Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations made.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2022 be approved as a correct record.

The report informed members of the Council’s overall performance and financial position for the period ended 31st December (“ThirdQuarter 2022/23”). The report was considered by the Corporate Select Committee on 6 December 2023.

Options considered:

Detailed Analysis was contained within the appendices to the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Third Quarter 2022/23 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 2023/24, updated Medium-Term Financial Plan 2023/24 to 2026/27, Capital Strategy 2023/24, proposed Fees and Charges for 2023/24, and Procurement Forward Plan 2023/24.  The report was considered by the Corporate Select Committee on 6 February 2023.

Options considered:

The report recommended a Council Tax level and associated budget, Medium Term Financial Plan, Capital Strategy (and future capital programme) and Fees & Charges for 2023/24 designed to best deliver the Council’s corporate priorities within a balanced budget. Other options were feasible, but any alternatives would need to identify the service and financial implications robustly 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.

RECOMMENDED:

That the Executive proposes the following recommendations to Council:

·       Approves the General Fund Budget for 2023/24 as detailed in Appendix A (section 9).

·       Approves the revised Medium-Term Financial Plan (2023/24 to 2026/27) as detailed in Appendix A, including the revised Capital Programme (attached at Annex A).

·       Approves the Capital Strategy 2023/24 as set out in Appendix B.

·       Approves the proposed Fees and Charges for 2023/24 as detailed in Appendix C.

·       Approves the proposed Procurement Forward Plan for 2023/24, providing the Authority to procure based on procurement activity detailed in Appendix D.

·       Approves a Band D Council Tax of £211.36 for 2023/24 (an increase of £5.96 or 2.90% from 2022/23).

·       Approves the adoption of the Council Tax premium on second homes outlined s7.1.7 and the empty property premium for properties that have remained empty for 1 year s7.1.10, subject to the referenced legislation being in place.

·       HRA charges as follows:

o   All dwellings rents to increase by 5%, increasing the average rent from £73.96 to £77.78 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 5.16%)

o   Garage rents to be increased by 5% from £7.86 to £8.26 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 2023/24 charge is based on the 2022/23 estimated costs and 2021/22 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 this report is to advise the Executive of the details surrounding the Council Tax Support Fund Scheme 2023-24 announced by Government in December 2022.  The report was considered by the Corporate Select Committee on 6 February 2023.

Options considered:

There were no other reasonable options given the tight parameters and small amounts of money.

RESOLVED:

That the award of up to £25.00 to reduce council tax bills for vulnerable households on Local Council Tax Support (LCTS ) s7.1 and to direct the remaining funding during 2023-24 in line with the proposal at s8.1 be approved.

Following the approval to implement a banding scheme by The Executive on the 8^th December 2022, the purpose of the report was to provide an update to sections 6.3, 7.14, 7.15 (m) and to recommend Full Council approves the implementation of a revised Council Tax Reduction Scheme with effect from 1^st April 2023.  The report was considered by the Corporate Select Committee on 6 February 2023.

Options considered:

The alternative to the introduction of a new scheme for Council Tax Reduction from 2023/24 was to leave the existing scheme in place. This would be a short-term option; lead to continuation of increasing costs of administration; and in the longer term, significantly affect the collection of Council Tax and the effectiveness of the scheme to support households within the Council’s area.

RECOMMENDATION:

The Council is asked to approve the amendments in section 7.15 (m), section 7.14 and the introduction of a new income banded / grid scheme for working age applicants with effect from 1^st April 2023 to reduce the administrative burden placed on the Council by the introduction of Universal Credit and to increase the overall level of support for the lowest income families.

The purpose of the report was to provide an update on the development of the Tourism Strategy and action plan for tourism delivery in the High Peak over the next five years.  The report was considered by the Economy and Growth Select Committee on 26 January 2023.  It was reported that the action plan had been updated and that this would include items to support the visitor economy in Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Options considered:

To reject the draft Tourism Strategy. Not recommended

This was not considered the preferred option.  Baseline data and consultation provided evidence to suggest that the High Peak is constrained by the lack of sufficiently compelling reasons for visitors to stay longer. And while the infrastructure is generally good, there are elements which could be improved or utilised better.  A highly competitive national and international marketplace present major challenges for the destination as a whole and the many small, independent businesses which characterise the High Peak. A long-term strategic vision is required and a framework for service delivery to aid economic recovery following Covid and more recently with the Cost of Living Crisis.

Approve draft Tourism Strategy.  Recommended

Under this scenario, High Peak Borough Council would acknowledge the Baseline data findings to date and approve the proposed Tourism Strategy and Plan for the next five years that aligns with the work of Marketing Peak District and Derbyshire, reflects and builds upon work already achieved, and aims to develop the High Peak as a destination and a brand; and promote the area nationally and internationally.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Tourism Strategy be approved.

2.    That the actions taken for the effective delivery of this Strategy be noted.

RESOLVED:

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

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the exempt meeting held on 8 December 2022 be approved as a correct record.

The Executive considered a report that updated members with details of progress with the implementation of the Buxton Future High Street Fund (FHSF) project and provided an opportunity for councillors to reconsider the indicative masterplan and identify priorities prior to engagement with the development market. 

The Executive considered a report that set out the Council’s strategy to managing the Springs Shopping Centre as well as the Key Performance Indicators that would be used to manage its financial performance.