The purpose of the this report is to provide the quarter 2 update at 30 September 2014 on the progress of the capital programme 2014/15 and the treasury management position.  A full schedule of the capital programme 2014/15 schemes is attached at Annex A of the report, together with the relevant update on progress of each scheme.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve and recommend that  Council approves the net decrease of £254,763 in the capital programme to £2,547,427 and the detailed capital programme attached at Annex A; approves all movements in the capital programme +/- £20,000, in accordance with financial regulations, as detailed in Annex B; notes the further overall increases in the capital programme which are individually below £20,000 as detailed in Annex B and cumulatively total £33,077; notes the Capital Funding position - contributions of £285,704, capital receipts of £857,707 and £1,404,016 capital reserves; notes the treasury management activity at Annex C; approves the changes to the investment credit ratings process methodology whereby viability, financial strength and support ratings will not be considered as key criteria in the choice of creditworthy investment counterparties; this will continue to ensure the security of the Council’s funds and notes the prudential and treasury indicators at Annex E and that there were no changes at quarter 2 in the mid-year review.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided the quarter 2 update at 30 September 2014 on the progress of the capital programme 2014/15 and the treasury management position.  A full schedule of the capital programme 2014/15 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 that Council:-

(1)     approves the net decrease of £258,763 in the capital programme to £2,543,427 and the detailed capital programme attached at Annex A;

(2)     approves all movements in the capital programme +/- £20,000, in accordance with financial regulations, as detailed in Annex B and below:

          (a)     the increase in capital expenditure of £36,700 for the Footpath Diversion and & Car Park Creation at Leeming Bar;

          (b)     the decrease in expenditure from re-profiling of £131,000 from this year to 2015/16 for Hambleton All Weather pitch;

          (c)     the decrease in expenditure from re-profiling £200,000 from this year to 2015/16 for Leisure Equipment ;

(3)     notes the further overall increases in the capital programme which are individually  below £20,000 as detailed in Annex B and cumulatively total £35,537;

(4)     notes the Capital Funding position - contributions of £285,704, capital receipts of £857,707 and £1,400,016 capital reserves;

(5)     notes the treasury management activity at Annex C ;

(6)     approves the changes to the investment credit ratings process methodology whereby viability, financial strength and support ratings will not be considered as key criteria in the choice of creditworthy investment counterparties; this will continue to ensure the security of the Council’s funds; and

(7)     notes the prudential and treasury indicators at Annex E and that there were no changes at quarter 2 in the mid-year review.

This report provides an update on the revenue budget position of the Council and the reserve funds at the end of September 2014.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council the budget surplus of £1,178 as set out at paragraph 3.2 of the report and the return of funds to the One-Off Fund of £84,640 as set out at paragraph 6.4 of the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided an update on the revenue budget position of the Council and the reserve funds at the end of September 2014.

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 that Council:-

(1)     approves the budget surplus of £1,178 as set out at paragraph 3.2 of the report; and

(2)     approves the allocation of funds to the One-Off Fund as set out at paragraph 6.4 of the report of £6,360.

This report seeks approval for the final version of the Hambleton Economic Strategy and Investment Plan 2014-2024, attached as Annex A to the report.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council that the Hambleton Economic Strategy and Investment Plan 2014-2024 be adopted.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval of the final version of the Hambleton Economic Strategy and Investment Plan 2014 – 2024 which was attached as Annex A to the report.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the Hambleton Economic Strategy and Investment Plan 2014 – 2024 supported the delivery of the Council’s objective to support local economic growth.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council the Economic Strategy and Investment Plan 2014 – 2024 for adoption.

To confirm the decisions of the meeting held on 4 November 2014 (CA.39 - CA.43), previously circulated.

THE DECISION:

That the decisions of the meeting held on 4 November 2014 (CA.39 – CA.43), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.

An opportunity has arisen to re-invest windfall savings back into the community and this report seeks approval of a new one-off community grants scheme.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve the new grants scheme and apply the criteria and timetable as set out in Annex A of the report and that the scheme be funded by an allocation of £125,000 from the One-Off Fund.

The subject of the decision:

An opportunity had arisen to re-invest windfall savings back into the community and this report sought approval of a new one-off Community Grants Scheme.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To support local community projects which would help improve life in neighbourhoods and which would support the work of the voluntary sector.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves:-

(1)     the new grants scheme and applies the criteria and timetable as set out in Annex A of the report; and

(2)     the scheme be funded by an allocation of £125,000 from the One-Off Fund.

(3)     that five panels or groups of Members be established by the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader of the Council to assess bids and report to Cabinet the recommendations.

This report provides feedback on the outcome of consultation that took place in October 2014 and provides a suggested response to the outcome.

