Agenda and minutes

Before the meeting started, Councillor R Blunt welcomed Councillor K Merrie to his first Cabinet meeting as the newly appointed Planning Portfolio Holder.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Robert Ashman.

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.

No interests were declared.

No questions were received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 31 August 2021

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 31 August 2021.

It was moved by Councillor T Gillard, seconded by Councillor R Bayliss and

RESOLVED THAT

The minutes of the meetings held on 31 August 2021 be confirmed as accurate records of the proceedings.

Reason for decision: To comply with the Consultation.

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Leader

Councillor R Blunt presented the report, which was based on The Council Delivery Plan, agreed in November 2020. It was noted that all future performance reports would be measured against the new delivery plan that had been agreed at Council on 7 September 2021.

Cabinet members were then invited to make comments on their portfolio areas.

It was moved by Councillor R Blunt, seconded by Councillor T Gillard and

RESOLVED THAT

The progress against the corporate objectives and performance indicators for quarter 1 2021/22 be noted.

Reason for decision: To report Q1 2021/22 Council Delivery Plan performance.

Report of the Strategic Director

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Councillor N Rushton presented the report. He noted a number of uncertainties that would significantly impact on the budget and outlined planned approach for the 2022/23 budget setting process that would look to establish some savings.

It was moved by Councillor N Rushton, seconded by Councillor Bayliss and

RESOLVED THAT

1. The Council’s revised medium term financial plan, in particular the uncertainty surrounding the general fund’s funding position be noted.

2. The planned approach to budget setting this year be approved.

Reason for decision: To approve the planned approach to budget setting for 2022/23.

Report of the Strategic Director

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Councillor N Rushton presented the report.

Members were pleased to support the report.

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

RESOLVED THAT

It be recommended to Council that the special expenses policy as detailed in Appendix B be approved.

Reason for decision: To enable the approval of the Special Expenses Policy.

Report of the Strategic Director

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

Councillor A Woodman presented the report and outlined how the fleet could achieve zero carbon emissions by 2030.

Members supported the pragmatic approach.

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

RESOLVED THAT CABINET

a)     The fleet management strategy, recommendations and action plan within Annex A be approved.

b)     The allocation of resources and a related procurement exercise to fund the initial 3 year fleet replacement plan (outlined in sections 5 and 6 of this report) be agreed.

c)     The allocation of resources to switch to an alternative fuel (outlined in sections 2 and 6 – split across the housing revenue account and the general fund) be agreed.

d)     Authority be delegated to the Head of Community Services, in consultation with the portfolio holder and Head of Finance, to award contracts for the fleet replacement programme within the approved budget scheme.

Reason for decision: To enable the Council to procure replacement vehicles and reduce CO2 emission across the fleet, embracing the Council’s Zero Carbon commitments.

Report of the Strategic Director

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

Councillor A Woodman presented the report, pertaining to the new legislation which had been published.

It was moved by Councillor A Woodman, seconded by Councillor K Merrie and

RESOLVED THAT

1. The continued use of the fees policy for fit & proper person checks for  owners of residential park home sites be approved.

2. Authority be delegated to the Head of Community Services to annually review and amend the fees policy for fit & proper person checks for owners of residential park home sites

Reason for decision: The Mobile Homes (Requirement for Manager of Site to be Fit and Proper Person) (England) Regulations 2020

Report of the Strategic Director

Presented by the Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder

Councillor R Bayliss presented the report.

Members fully supported the report

It was moved by Councillor R Bayliss, seconded by Councillor N Rushton.

RESOLVED THAT

Corporate disposals policy attached as Appendix 1 be approved.

Reason for decision: To approve an updated and consolidated disposal policy document

Report of the Chief Executive

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Councillor N Rushton presented the review, noting that the policies had been updated to take into account any legislative changes required.

It was moved by Councillor N Rushton, seconded by Councillor K Merrie.

RESOLVED THAT

1.     The comments from the Audit and Governance committee its meeting on the 21 July 2021 be noted.

2.     The Corporate Governance Polices listed in paragraph 2 be approved.

Reason for decision: To ensure that the Council has an up to date suite of governance policies in place reflecting the law and best practice.

Report of the Strategic Director

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Councillor N Rushton presented the report, and outlined the process the authority took when considering write offs.

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

RESOLVED THAT

The information contained within the report as a true representation of write offs undertaken during 2020/21 be noted.

Reason for decision: To comply with proper accounting practices.

The officers consider that the press and public should be excluded during consideration of the following items in accordance with Section 100(a) of the Local Government Act 1972 as publicity would be likely to result in disclosure of exempt or confidential information.  Members are reminded that they must have regard to the public interest test and must consider, for each item, whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption from disclosure outweighs the public interest in making the item available.

It was moved by Councillor T Gillard, seconded by Councillor A Woodman and

RESOLVED THAT:

In pursuance of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting on the grounds that the business to be transacted involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act and that the public interest in maintaining this exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Reason for decision: To enable the consideration of exempt information.

Report of the Strategic Director

Presented by the Community Services Portfolio Holder

Councillor A Woodman presented the report. It received broad support from members of the Cabinet.

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

RESOLVED THAT

The recommendations as detailed in the report be approved.

Reason for decision:

To agree a financial support package detailed in the report from October 2021 to March 2022 inclusive on an open book basis to continue to rebuild the community access to our leisure centres in a Covid safe environment.