The subject of the decision:

 

This report presented the Capital Strategy which gave a clear and concise view of how a local authority determined its priorities for capital investment, set its risk appetite and decided how much it could afford to borrow.

 

Alternative options considered:

 

None.

 

The reason for the decision:

 

The Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Prudential Code of Treasury Management Code required local authorities, in 2019/20, to produce a Capital Strategy to demonstrate that capital expenditure and investment decisions are taken in line with service objectives and take account of stewardship, value for money, prudence, sustainability and affordability.

 

THE DECISION:

 

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council the Capital Strategy 2019/20 attached at Annex A of the report.

The subject of the decision:

 

This report sought consideration of a new Discretionary Rate Relief – Retail Discount in relation to the Government’s announcement in the budget in October 2018, to provide those businesses with a rateable value of less that £51,000 further retail discount equivalent to one third of their bill; notice of the Government’s decision to extend for one year for 2019/20 the £1,500 business rates discount for office space occupied by local newspapers; a new Discretionary Rate Relief for new rural mobile infrastructure which would not generally be supported by the industry, for the North Yorkshire area and an updated consolidated Discretionary Non Domestic Rate Relief Policy to incorporate the new Retail Discount and extension for local newspapers.

 

Alternative options considered:

 

None.

 

The reason for the decision:

 

To take account of the requirements of Section 47 of the Local Government Finance Act 1988 and subsequent legislation.

 

THE DECISION:

 

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

 

(1)     the Retail Discount for 2019/20 and 2020/21 in accordance with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government guidance as at Annex A of the report be adopted;

 

(2)     the proposal for discretionary rate relief in respect of mobile infrastructure be adopted;

 

(3)     the updated consolidated Discretionary Non Domestic Rates Relief Policy attached at Annex B of the report be adopted; and

 

(4)     the current delegated powers to award and review discretionary rate relief be extended to the new retail discount.

THE DECISION:

 

That the decisions of the meeting held on 15 January 2019 (CA.47 – CA.50), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.

The subject of the decision:

 

This report introduced the Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Mandatory Conditions of Licences) (England) Regulations 2018 and the Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Description) (England) Order 2018 which came into force on the 1 October 2018 and amended the Housing Act 2004.

 

Alternative options considered:

 

None.

 

The reason for the decision:

 

As a Housing Authority the Council had a statutory duty to implement the new legislation and powers provided to ensure compliance with the Regulations in respect of Houses in Multiple Occupation with its area.

 

THE DECISION:

 

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council:-

 

(1)     the introduction and enforcement of the Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Mandatory Conditions of Licences) (England) Regulations 2018 and the Licensing of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Prescribed Description) (England) Order 2018;

 

(2)     the licence fees and charges included in Appendix A of the report with future authority being delegated to the Chief Executive to review these as necessary; and

 

(3)     that the revised Private Sector Housing Enforcement Policy at Appendix B of the report be added to the Leisure and Environment Directorate Enforcement Policy.

The subject of the decision:

 

This report provided the quarter 3 update at 31 December 2018 on the progress of the Capital Programme 2018/19 and the Treasury Management position.  A full schedule of the Capital Programme 2018/19 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:

 

Capital expenditure was intrinsically linked with Treasury Management as the way that the Capital Programme was funded directly affected the Treasury Management arrangements of the Council.

 

THE DECISION:

 

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council:-

 

(1)     the net increase of £857,047 in the capital programme to £15,331,211 as detailed in Annex B and also in the capital programme attached at Annex A of the report;

 

(2)     the increase of capital expenditure is funded from earmarked reserves at £11,845,413 where £45,000 is from the Council Tax Payers Reserve Fund, £49,313 is from external grants/contributions and £11,751,100 is funded from surplus funds or borrowing;

 

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

 

(4)     the Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators at Annex E of the report.

The subject of the decision:

 

This report considered the Financial Strategy 2019/20 to 2028/29.

 

Alternative options considered:

 

None.

 

The reason for the decision:

 

To ensure there was a long term financial planning mechanism for the Council.  The Financial Strategy supported all the Council’s priorities to ensure that all services could be delivered in a way that was affordable and sustainable.

 

THE DECISION:

 

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council the Financial Strategy 2018/19 to 2028/29 attached at Annex A and A(1) of the report.

