Meeting documents

Cabinet
Thursday, 13th February, 2014 2.00 pm

Place:
Civic Suite, Civic Centre, Southend-on-Sea
 

Attendance Details

ItemDescriptionResolution
Part I
773 Apologies for absence.
 Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Lamb.
774 Declarations of interest.
 There were no declarations of interest.
775 Housing Revenue Account Budget 2014/15 and Rent Setting
Business for item 775
Recommended:-

1. That an average rent increase of 5.76%, as set out in section 4 of the submitted report, effective from 7th April 2014, be approved.

2. That the HRA budget, as set out in appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.

3. That future rent rises be calculated to complete convergence over the following four years to 2018/19.

4. That the rent for any property being let to a new or transferring tenant be set at the formula rent for that property, effective from 7th April 2014.

5. That the increases in other charges, as set out in section 5 of the submitted report, be approved.

6. That the management fee proposed by South Essex Homes, as set out in section 6 of the submitted report, be noted.

7. That the appropriations to the Repairs Contract Pensions earmarked reserve and the HRA Capital Investment earmarked reserve, as set out in section 7 of the submitted report, be approved.

8. That the HRA medium-term Financial Plan, as set out in section 8 and appendix 3 to the submitted report, be noted.

9. That the value of the Council's capital allowance for 2014/15 be declared as £31.502M, as determined in accordance with regulation 16 of the Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) (England) Regulations.

Reason for Decision

Part of the process of maintaining a balanced budget for the HRA is to consider and set a rent rise (and associated increases in other income streams). Full Council need to approve the HRA budget prior to the start of the financial year.

Other Options

As set out in the submitted report.

Note:- This is a Council Budget Function, not eligible for call in by virtue of Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rule 1.1(b)
Executive Councillor:- Salter
776 Capital Programme 2014/15 to 2017/18
Business for item 776
Recommended:-

1. That the current approved Programme for 2014/15 to 2017/18 of £66.1m, as set out in appendix 1 to the submitted report, be noted.

2. That the changes to the approved Programme, as set out in appendix 2 to the submitted report, be approved.

3. That the proposed new schemes and additions to the Capital Programme for the period 2014/15 to 2017/18 (and later years) totalling £60.7m, of which £52.7m is for the General Fund and £8m for the Housing Revenue Account, as set out in Appendices 6 and 7 to the submitted report, be approved.

4. That it be noted that the proposed new schemes and additions, as set out in appendices 6 and 7 to the submitted report, along with other adjustments as set out in appendix 2 to the report, will result in a proposed capital programme of £137.4m for 2014/15 to 2017/18 (and later years), as set out in appendix 8 to the report.

5. That it be noted that, of the total programme of £137.4m for the period 2014/15 to 2017/18 (and later years), the level of external funding supporting this programme is £38.2m and that £31.5m is funded from the Housing Revenue Account.

6. That the results of the final exercise undertaken on the 2013/14 projected outturn, as set out in the submitted report, be noted.

7. That the Capital Programme for 2013/14 to 2017/18, be approved.

8. That the minor revisions to the Asset Management Plan to be included in the refreshed plan for 2013 to 2017, as set out in paragraph 4.5 of the submitted report, be noted.

Reason for Decision

The proposed Capital Programme is compiled from a number of individual projects which either contribute to the delivery of the Council's objectives and priorities or enhances the Council's infrastructure.

Other Options

The proposed Capital Programme is compiled from a number of individual projects, any of which can be agreed or rejected independently of the other projects.

Note:- This is a Council Budget Function, not eligible for call in by virtue of Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rule 1.1(b)
Executive Councillor:- Holdcroft
777 Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators 2014/15
Business for item 777
Recommended:-

1. That the Treasury Management Policy Statement, as set out in appendix 1 to the submitted report, be approved.

2. That the Treasury Management Strategy, as set out in appendix 2 to the submitted report, be approved.

3. That the Annual Investment Strategy, as set out in appendix 3 to the submitted report, be approved.

4. That the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP), as set out in appendix 5 to the submitted report, be approved.

