 

Councillor L. C. R. Mallett responded and referred to the reduced levels of balances now held by the Council. This, together with reductions in funding received from Central Government meant that there was no alternative but to seek savings in the budget for future years.

 

Councillor Mallett expressed the view that a review of the management structure was urgent, with a view to reducing costs in line with a reduction in the Council’s budget. He also suggested that there was limited relevant experience within the Council to deliver successful commercial projects.  

 

Councillor S. J. Baxter acknowledged that the budget process had been more satisfactory this year and that the Finance Working Group had worked well. In view of the lack of detail however, it was difficult to understand how the level of savings projected was to be achieved. On the basis that Portfolio Holders would be closely monitoring savings and would be held to account by the Finance Working Group she would be supporting the budget.

 

During the debate Members acknowledged the challenges in the funding position nationally and noted that the level of savings to be achieved was a difficult task.

 

Councillor Denaro responded to the debate and recognised the difficulties highlighted by Members in achieving savings required. In relation to the forthcoming management restructure it was noted that since 2011 the Senior Management Team had reduced by three posts. The principal objectives were to ensure a sustainable Council and to maintain services for residents.

 

As required under the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 a named vote was taken on the Medium Term Financial Plan 2017/18 – 2020/21.

 

For the recommendations: Councillors C. Allen-Jones, S. J. Baxter, S. R. Colella, R. J. Deeming, G. N. Denaro, R. L. Dent, M. Glass, C. A. Hotham, H. J. Jones, K. J. May, S. R. Peters, M. A. Sherrey, C. J. Spencer, C. B. Taylor, P. L. Thomas, M. J. A. Webb and P. J. Whittaker (17)

 

Against the recommendations: Councillors M. T. Buxton, R. E. Jenkins, L. C. R. Mallett, C. M. McDonald and M. Thompson (5)

 

 

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the following return/release from balances be approved:

 

            2017/18 - £259k (return)

            2018/19 - £37k (release)   

            2019/20 - £467k (release)

            2020/21 - £494k (release)

 

(b)       that the additional income/efficiencies as attached at Appendix 2 be approved:

 

            2017/18 - £1.113m

            2018/19 - £626k

            2019/20 - £177k

 

(c)        that with the exception of the bids in relation to Hagley Scout Hut and Hagley Community Centre  the Capital Programme bids as attached at Appendix 3 be approved:

 

            2017/18 - £145k

            2018/19 - £46k

            2019/20 - £1.108m

 

(d)       that the increase of Council Tax by £5 per Band D equivalent for 2017/18 be approved.

 

(e)       that the budget savings and pressures for 2018/19 – 2020/21 be subject to change due to the potential impact of changes to service delivery and the localisation of Business Rates together with any changes to the New Homes Bonus.

 

(f)        that consideration of  the Capital Programme bids in respect of Hagley Scout Hut and Hagley Community Centre be deferred to enable further consideration of the Business Cases for the proposals. In addition officers include additional information to the report to Council on 28th February 2017 to explain the position in respect of the deferral. 

 

 

ICT Infrastructure Report

 

As it was likely that discussion on this item would involve the exclusion of the public from the meeting, the Chairman deferred the item to the end of the agenda.

 

 

Pay Policy Statement 2017/18 

The recommendation from the Cabinet in relation to the Pay Policy Statement 2017/18 was proposed by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor K. J. May.

 

In proposing the recommendation Councillor Denaro reminded Members that this was a statutory document which the Council was required to produce each year under the Localism Act.

 

It was noted that in making the recommendation Cabinet had also requested   that the previous accepted format of the Statement be amended so that the report referred solely to the costs to this Council.

 

During the debate some Members were concerned regarding the transparency of the split of salary costs between Bromsgrove DC and Redditch BC and whether this reflected the time spent on work relating to each Authority.  In particular Members referred to work relating to Combined Authorities and to the Redditch Housing Department which was part of the Redditch workload which was not reflected in Bromsgrove.

 

Councillor Denaro referred to the Memorandum of Understanding which was part of the Shared Services agreement and which involved a 50/50 share of costs of the senior management team . Some Members felt that there was insufficient evidence to indicate that this was still the case. 

 

As an amendment it was proposed by Councillor L. C. R. Mallett and seconded by Councillor M. Thompson that consideration of the Pay Policy be deferred to enable the proportion of time spent by senior officers in relation to each Authority to be evidenced.

 

On being put to the vote the Chairman declared the amendment to be lost.

 

Councillor Denaro undertook to ensure that the proportionality of salaries was considered as a separate issue on a cross part basis but stated that this was not the purpose of the Pay Policy under consideration. 

 

On a requisition under Council Procedure Rule 18.3, the following details of the voting on the recommendation to approve the Pay Policy were recorded:

 

For the recommendation: Councillors C. Allen-Jones, R. J. Deeming, G. N. Denaro, R. L. Dent, M. Glass, H. J. Jones, K. J. May, M. A. Sherrey, C. J. Spencer, C. B. Taylor, P. L. Thomas, M. J. A. Webb and P. J. Whittaker (13)

 

Against the recommendation: Councillors S. J. Baxter, M. T. Buxton, S. R. Colella, C. A. Hotham, R. E. Jenkins, L. C. R. Mallett, C. M. McDonald, S. R. Peters and M. Thompson (9)

 

RESOLVED that the Pay Policy Statement 2017/18 as contained in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

 

 

Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy 2017/18 – 2019/20

 

The recommendations from the Cabinet on the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy 2017/18 – 2019/20 were proposed by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor K. J. May. 

 

It was reported that there had been an error in the Treasury Management Strategy considered by the Cabinet but that the correct version was now before members within the Council Agenda.

 

RESOLVED: 

(a)       that the Strategy and Prudential Indicators shown at Appendix 1 be approved;

(b)       that the Authorised Limit for borrowing be approved at £15million, should borrowing be required;

(c)        that the maximum level of investment to be held within each organisation (i.e. bank or building society) be as detailed at £2.5million, subject to market conditions; and

(d)       that the updated Treasury Management Policy shown at Appendix 2 be approved.     

 

 

Council Tax Resolutions 2017/18

 

The recommendation from the Cabinet in relation to the Council Tax Resolutions for 2017/18 were proposed by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor K. J. May.

 

As required under the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 a named vote was taken on the Council Tax Resolutions 2017/18.

 

For the recommendations: Councillors C. Allen-Jones, S. J. Baxter, S. R. Colella, R. J. Deeming, G. N. Denaro, R. L. Dent, M. Glass, C. A. Hotham, R. E. Jenkins, H. J. Jones, K. J. May, S. R. Peters, M. A. Sherrey, C. J. Spencer, C. B. Taylor, P. L. Thomas, M. J. A. Webb and P. J. Whittaker (18)

 

Abstentions: Councillors M. T. Buxton, L. C. R. Mallett, C. M. McDonald and M. Thompson (4)

 

RESOLVED that the Council Tax Resolutions as detailed in Appendix 1 to the report be approved. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents: