Decisions

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Executive, as contained on pages 141 to 148 of the Book of reports, which set out the Council's proposed response to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) to its letter to all Council Chief Executives in England on 16th April 2024 requesting the submission of Productivity Plans by 19th July 2024.

It was noted that DLUHC was now known as the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.

RESOLVED: That the Council's response to DLUHC (Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government) on Productivity Plans be  approved.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Housing & Environment, as contained on pages 85 to 92 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval to commence phase 1 of a new housing scheme at Blythewood and Banksbarn.

RESOLVED: That the proposed new Blythewood & Banksbarn phase 1 housing scheme as set out in the report be given approval to be delivered.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 93 to 98 of the Book of Reports, which provided a summary of the outturn position on the General Revenue Account (GRA) for the 2023/24 financial year, noting the Councils use of GRA reserves and balances.

The Minute of the Policy & Resources Committee had been circulated.

RESOLVED:   A.     That the revenue outturn position of the 2023/24 GRA be noted.

B.     To note that the use of reserves required was £182k more than was budgeted.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 117 to 128 of the Book of Reports, which provided a summary of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) revenue and capital outturn positions for the 2023/24 financial year.

The Minute of the Policy & Resources Committee had been circulated.

RESOLVED:   A.     That the financial outturn position of the 2023/24 HRA and Capital Investment Programme be noted.

B.     That the allocation of revenue funds in paragraphs 4.4 and 4.5 of the report, be approved.

C.     That capital reprofiling and the release of capital budget identified in table 5.1 and paragraphs 5.2 and 5.3 of the report, be approved.

D.     That the switching of funding from HRA borrowing to HRA revenue contributions and capital receipts in paragraph 5.5 of the report, be approved.

E.     That the 2024/25 budget virements in paragraphs 5.6 and 5.7 of the report, be approved.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 99 to 116 of the Book of Reports, which  provided a summary of the capital outturn position on the General Revenue Account (GRA) for the 2023/2024 financial year.

The Minute of the Policy & Resources Committee had been circulated.

RESOLVED:   A.     That the Capital outturn position be and the proposed Capital allocation set out in Appendix 1 be noted.

B.     That the Capital programme and Re-profiling in Appendix 1 be approved.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 129 to 140 of the Book of Reports, which detailed the Treasury Management performance and Prudential Indicators for the year ended 31 March 2024.

The Minute of the Policy & Resources Committee had been circulated.

RESOLVED:   A.     That the investment performance detailed in paragraph 5.3 of the report, be noted.

B.     That the prudential indicators set out in paragraph 8.1 of the report, be agreed.

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, as contained on pages 41 to 84 of the Book of Reports, which detailed the Procurement Strategy 2024- 2029.

The Minute of the Audit & Governance Committee was attached to the report.

RESOLVED:   A.     That the Procurement Strategy is noted.

B.     That future reporting of the Procurement Strategy should be to Audit and Governance Committee.

Consideration was given to the report of the Chief Operating Officer, as contained on pages 691 to 698 of the Book of Reports, which sought approval of the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2023/24 and the Membership of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP).

RESOLVED:     A.   That it be noted that the IRP has not been asked for a report this year, but met as referred to in paragraph 4.1 of the report.

B.   That a Members Allowance Scheme be made, effective from 1 April 2023, in accordance with the current scheme, incorporating:

(a)  A Basic Allowance of £4,842 (no increase)

(b)  Provision for Special Responsibility Allowances (SRA) payments, as detailed on the Schedule attached as Appendix 1 (no change)

(c)  Childcare and Dependent Carer’s Allowance to be set at the same level as the Living Wage (£10.42 per hour from 1 April 2023). 

C.   That the Legal & Democratic Services Manager update the Members’ Allowances Scheme for the period commencing 1 April 2023, such scheme to be incorporated into the Constitution and subsequently published.

D.   That the Membership of the IRP for 2023/24 and the respective terms of office be noted and endorsed as follows:

   Mrs G Stanley (Chairman)1 May 2024

   Mr I Thompson                  1 May 2025

   Mr J Boardman                 1 May 2026