This report provides the Quarter 1 update at 30 June 2019 on the progress of the capital programme 2019/20 and the treasury management positon.  A full schedule of the capital programme 2019/20 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 £1,987,222  in the capital programme to £42,329,484 as detailed in Annex B and also in the capital programme attached at Annex A of the report; the increase of capital expenditure is funded from earmarked reserves at £3,910,983 where £145,645 is funded from capital receipts, £228,950 is from the Computer Fund and £3,536,388 is from external grants/contributions; the funding allocation to the capital programme as detailed in paragraph 3.1 and 3.2 of the report; the Council agrees to the Set-Off Agreement with Lloyds Bank Plc and that the Section 151 Officer is designated as the Proper Officer of the Council to sign the contract once Cabinet approval has been received as in paragraph 4.6 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 1 update at 30 June 2019 on the progress of the capital programme 2019/20 and the treasury management positon.  A full schedule of the capital programme 2019/20 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:-

(1)     the net decrease of £1,987,222  in the capital programme to £42,329,484 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 £3,910,983 where £145,645 is funded from capital receipts, £228,950 is from the Computer Fund and £3,536,388 is from external grants/contributions;

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

(4)     the Set-Off Agreement with Lloyds Bank Plc and that the Section 151 Officer is designated as the Proper Officer of the Council to sign the contract once Cabinet approval has been received as in paragraph 4.6 of the report; and

(5)     the treasury management and prudential indicators at Annex E of the report.

This report provides an update on the revenue budget position of the Council and the reserve funds at the end of June 2019.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council that the budget remains at £9,085,870 as detailed in paragraph 3.2 of the report; the total movement of the Economic Development Fund of £3,620 at paragraph 7.3 of the report to be allocated and to note that the Economic Development Fund remaining balance to be allocated at paragraph 7.4 of the report is £548,802; the allocation from the Council Tax Payers Reserve at paragraph 7.5 of £1,510,000; the allocation from the One Off fund at paragraph 7.6 of £257,280;the allocation from the Repairs and Renewal Fund at paragraph 7.9 of £50,000; and to note the waiver of procurement rules at paragraph 8.2 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 2019.

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 £9,085,870 as detailed in paragraph 3.2 of the report;

(2)     the total movement of the Economic Development Fund of £3,620 at paragraph 7.3 of the report to be allocated and to note that the Economic Development Fund remaining balance to be allocated at paragraph 7.4 of the report is £548,802;

(3)     the allocation from the Council Tax Payers Reserve at paragraph 7.5 of the report of £1,510,000;

(4)     the allocation from the One Off fund at paragraph 7.6 of the report of £257,280;

(5)     the allocation from the Repairs and Renewal Fund at paragraph 7.9 of the report of £50,000; and

(6)     to note the waiver of procurement rules at paragraph 8.2 of the report.

In January 2019, Cabinet approved the creation of a Commercial Property Portfolio in principle, subject to the development and approval of an investment strategy.  This report seeks approval to acquire properties in line with the investment strategy and governance arrangements.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council that the investment strategy is approved; authority is delegated to the Chief Executive to set up a wholly owned company for the purposes of acquiring and managing investment properties and to appoint legal and financial advisors in line with the Council’s procurement rules; to appoint Lambert Smith Hampton as property advisors and property managers; in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Finance to make minor amendments to the Investment Strategy that may be necessary; and authority is delegated to the S151 Officer for the financing of the commercial property portfolio.

The subject of the decision:

In January 2019, Cabinet approved the creation of a Commercial Property Portfolio in principle, subject to the development and approval of an investment strategy.  This report sought approval of the Investment Strategy; the purchase of properties in accordance with the Investment Strategy and the governance arrangements set out in the Investment Strategy.

