| Place: | Shield Room, Civic Centre, West Paddock, Leyland, PR25 1DH |
| Present: | Councillor Mrs M R Smith (Leader of the Council) (Chairman), Councillors Mr C J Clark (Deputy Leader and Shared Services and Corporate Support) Mr J R Hothersall (Neighbourhoods and Street Scene) Mr S M Robinson (Finance and Resources) Mr P J Smith (Regeneration, Leisure and Healthy Communities) |
| In attendance: | The Chief Executive (Mike Nuttall), and the Democratic Services Manager (Martin O?Loughlin) |
| Public attendance: | 5 members of the public were present. |
| Other Members and Officers: | 18 other Council members and 12 officers were present. |
| Item | Description/Resolution | Status | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPEN ITEMS | ||||
| 103 |
Apologies for Absence Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Hughes. |
Noted | ||
| 104 |
Minutes of the Last Meeting Minutes attached RESOLVED: (Unanimous) That the minutes held on Wednesday 03 November 2010, be signed as a correct record. |
Agreed | ||
| 105 |
Corporate Plan/Budget Progress Monitoring Report 2010/11 - 3rd Quarter Report attached Appendix attached The Leader of the Council presented the Budget Monitoring report for the first nine months of the financial year which provided an analysis of any identified variances against the 2010/11 original revenue budget based on a full year projected outturn position to 31st March 2011 and updated progress made against budgeted efficiency savings/additional income targets. An analysis of any identified variances against the 2010/11 original capital budget was also provided. It was also reported that Scrutiny and Governance Committees had considered the report at their meetings held on 08 and 09 February 2011 respectively and their recommendations were reported at the meeting. RESOLVED: (Unanimous) That the report be noted |
Agreed | ||
| 106 |
Draft Corporate Plan and Corporate Risk Register 2011/2012 Report attached Plan attached Risk Register attached The Leader of the Council presented this report which had previously been considered by the Scrutiny Committee at their meeting held on 8 February 2011. The Leader of the Council explained that the Corporate Plan was in the process of being updated including the removal of a number of obsolete targets and would need to recognise the external environment in which the Council and its partners operate was continuing to change, at national, regional and local level. The impact of some of the proposed changes involving partners would become clearer within the next couple of months and that it would then be possible to set meaningful actions and performance measures. Given this backdrop, it was proposed that the Corporate Plan for 2011-14 should be finalised as soon as possible in the new municipal year. RESOLVED: (Unanimous) 1. That the attached Corporate Plan, with obsolete targets highlighted be noted 2. That Cabinet confirm that the approval of a Corporate Plan for 2011-14 be deferred until the new municipal year. |
Agreed | ||
| 107 |
Financial Strategy,Budget and Council Tax 2011/20012 Report now avaiable (2M/bytes) attached The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources presented the budget proposals which had been prepared bearing in mind substantial year on year grant reductions of ?1.041 million (16.19%) and ?0.699 million (13.08%) in each of the next two years but which nonetheless also provided for a 0% council tax increase with no anticipated compulsory redundancies at this stage. The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources went on to present the budget report which provided background information that needed to be taken into consideration in determining the Council?s forward financial strategy and, specifically, budget and council tax for 2011/12. The report detailed the budget for the current year set at ?15.012million (excluding parish precepts) which incorporated substantial proposals to improve efficiency, reduce expenditure and generate additional income totalling ?0.920 million. It was anticipated that a budgeted contribution of ?0.399 would be required from the General Reserve to balance the overall budget however better than anticipated performance now meant a net contribution to reserves. The report provided Revenue Budget forecasts for 2011/12 and beyond and summarised, the financial pressures created by the unprecedented economic climate, both in terms of increased demand on services and reductions in income, coupled with substantial reductions in Formula Grant as the Coalition Government addressed the national public spending deficit. This continued to present the Council with challenges in ensuring it is able to balance its budget in both the short and medium term. As in previous years, the need to deliver substantial year on year efficiencies will therefore need to be a continuing feature of the medium term financial strategy. For 2011/12, after taking into account proposed efficiency savings and additional income of ?1.819 million (as detailed in the report), a forecast contribution of ?0.430 million was required from the General Fund Reserve to balance the budget. The Council?s revenue budget and savings proposals have been compiled in a manner that sought to minimise the impact on frontline service delivery. The careful management of vacancies throughout 2010/11 would present some substantial opportunities to address the forecast funding gap by reshaping services. Additionally, the relaxation of Government audit and inspection requirements, to which local authorities were previously subjected, would present further savings opportunities. The budget proposals also contained a number of options to increase income through improvements in the way we use council owned assets. However, recognising the need to protect the local economy, no increase in car parking charges is being proposed for 2011/12. The report also provided an indication of the recurring efficiencies proposed and required contributions from reserves in future years. The Leader of the Council was joined by others, in thanking the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources, other Cabinet Members and all staff for the hard work and positive approach shown in preparing this budget in extremely difficult circumstances. RESOLVED: (Unanimous) 1. That the council's projected outturn estimates 2010/11, original estimate 2011/12 and indicative original estimate for 2012/13 to 2014/15, summarised at Appendix A to the report be approved 2. That the budget proposals recommended by the Shared Services Joint Committee on 24 January 2011 be approved and incorporated into the revenue estimates. 3. That the proposals designed to further improve efficiency/increase income and reduce the forecast budget deficit contained in Appendix E to the report and incorporated into the budget proposals for 2011/12 and future years be approved. 4. That the Cabinet recommends to Council that the forecast revenue funding surplus projected outturn 2010/11(?0.093 million) and deficit original estimate 2011/12 (?0.430 million), be addressed through making appropriate contributions to/from the General Fund Reserve. 