Agenda and minutes
PDF 108 KBVenue: CDC Trinity Road, Cirencester GL7 1PX
Contact: Democratic Services
Media
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Apologies Additional documents: |
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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 meeting of the Committee held on 3 October 2022. Additional documents: Minutes: Minute 18 (para 2) “…and the development of disabled access hanging places.”, changed to “…and the development of disabled access changing places and toilets.” Minute 43 “There were no Public Questions”, changed to “There were no Member Questions” Minute 46 “The number of missed binned had halved….”, changed to “The number of missed bins had halved…” “The revenue figure showed a very small underspend…”, changed to The revenue figure showed a very small projected underspend…” “Share Prosperity Fund bid…”, changed to “UK Shared Prosperity Fund…”
The Leader had also referred a number of agenda formatting changes and minor spelling corrections in reports to Democratic Services for amendment.
RESOLVED: Cabinet approved the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet of 3 October 2022 as a correct record subject to the relevant amendments being made.
Voting Record – For 8, Against 0, Abstention 0, Absent 0 |
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Chair's Announcements Additional documents: Minutes: There were no announcements from the Chair.
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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 within the Cabinet’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 within the Cabinet’s remit, with the maximum length of oral supplementary questions at Cabinet 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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Council Tax Support Scheme Purpose To present the results of the public consultation on proposals for revising the current Council Tax Support scheme with effect from 1 April 2023
Recommendation That Cabinet resolves to: a) Recommend to Council to approve the increase to income bands as detailed within paragraph 2.8 and Annex B of this report from 1 April 2023. Additional documents: |
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Counter Fraud and Anti-Corruption Policy approval Purpose To present Cabinet with an updated Counter Fraud and Anti-Corruption Policy for approval.
The Policy has been reviewed to ensure the content reflects current legislation and the Council’s Policies and Procedures. The Policy will replace the existing Counter Fraud and Anti-Corruption Policy.
Recommendations That Cabinet resolves to: a) Approve and adopt the Policy attached to this report and; b) Authorise the Deputy Chief Executive to approve future minor amendments to the Policy in consultation with the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit, Legal Services and the Cabinet Member for Finance Additional documents: Minutes: The purpose of the report was to present Cabinet with an updated Counter Fraud and Anti-Corruption Policy for approval.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report and summarised the changes to the updated Policy
Cabinet noted that the Policy has been reviewed to ensure the content reflected current legislation and the Council’s Policies and Procedures and would replace the existing Counter Fraud and Anti-Corruption Policy.
Cabinet noted that the updated Policy had been referred to the Audit Committee who had considered and endorsed the recommendations.
RESOLVED: The Cabinet agreed to approve and adopt the Counter Fraud and Anti-Corruption Policy and authorised the Deputy Chief Executive to approve future minor amendments to the Policy in consultation with the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit, Legal Services and the Cabinet Member for Finance.
Voting Record – For 8, Against 0, Abstentions, Absent 0 |
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Long Term Council Tax Empty Premium Exemption on Proposed Demolition Properties Purpose For Cabinet to consider the removal of the Long Term Empty Premium on individual Bromford properties that have been or are pending demolition.
Recommendations That Cabinet resolves to: a) Approve the removal of the four Long Term Empty Premiums on properties in Cross Tree Crescent, Kempsford until 1 April 2023; b) Approve the removal of the four Long Term Empty Premiums on properties in Stockwells, Moreton in Marsh; c) Approve the removal of the three Long Term Empty Premiums on properties in Berkeley Close, South Cerney for a 12 month period; and, d) Delegate authority to the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, the suspension of further Long Term Empty Premiums being applied on the sites as detailed in paragraph 2.9 of this report. Additional documents: Minutes: The purpose of the report was for Cabinet to consider the removal of the Long Term Empty Premium on individual Bromford properties that have been, or are pending, demolition.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report and provided context for the proposed removal of increased Council Tax premiums usually added to properties left empty for long periods.
Cabinet noted the properties affected were all owned by Bromford Housing and scheduled for demolition to enable redevelopment that had taken longer than expected.
Cabinet noted that the same approach to the Removal of Long Term Empty Premiums would apply to privately owned properties that were compulsorily purchased.
Cabinet noted that the proposal was specific to the properties listed and time limited and as such was not a blanket policy that could be exploited by individuals with multiple properties to avoid paying Long Term Empty Premiums if/when these were left empty.
