Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors R.L. Dent and C. B. Taylor.

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 4th July 2014 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 4th June 2014 be approved as a correct record.

Cabinet considered a very detailed report on the proposed replacement of the Dolphin Centre.

The Portfolio Holder, Councillor M. J. A. Webb  referred to the need for a decision to be made on the future of the existing Centre which had been built in the 1960’s with adaptations and extensions being undertaken since that time. The original life expectancy of the building had been around 40 years. In addition recent surveys of the building had indicated that it would need to be replaced within the next three or four years.

The report highlighted the importance of the Dolphin Centre in the provision of sports and physical activity opportunities to the residents of the local area, in that it is the only venue to offer both wet and dry facilities on a “pay and play” basis with no limits on time of usage. In addition surveys undertaken had shown very high public support for the retention of a Leisure Centre in the Town Centre.

Members were reminded that in 2011 an external company had undertaken a full review of future leisure provision in Bromsgrove. The study had included the important contribution of a Leisure Centre to the overall Town Centre regeneration scheme.

Members noted that the Cabinet report made reference to the number of options which had been part of the initial considerations of officers and detailed the process which had been undertaken in order to reach the preferred option 2a which was now being formally brought forward to Cabinet and Council. In particular the mix of facilities proposed to be provided had been considered in great detail. While cost had inevitably played a part the option being put forward was not the cheapest option. The facilities proposed compared very favourably with those existing at present.

Councillor Webb reported that it was intended to provide the new Leisure Centre with as little disruption as possible to visitors and users of the existing Centre which would remain open until the new Centre was available. 

As part of the detailed discussions on the report the Cabinet gave consideration to the comments and recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Board as contained in the minutes of the meeting of the Board held on 16th June 2014. The Board had considered the report of the Leisure Provision Task Group following the Group’s pre scrutiny of the Dolphin Centre business case. It was noted that the Group were looking at Leisure provision within the District as a whole but ahead of that had considered the Dolphin Centre business case prior to consideration by Cabinet.

The recommendations of the Overview and Scrutiny Board were considered in turn:

Recommendation 1

Financial concerns around the increased membership that will be needed to ensure good annual revenue should be addressed through an Audit Board investigation of the figures

Cabinet were aware of the importance of increasing the membership of the new centre, but it was felt that the membership figures included in the report were reasonably conservative. Officers had advised  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14/14

Following consideration of minute 10/14 of the minutes of the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Board held on 16th June 2014 as part of the discussion of the previous item, the remainder of the minutes were submitted.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that in relation to minute 6/14 (Summary of Results of Staff Survey) recommendation 1 relating to a statement to be added to the top ten recommendations from the staff survey be approved;

(b)       that in relation to minute 6/14 (Summary of Results of Staff Survey) recommendation 2 relating to contact details for staff being made available to elected Members, this be referred to the Chief Executive for further consideration of the most appropriate way of meeting the requirements of Members in this regard; and

(c)        that the remainder of the minutes be noted.

Members considered the report on proposals to reduce the financial impact to the District and other precepting bodies in relation to the Government changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme.

The report reminded Members that  it had previously been agreed to review the existing Council Tax Support Scheme for 2014/15 in order to meet the anticipated shortfall in funding resulting from the Government changes.

It was reported that before any changes in the scheme could be made there was a requirement for public consultation to be undertaken. It was therefore proposed that following initial consultation, a further report be submitted to Cabinet in September with a proposed scheme.

It was noted that the proposed options for consultation were set out in the Appendix to the report and  included the following:

·         Reduction in permitted capital/savings

·         Cap on the maximum amount of support that can be claimed to:

§  80%

§  85%

§  90%

·         Removal of Second Adult Rebate;

·         Cap support at a lower Council Tax Band

·         Changes to non-dependent deductions

The proposals for consultation also included a reduction to the period of exemption for empty properties as follows;

§  Limiting the amount of Council Tax discount on short term empty property to 50% for one month (excluding new developments)

Following discussion it was

RESOLVED that the Head of Customer Access and Financial Support be authorised to consult on the options for change to the Authority’s Council Tax Support Scheme with effect from April 2015, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

Cabinet considered a report relating to the Market in Bromsgrove High Street. The report related to the purchase of new market stalls which would replace the existing stalls and improve the appearance and operation of the market, together with the introduction of new terms and conditions in respect of the  market.

It was noted that the new arrangements in the High Street, following completion of the reconstruction works,  would allow for additional traders and also for speciality events such as Food Festivals and Craft Fairs. It was noted that the stalls would be purchased as they became required and the £60k was the maximum cost. 

Members also noted that the proposed new stalls had a life expectancy of 10 years and it was anticipated that the additional income generated from the additional stalls could be used to generate a reserve for their future replacement.

The proposed terms and conditions as contained in Appendix 1 to the report were considered and it was reported that the Market traders had been consulted on these and were in agreement with them. 

Members queried  whether the whole of condition 5.3 was enforceable and the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services undertook to consider this.

RESOLVED that the introduction of the proposed new terms and conditions for market traders on Bromsgrove High Street as contained in Appendix 1 to the report be approved.

RECOMMENDED:

(a)       that the 2014/15 Capital Programme be increased by £60k to fund the costs associated with the purchase of the replacement market stalls; and

(b)       that £56k be released from balances to fund the majority of the cost with the additional £4k to be met from current reserves. 

Cabinet considered a report on a proposed grant for the renovation of 22-24 High Street, Bromsgrove under the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI).

Members were reminded of the THI scheme which was jointly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Worcestershire County Council for the restoration of historic buildings on High Street and Worcester Road.

The proposed grant would enable the top floors of the grade 2 Listed Building to be brought back into use, with the owners of the building contributing approximately half of the total eligible renovation costs. It was noted that the building was one of the seven priority “plus”  buildings eligible for funding through the THI scheme.

Cabinet felt this was a good example of the importance of the THI scheme in bringing back into full use an important building in the Conservation Area. It would also encourage increased residential opportunities in the High Street.   

RESOLVED that the Townscape Heritage Initiative Grant in respect of 22-24 High Street , Bromsgrove be approved on the terms set out in the report.  

Members considered a report containing financial information for Revenue and Capital for the year ended 31st March 2014. The report also contained details of the earmarked reserves for the year ending 2013/14 and sought approval for the creation of new reserves required to support the future plans of the Authority. In addition the report contained further details of the requirement for the Capital funding of teenage provision in Hagley to be met from Section 106 contributions.

It was noted that the revenue account resulted in a surplus of £647k and that this was due to a number of factors including officers reviewing all expenditure on non essential items. In addition there had been a saving on some vacant posts which had proved difficult to fill and additional income from Housing Benefit Subsidy. There was a continuing emphasis on a need for good budgetary control and it was intended that the £647k be  returned to balances which could be used to deliver the priorities of the Council.

RESOLVED that the financial outturn position 2013/14 on Revenue and Capital  as detailed in the report be noted, together with the transfer to balances of £647k.

RECOMMENDED:

(a)       that the movement of £88k in existing reserves as included in Appendix A to the report which reflects the approval required for April 2013 to March 2014 be approved;

(b)       that the addition of new reserves of £495k as included in Appendix 1 to the report which reflects the approval required for April 2013 to March 2014 be approved; and

(c)        that the Capital bid of £80k for Hagley teenage provision to be funded from Section 106 contributions be approved.