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)     the investment strategy is approved, subject to agreement by the Leader of the Council on Member appointment to the Board and the Property Investment Committee;

(2)     authority is delegated to the Chief Executive:

          (i)    to set up a wholly owned company for the purposes of acquiring and managing investment properties;

          (ii)   to appoint legal and financial advisors in line with the Council’s procurement rules;

          (iii)  to appoint Lambert Smith Hampton as property advisors and property managers;

          (iv)  in consultation with the Leader of the Council to make minor amendments to the Investment Strategy that may be necessary; and

(3)     authority is delegated to the S151 Officer for the financing of the commercial property portfolio.

This report seeks approval for the new Council Plan 2019-2023 which demonstrates the Council’s vision, purpose and priorities.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council the revised Council Plan 2019-23.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval for the new Council Plan 2019-2023 which demonstrated the Council’s vision, purpose and priorities.

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 that the revised Council Plan 2019-2023 be adopted.

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 items 9, 10 and 11 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 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 items of business at minute nos CA.16, CA.17 and CA.18 on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 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 sets out the business case for the development of a crematorium and seeks support for the project.

The subject of the decision:

This report set out the business case for the development of a crematorium and sought support for the project.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the proposals for the development of a crematorium would provide a beneficial service which was not currently available within the District.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)     the principle of providing a crematorium is approved;

(2)     that £250,000 is included in the capital programme to develop the project;

(3)     authority is delegated to the Chief Executive:

          (i)    to approve (in consultation with the Leader) the final design of the crematorium;

          (ii)   to submit a planning application for approval for the crematorium; and

          (iii)  following receipt of planning approval to tender for the services of a building contractor to construct the crematorium;

(4)     following the receipt of the building contract tenders, a report be submitted to Cabinet at the earliest opportunity setting out the:

          (i)    full costs of and the funding required to deliver the crematorium; and

          (ii)   options for operating the crematorium.

This report provides an update on changes to the support service to homeless people in Hambleton.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided an update on changes to the support service to homeless people in Hambleton.  The previous externally commissioned provision was being replaced by a ‘in house’ support service in an agreement with North Yorkshire County Council and the other six District/Borough Councils.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the provision of this service provided a core element of the Council’s Homeless Strategy and helped the Council meet its statutory duties to prevent and relieve homelessness.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council:-

(1)     to enter into a collaboration agreement with North Yorkshire County Council (and the 6 District Councils within North Yorkshire) on the terms as set out in this report.  This agreement shall require the Council to provide an ‘in-house’ support service for homeless people both within temporary accommodation and in the wider community;

(2)     agree to accept an annual grant payment of £79,000 (+3% inflationary uplift) for the next 5 years in respect of the provision of this service; and

(3)     agree the costs which may result from pension implications, as described in paragraph 5.6 of the report, could be higher than the value of the grant from North Yorkshire Country Council and these costs will be funded from an increase in the Council’s budget.

This report seeks approval for the disposal of Lambert Hospital.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval from Cabinet and Council for the disposal of the Lambert Community Hospital to Herriot Hospice Homecare for the purposes of establishing a permanent hospice facility in Hambleton.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that the disposal of the Lambert Community Hospital to Herriot Hospice Homecare accorded with the Council’s intention of using this facility for community benefit.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)     the former Lambert Hospital is transferred to Herriot Hospice Homecare for nil consideration;

(2)     a contribution of £90,000 is given to Herriot Hospice Homecare from the One-Off Fund to assist in the provision of a community hub facility within the development; and

(3)     suitable covenants are placed in the transfer/contract documents to protect the Council’s position as set out in paragraph 7.3 of the report.

To confirm the decisions of the meeting held on 2 July 2019 (CA.6 - CA.10), previously circulated.

THE DECISION:

That the decisions of the meeting held on 2 July 2019 (CA.6 – CA.10), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.

This report presents a report which analyses the work undertaken by the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee up to 31 March 2019.  An analysis of the work undertaken is attached at Appendix A.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will endorse the report of the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee.

The subject of the decision:

This report presented a report which analysed the work undertaken by the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee up to 31 March 2019.  An analysis of the work undertaken was attached at Appendix A of the report.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To comply with the Council’s Constitution.

THE DECISION:

That the report of the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee on the Committee’s activities during 2018/19 be endorsed.