Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Preston Room, Woodgate Chambers, Woodgate, Loughborough

Items
No. Item

74.

Disclosures of Pecuniary and Personal Interests

Minutes:

No disclosures were made.

75.

Leader's Announcements

Minutes:

No announcements were made.

76.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 97 KB

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 16th January 2020 were confirmed as a correct record and signed.

77.

Questions under Cabinet Procedure 10.7

The deadline for questions is noon on Wednesday, 5th February 2020.

Minutes:

No questions had been submitted.

78.

Budget Scrutiny Panel pdf icon PDF 528 KB

A report of the Head of Strategic Support to consider the recommendations of the Budget Scrutiny Panel following its scrutiny of the Council’s draft budget for 2020/21.

Minutes:

Considered, a report of the Head of Strategic Support to consider the recommendations of the Budget Scrutiny Panel following its scrutiny of the Council’s draft budget for 2020/21 (item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

Councillor Parsons, Chair of the Budget Scrutiny Panel, presented the recommendations of the Panel.

 

The Strategic Director of Corporate Services assisted with consideration of the report.

 

The Budget Scrutiny Panel was thanked for its work in respect of the matter.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         that in respect of Panel Recommendation 1, Cabinet notes that officers will seek to facilitate a dialogue on the budget context and financial direction of travel as early as is practical in relation to the 2021/22 budget setting process;

 

2.         that in respect of Panel Recommendation 2, Cabinet notes that Members can expect to see periodic reports reflecting progress with the Council’s transformation and commercialisation plans, and that Members can engage with proposals and general progress with transformation and commercialisation plans through the Council’s existing governance structures (Cabinet, Council and Scrutiny);

 

3.         that in respect of Panel Recommendation 3, Cabinet notes that Members can expect to see periodic reports reflecting progress with the Council’s transformation and commercialisation plans, and that Members can engage with proposals and general progress with transformation and commercialisation plans through the Council’s existing governance structures (Cabinet, Council and Scrutiny);

 

4.         that in respect of Panel Recommendation 4, that communication styles, methods and language used should be an ongoing agenda item for the Budget Scrutiny Panel, allowing Members and Officers to work together and develop an effective communication programme in respect of the Council’s budgets and plans;

 

5.         that in respect of Panel Recommendation 5, Cabinet notes that process controls will be considered as part of the planned series of service reviews that will be developed under the Council’s Transformation Programme and that, in addition, approval limits set out within the Council’s Financial Regulations and Financial Procedures will be reviewed to ensure limits appropriately reflect current circumstances;

 

6.         that in respect of Panel Recommendation 6, Cabinet notes the evaluation and approval processes set out in the response of the Strategic Director of Corporate Services to the Panel’s recommendation (agenda page 15);

 

7.         that in respect of Panel Recommendation 7, Cabinet notes that a Cabinet report will be prepared (envisaged for March/April 2020) that will provide further detail on the Council’s commercialisation plans and address the specific matters raised by the Panel;

 

8.         that in respect of Panel Recommendation 8, Cabinet notes the Panel’s observations;

 

9.         that in respect of Panel Recommendation 9, Cabinet notes the Panel’s observations;

 

10.      that in respect of Panel Recommendation 10, Cabinet notes that the processes covering reporting and monitoring of the Capital Plan will be reviewed in the forthcoming financial year.

 

Reason

 

1-10.   To acknowledge the work undertaken by and the views of the Budget Scrutiny Panel and to ensure implementation of scrutiny recommendations where agreed by the Cabinet.

79.

General Fund and HRA Revenue Budgets 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 406 KB

A report of the Head of Finance and Property Services to consider the proposed General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue Budgets for 2020/21, incorporating the proposed Council Tax levy, and the 2020/21 proposals to increase rent and service charges within the ring fenced Housing Revenue Account, for recommendation to Council.

