Decisions

The Mayor advised that one vote will cover the Budget, Council Tax setting and all other issues covered within the report and appendices.

 

The Executive Member (Finance, Property and Assets), Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, presented the Cabinet’s General Fund Revenue and Capital Budget and Council Tax 2021/22.

 

Councillor Tomlinson thanked the Labour and Liberal Democratic Groups and officers for their hard work and input into the proposed budget.  He thanked all the staff working for the council for their contributions in delivering services during the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

Councillor Tomlinson referred to the achievements of the council since the administration took control and the plans within the Corporate Strategy which will be delivered by the proposed budget, including a freeze on council tax in 2021/22.

 

There continues to be uncertainty regarding the council’s funding streams with the government announcing a one-year financial settlement for 2021/22 rather than the expected multi-year settlement.  There are also anticipated changes to the Business Rate Retention system and reforms to the New Homes Bonus. 

 

Funding to the council is forecast to fall from over £14m in 2016/17 to £12m by 2023/24.  However, the council is ambitious in its approach to meeting the budget deficit through generating efficiency savings, such as those already realised through shared services and additional income generated through investments within the borough. 

 

14 priority projects are being proposed for delivery over the next 12-18 months that will directly support delivery of long-term outcomes.  The proposed budget also includes additional investments including planned improvements to community facilities, support to businesses and young people during the recovery from Covid-19.  The outcome of the Leyland Town Deal is awaited

 

The Corporate Strategy identifies key priorities as a council which are: -

Thriving communities

·                £117,000 to create a network of community hubs, providing services & support that meet the needs of local neighbourhoods

·                £60,000 to support vulnerable families and children by providing access to food during the school holidays over the next four years

·                £50,000 to support access to advice services and information by working in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau

 

Looking ahead:

·                £500,000 over the next two years to deliver a programme of improvements to community facilities to provide quality amenities for residents, encouraging positive mental and physical health as part of an active community

·                £50,000 to support positive mental health for young people through officer resource to deliver a programme of early intervention activity

 

A fair local economy that works for everyone

·                £150,000 to deliver an extended programme of support for businesses beyond government grants to ensure that the council is doing as much as possible to help businesses get back on their feet

·                £150,000 to implement a plan to retain wealth and grow the local economy through a progressive procurement framework and social value policies

 

An exemplary council

·                £20,000 to provide a fund for technology and equipment to support children to access remote learning where there is a need

·                £150,000 to develop a Credit Union that will enable access to safe and ethical banking options for all residents

·                £50,000 to support access to advice services and information by working in partnership with the Citizens Advice Bureau

 

Good homes, green spaces, healthy places

·                £250,000 to support action on the green agenda including tree planting (in addition to A Tree for Every Resident), becoming a green employer by 2022 and car charging points as part of infrastructure improvements

·                £50,000 to undertake work to plan for an Extra Care scheme that will

·                provide high quality accommodation to meet the future needs our residents

Looking ahead:

£2m to deliver affordable housing units

£500,000 to deliver neighbourhood improvement projects including:

·                Development of a nature reserve at Pickerings Farm

·                Tidy up of community areas in Pope Lane area

·                Improvements to Kingsfold Community Centre and playing fields

·                More dog bins and relevant signage

 

Despite the budget savings identified there remain large forecast budget deficits of £1.229m in 2022/23 and £2.614m in 2023/24.  To achieve the required reduction in net expenditure the council’s strategy will be:

1.         To make investments within the borough that provide benefits to residents and businesses whilst also generating income for the council.

2.         To realise savings through the procurement of its contracts including joint contractual arrangements with Chorley Council.

3.         To identify efficiencies through investment in infrastructure, ICT and through exploring alternative delivery models that will enable the council to balance the budget whilst seeking to minimise the impact on front line service users.

 

Councillor David Howarth, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats Group, commended the budget proposals and stated the Group’s support.

 

Councillor Damian Bretherton advised that although the opposition supported some of the budget proposals, they did not support the investment strategy and made a number of alternative proposals, including a scheme to support 18 to 25-year old local entrepreneurs set up businesses in the borough. 

 

An alternative housing scheme, to purchase and renovate homes, was outlined, and an alternative home-schooling initiative.  A freeze car parking charges for three months after lockdown restrictions are relaxed was also proposed, additional schemes to promote the green agenda and a capital scheme relating to drainage work at Longton playing fields. 

