Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors S Lambeth and N Smith.

Under the Code of Conduct members are reminded that in declaring interests you should make clear the nature of that interest and whether it is a disclosable pecuniary interest, registerable interest or other interest

Councillor R Johnson declared a registerable interest in item 12, 2026/27 General Fund Budget and Council Tax, as the Chair of Hugglescote Parish Council.

The Chair of the Council provided an update on the events he had attended around the district since the last meeting.

Members are reminded that under paragraph 11.1 of part 3 of the Constitution, questions can be asked of the Leader and Cabinet Members without notice about any matter contained in any address.  Questions shall be limited to five minutes in total for each announcement.

Councillor K Merrie, Corporate and Finance Portfolio Holder made the following announcement:

The Finance Team was thanked for the hard work undertaken in preparing the 2026/27 budget and the statement of accounts, particularly Anna Crouch, Head of Finance for her tireless and diligent work.  Thanks were also given to the opposition group for their contributions to the process and the success in working together to achieve the budget proposals.

It was announced that it was the last meeting before retirement for Paul Stone, the Strategic Director of Resources.  He was thanked for all the support provided to the Members and the Council, and for revolutionising how the authority conducted its finance.

The comments were echoed by several Members around the Council chamber.

To receive questions from members of the public under procedure rule no.10.  The procedure rule provides that members of the public may ask members of the Cabinet any question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties which affect the District, provided that three clear days’ notice in writing has been given to the Head of Legal and Support Services.

No questions were received.

To receive members’ questions under procedure rule no.11.  The procedure rule provides that any member may ask the Chairman of a board or group any question on any matter in relation to which the Council has powers or duties which affect the District, provided that three clear days’ notice in writing has been given to the Head of Legal and Support Services.

No questions were received.

To consider any motions on notice under procedure rule no. 12.

No motions were received.

To receive petitions in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme. 

No petitions were received.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 4 November 2025.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2025.

It was moved by Councillor P Lees, seconded by Councillor J Simmons and

RESOLVED THAT:

The minutes of the meeting held on 4 November 2025 be approved and signed by the Chair of the Council as a correct record.

Report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Councillor K Merrie, Corporate and Finance Portfolio Holder, presented the report.

The report was noted.

Report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Councillor K Merrie, Corporate and Finance Portfolio Holder, presented the report and moved the recommendations.  It was seconded by Councillor N Rushton.

A question was asked regarding the process for approval of the play area grants.  It was confirmed that the process for these grants as, well as the Legacy Fund Grant had not yet been agreed.  It was noted that reports would be considered by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet in due course.

The financial indicators required under the prudential code detailed in section three of the report were noted.

RESOLVED THAT:

1)  The authorised limit and operational boundary for external debt as detailed in table 3 of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2026/27 be approved.

2)  The maturity structure of borrowing as detailed in paragraph 6.6 of the Treasury     Management Statement 2026/27 be approved.

3)  The Capital Strategy 2026/27 be approved.

4)  The Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2026/27 be approved.

5)  The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement 2026/27 be approved.

6)  The Non-Treasury Investment Strategy 2026/27 be approved.

7)  Authority to move a Capital Scheme from the Development Pool to the Active Programme as long as the scheme is within the approved budget, be delegated to Cabinet.

8)  Authority to make any necessary changes to appendices 1 – 4 if anyamendments are agreed to the General Fund Budget and/or Housing Revenue Account budget at this meeting, be delegated to the Section 151 Officer.

Report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Councillor K Merrie, Corporate and Finance Portfolio Holder, presented the report and moved the recommendations.  It was seconded by Councillor N Rushton.

Several Members across the Chamber spoke in support of the budget proposals and the collaborative approach taken between the political groups which had been a success.

Some comments were made in relation to the lower-than-expected government settlement figure and although disappointing, the focus should now be on the importance of ensuring the communities benefited from the funds.  The fair distribution of funds was also mentioned.

Some concerns were raised relating to the ongoing rising costs of the Marlborough Square Project.  It was agreed to provide the cost breakdown for this project, outside of the meeting.

The Chair of the Council put the motion to the vote.  A recorded vote being required, the voting was as detailed below.

RESOLVED THAT:

1)  The General Fund Revenue Budget for 2026/27 as summarised in section 2 of the report, including the increase in the District Council’s share of Council Tax in 2026/27 by 2.75% be approved.

2)  The General Fund Revenue indicative budget for 2027/28 and 2028/29 be noted.

3)  The General Fund Fees and Charges approved by Cabinet on 3 February 2026 be noted.

