The purpose of this report is to present to Members the capital outturn position for the year ending 31 March 2018 and also update on the annual treasury management position.  Capital expenditure is intrinsically linked with treasury management as the way that the capital programme is funded, directly effects the treasury management arrangements of the Council.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council to note the 2017/18 capital outturn position of £5,319,469 at paragraph 2.3 and attached at Annex A of the report; approve the over spend of £236,097 at paragraph 2.6 of the report and under spend of £57,147; approve the requests at paragraph 2.9 of the report for re-profiling the capital schemes totalling 947,076 from 2016/17 programme to 2017/18; approve the request at paragraph 2.10 of the report for re-profiling the additional capital schemes totalling £11,172,607  from 2017/18 programme to 2018/19 as attached in Annex B of the report; approve the request to enable the Council to bank roll the timing difference for the Dalton Bridge BID contributions and additional voluntary contributions in paragraph 3.2 of the report of £195,195 and £9,330; note the treasury management outturn position 2017/18 detailed at paragraph 13.3 and note the Prudential Indicators attached at Annex C of the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report presented the capital outturn position for the year ending 31 March 2018 and also provided an update on the annual treasury management position. 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.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To ensure that the overall Capital Programme remained affordable and sustainable over the 10 year approved capital plan.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)     the 2017/18 capital outturn position of £5,319,469 as detailed in paragraph 2.3 and attached at Annex ‘A’ of the report be noted;

(2)     the over spend of £236,097 and the under spend of £57,147 as detailed in paragraph 2.6 of the report be approved;

(3)     the requests at paragraph 2.9 of the report for re-profiling the capital schemes totalling £947,076 from 2016/17 programme to 2017/18 be approved;

(4)     the request at paragraph 2.10 of the report for re-profiling the additional capital schemes totalling £11,304,295 from 2017/18 programme to 2018/19 be approved as attached at Annex B to the report;

(5)     the request to enable the Council to bank roll the timing difference for the Dalton Bridge BID contributions and additional voluntary contributions as detailed in paragraph 3.2 of the report of £195,195 and £9,330 be approved;

(6)     the Treasury Management outturn position 2017/18 as detailed in the report be noted; and

(7)     the Prudential Indicators attached at Annex ‘C’ of the report be noted.

This report presents the revenue outturn position for the year ending 31 March 2018, which includes the position on reserves.  The Statement of Accounts, which is the consolidated financial position of the Council for 2017/18, is the responsibility of the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee which will meet on 24 July 2018 to approve the Annual Financial Report – Statement of Accounts.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council the transfer to the Council Tax payers reserve of £972,096 as detailed in paragraph 2.5 of the reprt, which represents the underspend of £680,698, increased business rates received £288,773, and increased additional grant received of £2,625; the increase in the use of the One-off fund at quarter 4 of £29,350, detailed at paragraph 3.5 and attached at Annex B of the report and the increase in the reserves position of £2,774,710, at paragraph 3.2 and detailed in Annex C.

The subject of the decision:

This report presented the revenue outturn position for the year ending 31 March 2018, which included the position on reserves. The Statement of Accounts, which was the consolidated financial position of the Council for 2017/18, was the responsibility of the Audit and Governance Committee which would meet on 24 July 2018 to approve the Annual Financial Report – Statement of Accounts.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with the legal requirement under S25 of The Local Government Act 2003 to set a balanced budget and monitor the financial position throughout the year.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council:

(1)     the transfer to the Council Tax Payers Reserve of £972,096 as detailed in paragraph 2.5 of the report, which represents the underspend of £680,698, increased business rates received £288,773 and increased additional grant received of £2,625;

(2)     the increase in the use of the One-Off fund at Quarter 4 of £29,350, detailed at paragraph 3.5 and attached at Annex B of the report; and

(3)     the increase in the reserves position of £2,774,710, at paragraph 3.2 and detailed in Annex ‘C’ of the report.

This report provides a review of the Council’s existing car park estate and seeks approval for capital investment to improve the quality of service offiered to our resident, business and visiting customers.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council that the Car Park Improvement Scheme is allocated Capital budget of £550,000 and will be authorised to proceed with various scheme elements as detailed within the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided a review of the Council’s existing car park estate and sought approval for capital investment to improve the quality of service offered to our residents, businesses and visiting customers.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the improvements to the Council’s car park estate supported the Council’s priority of driving economic vitality and, more specifically, was a key foundation to improving the vibrancy and vitality of the market towns and was therefore intrinsically linked to the Vibrant Market Towns programme.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)     an additional £400,000 is allocated into the Capital budget for future maintenance of the Car Parks;

(2)     the Car Park Improvement Scheme is allocated Capital budget of £550,000 and authorised to proceed with the following scheme elements:

(i)         Offer more payment options

(ii)        Utilise ANPR

(iii)       Change car park layout and widen bays

(iv)      Improve signage

(v)       Install Electric Vehicle Charging Points

(vi)      Install additional CCTV to enhance security

(3)     the following considerations related to the Car Park Improvement Scheme are approved:-

(i)         Advance or Season Ticket payment options be developed for long and short stay parking to replace the Parkcard concession

(ii)        Parking Orders are amended to reflect changes to tariffs and layouts

(iii)       Disabled Parking

(iv)      Parent and Child Parking is not introduced

(4)     officers are authorised to develop a trial programme for new technologies such as ‘Digital Totems’ with the Northallerton BID; and

(5)     approval is given to ensure the improvements listed here become the minimum standard for any future pay and display car parking provision.

