Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillor T Gillard.

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring disclosable interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is pecuniary or non-pecuniary.

There were no interests declared.

There were no questions received.

Minutes of the meeting held on 9 April 2019

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 9 April 2019.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor R D Bayliss and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 April 2019 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

Reason for decision:- To comply with the Constitution.

Report of the Strategic Director of Housing and Customer Services

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Corporate Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He advised that the report summarised the main elements of the financial performance for 2018/19 and sought approval of the impact on reserves. He noted that the results were ‘provisional’ as they were still subject to external audit and could change. He highlighted that the final audited accounts would be presented to the Audit & Governance Committee on 24 July 2019 for approval.

He informed members that the financial performance across the council had continued to improve and he thanked the Finance team for their hard work in delivering the annual accounts. He advised that the team had been dealing with some legacy issues and despite that, they had delivered a quality outcome against a tight deadline.

In relation to the General Fund he highlighted the following:-

• The expected final position on the General Fund was £1.525m surplus against a budget of £299k.

• The majority of variances had been known about and reported throughout the year. 

• All major variances were included in Table 2 of the report. 

• The most significant variance had been a favourable movement in business rates, with an additional £480k retained by the council compared to the budgeted level.  Differences between budget and actual business rate income were not unusual due to the complex nature of forecasting business rates.

• It is proposed that £1.42m of the surplus was contributed to the self-sufficiency reserve.

• Of the remaining £100k surplus it was proposed to allocate:

In relation to the HRA he noted the following:-

• The outturn on the HRA was an expected surplus of £4.9m against a budget of £2.95m with the major variances being a lower than budgeted depreciation charge for the year, under spends on employee costs and on painting programmes. 

• The In House Repairs team also generated a surplus of £385k that was recycled back into the HRA.  In 2017/18, the amount was £272k and the increase for the past year demonstrates the effectiveness of bringing more repairs work and capital improvements back in house and the position should continue to improve in the current year.

He thanked the repairs team for the continuing good work.

In relation to Capital and Reserves he highlighted the following:-

• In total, the Council  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Report of the Strategic Director of Housing and Customer Services

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Corporate Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He advised that the report provided a summary update of the Treasury Management activity during 2018/19 and that regular, quarterly reports would be received by the Audit and Governance Committee. He informed Members that the summary set out how the Council had complied with its Prudential Indicators and the policies and requirements within the authority’s Treasury Management Strategy.

He stated that there had been two breaches of investment limits in the year and these were reported to the Audit and Governance committee on 20 March 2019, the details of which were set out in paragraph 6.12 of the report.  He advised that both were unavoidable and there were no penalties or consequences because of the breaches.

He highlighted that the council had not undertaken any new long-term or temporary borrowing in the year and no opportunities in respect of rescheduling existing debt arose. He added that cash was invested in highly rated financial institutions, money market funds or the Government in line with the Council’s investment priorities of security and liquidity, and optimum yield achievable within these. 

He was pleased to advise that the Council had achieved a higher average rate of return in 2018/19 of 0.71% compared to 0.49% in 2017/18. That was a 40% increase, and that the treasury position at the end of the 2018/19 year reflected a reduction in net debt of £5.6m due to £1.1m repayment of HRA loans and an increase of £4.5m of council funds held in investments, partly as a result of increased income and asset sales.

The Head of Finance outlined the detail of the breaches and that they had been reported to Full Council as part of the Treasury Management Strategy.

It was moved by N J Rushton, seconded by Councillor R Blunt and

RESOLVED THAT:

The report be noted.

Reason for decision: These are statutory requirements.

Report of the Strategic Director of Place

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He noted that the key successes in 2018/19 were:-

• 96.4% of establishments that have received a hygiene rating have achieved a rating of three (Generally satisfactory) or higher (Good, Very Good).
• The number of establishments requiring urgent improvement (rated 0) fell from three to one during 2018/19.
• The number of establishments demonstrating very good hygiene standards (rated 5) increased from 520 to 541 during 2018/19.
• 100% of planned inspections to high and medium risk (category A, B, C, D) food establishments were delivered.

He advised that during 2019/20 priority would be given to establishments within risk category A, B, unrated and non-broadly compliant C and D. It was estimated that 30% of establishments would receive one or more revisits. In addition to the above programme, all new food establishments will receive an initial inspection and that each would receive advice from both the Environmental Health and Business Focus teams. He highlighted that the service would continue to use social media to communicate food hygiene ratings. He congratulated the team on its hard work.

It was moved by A Woodman, seconded by Councillor R Ashman and

RESOLVED THAT:

1.    The Environmental Health Food Safety Service Delivery Plan 2019/20 appended to the report be approved

2.    The performance and achievements in 2018/19 be noted.

Reason for decision:- To approve the content of the Food Safety Service Delivery Plan 2019/20 as required by the Food Standards Agency.

Report of the Strategic Director of Housing and Customer Services

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

The Corporate Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He reminded Members that in 2018 the Council was successful in its bid along with all other Local Authorities across Leicestershire to take part in the 2019/20 75% Business Rate Retention Pilot.  He advised that at the time of developing the 2019/20 budget, the total additional amount to be retained in Leicestershire was estimated to be £13.8m.  The revised estimate is now £14.6m after setting business rates bases for the year and that the allocation principles between the County, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, City and all Districts were agreed prior to submission of the bid and NWLDC Cabinet considered that at its meeting in September 2018. 

He informed Cabinet that the Council included an assumption of £550k additional funding and corresponding expenditure in the 2019/20 Budget and in line with the bid, the funds must be spent on ‘infrastructure’ and/or ‘financial sustainability’ projects.

