Venue: Kennet Room - County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN. View directions
Contact: Stuart Figini Email: committee@wiltshire.gov.uk
No. | Item |
---|---|
Apologies To receive any apologies for absence. |
|
Minutes of the Previous Meeting To confirm as a true and correct record and sign the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 21 January 2025. Supporting documents: |
|
Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee or Monitoring Officer. |
|
Leader's Announcements To receive any announcements from the Leader of the Council. |
|
Public Participation and Questions from Members 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.
Questions must be submitted to committee@wiltshire.gov.uk by 12.00 noon on Wednesday 29 January 2025.
Written notice of a wish to make a statement should also be provided wherever possible. Supporting documents: |
|
Financial Year 2024/25 - Quarter Three Revenue Budget Monitoring To receive a report from the Corporate Director, Resources (S.151 Officer). Supporting documents: Decision: Resolved:
Cabinet approves:
a) The following transfers to earmarked reserves;
i. £0.120m for activity funded by the Supporting Families grant which will fall into future years;
ii. £0.285m for activity relating to improvements in early help in schools and with families in SEN and targeted services;
iii. £0.803m to the High Needs Sustainability Activity Reserve in relation to High Needs transformation activity which will fall into future years;
b) That the balances held in the Inquests and Salisbury Recovery earmarked reserves totalling £0.466m that are no longer required be transferred to the General Fund Reserve.
Cabinet notes:
c) the current revenue budget is forecast to overspend by £1.749m by the end of the financial year.
d) the current forecast savings delivery performance for the year.
e) the forecast overspend on the HRA of £0.696m and the impact on the HRA reserve.
f) The additional forecast overspend against Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) budgets of £0.593m and the impact on the cumulative DSG deficit.
g) The transfer from earmarked reserves;
i. £0.450m from the transformation reserve as approved by the Transformation Board to support planned FACT activity;
ii. £0.455m from the transformation reserve as approved by the Transformation Board to support planned HNB transformation activity;
iii. £0.055m to fund the Short Breaks grant scheme spend in 2024/25 financial year;
iv. £0.060m to fund external consultant support for the SEN Inspection;
v. £0.057m from the Not in Employment Education or Training (NEET) reserve for 2024/25 activity;
vi. £0.036 from the Business Plan Priority Reserve for Enforcement Activity.
Reason for Decision:
To inform effective decision making and ensure sound financial management as part of the Councils overall control environment.
To inform Cabinet on the forecast revenue financial position of the Council for the financial year 2024/25 as at quarter three (31 December 2024), including delivery of approved savings for the year. |
|
Financial Year 2024/25 - Quarter Three Capital Budget Monitoring To receive a report from the Corporate Director, Resources (S.151 Officer). Supporting documents: Decision: Resolved:
Cabinet approves:
a) the addition of £0.800m budget to the capital programme in 2025/26 to be funded from borrowing to complete the Hindon Stagger depot works to conclude the overall Depot Phase 1 capital programme;
b) the grant income applied for and/or received as set out in Appendix C and Appendix D.
c) the budget movements required to fund the anticipated costs and that the Trowbridge Leisure Centre project progresses to construction;
d) delegated authority to the Corporate Director, Place, in consultation with the Cabinet Member, Public Health, Communities, Leisure and Libraries to execute the contracts required to deliver the Trowbridge Leisure Centre project and authorise spend in accordance with this decision;
Cabinet notes:
e) the resolution made by Cabinet at its meeting on 21 January 2025 relating to City Hall, to repurpose the use of allocated Capital Receipt Enhancement (CRE) budget for Melksham Blue Pool to City Hall, Salisbury and a virement of £0.045m of the 2024/25 budget and £0.255m of the 2025/26 budget from the CRE capital scheme line to the Facilities Management Investment Estate capital scheme line;
f) The additional budgets added to the programme of £0.957m under Chief Finance Officer delegated powers;
g) the budgets brought forward from future years into the 2024/25 programme totalling £5.522m under Chief Finance Officer delegated powers;
h) the budgets reprogrammed from 2024/25 into future years totalling £38.398m under Chief Finance Officer delegated powers;
i) Budget Movements between Schemes as detailed in Appendix A;
j) the revised 2024/25 Capital Programme forecast as at quarter three of £194.436m;
k) the capital spend as of 31 December 2024 of £115.250m
Reason for Decision: To inform effective decision making and ensure sound financial management as part of the Councils overall control environment.
