Agenda and minutes
PDF 100 KBVenue: Council Chamber - Trinity Road
Contact: Democratic Services
Media
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Apologies To receive any apologies for absence. The quorum for Cabinet is 3 Members. Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader indicated that Councillor Layton would be late attending the meeting.
There were no apologies for absence |
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Declarations of Interest To receive any declarations of interest from Members and Officers, relating to items to be considered at the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no declarations of interest from Members.
There were no declarations of interest from Officers. |
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To approve the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 2 November 2023. Additional documents: Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting on 2 November 2023 were considered as presented within the document pack.
The Senior Democratic Services Officer noted at Minute 189 (Para. 5, Point 5) that the following minute ‘Peer Review recommendations agreed’ should read ‘Peer Review Action Plan agreed’. This change would be made following the meeting.
The minutes were proposed by Councillor Spivey and Councillor Dale.
RESOLVED that, subject to the amendment noted, the minutes of the meeting of the 2 November 2023 be approved as a correct record.
Record of Voting – For: 4, Against 0, Abstention 3, Absent: 0
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Leader's Announcements To receive any announcements from the Leader. Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader paid tribute to the outgoing Executive Assistant to the Leader, Gemma Williams, who would be moving to the Tourism Team, and thanked for their work over the past two years.
The Leader also wished a Happy Christmas to the Cabinet and thanked them for the work done over the past year. |
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Public Questions To deal with questions from the public within the open forum question and answer session of fifteen minutes in total. Questions from each member of the public should be no longer than one minute each and relate to issues under the Cabinet’s remit. At any one meeting no person may submit more than two questions and no more than two such questions may be asked on behalf of one organisation.
The Leader will ask whether any members of the public present at the meeting wish to ask a question and will decide on the order of questioners.
The response may take the form of: a) a direct oral answer; b) where the desired information is in a publication of the Council or other published work, a reference to that publication; or c) where the reply cannot conveniently be given orally, a written answer circulated later to the questioner. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no public questions. |
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Member Questions No Member Questions have been submitted prior to the publication of the agenda.
A Member of the Council may ask the Leader or a Cabinet Member a question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affects the Cotswold District. A maximum period of fifteen minutes shall be allowed at any such meeting for Member questions.
A Member may only ask a question if: a) the question has been delivered in writing or by electronic mail to the Chief Executive no later than 5.00 p.m. on the working day before the day of the meeting; or b) the question relates to an urgent matter, they have the consent of the Leader to whom the question is to be put and the content of the question is given to the Chief Executive by 9.30 a.m. on the day of the meeting.
An answer may take the form of: a) a direct oral answer; b) where the desired information is in a publication of the Council or other published work, a reference to that publication; or c) where the reply cannot conveniently be given orally, a written answer circulated later to the questioner. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no Member questions. |
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Issue(s) Arising from Overview and Scrutiny and/or Audit and Governance To consider any recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee or matters raised by the Audit and Governance Committee. Additional documents: Minutes: The Leader noted the recommendations from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the Draft Cotswold Housing Strategy and the Cabinet’s response which had been circulated prior to the meeting. |
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Council Tax Support Scheme 2024/2025 Purpose To present the results of the public consultation on proposals for revising the current Council Tax Support scheme with effect from 1 April 2024.
Recommendation That Cabinet resolves to: 1. Approve the increase in Council Tax Support as detailed in paragraph 3.4 from 1 April 2024. 2. Approve that any surplus in the Hardship Fund is transferred over to 2024/2025 for reasons detailed in paragraphs 3.6 and 3.7. 3. Approve the amendment to the Council Tax Support Policy as recommended in paragraph 3.8. Additional documents:
Minutes: The purpose of the report was to present the results of the public consultation on proposals for revising the current Council Tax Support Scheme with effect from 1 April 2024.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Evemy, introduced the report.
It was noted that this was an annual report for to consider the levels of financial support to provide residents with Council Tax payments.
The following points were outlined:
· The focus for the administration since 2019 was to ensure that those on low incomes did not have a low residual liability. · Those on income band 1 would not be liable for Council Tax. · It was noted that there was a consultation undertaken with proposed changes around increasing Income Band 1 by 6% due to the cost of living pressures being faced. · It was highlighted that there were also increases in the maximum entitled relief for bands 4 and 5 to reflect the financial pressures faced.
The Deputy Leader thanked those who participated in the consultation for providing their views and for the support such as the Citizens Advice Bureau for their help in shaping the scheme with council officers.
It was also welcomed that those with more than two children could now apply for support under the changes for the scheme.
