Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations made.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2024 be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the Forward Plan be noted.

The purpose of the report was to inform members of the Council’s overall performance and financial position for the period ended 31 March 2024 (Fourth Quarter 2023/24).  The report summarised the Council’s performance and financial position after considering service activity up to the end of the Fourth Quarter (i.e. 31 March 2024).  The report was considered by the Corporate Select Committee on 15 June 2024.

Options considered:

Detailed analysis was contained within the report appendices.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Fourth Quarter 2023/24 financial, procurement and performance position detailed in Appendices A, B and C and summarised at 3.3 of the covering report, be noted;

2.    That the proposed reserve movements as set out in Appendix A (Paragraph 2.15) be approved;

3.    That the proposed carry forward of unspent capital budget as set out in Appendix A (Paragraphs 7.5 and 8.4), be approved;

4.    That the proposed updated charges for Land Charges (Paragraph 11.1) be approved; and

5.    The write-offs set out in Appendix D be approved.

The purpose of the report is to present the Council’s Annual Report for 2022/23.  This is a core document which compares High Peak’s performance and costs with councils in the East Midlands region and nationally, and highlights further action where needed.  The report had been considered by Corporate Select Committee on 15 June 2024.

Options considered:  None

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Annual Report 2022/23 be approved;

2.    That the main issues, threats and opportunities for the Council which are summarised in Section 9 of the report be noted;

3.    That the findings of the benchmarking exercise summarised in Section 10 of the report be noted; and

4.    That the comments regarding equality, diversity and inclusion be noted.

The purpose of this report is to provide members with an opportunity to scrutinise the draft Performance Framework and associated targets for 2024/2025. The report was considered by the Corporate Select Committee on 15 July 2024.

Options considered:

Members were asked to consider the proposed targets and to make amendments if they consider that they are necessary.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the changes to the Performance Framework as detailed in Section 9 of the report be approved;

2.    That the proposed set of performance indicators and targets as set out in Appendix A be approved;

3.    That the details of the performance measures that are linked to the Borough Plan priority outcomes set out in Appendix B to the report be approved;

4.    The development of the Oflog performance metrics as detailed in Appendix C to the report be approved; and

5.    That the ongoing development of an annual delivery plan including the development of milestones for the Borough Plan priority actions as detailed in Appendix D to the report be approved.

The purpose of the report was to provide the Executive with an update on:

·         The Council’s working arrangements with Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector organisations

·         the use of the Council’s Community Support Grant (CSG) funding

·         Derbyshire County Council’s consultation on ending discretionary grant funding; and

·         how the Council intends to continue to collaborate with and support the VCSE sector to deliver the Borough Plan and achieve further efficiencies.

The report was considered by Community Select Committee on 26 June 2024.

Options considered:

An alternative option has not been identified.  The Council needs to continue to work with and support VCSE partners to deliver its corporate priorities.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the feedback from organisations on the state of the local voluntary sector be noted;

2.     That the County Council consultation on proposals to end discretionary grant funding to voluntary and community groups be noted, and a corporate response to the consultation outlining the potential local impacts of ending the funding be prepared;

3.     That the use of money raised from the High Peak Community Lottery and held in the central fund to promote and support the work of the VCSE sector (after fees for the Gambling Licence and associated costs are paid) be approved. It is expected that this will amount to around £5,000 based upon experience from the first year of operation;

4.     That consultation with the VCSE sector regarding developing an agreement (a Compact) between VCSEs groups and the Council, and possibly wider statutory sector, to enhance how both sides to work together and understand what to expect from each other be approved;

5.     That the Council working with the VCSE Sector and other partners to identify how the work of the sector can be better publicly acknowledge and promoted be approved; and

6.     That the review of the Community Support Grant fund prior to 2025/26 to take account of the priorities in the Borough Plan, funding decisions of statutory partners and the financial pressures experienced by VCSE organisations with a view to move to 3-year funding agreements be approved.

The purpose of the report was to update the following existing policies:

Appendix 1 – Business Rates Relief Policy

Appendix 2 – Council Tax Discounts, Disregards and Exemption Policy Appendix 3 – Empty and Second Home Premium and Exception Policy Appendix 4 – Corporate Recovery Policy Appendix 5– Recovery Flowchart Appendix 6 – Enforcement Agents Code of Conduct Appendix 7 – Civil Enforcement Fees

Options considered:

The recovery of Council debt is statutory with some areas of discretion.  There are no options in regard to mandatory reliefs and discounts available as set by Government.  However, Government allows Authorities to make discretionary decisions in respect of the amount of Business Rates and Council Tax due.

RESOLVED:

That the updated policies be approved.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business as there may be disclosures of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 13 June 2024 be approved as a correct record.

The Executive approved a report with regards to the ‘Simpler Recycling’ reforms to Local Authority waste collection services and depot provision in the Borough

The Executive approved a report that sought approval to write off balances which were deemed non recoverable.

The Executive approved a report with regards to the preferred option for an efficient and effective Estates and Asset Management service provision.