5. That the Cabinet recommends a Borough Council Net Expenditure requirement for 2011/12 (including parish/town council precepts) for approval at the council meeting on 2 March 2011. 6. That that the reserves, as detailed in the report, being adequate to support the delivery of the medium term financial strategy, be retained by the Council. 7. That the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader, or in her absence the Deputy Leader, and the Cabinet Member responsible for Finance and Resources and other relevant Cabinet Members be authorised to deal with all staffing issues arising from the report, within the agreed budget and in accordance with Council?s human resources policies. 8. That the Cabinet recommends the Borough Council?s Band D equivalent council tax for 2011/12, for approval at the council meeting on 2 March 2011, be held at the current year?s level of ?203.30. 9. That, as in previous years, the Council?s share of the additional council tax levied through the reduction of the discount on second homes be used in supporting the South Ribble Partnership. 10. That the capital budget/programme set out at Appendix F to the report along with the proposed funding be approved. |
Agreed | ||
| 108 |
Treasury Strategies and Prudential Indicators 2011/12 to 2013/2014 Report (231K/bytes) attached The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources presented the report which outlined the council?s prudential indicators for 2011/12 to 2013/14 and set out the expected treasury operations for this period. It also stated the policy for making the minimum provision for repayment of debt. He also reported that Governance Committee had considered the report in depth at their meeting held on 09 February 2011 and their recommendations were reported at the meeting. The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources updated Cabinet on the current situation in respect of the Icelandic investments and commented on the Council?s robust investment strategy. RESOLVED: (Unanimous) That Council be recommended to approve: 1. The Prudential Indicators for 2011/12 to 2013/14; 2. The Treasury Management Strategy for 2011/12, incorporating the Treasury Prudential Indicators; 3. The Annual Investment Strategy 2011/12. 4. The Annual MRP Policy Statement 2011/12. |
Agreed | ||
| 109 |
Shared Assurance Budget 2011/12 Report attached The Cabinet Member for Shared Services and Corporate Support presented this report which informed Cabinet that at the October meeting of the Shared Services Joint Committee members were informed of outline opportunities in four main areas, national policy changes, control and risk self assessment, the completion of the financial system project and other process efficiencies to reduce inputs to Internal Audit and Risk Management from 2011/12 and agreed that outline proposals would be subject to consultation with the Audit Commission and the Audit & Governance Committees of the host Councils. These consultations had now taken place and had paved the way for more definitive proposals which were contained within the report and had been considered by the Shared Services Joint Committee on 24th January 2011. RESOLVED: (Unanimous) 1. That the budget implications arising from the report be approved. 2. That the Head of Shared Assurance Services be authorised to deal with the staffing issues arising from the report, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Shared Services and Corporate Support, within the agreed budget and in accordance with the Human Resources Policies of South Ribble Borough Council. |
Agreed | ||
| 110 |
Members Clean Environment Framework Report attached Appendix attached The Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Street Scene introduced this and asked Councillor Coulton to present this item which reported that a small group of members had been meeting informally to consider how the behaviour of the public can be influenced to have a positive impact on the environment and especially the cleanliness of the borough. The group has also considered the role of a councillor in facilitating this change in behaviour. The Members Clean Environment Framework Document summarised the findings of the member group with the purpose of assisting members to take the initiative to facilitate this change within their own wards and communities. Councillor Coulton referred to the strong links in the framework document to the scrutiny review into the Community Leadership and Ward Role of Councillors - Leading from the Frontline ? which was carried out in August 2010 and to the links to any future locality working with partners and any proposals emerging from the localism bill. He pointed out the need for an intensive promotion campaign to make this initiative work and went on to thank the Cabinet for receiving the report and for the work put in by the members of the Team, the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods and Street Scene and the Officers involved. Cabinet placed on record their thanks to Councillor Coulton and the group of members involved and endorsed the report. RESOLVED: (Unanimous) That the Council be recommended to adopt the Members Clean Environment Framework Document. |
Agreed | ||
| 111 |
Urgent Decision Taken Since Last Meeting of Cabinet. S.O.38 Decision attached The Leader of the Council reported an urgent decision taken since the last meeting of Cabinet as required under Standing Order 38 (Defective Storm Water Culvert St Mary?s High School, & Worden Park Leyland) RESOLVED: (Unanimous) That the report be noted |
Agreed | ||
| 112 |
Mayor and Deputy Mayor 2011/12 RESOLVED: (Unanimous) That Councillor Marsh be confirmed as Mayor elect for 2011/12 and Councillor Clark be nominated as Deputy Mayor elect for 2011/12. |
Agreed | ||
| 113 |
Timetable of Meetings 2011/12 Report attached Timetable attached The Leader of the Council presented this report which proposed a timetable of meetings for 2011/12 and which addressed a number of comments about the current timetable that had been made during the year, concerning clashes with Parish / Town Council meetings, group meetings, Area Committee meetings held in December and the January Council meeting in the first week of the new year. The Leader noted that, in accordance with Standing Orders (S.O. 5), the first meeting of the new municipal year was not the Annual Meeting (Mayoral Installation) and Cabinet felt that the proposed timetable should be amended to ensure that the first meeting of the new municipal year was the Annual Meeting (Mayoral Installation) RESOLVED: (Unanimous) 1. That the timetable of meetings for 2011/12 as amended and attached as Appendix to these minutes be approved. 2. That the Governance Committee, as part of their review of the Constitution to be submitted to the next Cabinet meeting, be requested to include an amendment to Standing Order 5 deleting the words ?or, in a year of borough council elections, a business meeting convened for the purpose between the election and the annual meeting?. |
Agreed | ||
| 114 |
Forward Plan Forward Plan attached RESOLVED: (Unanimous) That the Forward Plan submitted under section 22 of the Local Government Act 2000 be approved. |
Agreed | ||