Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations of interest made.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 9 December 2021 be approved as a correct record.

The purpose of this report is to inform members of the Council’s overall performance and financial position for the period ended 31st December (“Third Quarter 2021/22”) The report was considered by the Corporate Select Committee on 7 February 2022.  The position was summarised as follows:

Options considered:

Detailed Analysis was contained within the appendices to the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Third Quarter 2021/22 financial, procurement and performance position detailed in Appendices A, B and C and summarised at 3.3 of the covering report be noted.

The purpose of the report was to present the proposed Budget for 2022/23, updated Medium-Term Financial Plan 2022/23 – 2025/26, Capital Strategy 2022/23, proposed Fees and Charges for 2022/23 and Procurement Forward Plan 2022/23.  The report was considered by the Corporate Select Committee on 7 February 2022.  Members discussed the reduction in the parish council payment which had been spread over three years rather than two and resulted from changes to Government funding arrangements in 2016.  It was reported that the report to Full Council would be updated taking int account comments received regarding climate change.

Options considered:

This report recommended a Council Tax level and associated budget, Medium Term Financial Plan,  Capital Strategy (and future capital programme) and Fees & Charges for 2022/23 designed to best deliver the Council’s  corporate priorities within a balanced budget. Other options are feasible, but any alternatives would need to robustly identify the service and financial implications, in order to satisfy the Council’s Section 151 Officer (under the Local Government Finance Act 1988, section 114) of the need to deliver a balanced budget.

RESOLVED:

That the Executive proposes the following recommendations to Council:

·         Approves the General Fund Budget for 2022/23 as detailed in Appendix A (section 9)

·         Approves the revised Medium-Term Financial Plan (2022/23 to 2025/26) as detailed in Appendix A, including the revised Capital Programme (attached at Annex A)

·         Approves the Capital Strategy 2022/23 as set out in Appendix B

·         Approves the updated Housing Revenue Account (HRA)  Business Plan Forecast as detailed in Appendix A (Annex E) and commissions a fundamental review of the HRA Business Plan during 2022/23

·         Approves the proposed Fees and Charges for 2022/23 as detailed in Appendix C

·         Approves the proposed Procurement Forward Plan for 2022/23, providing the Authority to procure based on procurement activity detailed in Appendix D

·         Approves a Band D Council Tax of £205.40 for 2022/23 (an increase of £5.00 or 2.50% from 2021/22)

·         HRA charges as follows:

o   All dwellings rents to increase by 1.6% increasing the average rent from £72.64 to £73.96 per week (average rent takes into account new tenancies let over the previous year where the higher formula rent was charged. This gives an arithmetical increase of 1.81%)

o   Garage rents to be increased by 5% from £7.49 to £7.86 average per week

o   Other Charges including service charges to increase by a maximum of 5%

o   Fuel charges at individual blocks have been reviewed and the 2022/23 charge is based on the 2021/22 estimated costs and 2020/21 actual fuel usage/prices, charged on an individual scheme basis.

·         Notes the Chief Finance Officer's view that the level of reserves are adequate for the Council, based on this budget and the circumstances in place at the time of preparing it (Appendix A Annex C)

The purpose of the report was to consider new Access to Services, Digital and Organisational Development Strategies.  The report was considered by the Corporate Select Committee on 7 February 2022.  It was reported that an action plan and summary would be presented to the next Corporate Select Committee.  Accessibility to Buxton Town Hall was also discussed.

Options considered:

There were no options to consider at this stage

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Access to Services Strategy as attached at Appendix A to the report be approved.

2.    That the Digital Strategy as attached at Appendix B to the report be approved.

3.    That the Organisational Development Strategy as attached at Appendix C to the report be approved.

4.    That a combined action plan for delivery of the strategies at its April meeting be considered.

5.    That the consideration and approval of arrangements for external expertise to support the delivery of the strategies be delegated to the Leader and Executive Councillor for Finance & Corporate Services following the completion of the procurement exercise as outlined in section 12 of the report.  

The purpose of the report was to update the Council Tax Levies Policy to include a new charge on properties empty for at least ten years and to clarify circumstances where the empty property premium levy may be waived.  The report was considered by the Corporate Select Committee on 7 February 2022.  It was reported that the Council uses various techniques to ascertain how long properties had been empty.

Options considered:

There was an option to do nothing and not amend the current policy on properties empty for over ten years.  However, where Government allows local authorities to make discretionary decisions in respect of council tax due, Members need to consider the proposals.

RESOLVED:

That the current Council Tax Reductions and Levies Policy be amended and approved to include:

·           A levy of 300% of Council Tax for properties empty for at least ten years, from 1 April 2022.

·           Clarification on circumstances where the levy may be waived (outlined in paragraphs 3.5 and 3.6).

The purpose of the report was to inform members of the contents of the Government’s White Paper in relation to Social Housing and the implications for the Council.  The report also confirmed the consultation on Tenant Satisfaction Measures currently being undertaken by the Regulator and provided a suggested response from the Council.  The report was considered by the Community Select Committee on 26 January 2022.  It was reported that Environmental Health would be involved with some specific issues.

Options considered:

The measures contained within the White Paper were highly likely to be introduced and following legislation it would be a regulatory obligation for the Council to comply with them.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the approach being taken in relation to the White Paper and the implications for the Council be noted.

2.    That the response to the consultation exercise in relation to Tenant Satisfaction Measures as set out in Appendix A to the report be supported.

The report notified the Executive of the preparation of a Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). Feedback on issues and options and plans for consultation was also sought.  The report was considered by the Economy and Growth Select Committee on 3 February 2022.

Options considered:

There are no alternative options to consider at this stage.

RESOLVED:

That the purpose of the SPD be noted and provide feedback on the Issues and Options identified.

RESOLVED:

That the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items because there may be disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:

That the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 9 December 2021 be approved as a correct record.

The Executive approved a report that with regards to the delivery of Facilities Management Services via a joint venture partnership for the Council.

The Executive approved a report that provided an update of progress on the Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) programme which would deliver the Fairfield roundabout and enable delivery of homes across sites within the north of Buxton.  The Executive also approved recommendations to proceed with a number of key steps in securing progress.