 

Councillor David Howarth noted that the proposals from the Conservative Group had not been presented for consideration at Scrutiny. 

 

Several members spoke in favour of the proposed amendments, including Councillors Karen Walton, Barrie Yates, Michael Green and Paul Wharton-Hardman,

 

Members raised queries regarding the proposed amendments and noted that living walls are already being planted within the Borough. 

 

Councillor Paul Foster responded to the amendments proposed and noted that the proposals within the substantive motion support all entrepreneurs and clarified points in relation to the building of new energy efficient homes within the Borough, the green agenda, the digital inclusion scheme and the proposals relating to car parking charges.  It was suggested that the scheme at new Longton be proposed as a project through the community hubs. 

 

Councillor Margaret Smith, Leader of the Opposition, spoke in support of the proposed amendment, referencing affordable homes, digital inclusion and the green agenda.  She also thanked council officers and all those who have contributed during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

 

The amendment to the Motion was moved by Councillor Damian Bretherton, seconded by Councillor Margaret Smith to accept the proposed amendments as set out in the report at item 8o on the agenda

 

‘Revenue Expenditure

The Conservative Group propose that the £150k reserve set aside to support Community Wealth Building should be repurposed to create a reserve that will support 18 to 25-year old local entrepreneurs set up businesses in the borough.

The Conservative Group propose that the additional £2m in the capital programme that is set aside to develop affordable homes be removed. In its place it is proposed that the £2m is used to purchase houses within the borough that are in disrepair and that are empty so that they can be renovated by the council and rented to tenants at a affordable rent. This will realise the ambition of the opposition to deliver better quality homes within the borough as well as an income stream to the council.

The Conservative Group supports the council’s £250k fund toward the green agenda and proposes this is spent on developing green initiatives within the borough such as

·                living walls

·                biodiversity projects

·                air purifying plants

The Conservative Group proposes to increase the funding for the home-schooling initiative from £20k to £50k with the increase being funded through Covid-19 unringfenced grants.

The Conservative Group proposes to freeze car parking charges for 3 months after lockdown restrictions are relaxed. This is essential to supporting local businesses recover from, what has been for most, the most difficult trading environment they have ever experienced. Free parking would be subject to a 3 hour limit to stop all day parking. This is estimated to cost the council approximately £40k and can be funded through unringfenced Covid-19 funding.

 

Capital Expenditure

The Conservative Group proposes £100k of drainage work at Longton playing fields. It is proposed that where possible this is funded through external funding including s106 contributions. There is already currently £37k of s106 agreements that can be ringfenced towards this project.

The Conservative Group believes that the £75k funding for the local improvement scheme at New Longton should come first from council resources. Any further funding required for additional work should come from s106 funds’.

 

In accordance with Rule 16.5 in Part 4 of the Constitution, the voting on the Amended Motion was recorded and the Members of the Council present at the time, voted as follows:

 

For: Damian Bretherton, Matt Campbell, Carol Chisholm, Colin Clark, Colin Coulton, Mary Green, Michael Green, Jon Hesketh, Cliff Hughes, Jim Marsh, Caroline Moon, Jacqui Mort, Peter Mullineaux, Alan Ogilvie, John Rainsbury, Margaret Smith, Phil Smith, David Suthers, Stephen Thurlbourn, Karen Walton, Gareth Watson, Barrie Yates. 

 

Against: Will Adams, Jacky Alty, Jane Bell (Mayor), Renee Blow, Aniela Bylinski Gelder, Malcolm Donoghue, Bill Evans, James Flannery, Derek Forrest, Paul Foster, Harry Hancock, Mick Higgins, David Howarth (Deputy Mayor), Susan Jones, Chris Lomax, Keith Martin, Christine Melia, Colin Sharples, David Shaw, Michael Titherington, Caleb Tomlinson, Matthew Tomlinson, Matthew Trafford, Angela Turner, Ian Watkinson, Carol Wooldridge.

 

Abstain: Paul Wharton-Hardman.

 

The Mayor declared that the Amended Motion was lost by 18 votes for, 26 against and 1 abstention.

 

Councillor David Howarth referenced progress on the Penwortham plan, greater public participation and plans regarding leisure achieved with a spirit of co-operation. 

