Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: The Forum, Towcester, NN12 6AF
Contact: Sofia Neal-Gonzalez, Democratic Services
Note: Please use the following link to view the meeting from 6pm: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDyc2cNcl19OvcGOCuZDTBQ
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Apologies Minutes: Councillor Rebecca Breese, Councillor Matt Golby, Councillor Daniel Lister |
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Declarations of Interest Members are asked to declare any interest and the nature of that interest which they may have in any of the items under consideration at this meeting. Minutes: None |
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To confirm the minutes of the meeting of Cabinet held on XXXXX. Minutes: Agreed that the minutes from the Cabinet meeting on the 6th of December 2022 were approved and signed as a true and accurate record. |
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Chair's Announcements To receive communications from the Chair. Minutes: None |
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Urgent Business The Chairman to advise whether they have agreed to any items of urgent business being admitted to the agenda.
Minutes: None |
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Minutes: At the Chair’s invitation Councillor Ian McCord, the Chair of Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Committee presented the report. Members were advised that this report could have come to Cabinet earlier and had been flagged as such. It was noted that the findings should be brought to the attention of the Department of Education (Dfe).
Councillor Malcolm Longley advised that the DfE would be written to.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet would write to the Department for Education regarding the Children’s Trust model and state that, whilst West Northamptonshire Council will honour its contract regarding funding its agreed proportion of the Children’s Trust budget, any subsequent difference should be covered by the Department for Education
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Revenue Monitoring - Quarter 2 - Financial Year 2022-23 PDF 244 KB Additional documents:
Decision: RESOLVED: That Cabinet: a) Noted the forecast outturn position for 2022-23 and associated risk b) Noted the deliverability assessment of West Northamptonshire Council savings requirement for 2022-23 summarised in section 7 and detailed in Appendix B c) Delegated authority to the Executive Director – Finance in consultation with the portfolio holder to apply any budget virements required to effectively manage the overall budget during the 2023/24 year. d) Cabinet noted and endorsed the three requests made by the Children’s Trust set out in paragraphs 6.4, 6.5 and 6.7 and supported by the Strategic Commissioning Group and recommend to Council that they should be approved and for the approval of further contract sum adjustments to be delegated to the Executive Director – Finance in consultation with the Finance Portfolio holder. e) Noted the position on Capital Dispensations set out in paragraph 6.48.1
REASONS RESOLVED: To update members on the financial position of the Council and ensure that the Authority complies with its financial regulations.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: None
Minutes: At the Chair’s invitation councillors made the following comments.
The Chair of The Corporate and Scrutiny Overview committee felt that reports needed to come to the committee faster than they presently do.
The Chief Executive advised that with regards to cost cutting, there were 150 lines of mitigation open to the Council.
Councillor Fiona Baker advised concerns would be raised at the schools forum.
Councillor Malcolm Longley presented the report to Cabinet and noted that further central government input would be welcomed.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet: a) Noted the forecast outturn position for 2022-23 and associated risk b) Noted the deliverability assessment of West Northamptonshire Council savings requirement for 2022-23 summarised in section 7 and detailed in Appendix B c) Delegated authority to the Executive Director – Finance in consultation with the portfolio holder to apply any budget virements required to effectively manage the overall budget during the 2023/24 year. d) Cabinet noted and endorsed the three requests made by the Children’s Trust set out in paragraphs 6.4, 6.5 and 6.7 and supported by the Strategic Commissioning Group and recommend to Council that they should be approved and for the approval of further contract sum adjustments to be delegated to the Executive Director – Finance in consultation with the Finance Portfolio holder. e) Noted the position on Capital Dispensations set out in paragraph 6.48.1
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Additional documents:
Decision: RESOLVED: That Cabinet a) Noted the latest capital monitoring position for the General Fund and HRA. b) Noted the new capital schemes and changes to the Capital Programme since the report that was considered by Cabinet in September 2022. c) Approved the budget virement outlined in section 10.
REASONS RESOLVED: In order to continue to ensure sound management of the council’s finances.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: None
Minutes: At the Chair’s invitation councillors made the following comments.
Councillor Malcolm Longley noted that there was about £2.5 million set aside for various purposes within the Children’s Trust. The Executive Director Place & Economy advised that the Council had been given some funding by central Government to look at flood resilience, this information could be shared after the meeting.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet a) Noted the latest capital monitoring position for the General Fund and HRA. b) Noted the new capital schemes and changes to the Capital Programme since the report that was considered by Cabinet in September 2022. c) Approved the budget virement outlined in section 10.
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Treasury Management Update Quarter 2, 2022-23 PDF 276 KB Decision:
RESOLVED: That Cabinet noted the report and treasury activity for the second quarter of the 22-23 financial year.
REASONS RESOLVED: To ensure that the Authority complied with its financial regulations and its Treasury management policies.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: None
Minutes:
At the Chair’s invitation councillors made the following comments.
Councillor Malcolm Longley presented the report and made the following comments.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet noted the report and treasury activity for the second quarter of the 22-23 financial year.
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Progress Update Transformation and Local Government Reform PDF 159 KB Additional documents:
Decision: RESOLVED: That Cabinet: 1. Noted the efficiencies delivered to date and planned for 2023-24; 2. Noted the content of the detailed reports at Appendices 1,2 and 3 which set out the details of our progress against our plans, commitments, and savings targets. 3. Noted the key elements of our Council operating model in Appendix 1 and the design principles that would underpin our future operation and service to stakeholders. 4. Noted the summary of the West Northants Master Property Plan for our buildings, and 5. Noted the progress on disaggregation of services from North Northants and status of services that are still shared.
