This report considers for 2014/15 the level of Council Tax, the policy on reserves and Prudential Indicators.  In addition, it provides details of the Council's formula grant settlement released on 19 December 2012 and the Council's Business Rates base that will be used by Government to calculate the Business Rates target for 2014/15 for the Retained Business Rates funding mechanism, which from 2014/15 will be operated as a pool across North Yorkshire.

In accepting the recommendations, Council will be asked to approve various decisions regarding the setting of the level of Council Tax; confirm that the indicators on expenditure and treasury management decisions are affordable, prudent and sustainable and approve the policy on Balances and Reserves.

The subject of the decision:

This report considered for 2014/15 the level of Council Tax and the policy on reserves.  In addition, it provided Members with details of the Council's formula grant settlement released on 19 December 2013 and the Council's Business Rates base that would be used by Government to calculate the Business Rates target for 2014/15 for the Retained Business Rates funding mechanism, which from 2014/15 would be operated as a pool across North Yorkshire.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To maintain the long term viability of the Council’s finances and ensure sustainability by investing in community projects as determined by the Council’s priorities and supporting the maintenance and enhancement of service delivery.  To maintain the integrity of the Council’s financial strategy.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:    

(1)     it be noted that on 15 January 2014 Council calculated the Council Tax Base 2014/15:-

          (a)     for the whole Council area as £34,021.71 [Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the "Act")]; and

          (b)     for dwellings in those parts of its area to which a Parish precept relates as in the attached Annex A(1) of the report.

(2)     the Council has calculated the Council Tax requirement for the Council's own purposes for 2014/15 (excluding Parish precepts) as £3,044,263;

(3)     the following amounts be calculated for the year 2014/15 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:-

          (a)     District/Parish Gross Expenditure

                   £46,092,351.68   being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils

          (b)     District/Parish Gross Income (including Government Grants, use of Reserves and Collection Fund Surpluses etc)

                   £41,817,567.39   being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act

          (c)     District/Parish Net Expenditure

                   £4,274,784.29     being the amount by which the aggregate at 3(a) above exceeds the aggregate at 3(b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act, as its Council Tax requirement for the year (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act)

          (d)     Basic Amount of Tax (including average Parish Precepts)

                   £125.6377           being the amount at 3(c) above (Item R) all divided by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish precepts)

          (e)     Parish Precepts

                   £1,230,521.68     being the aggregate of all special items (Parish Precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act (as per Annex A)

          (f)      Basic Amount of Tax (Unparished Areas)

                   £89.4800             being the amount at 3(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at 4(e) above by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the  ...  view the full minutes text for item CA78

This report seeks approval for the capital programme for the coming financial year 2014/15, which is informed by the 10 year capital programme; the revised 10 year capital programme 2014/15 to 2023/24; the treasury management strategy statement 2014/15 and the prudential and treasury indicators 2014/15.

In accepting the recommendations Council will be asked to approve the capital programme 2014/15 as detailed in Annex A of the report; the revised 10 year Capital Programme as detailed in paragraph 2.2 of the report; the Treasury Management Strategy attached at Annex B of the report; the Prudential and Treasury Indicators attached at Annex B in the body of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement; the revised Treasury Management Policy Statement at Annex C of the report and the scheme of delegation and role of the s151 officer attached at Annex D of the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval for the capital programme for the coming financial year 2014/15, which was informed by the 10 year capital programme; the revised 10 year capital programme 2014/15 to 2023/24; the treasury management strategy statement 2014/15 and the prudential and treasury indicators 2014/15.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that this report linked to the efficient use of Council resources, where the capital programme 2014/15 demonstrated value for money in the implementation of the individual capital schemes and the treasury management strategy statement ensured the Council maximised its return on investments.  Both the capital programme and treasury management allowed more resources to be freed up to invest in the Council’s other priorities, values and imperatives.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)     the capital programme 2014/15 detailed in Annex A be approved for implementation;

(2)     the revised 10 year Capital Programme be approved, as detailed in paragraph 2.2 of the report;

(3)     the Treasury Management Strategy attached at Annex B of the report be approved;

(4)     the Prudential and Treasury Indicators attached at Annex B in the body of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement be approved;

(5)     the revised Treasury Management Policy Statement at Annex C be approved; and

(6)     the scheme of delegation and role of the s151 officer attached at Annex D be approved.