 

Councillors Mick Titherington, Matthew Trafford, Aniela Bylinski Gelder, Bill Evans and Keith Martin spoke in support of the substantive motion highlighting support for families and businesses following the Covid-19 pandemic, the green agenda, community wealth building and the plans for the regeneration of Leyland with the Town Deal bid.  Plans are also in place for regeneration at Penwortham. 

 

Councillors Mary and Michael Green thanked Councillor Sue Jones for her work on the Moss Side play area scheme. 

 

Councillor Alan Ogilvie queried the cumulative budget deficit and the risk appetite.  James Thomson, Deputy Director of Finance and Section 151 Officer gave some technical advice that the 200k figure is per year and that the risk appetite information is a policy requirement. 

 

Several members supported the substantive motion, specifically relating to the freezing of council tax. 

 

Councillor Paul Foster highlighted the need to support communities and businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and referenced the council tax freeze, investment proposals and the shared services agenda with Chorley Council.  The ongoing development of communities are the focus.  The support of the Liberal Democrat group in moving forwards in a positive way was highlighted. 

 

The substantive motion proposed by the Executive Member (Finance, Property and Assets), Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, and seconded by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, was then put to the vote.

 

Following debate, in accordance with Rule 16.5 in Part 4 of the Constitution, the voting on the Substantive Motion was recorded and the Members of the Council present at the time voted as follows:

 

For: Will Adams, Jacky Alty, Jane Bell (Mayor), Renee Blow, Aniela Bylinski Gelder, Malcolm Donoghue, Bill Evans, James Flannery, Derek Forrest, Paul Foster, Harry Hancock, Mick Higgins, David Howarth (Deputy Mayor), Susan Jones, Chris Lomax, Keith Martin, Christine Melia, Colin Sharples, David Shaw, Michael Titherington, Caleb Tomlinson, Matthew Tomlinson, Matthew Trafford, Angela Turner, Ian Watkinson, Paul Wharton-Hardman, Carol Wooldridge

 

Against: None.

 

Abstain: Damian Bretherton, Matt Campbell, Carol Chisholm, Colin Clark, Colin Coulton, Mary Green, Michael Green, Jon Hesketh, Cliff Hughes, Jim Marsh, Caroline Moon, Jacqui Mort, Peter Mullineaux, Alan Ogilvie, John Rainsbury, Margaret Smith, Phil Smith, David Suthers, Stephen Thurlbourn, Karen Walton, Gareth Watson, Barrie Yates. 

 

The vote was carried by majority, and it was therefore

 

Resolved (27:0:22)

That the budget and proposals as set out in the report in item 8 General Fund Revenue and Capital Budget and Council Tax 2021/22 and supporting appendices be approved to include:

a) Approve the budget and proposals set out in this report including:

• Council Tax set out in the resolutions (at Appendix A)

b) Note the Parish Precepts (Appendix B)

c) Approve the council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy (Appendix C)

d) Note the council’s forecast cumulative budget deficit & budget strategy 2021-22 to 2023-24 (Appendix D)

e) Note significant budget movements from the 2020/21 Budget (at Appendix E)

f) Note the general fund forecast assumptions (at Appendix F)

g) Approve the capital programme for 2020/21 to 2023/24 (Appendices G1, G2 & G3)

h) Approve the Capital Strategy (Appendix H)

i) Approve the TreasuryManagement Strategy (Appendix I) and note the advice of the treasury management consultants (Appendix I1)

j) Approve the council’s Pay Policy (at Appendix J) and publication on the council’s website from April 2021

k) Note the advice of the Statutory Finance Officer in relation to the robustness of the budget and the risks contained within it as set out in the Statutory Report (Appendix K).

l) Note the Budget Consultation 2021/22 Report (at Appendix L)

m) Note the Assessing the Impact of Budget Proposals 2021/22 Report (at Appendix M)

n) Approve the recommendations in the Fees and Charge report (at Appendix N)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.    That the Chief Executive and S151 officer of South Ribble Council be given delegated authority to approve payment of the Restart Grants in line with Government guidance and the criteria in this decision.

 

2.    That approval is given to lower the threshold for approval for LRSG Open Grants to 10% loss of income to make it in line with the ARG Grant.