Agenda and minutes

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 7 January 2021.

The minutes of the meeting on 7 January were confirmed as a correct record.

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

Councillor E Kerry declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 5 as he rents a garage.  Minute number 56 refers.

Councillor G Marshall declared a non-pecuniary interest in items 10 and 12, as a member of the Beeston Town Centre Board.  Minute numbers 61 and 63 refer.

Councillor M Radulovic MBE declared a non-pecuniary interest in items 10 and 12 as he had attended a meeting of the Beeston Town Centre Board.  Minute numbers 61 and 63 refer.  He also declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 5 as a Trustee of the Eastwood People’s Initiative.  Minute number 56 refers.

Councillor D Grindell declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 6, as member of the Stapleford Town Board.  Minute number 57 refers.

To recommend to Council the capital and revenue budget proposals together with the capital strategy, prudential indicators, treasury management strategy, investment strategy and general fund medium term financial strategy and to approve the business plans.

Councillors considered the capital and revenue budget proposals together with the capital strategy, prudential indicators, treasury management strategy, investment strategy and general fund medium term financial strategy.  The business plans were also considered.

The impact of the ongoing COVID – 19 pandemic on revenue streams and budgets was discussed with particular reference to Liberty Leisure.  It was noted that the Council was provided support to Liberty Leisure and no redundancies were planned, though a continued impact could lead to a review of this position.  This was dependent on the framework for exiting the current lockdown.

It was noted that the government had invited Councils to bid for funding to develop their business cases with regards to the Towns Fund.

There was discussion on withdrawal from balances.  It was noted that there was an ongoing programme of efficiencies, reduction of buildings, voluntary redundancies and improved procurement to reduce withdrawals from balances. 

RESOLVED that 

1.         The business plans for the Council’s corporate priorities and support functions, subject to amendment as a result of any budget decisions still to be taken by Council recommended by the relevant policy committees be approved.

and RECOMMENDED to Council that:

2.     The Housing Revenue Account budget as submitted be approved (appendix 2).

3.     The General Fund revenue budgets as submitted be approved (appendix 3).

4.     The capital submissions and priorities within them be approved (appendix 4).

5.     The Deputy Chief Executive be authorised to arrange the financing of the capital programme as necessary (appendix 4).

6.     An amount of £25,000 be provided for a General Contingency in 2020/21 (appendix 3).

7.     The council tax requirement for 2021/22 including special expenses (but excluding local precepting requirements) be £5,905,271 (appendix 3).

8.     An amount of £764,522 be withdrawn from the General Fund reserve in 2021/22 (appendix 3).

9.     An amount of £30,000 be added to the General Fund earmarked reserves in 2021/22 (appendix 3).

10.   The Capital Strategy 2021/22 to 2023/24 be approved (appendix 5)

11.   The Minimum Revenue Provision policy as set out be approved (appendix 6).

12.   The Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2021/22 to 2023/24 be approved (appendix 6).

13.   The Investments Strategy 2021/22 to 2023/23 be approved (appendix 7).

14.       The General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021/22 to 2024/25 be approved (appendix 8).

To consider the proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2021/22, capital programme for 2021/22 to 2023/24 and proposed fees and charges for 2021/22 in respect of the Council’s priority areas.

The Committee considered the proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2021, capital programmes for 2021/22 to 2023/24 and proposed fees and charges for 2021 in respect of the Council’s priority areas. 

1.            RESOLVED that the Business Plans relating to the support service areas be approved.

2.    RECOMMENDED to Council that the following be approved:

a)  Detailed revenue budget estimates for 2021/22 (base) including any revenue development submissions.

b) Capital programme for 2021/22 to 2023/24

c)  Fees and charges for 2021/22.

To consider proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2021/22; capital programme for 2021/22 to 2023/24; and proposed fees and charges for 2021/22 in respect of the Council’s priority areas.

The business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2021/22, capital programme for 2021/22 to 2023/24 and proposed fees and charges for 2021/22 were considered for the services in the Business Growth section of the Council.

1.         RESOLVED that the Business Growth Business Plan be approved.

2.         RECOMMENDED to Council that the following be approved:

a)    The detailed revenue budget estimates for 2021/22 (base) including any revenue development submissions.

b)    The capital programme for 2021/22 to 2023/24

c)    The fees and charges for 2021/22.

To consider requests for grant aid in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Grant Aid Policy.

Consideration was given to requests for grant aid in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Grant Aid Policy.  There was a question regarding the application from the Stapleford Community Association.

It was proposed by Councillor G Marshall and seconded by Councillor T Hallam that the grant to the Stapleford Community Association be delegated to the Chair of Finance and Resources and the Deputy Chief Executive.  On being put to the meeting the motion was carried.

RESOLVED that grants be awarded as follows, with the condition that the award of the Stapleford Community Association grant be delegated to the Chair of Finance and Resources and the Deputy Chief Executive:

To advise the Committee of the recommendation of the Independent Remuneration Panel regarding the application of a potential pay award for 2021/22 to allowance rates for members.

The Committee considered the recommendation of the Independent Remuneration Panel regarding the pay award for members.

During the debate it was noted that this was a difficult decision to make because being a Councillor was considered to be an opportunity that should be available to everyone, though it was agreed that the freeze was the appropriate cause of action given the public sector pay freeze for staff earning more that £24,000.

RECOMMENDED to full Council that members’ allowances be frozen in line with the employees’ pay award.

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

The Committee considered the Work Programme.

RESOLVED that the Work Programme be approved.

To request additional capital funding for The Square Phase 2 redevelopment in Beeston.

The Committee discussed the high level of interest around Beeston and the confidence the cinema was inspiring, including positive media coverage.  It was noted had been interest in all of the units.

RESOLVED to continue to delegate to the Deputy Chief Executive all key approvals, in consultation with the cross-party Project Board, and subject to the overall project cost remaining within the financial limits already set or subsequently changed by this Committee and/or Full Council as appropriate.

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 item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 3, 5 and 7of 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 paragraphs 1, 3, 5 and 7 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED in line with the recommendation in the exempt appendix.

RESOLVED that the letting of Durban House be deferred to allow a business case to be prepared for a mental health and wellbeing centre on the site.

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.