Agenda and minutes

Members of the committee 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 Ms Susan Carey declared an interest with respect to Oportunitas Ltd as she is a customer of their grounds maintenance service. 

To consider and approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2018.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2018 were submitted, approved and signed by the Chairman.

Report C/18/52 recommends the adoption of a replacement Council Tax Reduction scheme for 2019/2020, which is to be implemented with effect from 1 April 2019.

Report C/18/52 recommended the adoption of a replacement Council Tax

Reduction scheme for 2019/2020, which is to be implemented with effect

from 1 April 2019.

Second adult rebate was queried and the fact that more young adults are staying longer in the family home.  Members were advised that if a non-dependant adult is not working, then they are encouraged to make a claim for Universal Credit and any other entitlements. 

Proposed by Councillor Mrs Rodica Wheeler

Seconded by Councillor Miss Susan Carey and

Resolved: To receive and note report C/18/52.

(Voting: For 6; Against 0; Abstentions 1)

Monitoring report C/18/56 provides a projection of the end of year financial position of the General Fund revenue budget, based on expenditure to the 31 October 2018.

Monitoring report C/18/56 provided a projection of the end of year financial

position of the General Fund revenue budget, based on expenditure to the

31 October 2018.

For clarification it was explained that the reprofiling of expenditure of £700,000 for progressing the Otterpool masterplanning process was from 2017/18, now relevant to 2018/19.

Monies allocated to portfolio holders for the purposes of local environment enhancements for 2018/19 are non-recurring. 

Proposed by Councillor Clive Goddard

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Rodica Wheeler and

Resolved: To receive and note Report C/18/56.

(Voting: For 6; Against 1; Abstentions 0)

Monitoring report C/18/54 provides a projection of the end of year financial position for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) revenue expenditure and HRA capital programme based on net expenditure to 30 September 2018. 

Monitoring report C/18/54 provided a projection of the end of year financial

position for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) revenue expenditure and HRA capital programme based on net expenditure to 30 September 2018.

Proposed by Councillor Clive Goddard

Seconded by Councillor Mrs Rodica Wheeler and

Resolved: To receive and note Report C/18/54.

(Voting: For 6; Against 0; Abstentions 1)

Report C/18/51 sets out the Council’s Draft General Fund budget for 2019/20.

Report C/18/51 set out the Council’s Draft General Fund budget for 2019/20.

The Council Tax base position has changed slightly from a MTFS projected figure of 1.5% increase to 1.4% projected increase

Proposed by Councillor Miss Susan Carey

Seconded by Councillor Clive Goddard and

Resolved:  To receive and note report C/18/51.

(Voting: For 6; Against 0; Abstentions 1)

Report C/18/55 provides an update on the Council’s performance for the second quarter of 2018/19, covering 1 July 2018 to 30 September 2018.  The report enables the Council to assess progress against the approved key performance indicators for each service area. 

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will be monitored during 2018/19 and reported to CLT and Members quarterly.

Report C/18/55 provided an update on the Council’s performance for the

second quarter of 2018/19, covering 1 July 2018 to 30 September 2018.

The report enables the Council to assess progress against the approved

key performance indicators for each service area.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will be monitored during 2018/19 and

reported to CLT and Members quarterly.

Members commented on the following points:

·         Vigorous pursuit of parking fines is paramount.  Two debt recovery agencies are used and their services and results are under constant review.  New parking restrictions within the district have proved a deterrent. 

·         Flytipping and other anti-social behaviours.  Members agreed that the local area officers are making a difference.  All incidences are reported and arrangements then made to clear or clean. 

·         The Chairman reminded members the importance of reporting issues to the police for statistical purposes as this can identify problem areas and action can then be taken.

·         Reporting arrangements can be anonymous depending on the nature of the incident.  Crime related issues can be reported through Crimestoppers anonymously. 

It was noted that successful recovery of fines from foreign vehicles had increased, Councillor Mrs Mary Lawes was keen to know the reasons behind this.  Mr Andy Blaszkowicz, Assistant Director, will return to Cllr Lawes with further information.  

Under Delivering Excellence in the report it was suggested that the number of calls is quoted as a measure against length of time calls are waiting. 

Proposed by Councillor Clive Goddard

Seconded by Councillor Ian Meyers and

Resolved: To receive and note report C/18/55.

(Voting: For 7; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Report C/18/53 provides an update from the Board of Oportunitas Ltd (“the company”) covering activities undertaken so far in 2018/19 financial year, including a financial statement for the period from 1 April 2018 to 30 September 2018, in-line with the requirement contained in the Shareholder’s Agreement between the company and the Council.

Report C/18/53 provided an update from the Board of Oportunitas Ltd (“the

company”) covering activities undertaken so far in 2018/19 financial year,

including a financial statement for the period from 1 April 2018 to 30

September 2018, in-line with the requirement contained in the

Shareholder’s Agreement between the company and the Council.

Councillor Miss Carey was keen to know the updated net worth of investments and increase in value.  Mrs Charlotte Spendley, Assistant Director, advised the last valuation was dated March 2018, however any change to this will be reported back.

Proposed by Councillor Ian Meyers

Seconded by Councillor  Mrs Mary Lawes and

Resolved: To receive and note the report.

(Voting: For 7; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

The Heritage Strategy Report C/18/57 is an evidence base document for the Places and Policies Local Plan and Core Strategy Review and it will also provide information for planning applications and funding bids.  It sets out positive objectives and priorities to ensure the district’s heritage assets provide a unique opportunity for future place-making, guiding and stimulating regeneration and making significant contributions to recreation, tourism, health and education. 

The views of a large and enthusiastic group of stake-holders, individuals and groups were gathered during the initial stages the strategy’s production.  It is now proposed that the draft Strategy is published to provide an opportunity for interested groups and individuals, businesses, landowners, developers and the wider public, to shape the final version

The Heritage Strategy Report C/18/57 is an evidence base document for

the Places and Policies Local Plan and Core Strategy Review and it will

also provide information for planning applications and funding bids. It sets

out positive objectives and priorities to ensure the district’s heritage assets

provide a unique opportunity for future place-making, guiding and

stimulating regeneration and making significant contributions to recreation,

tourism, health and education.

The views of a large and enthusiastic group of stake-holders, individuals

and groups were gathered during the initial stages the strategy’s

production. It is now proposed that the draft Strategy is published to

provide an opportunity for interested groups and individuals, businesses,

landowners, developers and the wider public, to shape the final version.

Members were advised that there will be consultation period either before or after Christmas for a six to eight week period.  It was hoped that on final publishing officers can use this strategy as a guide in terms of themes and principles. 

Proposed by Councillor Clive Goddard

Seconded by Councillor Ian Meyers and

Resolved: To receive and note report C/18/57.

(Voting:  For 7; Against 0; Abstentions 0)