REASONS RESOLVED: 1. This report is for members to note but provided a comprehensive update with progress updates, timelines and the financial benefit of our transformation plans. It responds to several questions raised recently regarding the Council’s progress. 2. We will be looking at how we provide ongoing reports and the regularity of them so that members feel informed of progress against the baseline of this report.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: None
Minutes: At the Chair’s invitation councillors made the following comments.
The Executive Director Place & Economy advised that he would be happy to discuss any transformation queries with councillors.
The Chair presented the report to Cabinet and noted that the Lodge Hall site in Daventry was a valuable asset which had had a reasonable level of interest.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet:
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2023-24 Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan PDF 327 KB Additional documents:
Decision: RESOLVED: That Cabinet. a) Approved for consultation the 2023-24 Draft Budget, including i. an estimated net revenue budget of £798.3m (£377.1m excluding Dedicated Schools Grant) as set out in Appendix A. ii. an average Band D Council tax of £1,693.73 for West Northamptonshire Council, which represents an average increase of 4.99%. (2.99% increase in ‘core’ Council Tax and 2% Adult Social Care Precept). iii. proposed Fees and Charges as detailed in Appendix C iv. provisional dedicated schools grant budget of £421.2m as detailed in Appendix D v. the draft Capital Programme additions as set out in Appendix E
b) Set the tax base for West Northamptonshire at 142,060.8, Band D equivalents, as set out in paragraph 6.67 c) For the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG): i. Noted the provisional allocations and planned usage of the DSG for 2023-24 pending the final DSG settlement, and ii. Following consultation with the Schools Forum, delegated authority to the Executive Director for Children’s Services to determine the DSG 2023-24 schools funding formula, high needs funding arrangements and the Early Years Funding Formula in line with Department for Education guidance.
REASONS RESOLVED: To ensure that the Council complies with its Constitution and all other relevant requirements in setting the budget for West Northamptonshire Council
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: None
Minutes: At the Chair’s invitation councillors made the following comments.
Councillor Malcolm Longley presented the report and made the following comments.
The Executive Director of Finance noted that it would be unlikely that business rates would be reset and that the budget itself was aligned with the corporate plan.
The Chair advised that any increases in costs were only done, when necessary, with the goal of avoiding cuts to services.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet. a) Approved for consultation the 2023-24 Draft Budget, including i. an estimated net revenue budget of £798.3m (£377.1m excluding Dedicated Schools Grant) as set out in Appendix A. ii. an average Band D Council tax of £1,693.73 for West Northamptonshire Council, which represents an average increase of 4.99%. (2.99% increase in ‘core’ Council Tax and 2% Adult Social Care Precept). iii. proposed Fees and Charges as detailed in Appendix C iv. provisional dedicated schools grant budget of £421.2m as detailed in Appendix D v. the draft Capital Programme additions as set out in Appendix E b) Set the tax base for West Northamptonshire at 142,060.8, Band D equivalents, as set out in paragraph 6.67 c) For the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG): i. Noted the provisional allocations and planned usage of the DSG for 2023-24 pending the final DSG settlement, and ii. Following consultation with the Schools Forum, delegated authority to the Executive Director for Children’s Services to determine the DSG 2023-24 schools funding formula, high needs funding arrangements and the Early Years Funding Formula in line with Department for Education guidance.
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Draft Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget 2023/24 and Medium Term Financial Plan PDF 244 KB Additional documents:
Decision: RESOLVED: That Cabinet. 1. Approved for the draft HRA budget 2023-24 2. Approved for consultation the 7% (£6.79) increase in average rents from £97.00 to £103.79 per week in accordance with the government’s amended Rent Standard with effect from the 3rd April 2023. 3. Approved for consultation the draft HRA Capital Programme and financing for 2023/24, as detailed in appendix 3 and notes the forecast programme from 2024/25 to 2027/28. 4. Approved for consultation the 10% increase in tenants and leaseholder service charges with effect from the 3rd April 2023 as set out in Appendix 5 5. Approved for consultation the 10% increase in garage rents and commuter surcharges with effect from the 3rd April 2023 as set out in Appendix 5 6. Noted the draft 2023-24 Total Fees proposed for NPH in appendix 4 to deliver the services in scope. 7. Noted that the Council has made an application in partnership with NPH for Wave 2 of the Social Housing Decarbonisation fund for £1.28m and approve delegated authority to the Executive Director of Finance to enter into a funding agreement with the Department of Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) if successful in the bid process. 8. Approved for consultation the setting up of a new hardship/ management contingent budget within general management to provide help for tenants facing financial difficulties.
REASONS RESOLVED: The HRA reflects the statutory requirement under Section 74 of the Housing and Local Government Act 1989 to account separately for local housing services. It is a ringfenced account which records the cost of managing the Council’s housing stock. These costs are offset by tenants’ rents, tenants/leaseholders’ services charges and other contributions. The Council has a statutory duty to set a balanced HRA and avoid going into deficit.
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS: None
Minutes: At the Chair’s invitation councillors made the following comments.
Councillor Adam Brown made the following comments.
Councillor Malcolm Longley advised that the uptake of the hardship fund by councillors had been trivial.
RESOLVED: That Cabinet.
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