5. That the prudential indicators, as set out in appendix 6 to the submitted report, be approved.

6. That the operational boundary and authorised limits for borrowing for 2014/15 be set at £300m and £310m respectively.

Reason for Decision

Decisions 1 to 3 above are to comply with the CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice.

Decision 4 above is to comply with the Local Authority's general duty to charge an amount of MRP to revenue which it considers to be prudent.

Decisions 5 and 6 above are to demonstrate compliance with the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities.

Other Options

There are many options available for the operation of the Treasury Management function, with varying degrees of risk associated with them. The Treasury Management Policy set out in the submitted report aims to effectively control risk to within a prudent level, whilst providing optimum performance consistent with that level of risk.

Note:- This is a Council Budget Function, not eligible for call in by virtue of Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rule 1.1(b)
Executive Councillor:- Moring
778 Report Following Consultation on Proposed Changes to the Non Residential Charging Policy
Business for item 778
Recommended:-

1. That the proposed changes to non-residential care charges and residential care charges as submitted to Cabinet on 17th September 2013, be approved.

2. That the new charges commence on 7th April 2014.

3. That the maximum charge applied to non-residential services be removed and charges made against the full cost of care.

4. That transport provided at any point to, during or from day services be charged at £2 per day.

5. That a new administration charge be made to persons wishing to enter into the Deferred Payment Scheme for residential services.

Reason for Decision

Although the consultation exercise showed that a number of people were opposed to the proposal to charge against the full cost of care, the proposal is in line with the majority of other local authorities. Furthermore if significant changes were made to the proposals, then the resulting reduced level of income would result in reduced services.

Other Options

To vary the maximum charge between the current maximum of £295.00 and the full cost of the service provided and subsidising the charge for day care.

Note:- This is a Council Budget Function, not eligible for call in by virtue of Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rule 1.1(b)
Executive Councillor:- Salter
779 Fees & Charges 2014/15
Business for item 779
Recommended:-

That subject to the inclusion of the revised list of fees and charges for adult social care, as circulated at the meeting, the proposed fees and charges for each department, as set out in the appendices to the submitted report, be approved.

Reason for Decision

Part of the process of maintaining a balanced budget includes a requirement to consider the contribution that fees and charges make towards that aim.

Other Options

None.

Note:- This is a Council Budget Function, not eligible for call in by virtue of Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rule 1.1(b)
Executive Councillor:- Holdcroft
780 General Fund Revenue Budget 2014/15
Business for item 780
Recommended:-

In respect of 2013/14:-

1. That the forecast outturn of £138.917m be noted.

2. That the appropriation of the sums to earmarked reserves totalling £13.204m, as set out in appendix 16 to the submitted report, be approved.

3. That the appropriation of the sums from earmarked reserves totalling £6.515m, as set out in appendix 16 to the submitted report, be approved.

In respect of 2014/15 and later years:-

4. That the Section 151 Officer's (Head of Finance and Resources) report on the robustness of the proposed budget, the adequacy of the Council's reserves and the Reserves Strategy, as set out in appendix 1 to the submitted report, be noted.

5. That a General Fund net revenue budget for 2014/15 of £133.374m, as set out in appendix 3 to the submitted report, along with any required commencement of consultation, statutory or otherwise, be approved.

6. That a Council Tax freeze for the Southend-on-Sea element of the Council Tax for 2014/15, be approved.

7. That it be noted that the Council's preceptors, Essex Police and Fire Authorities, have yet to formally meet to agree their Council Tax levels for 2014/15 and the Leigh-on-Sea Town Council precept of £302,581 and a consequential decrease of 6.75% in their Council Tax, also be noted.

8. That no Special Expenses be charged other than the Leigh-on-Sea Town Council precept for 2014/15.

9. That the appropriation of the sums to earmarked reserves totalling £0.300m, as set out in appendix 16 to the submitted report, be approved.

10. That the appropriation of the sums from earmarked reserves totalling £11.672m, as set out in appendix 16 to the submitted report, be approved.

