This report considers the Financial Strategy 2015/16 to 2024/25.

In accepting the recommendation, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council the Financial Strategy 2015/16 to 2024/25 at Annex ‘A’ and ‘A’(1) of the report.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought consideration of the Financial Strategy 2015/16 to 2024/25.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To ensure there was a long term financial planning mechanism for the Council.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that the Financial Strategy 2015/16 to 2024/25 attached at Annex A and A(1) to the report be approved.

This report presents at a strategic level the revenue budget proposals for the next financial year 2015/16.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council the draft revenue budget for 2014/15.

The subject of the decision:

This report presented at a strategic level the revenue budget proposals for the next financial year 2015/16.

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 draft revenue budget for 2015/16.

This report considers the 10 year Capital Programme covering the financial years 2015/16 to 2024/25, the 2015/16 Capital Programme and the Treasury Management Strategy Statement; including the Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council that the 10 year Capital Programme 2015/16 to 2016/17 be approved, as detailed in paragraph 2.2 and attached at Annex ‘A’;  the Capital Programme 2015/16 detailed in Annex ‘B’ be approved for implementation; the Treasury Management Strategy attached at Annex ‘C’ be approved; the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement attached in the body of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement Annex ‘C’ be approved; the Prudential and Treasury Indicators attached at Annex ‘C’ in the body of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement be approved; the revised Treasury Management Policy Statement at Annex ‘D’ be approved and the Scheme of Delegation and role of the S151 Officer attached at Annex ‘E’ be approved.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval for the Capital Programme for the financial years 2015/16 to 2024/25; the 2015/16 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)     the 10 year Capital Programme 2015/16 to 2024/25 at £52,554,300 be approved, as detailed in paragraph 2.2 of the report and as attached at Annex A of the report;

(2)     the Capital Programme 2015/16 at £37,854,300 as 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 at Annex C of the report 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 revised Treasury Management Policy Statement at Annex D of the report be approved; and

(7)     the Scheme of Delegation and role of the S151 Officer attached at Annex E of the report be approved.

This report considers for 2015/16 the level of Council Tax and the policy on reserves.  In addition, it provides Members with details of the Council's formula grant settlement released on 19 December 2013 and the Council's Business Rates base that will be used by Government to calculate the Business Rates target for 2016/17 for the Retained Business Rates funding mechanism, which is now operated as a pool across North Yorkshire.

In accepting the recommendations, Council will be asked to approve various decisions regarding the setting of the level of Council Tax; confirm that the indicators on expenditure and treasury management decisions are affordable, prudent and sustainable and approve the policy on Balances and Reserves.

The subject of the decision:

This report considered for 2015/16 the level of Council Tax and the policy on reserves.  In addition, it provided details of the Council's formula grant settlement released on 19 December 2013 and the Council's Business Rates base that would be used by Government to calculate the Business Rates target for 2016/17 for the Retained Business Rates funding mechanism, which was operated as a pool across North Yorkshire.

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 approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)     it be noted that on 15 January Council calculated the Council Tax Base 2015/16:-

          (a)     for the whole Council area as £34,710.28 [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;

(2)     the Council has calculated the Council Tax requirement for the Council's own purposes for 2015/16 (excluding Parish precepts) as £3,105,875.85;

(3)     the following amounts be calculated for the year 2015/16 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:-

          (a)     District/Parish Gross Expenditure

                   £45,687,808.80   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)

                   £41,306,984.15   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

                   £4,380,824.65     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)

                   £126.2112           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

                   £1,274,948.80     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)

                   £89.4800             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  ...  view the full minutes text for item CA.63

This report provides an update on the Revenue Budget position of the Council and the Reserve Funds at the end of December 2014.

In accepting the recommendations, Cabinet will approve and recommend to Council the budget surplus of £1,357 at paragraph 3.2 of the report; the use of funds from the one-off fund at paragraph 6.4 of £5,000 and the use of funds from the Economic Development fund at paragraph 6.3 of £65,200.

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 2014.

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 that Council:-

(1)     approves the budget surplus of £1,357 as set out at paragraph 3.2 of the report;

(2)     approves the use of funds from the One-Off Fund as set out at paragraph 6.4 of the report of £5,000; and

(3)     approves the use of funds from the Economic Development fund as set out at paragraph 6.3 of the report of £65,200.

This report provides the Quarter 3 update at 31 December 2014 on the progress of the Capital Programme 2014/15 and the Treasury Management position.  A full schedule of the Capital Programme 2014/15 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 that Council approves the net decrease of £224,486 in the Capital Programme to £2,318,941 and the detailed Capital Programme attached at Annex ‘A’; approves all movements in the Capital Programme +/- £20,000, in accordance with financial regulations, as detailed in Annex ‘B’; notes the further overall decrease in the Capital Programme which are individually  below £20,000 as detailed in Annex ‘B’ and cumulatively total £18,083; notes the Capital Funding position - contributions of £266,704, capital receipts of £857,707 and £1,194,530 capital reserves; notes the Treasury Management activity at Annex ‘C’ and notes the Prudential and Treasury indicators at Annex ‘E’ and that there were no changes at Quarter 3.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided the Quarter 3 update at 31 December 2014 on the progress of the Capital Programme 2014/15 and the Treasury Management position.  A full schedule of the Capital Programme 2014/15 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 that Council:-

