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Apologies for absence Minutes: An apology for absence was received from Councillors Paul Ekpenyong, Charles Flatman, Kathie Guthrie, Lavinia Hadingham, Anne Killett, and David Whybrow. |
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To receive any declarations of pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests by Members Minutes: Councillor Glen Horn declared a non-pecuniary interest in Item 9 by way of being Chairman of the Museum of East Anglian Life and Heritage. |
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C/01/17 - Confirmation of the Minutes of the meeting held on 22 December 2016 PDF 225 KB Minutes: Report C/01/17
The Minutes of the meeting held on 22 December 2016 were confirmed as a correct record.
By a unanimous vote
RESOLUTION
The Minutes of the meeting held on 22 December 2016 be confirmed as a correct record. |
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C/02/17 - Chairman's Announcements PDF 63 KB Minutes: Report C/02/17 Councillor Elizabeth Gibson- Harries
The Chairman attended local farmer Malcolm Easey’s funeral, which was attended by over 600 guests.
The Chairman thanked Councillor Haley for attending the Visit to Sheltered Housing Scheme with her.
The report was noted. |
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To receive notification of petitions in accordance with Council Procedure Rules In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, The Chief Executive will report the receipt of any petitions. There can be no debate or comment upon these matters at the Council meeting.
A petition signed by 107 residents was received regarding Application 4810/16: Erection of a 17.5m tall lattice mast with 3 no. telecommunications antennae and 2 no. dishes. The petition was presented to Development Control Committee A at its meeting on 18 January 2017 when the application was considered. Minutes: A petition signed by 107 residents had been received regarding the erection of a 17.5 meter tall lattice mast with 3 telecommunications antennae and 2 dishes.
In accordance with the Petition Scheme the petition had been dealt with as a Consultation Petition lodged in response to invitations for representation in connection with planning application 4810/16.
Notification of the petition was received at Development Control Committee A on 18 January 2017.
The petition was noted.
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Questions by the Public The Chairmen of Committees to answer any questions from the public of which notice has been given no later than midday three clear working days before the day of the meeting in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11. Minutes: No questions had been received. |
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Questions by Councillors The Chairman of the Council, the Chairman of Committees and Sub-Committees and Portfolio Holders to answer any questions on any matters in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affect the District of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 12. Minutes: No questions had been received. |
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Recommendations from Committees PDF 752 KB Joint Treasury Management Strategy 2017/18 (Paper JAC93 - Joint Audit and Standards Committee - 23 January 2017 and Executive Committee - 6 February 2017)
At its meeting on 6 February 2017, the Executive Committee considered Paper jac93 and accepted the recommendations of the Joint Audit and Standards Committee as set out in the report.
Recommended to council
(1) That the key factors and information relating to and affecting treasury management activities set out in Appendix A and B be noted. (2) That the following be approved: (a) The Treasury Management Policy Statement set out in Appendix C (b) The Treasury Management Strategy for 2017/18, including the Annual Investment Strategy as set out in Appendix D (c) The Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision Statement set out in Appendix G and H.
Minutes: Joint Treasury Management Strategy 2017/18 (Paper JAC93 – Joint Audit and Standards Committee – 23 January 2017 and Executive Committee – 6 February 2017)
Report JAC93 Assistant Director Corporate Resources
The report was introduced by Councillor Suzie Morley, who informed Members that the report had been to the Joint Audit & Standards Committee on 23 January 2017 and to Executive Committee on 6 February 2017. Both Committees accepted the recommendations and resolved them to Council.
The motion was proposed by Councillor Suzie Morley and seconded by Councillor Nick Gowrley.
Councillor Penny Otton drew members’ attention to page 38 and stated that she thought that the Council should not have any investments in Ireland or any other overseas Country for tax purposes.
By 29 votes to 0, 4 abstentions
RESOLUTION 1
That the key factors and information relating to and affecting treasury management activities set out In Appendix A and B be noted.
RESOLUTION 2
That the following be approved:
(a) The Treasury Management Policy Statement set out in Appendix C.