To inform Cabinet on the financial position of the Council on the 2024/25 capital programme as at quarter three (31 December 2024). |
|
Wiltshire Council Budget 2025/2026 and MTFS Update 2025/26-2027/28 To receive a report from the Chief Executive, Corporate Director, Resources (S.151 Officer),and Director, Legal and Governance (Monitoring Officer). Supporting documents:
Decision: Resolved:
Cabinet recommends to Council:
a) That a net general fund budget of 2025/26 of £527.420m is approved;
b) That the Council Tax requirement for the council be set at £368.818m for 2025/26 with a Band D charge of £1,886.99, an increase of £1.56 per week;
c) That the Wiltshire Council element of the Council Tax be increased in 2025/26 by the following:
i. A 2.5% general increase;
ii. Plus a levy of 2% to be spent solely on Adult Social Care;
d) That the Extended Leadership Team be required to meet the revenue budget targets for each service area as set out in Appendix 1 to this report, for the delivery of council services in 2025/26;
e) That the Extended Leadership Team be required to deliver the revenue savings plans for each service area as set out in Appendix 1 to this report, over the MTFS period 2025/26 to 2027/28;
f) That the changes in the fees and charges as set out in Appendix 4 are approved;
g) That the Capital Programme 2025/26 to 2031/32 is approved;
h) That the Capital Strategy set out in Appendix 2 is approved;
i) That the Schools Capital Programme 2025/26 to 2030/31 in Appendix 3 is approved, including the proposal recommendations included and set out in that appendix;
j) That the DSG budget as approved by Schools Forum is ratified;
k) That the Medium Term Financial Strategy, the forecast balanced budget for 2025/26 financial year and the MTFS 2025/26 to 2027/28 is endorsed.
Cabinet approves:
l) the spend against the following grants in Public Health expected in 2025/26;
i. the smokefree grant of £0.553m towards enhancing Wiltshire's smoking cessation offer.
ii. the Domestic Abuse Safe Accommodation Grant of £1.078m.
iii. the Drug and Alcohol Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant (DATRIG) of £1.215m.
Reasons for Decisions:
To enable the Cabinet to recommend to Council a balanced revenue budget for the financial year 2025/26 and to set the level of Council Tax.
To enable effective, transparent decision making and ensure sound financial management as part of the council’s overall control environment.
The Cabinet also sets out the final assumptions being used in the budget for growth, inflation, demand for services, the estimated level of income from sales, fees and charges and the level of income estimated from core funding e.g. Page 109Council Tax, Business Rates and government grants as well as the level of reserves held and assessed by the council’s Section 151 Officer, as required, to provide future financial resilience.
This provides the council with a MTFS to deliver on the Business Plan priorities and drives long term financial sustainability. |
|
Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2025/26 To receive a report from the Corporate Director, Resources (S.151 Officer) Supporting documents: Decision: That Cabinet recommend Full Council:
a) Adopt the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy (paragraph 26 – 28)
b) Adopt the Prudential and Treasury Indicators (paragraphs 17 – 25, 41 – 47 and Appendix A)
c) Adopt the Annual Investment Strategy (paragraph 64 onwards).