This report seeks approval for the revised Council Plan 2015 – 2019, which portrays the Council’s vision, purpose and priorities updated for 2018 onwards.  The Council Plan is refreshed on an annual basis and was last approved by Cabinet on 4 July 2017 and subsequently by Council on 18 July 2017.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council the revised Council Plan for 2015 – 2019.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval of a revised Council Plan 2015 to 2019 which portrayed the Council’s vision, purpose and priorities updated for 2018 onwards.  The Council Plan was refreshed on an annual basis and was last approved by Cabinet on 4 July 2017 and subsequently approved by Council on 18 July 2017.

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 2015 to 2019.

This report seeks approval of investment into the Apprentice and Graduate Schemes from the Revenue budget into the scheme from 2019/20 onwards.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council that the allocation of £50,000 for the Apprenticeship Scheme and £20,000 for the Graduate Scheme for 2019/20 and 2020/21, which will be an increase in the Revenue budget by £70,000 a year, be approved and that both schemes be reviewed every two years to consider the ongoing need for both the schemes.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval of an investment into the Apprentice and Graduate Schemes from the revenue budget from 2019/20 onwards.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the continued delivery of the Apprentice and Graduate Schemes supported the Council’s priority of driving economic vitality and, more specifically, supported businesses to grow, helped maximise private sector investment, increased opportunities for young people and strengthened links with higher education establishments.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)     the allocation of £50,000 for the Apprenticeship Scheme and £20,000 for the Graduate Scheme for 2019/20 and 2020/21, which would be an increase in the revenue budget by £70,000 a year, be approved; and

(2)     both schemes be reviewed every two years to consider the ongoing need for both the schemes.

This report proposed improved co-ordination and consistency of policy and practice with community funding and grants and seeks to establish an approach to financial provision for future years.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council changes to the Community Grants from 2019/20 as follows: the annual Making a Difference Grants programme to be funded from the revenue budget as detailed in paragraph 4.2 of the report; the Small Grants scheme is to be closed; the Frequently Funded Organisation grant is to be replaced by ‘Hambleton Helps’ and £50,000 allocated for each of the next three years from the Grants Reserve; the Grants Reserve is increased by £8,117 from the One-Off Fund for 2021/22 as detailed in paragraph 4.5 of the report and core Funded grants will be called the Partnership Fund and continue to be funded from the revenue budget.  Revised Service Level Agreements for three years will be agreed with recipients and approved by Management Team.

The subject of the decision:

This report proposed improved co-ordination and consistency of policy and practice with community funding and grants and sought to establish an approach to financial provision for future years.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that changes to the policy and practice with community funding and grants would deliver a co-ordinated and consistent approach with a standardised application and decision making process that would be clearly defined and appropriate to the level of funding being applied for.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council changes to the Community Grants from 2019/20 as follows:-

(1)     the annual Making a Difference Grants programme is to be funded from the revenue budget as detailed in paragraph 4.2 of the report;

(2)     the Small Grants scheme is to be closed;

(3)     the Frequently Funded Organisation grant is to be replaced by ‘Hambleton Helps’ and £50,000 allocated for each of the next three years from the Grants Reserve;

(4)     the Grants Reserve is increased by £8,117 from the One-Off Fund for 2021/22 as detailed in paragraph 4.5 of the report; and

(5)     Core Funded grants will be called the Partnership Fund and continue to be funded from the revenue budget.  Revised Service Level Agreements for three years will be agreed with recipients and approved by Management Team.

To consider passing a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the press and public from the meeting during consideration of item 10 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

THE DECISION:

That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public were excluded from the meeting during consideration of the item of business at minute no CA.16 on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as the Cabinet was satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

This report seeks consideration of a commercial opportunity regarding Phase 1 of the Treadmills.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought consideration of a commercial opportunity regarding Phase 1 of the Treadmills development.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the purpose of the potential acquisition of Phase 1 of the Treadmills development was to generate additional income to the Council in line with the Council’s Commercial Strategy as well as securing longer-term investment returns.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)       authority is delegated to the Deputy Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader to:-

a)         put an offer to Central Northallerton Development Company Limited, subject to the outcome of the bidding process, to purchase Phase 1 of the Treadmills development, as detailed in paragraph 5.1 of the report;

b)         if the offer is accepted to enter into the appropriate legal documentation to proceed with the purchase and forward funding of Phase 1 of the Treadmills development;

c)         to procure the relevant professional advice; and

(2)       the purchase amount of the site plus associated costs as detailed in paragraph 5.1 of the report is included in the Capital Programme as capital expenditure, and will be funded from long term borrowing; the associated finance costs being paid for from the income generated from the site;

(3)       the construction of the site in accordance with the forward funding agreement will be financed from short term borrowing where the associated interest costs will be financed from the Income Generating Fund reserve; and

(4)     the financing of the site, both long and short term borrowing and associated finance costs, will be delegated to the Director of Finance (s151 Officer).

Declaration of Interest

Councillor P R Wilkinson declared a personal non-pecuniary interest as he is Chairman of the Central Northallerton Development Company Limited and he left the room prior to discussion and voting on the above item.

To confirm the decisions of the meeting held on 5 June 2018 (CA.1 - CA.5), previously circulated.

THE DECISION:

That the decisions of the meeting held on 19 June 2018 (CA.6 – CA.8), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.