Agenda and minutes

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interest and/or other interest in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2018.

The minutes of the meeting on 13 December 2018 were confirmed and signed.

To present an update of the Council’s three-year Medium Term Financial Strategy from to 2019/20 to 2021/22.

The 2019/20 Council Tax Base had been calculated in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012. 

RESOLVED that based on the number of band D equivalent properties and in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 2012, Broxtowe Borough Council calculates its Council Tax Base for the year 2019/20 as follows:

        1.   For the whole of its area 33,674.71. 

        2.   In respect of Parish Precepts and Special Expenses for those parts of its area mentioned in the table below, the amounts specified therein –

             Part of Council’s Area       Area Council Tax Base

             Awsworth                                     615.03

             Brinsley                                       698.95

             Cossall                                         208.48

             Eastwood                                  2,791.97

             Greasley                                    3,663.94

             Kimberley                                  1,804.75

             Nuthall                                       2,268.75

             Stapleford                                 4,051.19

             Strelley                                         181.27

             Trowell                                         821.17

             Special Expenses Area

             Beeston Area                          16,569.21

To seek approval for arrangements to operate in 2019/20 in respect of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme.

The Committee considered the arrangements to operate in 2019/20 in respect of the Local Council Tax Support Scheme (LCTSS).

        The current scheme allows for up to 100% of the council tax liability to be paid in council tax support.  The Council had benefitted from the overall bill for LCTSS falling from 2013/14 to 2016/17 as the numbers of claimants requiring support had reduced. 

RECOMMENDED to Council that the current LCTSS remains in place for 2019/20.

To report the results of the budget 2019/20 consultation exercise that took place during October and November 2018.

The Committee received an update on the 2019/20 consultation exercise that took place during October and November 2018.

Since 2017/18 a web-based survey, publicised through Broxtowe Matters, press releases and social media, had been used and had been adopted for 2019/20. The survey included no reference to any specific policy options but sought views on all Council services and indications of satisfaction, or otherwise, with both those services and with the local area generally.

A total of 415 responses were received. The amount of responses received compared with last years had reduced by 164 responses from 579 in 18/19, a 28% reduction.

To seek approval to the fees to be paid for polling staff in May 2019 and the appointment of a temporary Electoral Services Assistant.

The Committee were informed of the fees to be paid for polling staff in May 2019 and the appointment of a temporary Electoral Services Assistant.

A voter ID pilot will be run at the Borough/Parish elections in Broxtowe in 2019 based on the mixed model.  This will require electors ID to produce ID which will be checked by polling staff before a ballot paper is issued to them.

Fees for polling staff are approved annually in March as part of the Council’s Pay Policy.  The additional responsibility to be placed on both Poll Clerks and Presiding Officers required by the pilot is not reflected in the current fees. 

There are no budget provision for the increased fees or the temporary post.  However, Cabinet Office had stated that it would meet the costs incurred in running the pilot.  These have been submitted and confirmation is awaited that they will be reimbursed.

RESOLVED that the proposed payments to polling station staff as an exception to the Pay Policy and the employment of a temporary Electoral Services Assistant on grade 3 as set out in the report, subject to the costs being met by the Cabinet Office, be approved.

To seek approval for a number of capital budget variations in respect of the 2018/19 financial year.

The Committee received an update on the capital budget variations in respect of the 2018/19 financial year.

The announcement of additional grant funding for Disabled Facilities Grants in 2018/19 along with the requirement to address a water leak at the teaching pool at Kimberley Leisure Centre had resulted in a need to make amendments to a number of budgets in the capital programme 2018/19.

RESOLVED that the capital budget variations for 2018/19 as set out above and in the appendix be approved.

To consider items for inclusion in the Work Programme for future meetings.

The Committee considered the Work Programme.  It was agreed that a report on GDPR statement issued over the telephone to customers be added to the work programme.

          RESOLVED that the Work Programme, as amended, be approved.

The Committee is asked to RESOLVE that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that, under Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED that the arrears in excess of £1,200 on national non-domestic rates, council tax, rents, housing/council tax benefit overpayment and sundry debtors as set out in the report be written off and to note the exercise of the Deputy Chief Executive’s delegated authority under financial regulation 5.9.

DELEGATE to the Interim Deputy Chief Executive the sale of the land to the most appropriate party and on the most appropriate terms, in consultation with the three party leaders.