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Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, Muriel Matters House, Breeds Place, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 3UY
Contact: Democratic Services on 01424 451484 email: democraticservices@hastings.gov.uk
Items No. Item Apologies for Absence
Minutes:
Apologies for absence received from Councillors Roark and Willis.
Declaration of Interests
Minutes:
Councillor
Item
Interest
Rogers
512 – Draft Revenue Budget 2023/24, and Capital Programme 2023/24 to 2025/26
Personal – Member of Hastings Bonfire Society. Member of Old Town Carnival Week Committee. Deputy Chair, Hastings Week Committee. Jack in the Green voluntary steward. Deputy Chair, Fellowship of St Nicholas
Cannan
512 – Draft Revenue Budget 2023/24, and Capital Programme 2023/24 to 2025/26
Personal – Employee of local charity, Seaview Project
Minutes of Last Meeting
Minutes:
The minutes of the last meeting were not circulated in time for approval and will be considered at the next meeting.
Draft Corporate Plan and Budget consultation feedback PDF 117 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
1. That the Cabinet reviews the comments submitted as part of the consultation and considers what amendments it wishes to make to the draft corporate plan updates and budget that it subsequently recommended to the Budget Council.
2. That all those who submitted views as part of the consultation process be thanked for their contributions.
3. That officers follow up on items raised during the consultation that do not directly affect the corporate plan or budget.
Minutes:
The Managing Director presented a report to feedback to the Cabinet comments made on the draft Corporate Plan and Budget proposals as part of the consultation process.
Officers and Councillors met with local stakeholder groups including the Chamber of Commerce, Hastings Community Network, the Local Strategic Partnership and the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Public feedback was received via online consultation.
The Managing Director thanked the Transformation Manager and Communications Manager for their work in producing the report and collating the feedback received.
Cabinet members summarised their discussions with stakeholders and local residents regarding the draft Corporate Plan and Budget. It was noted the largest number of responses from the public were in relation to culture, followed by housing and government voter ID proposals.
RESOLVED (unanimously):1. That the Cabinet reviews the comments submitted as part of the consultation and considers what amendments it wishes to make to the draft corporate plan updates and budget that it subsequently recommended to the Budget Council.
2. That all those who submitted views as part of the consultation process be thanked for their contributions.
3. That officers follow up on items raised during the consultation that do not directly affect the corporate plan or budget.
Reasons:
The Cabinet recommends a draft corporate plan update and draft budget to the Budget Council meeting on 15th February 2023, and in doing so will need to be mindful of the views received as part of the public consultation.
Draft Corporate Plan update 2023/24 PDF 124 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
1. Subject to the agreed amendments Cabinet recommends that Full Council approve the draft annual update to the Corporate Plan 2020-24
2. That delegated authority be given to the Managing Director, after consultation with the Leader of the Council to make further revisions as is considered necessary.
Minutes:
The Managing Director presented the draft annual update to the Council’s Corporate Plan 2020-24. The annual update reflects the changes in the national and global context within which the Council is now working and summarises some of the key activities that will be undertaken in 2023/24.
Once the Corporate Plan is approved further work will take place to agree milestones and key performance indicators so that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee can monitor performance and hold the executive to account.
The Cabinet proposed the following amendments to the draft Corporate Plan, which were agreed unanimously:
Add the following words to end of the second paragraph of the introduction: ‘through our work in 2023/24, starting new conversations about our role and how we will work in the future.’
Add the following words to end of the first sentence of paragraph 6: ‘2023/24 and the next few years.’
In paragraph 10 insert the words ‘(over 1,000 people)’ after ‘This housing crisis has a huge impact on the lives of the almost 500 households…’
In paragraph 12 insert the words ‘especially the third sector through new innovative models or ways of working’ after ‘In response, the council is moving to a model whereby it no longer directly delivers some of the non-statutory activities it has supported in the past but will seek to work in partnership with others…’
In the ‘Tackling homelessness, poverty and ensuring quality housing’ section:
Add the following sentence to the end of paragraph 1: ‘These include involving the third sector in a range of ways to inform and support delivery of some of our statutory services.’
Add the following words to the end of paragraph 2: ‘whilst also improving the face-to-face service for those digitally excluded for whatever reason.’
