Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor Laura Mayes.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 20 January  2015.  

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2015 were presented.

Resolved:

To approve as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2015.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no formal announcements.

The Council welcomes contributions from members of the public. This meeting is open to the public, who may ask a question or make a statement. Questions may also be asked by members of the Council.  Written notice of questions or statements should be given to Yamina Rhouati of Democratic Services by 12.00 noon on Thursday 5 February 2015. Anyone wishing to ask a question or make a statement should contact the officer named above.

The Leader stated that there were a number of public questions, and registered speakers, in relation to the Draft Chippenham Site Allocations Plan; she proposed to take these prior to the debate on the relevant item; and that if any member of the public wished to make a statement, or ask a question, she was happy for them to do so.

                   Report by Dr Carlton Brand, Corporate Director

 Councillor Toby Sturgis presented a report which sought Cabinet’s approval for the Draft Chippenham Site Allocations Plan and to progress it through formal consultation to submission, with submission to the Secretary of State being subject to Council approval.

The Leader referred to the questions, and written responses, submitted by Members of the Public and Councillor Chris Caswill that had been circulated as a supplementary paper to the agenda and appended to the signed minutes of this meeting.

In response to a question from Councillor Chris Caswill, Ian Gibbon, Associate Director – Legal & Governance, recognised the position of the Council as landowner and planning authority. These positions would be kept separate, dealt with openly and transparently and be appropriately managed.

In response to a question from Councillor Chris Caswill, Councillor Toby Sturgis stated that he would give a written answer providing more detail on the approach to gross value referenced in the original answer to question h).

In response to a question from Ian James, Councillor Toby Sturgis stated thathe happy with the approach that the Council had taken to make reasonable estimates as to the costs of infrastructure such as bridges; and that the Eastern Link Road would become  a priority for the Council if the proposed site allocations plan is adopted as currently presented.

In response to a question from Councillor Chris Caswill, Councillor Toby Sturgis stated that Council submitted a lower housing figure for Chippenham as part of the Wiltshire Core Strategy and the inspector disagreed. The propsed new housing in the Chippenham Plan is an increase of approximately 10% on the Adopted Core Strategy figure for Chippenham. 

In response to a statement from Councillor Chris Caswill, Councillor Toby Sturgis stated he felt that the policy on Country Parks was robust enough to protect the River Avon Corridor; and that an eastern link road should alleviate the traffic problems.

In response to a question from Helen Stuckey, Councillor Toby Sturgis stated the cost estimates for bridges had been checked against similar schemes, and were the best estimates available.

In response to a question from Ian James, Councillor Toby Sturgis stated that whilst members of the public would be able to submit objections to the proposed sites, evidence as to why they are considered unsuitable and alternatives that would enable the projected development to take place would be more constructive. Furthermore that the Environment Agency, responsible for advising on flooding matters, would be taking the impact of climate change into account; and that sustainable urban drainage system proposed as part of the development of sites should result in less run off water than currently. 

In response to a question from Kim Stuckey, Councillor Toby Sturgis stated that he would give a written answer sign posting the evidence as to why the site in the Bremhill Parish had been preferred; and he advised that any Neighbourhood Plan should consider how it fits with the finalised Sites Allocation Plan.

In response to a question from Kim Stuckey, Councillor Toby Sturgis  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

Councillor Dick Tonge presented a report which advised members of the revenue budget monitoring position as at the end of period 9 (end of December 2014) for the financial year 2014/2015 with suggested actions as appropriate.

In the course of the presentation and the discussion, the issues discussed included: the movements in the budget since the last reporting period; the impact of the economy on demand for waste disposal services; and the tax collection rates.

Resolved:

That Cabinet note the outcome of the period 9 (end of December) budget monitoring.

Reason for Decision:

To inform effective decision making and ensure a sound financial control environment.

Councillor Dick Tonge presented a report which informed Cabinet on the position of the 2014/2015 Capital Programme as at Period 9 (31 December 2014), including highlighting budget changes. A budget monitoring report to members is taken to Cabinet Capital Assets Committee quarterly in September, December, February and June. This report focuses on major variations in budget.

In response to a question from Councillor Jon Hubbard, Michael Hudson, Associate Director – Finance, stated that the revenue savings resulting from the reduction in capital borrowing were identified in the Revenue Budget Monitoring report.

Resolved:

That Cabinet note the budget movements undertaken to the capital programme (shown in Appendices A and B of the report).

Reason for Decision:

To inform Cabinet of the position of the 2014/2015 capital programme as at Period 9 (31 December 2014), including highlighting any budget changes.

                   Report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director

         Councillor Dick Tonge presented a report which provided an update on the introduction of the Council Tax Reduction scheme which was introduced in April 2013. The report outlined the impact of the scheme at the end of its first year in operation, specifically on collection rates in Wiltshire and in comparison with neighbouring authorities.

In the course of the presentation and the discussion, the issues discussed

Included: how the Council has responded to changes in Government policy; how the Council’s approach compares to other authorities; the creation of a discretionary fund to support those in difficulty; and how the position on empty homes would be clarified.

Councillor Dick Tonge introduced two recommendations in addition to those outlined in the report. The purpose of these amendments would be to allow the Council to take a more joined-up approach to the management of claimant debt; and enable the Council to engage with customers to manage debt and finances in a structured and formal way.

Resolved:

(i)          To confirm the £200,000 discretionary fund, in the budget is made available to support those households with multiple debts. The report is supplied with a policy, procedure and equality impact assessment to support the introduction of the new fund.