The Leader welcomed Mary Cobbett to the meeting as a public speaker to provide comment on the proposed scheme. It was noted that the scheme was welcomed generally, but that it was sometimes misunderstood that Council Tax Discounts were also available such as disability discount.
It was highlighted that there had been increases in demand for the Council Tax Support scheme.
The Deputy Leader in summing up also noted for Cabinet the table for paragraph 3.2 was incorrect in the print copies of the pack as it was from the previous year’s scheme but that the figures were correct in paragraph 3.3. However, this had been updated on the website.
It was also noted that a Hardship Fund was set up for those struggling financially who wouldn’t qualify otherwise, and that the outstanding balance would be carried over as part of recommendation 2.
The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Evemy and seconded by Councillor Bloomer.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet 1. APPROVED the increase in Council Tax Support as detailed in paragraph 3.4 from 1 April 2024. 2. APPROVED that any surplus in the Hardship Fund is transferred over to 2024/2025 for reasons detailed in paragraphs 3.6 and 3.7. 3. APPROVED the amendment to the Council Tax Support Policy as recommended in paragraph 3.8.
Record of Voting – For: 8, Against 0, Abstention 0, Absent: 0
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Purpose To set out the new maximum level fines proposed by Government to deter and punish the offences of littering, fly-tipping, householder duty of care, flyposting and the distribution of free printed matter. To seek approval to introduce these new fine levels.
Recommendations That Cabinet resolves to: 1. Note the report. 2. Agree to increase the fine levels to the maximum levels permissible as outlined in paragraph 3.4. 3. Agree an early payment discount as outlined in paragraph 3.4. 4. Delegate authority to the Chief Executive to increase the fine levels as approved. Additional documents: Minutes: The purpose of the report was to set out the new maximum level fines proposed by Government to deter and punish the offences of littering, fly-tipping, householder duty of care, flyposting and the distribution of free printed matter, and to seek approval to introduce these new fine levels.
The Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulatory Services, Councillor Layton, introduced the report.
The following points were presented to Cabinet:
· It was outlined that the predominant rural landscape of the Cotswolds made fly-tipping in particular an environmental and public safety issue.
· It was noted that the increase of the fine was welcomed as the costs for dealing with fly-tipping in particular had risen.
· It was outlined that the reduction would be reduced from 50% to 25% within 14 days.
The increase in the fine levels were welcomed by Cabinet Members as a penalty for these practices.
There were questions around timescales for the fines to be implemented. It was noted that these would be introduced as soon as possible after the decision-making processes had been completed.
It was reaffirmed that the householder has a duty of care for the management of their waste if had ended up being fly-tipped, and would face a fixed penalty notice if their address was linked.
There was also a clarification outlined by the Deputy Leader in regard to the discount levels in Table 1 (Para. 3.4) where an error within the report would be corrected so it should read ‘New Fine (Payment within 28 days)’ as opposed to ‘New Fine (Payment within 14 days)’ under column 4.
The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Layton and seconded by Councillor Evemy.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet 1. NOTED the report. 2. AGREED to increase the fine levels to the maximum levels permissible as outlined in paragraph 3.4 as amended. 3. AGREED an early payment discount as outlined in paragraph 3.4. 4. AGREED to delegate authority to the Chief Executive to increase the fine levels as approved.
Record of Voting – For: 8, Against 0, Abstention 0, Absent: 0
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Proactive Delivery of Affordable Housing Purpose This report seeks to outline the council’s aspiration for a more proactive approach to increase the supply of affordable housing within the district, outline of how this can be achieved, and the resources required.
Recommendation That Cabinet resolves to: 1. Agree to explore innovative and proactive models to enhance the council’s ability to increase the supply of affordable homes within the district. Additional documents: Minutes: The purpose of the report was to outline the Council’s aspiration for a more proactive approach to increasing the supply of affordable housing within the district, outline how this can be achieved, and the resources required.
The Leader Councillor Joe Harris introduced the report and outlined the following points:
· The Leader noted the ambition of the administration to deliver affordable housing and social rented homes within the District. · It was noted that good progress is being made with a council site in Down Ampney for social rented homes schemes working in partnership with Bromford Housing. · It was highlighted that whilst the Council did not have its own housing stock, the report was seeking other options to deliver upon the strategy to obtain high quality affordable homes. · It was noted that the employment of a Strategic Housing and Development officer in partnership with West Oxfordshire District Council would help to deliver these aims in partnership with housing organisations. · It was also noted the waiting lists for social housing show a need for housing within the District.
There were questions around the identification of empty homes and work with private landlords to deliver affordable homes. The Leader noted that the powers of the Council were limited, but that the Council would seek to work with private landlords to develop affordable housing in communities. On the issue of empty homes, it was noted that the new officer would work to develop an action plan on empty homes.
