Agenda and minutes

The following substitutions were made:-

Councillor Church for Councillor Brady

Councillor Roberts for Councillor Fallows

Councillor Spooner for Councillor Johnson

-       Disclosable pecuniary interests

-       Other interests

None were declared

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 5^th December 2023 be approved.

A discussion took place on how individual topics would be bought to the meeting and be analysed in depth. The order of priority in which Heads of Department would attend would be agreed after the meeting.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the work programme be noted.

2.     For the Heads of Service to be programmed in to attend future meetings of the Committee.

The Committee was informed of the Council’s overall performance, procurement and financial position for the period ending 31^st December 2023 (Third Quarter 2023/23). Detailed analysis was set out in the appendices to the report and was summarised in paragraph 3.3 of the report.

It was noted that the projected overspend was predominantly concerned with the increased cost base and was detailed in paragraph 4.4 of the report..

A discussion took place around the use of regional data to be included in future reports. This would include local procurement rates from other councils.

It was noted that the Performance report was generally positive. Discussion took place around providing performance data as a comparative against previous years, although it was recognised that this may not always be useful due to, for example, service changes.

RESOLVED:

1.     That the Third Quarter  2023/24 financial, procurement and performance position as detailed in Appendices A, B, C and summarised in paragraph 3.3 of the report be noted.

2.     An update to be provided in relation to Cornhill and improved rail links.

The Committee considered a report that set out the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) which presented the Council’s priorities in the context of the likely resources available, providing a financial context to decision making. The MTFP was reflective of the current financial position of the Council and is based on latest economic forecasts, and assumptions around the timing and level of capital and revenue expenditure and income.

Discussions centred around comparatives for insight data, improvement in reserves and the sustainability of the final position There was also discussion around the required need for a productivity plan which, whilst there is no detail of what is needed yet, the Council’s efficiency programme is considered to give a good starting point.

Members debated parking revenue, the impact of increased car park charges on residents/businesses, parking enforcement and the use of local knowledge and trends to improve each ward within the district. The importance of remaining competitive with other comparable towns was mentioned.

RESOLVED:

1)    In variance to the Fees and Charges schedule (Appendix C), the Panel recommended a 10 pence increase to the base level of all parking charges in the District with other tariffs rising in line with the percentage that this increase yielded (rounded up to the nearest 10 pence increment);

2)    That members supported the following recommendations to Council:

·         Approves the General Fund Budget for 2024/25 as detailed in Appendix A (section 7)

·         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)

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

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

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

·         Approves a Band D Council Tax of £168.02 for 2024/25 (2.99% change from 2023/24)

·         Approves a Band D Council Tax of £54.50 for Leek and £10.96 for Biddulph for 2024/25 (2.99% change 2023/24) in respect of Special District Expenses

·         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 B)

“That, pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 10 I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.”

The Chair moved:-

“That, pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 101 (1) of part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed o the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.”

Members received a presentation on the Communities, Culture and Climate Change service area including detailed information on CCTV.

Members considered applications for the write off of non-recoverable debts.