This report provides the Quarter 2 update as at 30 September 2017 on the progress of the Capital Programme 2017/18 and the Treasury Management position.  A full schedule of the Capital Programme 2017/18 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 to Council the net decrease of £9,513,729 in the Capital Programme to £7,363,851 and all expenditure movements as detailed in Annex B of the report and also in the Capital Programme attached at Annex A of the report; the increase of capital expenditure £65,390 is funded from capital receipts; the funding allocation to the Capital Programme as detailed in paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 of the report; and the Treasury Management and prudential indicators at Annex E of the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided the Quarter 2 update at 30 September 2017 on the progress of the Capital Programme 2017/18 and the Treasury Management position.  A full schedule of the Capital Programme 2017/18 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 to Council that:-

(1)     the net decrease of £9,513,729 in the Capital Programme to £7,363,851 and all expenditure movements as detailed in Annex ‘B’ and also in the Capital Programme attached at Annex ‘A’ of the report be approved;

(2)     the increase of capital expenditure of £65,390 is funded from capital receipts;

(3)     the funding allocation to the Capital Programme as detailed in paragraphs 3.1 and 3.2 of the report be approved;

(4)     the Treasury Management and Prudential Indicators at Annex ‘E’ of the report be approved.

This report provided an update on the Revenue Budget position of the Council and the reserve funds at the end of September 2017.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council that the budget remains at £7,210,600 as detailed in paragraph 3.2 of the report; the allocation from the One-off Fund at paragraph 6.6 of the report of £141,605; to approve the total amount of £26,570 at paragraph 6.3 of the report and note that the Economic Development fund remaining balance at paragraph 6.4 of the report is £763,112; and approve the transfer of £143,000 from the Council Tax Payers Reserve to the Local Plan Reserve to cover additoinl expenditure on the Local Plan in 2017/18.

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 2017.

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 £7,210,600 as detailed in paragraph 3.2 of the report;

(2)     the allocation from the One-Off Fund at paragraph 6.6 of the report of £141,605 be approved;

(3)     the total amount of £26,570 at paragraph 6.3 of the report be approved and the Economic Development fund remaining balance at paragraph 6.4 of the report of £763,112 be noted; and

(4)     the transfer of £143,000 from the Council Tax Payers Reserve to the Local Plan Reserve to cover additional expenditure on the Local Plan in 2017/18 be approved.

This report seeks approval of the Council Tax Reduction scheme for 2018/19 from 1 April 2018.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council that the Local Council Tax Reduction scheme from 2018/19 be based on the current scheme which allows for alignment with the Housing Benefit legislative changes be adopted to take effect from 1 April 2018.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought consideration of whether to revise the Council Tax Reduction scheme or replace it with another.  Any revision or replacement needed to be made no later than 31 January in the financial year preceding that year for which the revision or replacement scheme was to be effective.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

For each financial year the billing authority was required to consider whether to revise its Council Tax Reduction scheme or replace it with another in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that the Local Council Tax Reduction scheme from 2018/19 be based on the current scheme which allows for alignment with the Housing Benefit legislative changes and that this be adopted to take effect from 1 April 2018.

This report presents the Vibrant Market Towns Investment Plan for approval.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council that the Vibrant Market Towns Investment Plan attached at Annex A of the report be approved; the Vibrant Market Towns Team work in partnership with local stakeholders on the implementation of the Plan; and a review of progress against implementation of the Investment Plan is prepared and published after 12 months.

The subject of the decision:

This report presented the Vibrant Market Towns Investment Plan for approval.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

The Vibrant Market Towns Investment Plan had been developed to support the delivery of the Council’s Economic Strategy 2014-2024 ‘Hambleton a Place to Grow’.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)     the Vibrant Market Towns Investment Plan attached at Annex A of the report be approved;

(2)     the Vibrant Market Towns Team work in partnership with local stakeholders on the implementation of the Plan; and

(3)     a review of progress against implementation of the Investment Plan is prepared and published after 12 months.

To confirm the decisions of the meeting held on 7 November 2017 (CA.32 - CA.37), previously circulated.

THE DECISION:

That the decisions of the meeting held on 7 November 2017 (CA.32 – CA.37), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.

This report seeks approval to negotiate to acquire the former Lambert Memorial Hospital and Health Centre in Chapel Street, Thirsk and to investigate the business case for Council acquisition.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will authorise the Chief Executive to negotiate the possible purchase of the Lambert Memorial Hospital; an investigation will be undertaken of potential uses of the building which would benefit the social and economic wellbeing of Sowerby, Thirsk and the surrounding community; authorisation will be given to spend up to £15,000 on expert commercial and valuation advice and a further report including an appropriate business case will be brought back to Cabinet for a decision on acquisition.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval to negotiate to acquire the former Lambert Memorial Hospital and Health Centre in Chapel Street, Thirsk and to investigate the business case for Council acquisition.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

In accordance with Section 120 of the Local Government Act 1972, the Council has the power to acquire land by agreement for the benefit, improvement or development of its area.

THE DECISION:

That:-

(1)        the Chief Executive be authorised to negotiate the possible purchase of the Lambert Memorial Hospital;

(2)        an investigation be undertaken of potential uses of the building which would benefit the social and economic wellbeing of Sowerby, Thirsk and the surrounding community;

(3)        authorisation be given to spend up to £15,000 on expert commercial and valuation advice; and

(4)        a further report including an appropriate business case be brought back to Cabinet for a decision on acquisition.

This report provides an update on the investigatory work that has been undertaken in order to support a proposed new strategic employment site at Leeming Bar and evidence its deliverability; highlight the conclusions from the initial investigatory work; and highlight the next steps and request approval for funding to progress these activities and investigates the business case for Council involvement in implementation.

In accepting the recommendations, a budget of up to £43,500 will be allocated to cover the investigatory services as identified in Section 4.3 of the report and this will be funded from the Economic Development Fund; and a further report will be brought to Cabinet on the business case for Council involvement in the implementation of the project.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided an update on the investigatory work that had been undertaken in order to support a proposed new strategic employment site at Leeming Bar and evidence its deliverability; highlighted the next steps and requested approval for funding to progress these activities and investigated the business case for Council involvement in implementation.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

The Council was preparing a new Local Plan that would, amongst other things, set out is economic growth ambitions to 2035.  Once adopted, the Local Plan would be a key tool which would underpin the priorities on the Council’s Economic Strategy and the Inward Investment Strategy.  This site had been identified as a potential site which could be developed in a phased approach with an initial allocation of 15.8 Ha’s in the new Local Plan.

THE DECISION:

That:-

(1)        a budget of up to £43,500 be allocated to cover the investigatory services as identified in Section 4.3 of the report and for this to be funded from the Economic Development fund; and

(2)        a further report be brought to Cabinet on the business case for Council involvement in the implementation of the project.