To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2014 (C.20 - C.27), attached.

THE DECISION:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 16 December 2014 (C.20 - C.27), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record, subject to the deletion of Councillor A Robinson from the list of those Councillors shown as present.

The Chairman announced that Steve Quartermain, the former Director of Planning and Environmental Services, had been awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List.  The Chairman, on behalf of the Council, wished to congratulate Mr Quartermain on his achievements.

Date of Meeting                          Minute Nos

10 February 2015                       CA.60 to CA.62

                                                    CA.64 to CA.68

The Leader moved Cabinet minutes CA.60 – CA.62 and CA.64 – CA.68 and made a statement to the Council on the following matters:-

·                Council Tax Freeze

·                Purchase of Northallerton Prison

·                Post of Funding and Investment Officer

A number of questions were asked based on the statement.  The main issues which the Leader responded to were in relation to:-

·                Purchase of Northallerton Prison

Concern was raised about the lighting in Bullamoor Park and the Leader undertook to look into this matter further.

THE DECISION:

That the reports, resolutions and recommendations of the following meetings of the Cabinet be received, approved and adopted:-

To consider the Motion as set out in pursuance to Minute CA.63

It was moved by the Leader and seconded by the Deputy Leader that the Notice of Motion at Item 7 on the agenda be approved in pursuance of Minute CA.63.

THE DECISION:

Further to Minute CA.63:-

(1)     That it be noted that on 15 January Council calculated the Council Tax Base 2015/16:-

          (a)     for the whole Council area as £34,710.28  [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)     That the Council has calculated the Council Tax requirement for the Council's own purposes for 2015/16 (excluding Parish precepts) as £3,105,875.85.

(3)     That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2015/16 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:-

          (a)     District/Parish Gross Expenditure

                   £45,687,808.80   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)

                   £41,306,984.15   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

                   £4,380,824.65     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)

                   £126.2112           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

                   £1,274,948.80     being the aggregate of all special items (Parish Precepts) referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act (as per Annex ‘A’ of the report)

          (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 basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no Parish precept relates

(4)     Major Precepting Authorities That it be noted that the North Yorkshire County Council, the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority and the Police and Crime Commissioner North Yorkshire have issued precepts to the Council in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for each category of dwellings in the Council's area as indicated in the table below and at Annex ‘A’(1) of the report.

(5)     Council Tax Bands for  ...  view the full minutes text for item C.31

The Chief Executive submitted a report seeking approval of the Statement of Pay Policy for the year commencing on 1 April 2015.  The Council was required to adopt the Statement of Pay Policy each year.

THE DECISION:

That the Statement of Pay Policy be adopted with effect from 1 April 2015.

The Chief Executive asked Council to consider necessary amendments to the allocation of seats on Committees due to changes in the Political Groups on the Council.

THE DECISION:

That:-

(1)     proportionality rules continue to be waived in respect of the Licensing Committee, Licensing and Appeals Hearings Panel and the Standards Hearings Panel;

(2)     the allocations for political groups for the remaining Committees be as set out in Annex ‘B’ of the report;

(3)     the changes of membership of Committees set out in paragraphs 2.7 of the report be approved.

Note:Councillor B Griffiths wished it to be recorded that he abstained from voting.

It was moved by Councillor G W Dadd and seconded by Councillor M S Robson:

“This Council finds the recent activities exposed on national TV concerning a local abattoir and animal cruelty abhorrent.

We totally condemn any improper practices and regard such as a slant on the usual professional and high standards employed within the food and meat Industry, especially locally.

The reported activities are not only in contradiction to the ethical and legal animal welfare standards expected, they could have an effect on the reputation of the usually excellent standards of our local food producers, the latter a large part of the success story of Hambleton.

In view of the above, and to minimise these disgraceful practices being repeated, and to protect the reputation of those within the District and nationally against such repeated incidents, this Council calls upon the Government to seriously consider making it a statutory requirement to have CCTV installed and suitably monitored in all abattoirs.”

THE DECISION:

That the Motion as printed be forwarded to the Secretary of State for consideration.