Meeting documents

The Council
Thursday, 28th February, 2013 6.30 pm

The Cabinet Minutes

Date:
Tuesday, 12th February, 2013
Time:
14:00
Place:
Civic Suite, Civic Centre, Southend-on-Sea
 

Attendance Details

ItemDescriptionResolution
Part I
768 Apologies for absence.
 There were no apologies for absence.
769 Declarations of interest.
 There were no declarations of interest.
770 Minutes of the Meeting of Business Ratepayers Consultative Forum held on Wednesday, 30th January, 2013
  • Minutes
Recommended:-

That the Minutes be noted.

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.
771 Housing Revenue Account Budget 2013/14 and Rent Setting
Business for item 771
Recommended:-

1. That the HRA budget as set out in Appendix 1 of the submitted report, be approved

2. That a rent increase in line with the Government's rent restructuring guidance, giving rise to an average increase of 5.03% as set out in section 4 of the submitted report, effective from 1 April 2013, be approved.

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

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

5. 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.

6. That the HRA Medium Term Financial Strategy as set out in section 9 and Appendix 3 of the submitted report, be noted

7. That the value of the Council's capital allowance for 2013/14 be declared as £31.633M, as determined in accordance with regulation 16 of the Local Authorities (Capital Finance and Accounting) (England) Regulations.

Reasons 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.
772 Capital Programme 2012-13 to 2016-17
Business for item 772
Recommended:-

1. That the current approved Programme for 2013/14 to 2016/17 of £67.6m as set out in Appendix 1 of the submitted report, be noted.

2. That the proposed additions to the Capital Programme for 2013/14 to 2016/17 of £23.8m as set out in Appendices 6 and 7 of the submitted report, be approved.

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

4. That it be noted that the proposed additions and other adjustments, as set out in Appendix 2 of the submitted report will result in a proposed capital programme of £100m for 2013/14 to 2016/17 as set out in Appendix 8 of the report.

5. That it be noted that a final exercise has been undertaken on the 2012/13 projected outturn and that the results have been included in the submitted report.

6. That the Capital Programme for 2012/13 to 2016/17 as set out in Appendix 8 of the submitted report be approved, subject to (a) the addition of £250,000 in 2013/14 for the pay on exit arrangements in respect of the Queensway and Fairheads Green car parks and (b) £1m being brought forward from 2013/14 to 2012/13 for the Airport Access Enhancement Scheme.

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

Reasons 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 enhance 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.
773 Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators 2013/14
Business for item 773
Recommended:-

1. That the Treasury Management Policy Statement set out in Appendix 1 of the submitted report, be approved.

2. That the Treasury Management Strategy set out in Appendix 2 of the submitted report, be approved.

3. That the Annual Investment Strategy set out in Appendix 3 of the submitted report, be approved.

4. That the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy set out in Appendix 5 of the submitted report, be approved.

5. That the prudential indicators set out in Appendix 6 of the submitted report, be approved.

6. That the operational boundary and authorised limits for borrowing for 2013/14 are £320m and £330m respectively.

Reasons for Decision

To comply with the CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice (1, 2 and 3 above).
To comply with the Local Authority's general duty to charge an amount of MRP to revenue which it considers to be prudent (4 above).
To demonstrate compliance with the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities (5 and 6 above).

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.
774 Fees and Charges 2013/14
Business for item 774
Recommended:-

That the proposed fees and charges for each Directorate as contained within the body of the submitted report and the appendices, be approved.

Reasons for Decision

Part of the process of maintaining a balanced budget includes a requirement to consider the contribution that fees and charges make towards end 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.
775 General Fund Revenue Budget 2013/14
Business for item 775
Recommended:-

In respect of 2012/13:-

1. That the forecast outturn of £130.288 million, be noted.

2. That the appropriation of the sums to earmarked reserves totalling £3,701,000, as set out in detail in Appendix 16 of the submitted report, be approved.

3. That the appropriation of the sums to earmarked reserves totalling £336,000 as set out in detail in Appendix 16 of the submitted report, be approved.

In respect of 2013/14 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 of the submitted report, be noted.

