Agenda and minutes

To receive declarations of the existence and nature of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests from Members in respect of any item to be considered at the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made by councillors regarding items on the Agenda.

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 12 December 2017 (attached)

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Council held on 12 December 2017 were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive such communications or deal with such business as the Mayor may decide to lay before the Council.

The Mayor welcomed Councillor Alex Coley elected to the vacancy in Ruxley Ward at the by-election on 15 February 2018. She also announced that an award dedicated to the memory of John Harrison, Active Citizen and active supporter of the Sunnybank Trust, was to be made by the Trust in his name.  Mr. Harrison had passed away at the beginning of the year.  Finally, she reminded members about a number of forthcoming charity evetns.

To answer any written questions from Councillors

Note:  The deadline for questions is 5pm on Wednesday 14 February 2018 (17.00 hours on the third clear working day before the meeting).

Four questions had been addressed to the Chairman of the Strategy and Resources Committee to which written answers had been provided and published.

This report fulfils the statutory requirement to agree a budget for 2018/19, comprising both revenue and capital expenditure plans, and to set a Council Tax for the year.  The council tax recommendation is for an increase of 2.98%.  Financial Policy Panel made no recommendation to Council but requested that the report include options for a Council Tax freeze and an increase of 2.98%.

The Council gave consideration to its 2018/19 budget, comprising both revenue and capital expenditure plans and Council Tax amounts for each band of dwelling.  The report took account of the recommendations of the Community & Wellbeing, Environment and Strategy and Resources Committees (appertaining to fees and charges, the revenue budget and capital programme).

In moving the recommendations of the Chief Finance Officer, the Chairman of the Strategy and Resources Committee, Councillor Eber Kington, made a statement to the Council on the budget for 2018/19 to which Councillors Alexander Clarke and Kate Chinn responded.

Upon being put, the MOTION was CARRIED, there being 29 members in favour and 6 against and 1 abstention as follows:

Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED that:

(1)          That it be noted that, under delegated powers, the Chief Finance Officer calculated the Council Tax Base as 32,658.06 (Band ‘D’ equivalent properties) for the year 2018/19 calculated in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”).

(2)          That the following estimates recommended by the policy committees be approved:-

a)            The revised revenue estimates for the year 2017/18 and the revenue estimates for 2018/19

b)           The capital programme for 2018/19 and the provisional programme for 2019 to 2021, as summarised in the capital strategy statement.

(3)          That the fees and charges recommended by the policy committees be approved for 2018/19.

(4)          That the Council Tax Requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2018/19 is £6,289,942.

(5)          That the Council receives the budget risk assessment at Annexe 6 and notes the conclusion of the Chief Finance Officer that these budget proposals are robust and sustainable as concluded in this report.

(6)          That the Council receives the Chief Finance Officer Statement on the Reserves as attached at Annexe 8.

(7)          That the Council agrees the Treasury Management Strategy, Prudential Indicators and Authorised Limits for 2018/19 as set out in Annexe 11 including:-

a)            Affordability Prudential Indicators

b)           The actual and estimated Capital Financing Requirement

c)            The estimated levels of borrowing and investment

d)           The authorised and operational limits for external debt

e)            The treasury management prudential indicators

(8)          That the following amounts be now calculated for the year 2018/19 in accordance with sections 31 to 36 of the Act:

a)            £56,138,698 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in section 31A(2) of the Act

b)           £49,848,756 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in section 31(A)3 of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

The report recommends that the Constitution be updated to include the revised Model Code of Practice for Members in respect of Planning Matters adopted by the Planning Committee at its meeting on 18 January 2018.

Council received a report from the Chief Legal Officer.

Councillor Humphrey Reynolds MOVED, and Councillor David Reeve SECONDED the recommendations in the report, subject to stating that it was the intention to review the Code after six months operation.

Accordingly, it was

RESOLVED that:

The revised Model Code of Practice for Members in respect of Planning Matters attached at Annexe 1 be included in the Constitution, to supercede the (ACSeS) Model Code of Good Practice currently contained therein.  The revised Code to be reviewed after six months operation.

In pursuance of the Council’s Rules of Procedure, to consider any Motions submitted by the due deadline.

No Motions received by the deadline.

Note: The deadline for Notice of Motions was 5.00pm on Wednesday 7 February 2018 (17.00 hours on the eighth clear working day before the meeting)

No motions to Council had been received by the deadline of 5pm on Wednesday 7 February 2018 (eight clear working days before the meeting).