(1)     approves the net decrease of £224,486 in the Capital Programme to £2,318,941 and the detailed Capital Programme attached at Annex A of the report;

(2)     approves all movements in the Capital Programme +/- £20,000, in accordance with financial regulations, as detailed in Annex B of the report and below:

          (a)     the increase in capital expenditure of £20,000 for the Customer Service Web/Intranet Development to be funded from the ICT Customer Excellence Scheme;

          (b)     the decrease in expenditure of £20,000 for the ICT Customer Excellence Scheme to fund the Customer Service Web/Intranet Development;

          (c)     the decrease in expenditure of £206,403 for re-profiling from this year to 2015/16 £27,323 for Hambleton Leisure Centre Improvement Scheme, £19,080 for ICT Improvements scheme and £160,000 for Bedale Gateway Bypass;

(3)     notes the further overall increases in the Capital Programme which are individually below £20,000 as detailed in Annex B of the report and cumulatively total £18,083;

(4)     notes the Capital Funding position - contributions of £266,704, capital receipts of £857,707 and £1,194,530 capital reserves;

(5)     notes the treasury management activity at Annex C of the report;

(6)     notes the Prudential and Treasury indicators at Annex E of the report and that there were no changes at Quarter 3.

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 12 and 13 on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 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 items of business at minute nos CA.67 and CA.68 on the grounds that they involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 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 provides an update on the current position regarding the purchase of the Northallerton Prison Site.

The subject of the decision:

This report provided an update on the current position in relation to the purchase of the Northallerton Prison site.  In October 2014 Cabinet authorised negotiations for the purchase of the Northallerton Prison.  Negotiations had been concluded and approval was now sought for the purchase.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

To take account of the negotiations regarding the proposed purchase of the site.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that:-

(1)     the purchase of the Northallerton Prison Site be approved at the cost shown in paragraph 2.6 of the report;

(2)     the purchase price be met from the Economic Development Fund; and

(3)     the revenue costs shown in paragraph 7.4 of the report be met from the Economic Development Fund.

This report seeks approval of staffing matters.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought consideration of a staffing matter and a revised Pay Policy.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Proposed amendments to the Pay Policy were required to be presented to Cabinet with the resolution sent to Full Council for approval.

THE DECISION:

That Cabinet approves and recommends to Council that the revised Pay Policy as shown at Annex A of the report be approved.

Declaration of Interest

Prior to discussion of the above item, the Chief Executive declared a pecuniary interest and left the meeting.

To confirm the decisions of the meeting held on 16 December 2014 (CA.55 - CA.59), previously circulated.

THE DECISION:

That the decisions of the meeting held on 16 December 2014 (CA.55 – CA.56), previously circulated, be signed as a correct record.

This report seeks approval for funding to create a Funding & Investment Officer post within the Business & Economy Team for an initial period of 2 years to support the implementation of the Councils Economic Strategy.

In accepting the recommendation, funding of £39,930 will be approved from the Economic Development Fund in 2015/16 and £40,730 in 2016/17 for a post of Funding & Investment Officer; the effectiveness of the role will be reviewed towards the end of 2016/17 and, subject to the outcome of the review, a further report will be brought to Cabinet regarding funding the post beyond 2016/17.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought approval to create a Funding and Investment Officer post within the Business and Economy Team for an initial period of 2 years to support the implementation of the Council’s Economic Strategy.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Cabinet was satisfied that creation of the post would support the Council’s priority Driving Economic Development and supporting local economic growth by securing funding and investment to deliver projects identified in the Council’s Economic Strategy.

THE DECISION:

That:-

(1)     funding of £39,930 be approved from the Economic Development Fund in 2015/16 and £40,730 in 2016/17 for a post of Funding & Investment Officer;

(2)     the effectiveness of the role be reviewed towards the end of 2016/17; and

(3)     subject to the outcome of the review, a further report be brought to Cabinet regarding funding the post beyond 2016/17.

This report seeks endorsement of the Public Open Space, Sport and Recreation Action Plans for Brompton and Stillington.

In accepting the recommendation, the Public Open Space, Sport and Recreation Action Plans in Annex B of the report will be endorsed.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought endorsement of the Public Open Space, Sport and Recreation Action Plan for Brompton (refresh) and Stillington (refresh).

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 Public Open Space, Sport and Recreation Action Plans in Annex B of the report be endorsed.

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 no CA.73 on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 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.

The subject of the decision:

This report sought consideration of a staffing matter and a revised Pay Policy.

Alternative options considered:

None.

The reason for the decision:

Proposed amendments to the Pay Policy were required to be presented to Cabinet with the resolution sent to Full Council for approval.

THE DECISION:

That the agreement by the Leader as set out in paragraph 1.3 of the report be endorsed.

Declaration of Interest

Prior to discussion of the above item, the Chief Executive declared a pecuniary interest and left the meeting.