Venue: Concorde Room, Council Offices, Farnborough
Contact: Chris Todd, Democratic Services on 01252 398825 or e-mail: chris.todd@rushmoor.gov.uk
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To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 20th October, 2015 (copy attached). Minutes: The Minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 20th October, 2015 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman. |
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(1) Medium
Term Financial Strategy 2015/16 – 2018/19 – To
consider the Head of Financial Services’ Report No. FIN1518
(copy to follow), which sets out the principal elements of the Medium Term Financial
Strategy. (2) Revenue
Budget Monitoring and Forecasting 2015/16 - Position at October, 2015 – To
consider the Head of Financial Services’ Report No. FIN1520 (copy attached),
which sets out the Council’s anticipated financial position for 2015/16 based
on the monitoring exercise carried out in October, 2015. (3) Capital
Programme Monitoring 2015/16 - Position at October, 2015 – To consider the Head of Financial Services’ Report No. FIN1519 (copy attached), which sets out the Council’s position regarding the Capital Programme for 2015/16 based on the monitoring exercise carried out during October, 2015. Presented By: Leader of the Council Additional documents:
Minutes: (1)
Medium Term Financial Strategy 2015/16 –
2018/19 – The Cabinet
considered the Head of Financial Services’ Report No. FIN1518, which set out a
review of the Medium Term Financial Strategy and sought endorsement of an
updated Strategy. It was appropriate to carry out the review at this time as
the Council was about to move into its next budget setting cycle. The Cabinet was advised that the review of the Strategy had been carried
out in light of the expected continuation of the challenging financial
circumstances that the Council had experienced for a number of years. Members were informed that the existing Strategy had served the
Council well in supporting financial planning over the medium term. It had been
integral to the Corporate Plan and had supported the 8-Point Plan for the
achievement of sustainability. The Report set out
the keys risks and considerations for future budget setting under the following
headings: ·
Central
Government funding ·
Council
Tax ·
Austerity ·
Interest
rates ·
Level
of reserves ·
Devolution ·
Other
key risks ·
Sustainability The Cabinet was informed that, to ensure that a revised Strategy would
be relevant to current decision making, it was necessary to consider this in
the context of the Medium Term Financial Forecast. The Revenue Forecast
indicated the anticipated funding gap for each of the years in the medium term.
Based on a set of assumptions about cost pressures and funding levels, and set
these against cost reductions and income generation proposed in the 8-Point
Plan. Some sensitivity analysis was provided against
key assumptions, depicting their effect on the funding gap and on reserves. The
Capital Forecast included the draft annual capital programme alongside
estimates of spending on invest to save schemes to support the 8-Point Plan and
strategic capital plans, such as spending on regeneration. The Council would
need to consider moving to borrowing as its internal capital resources were
utilised. Following the
review, some changes were suggested to the financial
strategy to address current priorities and risks, such as the provision for
increasing the levels of reserves held, in line with recommendations made by
the Council’s auditors and changes to the use of revenue contributions to
capital outlay. Members were assured that the Strategy
would put the Council in a good position from which to face the significant
financial challenges anticipated over the medium term. During
discussion, Members expressed their satisfaction with the Council’s financial
position and approach set out in the revised Medium Term Financial
Strategy. The Cabinet RESOLVED that: (i)
the principal issues identified in the Head of Financial Services’ Report No. FIN1518 and in the
summary of risks in Appendix B of the Report be noted; and (ii)
the Council be recommended to approve the Financial Strategy, as set out in Appendix A of the Report. (2) Revenue
Budget Monitoring and Forecasting 2015/16 – Position at October, 2015 – The Cabinet considered the Head of Financial Services’ Report No. FIN1520, which set out the anticipated financial position for 2015/16, based on the monitoring exercise carried out ... view the full minutes text for item 60. |
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CORPORATE STRATEGY AND CORPORATE PLAN 2015/16 - QUARTER 2 MONITORING PDF 3 MB To consider the Directors’ Management Board’s Report No. DMB1505 (copy attached), which sets out performance monitoring information for the second quarter of 2015/16 in relation to the Council’s Corporate Plan. Presented By: Leader of the Council Additional documents: Minutes: The Cabinet
received the Directors’ Management Board’s Report No. DMB1505, which gave an update on performance management monitoring
information against the Corporate Plan for the second quarter of the 2015/16
financial year. The Chief Executive gave Members an update
on strategic and performance management data on many areas, including indices
of multiple deprivation, crime, economic data and homelessness. The Report also
