Ad-Hoc status:Carried
Resolution status:Carried
1.1 That Council approves Option 3 (as set out in Appendix C of the report) to be used as the basis for a revised (Working Age) Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2023/24.
1.2 That Council approves the introduction of an additional Local Council Tax Support award for 2023/24 of up to at least £25 per recipient where residual liability for Council Tax exists, as permitted under Section 13A (1) (c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.
1.3 That Council gives authority to the Director for Corporate Resources in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance to agree Local Discretionary Policy as permitted under Section 13A (1) (c) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 to determine the method of distribution for any funds remaining from the additional Council Tax Support Fund for 2023/24.
1) That the Treasury Management activity for the first six months of 2022/23 as set out in report JAC/21/38 and Appendices be noted.
2) That it be noted that Babergh District Council’s treasury management activity for the first six months of 2022/23 was in accordance with the approved Treasury Management Strategy, and that the Council has complied with all the Treasury Management Indicators for this period.
3.1 The Council agree the recommendations Appendix A
3.2 The Council note the reason in Appendix B that the Community Governance Review were unable to complete the review which is ongoing.
1.1. That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the report and requests that Officers take account of the comments made by Members.
1.2. That a review of the progress of the Strategy’s implementation plan be undertaken by the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee in January 2024.
2.1 That the draft budget assumptions as set out in the report, for the 2023/24 General Fund and Housing Revenue Account budgets be noted.
1.1 That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee notes the contents of the report and commends the work being undertaken in response to the Cost of Living crisis.
1.2 That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee supports the 30% uplift to Local Citizens Advice and the work being conducted as a result and recommends that this support continues for a further 2 years.
1.3 That the Councils facilitate a more collaborative approach between organisations by encouraging the promotion of joint working.
1.4 That Officers work with relevant agencies to understand the situation for young people under 25, specifically men, to build a proactive response to support them as an at-risk group.
1.5 That Cabinet and Officers explore how we can embed the cost of living into the culture of the organisation for all staff when working with residents across all departments as part of a more integrated system of support.
1.6 That a Joint All Member Briefing be arranged for all Councillors on the Cost of Living crisis with input from Local Citizens Advice.
1.1 That Overview and Scrutiny approves the Scrutiny/Cabinet protocol.
Ad-Hoc status:Rejected
It was RESOLVED: -
That the minutes of the meeting held on the 25 of April 2022 be confirmed as a true record.
1.1 That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny committee notes the CIFCO Business Plan and Business Trading and Performance and ask that the minutes of this meeting be taken into account at Full Council.
1.2 That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee is satisfied that the CIFCO Business Plan and Business Trading and Performance is robust for 2022 – 2023
Resolution status:Rejected
That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommend to Full Council that future CIFCO business plans are scrutinised by the Councils’ Joint Overview & Scrutiny Committee and only reported to Council if the Committee is not satisfied with the Company’s business plan and performance.
The motion was lost.
That the Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee approves the statement as detailed in paragraph 2.2 in the report.
1.1That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee compliments the officers on the report and presentation and recommend to Cabinet that the policy be adopted taking in to account the following recommendations:
1.2That Overview and Scrutiny considers that the maxim loan of £20k is insufficient and asked that Cabinet raise the level of loans and consider if a nominal rate of interest should be applied.
1.3That loans for works to improve for energy efficiency of homes should also be available.
1.4That the information in the communication plan is strengthened including publicity via Parish Council and local community groups and that a briefing note be circulated to Councillors when the policy is adopted.
1.5That Cabinet be asked to monitor the budget for empty homes this year and consider whether an increase is required for 2023/24.
1.6That further quantitative information is provided to members of the committee on the empty homes’ loans and the financial implications for the Councils.
1.7That close working is encouraged with the Homelessness Outreach officers.
That the Empty Homes workload be kept under review by Cabinet to explore additional funding options for an Empty homes officer.