Agenda and draft 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.

Councillor S Easom declared a non-pecunary interest in agenda item 4 and due to being a member of Liberty Leisure Board. Minute number 66 and 67 refers.

The Committee is asked to confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6 January 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 6 January 2022 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

To consider proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2022/23; capital programme for 2022/23 to 2024/25; and proposed fees and charges for 2022/23 in respect of the Council’s priority areas.

The Committee noted the proposals for business plans, detailed revenue budget estimates for 2022/23; capital programme for 2022/23 to 2024/25; and proposed fees and charges for 2022/23 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)         The detailed revenue budget estimates for 2022/23 (base) including any revenue development submissions.

              b)         The capital programme for 2022/23 to 2024/25

              c)         The fees and charges for 2022/23.

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.

Members noted 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.

RESOLVED to approve:

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.

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 2022/23 (appendix 3).

7.    The Council Tax Requirement for 2022/23 including special expenses (but excluding local precepting requirements) be £6,131,631 (appendix 3).

8.    An amount of £350,871 be withdrawn from the General Fund reserve in 2022/23 (appendix 3).

9.    An amount of £30,000 be added to the General Fund earmarked reserves in 2022/23 (appendix 3).

10.  The Capital Strategy 2022/23 to 2024/25 be approved (appendix 5)

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

12.  The Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2022/23 to 2024/25 be approved (appendix 6).

13.  The Investments Strategy 2022/23 to 2024/25 be approved (appendix 7).

14.  The General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy to 2025/26 be approved (appendix 8).

To seek approval for a budget variation in the Capital Programme for 2021/22.

The committee considered the budget variation in the Capital Programme for 2021/22. Members noted that the Capital Programme 2021/22 was around £22.4 million in total and includes identified carry forward budgets of £8.5m from 2020/21.

RESOLVED that the capital budget variations for 2021/22 as set out in the appendix be approved.

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

The Committee considered the requests for grant aid in accordance with the provisions of the Council’s Grant Aid Policy.

RESOLVED that the Grant applications be dealt with as follows:

To seek approval to host a ceremony where the status of Freeman or Alderman is conferred on those who have rendered eminent services to the Borough.

The Committee considered the proposal to host a ceremony where the status of Freeman or Alderman was conferred on those who have rendered eminent services to the Borough.

RESOLVED that the finances be provisionally approved subject to Council’s approval of the establishment of a special meeting for the official admittance to the office of Honorary Freeman/Alderman of the Borough, to be held at a date to be confirmed in November 2022.

To seek approval for the continuation of the War Pension Disregard in respect of Housing Benefit claims in 2022/23.

The Committed noted the proposal for the continuation of the War Pension Disregard in respect of Housing Benefit claims in 2022/23.

RESOLVED that the continuation of the current Local Scheme, disregarding War Pensions for Housing Benefit applicants in 2022/23 be approved.

To report the results of the 2022/23 budget consultation exercise that took place during October, November and December 2021.

Members noted the results of the 2022/23 budget consultation exercise that took place during October, November and December 2021.

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 3, 5, 7 and 12 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 paragraphs 1, 3, 5 and 7 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.