This report provides an update on the revenue budget position of the Council (revenue and reserve funds) at quarter 3, the end of December 2013.

In accepting the recommendations, Council will be asked to approve the budget adjustments at paragraph 3.2 of the report which total a budget increase of £127,240 to £7,619,630 in 2013/14; remove income of £71,637 from the one-off fund in relation to the homelessness grant no longer received as detailed in paragraph 6.2 of the report; allocate £83,000 from the new homes bonus reserve for the empty properties review as detailed in paragraph 6.7 of the report and note all movements in the reserves as detailed in paragraphs 6.2 to 6.6 of the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided an update on the revenue budget position of the Council (revenue and reserve funds) at the end of December 2013.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with S25 of the Local Government Act 2003 regarding setting a balanced budget and monitoring the financial position throughout the year.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:

(1)     the budget adjustments at paragraph 3.2 of the report which total a budget increase of £127,240, to £7,619,630 in 2013/14 be approved;

(2)     income of £71,637 be removed from the One-Off Fund in relation to the homelessness grant no longer received as detailed in paragraph 6.2 of the report;

(3)     the allocation of £83,000 from the new homes bonus reserve for the empty properties review as detailed in paragraph 6.7 of the report be approved; and

(4)     all movements in the reserves be noted as detailed in paragraphs 6.2 to 6.6 of the report.

This report provides the quarter 3 update at 31 December 2013 on the progress of the capital programme 2013/14 and the treasury management position.  A full schedule of the capital programme 2013/14 schemes is attached at Annex A, together with the relevant update on progress of each scheme.

In accepting the recommendations, Council will be asked to approve the net decrease of £136,299 in the capital programme to £2,480,600 and the detailed capital programme attached at Annex A; approve the movements in the capital programme as detailed in Annex B; approve the Capital Funding position and available reserve to support further capital schemes over the next 10 years at £3,406,054; approve the treasury management activity at Annex C and that there were no changes to the investment criteria at quarter 3; and approve the prudential and treasury indicators at Annex E and that there were no changes at quarter 3.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided the quarter 3 update at 31 December 2013 on the progress of the capital programme 2013/14 and the treasury management position.  A full schedule of the capital programme 2013/14 schemes was attached at Annex A of the report, together with the relevant update on progress of each scheme.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2003 and the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Prudential Code and the CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:

(1)     the net decrease of £136,299 in the capital programme to £2,480,600 and the detailed capital programme attached at Annex A be approved;

(2)     the movements in the capital programme detailed in Annex B of the report and below be approved:-

          (a)     increase in expenditure of £2,700 to be supported from Council reserves;

          (b)     decrease in expenditure of £48,999, reduction in Council funding

          (c)     reduction in scheme expenditure of £90,000, works completed by third party

(3)     the Capital Funding position and available reserve to support further capital schemes over the next 10 years at £3,406,054 be approved;

(4)     the treasury management activity at Annex C of the report and that there were no changes to the investment criteria at quarter 3 be approved;

(5)     the prudential and treasury indicators at Annex E of the report and that there were no changes at quarter 3 be approved.

This report recommends to Council the making of all encompassing byelaws to control cosmetic piercing, semi-permanent skin colouring, acupuncture, electrolysis and tattooing and the repeal of any byelaws which related only to ear-piercing, electrolysis, tattooing and acupuncture and also seeks approval for an Enforcement Policy to cover the above activities.

In accepting the recommendations, Council will pass a resolution authorising the making of byelaws in the form of the Model Byelaws and will carry out the necessary procedure and apply to the Department of Health for confirmation and will approve the Cosmetic Piercing and Semi-permanent Colouring Enforcement Policy.

The subject of the decision:

This report recommended to Council the making of all encompassing byelaws to control cosmetic piercing, semi-permanent skin colouring, acupuncture, electrolysis and tattooing and the repeal of any byelaws which related only to ear-piercing, electrolysis, tattooing and acupuncture and also seeks approval for an Enforcement Policy to cover the above activities.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with relevant legislation.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves the report and recommends that Council:-

(1)     pass a resolution authorising the making of byelaws in the form of the Model Byelaws and carry out the necessary procedure and apply to the Department of Health for confirmation; and

(2)     approves the Cosmetic Piercing and Semi-permanent Colouring Enforcement Policy.