RESOLVED: Cabinet agreed to approve the removal of the four Long Term Empty Premiums on properties in Cross Tree Crescent, Kempsford until 1 April 2023, approve the removal of four Long Term Empty Premiums on properties in Stockwells, Moreton in Marsh, three Long Term Empty Premiums on properties in Berkeley Close, South Cerney for a 12 month period and delegate authority to the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, the suspension of further Long Term Empty Premiums being applied on the sites as detailed in paragraph 2.9 of this report
Voting Record – For: 8, Against, 0, Abstentions 0, Absent 0 |
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Recovery Investment Strategy Purpose To rescind the Recovery Investment Strategy.
Recommendation That Cabinet recommends to Council to: a) Rescind the Recovery Investment Strategy for the reasons as set out in this report. Additional documents: Minutes: The purpose of this report was to rescind the current Recovery Investment Strategy.
The Cabinet Member for the Economy and Transformation introduced the report and provided context and the circumstances that had caused the Cabinet to conclude that the Recovery Investment Strategy should be rescinded.
Cabinet noted that the strategy had been developed with a number of visionary and ambitious initiatives that would deliver funds that would underpin Corporate Priorities and enable Council services to be supported. Unfortunately, the Government’s ‘mini-budget’ on 23 September 2022 had a catastrophic effect on financial markets, caused huge spikes in gilt yields, dramatic falls in the value of sterling, increased interest rates and brought about a period of unprecedented political and financial instability.
Cabinet stated that during the current period of financial instability, the proposed investments within the strategy could no longer be reasonably expected to deliver strong anticipated rates of return, and the current Recovery Invest Strategy should therefore be rescinded.
Cabinet noted that the corporate priorities were unchanged and, although it was recommended that the strategy was rescinded, important investment opportunities supporting these would still be considered, developed and initiated where these made sound financial sense and strong business cases could be established.
Cabinet noted that financial returns on future investments may take longer to deliver during a challenging financial period.
Cabinet noted that the Council’s only current borrowing was £500k (at 2.5%) that had funded the Cotswold Climate Investment, delivering Electric Vehicle Charging Points and reducing the carbon impact of the Council’s building.
RESOLVED: Cabinet agreed to recommend that Council rescinded the Recovery Investment Strategy, for the reasons as set out in the report
Voting Record – For 8, Against 0, Abstention 0, Absent 0 |
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Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy Purpose To present to Cabinet for approval the Council’s draft budget proposals for 2023/24 together with a refresh of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) forecasts. These proposals will form the basis of public consultation starting in November 2022.
Recommendations That Cabinet resolves to: (a) Approve the draft 2023/24 revenue budget for consultation. (b) Note the potential use of general fund and earmarked reserves to balance the budget for 2023/24 Additional documents:
Minutes: The purpose of the report was to present to Cabinet for approval the Council’s draft budget proposals for 2023/24 together with a refresh of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) forecasts. These proposals would form the basis of public consultation starting in November 2022.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report and provided context for its revised format that provided three potential budget scenarios. This was due to recent periods of political paralysis, that removed clarity and certainty over future levels of Council funding, followed by periods of unprecedented financial instability and increases in inflation and energy and fuel costs.
Cabinet noted that on a current budget of £12.5m, taking the middle scenario an additional £3m will be needed to meet the Council’s increased costs for 2023/24.
Cabinet noted that the £3m additional costs were driven in part by the additional cost of running leisure services, increasing cyber security, running elections, paying for energy and maintaining Waste Services.
Cabinet noted that the £3m additional costs will be offset from savings delivered by Publica, savings delivered by Ubico, savings delivered by CDC Corporate Expenditure, increasing fees and charges (in consultation) with any shortfall met by transfer from Council reserves.
RESOLVED: Cabinet approved the draft 2023/24 revenue budget for consultation, and noted the potential use of general fund and earmarked reserves to balance the budget for 2023/24.
Voting Record – For 8, Against 0, Abstentions 0, Absent 0 |
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Rural England Prosperity Fund Purpose To inform Cabinet of the Council’s indicative allocation of funding under the Rural England Prosperity Fund, to seek in principle approval of the overall approach to use of that funding and to seek delegated authority to finalise the submission to Government which is due by 30th November.