In the ‘Making best use of our land, buildings, public realm and cultural assets’ section:
Add the following words to then end of paragraph 16: ‘including establishing new relationships with local expertise and voluntary organisations.’
Add the following words to the end of paragraph 18: ‘and involve local residents in shaping and organising future delivery of priorities in the plan.’
In paragraph 19 insert the words ‘in partnership with local residents’ after ‘Keep open council owned and run visitor attractions where it is safe and we can afford to do so, bringing forward…’
Add the following words to the end of paragraph 20: ‘looking at innovative ways of funding active travel improvements.’
In paragraph 21 insert the words ‘especially responding further to the challenges of the climate emergency’ after ‘Complete our work on our Local Plan engaging our citizens and partners to help set how the borough will shape up for the future…’
In paragraph 22 insert the words ‘within six months’ after ‘Complete new Asset Management and Capital Strategies’, and insert ‘through the lens of the climate emergency’ after ‘…and 2023/24 plans and actions refreshed…’.
In the ‘Minimising environment and climate harm in all that we do - tackling our climate and ... view the full minutes text for item 511.
Revenue Budget 2022/23 Revised and 2023/24, plus Capital Programme 2023/24-2025/2026 PDF 258 KB
Additional documents:
Decision:
Subject to the agreed amendments, Cabinet recommends that full Council:-
(i) Approve the draft 2023/24 revenue budget (Appendix A)
(ii) Approve a 2.99% increase in the Borough Council's part of the Council Tax.
(iii) Approve the Capital Programme 2023/24 to 2025/26 (Appendix D).
(iv) 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.
(v) Approve that the use of the limited monies in the budget and Reserves for "Invest to Save" schemes be determined by the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the lead member for Finance and Chief Executive.
(vi) Agree once again that the Council does not seek to undertake any capital project/scheme purely for yield that would prevent the Council from borrowing either commercially or from the PWLB to fund its Capital programme.
(vii) Approve the revised Land and Property Disposal Programme (Appendix F) and agree that disposals can be brought forward if market conditions make it sensible to do so and as part of the future Capital Asset Strategy.
(viii) Agree that where a Capital scheme involves a net increase in overall revenue costs to the Council, or where any guarantee is to be provided which does, or could, incur costs for the Council, such decisions continue to be made by full Council.
(ix) Agree that no Council properties or land be disposed of, either by sale or lease, at less than market value without further express approval by Full Council - except where the lease is no longer than 5 years and the difference is less than £5,000 p.a. in which case Cabinet will have the authority to determine.
(x) Agree that schemes marked with an asterisk in the Capital Programme can proceed without further reference to Cabinet or Council.
(xi) Approve the detailed recommendations in Appendix M, which relate to the setting of Council Tax in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Act 1992 (Appendix M – to be provided/updated for full Council).
(xii) Approve that the budget be amended as necessary to reflect the final grant figures including Disabled Facility Grants - once received.
(xiii) Full Council adopt the existing Council Tax Support Scheme subject to amendments to allowances in line with national changes. Determination of the allowances to be delegated to the Chief Finance Officer in line with prior year practice.
(xiv) It is recommended that the Council reviews the affordability of the Council Tax Support Scheme during 2023/24 in order for a consultation exercise to be undertaken.Minutes:
The Chief Finance Officer presented the draft budget for 2023/24 and thanked all officers involved in the lengthy budget setting process.
The Council has had to make substantial savings across all services and these will be monitored closely going into the new financial year to ensure progress. This is a difficult financial position and the Council will be going below the minimum recommended level of reserves. Savings need to be addressed as quickly as possible to remove the reliance on reserves.
Councillor Rankin was present and asked if it was wise to have such a high level of minimum reserve and could the Council live with lower reserves in the short term? The Chief Finance Officer responded that the minimum of £6 million has been calculated based on a 50% downturn in income (£2 million), a 5% overrun in expenditure – including capital spend (£2 million), and unforeseen circumstances (£2 million). There is guidance regarding what level general reserves should be, but there is no statutory requirement to hold a certain level of reserves. The Council will be going below the minimum recommended level based on the current proposals but the aim is to get back to reserves of £6 million to provide flexibility and sustainability in the future.
