Agenda and minutes
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Apologies Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillor Tony Dale. |
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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. |
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To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 10 January 2022. Additional documents: Minutes: Cabinet agreed that the following amendments would be made to the draft minutes:
At page 9 of the draft minutes, just above the word ‘RESOLVED’, the word ‘to’ should be replaced with the word ‘so’.
At page 12 of the draft minutes, at recommendation n), it should read ‘an update to the Parking Order’.
Councillor Mike Evemy proposed that the Cabinet approve the minutes of the 10 January 2022 meeting subject to the above amendments being made.
CouncillorEvemy made the proposal as he chaired the 10 January meeting on behalf of the Leader of the Council who had submitted apologies.
This was seconded by Councillor Rachel Coxcoon.
RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Meeting of Cabinet of 10 January 2022 be approved as a correct record subject to the relevant amendments being made.
Record of Voting – for: 5, against: 0, abstention: 2, absent: 1.
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Chair's Announcements (if any) Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair congratulated Her Royal Highness the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee (acknowledging the Royal ties associated with the District).
The Chair welcomed Councillor Thomas Stowe to the Council following the recent Campden and Vale election.
The Chair acknowledged the Local Plan Consultation (which was now live) and the associated importance of how this would shape the future of the District.
Cabinet noted the urgent decision which was taken by the Chief Executive in December 2021 in relation to the Household Support Fund.
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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 two minutes each and relate issues under the Committee’s remit. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no public questions. |
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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. |
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Medium Term Financial Strategy and Budget 2022/23 Purpose The purpose of this report is to present the budget for 2022/23.
Recommendation(s) That Cabinet a) considers: (i) the Budget proposals 2022/23, (ii) the Medium Term Financial Strategy, (iii) the Pay Policy Statement, (iv) the Capital Strategy (v) the Investment Strategy (vi) the Treasury Management Strategy; (vii) the opportunity to issue a £1 million Community Municipal Investment, with approve of the final terms being delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance; and b) Subject to any amendments it wishes to make, recommends the above set of documents to Council. c) Recommends the Local Council Tax Support Scheme as detailed at 2.61 to 2.63 for 2022/23 to Council. d) Subject to the Council approval of recommendation (c), Council delegates authority to the Deputy Chief Executive to approve the Local Council Tax Support Scheme annual uprating of allowances and non-dependant deductions in line with national regulations.
Additional documents:
Minutes:
The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report and addressed the Cabinet.
Cabinet noted that a Council decision on the 2022-23 budget would take place at the 16 February 2022 Full Council meeting.
Cabinet had considered the draft budget proposals in October 2021 with Members noting that a six week consultation on the proposed budget had also taken place.
Cabinet noted that both the Audit and Overview and Scrutiny Committees had also considered the draft budget. The Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance had attended both of these meetings.
Cabinet further noted that the budget proposals were outlined in detail within the appended report, but a significant factor which had shaped the budget included the Government Funding Settlement (which was provisional at this stage). The provisional figure reflected a funding cut of approximately £228,000. Once the exact figure was confirmed by the Government, the budget would be updated in readiness for consideration at Full Council on 16 February.
Cabinet noted that the Council Tax Base (the number of properties which would be issued with a Council Tax bill for 2022-23) was smaller than in this current year. The adoption of the revised Council Tax exemption rules would result in the Council collecting a higher amount of Council Tax during the 2022-23 municipal year. Cabinet noted the approximate revenue which would be collected during 2022-23.
Cabinet further noted the potential impact of interest rate rises during the coming year and also in future years.
Cabinet noted the financial impact of recycling collection, inflation within the Publica contract, the procurement of insurance and the procurement of renewable energy sources for the Council.
Cabinet further noted the savings which would be achieved via the reduction in contributions to the Gloucestershire Pension Fund.
Cabinet noted that approximately £800,000 of savings had been identified within the draft budget.
Cabinet noted that the Council was currently debt-free, although there was an expectation that some borrowing would be undertaken in the latter part of the financial year of around £500,000. The repayment of this loan had been included in the 2022-23 budget proposals.
Cabinet further noted that the future funding model for District Councils remained uncertain and so it was difficult to undertake detailed future financial planning. The Council’s future financial planning was currently based on an assumption that significant cuts in relation to Government funding were likely.
Cabinet noted the proposed municipal community investment scheme which would be utilised to support the Council’s investment in the clean and green space. Importantly, this would also deliver investment returns to community investors.
Cabinet noted that the leased coach park arrangements in relation to a facility at Bourton-on-the-Water had not been renewed when the term expired in October 2021 as there was no benefit to the Council or the residents of the District.
