Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Leader of the Council introduced Peter Campbell, the new Head of Housing and Jeff Membery, the new Head of Housing.

To receive Apologies for Absence from Cabinet members. 

Councillor Neil Gough sent apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

To authorise the Leader to sign the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 29 June 2020 as a correct record.

Cabinet authorised the Leader to sign, as a correct record, the public version of the Minutes of the meeting held on Monday, 29 June 2020.

There were no public questions.

Cabinet received and noted a report relating to the actions taken under the Chief Executive’s Delegated Powers.

Cabinet received and noted a report from Councillor Grenville Chamberlain, Chair, Scrutiny and Overview Committee, and Councillor Judith Rippeth, Vice-Chair, Scrutiny and Overview Committee, informing it about the discussions at, and recommendations from the Committee’s meeting held on 16 July 2020.

The report related to:

• Shared Services Annual Reports and Partnership Renewal Agreement

The Chair of the Scrutiny and Overview noted the All Member Scrutiny Workshop would be held on Wednesday, 30 September 2020, organised by the Centre for Public Scrutiny.

Cabinet:

Reviewed the KPI results and comments at Appendix A and progress against Business Plan actions at Appendix B.

Cabinet received, reviewed, and noted a report on the latest performance data across the Council, The Leader commented on the impact on businesses from the Covid-19 pandemic, along with the increase in spending for bed and breakfasts. The Chair of the Council, Councillor Douglas de Lacey was pleased with the promise of greater detail within the indicators, but was surprised there was no comment on the improvement in the Contact Centre. The Chief Executive noted this would be included on future performance reports.

After a short discussion, Cabinet:

Noted the Operational Key Performance Indicator (OKPI) results and comments at Appendix A to the report.

Cabinet:

(a)      Acknowledged the 2019/2020 general fund revenue outturn position and the net underspend (after income from Taxation and Government Grants) in the year of £4.665m and the explanations provided for the variances compared to the approved 2019/2020 revenue budget;

(b)      Acknowledged the consequent increase in the General Fund as of 31 March 2020 of £4.665m to around £16.5m;

(c)      Recommended to Full Council a General Fund Revenue Carry Forward in the sum of £30,000.

(d)      In relation to the Capital Programme:

(i) Noted the 2019/2020 capital budget outturn of £42,302 million;

(ii) Recommended to Full Council the carry forwards of £2.081 million in relation to General Fund capital projects due mainly to slippage.

(iii) Recommended to Full Council additional funding of £105,000 from earmarked reserves to meet the expected cost of the Lighting renewal programme.

(iv) Noted that a full review of the Capital Programme will be submitted to Cabinet at its October 2020 meeting to include rephasing of the existing programme and new Capital bids for the next budget cycle.

Cabinet considered a report from the Head of Finance. Councillor John Williams, Lead Cabinet Member for Finance, highlighted the reserves and the increase in income from commercial sources. Councillor Heather Williams asked about the savings from the Health and Wellbeing budget, and the stated redundancy in the table in paragraph 5. Councillor John Williams undertook to respond in writing.

Following further comments, Cabinet:

(a)      Acknowledged the 2019/2020 general fund revenue outturn position and the net underspend (after income from Taxation and Government Grants) in the year of £4.665 million and the explanations provided for the variances compared with the approved 2019/2020 revenue budget;

(b)      Acknowledged the consequent increase in the General Fund as at 31 March 2020 of £4.665 million to around £16.5 million;

(c)      Recommended to Full Council a General Fund Revenue Carry Forward in the sum of £30,000.

(d)      In relation to the Capital Programme:

(i) Noted the 2019/2020 capital budget outturn of £42.302 million;

(ii) Recommended to Full Council the carry forwards of £2.081 million in relation to General Fund capital projects due mainly to slippage.

(iii) Recommended to Full Council additional funding of £105,000 from earmarked reserves to meet the expected cost of the Lighting renewal programme.

iv) Noted that a full review of the Capital Programme would be submitted to Cabinet at its October 2020 meeting to include rephasing of the existing programme and new Capital bids for the next budget cycle.

Cabinet:

(a)      Acknowledged the forecast 2020/2021 revenue outturn position against the approved revenue budget shown in Appendix C, the projected major variances with reasons for these variances and the action being taken to address the underlying issues;

(b)      Acknowledged the latest Capital Programme 2020/2021 to 2024/2025 position [and variances, if any] as shown in Appendix D.

Cabinet considered a report from the Head of Finance. Councillor John Williams noted there was an underspend in some of the council's services which was identified but there was a small overspend in finance and corporate services related to additional resources, and in facilities to help with Covid-19 related issues. The Council has also supported the community and businesses through the crisis, but it is not yet clear if the government grant will cover the costs to the General Fund. Councillor Bill Handley mentioned the Council’s continued support of the Community during the initial months of the Covid-19 pandemic, including the £24 million distributed among 1,900 local businesses.

Councillor Bridget Smith, the Leader of the Council, concluded by thanking officers for their work on this project, and Cabinet:

(a)      Acknowledged the forecast 2020/2021 revenue outturn position against the approved revenue budget shown in Appendix C, the projected major variances with reasons for these variances and the action being taken to address the underlying issues;

(b)      Acknowledged the latest Capital Programme 2020/2021 to 2024/2025 position [and variances, if any] as shown in Appendix D to the officer report.

