Agenda and minutes

DECISION:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 3 August 2021 be approved as a correct record.

1.    Disclosable Pecuniary Interests

2.    Other Interests

There were no declarations 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 30th June (“First Quarter 2021/22”).  The report was considered by the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 22 September 2021.The position was summarised as follows:

Options considered:

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

DECISION:         

That the First Quarter 2021/22 financial, procurement and performance position detailed in Appendices A, B and C and summarised at 3.3 of the covering report ne noted.

The purpose of the report was to update members on the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP), in preparation for considering the budget (and associated council tax level) in February 2022.  The report was considered by the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 22 September 2021.

Options considered:

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

DECISION:         

That the updates proposed to the Medium Term Financial Plan set in February 2022, including further proposed actions and further areas identified be noted.

The Cabinet considered a report with regards to the need to consider each year whether to revise the Council’s council tax reduction scheme, leave it as it is or replace it with a completely new scheme. The proposal was to retain the current scheme for 2022/23. However, the introduction of Universal Credit meant that the current scheme was proving increasingly difficult to administer and more difficult for recipients of the discount to understand and manage. Therefore, there was also a proposal to explore options for redesigning the scheme to provide greater certainty in the light of Universal Credit. Any decisions on design and subsequent  implementation would occur by 2023/24 at the earliest, to allow for extensive consultation.   The report was considered by the Resources Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 22 September 2021.

Options considered:

The options available (including doing nothing) were analysed in the summary of the report.

DECISION:         

1.     That the proposal to retain the existing council tax reduction scheme for 2022/23 be approved.

2.     That the proposal for further research to be undertaken into alternative designs for a council tax reduction scheme that better deals with the impact of Universal Credit, subject to a further report and consultation be approved.

The Council had committed to reviewing its approach to community safety to reduce crime, the fear of crime and anti-social behaviour. The report helped to deliver that commitment and was considered by the Community Overview and Scrutiny Panel on 6 September 2021.

Options considered:

There were none identified.

DECISION:         

1.     That the Council’s responsibilities with respect to anti?social behaviour be noted.

2.     That the draft Anti?Social Behaviour Policy be approved.

3.     That the Anti-Social Behaviour Handbook be noted and that the Council assists in raising awareness of the handbook within the community.

The Chair to Move:-

“That, pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 100 I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.”

RESOLVED:

That, pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 100 I (1)  of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.

The Cabinet approved a report with regards to the purchase of the former police station at Blythe Bridge in partnership with Forsbrook Parish Council, Staffordshire County Council, and Aspire Housing.

The Cabinet approved a report with regards to the development of a joint venture partnership for delivering the Council’s facilities management service.