d) Delegate to the Corporate Director of Resources (S151 Officer) the authority to vary the amount of borrowing and other long-term liabilities within the Treasury Indicators for the Authorised Limit and the Operational Boundary
e) Authorise the Corporate Director of Resources (S151 Officer) to agree the restructuring of existing long-term loans where savings are achievable or to enhance the long-term portfolio
f) Agree that short term cash surpluses and deficits continue to be managed through temporary loans, deposits and money market funds
g) Agree that any surplus cash balances not required to cover borrowing are placed in the most appropriate specified or non-specified investments, particularly where this is more cost effective than short term deposits; and delegate to the Corporate Director of Resources (S151 Officer) the authority to select such funds
h) Agree the Investment Policy (paragraph 68)
i) Agree the Creditworthiness Policy (paragraph 72)
j) Agree the Loans Policy (appendix F)
Reason for Decision:
To enable the Council to agree a Treasury Management Strategy for 2025/26 and set Prudential Indicators that comply with statutory guidance and reflect best practice. |
|
Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget Setting 2025/26 including Dwelling Rent Setting 2025/26 and 30-Year Business Plan Review
Supporting documents: Decision: Resolved:
Cabinet recommends Council:
a) To note the draft budget estimates and proposals.
b) To approve the HRA Annual Revenue Budget for 2025/26 as described in the report and Appendix 1, subject to an in year review.
c) To approve the increase of 2.7% (CPI+1%) to Dwelling Rents and Garage Rents for 2025/26
d) To approve the HRA Capital Programme for 2025/26 as described in the report and Appendix 2, including the allocation of an additional £99m for the Council House Build Programme.
e) To note the reviewed and updated assumptions in the HRA 30-Year Business Plan as detailed in the report.
f) To approve authority to receive bespoke or targeted grants (if awarded) during the year.
Please note: This HRA annual budget report will form part of the budget setting reports at Cabinet and Full Council but will remain separate from the General Fund medium term financial strategy (MTFS) – providing a more detailed report for members with an aim of greater information and transparency.
Reason for Decision:
To enable the Cabinet to recommend to Council a balanced budget (capital and revenue) for the HRA for 2025/26, and in so doing continue to provide high quality services to tenants and investment in their homes.
To enable effective, transparent decision making and ensure sound financial management of the HRA as part of the council’s overall control environment. |
|
Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document - Submission of Draft Plan
Supporting documents:
Decision: Resolved:
That Cabinet, having considered the response from the formal consultation:
a) Endorses the submission of the Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document Pre-Submission Draft at Appendix 1 together with relevant associated documentation for independent examination;
b) Recommends to Full Council that the Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Document Pre-Submission Draft is submitted to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government together with relevant associated documentation;
c) Directs that submission is accompanied by a request that the Inspector appointed to carry out the examination recommends any modifications necessary to make the Plan sound and legally compliant in accordance with Section 20(7C) of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (as amended); and
d) Authorises the Director of Planning to take or authorise such steps as may be necessary for the independent examination of the Plan to be completed, including:
i. Make appropriate arrangements for submission of the Plan and the completion and submission of all documents relating to the Plan;
ii. Make all necessary arrangements for examination including – the appointment of a Programme Officer; the undertaking and/or commissioning of other work necessary to prepare for and participate at examination; proposing main and/or minor modifications to the Plan and/or modifications to the Policies Map; entering into Memorandums of Understanding and Statements of Common Ground; and the delegation to officers and other commissioned experts to prepare and submit evidence, representations and submissions to the examination and, where necessary, appear at any hearing sessions and represent the council; and
iii. Implement any consequential actions relating to the examination, including undertaking any consultation that may be necessary, and publishing the recommendations and reasons of the person appointed to carry out the examination.
e) As part of submitting its Plan for examination, to deal with the following:
The council recognises that the plan will be examined in the context of site evidence and delivery. As the examination of the plan will take time and new sites have already begun to be approved on a speculative basis through the submission of planning applications, these will have implications for the number of pitches proposed for allocation. As such, the council resolves to ask the Inspector to take into account the additional supply of pitches that have been approved since the regulation 19 consultation and consider reducing the allocations when assessing the proposed allocations within the Plan.
