Agenda, decisions and minutes

There was no apologies.

Members are requested to indicate at this stage in the proceedings any items on the agenda in which they intend to declare an interest. Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of that item. If the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice their judgment of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may make representations, but then must leave the meeting for the remainder of the item.

There was no declarations of interest.

The minutes of the last meeting held Wednesday, 5 July 2023 are attached to be agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

The minutes of the last meeting held Wednesday, 5 July 2023 were agreed as a correct record for signing by the Chair.

The Notice of Executive Decisions / Cabinet Forward Plan for September 2023 is available on the website.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

The Cabinet Forward Plan was noted.

Report of the Chief Executive attached.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    Cabinet note the report.

2.    Cabinet accepts the recommendations from the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee.

Reasons for recommendations:

The Council’s performance framework sets out the process for reporting progress against the objectives of the Corporate Strategy. Robust monitoring ensures that the Council continues to deliver its priorities and achieves the best outcomes for residents.

Other options considered and rejected:

No other options were considered and rejected.

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster presented a report of the Chief Executive that provided Cabinet with a position statement for the Corporate Strategy for Quarter One (April - June) 2023-24.

Councillor Foster explained that overall performance was good with 86% of projects rated green or complete and 14% rated amber. Of the 22 indicators, 12 could be reported at the end of quarter one with eight indicators performing better than target and one indicator performing worse.

Leyland Town Deal was one of the amber projects and had experienced some challenging delivery milestones, however this project had been brought back on track and it was the Leader’s view that it could be delivered within the government set time frames. The Leyland Town Board would be meeting on Thursday 14 September and a further report brought before a future Full Council meeting.

In relation to the recommendations received from the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee, the Leader explained further clarification would be given on how tolerances are determined when reporting on performance monitoring.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    Cabinet note the report.

2.    Cabinet accepts the recommendations from the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee.

Reasons for recommendations:

The Council’s performance framework sets out the process for reporting progress against the objectives of the Corporate Strategy. Robust monitoring ensures that the Council continues to deliver its priorities and achieves the best outcomes for residents.

Other options considered and rejected:

No other options were considered and rejected.

Report of the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer attached.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    To approve the revised capital programme as attached at Appendix A which includes approved amendments to the programme, as detailed at point 11 of this report, since the last Capital Monitoring report was approved by Cabinet in June 2023.

2.    To note the variations to the programme, (which are detailed, by scheme, at Appendix B and referenced within the body of report. It is noted that work is underway with the Property Team to review the Jubilee Gardens, Town Deal and leisure schemes, and these will be updated in the Quarter 2 report.

3.    To note the position in the Balance Sheet Monitoring section of the report in respect of cash, investment and loan balances and debtors as at 31st July 2023.

4.    Cabinet accepts the recommendations from the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee.

Reasons for recommendations:

To ensure the Council’s Capital programme is monitored effectively.

Other options considered and rejected:

No other options were considered.

The Cabinet Member (Finance and Public Protection), Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, presented a report of the Director of Finance that outlined the outturn financial position of the Council in respect of the capital programme at 31 July 2023. The report also highlighted key issues and explained key variances whilst providing an overview of various elements of the Council’s balance sheet as at 31 July 2023.

Councillor Tomlinson explained that the council had taken a couple big decisions including providing funding for the new Tardy Gate play area. Councillor Tomlinson advised that as the authority was cash rich and interest rates high there had been a boost to the council’s income through interest received and there was still no borrowing.

Councillor Tomlinson referred to a point raised at the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny and explained that although collection of council tax and business rates was lower when compared to last year, the authority has a good track record of collecting and it would be monitored.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    To approve the revised capital programme as attached at Appendix A which includes approved amendments to the programme, as detailed at point 11 of this report, since the last Capital Monitoring report was approved by Cabinet in June 2023.

2.    To note the variations to the programme, (which are detailed, by scheme, at Appendix B and referenced within the body of report. It is noted that work is underway with the Property Team to review the Jubilee Gardens, Town Deal and leisure schemes, and these will be updated in the Quarter 2 report.

3.    To note the position in the Balance Sheet Monitoring section of the report in respect of cash, investment and loan balances and debtors as at 31st July 2023.