In accepting the recommendations, the Gateway Car Park project will be deferred; the Capital Programme will be adjusted accordingly and a further report will be presented after the relief road has opened and an additional sum of £212,000 will be included in the Capital Programme.

The subject of the decision:

In April 2014 Cabinet considered the last in a series of reports on the possibility of providing a car park at North End, Bedale.  Amongst other things, Cabinet resolved that the principle of a smaller Gateway car park be approved, that £400,000 be approved for the project and that the Auction Mart car park be disposed of to fund the remainder of the cost (Minute CA.111 refers).  Following concern from local Members it was decided to undertake public consultation on the principle of providing a Gateway car park and whether either or both of the existing car parks in Bedale should be sold to part finance the new car park.  The consultation took place in October and this report provided feedback on the outcome and a suggested response to the outcome.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To take account of the consultation exercise.

THE DECISION:

That:-

(1)     the Gateway Car Park project be deferred, the Capital Programme be adjusted accordingly and a further report be presented after the Relief Road has opened; and

(2)     an additional sum of £212,000 be included in the Capital Programme.

This report seeks approval for the Council’s continued participation in the North Yorkshire Rural Housing Enabler Programme from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2018 which is based on a slightly amended business model to the current programme.  It also seeks approval for the Council to continue to act as lead employer for the sub-regional team of Rural Housing Enablers.

In accepting the recommendations, the Council’s continued participation in the North Yorkshire Rural Housing Enabler Programme post 31 March 2015, based on the amended business model will be approved and the Council will continue to act as lead employer for the sub-regional team of Rural Housing Enablers.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval for the Council’s continued participation in the North Yorkshire Rural Housing Enabler Programme from 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2018 which was based on a slightly amended business model to the current programme. It also sought approval for the Council to continue to act as lead employer for the sub-regional team of Rural Housing Enablers.  Other Local Authorities and Registered Provider partners had confirmed their support moving forward, following the programme review which had taken take place in summer 2014.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the Council’s continued participation in the North Yorkshire Rural Housing Enabler Programme would help support the provision of providing local homes for local people and help sustain the vibrancy of the rural communities and contribute towards the Council’s affordable housing targets.

THE DECISION:

That:-

(1)     the Council’s continued participation in the North Yorkshire Rural Housing Enabling Programme post 31 March 2015, based on the amended business model be approved; and

(2)     the Council continues to act as lead employer for the sub-regional team of Rural Housing Enablers.

This report seeks approval of an Interim Policy Guidance Note which has been prepared for consultation purposes to guide the Council in considering planning applications for new housing development in and around smaller settlements of the District’s Plan Area.

In accepting the recommendation, the Draft Interim Policy Guidance Note on the Settlement Hierarchy and Rural Housing Development will be approved for public consultation.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval of an Interim Policy Guidance Note which had been prepared for consultation purposes to guide the Council in considering planning applications for new housing development in and around small settlements of the District’s Plan area.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To enable consultation to be carried out on the draft Interim Policy Guidance Note.

THE DECISION:

That the draft Interim Policy Guidance Note on the Settlement Hierarchy and Rural Housing Development be approved for public consultation.

Through a long history of negotiations the Council has signed a S106 Agreement in relation to the South West Thirsk housing area.  This report relates to the off-site recreational scheme and sets out progress with the delivery of this element which covers the transfer of 9.745 acres of land and £1.5 million.

In accepting the recommendation, the progress ono the Sowerby Sports Village will be noted and the next steps will be approved.

The subject of the decision:

Through a long history of negotiations the Council had signed a Section 106 Agreement in relation to the South West Thirsk housing area which included transport infrastructure; on-site children’s play; on-site public open space; various elements relating to cycling; public art; education and off-site recreational scheme.  This report related purely to the final one of these the off-site recreational scheme and set out progress with the delivery of this element which covered the transfer of 9.745 acres of land and £1.5 million.

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 progress on the Sowerby Sports Village be endorsed and the next steps be approved.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the press and public from the meeting during consideration of item 12 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

THE DECISION:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public were excluded from the meeting during consideration of the items of business at minute nos CA.54 on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as the Cabinet was satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

This report sets out the current position regarding the disposal of land at the Galtres Centre, Easingwold.

The subject of the decision:

This report set out the current position regarding the disposal of land at the Galtres Centre, Easingwold.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the disposal of the land at the Galtres Centre, Easingwold was in the interests of the social, economic or environmental wellbeing of the area.

THE DECISION:

That:-

(1)     in principle the land hatched on the attached plan excluding the Crabmill Lane Car Park be transferred to the Galtres Centre Management Committee for a peppercorn, subject to the clauses referred to in paragraph 4.3 of the report; and

(2)     Officers negotiate further with the Galtres Centre Management Committee over a proposed commuted sum and report back to Cabinet.