Recommendations That Cabinet resolves to: a) Note the Council’s indicative allocation of £764,292 from the Government’s Rural Prosperity Fund; b) Approve the proposed approach to the use of the fund set out in Section 4 of this report; c) Delegate authority to the Chief Executive to finalise the submission to Government in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy and Council Transformation. Additional documents: Minutes: The purpose of the report was to inform Cabinet of the Council’s indicative allocation of funding under the Rural England Prosperity Fund, to seek in principle approval of the overall approach to use of that funding, and to seek delegated authority to finalise the submission to Government which was due by 30th November.
The Cabinet Member for Economy and Transformation introduced the report and confirmed that the fund was for capital expenditure to improve lower productivity, poor connectivity and access to key services.
Cabinet noted that around 60 businesses and groups had responded to the call for interest for this funding
RESOLVED: Cabinet noted the Council’s indicative allocation of £764,292 from the Government’s Rural Prosperity Fund, approved the proposed approach to the use of the fund set out in Section 4 of this report and delegated authority to the Chief Executive to finalise the submission to Government in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Economy and Council Transformation
Voting Record – For: 8, Against: 0, Abstention: 0, Absent: 0 |
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Response to warm places motion and funding to support cost of living crisis Purpose: To set out how the Council is responding to the Cost of Living and Warm Places Motions and to make recommendations for funding allocations for specific initiatives.
Council on 21 September 2022 resolved to refer the following motion to the November Cabinet to feed into the key objectives and requirements of the wider Cost Of Living Working Group that will report to the November Council meeting:
Motion on providing warm places for people struggling to heat their homes during the day. Proposed by Cllr Gina Blomefield; seconded by Cllr Sue Jepson:
We are all keenly aware that many people and especially those who are elderly pensioners, disabled or in some way vulnerable will find it challenging to keep their homes sufficiently warm during the day as well as at night this winter due to the soaring costs of energy.
Some of the councils around the country are already making contingency plans to open ‘public warm spaces’ where those in most need can go during the day safe in the knowledge that they will be warm and cared for.
Many of the parish halls, church rooms and other community buildings such as libraries, leisure centres and museums in the Cotswolds including CDC’s offices could be used in the same way by enlisting the support of parish and town councils, faith organisations, community and the voluntary sector to organise this. They would also be able to offer warm drinks or soup as well as advice on how to obtain help with energy related problems.
We suggest this would provide wonderful humanitarian support for some of the most vulnerable in our communities and recommend a simple process is agreed to fund this vitally needed help by identifying available grants to enable financial assistance to organisations prepared to get involved.
We ask that the agreement at the last Full Council for a cross party working group to be set up should be done urgently to implement ‘public warm places’ and also to look at other ways to help our Cotswold residents most negatively impacted by unaffordable heating and living costs.
Recommendations: That Cabinet resolves to: a) Note the response to the Cost of Living and Warm Places Motion detailed in this report and, b) Recommend to Council to agree to allocate match funding of £20,000 for the Council Tax Hardship Fund from the balance of the Covid-19 Hardship Fund earmarked reserve, and, c) Recommend to Council to agree to allocate £40,000 from the Council Priorities Fund towards establishing a Food Network.
Additional documents: Minutes: The purpose of the report was to set out how the Council was responding to the Cost of Living and Warm Places Motion, proposed by Councillor Gina Blomefield, and to make recommendations for funding allocations for specific initiatives.
The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing introduced the report and updated Cabinet on the decision to create a Cost of Living Working Group and summarised the work that it had been completed.
Cabinet noted that Council on 21 September 2022 had resolved to refer the Warm Places Motion to November Cabinet to feed into the key objectives and requirements of the wider Cost Of Living Working Group that will report to the November Council meeting.
Cabinet noted that the Group had focused on further building the resilience of communities so that help could be provided at a very local level and on ensuring people knew where to go for help, using Cotswold Matters, Council newsletters and the Council’s website and social media to communicate and signpost to organisations and places offering support.
RESOLVED: Cabinet noted the response to the Cost of Living and Warm Places Motion detailed in this report, recommended to Council to agree to allocate match funding of £20,000 for the Council Tax Hardship Fund from the balance of the Covid-19 Hardship Fund earmarked reserve, and recommended to Council to agree to allocate £40,000 from the Council Priorities Fund towards establishing a Food Network.