(b) The Treasury Management Strategy for 2017/18, including the Annual Investment Strategy as set out in Appendix D.
(c) The Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision Statement set out in Appendix G and H.
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C/03/17 - Joint Medium Term Financial Strategy and 2017/18 Budget PDF 693 KB In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 18.3, immediately after any vote is taken at a budget decision meeting of the Council the names of Councillors who cast a vote for the decision or against the decision or who abstained from voting shall be recorded in the Minutes of that meeting.
At its meeting on 6 February 2017, Executive Committee considered Paper X/11/17, together with amendments to the General Fund Appendix B and the HRA Budget in paragraph 19.1 and Appendix D.
Paper C/03/17 now includes all the relevant updated information, together with the necessary recommendations, with the exception of two Parish precept notifications which remain outstanding and the final Local Government Finance Settlement. Further details will be reported at the meeting.
Additional documents:
Minutes: Report C/0317 Assistant Director Corporate Resources
In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 18.3, immediately after any vote is taken at a budget decision meeting of the Council the names of Councillors, who cast a vote for the decision or against the decision or who abstained from voting shall be recorded in the Minutes of that meeting.
The Chairman informed Members that a revised Appendix F replaced pages 79 to 87 in the Agenda.
Councillor John Whitehead introduced Report C/03/17 and informed members of the main points in the Joint Medium Term Financial Strategy and 2017/18 Budget.
Central Government had provided figures for the next three years, however, for the fourth year the Strategy remained uncertain due to the 100% retention of Business Rates. The Revenue Support Grant was to be reduced over the next years from £918,000 in 2016/17, to £371,000 in 2017/18 and to £361,000 in 2018/19. The Grant would then convert to a negative tariff of £337,000 in 2019/20. The number of years of payments for the New Home Bonus was to be reduced and be subject to a 0.4% growth.
The Medium Financial Position’s surplus for 2017/18 was to be reduced each year, culminating in a short fall £129,000 by the end of 2020/21. To budget for this shortfall an increase in Council Tax, equivalent to 5p a week for a Band property (£2.61 a year), was to be introduced. This represented an increase of 1.64%, which was below the 3.14% or £5 allowed by Central Government.
The HRA budget was balanced for 2018/17 by increasing Revenue and Capital budgets. The garage rents were to be increased by 10%, but the subsidy of Sheltered Housing service charges was to be reduced, by increasing charges subject to a maximum £4 per week. The discretionary ‘Pay to Stay’ rent for tenants earning over £60,000 was not being introduced.
Councillor Whitehead reminded Members that point 2.10 in the Recommendations were for the HRA Budget.
The recommendations set out in 2.1 to 2.13 was proposed and seconded by Councillors Whitehead and Nick Gowrley respectively.
Kathrine Steel – Assistant Director Corporate Resources and Melissa Evans – Corporate Manager – Finance, responded to Councillors’ questions by clarifying that the budget did not include the disposal of Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils’ buildings. The Transformation Fund would gain £1.6 million from the £2.6 million income generated from the New Home Bonus and Business Rates. The decrease in Capital income from the loss of income for car parking, Appendix B, had been included in the budget. The rise in Employee costs covered a 1% pay award per year over three years and the Pension Fund contributions.
Councillor Penny Otton raised the question whether businesses had been in contact with the Council regarding the increase in Business Rates. Officers responded they would report back after the meeting on this question.
A Proposed Amendment to Mid Suffolk District Council Budget Proposal for 2017/18 from the Green Party Group, Appendix G, was introduced by Councillor Andrew ... view the full minutes text for item 9. |
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Additional documents: Minutes: Report C/04/17 Assistant Director – Investment and Commercial Delivery
Councillor Nick Gowrley introduced the Report outlining the structure of the Holding Companies and Capital Investment Fund Subsidiary Company. The purpose of the Report was to appoint three elected Members as Directors to the MSDC Holding Company and the Chief Executive to the Holding Company as Company Secretary. Delegation of authority to the Directors of MSDC Holding Company was also to be approved.
