Agenda and minutes
PDF 110 KBVenue: the Council Chamber - Council Offices, Trinity Road, Cirencester, GL7 1PX. View directions
Contact: Democratic Services
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Apologies To receive any apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillors Gina Blomefield and Jon Wareing.
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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 none from Members or Officers present.
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To confirm the minutes of the meeting of Council held on 24 January 2024. Additional documents:
Minutes: The minutes from the Council meeting on 24 January 2024 were considered as part of the document pack.
Councillor Twells noted that a response had not been provided to the supplementary question presented to Councillor Evemy. In response, Councillor Evemy apologised for the delay and confirmed a response would be provided within 24 hours. This response was subsequently given to Councillor Twells and a copy provided within the Member Questions Annex.
There were no further changes presented.
RESOLVED: That subject to the changes being made, the minutes of the Full Council meeting on 24 January 2024 be approved as an accurate record.
Voting Record
25 For, 0 Against, 6 Abstain, 3 Absent/Did not vote
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Announcements from the Chair, Leader of Chief Executive (if any) To receive any announcements from the Chair of Council, Leader/Deputy Leader of the Council and/or the Chief Executive Officer. Additional documents: Minutes: The Chair began announcements by welcoming Members to the Budget meeting and noted that there was likely to be robust debate around the future direction of the Council. However, the Chair reminded Members that the Budget was for the benefit of all residents in the District.
The Chair also apologised to Members for the issues identified with the hardcopy of the papers. It was explained that this was a problem with the external printers used and that printing for Members would soon be brought back in-house.
It was highlighted that the Local Plan Update consultation events were taking place in-person and through the survey online. It was also noted that the Car Parking Survey was still live for the public to engage with.
The Chair also reminded members of the Cirencester Pantry’s first anniversary and encouraged Members to attend.
The Chair then explained that the next meeting start time was currently set at 2pm which had been raised as a concern by Members who were also Gloucestershire County Councillors because the County Council’s Full Council meeting had been scheduled to start at 10pm on the same day.
The Chair, following consultation with Officers, proposed that the Full Council meeting start time be moved to 6pm. The Vice-Chair then seconded this proposal and was moved to a vote.
RESOLVED: That the start time for the Full Council meeting on 20 March 2024 be moved to 6pm.
Voting Record
20 For, 9 Against, 2 Abstention, 3 Absent/Did not vote
The Leader’s announcements began with apologies for absence for the previous meeting of full Council due to Local Government Association business.
It was also announced that the new portrait of King Charles III was hung on the wall of the Chamber and that the wishes of Council would be with the King during treatment for cancer.
The Leader also wished to invite Members to the unveiling of the mosaic at Brewery Court, Cirencester. It was noted that a lot of work had been done to renovate Brewery Court.
The Leader also wished for Members to encourage residents to participate in the Local Plan Update and Cirencester Masterplan consultations. The Leader also asked Members to encourage Town and Parish Councillors to engage with the Town and Parish Forum.
The Chief Executive then spoke and wished to thank officers for their work in compiling the Budget papers ahead of the meeting.
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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 Council’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 Chair 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: The first public question was from Tony Berry to the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance. It was reminded that the Council had changed its decision regarding the Kemble Community Gardens from housing to a green space on the basis of the financial implications presented. It was noted that the land value was £0.3 million, and that it was estimated there would be a capital write down of around £1 million. The Deputy Leader was asked if this was included in the budget and if not, why not?
Councillor Evemy noted that this land would part of the Asset Management Strategy which was being compiled. It was noted that the value of the land was dependent on development. The Deputy Chief Executive added that the value had been updated for the 2022/23 accounts following the report presented to Cabinet which agreed the change of purpose. It was noted that the ultimate value would be determined at the point of transaction and this would be clear as part of statement of accounts but would have no direct impact on the Council’s revenue budget.
Chris Snowden then asked a question regarding the measurement of climate change actions by local authorities by Climate Change UK and how many had been completed. It was noted that the Council’s completed climate change actions were below the average, particularly in areas such as biodiversity. It was asked what steps the Council was taking to improve its performance against these targets. Councillor McKeown answered on behalf of the Cabinet and noted the launch of the internal Climate Board to coordinate specific actions, Cotswold Home Solar initiatives, Electric Vehicle Charging point installation and the Trinity Road Solar PV panels which would help the Council meet its commitment to tackle the climate emergency. However, it was noted that there was more to do to improve the Council’s position within the funding constraints.
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Member Questions A Member of the Council may ask the Chair, the Leader, a Cabinet Member or the Chair of any Committee 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 Chair 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
No Member Questions have been submitted prior to the publication of the agenda. Additional documents: Minutes: There were no Member Questions.
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Future of the Old Station and Memorial Cottages, Cirencester Purpose To seek agreement and allocation of funding to carry out structural works to rebuild an unstable wall at the Old Station, Cirencester.
Recommendation That Council resolves to: 1. Approve to carry out the works to rebuild the unstable wall at The Old Station, utilising £158,000 of capital budget from the Asset Management Strategy capital scheme. Additional documents: Minutes: The purpose of the report was to seek agreement and allocation of funding to carry out structural works to rebuild an unstable wall at the Old Station, Cirencester.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance proposed the recommendations and outlined the following points:
There were questions about in interest in the building other than from New Brewery Arts. The Deputy Leader noted that following the decision, expressions of interest would be sought.