Voting Record – For: 8, Against: 0, Abstention: 0, Absent: 0
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Schedule of Decisions taken by the Leader of the Council and/or Individual Cabinet Members Purpose: To note the decisions taken by Individual Cabinet Members. Additional documents: Minutes: Decisions taken by the Cabinet Member for Economy and Transformation and the Cabinet member for Development Management and Licensing were noted. |
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Issue(s) Arising from Overview and Scrutiny and/or Audit Purpose: To consider any issues or recommendations arising from meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and/or the Audit Committee.
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no issues arising from Overview and Scrutiny or Audit Committees |
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Purpose To seek agreement to enter into a Collaboration Agreement with Bromford Housing Association to facilitate the delivery of carbon zero affordable homes on land at Broadleaze, Down Ampney and other future sites and to agree to the transfer of the above land for development within the terms of the Collaboration Agreement.
Recommendations That Cabinet resolves to: (a) Enter into a Collaboration Agreement with Bromford Housing Association to deliver carbon zero affordable homes, based on the delivery, management and ownership terms set out in the Agreement. (b) Delegate authority for the final negotiation on the terms of the Collaboration Agreement and any subsequent variations to it, to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance. (c) Agree to proceed, subject to planning permission being granted, with the development of the site at Broadleaze, Down Ampney in partnership with Bromford Housing Association to deliver carbon zero affordable homes. (d) Agree, based on indicative costs, to fund the gap in funding and to delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance to agree the final contribution, based on funding within the MTFS and capital receipt from the Sale of the Cotswold Club. (e) Enter into a Collaboration Agreement with Bromford Housing Association to enable them to submit a planning application including land at this site that is in both the Council’s ownership (vacant plot) and Bromford’s ownership (adjacent garages). (f) Allocate a further £10,000 for legal costs in the completion of the legal agreements. (g) Agree to transfer the land at Broadleaze, Down Ampney to Bromford Housing Association once planning permission has been granted, a Collaboration Agreement signed and financial terms for the development agreed.
Additional documents: Minutes: The purpose of the report was to seek agreement to enter into a Collaboration Agreement with Bromford Housing Association to facilitate the delivery of carbon zero affordable homes on land at Broadleaze, Down Ampney and other future sites and to agree to the transfer of the above land for development within the terms of the Collaboration Agreement.
The Leader of the Council introduced the report and summarised the reasons for entering into a collaboration agreement with Bromford Housing Association in order to deliver Carbon Zero Affordable Homes.
Cabinet noted that the Leader of the Council requested that the Chief Executive ensure that all legal agreements and/or planning controls were explored to ensure that all of the homes remain as housing for social rent in perpetuity, and the Chief Executive agreed that this would be done.
RESOLVED: Cabinet agreed to: (a) Enter into a Collaboration Agreement with Bromford Housing Association to deliver carbon zero affordable homes, based on the delivery, management and ownership terms set out in the Agreement. (b) Delegate authority for the final negotiation on the terms of the Collaboration Agreement and any subsequent variations to it, to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance. (c) Proceed, subject to planning permission being granted, with the development of the site at Broadleaze, Down Ampney in partnership with Bromford Housing Association to deliver carbon zero affordable homes. (d) Based on indicative costs, to fund the gap in funding and to delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance to agree the final contribution, based on funding within the MTFS and capital receipt from the Sale of the Cotswold Club. (e) Enter into a Collaboration Agreement with Bromford Housing Association to enable them to submit a planning application including land at this site that is in both the Council’s ownership (vacant plot) and Bromford’s ownership (adjacent garages). (f) Allocate a further £10,000 for legal costs in the completion of the legal agreements. (g) Agree to transfer the land at Broadleaze, Down Ampney to Bromford Housing Association once planning permission has been granted, a Collaboration Agreement signed and financial terms for the development agreed.
Voting Record – For: 8, Against: 0, Abstention: 0, Absent: 0 |
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Matters exempt from publication If Cabinet wishes to exclude the press and the public from the meeting during consideration of any of the items on the exempt from publication part of the agenda, it will be necessary for Cabinet to pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 4(2)(b) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 on the grounds that their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.
Additional documents: Minutes: Cabinet did not exclude the press and public from the Committee meeting as they did not discuss the contents from the exempt annexes |
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Exempt Annexes for Item 15: Delivery of carbon zero affordable homes through a collaboration agreement with Bromford Housing Association and the transfer of land at Broadleaze, Down Ampney Additional documents:
Minutes: Cabinet did not exclude the press and public from the Committee meeting as they did not discuss the contents from the exempt annexes. |