(ii)        To agree to close a loophole identified in the administration of the council tax charged on empty homes and to propose the minimum duration of six weeks a property must be occupied before another period of discount or exemption can apply.

(iii)      To agree that in all other aspects the council scheme remains unchanged in 2015-16.

(iv)      That work is carried out to identify and implement a more coordinated approach to managing debt that avoids duplication within the Council.

(v)        That key staff be trained and qualified to deliver financial support and personal budgeting.

Reason for Decision:

The local council tax reduction scheme is unique to Wiltshire and was introduced with a range of other welfare reforms. There is an obligation to review the scheme annually and to determine whether the changes justify public consultation. The proposals are based on the outcomes and findings from the first full year of operating the scheme and the research carried out on the impact of schemes in other local authorities.

Report by Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director

Councillor Dick Tonge presented a report which asked Cabinet to consider and recommend that the Council approve the Prudential and Treasury Indicators, together with the Treasury Management Strategy for 2015-16.

In the course of the presentation and the discussion, the issues discussed

included: the elements of the strategy that had remained unchanged from the previous year’s strategy; the changes to legislation that placed more of the balance of risk on depositors; the effect this may have on credit ratings; and that the Council is monitoring developments in the process to develop a municipal bond agency.

Resolved:

The Cabinet approve the following and recommend that the Council:

(i)          Adopt the Prudential and Treasury Indicators (Appendix A);

(ii)        Adopt the Annual Investment Strategy (Appendix B), subject to the need for future amendment resulting from any potential change in the minimum requirements for high credit quality and authorise the Associate Director, Finance, Revenues & Benefits and Pensions to amend the Strategy accordingly, unless he considers the amendment(s) to be of major significance, in which case formal Council approval will be sought at the earliest opportunity;

(iii)      Delegate to the Associate Director, Finance, Revenues & Benefits and Pensions the authority to vary the amount of borrowing and other long term liabilities within both the Treasury Indicators for the Authorised Limit and the Operational Boundary;

(iv)      Authorise the Associate Director, Finance, Revenues & Benefits and Pensions to agree the restructuring of existing long-term loans where savings are achievable or to enhance the long term portfolio;

(v)        Agree that short term cash surpluses and deficits continue to be managed through temporary loans and deposits; and

(vi)      Agree that any surplus cash balances not required to cover borrowing are placed in authorised money-market funds, particularly where this is more cost effective than short term deposits and delegate to the Associate Director, Finance, Revenues & Benefits and Pensions the authority to select such funds.

Reason for Decision:

To enable the Council to agree a Treasury Management Strategy for 2015-16 and set Prudential Indicators that comply with statutory guidance and reflect best practice.

         The Wiltshire Council Financial Plan Update 2015/16 has already been published and can be accessed on the following link:

https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=1160&MId=9355&Ver=4

Please copy into your browser if necessary. If you have any trouble in accessing these documents, please contact Yamina Rhouati, Democratic Governance Manager on 01225 718024

     Councillor Dick Tonge presented a report which provided an assessment in advance of draft proposals going to Council to set a budget for 2015/16 and the impact on Council Tax, rents, fees and charges, the capital programme, schools overall budgets, as well as Council reserves.

The Leader also invited the following Members to speak to the item: Councillor Simon Killane, as Chair of Overview & Scrutiny Chair; Councillor Christine Crisp, as Chair of Health Select Committee; Councillor Jon Hubbard, as Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group and chairman of Children’s Select Committee; Councillor Roy While, as members of the Financial Planning Task Group; and Councillor Chris Caswill.

In the course of the presentation and the discussion, the issues discussed

included: the consultations with the representatives of the Trade Unions; that the results of public consultation would be published in time for consideration by Council; that the work of the Scrutiny Task Group was praised; the benefit of involving the individual Select Committees; that the Liberal Democrat Group would present their amendments to the Overview & Scrutiny Committee; and that whilst some base budgets may be protected, that additional demographic and policy changes would increase demand on revenue.

In response to a question from Councillor Chris Caswill, Carolyn Godfrey, Corporate Director, stated that although Ofsted had taken over responsibility for an aspect of their work, resulting in a reduction in the budget, Early Years Advisory Teachers remained a key support role and there would not be reductions in frontline support.

Resolved:

That Cabinet recommend to Council that it:

(a)        Endorses the update of the Financial Plan for 2015/16.

(b)       Approves the savings and investment proposals summarised at Sections 9 and 7 respectively of this report and at Appendix 1, to provide a net revenue budget for 2015/16 of £314.983 million.

(c)        To:

(i)          Freeze Wiltshire Council’s element of the Band D council tax for 2015/16 £1,222.43, as calculated in accordance with statute, as set out in Section 10 of this report.

(ii)        Set the Council’s total net expenditure budget for 2015/16 at £314.983 million.

(iii)      Set a 2.2% increase for dwelling rents in accordance with rent restructuring;

(iv)      Set the HRA Budget for 2015/16 as set out at Appendix 1G of this report.

(v)        That all other service charges related to the HRA be increased by 2.2%, including garage rents.

(vi)      Approve the Capital programme proposed at Appendix 1F of this report.

(vii)    Set the changes in fees and charges set out in detail at Section 8 of and at Appendix 1H of this report.

Reason for Decision:

To enable the Council to set its revenue, capital, housing revenue accounts, fees and charges, levels of reserves and resultant Council Tax for 2015/16 to then issue Council Tax and rent bills.  To provide the Council with a strong business and financial plan for sustainable delivery for 2013-17.