The subject of the decision:

 

This report sought endorsement of the refreshed Public Open Space, Sport and Recreation Action Plans for Bedale and Carlton Miniott Parishes.

 

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 refreshed Public Open Space, Sport and Recreation Action Plans for Bedale and Carlton Miniott attached at Annex B of the report be approved.

The subject of the decision:

 

This report considered for level of Council Tax for 2019/20 and the policy on reserves. In addition, it provided details of the Council's formula grant settlement for 2019/20; the 75% Business Rates Retention Scheme and the requirement for the Council to generate income from a variety of projects.  The 70% Business Rate Retention Scheme was a pilot scheme for one year only which was across North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire Councils.  It was expected to benefit the Council in obtaining increased funding and was a precursor to the new 75% Business Rates Retention Scheme from 2020/21 that was currently under consultation with the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

 

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 recommends to Council:-

 

(1)       That it be noted that on 15 January 2019 Hambleton District Council calculated the Council Tax Base for 2019/20:-

 

          (a)     for the whole Council area as 36,847.22  [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).

 

(2)     That the Council has calculated the Council Tax requirement for the Council's own purposes for 2019/20 (excluding Parish precepts) as £4,034,033.65

 

(3)     That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2019/20 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:-

 

          (a)     District/Parish Gross Expenditure

                   £ 47,644,004.00       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)

                   £ 42,107,836.30       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

                   £ 5,536,167.70         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)

                   £ 150.2466               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

                   £ 1,502,134.05         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)

                   £109.4800                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 will issue 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 and this will be as indicated in the table below and at Annex A(1).

 

(5)     Council Tax Bands for All Councils

          Figures for North Yorkshire County Council, North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority and Police and Crime Commissioner North Yorkshire are yet to be determined and will be reported at Council on 26 February 2019.

 

          That the Council, in accordance with Sections 30 and 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the aggregate amounts in the tables below as the amounts of Council Tax for 2019/20 for each part of its area and for each of the categories of the dwellings.

 

          Hambleton District Council

 

          Valuation Bands

 

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£
72.99	85.15	97.32	109.48	133.81	158.14	182.47	218.96

 

          North Yorkshire County Council – excluding Adult Social Care

          Valuation Bands

 

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£

 

          North Yorkshire County Council – Adult Social Care

          Valuation Bands

 

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£

 

          North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Authority

 

          Valuation Bands

 

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£

 

          Police and Crime Commissioner North Yorkshire

 

          Valuation Bands

 

A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
£	£	£	£	£	£	£	£

 

(6)     Excessive Council Tax

          That the Council determines that the Council's basic amount of Council Tax for 2019/20 (at 3(f) above) is not excessive in accordance with the principles approved under Section 52ZB of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

 

(7)     The appropriate amount is transferred to the Council Taxpayers Reserve to support the decision at (3) above.

 

(8)     The policy on Balances and Reserves at Annex C is approved.

 

Note: Councillor P R Wilkinson declared a non-pecuniary interest as he represents the District Council on the Police and Crime Commission who are required to set their precept for the North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Police.

The subject of the decision:

 

This report presented at a strategic level the revenue budget proposals for the next financial year 2019/20.

 

Alternative options considered:

 

None.

 

The reason for the decision:

 

To take account of the requirements of the Local Government Finance act 1992 to set a balanced budget and monitor the financial position throughout the year.

 

THE DECISION:

 

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council the revenue budget for 2019/20 at £9,085,870.

The subject of the decision:

 

This report sought approval for the 10 year Capital Programme for the financial years 2019/20 to 2028/29; the 2019/20 Capital Programme and the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, including the Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement.

 

Alternative options considered:

 

None.

 

The reason for the decision:

 

To comply with the requirements as set out under the Local Government Act 2003 and the CIPFA Prudential Code.

 

THE DECISION:

 

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

 

(1)     that the 10 year Capital Programme 2019/20 to 2028/28 at £57,071,861 be approved, as detailed in paragraph 2.2 and attached at Annex A of the report;

 

(2)     the Capital Programme 2019/20 at £43,883,526 detailed in Annex B of the report be approved for implementation;

 

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

 

(4)     the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement attached in the body of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement Annex C be approved;

 

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

 

(6)     the Treasury Management Scheme of Delegation at Annex D of the report be approved; and

 

(7)     the Treasury Management role of the S151 Officer attached at Annex E of the report be approved.

