BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL
STRATEGY COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE STRATEGY COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON THURSDAY, 13 JANUARY 2011
PRESENT: Mr N A Ridley – Chairman
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Mrs J Antill
Mr M P Booth
Mrs S Carpendale
Mr A J Hinton |
Ms J A Jenkins
Mr R E Kemp
Dr M R Miller
Mrs S M Wigglesworth |
Mr N A Bennett was unable to be present.
Mrs J Antill declared a personal interest in Paper K166 (Minute No. 88(a)) in her capacity as a Trustee of Sudbury Citizens Advice Bureau, but indicated that her interest was such that she was able to speak and vote on the matter.
Mr R E Kemp declared a personal interest in Paper K166 (Minute No. 88(a)) in his capacity as a non-voting Trustee of Sudbury Citizens Advice Bureau, but indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the matter.
Mr A J Hinton declared a personal interest in Paper K166 (Minute No. 88(a)) in his capacity as Chairman of East Bergholt Parish Council, but indicated that his interest was such that he was able to speak and vote on the matter.
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2010 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
Changes to Sheltered Housing Service
The Director of Corporate Services reported that, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13, a petition had been submitted to the Chief Executive relating to:
Changes to Sheltered Housing Service
Petition signed by approximately 34 persons expressing concern to the changes in the provision of the sheltered housing service.
The petition will be taken into account when the Head of Community Development submits a report to the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee on 1 February 2011.
None received.
None received.
(a) Financial Strategy and 2011/12 Budget (SFP Task Group)
Nick Ridley, Chairman of the Strategic Financial Planning Task Group, introduced Paper K166 highlighting key aspects of the medium term financial position and outlining draft Budget proposals for 2011/12.
Members then proceeded to ask questions and discuss in detail the report, before considering the recommendations (set out in paragraph 2 of the report) to be made for scrutiny at the Overview and Scrutiny (Stewardship) Committee on 25 January before the final Budget proposals return to Strategy Committee on 10 February for final recommendations to Council on 22 February 2011.
It was agreed that an explanation on the approach to Community Grants should be mentioned in the Budget papers to enable clarification to be provided.
It was noted that the figure in Recommendation 2.2 (a) of Paper K166 should be amended to £1.739m.
RESOLVED
(1) That the provisional Government grant settlement and the key information on this for 2011/12 and 2012/13 set out in section 5.6 and 5.7 of Paper K166 and the impact on savings required in those years be noted.
(2) That the basis of the Draft Budget for 2011/12, as summarised in section 5.15 of Paper K166 be approved, based on the following:
(a) The estimated savings, efficiencies and additional income of £1.739m referred to in section 5.9 of the report and further detailed in Appendix A
(b) The additional net cost pressures listed in Appendix B, subject to final review, specifically on borrowing costs relating to the capital programme
(c) The proposed changes in fees and charges effective from April 2011, as outlined in Appendix C
(d) The 3-year Capital Programme set out in Appendix D and the financing strategy outlined in sections 5.26 and 5.27
(e) The further reductions in community grants detailed in Appendix E
(f) No increase in Council Tax.
(3) That the Reserves Strategy outlined in paragraph 5.21 to 5.23 of Paper K166 be approved, subject to any further consideration that may be required when the final Budget proposals and Medium-Term Financial Strategy are considered by the Committee in February.
(b) Hadleigh Community Facility (SFP Task Group)
Nick Ridley, Chairman of the Strategic Financial Planning Task Group, introduced Paper K167 outlining the costs, benefits, risks (and mitigation measures to reduce those risks) relating to the proposed Hadleigh Community Facility and to seek authority to proceed with the construction work, subject to a number of provisos.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Head of Contract and Asset Management be authorised to proceed with the construction of the building referred to in Paper K167, subject to:-
(a) No claims that the land is a town green being submitted to Suffolk County Council during the claim period expiring 8 April 2011.
(b) The necessary budgetary provision being approved in the capital programme.
(c) The entering into of a contract for the management of the facility with South Suffolk Leisure.
(d) Hadleigh Town Council entering into an agreement to meet the estimated annual revenue deficit arising from the management contract for a period of 21 years.
(e) All other necessary consents and approvals being in place.
(2) That the Solicitor to the Council be authorised to enter into the contract and agreement referred to in (1) (c) and (d) above.
(c) Extension to Kingfisher Leisure Centre (SFP Task Group)
Nick Ridley, Chairman of the Strategic Financial Planning Task Group, introduced Paper K168 requesting approval to proceed with development plans to construct an extension to the Kingfisher Leisure Centre in Sudbury.
The extension would house a play frame/soft play facility, the income from which would be used to finance the capital costs and to generate additional income for South Suffolk Leisure (SSL), who run the facility on behalf of the Council. South Suffolk Leisure receive a management fee from the Council to run its facilities and any opportunity to generate income reduces the dependency on that subsidy.
RESOLVED
(1) That officers be given authority to proceed with the proposed extension to the Kingfisher Leisure Centre subject to:
- Detailed scrutiny of the business case for the management of the new service/facility, undertaken by SFPTG, focusing on an examination of the proposal that sufficient income can be generated to cover both capital costs and increase income for SSL.
- Formal agreement being reached with SSL on the repayment of borrowing needed to fund the capital costs, financed through the additional income generated.