set out key initiatives and service measures under the themes of: ·
People
and communities ·
Prosperity ·
Place ·
Leadership ·
Good
value services It was noted that 89.6% of the indicators were on target, 10.4%
were in question as to whether they would achieve the action or indicator and
there were none unable to achieve elements of the target. The Chief Executive
gave a summary of key projects that were ongoing and responded to Members’
questions. In particular, Members discussed issues around educational
attainment. The Cabinet NOTED the Directors’ Management Board Report No. DMB1505 and the performance made against the Corporate Plan in the second quarter of the 2015/16 municipal year. |
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FARNBOROUGH AIRPORT COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL FUND PDF 133 KB To consider the Head of Community and Environmental Services’ Report No. COMM1519 (copy attached), which sets out details of an application for a grant from the Farnborough Airport Community Environmental Fund. Presented By: Environment and Service Delivery Minutes: The Cabinet considered the Head of Community and Environmental Services’
Report No. COMM1519, which sought approval to award a grant from the
Farnborough Airport Community Environmental Fund, which had been set up to
assist local projects. The Cabinet Member for Environment and Service Delivery had considered the
application by the 1st Crookham Scouts for an award
of £2,450 towards the cost of the building and equipping of a dedicated archery
range at its headquarters in Fleet and had recommended that this should be
approved. The Cabinet RESOLVED that a grant of £2,450 be awarded from the Farnborough Airport Community Environmental Fund to the 1st Crookham Scouts. |
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LOCAL AUTHORITY DATA TRANSPARENCY CODE AND ESTATES WORK PDF 228 KB To
consider the Solicitor to the Council’s Report No. LEG1520 (copy attached),
which considers progress made in meeting the requirements of the Local
Authority Data Transparency Code and how future work in this respect might be
resourced. Minutes: The Cabinet considered the Solicitor to the Council’s Report No.
LEG1520, which set out the Council’s progress in meeting its requirements under
the transparency code on land ownership records. It also sought resources to
continue both this and other estates work. Members were reminded that the Transparency Code made it mandatory for
the Council to publish, on its website, all of its land and property assets in
the Borough. The Cabinet had, in 2014, agreed for a legal executive to be
employed for a temporary fixed period of one year in order to progress this
work and, with 129 of a total of 844 cases having been processed so far, it was
now requested that this post should be extended by another year in order to
continue with this work. It was difficult to estimate at this time how long it
might take to complete this task, as some cases were relatively straightforward
and quick to process, whilst others were larger and more complex. To carry out
this work, additional support had been required from within the estates team
and this had been provided by employing a graduate surveyor, through an agency,
for the previous three months. This post holder had also supported other
important estates work which had freed up resources within the estates team to
carry out other important work, such as progressing the acquisition of a new
depot and SANG sites. It was now proposed that this graduate surveyor should be
employed directly by the Council for a fixed period of one year, during which
time the longer term needs of the team would be determined through the asset
management work being carried out with Eastleigh Borough Council. The financial
implications of these proposals were set out in the Report. The Cabinet was
supportive of the approach being proposed. The Cabinet RESOLVED that (i) a legal
executive be employed for a further period of twelve months, from 1st January,
2016, at a cost of £43,000 plus the cost of increased National Insurance or pay
awards; (ii) the sum of £2,000, to meet land registry
fees in respect of the first registration applications, be approved; (iii) a graduate surveyor be employed for a
period of twelve months at a cost of £29,642.25; and (iv) the above costs be met from the Service Improvement Fund. Actions: Corporate Services |
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PRIVATE SECTOR HOUSING STAFFING - TARGETED PROPERTY SURVEY PDF 86 KB To consider the Head of Environmental Health and Housing’s Report No. EHH1512 (copy attached), which sets out a proposal to appoint a member of staff to carry out a targeted survey of specific areas of private rented accommodation in the Borough Presented By: Corporate Services Minutes: The Cabinet considered the Head of
Environmental Health and Housing’s Report No. EHH1512, which set out a proposal
to appoint a full time officer, for a period of twelve months, to carry out a
targeted survey of specific areas of private rented accommodation in the
Borough. Members heard that the purpose of the survey
was to ascertain the extent of poor housing conditions, to identify houses in
multiple occupation and to identify cases of
overcrowding. It was reported that the Private Sector
Housing Team had experienced an increase in the number of requests for
assistance from residents concerned about overcrowding, safety and disrepair.