 

Key Decison

Minutes:

Considered, a report of the Head of Finance and Property Services to consider the proposed General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Revenue Budgets for 2020/21, incorporating the proposed Council Tax levy, and the 2020/21 proposals to increase rent and service charges within the ring fenced Housing Revenue Account, for recommendation to Council (item 7 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

The Head of Finance and Property Services assisted with consideration of the report.

 

RESOLVED thatCouncilberecommended:

 

1.         to approve the OriginalGeneralFund Revenue Budget for 2020/21at £17,771,035 as set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Head of Finance and Property Services;

 

2.         toseta baseCouncilTaxat£126.52atBandD, anincreaseof£4.43on the 2019/20 rate, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report of the Head of Finance and Property Services;

 

3.         tosettheLoughboroughSpecialLevyat£76.46, a 1.99% increase on 2019/20 rate, as set out in Appendix 3 to the report of the Head of Finance and Property Services;

 

4.         toapprove thefollowingitemtotheLoughboroughSpecialLevy:

 

ongoing annual funding of £5K for the Remembrance Day Parade for essential health and safety event management costs;

 

5.         toapprovetheOriginal HRA Budgetfor 2020/21 assetoutin Appendix5 to the report of the Head of Finance and Property Services;

 

6.         to amend theHRA weekly rents in line with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) guidance;

 

7.         to amend the non-HRA dwelling properties in line with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) guidance;

 

8.      to approve the HRA serv  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

80.

Capital Strategy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

A report of the Head of Finance and Property Services to consider a Capital Strategy, the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, the Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy for 2020/21, together with changes to the Council’s Financial Regulations and other elements of the Constitution necessary to enable delivery of the Investment Strategy, for recommendation to Council.

 

Key Decision

Minutes:

Considered, a report of the Head of Finance and Property Services to consider a Capital Strategy, the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, the Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy for 2020/21, together with changes to the Council’s Financial Regulations and other elements of the Constitution necessary to enable delivery of the Investment Strategy, for recommendation to Council (item 8 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

The Strategic Director of Corporate Services and the Head of Finance and Property Services assisted with consideration of the report.  In response to questions and comments regarding proposed commercial property investment, a report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Cabinet detailing the proposed approach, including process and due diligence arrangements.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         that the Capital Strategy, as set out at Appendix A to the report of the Head of Finance and Property Services, be approved and recommended to Council;

 

2.      that the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy, as shown at Appendix B to the report of the Head of Finance and Property Services, be approved and recommended to Council;

 

3.      that the Prudential and Treasury Indicators, also set out in Appendix B to the report of the Head of Finance and Property Services, be approved and recommended to Council;

 

4.      that the proposed changes to the Constitution, as set out in Appendix C to the report of the Head of Finance and Property Services, be approved and recommended to Council, with effect from 1st March 2020;

 

5.      that the Environmental services fleet (due for renewal in June 2020) is funded in the most financially advantageous way, having regard to the financial resources available to the Council at that time.

 

Reasons

 

1.      To enable the Council to comply with the statutory code of practice issued by CIPFA: ‘The Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities, 2017 Edition’.

 

2.      To ensure that the Council’s governance and management procedures for Treasury Management reflect best practice and comply with the CIPFA Treasury Management in the Public Services Code of Practice, Guidance Notes and Treasury Management Policy Statement.

 

3.      To ensure that funding of capital expenditure is taken within the totality of the Council’s financial position and that borrowing and investment is only carried out with proper regard to the Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities.

 

4.      To enable the efficient and timely execution of the Investment Strategy incorporated within the overall Capital Strategy.

 

5.      To supersede Cabinet resolution of 13th September 2018 relating to the financing of the Environmental Services fleet (Minute 29.4 refers) and allow more advantageous methods of financing the fleet to be adopted.

81.

New Capital Plan 2020-21 to 2022-23 pdf icon PDF 205 KB

A report of the Head of Finance and Property Services to consider a new Capital Plan 2020/21 to 2022/23 and sources of funding, for recommendation to Council.

