The subject of the decision:

Following the success of the Making a Difference Grants’ programme over the last six years, whereby £125,000 was made available each year to assist community projects, it was proposed that £250,000 be allocated to finance the 2021/22 Making a Difference Grants programme in light of the exceptional difficulties experienced by our communities in 2020.  The Leader reported that the criteria contained within the Annex required some minor amendments to include reference to salaries and general running costs only being funded in exceptional circumstances and that generally works on land or to buildings would only be funded if the applicant could evidence that they held a minimum of 10 years left on their lease for the land or building and that the deadline for completion of projects was 30 April 2022.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

It was a legal responsibility upon the Council to ensure that this funding was only allocated to projects that met the terms and conditions of the grant scheme and to ensure that the funds were used for the purpose approved.

The decision:

That Cabinet approves an allocation of £250,000 from the One-Off Fund to be used to fund a 2021/22 Making a Difference Grants programme, applying the criteria and timetable (as amended) set out in Annex A of the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval for the Hambleton Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan, attached as Annex A to the report.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the proposals contained within the plan aimed to support economic recovery in response to the Covid-19 pandemic

and build future resilience of businesses based within Hambleton district, this

supported the Council priority of Driving Economic Vitality.

The decision:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)    the Hambleton Covid-19 Economic Response and Recovery Plan is adopted; and

(2)    the plan is regularly reviewed and with the agreement of the Portfolio Holder is amended to respond to the changing Covid-19 situation.

The subject of the decision:

The report sought approval from Cabinet and Council for the extension of the lease terms presently in place at The World of James Herriot for the purposes of the continued provision of a museum/visitor attraction celebrating the life and times of the veterinary surgeon Alf Wight.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

The continued operation of The World of James Herriot linked directly with the Council’s priorities of Driving Economic Activity and Providing a Special Place to Live.

The Decision:

That Cabinet agrees and recommends to Council that:-

(1)    the existing lease with The World of James Herriot Ltd is surrendered and a new lease for a 30 year period at a peppercorn is established; and

(2)    suitable covenants are placed in the contract documents to protect the Council’s position as set out in paragraph 5.3 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 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 3.8 of the report;

(2)    that reserves will be used to cover the shortfall created by the covid-19 pandemic if sufficient funds are not received from Government at the yearend as detailed in paragraph 4.6 of the report;

(3)    the allocation from the One Off Fund at paragraph 8.6 of the report of £231,000;

(4)    that it will not be part of a Business Rates Pool or Pilot Scheme in 2021/22 as detailed in paragraph 9.1 of the report; and

(5)    that a ‘vehicle’ is not to be set up as detailed in paragraph 10.0 of the report in relation to VAT partial exemption.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided the Quarter 2 update at 30 September 2020 on the progress of the capital programme 2020/21 and the treasury management position.  A full schedule of the Capital Programme 2020/21schemes was attached at Annex A to 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:-

(1)    the net decrease of £31,688,990 in the capital programme to £20,544,776 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 £5,515,953 funded as follows: £3,687,641 from borrowing, £1,454,670 is from external grants/contributions, £187,142 is funded from capital, £150,000 from the One Off fund, £25,000 from Revenue Contributions receipts and £11,500 from Computer Fund;

(3)    the funding allocation to the capital programme as detailed in paragraph 3. 1 and 3.2 of the report;

(4)    the reduction in the Affordable Borrowing Limit to £62,500,000 as detailed in paragraph 4.2 of the report;

(5)    the treasury management and prudential indicators at Annex E of the report have been revised in light of the changes in the Treasury Management Strategy Statement in paragraph 4.2 of the report; and

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

Note:  Councillor B Griffiths (in attendance) left the meeting at approximately 10.15am following discussion of the above item.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval to continue with the current design of the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme which was introduced in April 2020; and increase the level of income, within the income bands, as shown in paragraph 1.4 of the report by the appropriate level of inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index at the 1 October 2020.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Each year the Council was required to review its Local Council Tax Reduction

Scheme in accordance with the requirements of Schedule 1A of the Local

Government Finance Act 1992 and to either maintain the scheme or replace it.

The decision:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council the current income banded Council Tax Reduction Scheme with no changes other than the increase of the income bands in line with CPI at 1 October 2020, is adopted from April 2021.