Agenda and minutes

Members of the Council should declare any interests which fall under the following categories:

a)   disclosable pecuniary interests (DPI);

b)   other significant interests (OSI);

c)   voluntary announcements of other interests.

There were no declarations of interest at the meeting.

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2021.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2021 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

This report sets out the proposed Corporate Plan which provides strategic direction to the Councils activities for the period 2021 – 2030.

The report set out the proposed Corporate Plan which provides strategic direction to the Councils activities for the period 2021 – 2030.

Proposed by Councillor Prater,

Seconded by Councillor Whybrow;

That the following recommendation be inserted as recommendation two (and subsequent recommendations be renumbered):

To remove the words “at Princes Parade” from page 12 of the proposed Corporate Plan.

(Voting figures: 2 for, 7 against, 0 abstentions).

The amendment was therefore LOST.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

ReSOLVED:

1.        That report C/20/77 be received and noted.

2.        To recommend to Council the approval the Corporate Plan – Creating Tomorrow Together 2021 – 2030.

(Voting figures: 7 for, 2 against, 0 abstentions).

Reasons for decision:

Cabinetwas asked to agree the recommendations because:

-       It is essential that the Council has determined it strategic plan so that it can inform operational plans, financial plans, strategies and policies.

-       The Council has limited resources and therefore requires a plan to direct activities to key areas to ensure the primary needs of the district and residents are met.

-       The Council has a key role to play in the recovery of the district from the pandemic and the plan focuses on recovery actions over its initial three year term.

This report sets out the final General Fund budget and Council Tax requirement for 2021/22, including that part of the local tax covering district and parish services.

The report set out the final General Fund budget and Council Tax requirement for 2021/22, including that part of the local tax covering district and parish services.

Proposed by Councillor Godfrey,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

ReSOLVED:

1.        That report C/20/73 be received and noted.

2.        To recommend to Council to approve the final 2021/22 General Fund budget, as set out at paragraph 4.

3.        To recommend to Council to approve a Council Tax requirement for 2021/22 of £13,128,209.

(Voting figures: 9 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

Reasons for DECISION:

Cabinetwas asked to agree the recommendations because:

a)        The District Council’s General Fund budget and Council Tax requirement must be approved to enable Full Council to set the budget and the council taxes for 2021/22 in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

This report sets out the Housing Revenue Account Revenue and Capital Budget for 2021/22 and proposes an increase in weekly rents and an increase in service charges for 2021/22.

The report set out the Housing Revenue Account Revenue and Capital Budget for 2021/22 and proposed an increase in weekly rents and an increase in service charges for 2021/22.

Proposed by Councillor Godfrey,

Seconded by Councillor Collier; and

RESOLVED:

1.    That report C/20/75 be received and noted.

2.    To recommend to Full Council the Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2021/22 (refer to paragraph 2.1 and Appendix 1).

3.    To recommend to Full Council the increase in rents of dwellings within the HRA on average by £1.27 per week, representing a 1.5% increasewith effect from 5 April 2021 (refer to paragraph 3.2).

4.    To recommend to Full Council the increase in service charges (Refer to section 3.5).

5.    That the Housing Revenue Account Capital Programme budget 2021/22 be approved (Refer to paragraph 4.1 and Appendix 2).

(Voting figures: 9 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet is requested to agree the recommendations as the Local Government Housing Act 1989 requires the Council, as a Local Housing Authority, to keep a separate Housing Revenue Account and to produce estimates to ensure that the account does not go into deficit. The authority also has a duty to set and approve rents in accordance with government guidelines that are outlined in the self-financing determination. The Constitution requires that the annual Budget and any variations to the Budget are approved by Council.

This report sets out the Council’s proposed strategy in relation to capital expenditure, financing and treasury management in 2021/22 to be approved by full Council. The report also sets out the Prudential Indicators for capital expenditure and the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2021/22 to be approved by full Council.

The report set out the Council’s proposed strategy in relation to capital expenditure, financing and treasury management in 2021/22 to be approved by full Council. The report also set out the Prudential Indicators for capital expenditure and the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement for 2021/22 to be approved by full Council.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.        That report C/20/74 be received and noted.

2.        To recommend to Council that the 2021/22 Capital Strategy, including the Prudential Indicators, set out in appendix 1 to the report be approved.

3.        To recommend to Council that the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement for 2021/22 set out in appendix 2 to the report be approved.

(Voting figures: 7 for, 2 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet is asked to agree the recommendations because:-

a)    The Council must have regard to both CIPFA’s Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities and the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government Investment Guidance when carrying out its duties under Part 1 of the Local Government Act 2003.

b)    The Council is required to approve a Capital Strategy for the forthcoming year.

c)    The Council is required to approve a Minimum Revenue Provision statement for 2021/22 in advance of the start of the financial year.

This report sets out the Council’s proposed strategy for its service and commercial investments in 2021/22 to be approved by full Council.

The report set out the Council’s proposed strategy for its service and commercial investments in 2021/22 to be approved by full Council.

Proposed by Councillor Whybrow,

Seconded by Councillor Prater;

That a clause be added to the Investment Strategy to state that in accordance with the climate and ecological emergency motion that was passed in Full Council on 24 July 2019 all new investments will be assessed to ensure that they are in line with a shift to zero carbon by 2030.

(Voting figures: 2 for, 5 against, 2 abstentions).

The amendment was therefore LOST.

Proposed by Councillor Monk,

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Hollingsbee; and

RESOLVED:

1.        That report C/20/72 be received and noted.

2.        To recommend to Council that the 2021/22 Investment Strategy, including the Investment Indicators, set out in the appendix to the report be approved.

(Voting figures: 7 for, 1 against, 1 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

Cabinet is asked to agree the recommendations because:-

a)    The Council must have regard to both CIPFA’s Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities and the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government Investment Guidance when carrying out its duties under Part 1 of the Local Government Act 2003.

b)    The Council is required to approve an Investment Strategy for the forthcoming year.

This report gives an update on the Carbon Footprint Study and proposes the Council’s first Carbon Action Plan.  The plan is intended to start the Council on the journey to reduce its carbon emissions to zero by 2030, to meet the resolution of full Council from July 2019. The report also discusses the proposal for a framework to guide bids for the Climate change fund.

The report gave an update on the Carbon Footprint Study and proposes the Council’s first Carbon Action Plan.  The plan is intended to start the Council on the journey to reduce its carbon emissions to zero by 2030, to meet the resolution of full Council from July 2019. The report also discussed the proposal for a framework to guide bids for the Climate change fund.

Proposed by Councillor Whybrow,

Seconded by Councillor Prater; and

RESOLVED:

1.        That report C/20/76 be received and noted.

2.        That the Carbon Action Plan (Appendix 1) be adopted.

3.        That the proposed framework to support the evaluation of bids for the use of the Climate Change reserve be noted.

4.        That the proposed additional actions outlined in paragraph 2.9 regarding the Full Council motion tabled on 25 November 2020 be agreed.

(Voting figures: 9 for, 0 against, 0 abstentions).

REASONS FOR DECISION:

These actions are required to fulfil the requirements of the Climate and Ecological Emergency Resolution passed 19^th July 2019 and to initiate work to enable the Council to meet its ambition of reducing its carbon emissions to zero by 2030.