Agenda and minutes

To receive and note the minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2016.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 October 2016 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

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

Councillor David Owen declared a voluntary announcement in respect of minute 31 – Council Tax reduction scheme as he is a Board Member of East Kent Housing. He remained in the meeting during discussion and voting on this item.

Report C/16/78  - The existing scheme for Council Tax Reduction runs until 31 March 2017. The Council is required by law to approve a scheme for the year ahead by 31 January 2017 at the latest, which has been subject to consultation. This report presents the consultation results to look for recommendations for a Shepway scheme for the next 3 years.

Report C/16/78 - The existing scheme for Council Tax Reduction runs

until 31 March 2017. The Council is required by law to approve a scheme

for the year ahead which has been subject to consultation, by 31 January 2017 at the latest. This report presents the consultation results and recommendations for a Shepway scheme for the next 3 years.

Pat Main, Interim Head of Finance updated members on progress following the consultation, informing them that the consultation was open to anyone and the level of response was of a reasonable size and there is no control over who responds. 

Although some aspects of the responses appeared reasonable to members they had particular concerns in respect of the following:

·         Response rate – disappointed in the response rate, particularly the high % from the over 55’s.

·         Agency responses – it was felt that the agencies that had responded were in a better position to understand the effect it will have on people.

Members also asked for their comments from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting to be reiterated for when Cabinet consider the report.

Proposed by Councillor Peter Gane

Seconded by Councillor Peter Simmons and

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note Report C/16/78.

2.         To re-iterate the views of the committee previously stated.

(Voting: For 8; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Report C/16/73 provides a clear steer for delivery Troubled Families in Shepway, setting out Kent County Council’s (KCC) proposal for allocating the Troubled Families Grant to Shepway District Council in 2017/18, including certain grant stipulations and options.

Report C/16/73 provides a clear steer for delivery Troubled Families in

Shepway, setting out Kent County Council’s (KCC) proposal for allocating

the Troubled Families Grant to Shepway District Council in 2017/18,

including certain grant stipulations and options.

Sarah Robson, Head of Communities presented members with the report asking for their views on the proposed options. KCC’s has proposed a grant of £129,221to Shepway for 2017/18, calculated based on children living in out of work households.

£97,000 will procure the new KCC Intensive Family Support Provider, Porchlight, to deliver the programme in the district, with a further £32,221 supporting a Family Housing Solutions Officer to help families who may be at risk of homelessness or in urgent needs of housing advice, to resolve their housing difficulties. She informed members that those staff which had been affected by the change in working arrangements had been kept informed and involved in the discussions when producing the report. 

The programme will continue to maintain its strong partnership links, in particular, the Shepway Community Safety Partnership, schools, health and the voluntary and community sector.

Proposed by Councillor Clive Goddard

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Claire Jeffrey and

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note Report C/16/73.

(Voting: For 8; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

A verbal update will be given by Tim Madden, Corporate Director, Organisational Change. 

This item was deferred to a future meeting.

Report C16/75 Budget Strategy sets out the guidelines for preparing the 2017/18 Budget. The Strategy supports the Corporate Plan and aligns with the direction and objectives of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

The Budget Strategy takes account of current and future financial issues; sets out assumptions and initial proposals; and provides a timetable for delivering a balanced budget in 2017/18.

Report C16/75 Budget Strategy sets out the guidelines for preparing the

2017/18 Budget. The Strategy supports the Corporate Plan and aligns with

the direction and objectives of the Medium Term Financial Strategy

(MTFS).

The Budget Strategy takes account of current and future financial issues;

sets out assumptions and initial proposals; and provides a timetable for

delivering a balanced budget in 2017/18.

Pat Main, Interim Head of Finance, updated members on the current and forecast financial position for 2017/18, highlighting the savings and efficiencies that are proposed, growth items and measures that are being taken to address the funding gap. She informed members that Cabinet will approve the final budget proposals in February.

Councillor Ms Susan Carey, Cabinet Member for Finance thanked the finance team for getting the council to this point. She explained that it will, no doubt, be a challenge to keep costs low; the aim as ever is to ensure financial security and we are not quite there yet.

The committee noted the report and voiced every confidence in the finance team moving forward.

Proposed by Councillor David Owen

Seconded by Councillor Clive Goddard and

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note report C/16/75.

(Voting: For 8; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

The Council’s Fees and Charges Policy was approved by Cabinet on 8 September 2010 (Report C/10/24). The Policy has remained predominantly the same although a small number of minor changes have been approved.

This Report C/16/76 focuses on the proposed fees and charges for 2017/18. These will contribute towards meeting the council’s budget objectives and Medium Term Financial Strategy.

The Council’s Fees and Charges Policy was approved by Cabinet on 8

September 2010 (Report C/10/24). The Policy has remained

predominantly the same although a small number of minor changes have

been approved.

This Report C/16/76 focuses on the proposed fees and charges for

2017/18. These will contribute towards meeting the council’s budget

objectives and Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Some members felt they could not give the report its full backing following a delay in receiving an up to date version of appendix 2. This was noted by officers who informed the committee that the entire budget will be considered at the next meeting in December.

Proposed by Councillor Peter Gane

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Claire Jeffrey and

Resolved:

1.         To receive and note report C/16/76

(Voting: For 6; Against 2; Abstentions 0)

Suzy Tigwell, Leadership Support Manager, to provide a presentation. 

Suzy Tigwell, Leadership Support Manager presented members with the background to developing an Empowerment and Participation Strategy for Shepway, seeking the views of members in shaping the final document.

Whilst going through the presentation, which is attached to these minutes for information, she asked that members pay particular attention to what the strategy could cover, who it could cover and for what purpose.

She explained that the strategy would ensure the council engages effectively and appropriately with members, staff, local communities, service users and other stakeholders.

Members were asked to email suzy.tigwell@shepway.gov.uk with their views and suggestions that could help to shape the strategy.

Members felt this was a good way forward following the work already done through the ward plans and hoped that some of the information already gained through this process could be included as part of the strategy.

A verbal quarterly update to be provided by Susan Priest, Corporate Director, Strategic Development.   

This item was deferred to a future meeting.