Agenda and minutes

Councillors Grooby and Todd declared other interests in Item 10 - UKSPF Delivery and Procurement Update.  Reason – Members of organisations in reciept of UKSPF grant.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2023 be approved as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the Forward Plan be noted.

The purpose of the report was to inform members of the Council’s overall performance and financial position for the period ended 30th September (“Second Quarter 2023/24”). The report was considered by the Corporate Select Committee on 27 November 2023.  It was reported that the overspend in the capital programme would be corrected.

Options considered:

Detailed Analysis was contained within the appendices to the report.

RESOLVED:

That the Second Quarter 2023/24 financial, procurement and performance position detailed in Appendices A, B and C and summarised at 3.3 of the covering report be noted.

The report presented the Council’s updated draft Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP). The MTFP presented the Council’s priorities in the context of the likely resources available, providing a financial context to future decision-making. It was reflective of the current financial position of the Council part way through the 2023-24 year and contained a large number of assumptions that would be refined and quantified to inform a final version of the MTFP for approval in February 2024. To this extent, the report and its contents should be considered indicative.  The report was considered by the Corporate Select Committee on 27 November 2023.  

The report included information on the development of the Council’s Efficiency Programme and information was awaited with regards to the Local Government settlement exepected after Christmas.

Options considered:

There were no options to consider at this stage. Options were being developed and would to be refined to close the financial deficits highlighted in this updated plan.

RESOLVED:

That the updated draft Medium Term Financial Plan (Appendix A) be approved prior to being refined in advance of full approval in February 2024.

The purpose of the report was to provide an update on the Council’s response to the cost-of-living crisis and sought to present and agree options for providing further support.  It was reported that additional funding may be available from the Mayoral Combined Authority.

Options considered:

None identified.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the content of the report be noted.

2.     That the extended use of the Council’s cost-of-living reserve to provide further support within the Borough be approved.

3.     That the ongoing Cost of Living Response Plan as detailed in Appendix D of the report be agreed.

The purpose of the report was to invite the Executive to review the level of discount for council tax on short term empty/unoccupied and uninhabitable properties.  The report was considered by the Corporate Select Committee on 27 November 2023.

Options considered:

Option 1- with effect from 1 April 2024, remove the council tax discounts for empty/unfurnished and uninhabitable properties – this was the recommended option, with a review after 12 months.

Option 2- with effect from 1 April 2024, reduce the period of 100% discount for empty/unfurnished properties from a maximum of 3 months to one month and reduce the maximum period of the 50% uninhabitable discount from 12 months to 6 months.

To retain the current discounts.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted and that option 1 be approved to take effect from 1 April 2024 - to remove the council tax discounts for empty/unfurnished and uninhabitable properties, with a review after 12 months.

The report updated members on the process to create an Arts, Culture and Heritage Strategy and an associated Action Plan for the Borough using the methods outlined in the report.  The report also updated members on the plans to create a Cultural Strategy Advisory Group, that will assist the Arts, Culture and Heritage Officer to create a Cultural Strategy and Action Plan for the Borough. The report was considered by the Community Select Committee on 22 November 2023 which recommended that 3 members of the Committee be appointed to join the Advisory Group on a voluntary basis.

Options considered:

None identified.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the process for the creation of a Cultural Strategy Advisory Group, Cultural Strategy and Cultural Action Plan for the Borough following the approach outlined in the report be noted.

2.     That 3 members of the Community Select Committee be considered to join the advisory group (politically balanced).

The report sought delegated approval for the awarding of contracts procured through the Shared Prosperity Fund (SPF).

Options considered:

The alternative option was the continuation of normal procurement and approval procedures by way of an Individual Executive Decision or Executive Report for each individual contract.  This was likely to result in delays in contract award and consequently underspend of SPF grant.

RESOLVED:

That delegated authority be granted to Executive Director (Place) in consultation with the Leader to make the contract award decisions for contracts which exceed the Council’s Procurement Procedure Rules thresholds for requiring a delegated decision for award of contracts.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business as there maybe 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 5 October 2023 be approved as a correct record.

The Executive approved a report sought approval to write off balances which were deemed non recoverable.

The Executive approved a report that provided an update on progress made on the Future High Street Fund project: Revitalising Buxton, and to establish authority to   undertake the necessary activities to select a development partner that could deliver the regeneration objectives for Buxton Town Centre.

The Executive approved a report to make an offer of contract award for the provision of multidisciplinary services under a principal consultancy contract for the Buxton Masterplan delivery support.

The Excutive approved a report that provided a progress update on Leisure Transformation Plan projects at the Council’s leisure facilities in Buxton, New Mills and Glossop.