Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mary Green and Councillor Susan Snape.

RESOLVED (Unanimously):

That the minutes of the meeting held on 21 June 2018 be approved and signed as a correct record.

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 were no declarations of any interests made at the meeting.

Report of Specialist Consultant attached.

Decision Made: (Unanimously)

That

1.         The performance at the end of Quarter 4 for 2017/18 be noted.

2.         The coporate reisks and controls that have been in place to mitigate risks in 2017/18 as identified in the Corporate Risk Register be noted.

The Cabinet considered a report by the Specialist Consultant which provided an overview of performance against the corporate plan for 2017-2018 at the end of the fourth quarter up to 31 March 2018.  The Scrutiny Committee had previously considered the report.

Decision Made: (Unanimously)

That:

1.         The performance at the end of Quarter 4 for 2017/18 be noted;

2.         The corporate risks and controls that have been in place to mitigate risks in 2017/18 as identified in the Corporate Risk Register be noted.

Reason for Decision:

The Council’s performance management framework sets out how performance will be monitored by Cabinet.  The report outlined the performance at the end of the fourth quarter and included risk controls.  A total of 34 performance indicators were presented with 14 showing an improvement in performance, 3 remaining the same, with 6 worsening and 11 not having comparable data at this time.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

As the report was a routine performance report, other options were not relevant.

Report of the Dirtector of Neighbourhoods and Development attached.

Decision Made: (Unanimously)

That approval of the compiling and submission of a funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund be granted based on Option E of the Options Appraisal contained within the report.

The Cabinet considered a report from the Director of Neighbourhoods and Development seeking approval to apply for external funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the improvement of the Coach House Building at Hurst Grange Park, Penwortham.

Cabinet commented on the comprehensive report and that it was a positive move to attract external funding to Penwortham and South Ribble area.

Decision Made: (Unanimously)

That approval of the compiling and submission of a funding bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund be granted based on Option E of the Options Appraisal contained within the report.

Reasons for Decision:

Hurst Grange Park is the principal park in the Penwortham area and contains the Coach House, which has been identified for a number of years as requiring repairs/restoration.  The Friends of Hurst Grange Park were previously successful in obtaining a Resilience Grant to look at the options available, which has led to applying for a Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

Alternative Options Considered:

A range of options for the future use and improvement of the Coach House building have been considered and consulted upon as outlined in the report.

Report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Resource and Transformation) updated by the Principal Management Accountant attached.

Decision Made: (Unanimously)

That

1.            the 2.5% increase to standard charges from 1 August 2018 be approved.

2.            the removal of all charges for the treatment of domestic properties for rats and mice be approved.

3.            the policy for building control fees detailing the new rates to be implemented from 1 August 2018 be approved.

4.            the increases to Fixed Penalty Notices that had been previously approved and are in place be noted.

5.            the increase in 25% on Pre-Planning Advice be approved.

6.            the introduction of a £50 fee for pre-planning advice to householders be approved.

7.            the generation of an additional income of £100k due to the increases in a full year, some of which is directly related to increases in the cost of service delivery be noted.

The Cabinet considered a report by the former Deputy Chief Executive (Resources and Transformation), which had been updated by the Principal Management Accountant, reviewing discretionary fees and charges.  Updates were provided to clarify that it was in January 2018, not February that Full Council received a report to set discretionary fees and charges for the 2018/2019 financial year.  The reference to appendix A in the first recommendation was also to be removed.

It was highlighted that the review dealt with the fees and charges that the Council had discretion to set, with the exception of car parking charges, which would be subject to a future report.  The report also recommended the removal of charges for the treatment of domestic properties for rats and mice.

Decision Made: (Unanimously)

That

1.            the 2.5% increase to standard charges from 1 August 2018 be approved;

2.            the removal of all charges for the treatment of domestic properties for rats and mice be approved;

3.            the policy for building control fees detailing the new rates to be implemented from 1 August 2018 be approved;

4.            the increases to Fixed Penalty Notices that had been previously approved and are in place be noted;

5.            the increase in 25% on Pre-Planning Advice be approved;

6.            the introduction of a £50 fee for pre-planning advice to householders be approved; and

7.            the generation of an additional income of £100k due to the increases in a full year, some of which is directly related to increases in the cost of service delivery be noted.

Reasons for Decision:

As part of agreeing the budget and medium term financial strategy for 2018/2019 a target of additional income from fees and charges was set at £60,000, increasing to £121,000 in 2019/2020. 

Alternative Options Considered:

There are other options available for Cabinet on what rates of increase, if any, should be applied.  The proposals reflect current market conditions, are comparable to those charged by other North West councils.  Recognised indices have also been used where it is proposed that an inflationary increase be applied.