Agenda and minutes

Councillor Gary Fuller declared an interest as he is a Council tenant. This related to agenda item 5 (Housing Revenue Account Revenue & Capital Financial Outturn 2020/21).  Councillor Fuller left the chamber for this item and did not take part in discussions or voting. 

Councillors Peter Gane and Connor McConville both declared interests for agenda item 3 (General Fund Capital Programme Outturn 2020/21) and agenda item 6 (Annual Performance Report 2020/21)  as they are both board members of Oportunitas.  Both remained in the meeting for these items and took part in discussions and voting. 

Councillor Rebecca Shoob declared an interest as she is a board member of Otterpool Park LLP.  This relates to agenda items 3 (General Fund Capital Programme Outturn 2020/21), agenda item 4 (General Fund Revenue 2020/21 Provisional Outturn) and agenda item 6 (Annual Performance Report 2020-21).  Councillor Shoob remained in the meeting taking part in discussions and voting on all items.  . 

Report C/21/08 summarises the 2020/21 final outturn position (subject to audit) for the General Fund capital programme compared to the latest approved budget. The report also summarises the outturn position for the approved prudential indicators for capital expenditure in 2020/21.

Report C/21/08 summarised the 2020/21 final outturn position (subject to audit) for the General Fund capital programme compared to the latest approved budget.  The report also summarised the outturn position for the approved prudential indicators for capital expenditure in 2020/21. 

Transformation project costs – it was noted there was an underspend as the full projected funding was not required. 

Proposed by Councillor Peter Gane

Seconded by Councillor Rebecca Shoob; and

RESOLVED:

That Report C/21/08 is received and noted. 

(Voting: For 4; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

Report C/21/09 summarises the 2020/21 final outturn position (subject to audit) for the General Fund revenue expenditure compared to both the latest approved budget and quarter 4 projections.

Report C/21/09 summarised the 2020/21 final outturn position (subject to audit) for the General Fund revenue expenditure compared to both the latest approved budget and quarter 4 projections. 

Members initially looked at underspends for Planning, Economic Development, Council Tax Reduction Scheme and Disabled Facilities Grant.  These underspends were due to variances, additional income received and the pandemic, as detailed in the report. 

Connect 38 – providing a healthy return at present.  A new tenant is due after fitting out is complete. Yield at present is 6.8%.  

Folca – High running costs were expected, however the use of the building as a vaccination centre has generated income which is a benefit to the Council.  

Proposed by Councillor Peter Gane

Seconded by Councillor Gary Fuller; and

RESOLVED:

That report C/21/09 is received and noted. 

(Voting: For 4; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

(Councillor Gary Fuller left the Chamber and did not take part is discussions or voting on the following item)

Report C/21/10 summarises the 2020/21 provisional outturn position (subject to audit) for the HRA revenue expenditure and HRA capital programme compared to both the latest approved budget and quarter 4 projections. 

Report C/21/10 summarised the 2020/21 provisional outturn position (subject to audit) for the HRA revenue expenditure and HRA capital programme compared to both the latest approved budget and quarter 4 projections. 

Proposed by Councillor Peter Gane

Seconded by Councillor Rebecca Shoob; and

RESOLVED:

That Report C/21/10 is received and noted. 

(Voting: For 3; Against 0; Abstentions 0)

(Councillor Gary Fuller returned to the Chamber for the remainder of the meeting)

Report C/21/11 sets out how the Council has delivered for local people in the district in 2020-21 in response to the previous Corporate Plan (2017-20) vision of investing for the next generation ~ delivering more of what matters.

Report C/21/11 set out how the Council has delivered for local people in the district in 2020-21 in response to the previous Corporate Plan (2017-20) vision of investing for the next generation – delivering more of what matters. 

Mr Gavin Edwards, Performance and Improvement Specialist, summarised points of interest to members who noted various items within the KPI Data 2020-21: 

·         Target not met for dog fouling and littering noted. 

·         Small rise in B&B accommodation, possibly due to the pandemic. 

·         Target not met for waste recycled.  Contamination is a problem, maybe work with local businesses and residents to ensure clear guidance is followed.  Another point made was that as packaging reduces this could affect overall percentage figures against non-recyclable waste. 

·         Garden waste is included in the recycling figures

·         ASB diversionary activities, this figure has dropped probably due to school closures during the pandemic.  Members agreed early intervention was key. 

·         Foreign PCN recovery – a debt recovery firm is employed however, it is challenging to recover outstanding debts.  Members asked if the Council breaks even, Mr Edwards will investigate. 

·         FOI/Subject Access Requests – members asked how quickly these are processed and how many data breaches have there been?  Response to follow. 

·         Under Delivering Excellence, members asked how long would a customer be expected to wait before their call is answered?  Response to follow. 

·         Homelessness approaches.  Although prevented and relieved figures are shown, members asked for a fuller breakdown to the overall figures.  Response to follow. 

It was noted that at 2.2 of the report, reference is made to waste and street cleansing as one of the highlights of the year.  Members asked that the wording of the final document is carefully considered by Cabinet, bearing in mind the recent service problems encountered by residents. 

Members thanked all officers for the great delivery of services across the District. 

Proposed by Councillor Peter Gane

Seconded by Councillor Rebecca Shoob; and

RESOLVED:

That Report C/21/11 is received and noted. 

(Voting: For 4; Against 0; Abstentions 0)