Cabinet noted that in relation to an inflation provision of 2.5%, this had resulted in a potential additional cost to the Council of £332,000.
Cabinet further ... view the full minutes text for item 92. |
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Discretionary Rate Relief - Business Rates (Expanded Retail Discount) Purpose To consider a scheme of rate relief for retail premises as outlined in by Government in the Autumn Statement 2021.
Recommendation(s) That Cabinet notes the contents of this report and endorses the following: a) Expanded Retail Discount as detailed in point 2 and Annex A;
b) That delegation for award of such relief is given to the Group Manager for Resident Services. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Mike Evemy introduced the report and addressed the Cabinet.
Cabinet noted that the Council would facilitate the payment of the Government provided grant funding to eligible businesses. These payment would be made to eligible businesses starting on 1 April 2022.
Cabinet noted that the Government eligibility criteria was mandatory and betting shops were included with those eligible businesses who could apply for rate relief.
Councillor Mike Evemy proposed that the Cabinet agreed to the recommendations as outlined in the report.
This was seconded by Councillor Rachel Coxcoon.
RESOLVED:
That Cabinet notes the contents of this report and endorses the following:
a) Expanded Retail Discount as detailed in point 2 and Annex A;
b) That delegation for award of such relief is given to the Group Manager for Resident Services.
Record of Voting – for: 7, against: 0, abstention: 0, absent: 1
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S13A Discretionary Council Tax Appeal Purpose To consider a S13A Discretionary Council Tax discount appeal application.
Recommendation(s) a) That Cabinet considers the appeal for Council Tax Discretionary discount submitted under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.
b) That Cabinet upholds the Cabinet Member decision for the reasons detailed in paragraphs 2.3, 3.1 and 6.2 of this report. Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor Mike Evemy introduced the report and addressed the Cabinet.
Cabinet noted the reasons for the original decision on this matter which were outlined at paragraph 3.1 of the report.
Cabinet further noted that the property was not the main residence of the applicant.
Cabinet commented that the existing policy in relation to Council Tax appeals was straightforward and therefore the recommendations outlined in the report were fair and appropriate.
Cabinet noted that discounts in relation to Council Tax had already been applied to this property and further discounts were not eligible as per the existing policy.
Councillor Mike Evemy abstained from the vote as Cabinet were voting on a decision previously taken by him at a Decision Making meeting on this matter.
Councillor Jenny Forde proposed that the Cabinet agreed to the recommendations as outlined in the report.
This was seconded by Councillor Andrew Doherty
RESOLVED: a) That Cabinet considers the appeal for Council Tax Discretionary discount submitted under Section 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992
b) That Cabinet upholds the Cabinet Member decision for the reasons detailed in paragraphs 2.3, 3.1 and 6.2 of this report
Record of Voting – for: 6, against: 0, abstention: 1, absent: 1.
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Covid 19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) Purpose To seek approval for the guidelines for the Council’s Covid19 Additional Relief Fund (CARF) Discretionary Relief to local business ratepayers.
Recommendation(s) That Cabinet: a) Approves the Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund Policy, attached at Annex A;
b) Approves a discount of 16 per cent to be applied to the eligible business rate accounts as set out in Annex B;
c) That authority to award further relief for the period to 30 September 2022 is delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive. Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor Mike Evemy introduced the report and addressed the Cabinet.
Cabinet noted that the Council would administer the funds attributed to the Relief Fund to eligible businesses within the District.
Cabinet further noted that the Council had utilised the criteria specified by the Government when formulating the policy to be used to determine the eligibility of businesses applying for funding.
Cabinet noted that significant grants (unrelated to this Fund) had already been distributed by the Council to businesses within the hospitality and retail sectors.
Cabinet acknowledged the work undertaken by Officers in ensuring that Government funding was efficiently and effectively provided to eligible businesses by the Council.
Councillor Mike Evemy proposed that the Cabinet agreed to the recommendations as outlined in the report.
This was seconded by Councillor Joe Harris.
RESOLVED:
That Cabinet:
a) Approves the Covid-19 Additional Relief Fund Policy, attached at Annex A;
b) Approves a discount of 16 per cent to be applied to the eligible business rate accounts as set out in Annex B;
c) That authority to award further relief for the period to 30 September 2022 is delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive.
Record of Voting – for: 7, against: 0, abstention: 0, absent: 1
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Planned Expenditure of the Homelessness Prevention Grant 2022-23 Purpose To consider the planned expenditure of the Homelessness Prevention Grant for 2021/22.