- All necessary consents being obtained, including planning consent and any necessary revisions to the current lease.
(2) That the Solicitor to the Council be authorised to enter into such legal documentation as may be required to secure Resolution (1) above.
(d) One-Year Delivery Plan 2011/12 (SFP Task Group)
Nick Ridley, Chairman of the Strategic Financial Planning Task Group, introduced Paper K169 requesting approval to the contents of the One-Year Delivery Plan for 2011/12 which was attached as Appendix 1 to Paper K169.
During consideration of this matter it was agreed that reference to the improved rural broadband speed should be mentioned in the Action Plan.
RESOLVED
That the One-Year Delivery Plan for 2011/12 attached as Appendix 1 to Paper K169 be approved, subject to the inclusion of a reference to improved rural broadband facilities being included in the Action Plan.
The Director of Corporate Services submitted a report (Paper K170) on items identified for the Strategy Committee.
RESOLVED
That the Work Plan set out in Paper K170 be noted.
The Director of Finance presented a report (Paper K171) setting out various recommendations relating to the draft Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2011/12, the draft 3-Year Capital Programme for Council Housing and the position on rent levels for next year.
The Director of Finance also referred to additional information for Appendix 1 to Paper K171 and report K171A which provided an alternative option to the average rent increase of 6.5% recommended in Paper K171. This included information on the average rent increase and how this would sufficiently protect the financial position of the Housing Revenue Account.
During consideration of this item it was agreed that Officers would investigate further the rental increases on casual let garages.
It was noted that budgets for supporting people service charges and expenditure have reduced significantly following the proposed restructuring of the service arrangements. An intensive consultation exercise is in progress which has been scrutinised by the Housing Panel throughout 2010.
Members were aware that the recommendations agreed at this meeting would be considered further by Strategy Committee and Council in February as part of the budget setting process and following scrutiny by the Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee and the Housing Panel.
RESOLVED
(1) That the draft Council Housing Revenue Budget and Capital Programme be approved, subject to these being based on an average rent increase of 5% as reflected in the amended Appendix A attached to Paper K171.
(2) That heating and lighting charges in sheltered housing and homeless accommodation be increased by 5%.
(3) That supporting people charges for those in sheltered accommodation be approved in line with the grant reduction proposed by Suffolk County Council, subject to review by Overview and Scrutiny (Community Services) Committee on 1 February 2011.
The Head of Contract and Asset Management submitted a report (Paper K172) seeking approval to implement schemes within the Council’s Housing Revenue Account relating to parking improvements at Great Cornard and also underpinning works to a property in Great Cornard.
RESOLVED
That expenditure from the Council’s Housing Revenue Account be approved to carry out the proposed work outlined in the table in paragraph 6.1 of Paper K172.
The Director of Finance submitted a report (Paper K173) outlining the review of the Council’s rural settlement list used for the purposes of awarding mandatory and discretionary rate relief.
No changes are felt to be necessary, and the Committee were recommended to approve the areas defined for 2010/11 to remain in force during 2011/12.
RESOLVED
That the rural settlement list as set out in Appendix A to Paper K173 be approved for use in 2011/12.
The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper K174) requesting the Committee to agree a response to the Government’s proposals to change the way in which planning application fees are set in England.
During consideration of this item, it was suggested that if fees for submitting Listed Building Consent applications were to be introduced this may have an impact upon the owners of smaller listed building properties, and a possibility that exemption could be applied to lower Council Tax Band properties.
RESOLVED
That the proposed response to the Department of Communities and Local Government as outlined in Appendix A to Paper K174 be approved as the District Council’s formal response to the consultation on proposals for changes to planning application fees in England.
The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper K175) proposing an updated Section 106 Planning Obligations Supplementary Guidance document, intended for use by Babergh and all Suffolk Local Planning Authorities.
The report proposes a public consultation period on the guidance document and seeks authority for the Head of Natural and Built Environment to make any necessary changes as a result of consultation and then adoption by Babergh.
During consideration of the item, the Committee agreed that a summary of the responses received should be further considered by the Committee in due course.
RESOLVED
(1) That the contents/approach of the Appendices and the Topic Papers attached to Paper K175 be agreed as acceptable in principle for adoption as Supplementary Planning Guidance, subject to any changes required as a result of public consultation in co-operation with the County Council.
(2) That a summary of the consultation responses referred to in (1) above be reported to the Strategy Committee, together with the recommended resultant changes for consideration by the Committee, prior to adoption of the documents as Supplementary Planning Guidance.
The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper K176) recommending the adoption of the Conservation Area Appraisal document (Appendix A to Paper K176).
RESOLVED
That the Conservation Area Appraisal document for Boxford (Appendix A to Paper K176) be adopted as non-statutory Supplementary Planning Guidance with immediate effect.
The Head of Natural and Built Environment submitted a report (Paper K177) recommending the adoption of the Conservation Area Appraisal document (Appendix A to Paper K177).
RESOLVED
That the Conservation Area Appraisal document for Bildeston (Appendix A to Paper K177) be adopted as non-statutory Supplementary Planning Guidance with immediate effect.
Note: The meeting adjourned between 10.50 a.m. and 11.10 a.m. for refreshments.
The business of the meeting was concluded at 1.35 p.m.
Chairman
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