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 December 2018.

 

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 decrease at paragraph 3.3 of the report in Quarter 3 of £85,750 which results in a budget of £8,010,420;

 

(2)     the transfer of funds detailed in paragraph 3.6 of the report to the Local Plan Reserve of £110,070 and Repairs and Renewal budget of £30,000 at Quarter 4 from the expected surplus or Council Tax Payers Reserve;

 

(3)     to approve the total amount of new expenditure of £1,964 in the Economic Development Fund at paragraph 6.2 and to note that Economic Development fund remaining balance at paragraph 6.3 of the report is £580,199;

 

(4)     to approve the allocation from the One-Off fund at paragraph 6.5 of the report of £19,030;

 

(5)     to approve the roll forward to 2019/20 of £4,591 from the Make a Difference Fund at paragraph 6.8 of the report;

 

(6)     to approve the £60,000 allocation and roll forward of £40,000 to 2019/20 from the Income Generating Fund at paragraph 6.10 of the report;

 

(7)     to approve the allocation of £47,500 from the Grants Reserve and £42,500 from the Community Housing Fund as per paragraph 6.11 of the report; and

 

(8)     to approve the waiver as detailed in paragraph 7.2 of the report.

THE DECISION:

 

That the decisions of the meeting held on 4 December 2018 (CA.38 – CA.46), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.

The subject of the decision:

 

This report introduced the requirements of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 which came into force on the 1 October 2018 and were made under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

 

Alternative options considered:

 

None

 

The reason for the decision:

 

To comply with the requirements of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018.

 

THE DECISION:

 

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council:-

 

(1)     the introduction and enforcement of the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 as detailed within the report;

 

(2)     the licence fees and charges included in Appendix A of the report with future authority being delegated to the Chief Executive to review these as necessary; and

 

(3)     that the revised Animal Welfare Licensing Enforcement Policy attached at Annex B of the report be added to the Leisure and Environment Directorate Enforcement Policy.

The subject of the decision:

 

This report sought approval of the principal of acquiring commercial investment properties to generate income for the Council.

 

Alternative options considered:

 

None

 

The reason for the decision:

 

The Council’s Commercial vision as set out in the Commercial Strategy was to be self-sufficient by 2020/21and not rely on Government grant to support the budget.  Cabinet was satisfied that the proposals outlined in the report supported the Council’s vision.

 

THE DECISION:

 

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

 

(1)     a total Commercial Investment Portfolio budget of £40m is approved in principal and included in the Capital Programme;

 

(2)     £10,000 is allocated to develop the acquisition strategy funded from the Income Generating Reserves as detailed in paragraph 2.9 of the report;

 

(3)     the Acquisition Strategy is reported back to Cabinet and Council for approval; and

 

(4)     that a decision on whether to proceed with the Commercial Property Investment Portfolio be made at this time and the proposed decision making process for commercial investments be approved by Cabinet.

The subject of the decision:

 

This report sought consideration of a proposal to implement a Public Space Protection Order at Leeming Bar and Thirsk Industrial Estates to help address persistent anti-social behaviour.

 

Alternative options considered:

 

None.

 

The reason for the decision:

 

Cabinet was satisfied that the implementation of the Public Space Protection Order was necessary in order to help address anti-social behaviour displayed predominately by lorry drivers in the Leeming Bar and Thirsk Industrial Estates.

 

THE DECISION:

 

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council:-

 

(1)     the implementation of a Public Space Protection Order and an effective enforcement regime on the Leeming Bar Estate and surrounding area as identified in paragraph 1.12 of the report;

 

(2)     a detailed review of the Leeming Bar area Public Space Protection Order following the initial 6 month period;

 

(3)     following the outcome of the initial 6 month review of the Leeming Bar Public Space Protection Order and the specific circumstances in relation to Thirsk Industrial Estate, consideration of implementing a Public Space Protection Order at Thirsk Industrial Estate, with decision making authority delegated to the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader; and

 

(4)     that Fixed Penalty Notices are set at £100, with authority delegated to the Chief Executive to review these as appropriate.