Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
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Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: King Edmund Chamber, Endeavour House, 8 Russell Road, Ipswich. View directions

Items
No. Item

110.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillor Roy Barker.

111.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS BY COUNCILLORS

Minutes:

Dispensation was granted to all Councillors by the Deputy Monitoring Officer in respect of Item 8 MCa/18/60 General Fund Budget 2019/20 and Four Year Outlook.

 

Councillor Gowrley and Councillor Wilshaw declared a local non-pecuniary interest in respect of item 8 MCa/18/60 General Fund Budget 2019/20 and Four Year Outlook as Trustee of Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk and Adviser for Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk respectively.

 

 

112.

MCa/18/59 TO CONFIRM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 7 JANUARY 2019 pdf icon PDF 459 KB

Minutes:

Subject to Councillor Diana Kearsley being added to the list of attendees the minutes of the meeting held on 7 January 2019 were confirmed as a correct record.

113.

TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF PETITIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COUNCIL'S PETITION SCHEME

Minutes:

None received.

114.

QUESTIONS BY COUNCILLORS

Minutes:

None received.

115.

MATTERS REFERRED BY THE OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Minutes:

There were no matters referred.

116.

FORTHCOMING DECISIONS LIST

Please note the most up to date version can be found via the website:

 

https://www.midsuffolk.gov.uk/the-council/forthcoming-decisions-list/

 

Paper copies will be available at the meeting.

Minutes:

The Forthcoming Decisions List noted and the following comments were made:

 

·       CAB106 – Cabinet Member to be Cllr Horn.

·       CAB40 -  Cllr Stringer queried if the scope of the Environment Strategy had already been agreed. Cllr Burn advised that the scope had not yet been agreed.

117.

MCa/18/60 GENERAL FUND BUDGET 2019/20 AND FOUR-YEAR OUTLOOK pdf icon PDF 888 KB

Cabinet Member for Finance

 

Additional documents:

Decision:

It was RESOLVED:-

 

That Cabinet recommends to Council:-

 

1.1          That the General Fund Budget proposals for 2019/20 and four year outlook set out in the report be endorsed for recommendation to Council on 21 February 2019.

1.2          That the General Fund Budget for 2019/20 is based on an increase to Council Tax of 2%, which equates to £3.26 per annum (6p per week) for a Band D property, to support the Council’s overall financial position.

1.3          That a further £25m be invested in CIFCO as set out in paragraph 8.20 of the report.

1.4          That a discretionary Care Leavers Council Tax discount of up to 100% be introduced from the 1 April 2019 as set out in section 11 of the report.

Reason for Decision: To bring together all the relevant information to enable Cabinet Members to review, consider and comment upon the Councils General Fund budget before recommendations to Council.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected: The General Fund Budget for 2019/20 and four-year outlook is an essential element in achieving a balanced budget and sustainable medium-term position. Setting a balanced budget for the coming year is a statutory requirement, therefore no other options are appropriate in respect of this.

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

The Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report and advised that a revision to Paragraphs 8.20 to 8.23 was circulated last week. The report had been reviewed by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 17 January 2019 and a Member Briefing was held on 16 January 2019.

 

Councillor Whitehead moved the recommendations in the report and this was seconded by Councillor Horn.

 

Councillor Welham advised that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee requested that a short piece be written to explain the reasoning behind CIFCO, how investment decisions are made and why investments are not made in Suffolk and house building to assist the five-year land supply. The Chief Executive confirmed that this would be available following the budget being agreed.

 

Councillor Otton raised questions relating to the Budget Gap, Needham Lake Visitor Centre and Locality Grants Expenditure.

 

Members were advised that the Needham Lake Visitor Centre will  be brought forward for approval in March 2019.

 

Councillor Gowrley confirmed that the details of individual Councillors’ Locality Grants Expenditure should be available on the website and will be added if they are not currently.

 

Councillor Otton requested that recommendation 3.4 be taken as a separate recommendation. It was confirmed that as there is a cost to Mid Suffolk District Council this forms part of the budget and so cannot be taken separately.

 

It was noted that Paragraph 9.3 on page 26 refers to Graph 5 twice. This should be Graph 5 and Graph 6.

 

Councillor Horn raised the possibility of allocating money to Citizens Advice Mid Suffolk and the process for doing so. It was suggested that an allocation could be made from the Growth and Efficiency Fund. Councillor Gowrley and Councillor Wilshaw declared an interest in this issue. The Chief Executive advised that a grant revision is already in place for CABs, and that a process will need to be followed once a decision had been made by Suffolk County Council regarding Citizens Advice.