4)  The proposed General Fund Capital Programme for 2026/27 and planned financing as set out in section 3 of the report be approved.

5)  The remaining elements of the General Fund Capital Programme 2027/28 and 2028/29 be noted.

6)  The Special Expenses Revenue Budget for 2026/27 as summarised insection 4 of the report, including setting the Special Expense Band D Council Tax at the levels detailed in table 4 of the report be approved.

7)  The drawdown from reserves to fund the one-off budget proposals as detailed in the General Fund budget changes be approved.

Report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Councillor A Woodman, Housing, Property and Customer Services Portfolio Holder, presented the report and moved the recommendations.  It was seconded by Councillor K Merrie.

The current direction for new Council homes was acknowledged; however, some felt the number could be increased.  Reference was made to the cost-of-living challenges and the growing need for Council homes.

The Chair of the Council put the motion to the vote.  A recorded vote being required, the voting was as detailed below.

RESOLVED THAT:

1)  The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget for 2026.27 as summarised in section 2 of the report, including the increase of rents by 4.8% was approved.

2)  The HRA Budget for 2027/28 and 2028/29 be noted.

3)  The Fees and Charges approved by Cabinet on 3 February 2026 be noted.

4)  The proposed HRA Capital Programme for 2026/27 and planned financing as set out in section 3 of the report be approved.

Report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Councillor K Merrie, Corporate and Finance Portfolio Holder, presented the report and moved the recommendations.  It was seconded by Councillor N Rushton.

It was noted that Cabinet agreed on 9 January 2025 to implement the second homes premium at 100% from day one, effective from 1 April 2026.

The Chair of the Council put the motion to the vote.  A recorded vote being required, the voting was as detailed below.

RESOLVED THAT:

The Council Tax Resolution 2026/27 as set out in section 2 of the report be agreed.

Report of the Strategic Director of Resources

Councillor K Merrie, Corporate and Finance Portfolio Holder, presented the report.

The report was noted.

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Councillor K Merrie, Corporate and Finance Portfolio Holder, presented the report and moved the recommendations.  It was seconded by Councillor N Rushton.

RESOLVED THAT:

The proposed changes to the Constitution as set out in appendices A to G be adopted with effect from 1 March 2026, except for the amendments to the Appointments Committee which will come into effect from the new civic year in May 2026.

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Councillor N Rushton, Infrastructure Portfolio Holder, presented the report and moved the recommendations.  It was seconded by Councillor R Blunt.

RESOLVED THAT:

The amendments to the arrangements be adopted with effect from 20 February 2026.

Report of the Head of Legal and Support Services

Councillor N Rushton, Infrastructure Portfolio Holder, presented the report and moved the recommendations.  It was seconded by Councillor J Simmons.

A lengthy discussion ensued during which several Members spoke against the proposals, citing lack of evidence to the benefits and raising concerns regarding process and public perception.  Other Members spoke in support of the proposals emphasizing the independent objectivity they would bring to the committee and the alignment with good practice.

The Chair of the Council put the motion to the vote.  A recorded vote being requested, the voting was as detailed below.

The result of the vote was tied, therefore in accordance with the Council’s Constitution, the Chair of the Council exercised his second and casting vote.

RESOLVED THAT:

1)  The appointment of an Independent Chair of the Audit and Governance     Committee be agreed.

2)  Authority to make any consequential changes to the Council’s Constitution be  delegated to the Monitoring Officer.

Following a question from a Member regarding the legality of the casting vote, the Monitoring Officer advised that there were no restrictions within the Council’s Constitution relating to the use of the Chair’s casting vote, therefore, the vote on the item was conducted correctly. 

Report of the Chief Executive

Councillor N Rushton, Infrastructure Portfolio Holder, presented the report and moved the recommendations.  It was seconded by Councillor J Simmons.

Reference was made to the male dominated job roles as detailed within the report and it was questioned as to what was being done to encourage women to take these roles.  Councillor N Rushton agreed to provide a response outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED THAT:

The relevant information outlined in paragraph 1.2 of the report, be reported to government.

Report of the Chief Executive

Councillor N Rushton, Infrastructure Portfolio Holder, presented the report and moved the recommendations.  It was seconded by Councillor R Blunt.

The Strategic Director of Resources highlighted an error in paragraph 12.3 of the appendix, the missing figure in the paragraph was £31,067.

During discussion, it was questioned if senior officers were offered any incentives to use electric vehicles.  Councillor N Rushton agreed to provide a response outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED THAT:

The Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2026/27 as attached at appendix 1 of the report be approved.