5. That a General Fund net revenue budget for 2013/14 of £138.570 million (Appendix 3 of the submitted report) and any required commencement of consultation, statutory or otherwise, be approved

6. That an increase in the Southend-on-Sea element of the Council Tax by 1.75% (38p per week at Band D level), 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 2013/14 and the Leigh-on-Sea Town Council precept of £324,841 and a consequential rise of 68.05% in their Council Tax, also be noted

8. That no Special Expenses be charged other than the Leigh-on-Sea Town Council precept for 2013/14

9. That the appropriation of the sums to earmarked reserves totalling £2,415,000, as set out in Appendix 16 of the submitted report, be approved

10. That the appropriation of the sums from earmarked reserves totalling £700,000, as set out in Appendix 16 of the submitted report, be approved

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

12. That the pressures required of £1.235 million (Appendices 12 and 13 of the submitted report) and the savings required of £10.425 million (Appendices 14 and 15 of the submitted report) and the subsequent individual service cash limits for 2013/14 contained in Appendices 4 to 11 of the submitted report, be approved

13. That the direction of travel for 2014/15 and beyond (Section 11 of the submitted report) and the future years savings proposals (Appendix 17 of the submitted report), be endorsed

14. That the revised Medium Term Financial Strategy up to 2016/17 (Appendix 18 of the submitted report), be approved.

Reasons 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.
776 Review of Senior Management Arrangements

Business for item 776
Recommended:-

1. That the revisions to the senior management structure set out in the submitted report, reducing the overall senior management number to 16 (excluding public health), be approved.

2. That the senior management structure would consist of the Chief Executive, three Corporate Directors and twelve Heads of Service.

3. That the Public Health function, when it is transferred to the Council, reports to the Chief Executive and comprises the Director of Public Health, one Head of Service and associated staff.

4. That the detailed allocation of functions and implementation of other arrangements be delegated to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Leader of the Council, subject to no substantive adverse response to consultations.

5. That appropriate amendments be made to the Constitution to reflect the new senior management structure once implemented and that the authorities currently delegated to the Directors of Adult & Community Services and Children & Learning be transferred to the new Director of People in advance of the formal changes to the Constitution.

6. That Council gives consideration to revising the scrutiny committee arrangements and to the proposal in the submitted report to redesignate the three scrutiny committees as People Scrutiny Committee (including health), Place Scrutiny Committee and Corporate Scrutiny Committee.

Reasons for Decision

To allow a safe and considered revision to the senior management arrangements within the Council, reflecting the impact of budget and resource pressures over recent times, the anticipated continuing pressures over coming years, and to maintain adequate senior management and leadership capacity to cope with necessary decisions for the future.

Other Options

The Chief Executive has reviewed options to allow a safe reduction in senior management capacity. There are other configurations which may be possible but the Chief Executive has determined those recommended to be the most appropriate at present, particularly to achieve greater synergy between adult and children operations and to avoid potential organisational disruption and avoidable cost. Given that the current structure is comparatively lean and economic an option is for no significant change. However, given the budget and staffing reductions resulting from the national financial circumstances, it is unrealistic to go forward without any review of senior management structures.

Note:- This is a Council Function.
This item has previously been considered by each of the Scrutiny Committees.
Executive Councillor:- Holdcroft.
14:00/14:10

Attendance Details

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

Also present: Councillors Godwin, Kaye, McMahon and Woodley

Business

ItemBusiness
771Further to the meeting of the Cabinet held on 22nd January 2013 and the meeting of Community Services and Culture Scrutiny Committee held on 28th January 2013, Members considered a joint report by the Corporate Director Support Services and Corporate Director Adult and Community Services setting out the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget for 2013/14, together with the information necessary to set a balanced budget as required by legislation.
772The Cabinet considered a report by the Corporate Director Support Services requesting that consideration be given to a draft programme of capital projects for 2013/14 to 2016/17. This item was considered by each of the Scrutiny Committees.
773The Cabinet considered a report by the Corporate Director Support Services concerning the Treasury Management Policy for 2013/14 and the requirement for prudential indicators to be set under the Local Government Act 2003.
774The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Director Support Services which detailed the fees and charges for services in 2013/14 included in the budget proposals for 2013/14. This item was considered by each of the Scrutiny Committees.
775The Cabinet considered a report of the Corporate Management Team presenting the 2013/14 General Fund revenue budget (including schools) together with a proposal for the 2013/14 Council Tax for the new financial year. This item was considered by each of the Scrutiny Committees.
776Further to the meeting of the Cabinet held on 22nd January 2013, Members considered a report by the Chief Executive and Town Clerk proposing revisions to the senior management structure to reflect the reduction in staff numbers, continuing budget pressures, the transfer of public health to local government, and best practice elsewhere. This item was considered by each of the Scrutiny Committees.

 

Navigation:

Get the best from this site

We use simple text files called 'cookies'. Some of these cookies are essential to make our site work and others help us to improve by giving us some insight into how the site is being used. For more information, including how to turn cookies off, see more about cookies - or simply click the Continue button to use this site as normal.