Reason for Decision:
To ensure that progress continues to be made on updating Wiltshire’s local plan in line with the commitment set out in the council’s Local Development Scheme and statutory requirements, and an efficient examination process. This Plan together with the wider Wiltshire Local Plan review will complete the update of the Wiltshire Core Strategy ensuring the housing needs of all sectors of the community are addressed. |
|
Performance and Risk Report 2024/25 Quarter 3 To receive a report from the Chief Executive. Supporting documents:
Decision: Proposals
Cabinet to note and agree:
1) The performance against the selected measures mapped to the Council’s strategic priorities
2) The Strategic Risk Summary
Reason for Decision:
To provide Cabinet with a quarterly update on measures used to monitor progress against the 10 missions laid out in Wiltshire Council’s Business Plan 2022-32.
To provide Cabinet with a quarterly update on the Council’s strategic risks and the current position of threats, and potential threats, the Council faces in delivering its services, responsibilities and ambitions. |
|
UK Shared Prosperity Fund Programme
Supporting documents: Decision: Resolved:
That Cabinet note:
a) The extension of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund
That Cabinet approve:
a) The prioritisation of the UK Shared Prosperity Funding for 25/26 and
b) Delegate to the Corporate Director for Place to implement UKSPF activities and decisions in line with the Investment Plan and subsequent prioritisation
c) Delegate to the Corporate Director for Place to make amendments to the Investment Plan in line with delivery requirements
Reason for Decision:
To agree the activities to be supported through the UK Shared Prosperity Programme next year. |
|
Warm Homes: Local Grant - Acceptance and Procurement Options
Supporting documents:
Decision: Resolved:
That Cabinet:
a) Approve the receipt of up to £13 million Warm Homes: Local Grant.
b) Approve the execution of and delegated authority to sign the Memorandum of Undertaking (MoU) and its associated documents (Data Sharing Agreement and Non-Disclosure Agreement) in respect of the Warm Home: Local Grant to the Corporate Director of Resources, in consultation with the Director of Environment and the Cabinet Member for Waste and Environment
c) Agree that contract(s) be awarded subject to execution of the MoU by DESNZ to enable the delivery of energy performance upgrades and low carbon heating.
d) Delegate authority for awarding the contract(s) and approval for execution to the new service provider/s to the Corporate Director of Resources, and the Director of Environment in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Waste and Environment.
Reason for Decision:
The Warm Home: Local Grant bid process facilitates a higher value bid for Local Authorities who can get into contract and start delivery more quickly. The bid submitted by Wiltshire Council requests a grant value linked to a project start date of May 2025. This requires the contract for works and associated services to be in place in early May 2025.
Approval to accept the grant and to award a contract to deliver the improvements will allow for the project to launch in May 2025. This will also provide more time to deliver the energy efficiency improvements to households during the first year of the project.
Benefits associated with delivery of the project include:
• Improving thermal comfort, health and wellbeing through better insulated and ventilated homes • Reducing the risk of fuel poverty by offering support to the most vulnerable households using a worst first approach to treat poorly performing houses in the most economically deprived neighbourhoods. • Improving the health and wellbeing outcomes for those living in cold homes which has also been shown to reduce the demand on health and social care. • Reducing property energy demand and the associated carbon emissions through improved insulation and low carbon heating systems? • Properties are adapted to reduce the risk of damp and mould and are better adapted to climate change impacts. |
|
School Admissions Policies 2026-27 To receive a report from the Interim Corporate Director, Children and Education.
Supporting documents:
Decision: Resolved:
Cabinet is asked to approve the following School Admission Policies:
a) Appendix A - Proposed Scheme for the Co-ordination of Secondary Admissions 2026/27
b) Appendix B - Proposed Scheme for the Co-ordination of Primary Admissions 2026/27
c) Appendix C -Proposed Admission Arrangements for Voluntary Controlled & Community Secondary Schools 2026/27
d) Appendix D -Proposed Admission Arrangements for Voluntary Controlled & Community Primary Schools 2026/27
Reason for Decision:
It is a legal requirement to have these policies in place.
The schemes and arrangements as presented have been sent out to all schools for consultation and no alternative suggestions have been received to date. |
|
Urgent Items Any other items which the Leader agrees to consider as a matter of urgency. |