11. That the schools' budget and its relevant distribution recommended by the Schools' Forum, as set out in appendix 2 to the submitted report, be approved.

12. That the pressures required of £1.670m as set out in appendices 12 and 13 to the submitted report, the savings required of £7.319m as set out in appendices 14 and 15 to the report and subsequent individual service cash limits for 2014/15 as set out in appendices 4 to 11 to the report, be approved.

13. That the direction of travel for 2015/16 and beyond, as set out in section 11 of the submitted report, be endorsed.

14. That the revised Medium Term Financial Strategy up to 2017/18, as set out in appendix 17, be approved.

Reason for Decision

Budget setting is at the core of the Council's corporate planning framework. It is a complex process that is fully integrated with strategic and service planning. Annually, prior to the start of the financial year, the Council agrees its budget using a consistent, transparent and prudent approach.

Other Options

None.

Note:- This is a Council Budget Function, not eligible for call in by virtue of Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rule 1.1(b)
Executive Councillor:- Holdcroft
781 Essex and Southend Waste Partnership Programme - Residual Waste Treatment Contract/Refuse Derived Fuel
Business for item 781
Resolved:-

1. That Essex County Council commence the procurement exercise for the award of the Refuse Derived Fuel Disposal (RDF) Contract.

2. That final approval of the award and execution of the RDF Disposal Contract be undertaken by the Director for Commissioning, Waste & Environment from Essex County Council, in consultation with the Essex CC & Southend BC Waste Member Board.

Reasons for Decision

1. It will secure a short term disposal arrangement for RDF as an alternative to landfill as defined in the Mechanical & Biological Treatment (MBT) strategy. It thus offers an energy disposal route earlier than originally anticipated that will achieve savings on landfill and is an environmentally-sound solution.

2. It will help to inform and achieve the long term strategy to dispose of the MBT outputs via an energy generation route and enables the partnership to test the energy disposal options in the market which in turn will influence a long term strategy for RDF.

Other Options

Relying on the current landfill disposal framework contract is an option but is not considered to be the optimum financial and environmental position for ECC and SBC. Should this procurement not achieve the envisaged savings or the RDF contractors fail to deliver, the landfill disposal framework remains a fall back position.

Note:- This is an Executive Function.
Referred direct to Place Scrutiny Committee.
Executive Councillor: Cox
*Referred to:- Place Scrutiny Committee
14:00/14:16

Attendance Details

Present:
Cllr N Holdcroft (Chairman), Cllr J I Courtenay, Cllr T Cox, Cllr J M Garston, Cllr D J Jarvis, Cllr A J Moring, Cllr L P Salter
In attendance:
R Tinlin, J K Williams, S Leftley, A Lewis, A Atherton, J Chesterton, J Ruffle, I Ambrose and C Gamble

Business

ItemBusiness
775Further to the meeting of the Cabinet on 21st January 2014 and the Policy & Resources Scrutiny Committee on 30th January 2014, the Cabinet considered a joint report of the Corporate Director for Corporate Services and Corporate Director for People setting out the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Budget for 2014/15, together with the information necessary to set a balanced budget as required by legislation.
776The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Management Team setting out a programme of capital projects for the period 2014/15 to 2017/18. This item was considered by all three Scrutiny Committees.
777The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director for Corporate Services concerning the Treasury Management Policy for 2014/15 and the requirement for prudential indicators to be set under the Local Government Act 2003.
778The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director for People informing Members of the results of the consultation on proposals for changes to the current charging policy for non-residential social services.
779The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Management Team detailing fees and charges for services included in the budget proposals for 2014/15. This item was considered by all three Scrutiny Committees.

Members received a revised schedule of fees charges for adult social care (to replace appendix 1 to the submitted report) to reflect the decisions made under the previous item on the agenda in relation to changes to the Non-Residential Charging Policy.
780The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Management Team presenting a General Fund revenue budget for 2014/15 (including schools) together with a proposal for the level of Council Tax for 2014/15. This item was considered by all three Scrutiny Committees.
781The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director for Place concerning a proposed procurement exercise for the short term disposal of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF).

 

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