The recommendations were proposed by Councillor Joe Harris and seconded by Councillor Spivey.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet 1. AGREED to explore innovative and proactive models to enhance the council’s ability to increase the supply of affordable homes within the district.
Record of Voting – For: 8, Against 0, Abstention 0, Absent: 0
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Draft Cotswold Housing Strategy Purpose To seek approval to consult with partners and the public on a new five year Cotswold Housing Strategy. The strategy directly responds to the Council’s Corporate Plan that seeks to address housing affordability and increase the supply of affordable housing.
Recommendations That Cabinet resolves to: 1. Approve the draft Cotswold Housing Strategy for public consultation as presented at Annex A and B; and 2. Delegate authority to the Forward Planning Manager, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to agree a questionnaire for the public consultation exercise and to make minor modifications to improve clarity. Additional documents:
Minutes: The purpose of the report was to seek approval to consult with partners and the public on a new five-year Cotswold Housing Strategy. The strategy directly responded to the Council’s Corporate Plan that sought to address housing affordability and increase the supply of affordable housing.
The Leader introduced this item and outlined the following points:
The document was welcomed by Cabinet as step forward in delivering affordable homes for the District.
It was highlighted that there were many Neighbourhood Development Plans in development, and this would help residents identify need as part of the strategy.
It was outlined that the strategy would help develop vibrant and sustainable communities for the Cotswold District.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet 1. APPROVED the draft Cotswold Housing Strategy for public consultation as presented at Annex A and B; and 2. AGREED to delegate authority to the Forward Planning Manager, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, to agree a questionnaire for the public consultation exercise and to make minor modifications to improve clarity.
Record of Voting – For: 8, Against 0, Abstention 0, Absent: 0
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Financial Performance Report - Q2 2023/24 Purpose This report sets of the latest budget monitoring position for the 2023/24 financial year.
Recommendations That Cabinet resolves to: 1. Review and note the financial position set out in this report. 2. Endorse the recommendation in paragraph 9.3 that Cabinet continue to review in-year opportunities with Publica and Ubico to mitigate the forecast financial position. 3. Approve the provisional transfer of £0.150m to the Treasury Management reserve. 4. Agree to establish a new earmarked reserve “Contract Smoothing” and approves the provisional transfer of £0.255m from the General Fund Revenue Budget to the earmarked reserve. Additional documents:
Minutes: The purpose of the report was to set out the latest budget monitoring position for the 2023/24 financial year.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report to Cabinet and highlighted the following points:
It was highlighted that officers were working to transform services to improve efficiency and to ensure that the budget gap can be reduced.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet 1. Reviewed and NOTED the financial position set out in this report. 2. AGREED to endorse the recommendation in paragraph 9.3 that Cabinet continue to review in-year opportunities with Publica and Ubico to mitigate the forecast financial position. 3. APPROVED the provisional transfer of £0.150m to the Treasury Management reserve. 4. AGREED to establish a new earmarked reserve “Contract Smoothing” and APPROVED the provisional transfer of £0.255m from the General Fund Revenue Budget to the earmarked reserve.
Record of Voting – For: 8, Against 0, Abstention 0, Absent: 0
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Council Priority And Service Performance Report - 2023-24 Quarter Two Purpose To provide an update on progress on the Council’s priorities and service performance.
Recommendation That Cabinet resolves to: 1. Note overall progress on the Council priorities and service performance for 2023-24 Q2. Additional documents:
Minutes: The purpose of the report was to provide an update on progress on the Council’s priorities and service performance.
The Chief Executive, Rob Weaver, introduced the report and outlined the following points:
It was outlined that Overview and Scrutiny Committee had examined the report and some useful feedback had been received around the reporting of Council Tax from a quarterly basis to an annual basis. There were also comments around providing additional narrative for the Action Tracker at the end of the report which would be included.
It was welcomed by Cabinet that the visits to leisure centres and gym memberships have increased following the new provider Freedom Leisure taking over the contract.
It was outlined that the work being done to collect and support residents with Council Tax was welcomed during this difficult time.
It was reaffirmed that the report demonstrated some of the work being done beyond the statutory services being provided.
The Cabinet wished to put on record the work being done within the waste collection services during some very difficult weather conditions. The Leader also asked the Chief Executive to pass on thanks to all staff across the Council and its partners.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet: 1. NOTED the overall progress on the Council priorities and service performance for 2023-24 Q2. |
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Schedule of Decisions taken by the Leader of the Council and/or Individual Cabinet Members To note the decisions taken by the Leader and/or Individual Cabinet Members. Additional documents: Minutes: Cabinet noted the Schedule of Decisions as presented. |