 

By 8 votes to 2

 

It was RESOLVED:-

 

That Cabinet recommends to Council:-

 

1.1           That the General Fund Budget proposals for 2019/20 and four year outlook set out in the report be endorsed for recommendation to Council on 21 February 2019.

1.2           That the General Fund Budget for 2019/20 is based on an increase to Council Tax of 2%, which equates to £3.26 per annum (6p per week) for a Band D property, to support the Council’s overall financial position.

1.3           That a further £25m be invested in CIFCO as set out in paragraph 8.20 of the report.

1.4           That a discretionary Care Leavers Council Tax discount of up to 100% be introduced from the 1 April 2019 as set out in section 11 of the report.

Reason for Decision: To bring together all the relevant information to enable Cabinet Members to review, consider and comment upon the Councils General Fund budget before recommendations to Council.

 

 

 

 

118.

MCa/18/61 JOINT CAPITAL, INVESTMENT AND TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 1 MB

Cabinet Member for Finance

At its meeting on 14 January 2019, the Joint Audit and Standards Committee (JAC) scrutinised Paper JAC/18/16 and agreed the recommendations to Cabinet and Council – a link to the report is provided for Members’ information.  However, a revised version of the report is attached as Paper MCa/18/61 which reflects changes to the numbers since the meeting due to amendments to the capital programme as part of the Budget process.

Decision:

It was RESOLVED:-

 

That Cabinet recommends to council:

 

1.1           The Joint Capital Strategy for 2019/20, including the Prudential Indicators, as set out in Appendix A of the report  be approved.

1.2           The Joint Investment Strategy for 2019/20, as set out in Appendix B of the report be approved.

1.3           The Joint Treasury Management Strategy for 2019/20, including the Joint Annual Investment Strategy as set out in Appendix C of the report be approved.

1.4           The Joint Treasury Management Indicators as set out in Appendix D of the report be approved.

1.5           The Joint Treasury Management Policy Statement as set out in Appendix G of the report be approved.

1.6           The Joint Minimum Revenue Provision Statement as set out in Appendix H of the report be approved.

1.7           That the key factors and information relating to and affecting treasury management activities set out in Appendices E, F, and I of the report be noted.

Reason for Decision: Local authorities are required to approve their Treasury Management Strategy (TMS), their Capital Strategy (including an overview of the TMS) and their Investment Strategy annually before the start of the financial year.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

1.1           This report fulfils the Councils legal obligations to have regard to the Code and MHCLG Guidance.

1.2           Individual strategies were considered but Joint Strategies have been prepared.

 

Minutes:

Report MCa/18/61 was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Finance who commended the Finance and Assets and Investments team for their work in producing the report.

 

Councillor Whitehead moved the recommendations in the report. This was seconded by Councillor Morley.

 

The Cabinet Member for Finance responded to questions raised by Councillor Stringer regarding the CIFCO investment. The Assistant Director for Finance advised that a stress test is being carried out around CIFCO investments and borrowing costs and the outcome will be included in the report to Full Council.

 

The Assistant Director for Finance went on to answer questions from Councillor Otton regarding valuations of commercial properties and the economic forecast.

 

By 8 votes to 2

 

 

It was RESOLVED:-

 

That Cabinet recommends to council:

 

1.1           The Joint Capital Strategy for 2019/20, including the Prudential Indicators, as set out in Appendix A of the report be approved.

1.2           The Joint Investment Strategy for 2019/20, as set out in Appendix B of the report be approved.

1.3           The Joint Treasury Management Strategy for 2019/20, including the Joint Annual Investment Strategy as set out in Appendix C of the report be approved.

1.4           The Joint Treasury Management Indicators as set out in Appendix D of the report be approved.

1.5           The Joint Treasury Management Policy Statement as set out in Appendix G of the report be approved.

1.6           The Joint Minimum Revenue Provision Statement as set out in Appendix H of the report be approved.

1.7           That the key factors and information relating to and affecting treasury management activities set out in Appendices E, F, and I of the report be noted.

Reason for Decision: Local authorities are required to approve their Treasury Management Strategy (TMS), their Capital Strategy (including an overview of the TMS) and their Investment Strategy annually before the start of the financial year.

