Agenda item

Report of the Head of Finance

Presented by the Corporate Portfolio Holder

Having declared a disclosable pecuniary interest, Councillor N J Rushton left the room during consideration of this item and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.

The Chief Executive presented the report to Members, which was an update following the feedback which had been received.  A final report would be brought to Cabinet in February for recommendation to Council.

The Chief Executive outlined the feedback which had been received on each of the proposals, and any changes to the recommendations made in the report received at the meeting in September 2013 as follows:

·        No feedback had been received on the three proposals outlined at Appendix 1.  It was therefore recommended that the proposals be implemented as previously outlined.

·        Appendix 2a – Green Waste Collection.  The greatest level of feedback had been received in respect of these proposals. 

-        Recommendation 1 remained unchanged. 

-        Recommendation 2 was a new recommendation as a result of the consultation. 

-        Recommendation 3 had been amended with a later collection date.

-        Recommendation 4 was a new recommendation as a result of the consultation.

·        Appendix 2b – Car Park Charges.  Feedback had been received in respect of these proposals.

-        Recommendation 1 remained unchanged. 

-        Recommendation 2 reflected the ongoing conversations between the Coalville Town Centre Team and the Belvoir Centre owners.  Further information would be brought to the meeting in February.

-        Recommendation 3 was a new recommendation which had been suggested by staff.  Further information would be brought to the meeting in February.

Councillor R Blunt referred to the Royal Hotel car park in Ashby de la Zouch.  He felt that all car parks that were branded as Council car parks should charge the same rates and should be in line with the charges levied by the Council.  He asked that this be included in the recommendations.

The Chief Executive agreed that this be considered further and more information be brought to the meeting in February.

·        Appendix 2c – Concessionary Fees and Charges.  Consultation responses had been received. There were no changes to the recommendations as previously outlined.

·        Appendix 2d – Community Partnership Grants.  Consultation responses had been received. There were no changes to the recommendations as previously outlined.

·        Appendix 2e – Vision Magazine.  Minimal feedback had been received and the recommendation remained to cease the magazine.  The last issue had recently been published.

·        Appendix 2f – Chairman’s Function.  Discussions had taken place with past Chairmen and the officers supporting the Chairman on a practical way forward.  As a result, more detailed recommendations had been included.

·        Appendix 2g – Service Efficiencies/Staffing.  More detailed recommendations had been included.

·        Appendix 2h – HRA Costs.  Consultation responses had been received. There were no changes to the recommendations as previously outlined.

·        Appendix 2i – Coalville Special Expenses.  The recommendation in respect of the £25,000 reallocation from the General Fund had been maintained.  A new recommendation in respect of the consultation regarding Remembrance Day had been included.

·        Appendix 3 provided an update on the work to date and the direction of travel.  Progress was to be noted.

·        An update sheet had been tabled in respect of Appendix 3, with a response from Castle Donington Community College. The options would be discussed and a recommendation would be brought to the February meeting in respect of the Community Leisure Schemes, CCTV and Ashby Toilets.

The Chief Executive reported that the autumn statement had been announced and it had been indicated that the New Homes Bonus would not be reduced as previously suggested.  She advised that the targets would be altered accordingly once the settlement figure was known.

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

RESOLVED THAT:

a)   The budget proposals contained within Appendix 1 be agreed.

b)   The budget proposals and amended recommendations contained within Appendices 2 to 2(i) be agreed.

c)   The direction of travel as contained within Appendix 3 be noted.

d)   The proposed preparatory work regarding the 2015 - 2016 budget as outlined in paragraph 3.4 of the report be endorsed.

e)   Recommendations 1-4 be reconsidered as part of the full budget report on 11 February 2014.  

Reason for decision: To enable the Council to set a balanced budget as required by law.

Councillor N J Rushton returned to the meeting on the conclusion of this item.