Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Dr. B. T. Cooper, R. J. Deeming, S. J. Dudley and R. J. Shannon.

(Members are reminded that they need to keep their register of interest forms up to date)

No declarations of interest were received.

The Chairman held a minute’s silence in memory of Mr. Peter Rippington, a teacher at Alvechurch Church of England Middle School, who had lost his life in a tragic coach accident.

Councillor R. Hollingworth paid tribute to Mr. Rippington and referred to the effect of the accident on the children at the School.

Having been moved by Councillor R. Hollingworth and seconded by Councillor E. J. Murray, it was

RESOLVED that the Council write to the School and to Mr. Rippington’s family to convey its condolences.

The Chairman referred to Jess Varnish, a professional track cyclist originally from the Bromsgrove area, who was a member of the British Track Cycling Team. Jess Varnish and her team sprint partner had achieved great success in the UCI Track Cycling World Cup held the previous weekend.

The Chamber supported the Chairman in asking the Chief Executive to convey its congratulations to Jess Varnish on her achievements to date and to wish her every success in the forthcoming London Olympics.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18th January 2012 were submitted.

RESOLVED that the minutes be approved as a correct record.

To consider any recommendations from the special meeting of the Cabinet held on 22nd February 2012 on the following items (the full Cabinet reports on the last two items are enclosed for information at the back of the Council agenda book)

• Free Parking for Blue Badge Holders - Motion
• CCTV – Motion

• Medium Term Financial Plan 2012/13 – 2013/14 (The Budget)
• Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy 2012/13 – 2014/15

(i)         MEDIUM TERM FINANCIAL PLAN 2012/13 – 2014/15

The recommendations from the Cabinet were moved by Councillor R. Hollingworth and seconded by Councillor Mrs. M. A. Sherrey.  Thanks were extended to officers for their hard work in connection with the Medium Term Financial Plan and to the Budget Jury and other stakeholders for their contributions to the budget process.

On a requisition under Council Procedure Rule 17.5, the following details of voting on the recommendations were recorded:

For the recommendations: Councillors Mrs. S. J. Baxter, Dr. D. W. P. Booth, Mrs. J. M. Boswell, J. R. Boulter, J. S. Brogan, M. A. Bullivant,  R. A. Clarke, S. R. Colella, Mrs. R. L. Dent, K. A. Grant-Pierce, Miss P. A. Harrison, R. Hollingworth, Mrs. H. J. Jones, R. J. Laight, P. Lammas, B. Lewis, J. A. Ruck, C. R. Scurrell, Mrs. M. A. Sherrey, Mrs. C. J. Spencer, C. B. Taylor, C. J. Tidmarsh, L. J. Turner, M. J. A. Webb  and P. J. Whittaker (25);

Against the recommendations: Councillors C. J. Bloore, Ms. M. T. Buxton, L. C. R. Mallett, Mrs. C. M. McDonald, P. M. McDonald, E. J. Murray, Mrs. E. M. Shannon, S. P. Shannon  and C. J. K. Wilson (9);

Abstentions: 0

RESOLVED:

            (a)       that the revenue bids identified as high in Appendix A of the      report be included within the Medium Term Financial Plan as     follows:

                                                2012/13          £78,000

                                                2013/14          £43,000

                                                2014/15          £43,000

(b)       that the savings and additional income identified in Appendix B of the report be included within the Medium Term Financial Plan as follows:

                                    2012/13          £814,000

                                    2013/14          £1,549,000

                                    2014/15          £2,282,000

(c)        that the capital bids identified as high in Appendix C of the report be included within the Medium Term Financial Plan as follows:

                                    2012/13          £631,000

                                    2013/14          £3,526,000

                                    2014/15          £5,253,000

(d)       that the use of balances totalling £113,000 for 2012/13 be approved;

(e)       that the Pay Policy as set out in Appendix E of the report be approved.

(ii)        TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY STATEMENT AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY 2012/13 – 2014/15

The recommendations from the Cabinet were moved by Councillor R. Hollingworth and seconded by Councillor Mrs. M. A. Sherrey.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy 21012/13 - 2014/15 and Prudential Indicators set out in Appendix 1 of the report be approved;

(b)       that the Authorised Limit for borrowing at £7,500,000 if required be approved;

(c)       that the maximum level of investment to be held within each organisation (i.e. Bank or Building Society) be set as detailed in the report at £3,000,000 subject to market conditions;

(d)       that the unlimited level for investment in Debt Management Account Deposit Facility be approved; and

(e)       that the Treasury Management Policy as set out in Appendix 2 of the report be approved.

Members received a report of the Executive Director (Finance & Resources) with regard to the setting of the Council Tax for 2012/13.

Having been moved by Councillor R. Hollingworth and seconded by Councillor Mrs. M. A. Sherrey, it was

RESOLVED  that the recommendations set out as an Appendix to these minutes, setting a Council Tax for 2012/13 of £192.85 for a Band D unparished property be approved.

To consider the report of the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services

Members received a report of the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Services which referred to the review of the size of the Council (i.e. number of elected representatives) being undertaken by the Boundary Commission in response to a request from the Council. As part of the review the Council had been invited to make a recommendation on the most appropriate size and to provide evidence to support this. 

Councillor R. Hollingworth thanked officers for producing the report and expressed the view that it would not be worthwhile discussing the matter as the Chamber would not be able to agree a size that was acceptable to all.

Having been moved by Councillor R. Hollingworth and seconded by Councillor P. M. McDonald, it was

RESOLVED that Group Leaders make their own submissions on the future size of the Council to the Boundary Commission before 5 March 2012.