 

119.

MCa/18/62 RETAIL DISCOUNT - BUSINESS RATE RELIEF POLICY pdf icon PDF 265 KB

Cabinet Member for Finance

Decision:

It was Resolved:-

 

That the introduction of a discretionary retail discount policy for financial years 2019/20 and 2020/21 be approved.

 

Reason for Decision:- To provide a discretionary retail discount to support ratepayers in the Mid Suffolk District.

 

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

 

2.1          Option 1 – Introduce a retail discount

 

A new discretionary retail discount is created using the Councils discretionary relief powers, introduced by the Localism Act under section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988, as amended that applies to occupied properties with a rateable value of less than £51,000 that are wholly or mainly being used as shops, restaurants, cafes and drinking establishments.

 

The criteria for the discount:

·       Would require the applicants to be in occupation and using the property as described in the policy.

·       Eligibility for the discount and the amount itself will be assessed and calculated on a daily basis. The discount will be awarded after any mandatory relief and any other discretionary relief including those funded by section 31 grants except those introduced using the powers granted under the Localism Act 2011. The discount will amount to one third of the bill after the above reliefs.

·       The discount will be subject to state aid rules

 

Administration would be a simple procedure whereby the discount would be automatically applied where the circumstances are clear. A letter would be issued to the ratepayer requesting confirmation that accepting the discount would not exceed the de minimis threshold under the state aid rules. Moving forward a simple online application form will be available for ratepayers to request the discount.

Creating a local retail discount will support local retailers within the district at no cost to the Council.

2.2          Option 2 – Do nothing

 

There is no mandatory requirement on billing authorities to provide a retail discount, however the Government is funding the scheme, so not introducing it would be an opportunity missed to support local retailers.

 

 

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed Andrew Wilcock, Shared Services Operations Manager to the meeting.

 

The Cabinet Member for Finance introduced the report and moved the recommendations. This was seconded by Councillor Brewster.

 

Members were advised that the proposed policy is discretionary and the types of businesses benefitting from relief can be amended.

 

By a unanimous vote

 

It was Resolved:-

 

That the introduction of a discretionary retail discount policy for financial years 2019/20 and 2020/21 be approved.

 

Reason for Decision:- To provide a discretionary retail discount to support ratepayers in the Mid Suffolk District.

120.

MCa/18/63 JOINT AREA PARKING PLAN pdf icon PDF 212 KB

Cabinet Member for Environment

Additional documents:

Decision:

It was Resolved:-

 

1.1          That the draft content of the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Area Parking Plan be agreed by Cabinet and the commencement of a stakeholder consultation process commencing February 2019 be authorised.

1.2          That the result of the stakeholder consultation and recommendations arising from it be presented to Cabinet later in 2019 for approval.

Reason for Decision: The Council is required to have a parking policy and to demonstrate that it has reviewed the content. Suffolk County Councils Parking Management Strategy which forms part of the application to the DfT for the granting of CPE powers for the remaining majority of Suffolk requires the district and boroughs to develop Area Parking Plans.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

1.1          To have two separate area parking plans.

1.2          Not to have an area parking plan.

 

Minutes:

Report MCa/18/63 was introduced by the Cabinet Member for Environment who advised that the proposed plan had been considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and their comments have been taken into account.

 

Councillor Burn moved the recommendations in the report and this was seconded by Councillor Flatman.

 

Councillor Welham advised that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommended that within policy 2 the words ‘will be utilised’ should be replaced with ‘provided’. The committee also discussed the issues of school parking at drop off and pick times, new school planning and the use of the Highway Code test.

 

Councillor Stringer commented that he felt the policy should make mention of electric charged cars. Councillor Gowrley advised that this is put forward as part of Councillor Stringers consultation response.

 

By a unanimous vote

 

It was Resolved:-

 

1.1           That the draft content of the Babergh and Mid Suffolk Joint Area Parking Plan be agreed by Cabinet and the commencement of a stakeholder consultation process commencing February 2019 be authorised.

1.2           That the result of the stakeholder consultation and recommendations arising from it be presented to Cabinet later in 2019 for approval.

Reason for Decision: The Council is required to have a parking policy and to demonstrate that it has reviewed the content. Suffolk County Councils Parking Management Strategy which forms part of the application to the DfT for the granting of CPE powers for the remaining majority of Suffolk requires the district and boroughs to develop Area Parking Plans.