Agenda and minutes
PDF 153 KBContact: Democratic Services
Media
| No. | Item |
|---|---|
|
Apologies Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillors Joe Harris and Rachel Coxcoon. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 6 September 2021. Additional documents: Minutes: RESOLVED that, subject to the following amendments, the minutes of the meeting of the 6 September 2021 be approved as a correct record:
· Councillors Nikki Ind and Patrick Coleman had attended the previous meeting as observers.
Record of Voting - for 6, against 0, abstention 0, absent 2. |
|
|
Chair's Announcements (if any) Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair informed Cabinet that there had been a change to the leadership of the Opposition.
Councillor Tony Berry was the new leader of the Opposition.
The Deputy Leader of the Council welcomed Councillor Tony Berry to his new position.
|
|
|
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 two minutes each and relate issues under the Committee’s remit. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no public questions. |
|
|
Member Questions To deal with written questions by Members, relating to issues under the Committee’s remit, with the maximum length of oral supplementary questions at Committee being no longer than one minute. Responses to any supplementary questions will be dealt with in writing if they cannot be dealt with at the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no Member questions. |
|
|
Medium Term Financial Strategy and Budget Proposals 2022-23 Purpose The Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy has been updated along with the associated budget proposals for 2022/23. Cabinet is asked to consider the draft proposals which will form the basis of public consultation.
Recommendations It is recommended that Cabinet (a) Approves the draft 2022/23 budget for consultation.
(b) Approves the transfer of the balances on the earmarked reserves at Annex B to the Council Priorities Fund. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Deputy Leader of the Council introduced the report which Cabinet noted addressed the position on Government funding and the subsequent need to increase Council revenue.
Cabinet noted the anticipated changes to business rates.
Scenario one anticipated that Government funding would equate to £6.4 million in 2022-23 which represented a reduction to the amount provided for the previous financial year.
Cabinet noted that it had been difficult to plan this budget due to the uncertainties around what the specific levels of Government funding would be.
It was further noted by Cabinet that the Council had achieved the previously unidentified savings targets and had also ensured that investment was made to fund the Council’s waste service.
Cabinet noted that a consultation on the budget would take place with residents. The consultation would be delivered using lessons learned from previous consultations. The aim was to engage with as many residents and businesses as possible. This would be achieve via the usage of several communication mediums. The consultation would run for six weeks, closing on 17 November.
Cabinet noted that the views of residents and businesses would help to shape the proposed budget. The Cabinet would shape the final version of the proposed budget in February 2022 before it was then formally considered by the Council.
It was further noted by Cabinet that one of the key aspects of this work would be seeking the views of residents around a potential change to the way in which car parking charges were delivered in the district.
Challenges facing the Council included a potential shortfall in car parking income. The Council was now having to meet the full costs of any revenue losses in this area after Government support had ceased.
Cabinet noted that this budget sought to deliver further savings in the region of £800k. Delivery of this budget would achieve a surplus of £180k (as per scenario 1).
Cabinet noted that further funding pressures were around the costs of retaining drivers, flooding, ICT and work in active Gloucestershire.
Cabinet noted that the Council would be seeking to recruit a Director of Governance which would replace the current part-time Monitoring Officer role. This appointment would compliment the current senior staff team.
Cabinet noted that funding would be made available to support climate action in local communities.
Cabinet noted that there would be a renewed focus on investing in order to generate revenue.
Cabinet noted the risks around investing in order to generate revenue, particularly as it was sometimes common for such exercises to take some time to realise revenue generation.
Cabinet further noted the risks associated with the planning of the budget including the unknown future impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and others outlined in the report.
Cabinet noted that businesses had been receptive to the Council’s strategy of providing employment opportunities to young people via technologically advanced businesses (including newly formed businesses). This was aligned with the green economic growth strategy.
Cabinet further noted the importance of acknowledging the impact of current and ... view the full minutes text for item 37. |
|
|
Issue(s) Arising From Overview and Scrutiny and/or Audit The Audit Committee considered the Internal Auditor’s Internal Audit Opinion report on 22 July 2021.
The Executive Summary from the internal audit review of the Council’s response to Covid-19 included an observation that a decision taken as a “matter of urgency” under the Council’s Constitution in August 2020 was not reported to “first available meeting of Council, Cabinet or relevant Committee, as appropriate.”
The Audit Committee determined that the decision should be reported to the next meeting of the Cabinet.
The decision taken was to remove the cash kiosk from the reception at the Trinity Road offices. The matter was urgent due to the timing constraints involved as notice needed to be provided to the supplier of the kiosk.
Cabinet are requested to note the urgent decision taken in August 2020. Additional documents: Minutes: Cabinet noted the urgent decision taken in August 2021. |
|
|
Property Acquisition - Cirencester Purpose To provide an update on negotiations to acquire a site in Cirencester as a strategic site for investment and redevelopment.
Recommendation That Members note the high level option appraisals prepared and agree that Officers proceed in line with the previous decisions and delegations to negotiate terms and acquire the site. Additional documents: Minutes: At this point of the meeting the Chair requested that members of the public now left before Cabinet formally considered agenda item 9 which was in relation to a property acquisition in Cirencester. The item was classed as exempt under Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972'.
Record of Voting - for 6, against 0, abstention 0, absent 2.
|