This report seeks approval of the Risk Based Verification policy as attached at Annex A of the report.

In accepting the recommendations, the Policy will be recommended to Council for approval and will be reviewed annually by the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval of the Risk Based Verification policy as attached at Annex A of the report.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with recommendations from the Department for Work and Pensions.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves the report and recommends that Council:-

(1)     approves the Risk Based Verification Policy; and

(2)     asks that the Policy is reviewed annually by the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee.

This report sets out a proposed revision to the Corporate Health and Safety Policy.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will approve the revised Policy and will recommend it to Council.

The subject of the decision:

This report set out a proposed revision to the Corporate Health and Safety Policy.  The revised Policy (attached in Annex ‘A’ of the report) took account of the need to develop a more comprehensive document which built on the previous Policy, updating it for the management of health and safety across all Council Directorates and services.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To take account of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and all other related legislation.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves the revised Policy and recommends it to Council.

To confirm the decisions of the meeting held on 14 January 2014 (CA.73 - CA.77), previously circulated.

THE DECISION:

That the decisions of the meeting held on 14 January 2014 (CA.73 – CA.77), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.

This report provides details on progress against the Council’s priorities and information on actions to address under performance.

In accepting the recommendation, the progress made against the Council Plan as detailed in Annex ‘A’ will be endorsed.

The subject of the decision:

The Council Plan set out the direction for the Council for the next two years and had been updated to reflect changes to community needs.  It showed the Council’s goals and gave measurable outcomes. The Council’s approach to performance management was designed to ensure that priorities were effectively implemented, monitored and managed to achieve real improvements in the quality of life in the local community.  This report provided details on progress against the Council’s priorities and information on actions to address under performance.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To review the Council’s performance against the refreshed Council Plan key priorities to ascertain whether performance was on target and being managed.

THE DECISION:

That progress made against the Council Plan as detailed in Annex ‘A’ of the report be endorsed.

This report provides information on the decision by Public Health to invest £50,000 for 2 years to enable the Council to design and deliver an accessible lifestyle adult weight management service which supports overweight and obese adults to lose weight and learn how to maintain a healthier weight in the long term.

In accepting the recommendation, the funding package offered by North Yorkshire County Council Public Health will be accepted.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided information on the decision by Public Health to invest £50,000 for 2 years to enable the Council to design and deliver an accessible lifestyle adult weight management service which supported overweight and obese adults to lose weight and learn how to maintain a healthier weight in the long term.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the Health and Wellbeing Service would help the Council address its priorities to promote healthy lifestyles.

THE DECISION:

That the funding package offered by North Yorkshire County Council Public Health be accepted.

This report seeks endorsement of the Public Open Space, Sport and Recreation Action Plans for Burneston, Swainby with Allerthorpe and Theakston, and Snape with Thorp.

In accepting the recommendation, the Public Open Space, Sport and Recreation Action Plans in Annex B of the report will be endorsed.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought endorsement of the Public Open Space, Sport and Recreation Action Plan for Burneston; Swainby with Allerthorpe and Theakston; and Snape with Thorp.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with the Council’s legal responsibility to ensure funding is used in a way consistent with the individual S106 Agreements.

THE DECISION:

That the Public Open Space, Sport and Recreation Action Plans attached at
Annex B of the report be endorsed.

This report presents the final report from the Scrutiny Committee 1 on the Emergency and Urgent Medical Response in Hambleton mini review for consideration.

The subject of the decision:

This report presented the final report from Scrutiny Committee 1 on the Emergency and Urgent Medical Response in Hambleton mini review for consideration.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To take account of the findings of Scrutiny Committee 1.

THE DECISION:

That:

(1)     the CCG be commended for the improvements made to the emergency medical service;

(2)     District Councillors be provided with updates on a regular basis; and

(3)     consideration be given to any assistance the Council could provide in communicating with Hambleton residents.