Agenda Item 2__
CABINET
Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on Monday 4 February 2013 at the Council
Offices, Holt Road, Cromer at 10.00 am.
Members Present:
Mrs A Fitch-Tillett
Mr J Lee
Mr W Northam
Also attending:
Mrs A Claussen-Reynolds
Mr P High
Ms B Palmer
Mr E Seward
Mr B Smith
Officers in
Attendance:
106.
Mr T FitzPatrick (Chairman)
Mr T Ivory
Mr R Wright
Ms V Gay
Mr G Jones
Mr R Reynolds
Mr R Shepherd
Mr N Smith
The Chief Executive, the Corporate Director (SB), the Head of
Finance, the Technical Accountant, the Head of Organisational
Development, the Communications Manager and Policy and
Performance Management Officer.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Mr R Oliver.
107.
MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 7 January 2013 were confirmed as a correct
record and signed by the Chairman.
108.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS
None received.
109.
ITEMS OF URGENT BUSINESS
None received.
110.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None received.
111.
CONSIDERATION OF ANY MATTER REFERRED TO THE CABINET BY THE
OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE OR COUNCIL FOR
RECONSIDERATION
None received.
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112. CONSIDERATION OF ANY REPORTS FROM THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY
COMMITTEE
None received.
113.
2013/14 BASE BUDGET AND PROJECTIONS 2014/15 TO 2016/17
Mr W Northam was pleased to be able present this report, together with those
referred to below in Minutes 114 and 115, with complete confidence due to the efforts
of the Head of Finance, the Technical Accountant and the other Finance staff
working to a financial strategy which took account of known spending pressures,
forecast grant reductions and a Council tax freeze.
He then drew attention to some of the different factors impacting upon local
authorities, including Council tax reforms, the Council tax support scheme and
changes in business rates which were reflected in the provisional two year settlement
announced by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government in
December 2012.
Mr Northam also referred to the proposed reallocation of reserves, particularly in
regard to investment income.
In summary, a base budget for 2013/14 showing a surplus of just over £249,000 was
proposed, whereby a zero Council tax increase would be achieved.
Mr T Ivory thanked Mr Northam, as well as the officers, for his sterling work in
keeping the authority on course towards a position of a nil Council tax increase. He
supported the recommendations, with the additional request that the Reserve
Statement at Appendix F be amended by the drawing down of £100,000 from the
New Homes Bonus Reserve, to help communities with future growth and
development.
The recommendation, as amended, was moved by Mr Northam and seconded by Mr
Ivory.
RESOLVED:
That delegated authority to set trade waste and garden waste fees be given to the
Corporate Director, in consultation with the Head of Environmental Health, Head of
Finance and the relevant Cabinet Portfolio Members.
RECOMMENDED TO FULL COUNCIL:
(1) Approval of
(a) The 2013/14 revenue account budget as outlined at Appendix A of the report and
that the surplus of £240,009 be allocated to the general reserve:
(b) The demand on the Collection Fund, subject to any amendments as a result of
final precepts, be:
a. £5,082,610 for District purposes
b. £1,450,000 (subject to confirmation of the final precepts) for
Parish/Town Council precepts;
(c) The fees and charges as included in Appendix D of the report with effect from 1
April 2013;
(d) The statement of and movement on the reserves as detailed in Appendix F of the
report, with the addition that £100,000 in the New Homes Bonus Reserve be
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used in order to assist with the delivery of new housing and other economic
measures;
(e) The updated Capital Programme and financing for 2012/13 to 2015/16 as
detailed at Appendix G of the report;
(f) The new capital bids as detailed at Appendix H to be financed from capital
receipts;
(2) That Members note the current projections for 2014/15 to 2016/17;
(3) That the delegation within the Constitution be updated to reflect the arrangements
for the setting of fees and charges for the waste service, as set out within 6.2 of
the report, on a permanent basis.
Reasons for decision:
To recommend a balanced budget position for the 2013/14 financial year to be
approved by Full Council on 27 February 2013.
114.
TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY STATEMENT AND INVESTMENT
STRATEGY 2013/14 TO 2015/16
Mr Northam explained that the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and
Accountancy’s Code of Practice required the annual preparation of a Strategy
Statement and Prudential Indicators.
Among the activities set out in the Annual Investment Strategy, attention was drawn
to the exploration of opportunities to invest in the delivery of affordable housing
through the provision of loan finance to Registered Providers (in the main housing
associations).
The recommendation was moved by Mr Northam and seconded by Mr J Lee.
RECOMMENDED TO FULL COUNCIL:
That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy and
Prudential Indicators for 2013/14 to 2015/16 are approved.
Reasons for decision:
To provide the Council with a flexible treasury strategy enabling it to respond to
changing market conditions and ensure the security of its funds.
115.
BUDGET MONITORING REPORT 2012/13 – PERIOD 9
Although the revenue budget showed a projected overspend of £19,400, the
position continued to be closely monitored in the last quarter and it was anticipated
that the overall budget for the current financial year would be achieved.
In the Service Variances (Table 1), Mr Northam referred to the fact that income from
car park charges was £45,000 higher than had been anticipated. Mr Northam also
drew attention to the statement on the Treasury Management position. In October,
Cabinet had considered investing in pooled property funds and an investment of £5m
in the LAMIT fund had been advised. It had been anticipated that investment would
take place over the coming months, with the expectation that the overall position on
investment income for 2012/13 would improve. However, not all authorities were
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ready to make their individual commitments and, as a result, entry to the fund would
probably be delayed until April 2013.
In seconding Mr Northam’s proposal that the report be noted, Mrs A Fitch-Tillett had
no concerns at the overspend at this stage.
RESOLVED:
That the contents of the report and the current budget monitoring position be noted.
Reasons for decision:
To update Members on the current budget monitoring position of the Council.
116.
PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT – DELIVERY OF ANNUAL ACTION PLAN
2012/13
Mr T FitzPatrick presented the report, which gave an overview of progress in
delivering the Plan, identifying any issues which could affect delivery and measures
to address these. Against the background of an eventful year and a difficult economic
situation, the Plan had put forward positive initiatives.
Mr FitzPatrick’s proposal that the report be accepted was seconded by Mr R Wright,
who was particularly interested in those activities aimed at job creation.
RESOLVED:
That the report be noted.
Reasons for decision:
The Annual Action Plan 2012/13 is progressing to plan and should be
delivered largely as envisaged. Any areas of concern have been identified in the
report and, where necessary ,details of progress to date and action being taken
is given in the appendices. Where appropriate, the appendices also include reports
on progress on major projects.
The Meeting closed at 10.25 am
_______________
Chairman
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4 February 2013