Agenda and minutes

The Council observed a minute’s silence in memory of former Councillor Ray Atkins who had recently passed away.

There were no declarations made.

It was moved by Councillor Anthony McKeown and seconded by Councillor Greenhalgh that the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 7 December 2023 be approved as a correct record.

The motion was carried and the Mayor was authorised to sign the minutes.

The Mayor announced that he had attended a number of engagements including Holocaust Memorial Day.  Events to mark Commonwealth Day were due to take place on 9 March in Buxton and Glossop.  The Civic Dinner was scheduled for 22 March 2024 at Spring Bank Arts Centre.  During April the Mayor would embark on a journey across the borough with the HPBC Move More team for good causes.  The Mayor also encouraged councillors and officers to consider their health and wellbeing when carrying out their various commitments and duties.

1.    Question received from Maurice McCabe for the Executive Councillor for Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure:

I, on behalf of a group of New Mills residents opposed to changes to the leisure centre, would like to submit the following question to the Executive Councillor for Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure, for the full council meeting on Wednesday 21^st February.

We are very concerned about the proposed changes to New Mills Leisure Centre. As far as we understand, High Peak Borough Council intends to remove the squash court and a third of the sports hall, and replace them with a wellness centre, gym and fitness studio.

The squash court is currently a flourishing part of the local community, enjoyed by around 200 users of all ages over a three-month period, including at least 30 juniors. Significant public interest has been shown in retaining the squash court as evidenced by an 800+ strong petition and a protest attended by 50+ people.

The sports hall is used throughout the week by hundreds of people of all ages for a variety of sports including: roller-skating; pickleball; badminton; cheerleading; basketball; walking tennis; walking netball; table tennis; football; as well group exercise classes. Many of these sports are relatively new and rapidly growing in popularity, and cater for groups the Council wishes to see exercise more. In particular, local primary and secondary schools use it for a range of PE and sporting activities. Space for these activities will be greatly reduced; many activities will be impossible in the reduced area.

From what we understand, these plans have been in the pipeline for some time. We have been told that without them the leisure centre will not be financially viable in 10 years’ time, and that this is the only option for keeping it open. There has been no public consultation, and these proposals will have a major negative effect on the community, especially on children’s sport. We have only been able to gather this much information through the efforts of our local councillors.

Our questions are:

• Due consultation is a requirement of both HPBC's and DCC's constitutions when it comes to decision making, as is openness. This gives the public a legitimate expectation that consultation will be undertaken on significant proposals before decisions are made, indeed, given the implications of the proposal, Section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 may apply making an implicit statutory requirement for consultation. When will meaningful public consultation be undertaken on these proposals?
• How does removing a squash court and reducing the variety of sporting activities on offer fit in with the council’s Move More strategy? In particular, how does giving fewer children access to fewer facilities fit in with the Move More strategy?
• Will you commit to working with us in an open and constructive way to ensure that the proposals meet the needs of the community, and result in a long term beneficial outcome for the people of New Mills and surrounding areas?

Response from the Executive Councillor:

“High  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24/40

It was moved by Councillor Barrow and seconded by Councillor A McKeown that Council:

1.    Approves the General Fund Budget for 2024/25 as detailed in Appendix A (section 8).

2.    Approves the revised Medium-Term Financial Plan (2024/25 to 2027/28) as detailed in Appendix A, including the revised Capital Programme (attached at Annex A).

3.    Approves the Capital Strategy 2024/25 as set out in Appendix B.

4.    Approves the proposed Fees and Charges for 2024/25 as detailed in Appendix C.

5.    Approves the proposed Procurement Forward Plan for 2024/25, providing the Authority to procure based on procurement activity detailed in Appendix D.

6.    Approves a Band D Council Tax of £217.68 for 2024/25 (an increase of £6.32 or 2.99% from 2023/24).

7.    HRA charges as follows:

o   All dwellings rents to increase by 7.7%, increasing the average rent from £77.78 to £84.09 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 8.01%)

o   Garage rents to be increased by 5% from £8.26 to £8.68 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 2024/25 charge is based on the previous years usage and estimated costs, charged on an individual scheme basis.

8.    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).

In accordance with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, councillors voted as follows with regard to the recommendations provided within the report.

When put to the meeting it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was moved by Councillor Barrow and seconded by Councillor Anthony McKeown:

Council Tax Second Home and Empty Property Premiums

That Members note the content of the report and approve the following recommendations:

1.    Implement the premium of 100% for properties that have been empty for over one year (applied to properties over two years currently) from 1 April 2024.

2.    Implement the maximum premium of 100% for second homes from 1 April 2025 (this being the earliest that the new charge can apply, as legislation states that twelve months’ notice is required to be given to existing owners of second homes).

3.    Where premiums are to be applied, the Council is mindful of the current consultation by government, which recommends exceptions in certain circumstances outlined within this report. Subject to the outcome of that consultation, it is recommended that the Section 151 Officer be given delegated powers to implement the Councill’s policy on premiums in line with statute, the Council’s requirements and any guidance given by the Secretary of State.

Empty Properties

1.    That Members to note the content of the report and approve the removal of the council tax discounts for empty/unfurnished and uninhabitable properties – with a review after 12 months.

When put to the meeting it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was moved by Councillor Cross and seconded by Councillor Matt Taylor that Members note the current Treasury Management position as at 31^st December 2023.

When put to the meeting it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was moved by Councillor Cross and seconded by Councillor Matt Taylor that Council approves the Annual Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS) 2024/25.

When put to the meeting it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was moved by Councillor Claff and seconded by Councillor Anthony McKeown that the information in this report be noted.

When put to the meeting it was RESOLVED accordingly.

It was moved by Councillor Barrow and seconded by Councillor Anthony McKeown that the following amounts be calculated by the Council in accordance with Sections 31A and 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended by the Localism Act 2011):

(a)     £49,394,064   being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A (2) of the Act. (Gross Expenditure on General Fund Services, and Parish Precepts)

(b)     £41,469,910    being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A (3) of the Act. (Gross Income including External Financing and the Use of Reserves)

(c)     £7,924,154      being the amount by which the aggregate at (a) above exceeds the aggregate at (b) above calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31A (4) of the Act as its Council Tax requirement for the year (Amount to be Funded from Council Tax)

(d)     £249.23            being the amount at (c) above divided by the tax base, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31 (B) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year. (Average Local Council Tax)

(e)     Appendix B     being Council Tax for the HPBC Borough divided by the tax base plus the Parish Precept and any amounts of special items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council’s area divided the local tax base. (Band D Charges for each Parish)

(f)      Appendix C     being the amounts given by multiplying the amount at (e) above by the number which, in the proportion applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in valuation band D, calculated by the Council as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands (Charges for all Bands)

(g)       Appendix D    being the aggregate of the local charges in (f) above and the amounts levied by major precepting authorities. (Total Council Tax charge for each Band in each Parish)

When put to the meeting it was RESOLVED accordingly.

APPENDIX B

Local Council Tax at Band D – 2024/25

(Total of the Borough charge plus the named Town or Parish Council)

APPENDIX C

Local Council Tax All Bands – 2024/25

              (Total of the Borough charge plus the named Town or Parish Council)      

It was moved by Councillor Barrow and seconded by Councillor Anthony McKeown that the Council approves the Pay Policy Statement for 2024/25.

When put to the meeting it was RESOLVED accordingly.