Agenda item

To consider the recommendations of the Cabinet and Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee in relation to the following item(s):

(i)        Annual Capital Strategy 2023/24

 

Cllr P.J. Cullum introduced the Report of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee meeting held on 30th January 2023, which recommended the approval of the Capital Strategy 2023/24 to 2025/26 and  Prudential Indicators for 2023/24.  

 

It was MOVED by Cllr P.J. Cullum; SECONDED by Cllr Jessica Auton – That approval be given to the Capital Strategy 2023/24 to 2025/26 and Prudential Indicators for 2023/24. 

 

There voted FOR: 23; AGAINST: 2; ABSTAINED: 0 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

 

(ii)       Annual Treasury Management Strategy and Annual Non-Treasury Investment Strategy 2023/24

 

Cllr P.J. Cullum introduced the Report of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee meeting held on 30th January 2023, which recommended the approval of: the Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24, Annual Borrowing Strategy 2023/24, the Annual Non-Treasury Investment Strategy 2023/24 and the Minimum Revenue Provision Statement.  It was MOVED by Cllr P.J. Cullum; SECONDED by Cllr Jessica Auton – That approval be given to the Treasury Management Strategy 2023/24 and Annual Borrowing Strategy 2023/24; Annual Non-Treasury Investment Strategy 2023/24; and, Minimum Revenue Provision Statement.   

 

There voted FOR: 23; AGAINST: 0; ABSTAINED: 0 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

 

(iii)      Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Council Tax Level

 

Cllr D.E. Clifford, Leader of the Council, introduced the Report of the Cabinet meeting held on 7th February 2023, which recommended the approval of the Revenue Budget, Capital Programme and Council Tax requirement for 2023/24 and the Council Tax Support Scheme 2023/24. 

 

Members’ attention was drawn to an amendment in respect of Appendix 3 – Major Projects and Property Portfolio Capital Programme 2022/23 to 2026/27 - Page 88 – and the need to remove “(bc)” after “The Meads”

 

Subject to the amendment outlined above, it was MOVED by Cllr D.E. Clifford; SECONDED by Cllr P.G. Taylor – That

 

(i)        approval be given to the following recommendations set out in the Budget Booklet:

 

(a)   the Executive Head of Finance’s report under Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, as set out in Appendix 5;

 

(b)   the Medium-Term Financial Strategy, as set out in Appendix 1;

 

(c)   the Savings and Transformation items for inclusion in the budget, as set out in Appendix 2;

 

(d)   the Council Tax Requirement of 7,448,144.87 for this Council;

 

(e)   the Council Tax level for Rushmoor Borough Council’s purposes of £225.98 for a Band D property in 2023/24 (an increase of £6.56);

 

(f)     the Capital Programme, set out in Appendix 3 (as amended);

 

(g)   the Strategy for the Flexible Use of Capital Receipts, set out in Appendix 4; and

 

(h)   the balances and reserves position including proposed reserve transfers for 2023/24, as set out in Section 5 of the Report; and

 

(ii)     the current Council Tax Support Scheme for working age customers be retained for 2023/24, with the annual uplift to rates within the calculation mirroring that applied to national Housing Benefits rates as detailed in Report No. FIN2301.    .

 

Following debate, the Recommendations were put to the meeting.  In a recorded vote, there voted FOR: Cllrs A. Adeola, Gaynor Austin, Jessica Auton, Mrs. D.B. Bedford, J. Belbase, J.B. Canty, M.S. Choudhary, D.E. Clifford, P.I.C. Crerar, Jules Crossley, P.J. Cullum, K. Dibble, Peace Essien Igodifo, A. Gani, Christine Guinness, M. Hope, L. Jeffers, Mara Makunura, Nadia Martin, S.J. Masterson, A.R. Newell, Sophie Porter, M.J. Roberts, M.L. Sheehan, M.D. Smith, Sarah Spall, C.J. Stewart, P.G. Taylor, M.J. Tennant, N. Thapa, Jacqui Vosper, S. Trussler and the Deputy Mayor (Cllr C.P. Grattan) (33); AGAINST: (0); and ABSTAINED: Cllrs C.W. Card, T.W. Mitchell and the Mayor (Cllr J.H. Marsh) (3) and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

 

NOTE: There were some lines in the budget proposals that referred to Rushmoor Homes Limited (RHL) and there were three Councillors who had been appointed as Directors of RHL: Councillors Dibble, Munro and Taylor. On 27th May, 2021, the Council’s Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee granted dispensations to Members appointed by the Council to the Board of the Rushmoor Development Partnership and as Directors of Rushmoor Homes Limited.  The named Councillors’ interests were noted and it was acknowledged that this would not affect their ability to participate in the debate and vote at the meeting.

 

(iv)         Constitution Update

 

Cllr P.J. Cullum introduced the Report of the Corporate Governance, Audit and Standards Committee held on 30th January 2023 which proposed the adoption of a revised and updated Constitution. It was MOVED by Cllr P.J. Cullum; SECONDED by Cllr Jessica Auton – That a revised and updated Constitution be adopted (as set out in Appendix 1 to the Report).  There voted FOR: 26; ABSTAINED: 0; AGAINST: 0 and the Recommendations were DECLARED CARRIED.

 

NOTE:  In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 29(1), the proposed amendments to the Standing Orders for the Regulation of Business including the Scheme for Standing Deputies will stand adjourned without discussion to the Council Meeting on 20th April 2023.