He asked Members to approve the expenditure of the confirmed £597k of funding on four projects set out in section 2 of the report and that any additional funding confirmed would be reported in forthcoming quarterly performance reports. The projects were:

Councillor A Woodman welcomed the Green transport study and hoped that some of the funds could be used re-open the Ivanhoe line.

Councillor R D Bayliss noted the amount allocated to fund 2 homeless prevention bed spaces adding that it was a small amount but much needed.

It was moved by Councillor N J Rushton, seconded by Councillor A Woodman  and

RESOLVED THAT:

The allocation of the forecast £597,000 Business Rates Funding to projects as set out in the report be approved.

Reason for decision:- Cabinet approval of allocation of funds is required.

Report of the Strategic Director of Place

Presented by the Planning and Infrastructure Portfolio Holder

The Planning and Infrastructure Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He advised that during Spring 2018 a number of people and organisations had been given the opportunity to respond to a consultation on the draft document, which had received general support. He advised that where comments had been made, the wording had been changed, where possible, and that more images had been used. He felt that the document was very easy to read and noted that it would replace a more formal document that had been in place since 2007. He stated that the document would support the design and building of future shops in the area to ensure that they fitted in to their surroundings.

Councillor R Blunt was pleased to have the document before Cabinet members , as it would make it easier to say no to applications that came forward should they not meet the design requirements.

Councillor R D Bayliss agreed that it was easy to read and a good document. He was pleased to see that Ashby was included.

It was moved by Councillor R Ashman, seconded by Councillor R Blunt  and

RESOLVED THAT:

The revised SPD be adopted.

Reason for decision:- Adoption of the revised SPD would support the aims of the Council Delivery Plan relating to sustainable development and growth and people feeling proud of their homes and communities.

Report of the Strategic Director of Housing and Customer Services

Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

The Housing, Property and Customer Services presented the report to Members.

He advised that the current system required modernising in order to continue the ongoing improvements to the customer experience. He noted that the recommendation should read “In consultation with the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder”.

Councillor R Ashman agreed that it was a positive move  in enabling the Council to better support its customers.

It was moved by Councillor R D Bayliss, seconded by Councillor N J Rushton and

RESOLVED THAT:

Authority be delegated to the Strategic Director of Housing and Customer Services in consultation with the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder to procure and award a replacement telephony and contact centre platform over 5 years.

Reason for decision:- To approve the procurement of a replacement Telephony and Contact Centre platform which is anticipated to be above £250,000 over the 5 year contract term.

Report of the Strategic Director of Housing and Customer Services

Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

The Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He advised Members that under exceptional circumstances allowed for in the HRA Disposals Policy the Leader and Chief Executive had agreed to sell the property at 26 The Pinfold, Newton Burgoland. This property required a significant amount of work and the capital sum realised from its sale would be invested in the Council’s new build and acquisitions programme. He advised that two houses in Ashby were shortly to be purchased for a combined price that was less than sale price of this one property. The report before them requested Cabinet to confirm that they were in agreement with the offer that had been accepted.

It was moved by Councillor R D Bayliss, seconded by Councillor N J Rushton and

RESOLVED THAT:

The decision of the Chief Executive and the Leader of the Council to accept an offer of £210,000 for the freehold sale of 26 The Pinfold, Newtown Burgoland be confrimed

Reason for decision:- The decision to dispose of the property was made by Cabinet on 9 April 2019, in accordance with the HRA Disposal Policy (approved by Cabinet on 3 March 2015) to generate a capital receipt to meet the needs of the HRA Business Plan and associated budget for 2019/20.

Report of the Strategic Director of Housing and Customer Services

Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

The Leader presented the report to Members.

He advised that in line with the Constitution of the Revenue and Benefits Joint Committee, each member authority was required to appoint two Cabinet members to it. He recommended Councillors R Ashman and R D Bayliss.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor N J Rushton and

RESOLVED THAT:

Councillors R Ashman and R D Bayliss be appointed to serve on the Joint Committee

Reason for decision:- To comply with the Constitution of the Leicestershire Partnership Revenues and Benefits Joint Committee.

Report of the Strategic Director of Place

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

The Community Services Portfolio Holder presented the report to Members.

He was pleased to report back on the work that the working party had carried out. He noted the positive responses on the many events that had been organised and that the Coalville May Fair had been extended over  two weekends. He also highlighted the responses to the Christmas in Coalville questionnaire, which suggested that the vast majority were happy with the event.

He stated that he was pleased to support the request to allocate £1200.00 for the graffiti art project, towards the progression of the Coalville Park Green Flag Award and the allocation of the £6206.00 for additional flowers around the town centre, with the progression towards Coalville in Bloom 2020. He advised that he hoped to update Members on both the projects at future meetings.

He welcomed the use of the external funding to target parks that required improvement. He noted recommendation C at 3.2 but observed that the play equipment at The Oval play area would not reach the end of its life for at least 6 years and so urged Cabinet to focus the funding at recommendation C on play areas with greater need.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded by Councillor R D Bayliss and

RESOLVED THAT:

1. The recommendations made by the Coalville Special Expenses Working Party as detailed within the minutes be noted

2. Recommendations A and B as summarised at 3.2 of the report be approved.

3. The allocation of £15,714 of external funding, mentioned at 3.2 C of the report, be approved for the improvement of play areas with equipment that will come to the end of its life within the next 5 years.

Reason for decision:- To progress Coalville Special Expenses projects and programmes.