There were assurances given that the work being undertaken was being done in line with the planning permission given and that conservation officers would ensure the work was suitable.
Councillor Joe Harris seconded the recommendations and made the following points:
RESOLVED: That Council: 1. APPROVED to carry out the works to rebuild the unstable wall at The Old Station, utilising £158,000 of capital budget from the Asset Management Strategy capital scheme.
Voting Record
31 For, 0 Against, 0 Abstention, 3 Absent/Did not vote
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2024/25 Revenue Budget, Capital Programme And Medium-Term Financial Strategy Purpose The purpose of this report is to present the budget for 2024/25.
Recommendations That Council resolves to approve: 1. the Medium-Term Financial Strategy set out in Annex B 2. the Savings and Transformation items for inclusion in the budget, set out in Annex C 3. the Council Tax Requirement of £6,596,721 for this Council 4. the Council Tax level for Cotswold District Council purposes of £153.93 for a Band D property in 2024/25 (an increase of £5) 5. the Capital Programme, set out in Annex D 6. the Annual Capital Strategy 2024/25, as set out in Annex E 7. the Annual Treasury Management Strategy and Non-Treasury Management Investment Strategy 2024/25, as set out in Annex F 8. the Strategy for the Flexible use of Capital Receipts, as set out in Annex H 9. the balances and reserves forecast for 2024/25 to 2027/28 as set out in Section 6 of the report. 10. the Council Tax Support scheme recommended by Cabinet summarised in paragraphs 7.29 and 7.30 of this report
Additional documents:
Minutes: The purpose of the report was to present the budget for 2024/25
The Chair introduced this item by reminding Members and the public watching that the Budget Council Protocol was attached to the document pack and would be followed in setting the Council’s budget.
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Councillor Evemy, was then invited to propose the administration’s budget. In doing so, he outlined the following points:
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Council Tax 2024/25 Purpose To set the Council Tax for 2024/25.
Recommendations Council is recommended that (subject to confirmation of Gloucestershire County Council’s precept): 1) for the purposes of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 Section 35(2), there are no special expenses for the District Council in 2024/25; 2) it be noted that, using their delegated authority, the Deputy Chief Executive calculated the Council Tax Base for 2024/25: (a) for the whole Council area as 42,855.33 [item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”)]; and (b) for dwellings in those parts of its area to which a Parish Precept relates as in the attached Schedule 1. 3) the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2024/25 (excluding Parish Precepts) is £153.93. 4) the following amounts be calculated for the year 2024/25 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act: (a) £47,469,352 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A (2) of the Act, taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils and any additional special expenses. (b) £36,246,995 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A (3) of the Act. (c) £11,222,349 being the amount by which the aggregate at 4(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 4(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its Council Tax requirement for the year (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act). (d) £261.87 being the amount at 4(c) above (Item R), all divided by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish Precepts and Special Expenses); (e) £4,625,628 being the aggregate amount of all special items (Parish Precepts and Special Expenses) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act as per the attached Schedule 2. (f) £153.93 being the amount at 4(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 4(e) above by Item T(2(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no Parish Precept or special item relates; (g) the amounts shown in Schedule 2 being the amounts given by adding to the amount at 4(f) above, the amounts of the special item or items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area shown in Schedule 2 divided in each case by the amount at 2(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 34(3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which one or more special items relate; (h) the amounts shown in Schedule 3 being ... view the full agenda text for item 22. Additional documents: Minutes: The purpose of the report was to set the Council Tax for 2024/25
The Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report and made the following points:
Councillor Wilkinson seconded the report and made the following points:
It was noted by Council that this report was in many respects a formality to agree the overall Council Tax levels.
The Chair then moved to the vote on the report recommendations proposed by Councillor Evemy and seconded by Councillor Wilkinson.
RESOLVED: That Council AGREED
1) for the purposes of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 Section 35(2), there are no special expenses for the District Council in 2024/25;
2) it be noted that, using their delegated authority, the Deputy Chief Executive calculated the Council Tax Base for 2024/25:
(a) for the whole Council area as 42,855.33 [item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”)]; and
(b) for dwellings in those parts of its area to which a Parish Precept relates as in the attached Schedule 1.
3) the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2024/25 (excluding Parish Precepts) is £153.93.
4) the following amounts be calculated for the year 2024/25 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:
(a) £47,469,352 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A (2) of the Act, taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils and any additional special expenses.
(b) £36,246,995 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A (3) of the Act.
(c) £11,222,349 being the amount by which the aggregate at 4(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 4(b) above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its Council Tax requirement for the year (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act).
(d) £261.87 being the amount at 4(c) above (Item R), all divided by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish Precepts and Special Expenses);
(e) £4,625,628 being the aggregate amount of all special items (Parish Precepts and Special Expenses) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act as per the attached Schedule 2.
(f) £153.93 being the amount ... view the full minutes text for item 22. |
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Notice of Motions No motions have been submitted for the meeting. Additional documents: Minutes: No motions had been received for this session of Full Council.
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Matters exempt from publication If Council 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 Council to pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 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.
Council may maintain the exemption if and so long as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.
Additional documents: Minutes: Council did not enter private session. |
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Exempt Annex for Agenda Item 9 Minutes: Council did not enter private session to consider the annex within the meeting. |
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Next meeting The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 20 March 2024 at 2pm. Additional documents: Minutes: The next meeting was confirmed to be on 20 March at the amended time of 6pm.
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