Agenda item

To consider the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services.

Consideration was given to the report of the Head of Finance, Procurement & Commercial Services, as contained on pages 945 to 1004 of the Book of Reports, which presented, at Appendix A, the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the 3 years ending 31st March 2025 together with the Revenue Budget for 2022/23  and the Capital Programme for the 3 years ending 31st March 2025.             

 

A revised Appendix A had been circulated prior to the meeting, together with Amendments setting out the Conservative Group and the Our West Lancs Group's budget proposals.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Transformation & Resources, moved a Motion that provided details of the Labour Budget Proposals, which was seconded.

 

Amendment (1) from the Conservative Spokesperson was moved and seconded as follows:

 

"That the following selected fees and charges be increased as detailed:

Planning				£23,458
Building Control	£139,122	5.00%		£6,956
Trade	£378,187	5.00%		£18,909
Bulky	£81,289		7.50%		£6,097
Waste Other Sales	£41,000	5.00%			£2,050
Pest Control	£36,389	5.00%			£1,819
Land Charges	£61,744	5.00%			£3,087
Sports, Allotments & Parks	£38,305	5.00%			£1,915

   £64,292"

 

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The meeting was adjourned for 10 minutes

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In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.5, voting on Amendment (1) was recorded as follows:

 

FOR:          Councillors: Mrs Baybutt, Mrs Blake, Blundell, Daniels, Eccles, Gordon, Hirrell, Howard, Johnson, Juckes, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Mitchell, O'Toole, Owens, Pope, Rigby, Mrs Stephenson, Turpin, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington and Witter (TWENTY THREE)

 

AGAINST:  Councillors: Aldridge, Cooper, Coughlan, Cummins, Delaney, Devine, Dowling, Evans, Fennell, Finch, Furey, Gagen, Gregson, Lockie, Monaghan, Moran, Nixon, O'Neill, Owen, Upjohn, West, J Wilkie, K Wilkie and Yates (TWENTY FOUR)

 

ABSTENTIONS: Councillors: Clandon, Davis and Thompson (THREE)

 

(Note: Councillor Dereli left the meeting prior to the vote)

 

Amendment (1) was LOST.

 

Amendment (2) from the Conservative Spokesperson was moved and seconded as follows:

 

"That in relation to R13 - Funding for Growth Lancashire from 2023/24 be ceased, as there is no measure of effectiveness."

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.5, voting on Amendment (2) was recorded as follows:

 

FOR:          Councillors: Aldridge, Mrs Baybutt, Mrs Blake, Blundell, Clandon, Cooper, Coughlan, Cummins, Daniels, Davis, Delaney, Devine, Dowling, Eccles, Evans, Fennell, Finch, Furey, Gagen, Gordon, Gregson, Hirrell, Howard, Johnson, Juckes, Lockie, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Mitchell, Monaghan, Moran, Nixon, O'Neill, O'Toole, Owen, Pope, Rigby, Mrs Stephenson, Thompson, Turpin, Upjohn, West, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington, J Wilkie, K Wilkie, Witter and Yates (FORTY NINE)

 

AGAINST:  (NONE)

 

ABSTENTIONS: Councillor Owens (ONE)

 

Amendment (2) was CARRIED.

 

Amendment (3) from the Conservative Spokesperson was moved and seconded as follows:

 

"That in relation to:

·       R23 & R24 - Community Connectors - agree 1 yr only Covid funded.

·       R35 - 10% recovery rather than 5% on debt

·       Improved Planning Enforcement - additional Officer & Solicitor at £101,000 each year"

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.5, voting on Amendment (3) was recorded as follows:

 

FOR:          Councillors: Mrs Baybutt, Mrs Blake, Blundell, Clandon, Daniels, Davis, Eccles, Gordon, Hirrell, Howard, Johnson, Juckes, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Mitchell, O'Toole, Owens, Pope, Mrs Stephenson, Thompson, Turpin, Upjohn, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington and Witter (TWENTY SIX)

 

AGAINST:  Councillors: Aldridge, Cooper, Coughlan, Cummins, Delaney, Devine, Dowling, Evans, Fennell, Finch, Furey, Gagen, Gregson, Lockie, Monaghan, Moran, Nixon, O'Neill, Owen, Rigby, West, J Wilkie, K Wilkie and Yates (TWENTY FOUR)

 

ABSTENTIONS:    (NONE)

 

Amendment (3) was CARRIED.

 

Amendment (4) from the Our West Lancashire Spokesperson was moved and seconded as follows:

 

"That in relation to 'QE2 Jubilee Fountain - Coronation Park', include £50,000 Capital in 2022/23 and £6,000 maintenance each year."

