Agenda, decisions and minutes

To sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2019.

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2019 were signed as a correct record.

Councillors/Staff to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary interest, other registrable interest or any other interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

None declared.

To answer questions from members of the public – submitted in writing or by electronic mail no later than 5.00pm, 2 working days before the meeting.

None received.

None received.

The subject of the decision

The Policy Manager (Health Improvement and Inequality) submitted a report which sought member’s approval of a Cumbrian Joint Public Health Strategy.

The Director of Public Health attended the meeting to present the document to Executive alongside the Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Wellbeing.

Councillor C McCarron-Holmes moved the recommendation; this was seconded by Councillor A Smith. The recommendation was unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

Not to align with the Public Health Strategy and to develop a standalone strategy.

The reason for the decision

To demonstrate our individual commitment and by working with the other local authorities and our partners to improve health and wellbeing within our communities by tackling the wider determinants of health and wellbeing.

The decision

Resolved

That the Cumbria Joint Public Health Strategy be adopted.

The subject of the decision

The Policy Manager (Corporate, Performance and Information) submitted a report to advise Members on the Council’s performance at the end of quarter three 2018/19, covering the period from 1 October to 31 December 2018, as measured by projects/activities and KPIs set out in the Corporate Business Plan 2018/19.

Members considered and noted the progress made against each of the key projects and activities set out in the Corporate Business Plan 2018/19.

The report contained 87 projects/activities and 51 key performance indicators.

Of the projects/activities 16 were marked as complete, 59 were on target, 10 had concerns over their deadlines or outputs being achieved and 2 had significant concerns on achieving outputs.

Of the listed KPIs, 26 were on target, 10 had concerns on their target being achieved, 10 had significant concerns and 5 were not targeted.

Councillor A Smith moved the recommendation; this was seconded by Councillor M Fryer. The recommendation was unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

None

The reason for the decision

To advise members of progress on the Corporate Business Plan priorities/activities and KPIs at the end of quarter three 2018/19.

The decision

Resolved

That the report be noted.

The subject of the decision

The Head of Financial Services submitted a report which sought to inform Members of the Council’s financial performance against budget for the period April to December 2018 along with the forecast position to 31 March 2019.

Members noted the headline messages at the end of quarter 3 2018/19, being:

  Revenue Budget

(i)  Expenditure from the revenue budget, excluding projects funded from earmarked reserves, was forecast to exceed budget by £105k

(ii)  Income from Taxation & Government Grants was forecast to exceed budget by £168k

(iii)  This projected outturn position would result in a reduction to the amount of general fund balance required to finance the revenue budget.

  Earmarked Reserves Budget

(iv)  A forecast underspend against the budgeted use of Reserves

(v)  This was largely reflecting changes in the anticipated timing of expenditure from reserves and the full balance of those reserves was expected to be spent in future financial years, meaning there was not saving/additional resources as a result. 

  Capital Budget

(vi)  Expenditure from the capital budget was forecast to underspend by £1.712 million

(vii)  The forecast reprofiling of expenditure to subsequent financial years was £1.516 million

(viii)  This results in an underspend of £196k.

Other

(ix)  Treasury Management activities were carried out in accordance with the Councils treasury management and investment strategies

(x)  No new external borrowing was undertaken.

Councillor B Cannon moved the recommendation. This was seconded by Councillor M Fryer. The recommendation was unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

None

The reason for the decision

To inform Members of the Council’s financial performance against budget for the period April to December 2018 along with the forecast position to 31 March 2019.

The decision

Resolved

That the report be noted.

The subject of the decision

The Head of Financial Services submitted a report which sought to present to Members the draft revenue and capital budget and the formal advice of the chief financial officer on the robustness of the estimates included in the budget and the adequacy of the reserves which supported the Council’s budgetary plans.

Consultations informing the 2019/20 budget process comprised of a survey of residents undertaken during June and July 2018 and a budget consultation focusing on specific budget issues, carried out during December 2018 and January 2019.

Members thanked the chief finance officer, the Financial Services Team and senior managers for their contribution to the development of the draft budget proposals.

Councillor B Cannon moved the recommendations contained within the report. This was seconded by Councillor A Smith. The recommendations were unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

None

The reason for the decision

The Council’s statutory requirement to approve a balanced budget.

The decision

Recommended

That Council be requested to agree that –

1. The total planned revenue expenditure be £15,398,082 including parish precepts of £2,197,940
2. £15,002,631 be approved as the Council’s net Budget requirement for 2019-20
3. An increase in Council Tax of £5 on band D Properties, with proportionate increases being applied to properties, in other council tax bands be approved
4. No changes be made to the Council’s Council Tax Reduction discount scheme and that the current scheme remains in place for 2019-20
5. The revenue estimates as approved be used in the calculation of the basic amount of tax under Section 31 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992
6. The minimum level of non-earmarked general fund balances be set at £2.7m and that no maximum level be set
7. The capital budget of £32,178,305 (comprising £9,928,305 in 2019-20, £21,180,000 in 2020-21 and £1,070,000 in 2021-22) be approved
8. The proposed capital budget for 2019-20 be financed as follows:

·  grants and contributions ……..£3,045,919

·  borrowing………………...…….£6,502,386

·  capital receipts …………………..£380,000

The subject of the decision

The Programme Director submitted a report which sought member’s approval of the proposal to develop a business plan to support the creation of a Council owned housing company.

Councillor C McCarron-Holmes moved the recommendations contained within the report. This was seconded by Councillor A Smith. The recommendations were unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

1.  Agree to progress with the development of a business plan to support the establishment of a Council owned housing company

2.  Not to approve the proposal.

The reason for the decision

The creation of a council owned housing company would provide the Council with a delivery mechanism to develop new homes that would support the Councils drive to meet housing need across the borough.

The decision

Resolved

That -

1.  The proposal to develop a business plan to support the creation of a Council owned housing company be approved

2.  Executive receive a further report to approve the business plan and to incorporate the housing company.

The subject of the decision

The Policy Manager (Corporate, Performance and Information) submitted a report which sought approval of the draft Council Plan 2019-2023.

Members thanked the Corporate Policy team for all their work on the development of the Plan.

Councillor A Smith moved the recommendations contained within the report. This was seconded by Councillor M Fryer. The recommendations were unanimously agreed.

Alternative options considered

None.

The reason for the decision

To endorse the Council priorities for 2019-2023 as set out in the Council Plan 2019-2023.

The decision

Recommended

That Council be requested to agree that –

1.  The draft Council Plan 2019-2023 as attached at Appendix 1 be endorsed

2.  Authority be delegated to the Head of Strategy, Policy and Performance to make any amendments to the draft Council Plan 2019-2023, in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader, prior to its consideration by Council on 6 March 2019.