Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2011.              (Enclosure)

The minutes of the meeting held on 5th December were agreed as a correct record of the decisions taken subject to a minor amendment to page 5, decision CO36 (4).  The decision to read:

The Strategic Director (corporate services) in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Resources to be given delegated authority to investigate and where required execute the required legal documentation in order to satisfy scheme participants.

None declared.

Report number PLA920 of the Economic Development Portfolio Holder.         (Enclosure)

Decision:

1)            Cabinet notes the comments received in response to the public consultation on the Greyfriars and Wharf Place draft Development Briefs.

2)            Cabinet approves the proposed changes to the Greyfriars and Wharf Place Development Briefs as set out in appendix 1 to report PLA920.

3)            That the Greyfriars and Wharf Place Development Briefs as approved in 2 above are adopted as Supplementary Planning Documents.

Considerations/Reasons for Decision:

1)            Report PLA920 by the Economic Development Portfolio Holder.

2)            Two minor changes to appendix 1 as clarified by the Service Manager Planning Policy & Partnerships.

3)            The Development Briefs set out the key planning and development principles for mixed use development of the sites and were intended to guide development on the sites.

4)            The widespread consultation which took place between 26th August and 7th October 2011.

5)            Comments made by Cabinet Members at the meeting.

Other options considered:

Do not adopt as SPDs – alternative would be to rely on a prospective developer to submit a planning application and hopefully engage in pre application and post application negotiations.  The preparation of a brief is more positive in that it provides a planning framework to promote interest in the site and guide and encourage the co-ordinated redevelopment of the site in accordance with the Council’s policies.  It also offers some degree of certainty that a planning application would be more likely to obtain approval subject to detail.

Report number HOF184 of the Resources Portfolio Holder.   (Enclosure)

Decision:

General Fund

1.            To note the provisional settlement for 2012/13.

2.            To agree a provision target General Fund Budget Requirement of £13.879m for 2012/13 (inclusive of Special Expenses).

3.            To agree to review the target at recommendation 2 above, at the Cabinet meeting in February, in light of the outcome of consultation and other updated information.

4.            To agree to consider the option to freeze Council Tax for 2012/13 and, following the outcome of the consultation (and other related information), recommend a Council Tax level at its February 2012 meeting.

Housing Revenue Account

5.            To approve an indicative rent increase for consultation purposes with the Tenant consultation forums on options for rent increases.  The average increase for South Kesteven District Council tenants would be 7.65%.

6.            To agree to review the proposed rent increase at recommendation 5 above, at the February Cabinet meeting, in light of consultation and other related information.

Capital Programme

7.            To agree to receive detailed reports setting out recommendations for the Capital Programme for both the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account, at the February Cabinet meeting.

Considerations/Reasons for decision:

1)            Report HOF184 by the Portfolio Holder Resources.

2)            The provisional local government finance settlement for 2012/13.

3)            The proposed changes to both the business rates and the council tax benefits systems both of which will impact the council’s finances.

4)            The draft Self-financing Determinations and the continued convergence of council rents in line with Social Registered Landlord rents.

5)            Comments made by the Portfolio Holder Resources and the Portfolio Holder Housing.

6)            Comments made by the Head of Finance.

Other options considered.

There are no alternative options necessary in respect of this report.

Report number PCC10 of the Engagement and Corporate Services Portfolio Holder.                                                                                           (Enclosure)

Decision:

To approve the 2010/11 annual report subject to minor amendments being agreed with the Portfolio Holder Engagement & Corporate Governance.

Considerations/reasons for decision:

1)            Report PCC10 by the Portfolio Holder Engagement & Corporate Services.

2)            The annual report had been designed to be user friendly and communicate information about our priorities, performance and finances for 2010/11 to all our stakeholders in an informative and interesting way.

3)            Although there is no specified form for the report, it relates to the Corporate Plan and is recognised as a requirement of good corporate governance.

4)            Comments made by the Leader, Cabinet Members and the Chief Executive about the challenges that the Council face and the need to stay focused on the Council’s priorities in the years ahead.

Other Options considered:

None identified.

Decisions CO41, CO42 and CO43 as made on 9th January 2012 can be implemented by 18th January unless subject to call-in by the Scrutiny Committee Chairman or any five members of the Council from any political groups