Agenda and minutes

DECISION:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 1 December 2020 be approved as a correct record.

1.    Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

2.    Other Interests

The following declarations were made:

DECISION:

That the Forward Plan be approved for publication.

The purpose of the report was to inform members of the Council’s overall performance and financial position for the period ended 31st December (“Third Quarter 2020/21”).The report was considered by the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 3 February 2021.  The position can be summarised as follows:

Options considered:

Detailed Analysis is contained within the main body of the Report.

DECISION:

That the Third Quarter 2020/21 financial, procurement and performance position detailed in Appendices A, B and C and summarised at 3.3 of the covering report be noted.

The purpose of the report is to present the proposed Budget for 2021/22, updated Medium-Term Financial Plan 2021/22 – 2024/25, Capital Strategy 2021/22, proposed Fees and Charges for 2021/22 and Procurement Forward Plan 2021/22.  The report was considered by the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 3 February 2021. 

The Leader of the Council confirmed that an earmarked reserve had been established to support climate change related activities.  Climate Change considerations were indirectly included in many aspects of the MTFP – including capital programme projects focused on Council buildings and vehicle purchases.

Options considered:

There were no options to consider at this stage.

RECOMMENDED: 

Cabinet supported the following recommendations to Council:

1.     Approves the General Fund Budget for 2021/22 as detailed in Appendix A (section 9)

2.     Approves the revised Medium-Term Financial Plan (2021/22 to 2024/25) as detailed in Appendix A, including the revised Capital Programme (attached at Annex A)

3.     Approves the Capital Strategy 2021/22 as set out in Appendix B

4.     Approves the proposed Fees and Charges for 2021/22 as detailed in Appendix C

5.     Approves the proposed Procurement Forward Plan for 2021/22, providing the authority to procure based on procurement activity detailed in Appendix D

6.     Approves a Band D Council Tax of £158.40 for 2021/22 (an increase of £5 or 3.26% from 2021/22)

7.     Approves a Band D Council Tax of £52.92 for Leek and £10.64 for Biddulph for 2020/21 (no increase from 2020/21) in respect of Special District Expenses

8.     Notes the Chief Finance Officer's view that the level of reserves are adequate for the Council based on this budget and the circumstances in place at the time of preparing it (Appendix A Annex D)

The report outlined proposals for the expansion of the Council’s current Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) offer as part of the wider review of the Council’s Housing Renewal Assistance Policy.  The report was considered by the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 3 February 2021.

Options considered:

Cabinet may determine whether to approve some, all or none of the proposals to go forward to inform the Housing Renewal Assistance Policy review.

DECISION:         

That the revised Grant criteria as attached at appendices 1 to 4 for inclusion in the Council’s Housing Renewal Assistance Policy be approved.

The report sought to introduce measures to improve community safety by restricting on-street drinking in Biddulph, Cheadle and Leek.  The report was considered by the Community Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 1 February 2021.

Options considered:

To decide not to introduce a Public Spaces Protection Order in the designated areas (not recommended).

DECISION:         

1.     That  the necessary consultation, publication and notification in relation to the draft Order appended to the report be carried out.

2.     That the draft Order be subsequently approved by delegated decision unless the responses from the consultation necessitate material changes to the draft Order.