The subject of the decision:

It was proposed that the Commercial Investment Strategy was suspended at the current time due to the increase in Publics Works Loan Board interest rates on borrowing in October 2019 resulting in the income to be generated from commercial investments being marginal; consultation paper from HM Treasury on ‘Public Works Loan Board: future lending terms’ in March 2020 where it was clearly implied the Treasury would no longer allow local authorities to borrow money from the Public Works Loan Board to purchase commercial property if the aim was solely to generate an income stream and current Covid-19 environment where receipt of rental income was uncertain.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet considered that it was not financial viable to continue with the Commercial Investment Strategy at this current time.

The Decision:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:

(1)     the Commercial Investment strategy is suspended; and

(2)     £30m commercial investment property portfolio is removed from the Capital programme and the Authorised Borrowing Limit and Prudential Indicators are revised at paragraph 4.1 of the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval for delivery of a scheme of improvements at Bedale Leisure Centre.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Within the Council Plan, 2019-23, community leisure facility improvements at Bedale were identified as a key project.  This project was part of the Council’s strategy to invest in leisure facilities across the district.

The Decision:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council:

(1)     the planned approach to investment at Bedale Leisure Centre for sports and physical activity improvements highlighted within this report;

(2)     that £314,000 is allocated from the Community Infrastructure Levy to fund the improvements, and

(3)     flexibility to deliver the elements of the project within budget is delegated to the Director of Leisure and Communities as highlighted within section 4.0 of the report.

The subject of the decision:

The Council was required to identify how it intended to use Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) monies collected to deliver strategic infrastructure.  The purpose of this report was to consider the prioritisation of the schemes to be funded either entirely, or in part, through CIL.  This report identified options and sought approval to undertake the recommended approach.  CIL is a levy on development which the Council had collected, where the funds were used to provide infrastructure.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

The Council needs to follow the Community Infrastructure Levy (Amendment) (England) (No. 2) Regulations 2019) as amended to ensure that the proper legal procedures continue to be adhered to in implementing the Charging Schedule.  The arrangements for the management of CIL monies may require legal mechanisms between the Council and any delivery partners.

The Decision:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council:

(1)     the Draft Infrastructure Funding Statement set out in Annexes 2 and 3 of the report, to replace the Regulation 123 list;

(2)     the recommended prioritisation of schemes for 2020/2021, in accordance with paragraph 1.16 of the report;

(3)     that £2,069,666 of CIL funding be committed to the priority schemes, in accordance with paragraph 1.21 of the report; and

(4)     that further CIL received up to the 31st March 2021 be committed to the priority schemes in accord with the percentages set out in paragraph 1.21 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 June 2020.

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 remains at £9,269,670 as detailed in paragraph 3.2 of the report;

(2)     the revised 2019/20 Revenue Outturn and position on the Council Tax Payers Reserve is a reduction of £150,539 to £1,086,421 detailed at paragraph 5.2 of the report;

(3)     the total allocation of the Economic Development fund of £507,960, leaving £481,316 at paragraph 9.4 of the report;

(4)     the allocation from the Council Tax Payers Reserve at paragraph 9.5 of the report of £600,000;

(5)     the transfer of £125,000 from the One Off Fund to Make a Difference Fund at paragraph 9.6 of the report;

(6)     the allocation from the One Off fund at paragraph 9.7 of the report of £506,740; and

(7)     the expenditure of £350,000 to support the professional advice fees for the Vehicle/Company Structure at paragraph 9.8 of the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided the Quarter 1 update at 30 June 2020 on the progress of the capital programme 2020/21 and the treasury management position.  A full schedule of the capital programme 2020/21 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 increase of £663,099 in the capital programme to £52,233,766 and all expenditure movements as detailed in Annex B and also in the capital programme attached at Annex A of the report;

(2)     the increase of capital expenditure of £1,177,000 funded as follows: £710,158 is from external grants/contributions, £171,842 from borrowing, £150,000 from the One Off fund, £84,000 from the Economic Development Fund and £61,000 is funded from capital receipts;

(3)     the funding allocation to the capital programme as detailed in paragraph 3.1 and 3.2 of the report;

(4)     the treasury management and prudential indicators at Annex E of the report; and

(5)     to note the position of the Council’s third party companies at Annex F of the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval of a revised Council Plan 2019 to 20239 which demonstrated the Council’s vision, purpose and priorities updated for 2020 onwards.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

The Council was statutorily obliged to have an active Council Plan.

The decision:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council the revised Council Plan 2019-2023.