Agenda item

To consider the recommendations from the meeting of the Cabinet held on 4th November 2015.

(Background information is included at the back of the Council agenda book)

            Bleak House Farm – Use of Section 106 Funding

Councillor G Denaro declared a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in this item and left the room during its discussion and determination.

(i)         The recommendations from Cabinet were proposed by Councillor R. L. Laight and seconded by Councillor P. J. Whittaker.

            During the debate some Members referred to a need for further details of the proposed  Community Use Agreement particularly in relation to the available times and level of community access to the facility.  The view was also expressed that the proposed facilities were welcomed by the community. 

            Councillor Baxter requested reassurance that this Council would only be required to contribute £134,000 of S106 funding towards the cost of the fitness equipment fit out and that there would not be a gap which would require further Council funding.

            As an amendment it was proposed by Councillor L. C. R. Mallett and seconded by Councillor C. J. Bloore that the matter be deferred and that further information be sought on the proposal, in particular details of the proposed community use of the facility.

            On being put to the vote the voting on the amendment was tied. The Chairman cast her vote against the amendment and therefore the amendment was defeated.

            It was RESOLVED:

(a)       that the Council’s Capital Programme 2015/16 be increased by £134,000 to fund the fit out of the new Health and Fitness facilities at Woodrush High School Academy to be funded by the Section 106  payments applicable to the Bleak House farm site.;

(b)       that the Section 106 funds be released to the school only when they are received from the developer;

(c)        that authority be delegated to the Head of Leisure and Cultural Services to enter into a suitable legal arrangement and contract management process to protect the Council’s funding in this matter;

(d)       that the Head of Legal, Equalities and Democratic Service be authorised to prepare and complete the necessary documentation in respect of the agreements referred to in (c) above.

(Councillor S. R. Peters requested that it be recorded that he had voted against the recommendations).

(ii)        Bromsgrove Centres Management      

            The recommendation from Cabinet was proposed by Councillor R. L. Dent and seconded by Councillor R. D. Smith.

            During the debate, a number of Members welcomed the report and the proposals to provide support to a number of Centres across the District.  In response to a query the Councillor Dent confirmed that the Post Holder would be working with Local Members across the District to address issues and promote the local centres. 

            It was RESOLVED:

            that the funding of an unavoidable budget pressure in respect of a new Town Centre Management function  be approved for inclusion in the Medium Term Financial Plan assumptions as follows:

2016/17 - £16,000

2017/18 - £41,000

2018/19 - £43,000

(iii)       Medium Term Financial Plan 2016/17 – 2018/19 – Budget Assumptions

            The recommendations from Cabinet were proposed by Councillor G. N. Denaro and seconded by Councillor S. A. Webb.

            In proposing the recommendations Councillor Denaro referred to the proposal not to increase fees and charges (except in particular circumstances)  in view of the current inflation rate of 0% together with the underspend transferred to the Council’s balances at the end of the financial year 2014/15.

            Councillor S. J. Baxter queried the recent increase in the charge for the Green Waste Collection in the light of this current recommendation.

            Councillor L. C. R. Mallett raised concerns that if there was no increase, then income from fees and charges would not keep pace with potential shortfalls in the budget.  It was suggested that to increase fees and charges may be preferable to potentially increasing Council Tax and that decisions did not need to be taken at this stage.

            Councillor Denaro reminded Members that detailed information was still awaited from Central Government on funding.

            It was RESOLVED:

that the revenue budget assumptions as set out in section 3.7 of the report be approved with the exception of the paragraph in relation to Fees and Charges with the amended assumption to be as follows:

“That it be assumed that the existing schedule of Fees and Charges for Council services will not be increased for 2016/17, with the exception of increases to any Statutory Charges, or any instances where the responsible Heads of Service demonstrates particular circumstances to justify an increase. In such cases the increase would need to be approved by Council.“