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Agenda and draft minutes
Venue: Stade Hall, The Stade, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3FJ
Contact: Michael Courts on 01424 451764 email mcourts@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item Prior to the start of the meeting, members stood and observed one minutes silence in memory of Councillor John Hodges.
RESOLVED – the chair called over the items on the agenda, under rule 13.3 the recommendations set out in minute 48 were agreed without being called for discussion
MATTERS FOR COUNCIL DECISION
Draft Corporate Plan 2016/17 - 2018/19 PDF 153 KB
(Council Decision)
Additional documents:
- Appendix 1 - Draft Corporate Plan , item 46. PDF 148 KB
- Consultation responses received after the publication of Cabinet papers , item 46. PDF 44 KB
Minutes:
The Director of Corporate Services and Governance presented the draft corporate plan 2016/17 to 2018/19.
The corporate plan set out the strategic direction of the organisation and the priorities the council would seek to achieve. The layout and format of the draft plan had been revised in order to show clearly how the key tasks and activities undertaken throughout the year related to council’s priorities. The new layout was also intended to assist members with their performance monitoring role throughout the year.
The report also gave an overview of the consultation process for the draft corporate plan; detailed comments had been sought from a range of community organisations in the town, and a more general public consultation had also been undertaken.
Budget Council would be asked to approve the draft corporate plan, together with the supporting budget, at its meeting on 24 February 2016.
Councillor Forward moved approval of the recommendations to the report, which was seconded by Councillor Cartwright.
RESOLVED (by 5 votes for, 0 against, with 2 abstentions) that: -
1) Cabinet recommends to the Council that the content of the documents attached to the report form the basis of the council’s corporate plan 2016/17 – 2018/19, subject to the proviso that any significant amendment made to the council’s draft budget be reflected in the final corporate plan text;
2) Delegated authority be given to the Director of Corporate Services and Governance, after consultation with the Leader of the Council, to make further revisions as is considered necessary to the attached plan prior to publication to reflect decisions made on the council’s budget;
3) A retrospective year-end report on performance and the actual performance indicator information for 2015/16 be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny committees in June, prior to consideration by the Cabinet in July 2016, and that the Council be asked to delegate authority to the that Cabinet meeting to agree the 2016/17 performance indicators based on previous year’s performance, and;
4) All who submitted views as part of the consultation process be thanked for their contribution.
The reason for this decision was:
The council needs to approve the corporate plan as it is a statement of Hastings Borough Council’s strategic direction to 2019. It sets out how we will ensure that we successfully address our priorities, meet the needs of our communities, and ensure we have a strong dedicated and motivated workforce to deliver our strategic priorities.
Revenue Budgets 2015/16 (Revised) and 2016/17, plus Capital Programme 2016/17 to 2018/19 PDF 309 KB
(Council Decision)
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Assistant Director for Financial Services and Revenues presented the revenue budgets 2015/16 (revised) and 2016/17, plus the capital programme 2016/17 to 2018/19.
The revised budget set out variations in income and expenditure since the budget was set in February 2015.
The report acknowledged the reductions in external funding to the council throughout 2016/17. Significant areas of uncertainty were also identified in respect of business rate appeals and the cost of essential maintenance works to inland cliffs owned by the council, which may result in further calls on the council’s reserves over the year ahead.
In order to achieve a balanced budget, an increase of 2.08% (£5 for a Band D property) to the borough’s part of the council tax in 2016/17 was proposed. Additionally, £881,000 of the council’s reserves would be required to support the budget in 2016/17.
The Assistant Director for Financial Services and Revenues advised members that both local land charges and rental income from the council’s industrial units were above projection. However, due to the ongoing reductions in funding facing the organisation, it was necessary to continue to identify efficiencies and explore opportunities for income generation.
Councillor Chowney moved approval of the recommendations to the report, which was seconded by Councillor Davies.
RESOLVED (by 5 votes for, 0 against, with 2 abstentions) Cabinet recommends that Council: -
1) Approve the revised revenue budget for 2015/16 (Appendix A)
2) Approve the draft 2016/17 revenue budget (Appendix A)
3) Approve a 2.08% (£5 for a Band D property) increase in the borough council’s part of the council tax
4) Agree that the absolute minimum level of reserves that shall be retained be increased to £5m (plus general fund balance) from the current level of £4m
5) Approve the capital programme 2015/16 (revised) to 2018/19 (Appendix P)
6) Approve the proposed expenditure from the Renewal and Repairs Reserve, and Information Technology Reserve (Appendices J and I respectively) and those items from other reserves shown in Appendix H that can proceed without further reference to Cabinet or Council
7) Approve that the use of monies identified in the budget for invest to save schemes be determined by the Assistant Director for Financial Services and Revenues in consultation with the Leader of the Council
8) Approve the revised Land and Property Disposal Programme (Appendix L), and agree that disposals can be brought forward if market conditions make it sensible to do so
9) Agree that schemes marked with an asterisk in the capital programme can proceed without further reference to Cabinet or Council
10) Agree work on Priority Income and Efficiency Reviews (PIER) should continue and where possible identify a sustainable budget for a period in excess of 1 year. A mid-year review, for members and officers, to be undertaken in the light of the continuing severe government grant reductions
11) Agree the establishment of a Hardship Fund in respect of Council Tax Support
12) Approve the detailed recommendations in Appendix M, which relate to the setting of council tax in ... view the full minutes text for item 47.
(Council Decision)
Minutes:
The Assistant Director for Financial Services and Revenues submitted a report to consider the draft treasury management and annual investment strategy. The strategy provided a framework for the management for the council’s investments, cash flow and borrowing activities.
The council complied with the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management. Under statutory provisions, the council was required to determine the treasury management strategy statement, minimum revenue provision (MRP) policy and annual investment strategy (2016/17) prior to start of the new financial year.
RESOLVED Cabinet recommends that Council: -
1) Approve the Treasury Management Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy and Annual Investment Strategy (2016/17), and;
2) The quarterly performance for 2015/6 be agreed
The reason for this decision was:
The council seeks to minimise the costs of borrowing and maximise investment income whilst ensuring the security of its investments. The sums involved are large and the assumptions play an important part in determining the annual budget. Compliance with the CIPFA Code of Practice represents best practice and ensures compliance with statutory requirements.
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