4.    Cabinet accepts the recommendations from the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee.

Reasons for recommendations:

To ensure the Council’s Capital programme is monitored effectively.

Other options considered and rejected:

No other options were considered.

Report of the Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer attached.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    To note the 2023/24 forecast outturn for revenue and the level of reserves based on the position as at 31 July 2023.

2.    To note the virements made to and from the revenue budget during this year, as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

3.    Cabinet accepts the recommendations from the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee.

Reasons for recommendations:

To ensure the Council’s budgetary targets are achieved.

Other options considered and rejected:

No other options were considered.

The Cabinet Member (Finance and Public Protection) Councillor Matthew Tomlinson presented a report that set out the revenue and reserves forecast for 2023/24 for the Council, based on the position as at 31 July 2023.

Councillor Tomlinson explained the report considered day to day spending and that if business carried on as it is now throughout the year there was an anticipated overspend by £320,000. Councillor Tomlinson emphasised the report was a forecast and the quarterly monitoring reports gave an opportunity for issues to be flagged early.

Council had agreed to keep £4 million in general reserves and due to last years underspend the balance was currently standing at  £4.5 million, should the overspend occur this year it would bring the general reserves down to £4.2 million.

Councillor Tomlinson highlighted an issue with spending in waste services and advised the Cabinet Member (Neighbourhoods and Waste) was looking into the service with the Director of Customer and Digital.

Another overspend was occurring in the Housing service due to a larger increase in presentations of homelessness. Housing benefit had not kept up with the recent rent increases and would no longer cover private renting in South Ribble. This was acknowledged to be a national problem. Councillor Tomlinson also provided that the social housing providers within the borough were not currently planning on building any new social housing.

Members on Cabinet agreed that the rising presentations in homelessness was a big problem across the country and discussed what more could be done to help those individuals within South Ribble.

The Cabinet Member (Planning, Business Support and Economic Development) expressed concern that no new social housing was being built by the housing providers and agreed to investigate it further.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    To note the 2023/24 forecast outturn for revenue and the level of reserves based on the position as at 31 July 2023.

2.    To note the virements made to and from the revenue budget during this year, as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

3.    Cabinet accepts the recommendations from the Corporate, Performance and Budget Scrutiny Committee.

Reasons for recommendations:

To ensure the Council’s budgetary targets are achieved.

Other options considered and rejected:

No other options were considered.

Report of the Director of Communities attached.

Resolved: (Uanimously)

1.    Cabinet are asked to note the report.

Reasons for recommendations:

To update Cabinet on the progress made by Unify Credit Union, following the provision of grant funding to provide credit union facilities to residents and anyone who works within South Ribble.

Other options considered and rejected:

No other options were considered.

The Cabinet Member (Wealth Building, Social Justice, Equality and Diversity) Councillor Jacky Alty,  presented a report that sought to update Cabinet on the progress made by Unify Credit Union, following the provision of a grant to provide credit union facilities to those living and working within South Ribble.

Councillor Alty explained that the grant had been agreed to be paid back over a three-year period with Unify establishing a sustainable credit union branch within the borough. It was an alternative to high street lending and brought employment and development opportunities.

Unify were confident that when the contract ends in March 2024, they would be sustainable, with 613 loans issued in the first year of running. They had also employed an apprentice at national living wage with the apprenticeship now concluded, the individual had secured a full-time position with Unify.

Councillor Alty advised that Unify had met some of the Community Hub Chairs and were exploring how the union could be taken to satellite locations across the borough.

Members of the Cabinet congratulated the Cabinet Member (Wealth Building, Social Justice, Equality and Diversity) on the successes of the credit union and commended the work of the union in providing a valuable service to residents.

Members not on Cabinet explained that Unify had recently attended a meeting of the Chairs and Vice-Chairs of Community Hubs and had demonstrated the benefits of the Credit Union. Residents now had an option to borrow from a business that was ethical and putting money back into the community.

Resolved: (Unanimously)

1.    Cabinet are asked to note the report.

Reasons for recommendations:

To update Cabinet on the progress made by Unify Credit Union, following the provision of grant funding to provide credit union facilities to residents and anyone who works within South Ribble.

Other options considered and rejected:

No other options were considered.