The Cabinet proposed the following amendments to the draft revenue budget, approved unanimously:
Tourism: withdraw from 1066 Marketing at the end of the agreed notice period (saving £50,000 annually) and establish a Hastings tourism marketing organisation during 2023/24 and 2024/25. No tourism staffing savings are proposed. Savings from the closure of the Tourist Information Centre (after 2023 summer season) to be allocated to Hastings tourism marketing as follows: 2023/24 £15,000, 2024/25 £30,000 (to enable development of new website), 2025/26 onwards £20,000.
Culture: reduce levels of savings for Hastings Museum and Art Gallery (from £35,000 to £25,000 a year) and for Hastings Contemporary (from £10,000 to £5,000 in 2023/24 and from £15,000 to £10,000 in 2024/25)
Events: Work with community organisers to undertake a review of festivals to identify options for greater sustainability. Review to be completed during 2023/24. No changes to current levels of investment in 2023/24 or the first half of 2024/25, apart from Town Criers event which Rye Town Council has offered to sponsor, saving £2,000.
Parks Ranger: Defer new Park Ranger post until 2024/25 onwards, when the Grounds Maintenance DSO will have been established. Save £21,000 in 2023/24, to be allocated in 2025/26.
Voter ID: £21,000 growth in 2023/24 only. Undertake Borough wide promotion from October to inform residents of the Voter ID requirements recently introduced by government, promote postal voting which does not require photo ID, and enable new identification forms to be widely available before the May 2024 elections.
In relation to the proposals for tourism and marketing Councillor Batsford clarified that whilst 1066 Country Marketing is a partnership between Hastings, Rother and Wealden, all of the staffing and administration is currently resourced by Hastings Borough Council.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
Subject to the agreed amendments, Cabinet recommends ... view the full minutes text for item 512.
Treasury Management, Annual Investment Strategy and Capital Strategy 2023/24 PDF 160 KB
Additional documents:
- Capital Strategy 2023-24 v3 , item 513. PDF 460 KB
- Treasury Management Strategy 2023-24 - Draft v2 (Cabinet) , item 513. PDF 583 KB
Minutes:
Councillor Barnett noted that the Cabinet had already discussed the Treasury Management, Annual Investment Strategy and Capital Strategy 2023/24 at the previous meeting and had agreed to forward the recommendations to Full Council on 8th February for approval.
Urgent Items (if any)
Minutes:
The Chief Legal Officer notified the Cabinet of updates to the recommendations for the Housing Acquisition Proposal.
Cabinet previously considered the proposal on 3rd January and agreed to forward the recommendations to the Full Council meeting on 8th February. The new reports reflect updates to the programme’s modelling which have taken place following further discussions with Councillors from all parties.
Housing Acquisition Proposal update PDF 88 KB
Additional documents:
- Housing Acquisition Proposal - Full Council - 08.02.23 - Part 1 , item 515. PDF 213 KB
- Restricted enclosure 16 View the reasons why document 515./3 is restricted
- Restricted enclosure 17 View the reasons why document 515./4 is restricted
Minutes:
Councillor Barnett explained that Cabinet will be amending the recommendations at the Full Council meeting on 8th February in order to reflect the updates.
Councillor Hilton was present and asked how the revised figures for the proposals had been arrived at. The Assistant Director, Housing and Built Environment, explained that there are two elements to the changes, one is the change in the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) calculations, which produces a substantial saving. Secondly, following discussions there is now increased headroom for maintenance costs, however overall there is a significant saving compared to the previous reports considered on 3rd January.
The Cabinet noted the updated report and revised recommendations.
Exclusion of the public
Minutes:
Councillor Barnett proposed that the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of exempt information.
RESOLVED (unanimously):
That the public be excluded from the meeting during the consideration of the items of business listed below because it is likely that if members of the public were present there would be disclosure to them of “exempt” information as defined in the paragraphs of schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 referred to in the relevant report.Housing Acquisition Proposal update Part 2
Minutes:
The Cabinet noted the updated Part 2 report and revised recommendations.
(The Chair declared the meeting closed at 8.05pm)
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