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.5, voting on Amendment (3) was recorded as follows:

 

FOR:                    Councillors: Mrs Baybutt, Mrs Blake, Blundell, Daniels, Eccles, Gordon, Hirrell, Howard, Juckes, Mrs Marshall, Mee, O'Toole, Owens, Pope, Mrs Stephenson, Turpin, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington and Witter (TWENTY)

 

AGAINST:            Councillors: Aldridge, Clandon, Cooper, Coughlan, Cummins, Davis, Delaney, Devine, Dowling, Evans, Fennell, Finch, Furey, Gagen, Gregson, Johnson, Lockie, Mitchell, Monaghan, Moran, Nixon, O'Neill, Owen, Rigby, Thompson, Upjohn, West, J Wilkie, K Wilkie and Yates (THIRTY)

 

ABSTENTIONS:    (NONE)

 

Amendment (4) was LOST.

 

Amendment (5) from the Our West Lancashire Spokesperson was moved and seconded as follows:

"That the fees and charges for Planning be increased to £23,458."

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.5, voting on Amendment (2) was recorded as follows:

 

FOR:    Councillors: Aldridge, Mrs Baybutt, Mrs Blake, Blundell, Clandon, Cooper, Coughlan, Cummins, Daniels, Davis, Delaney, Devine, Dowling, Eccles, Evans, Fennell, Finch, Furey, Gagen, Gordon, Gregson, Hirrell, Howard, Johnson, Juckes, Lockie, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Mitchell, Monaghan, Moran, Nixon, O'Neill, O'Toole, Owen, Owens, Pope, Rigby, Mrs Stephenson, Thompson, Turpin, Upjohn, West, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington, J Wilkie, K Wilkie, Witter and Yates (FIFTY)

 

Amendment (5) was CARRIED.

 

(Note: Councillors Mrs Blake and Ms Juckes left the meeting.)

 

Amendment (6) from the Our West Lancashire Spokesperson was moved and seconded as follows:

"That the following be included:

·                     Reinstate Christmas tree at Ormskirk parish church and fund larger, better tree in Skelmersdale - £3,000 revenue each year"

·                     Christmas decorations for new town centre area Skelmersdale - £25,000 Capital Scheme"

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.5, voting on Amendment (6) was recorded as follows:

 

FOR:    Councillors: Aldridge, Mrs Baybutt, Blundell, Clandon, Cooper, Coughlan, Cummins, Daniels, Davis, Delaney, Devine, Dowling, Eccles, Evans, Fennell, Finch, Furey, Gagen, Gordon, Gregson, Hirrell, Howard, Johnson, Lockie, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Mitchell, Monaghan, Moran, Nixon, O'Neill, O'Toole, Owen, Owens, Pope, Rigby, Mrs Stephenson, Thompson, Upjohn, West, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington, J Wilkie, K Wilkie, Witter and Yates (FORTY SEVEN)

 

AGAINST:     Councillor Turpin (ONE)

 

Amendment (6) was CARRIED.

 

Amendment (7) from the Our West Lancashire Spokesperson was moved and seconded as follows:

 

"That a 1 year trial for free car parking in Ormskirk, Monday and Tuesday from 1pm be undertaken, to measure the impact on footfall, at a cost of £50,000 in year 2022/23."

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.5, voting on Amendment (7) was recorded as follows:

 

FOR:            Councillors: Mrs Baybutt, Blundell, Clandon, Daniels, Davis, Eccles, Gordon, Hirrell, Howard, Johnson, Mitchell, Mrs Marshall, Mee, O'Toole, Owens, Pope, Rigby, Mrs Stephenson, Thompson, Turpin, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington and Witter (TWENTY FOUR)

 

AGAINST:      Councillors: Aldridge, Cooper, Coughlan, Cummins, Delaney, Devine, Dowling, Evans, Fennell, Finch, Furey, Gagen, Gregson, Lockie, Monaghan, Moran, Nixon, O'Neill, Owen, Upjohn, West, J Wilkie, K Wilkie and Yates (TWENTY FOUR)

 

As there was an equality in the vote, the Mayor (Chairman) used his casting vote: FOR

 

Amendment (7) was CARRIED.

 

Amendment (8) from the Our West Lancashire Spokesperson was moved and seconded as follows:

"That 4 Community Orchards including one at West End Park or Whittle Drive, Ormskirk be included at a Capital cost of £6,000."

 

Following a debate, Amendment 8 was altered by the mover, seconder and with the agreement of the meeting, to read as follows:

"That a Task & Finish Group, under the Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee be established to consider Community Environmental Improvements, including Community Orchards."