 

Key Decision

Minutes:

Considered, a report of the Head of Finance and Property Services to consider a new Capital Plan 2020/21 to 2022/23 and sources of funding, for recommendation to Council (item 9 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

The Head of Finance and Property Services assisted with consideration of the report.

 

RESOLVED that the new Capital Plan for 2020/21 to 2022/23 for the General Fund and HRA schemes, set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Head of Finance and Property Services, is approved and recommended to Council.

 

Reason

 

The new Capital Plan becomes the basis for capital spending by the Council for the next 3 years.

82.

Insurance Arrangements

A report of the Head of Strategic Support to consider joining the Local Government Mutual as an alternative to traditional insurance. To Follow.

 

This report contains an exempt appendix, circulated to members.  If it is necessary for reference to be made to information contained within the appendix, members of the public will be excluded for that part of the meeting on the grounds that it will involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

 

Notification was given on 20th January 2020 that the public could potentially be excluded during this item since exempt or confidential information could be considered.  No representations regarding considering this item in exempt session have been received.

 

Key Decision

Minutes:

This item was withdrawn.

83.

Strategic Risk Register 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 199 KB

A report of the Head of Strategic Support to consider an updated Strategic Risk Register.

Minutes:

Considered, a report of the Head of Strategic Support to consider an updated Strategic Risk Register (item 11 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

The Head of Strategic Support assisted with consideration of the report.  In response to questions regarding business continuity should the Council be unable to hold meetings and take decisions in person (for example, due to restrictions that could be required to address a public health matter), the Head of Strategic Support would look into the matter and provide a response to members of the Cabinet.    

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         that the draft Strategic Risk Register for 2020/21 as set out in the Appendix to the report of the Head of Strategic Support is adopted, and that the Audit Committee monitor progress against those risks on the register by receiving quarterly monitoring reports;

 

2.         that authority is delegated to the Head of Strategic Support to make amendments to the risk register where required, in consultation with the relevant risk owner and Cabinet Lead Member.

 

Reasons 

 

1.         To ensure that the most significant risks to the Council achieving its objectives are identified and actively managed.

 

2.         To ensure that the Strategic Risk Register is kept up to date and relevant.

84.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act - Policy and Review of Use during 2019 pdf icon PDF 255 KB

A report of the Head of Strategic Support to consider a Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (also known as RIPA, or the 2000 Act) Policy, and a summary of the use of RIPA during 2019.

 

 

Minutes:

Considered, a report of the Head of Strategic Support to consider a Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (also known as RIPA, or the 2000 Act) Policy, and a summary of the use of RIPA during 2019 (item 12 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

 

The Head of Strategic Support assisted with consideration of the report.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.         that it be noted that there has been no use of RIPA by the Council during the calendar year 2019;

 

2.         that the Audit Committee be requested to continue its responsibility for receiving a quarterly report on the use of RIPA, and to report to Cabinet any concerns arising from those reports that may indicate that the use of RIPA is not consistent with the Policy or that the Policy may not be fit for purpose;

 

3.         that the RIPA Policy Statement, attached as an appendix to the report of the Head of Strategic Support, be approved with no amendments required.

 

Reasons

 

1.         To ensure compliance with the requirements of the Home Office’s current ‘Code of Practice – Covert Surveillance and Property Interference’ relating to the involvement of elected Members in approving the RIPA policy and reviewing the Council’s use of RIPA on at least an annual basis.

 

2.         To ensure compliance with the requirements of the Home Office’s latest  ‘Code of Practice – Covert Surveillance and Property Interference’ relating to elected Members considering reports on the use of RIPA on at least a quarterly basis to ensure that is it being used consistently with the policy and the policy remains fit for purpose. 

 

3.         To ensure that the Council’s RIPA Policy Statement remains up to date and consistent with the relevant legislation and codes of practice.