Recommendation(s) It is recommended that Cabinet:
a) Approves the expenditure detailed within paragraphs 2.1 to 2.8 of this report.
b) Approves the delegation of any amendments to these allocations to the Housing Manager in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness and the Deputy Chief Executive subject to compliance with the ring fenced grant conditions.
c) Approves the delegation of any other uplifts or grants that may be given over the financial year to contain Covid outbreaks or address increased demands on the Housing Service be given to the Housing Manager in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness and Deputy Chief Executive Officer subject to compliance with the ring fenced grant conditions as set out in 3.1 to 3.5. Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor Lisa Spivey introduced the report and addressed the Cabinet.
Cabinet noted the importance of ensuring that all efforts continued to be made to ensure that instances of homelessness were prevented wherever possible.
Cabinet further noted the work undertaken by Officers throughout the pandemic to ensure that vulnerable people were provided with appropriate accommodation, both on a short-term and longer term arrangements.
Cabinet noted the increasing inflation which would place further financial strain on those individuals and families on low incomes.
Cabinet noted the importance of ensuring all residents were placed in suitable accommodation.
Cabinet agreed that there needed to be a move nationally towards ensuring that short-term, expensive temporary accommodation was not utilised so heavily. Stable, longer term housing options were appropriate. This was the way in which the Council were approaching the housing requirements of its residents.
Cabinet noted that specific Officers were in place to ensure instances of homelessness did not occur and that all possible accommodation/housing options were utilised to the benefit of residents.
Cabinet further noted that the Council was committed to ensuring that the most vulnerable residents of the District were protected and provided with appropriate housing.
Councillor Lisa Spivey proposed that the Cabinet agreed to the recommendations as outlined in the report.
This was seconded by Councillor Joe Harris.
RESOLVED That Cabinet:
a) Approves the expenditure detailed within paragraphs 2.1 to 2.8 of this report.
b) Approves the delegation of any amendments to these allocations to the Housing Manager in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness and the Deputy Chief Executive subject to compliance with the ring fenced grant conditions.
c) Approves the delegation of any other uplifts or grants that may be given over the financial year to contain Covid outbreaks or address increased demands on the Housing Service be given to the Housing Manager in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness and Deputy Chief Executive Officer subject to compliance with the ring fenced grant conditions as set out in 3.1 to 3.5.
Record of Voting – for: 7, against: 0, abstention: 0, absent: 1.
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Freedom of Information Act Requests Update Purpose A report to update members on the Council’s process for management for Freedom of Information Requests.
Recommendation(s) It is recommended that Cabinet:
a) Notes the report;
b) Acknowledges that quarterly statistics are now being published online; and
c) Agrees that all freedom of information requests will be published on the Councils website with effect from March 2022. Additional documents:
Minutes: Councillor Joe Harris introduced the report.
Cabinet noted the importance of greater transparency and openness in relation to Council decisions and public access to information.
Cabinet noted the steps taken by the current administration including the installation of a webcasting system to make Council meetings more accessible to the general public.
All Council payments above £500 were available to view on the website.
In relation to Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, the Council would be publishing information released following previous requests. It was important that the public could access information quickly and easily and the Council wanted to move to a position whereby FOI requests were not required via the publication of additional information.
Councillor Joe Harris proposed that Cabinet agreed the recommendations as set out in the report.
This was seconded by Councillor Mike Evemy.
RESOLVED that Cabinet: a) Notes the report;
b) Acknowledges that quarterly statistics are now being published online; and
c) Agrees that all freedom of information requests will be published on the councils website with effect from March 2022.
Record of Voting – for: 7, against: 0, abstention: 0, absent: 1. |
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Purpose To decide whether the Council should participate in a group buying solar panel discount scheme, enabled by a private sector company and in collaboration with Wiltshire Council and Swindon Borough Council, to provide Cotswold homeowners with easy-to-access, discounted, quality assured, domestic rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) installations.
Recommendation(s) That Cabinet:
a) approves in principle participation in a ‘Solar Together Cotswold’ initiative, subject to officers’ further due diligence and advice from legal services
b) delegates authority to the Chief Executive to enter the contract, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Forward Planning, and the Deputy Leader/Cabinet Member for Finance.
c) approves funding of £5,000 from the revenue earmarked reserve set aside for climate studies to fund the promotion of the scheme. Additional documents: Minutes: Cabinet agreed that this item would be deferred to a future meeting due to further information being required before a decision could be taken. |
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Schedule of Decisions taken by the Leader of the Council and/or Individual Cabinet Members Additional documents: Minutes: Cabinet noted the decisions taken by the Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Forward Planning and the Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance. |
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Issue(s) Arising From Overview and Scrutiny and/or Audit Additional documents: Minutes: There were no issues arising from Overview and Scrutiny or Audit.
Meeting closed at 7.16pm |