Cabinet:

(a)      Noted the 2019/2020 revenue outturn position and the net underspend in the year of £2.001 million, and the explanations provided for the variances compared to the approved 2019/2020 revenue budget;

(b)      Noted the overall reduction in the Housing Revenue Account balance as at 31 March 2020 to £5.358 million;

(c)      Recommended to Full Council the Housing Revenue Account Revenue Budget Carry Forwards in the sum of £0.020 million, in relation to tenant participation;

(d)      In relation to the Capital Programme:

(i) Noted the 2019/2020 capital budget outturn of £22,647 million;

(ii) Recommended to Full Council the carry forwards to 2020/21 of £1.611 million in relation to HRA Housing improvements due mainly to slippage.

(iii) Recommended to Council the bringing forward of £1.530 million from 2020/21 in relation to HRA housebuilding during 2019/20, due to works being ahead of expectations.

(iv) Noted that a full review of the Capital Programme will be submitted to Cabinet at its October 2020 meeting to include re-phasing of the existing programme and new Capital bids for the next budget cycle.

Cabinet considered a report from the Head of Housing. Councillor John Williams noted the small underspend, and a small increase in income, adding £2 million into the Council’s reserves. He thanked the Officers responsible for the New Homes Build programme, for achieving the intended targets ahead of schedule. Councillor Hazel Smith, Lead Cabinet Member for Housing, welcomed the report and thanked the Officers for achieving their targets during the previous year.

After a short discussion, Councillor Bridget Smith closed the debate, and Cabinet:

a)       Noted the 2019/2020 revenue outturn position and the net underspend in the year of £2.001 million, and the explanations provided for the variances compared with the approved 2019/2020 revenue budget;

(b)      Noted the overall reduction in the Housing Revenue Account balance as at 31 March 2020 to £5.358 million;

(c)      Recommended to Full Council the Housing Revenue Account Revenue Budget Carry Forwards in the sum of £0.020 million, in relation to tenant participation;

(d)      In relation to the Capital Programme:

(i) Noted the 2019/2020 capital budget outturn of £22,647 million;

(ii) Recommended to Full Council the carry forwards to 2020/21 of £1.611 million in relation to HRA Housing improvements due mainly to slippage.

(iii) Recommended to Council the bringing forward of £1.530 million from 2020/21 in relation to HRA housebuilding during 2019/20, due to works being ahead of expectations.

(iv) Noted that a full review of the Capital Programme will be submitted to Cabinet at its October 2020 meeting to include re-phasing of the existing programme and new Capital bids for the next budget cycle.

While the report at Item 13 (3C Shared Services) is public, members of the press and public might be excluded from the meeting during consideration of matters referred to in the Appendix to that report. Members of the press and public are likely to be excluded from the meeting during consideration of items 14, 15, 16 and 17. In each case, exclusion will be in accordance with the provisions of Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A (as amended) of the Act). Paragraph 3 relates to information about the financial or business affairs of any person, including the Authority holding that information.

Cabinet agreed by affirmation that the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of item numbers 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17 in accordance with the provisions of Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) (exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act). Paragraph 3 refers to information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Cabinet:

Approved the Partnership Renewal Agreement for 3C Shared Services (ICT, Building Control and Legal).

Cabinet considered a report from the Chief Executive, noting the renewal agreement for the Shared Services.

Councillor Grenville Chamberlain, the Chair of the Scrutiny and Overview Committee welcomed the completed agreement.

After a short discussion, Cabinet:

Approvedthe Partnership Renewal Agreement for 3C Shared Services (ICT, Building Control and Legal).

Cabinet authorised the Leader to sign, as a correct record, the exempt version of Minute 18 (Confidential Issues Arising from the Scrutiny and Overview Committee), Minute 19 (Potential Property Acquisition) and Minute 20 (Potential Property Investment) of the minutes of the meeting held on 29 June 2020.

Cabinet:

Agreed the options as detailed in the exempt report by the Head of Housing.

Cabinet received the exempt report relating to the review of the Ermine Street Housing. Councillor Hazel Smith introduced the report, noting the success of the company.

Following a short discussion, Councillor Bridget Smith closed the debate, and Cabinet:

Agreed the options as detailed in the exempt report by the Head of Housing

Cabinet:

Approved the investment detailed in the exempt report of the Head of Finance as a commercial property investment in accordance with the approved Investment Strategy.

The Cabinet considered a restricted report from the Head of Finance. Councillor John Williams noted this investment was part of the previously approved Investment Strategy

After a short discussion, Councillor Bridget Smith concluded the debate, thanked Officers for their work, and Cabinet:

Approved the investment detailed in the exempt report from the Head of Finance as a commercial property investment in accordance with the approved Investment Strategy.

Cabinet:

Approved the investment detailed in the exempt report of the Head of Finance as a commercial property investment in accordance with the approved Investment Strategy.

The Cabinet considered a restricted report from the Head of Finance. Councillor John Williams noted this investment formed part of the previously approved Investment Strategy.

After a short discussion, Councillor Bridget Smith concluded the debate, thanked Officers for their work, and Cabinet:

Approved the investment detailed in the exempt report of the Head of Finance as a commercial property investment in accordance with the approved Investment Strategy.