Government guidance had recommended, amongst many measures, that
local authorities should carry out door-to-door surveys of private
rented accommodation, as part of a pro-active approach for dealing with such
problems. With work levels within the existing team already high, it was felt
that this could only be carried out by employing an
additional resource. It was, therefore, proposed that
a suitably qualified person should be recruited for a fixed term of twelve months
in order to carry out this survey and any ensuing enforcement work. The Cabinet RESOLVED that the recruitment of a full time qualified person, on the terms set out in the Head of Environmental Health and Housing’s Report No. EHH1512, be approved. |
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PLANNING POLICY AND CONSERVATION TEAM RESOURCES PDF 245 KB To consider the Head of Planning’s Report No. PLN1553 (copy attached),
which sets out proposals in
respect of the staffing structure within the Council’s Planning Policy and
Conservation Team. Presented By: Corporate Services Minutes: The Cabinet considered the Head of Planning’s
Report No. PLN1553, which set out a proposal to alter the staffing structure
within the Planning Policy Section of the Planning Policy and Conservation
Team. Members heard how the team was extremely busy
at present, especially in respect of the ongoing production of a revised Rushmoor Local Plan. There had been some recent changes to
staffing within the team, including the loss of some capacity in the Planning
Policy and Conservation Manager post, following the resignation of one half of
the job share arrangement. These changes had left the team unable to keep up
with its core and priority work. A review had been carried out to establish
what staffing structure would best deliver the team’s priorities and a number
of proposed changes were set out in the Report. This involved the deletion of
some posts and the creation of others, along with other proposed changes. It
was felt that this review was necessary and would enable the team to cover work
requirements into the future. It was noted that the proposal did result in
additional costs over the first two years but, after this, would be cost
neutral. The
Cabinet RESOLVED that the
proposed changes to staffing within the Planning Policy and Conservation Team,
as set out in the Head of Planning’s Report No. PLN1553, be approved. |
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EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC To consider resolving: That, subject to the public interest test, the public be excluded from this meeting during the discussion of the undermentioned items to avoid the disclosure of exempt information within the paragraphs of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against such items: Item Schedule Category Nos. 12A
Para. Nos. 9 and 10 3 Information relating to financial
or business affairs Minutes: RESOLVED: That, taking into account the public interest test, the public be
excluded from the meeting during the discussion of the under mentioned items to
avoid the disclosure of exempt information within the paragraph of Schedule 12A
to the Local Government Act, 1972 indicated against the items: Minute Schedule Categories Nos. 12A Para. Nos. 67 and 68 3 Information relating to
financial or business affairs |
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THE FOLLOWING ITEM WAS CONSIDERED IN THE ABSENCE OF THE PUBLIC |
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CONTRACTS TEAM - STAFFING STRUCTURE PDF 195 KB To consider the Head of Community and Environmental Services’ Exempt Report No. COMM1521 (copy attached), which sets out proposals in respect of the staffing structure within the Council’s Contracts Team. Presented By: Corporate Services Minutes: The Cabinet considered the Head of Community
and Environmental Services’ Exempt Report No. COMM1521, which set out a
proposal to continue with an additional resource and to make other staffing
changes within the Contracts Team. This was required to ensure there would be
sufficient resources to support the work of the team, including the procurement
of the refuse, street cleansing and grounds maintenance contracts and the
securing of a new depot. Members were reminded
that, in 2014, the Cabinet had agreed to some temporary changes to staffing
within the Contracts Team, to facilitate the increase in work due to
preparations for the renewal of the contracts. It had been
agreed at that time that the new arrangements would be trialled for one
year and then reviewed. It was confirmed that these
arrangements had worked well and now, in light of a request from a team member
for flexible retirement, it was proposed that the structure should be changed
again to provide the appropriate level of resources. It was further proposed
that, having covered some contracts work using secondments for each of the
previous three years, that this additional resource should be made permanent,
to provide some certainty for employees. The Cabinet was
informed that the staffing structure would be reviewed again once the
new contract was in place and bedded in. The Cabinet RESOLVED
that (i) a supplementary estimate for £23,000 in respect of changes
to staffing within the Contracts Team,
as set out in the Head of Community and Environmental Services’ Exempt Report
No. COMM1521, be approved; and (ii) the structure of the Contracts Team be reviewed again towards the end of 2017. |
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SALE OF SMALL AREAS OF AMENITY LAND PDF 151 KB To consider the Solicitor to the Council’s Exempt Report No. LEG1519 (copy attached), which seeks approval for the principle of selling small areas of amenity land Presented By: Corporate Services Minutes: The Cabinet considered the Solicitor to the Council’s Exempt Report No.
LEG1519, which sought approval for the principle of selling small areas of
amenity land which had been retained by the Council at the time of the
voluntary transfer of its housing stock over twenty years ago. It was explained that the Estates Team within Legal Services had
regularly received requests to dispose of small pieces of Council owned amenity
land situated in large housing estates within the Borough. To date, around 30 requests
had been received and around half of these were
considered suitable for transfer to private ownership in planning terms, though
planning permission would still need to be formally sought for change of use.
It was now proposed to consider the transfer of these
suitable plots and, at the same time, set up a procedure so that future
requests could be dealt with in an efficient and timely manner. A proposed
process was set out in the Report and this also set
out the risks of any such scheme. Members were assured that, in the case of an
owner wanting to build on the newly acquired land, the Council would need to
give consent for this and would, at this time, receive the appropriate overage
for any increase in value over garden land. The Cabinet expressed support for the principle of selling small areas
of amenity land in these circumstances. The Cabinet RESOLVED that (ii) the above costs and items be reviewed in subsequent years, indexing linking them to cover increasing costs. |