Councillor Gowrley advised Members of some administrative corrections:
Page 143, the recommendations were to read points 2.1, 2.2, and 2.3 respectively. Under 2.3 the third line should read: ‘association with the Babergh Holding Company Board’, and not MSDC.
Councillor Nick Gowrley proposed and Councillor John Whitehead seconded the recommendations.
Members questioned the selection process of the Directors in Recommendation 2.1 and it was clarified that a recruitment process had been undertaken and applications had been submitted. The structure of the Holding Company was questioned and it was established that the titles of the elected Members were to be Member Directors. Their principle roles were to steer the Holding Company jointly with Babergh Holding Company, approving the annual Business Plan, the financial movement through the Company into the SPB and the related acquisitions of the commercial assets. The Member Directors were to regularly check the performance of the SPB. The Member Directors were to act unilaterally as a board of the Holding Company.
Members questioned the reporting structure of the Board and were informed that due to the commercial sensitivity, some information would have to be confidential. However, the Business Plan would explain in detail the structural functions, business operations and conduct of the Holding Company and Capital Investment Fund Subsidiary Company.
By 24 to 9 votes
RESOLUTION 1
Members authorise the appointment of: Councillor Glenn Horn, Councillor Gerard Brewster and Councillor David Whybrow to the MSDC Holding Company Board. RESOLUTION 2 Members approve the appointment of the Chief Executive in the role of Company Secretary to the MSDC Holding Company Board. RESOLUTION 3 Members delegate authority to the MSDC Holding Company Board to appoint a MSDC Elected Member Director to the Capital Investment Fund Subsidiary and (in association with the MSDC Holding Company Board) three externally recruited Non-Executive Directors. Note: Councillor Jill Willshaw left the Meeting at 6.53 p.m. and did not return.
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C/05/17 - Further Electoral Review - Council Size Submission PDF 145 KB Additional documents:
Minutes:
Report C/05/17 Chief Executive
Councillor Nick Gowrley introduced the report and explained the process for the Further Electoral Review that was being undertaken by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. Three councillor workshops, an online Survey and the Strengthening Governance Task & Finish Group had informed the calculations and evidence base for the proposed number of councillors.
Councillor Nick Gowrley and Councillor Glen Horn proposed and seconded the Recommendations respectively.
Questions were raised by Members regarding the ward boundary between Stowmarket and Haughley. The parish council boundary between Stowmarket and Haughley was changed in 2014 as a result of a community governance review. However, the ward boundary could only be changed by the Boundary Commission therefore the ward and parish boundaries were not coterminous. It was likely that this and any similar anomalies would be addressed by the Boundary Commission in the second phase of the review.
The differences between Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils’ required numbers of Ward Councillors were explained with reference to point 10.7 in the report. The Boundary Commission would only consider population estimates for s years ahead.
During the debate Member considered the reduction of Councillors and some members thought that the reductions were too great.
By 21 to 9 votes, 1 abstention
RESOLUTION 1
That the Council agrees the Council size submission as appended to this report and authorises the Chief Executive to present the submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England on behalf of the Council. RESOLUTION 2 That the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, be given delegated authority to make minor amendments to the Council size submission in response to any feedback received from the Local Boundary Commission for England.
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C/06/17 - Designation of the Monitoring Officer Role PDF 75 KB Minutes: Report C/06/17 Chief Executive
Councillor Nick Gowrley introduced the report and informed Members that after an internal recruitment process a decision had been made for the post of Temporary Assistant Director – Law and Governance. The candidate selected was Emily Yule, current Corporate Manager - Democratic Services.
By a unanimous vote.
RESOLVED
That the designation of the Monitoring Officer for Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils as required under Section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 be approved.
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C/07/17 - Leader's Report PDF 58 KB Minutes: Report C/07/17 Councillor Nick Gowrley
The report was received. |
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C/08/17 - Joint Scrutiny Committee Report PDF 123 KB Minutes: Report C/08/17 Councillor Rachel Eburne
The Report was received.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 7.40 p.m.
…………………………………… Chairman |