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.5, voting on Altered Amendment (8) was recorded as follows:

 

FOR:    Councillors: Aldridge, Mrs Baybutt, Blundell, Clandon, Cooper, Coughlan, Cummins, Daniels, Davis, Delaney, Devine, Dowling, Eccles, Evans, Fennell, Finch, Furey, Gagen, Gordon, Gregson, Hirrell, Howard, Johnson, Lockie, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Mitchell, Monaghan, Moran, Nixon, O'Neill, O'Toole, Owen, Owens, Pope, Rigby, Mrs Stephenson, Thompson, Turpin, Upjohn, West, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington, J Wilkie, K Wilkie, Witter and Yates (FORTY EIGHT)

 

AGAINST:     (NONE)

 

Altered Amendment (8) was CARRIED.

 

(Note: Councillor Aldridge left the meeting.)

 

Amendment (9) from the Our West Lancashire Spokesperson was moved and seconded as follows:

"That Conservation Areas Shop Front Improvement Fund be included at a Capital cost of £50,000."

 

Following a debate, Amendment 9 was altered by the mover, seconder and with the agreement of the meeting, to read as follows:

"That a Task & Finish Group, under the Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee be established to consider Shop Front Improvements, including any potential external funding sources."

 

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 16.5, voting on Altered Amendment (9) was recorded as follows:

 

FOR:  Councillors: Mrs Baybutt, Blundell, Clandon, Cooper, Coughlan, Cummins, Daniels, Davis, Delaney, Devine, Dowling, Eccles, Evans, Fennell, Finch, Furey, Gagen, Gordon, Gregson, Hirrell, Howard, Johnson, Lockie, Mrs Marshall, Mee, Mitchell, Monaghan, Moran, Nixon, O'Neill, O'Toole, Owen, Owens, Pope, Rigby, Mrs Stephenson, Thompson, Turpin, Upjohn, West, D Westley, Mrs Westley, Whittington, J Wilkie, K Wilkie, Witter and Yates (FORTY SEVEN)

 

AGAINST:     (NONE)

 

Altered Amendment (9) was CARRIED.

 

RESOLVED:     A.   That the General Revenue Account (GRA) budget and the Medium Term Capital Programme be approved based on the proposals presented at the Council meeting by the Portfolio Holder for Transformation & Resources (revised Appendix A) subject to the inclusion of the following:

 

(i)              R13 - Funding for Growth Lancashire from 2023/24 be ceased, as there is no measure of effectiveness.

(ii)             R23 & R24 - Community Connectors - agree 1 yr only Covid funded.

(iii)           R35 - 10% recovery rather than 5% on debt

(iv)           Improved Planning Enforcement - additional Officer & Solicitor at £101,000 each year

(v)             That the fees and charges for Planning be increased to £23,458

(vi)           Reinstate Christmas tree at Ormskirk parish church and fund larger, better tree in Skelmersdale - £3,000 revenue each year

(vii)          Christmas decorations for new town centre area Skelmersdale - £25,000 Capital Scheme"

(viii)        That a 1 year trial for free car parking in Ormskirk, Monday and Tuesday from 1pm be undertaken, to measure the impact on footfall, at a cost of £50,000 in year 2022/23.

 

                        B.   That a Task & Finish Group, under the Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee be established to consider Community Environmental Improvements, including Community Orchards.

 

                        C.   That a Task & Finish Group, under the Corporate & Environmental Overview & Scrutiny Committee be established to consider Shop Front Improvements, including any potential external funding sources.

                       

D.   That the GRA Reserves Policy set out at in Annex D to the revised Appendix be approved.

 

E.   That the Minimum Reserves Provision (MRP) Policy set out at in section I of the revised Appendix be approved.

 

F.   That the Financial Control Policy set out at in section J of the revised Appendix be approved.

 

G.    That the Sales, Fees & Charges Policy set out in section K of the revised Appendix be approved.

 

H.     That delegated authority be given to the Chief Operating Officer and the Corporate Directors to take all necessary action to implement the changes resulting from the budget proposals.

 

J.     That delegated authority be given to Heads of Service to take all necessary action to implement the agreed Capital Programme.

 

K.     That the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the 3 years ending 31 March 2025 available at Table 1 of section A of the revised Appendix be approved.

 

L.     That a major target of the MTFS is to grow recurring non-taxation income over the 3yrs to 2025 and that this is considered a key performance indicator (KPI) for this strategy. (section D(8) of the revised Appendix)

 

(Note: In accordance with Council Procedure rule 9, a Motion to allow the meeting to continue past 11pm, to consider the remaining business on the agenda, was moved and seconded.  A vote was taken on the Motion, which was CARRIED.)