Agenda and minutes

The public open forum will commence at 2.00 p.m. and the following formal business of the Council will commence at 2.30 p.m. or whenever the public open forum ends, if earlier.

Question from Mrs Kara McDonald to the Portfolio Holder for Healthy Environment (Councillor John Smith):

Are there any plans for improving the play park on Beechcroft Road (in Grantham), if so, when? If not, why not?

Reply from Councillor John Smith:

Thank you for coming and asking the question about the play park on Beechcroft Road.

Our current budget is entirely used for the maintenance and repair of equipmant to ensure that it is kept fully compliant with Health and Safety regulatuions. This budget is under pressure with the unfortunate amount of vandalism in some areas. Hiowever, I am pleased to say that it is intended to repair the existing apparatus by engaging the services of the Unpaid Work Scheme, better known as The Probation Service, and also to repair any equipment which needs it. Most importantly we will be fully repairing the damaged areas of safety surfacing.

Supplementary question from Mrs McDonald:

When would this be done, when would it be started?

Reply from Councillor John Smith:

As soon as possible.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hearmon, Joynson, Russell and Selby.

Members are asked to declare any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting.

Councillor John Smith declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Part A of the budget item concerning the Bourne Core Area element of the Capital Programme. His interest arose by virtue of his being a member of a club whose premises were located within the Bourne Core Area. Councillor Smith took no part in the voting or discussion on the Capital Programme and left the Chamber whilst it was under consideration, and returned to the meeting following a vote on part of the budget.

Minutes of the ordinary meeting held on 21 January 2010.     (Enclosure)

The minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2010 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the addition of Councillor Mrs Joyce Gaffigan to the list of those present at the meeting.

                                                                                                            (Enclosure)

The Chief Executive reminded Members that there would be an open session at Mowbeck House where Care Services and the CCTV Centre were based. Mrs Agass paid tribute to these services who had responded to a great number of calls 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the recent poor weather. The Council agreed (by unanimous show of hands) to extend a formal vote of thanks to these services.

Council procedure rule 14.4 states no speech may exceed 5 minutes without the consent of the Council.

“I propose that Council consent that a speech by any member during the item on the agenda relating to the budget proposals for this meeting alone be permitted to not exceed 10 minutes.”

DECISION:

That Council consent that a speech by any Member during the item on the agenda relating to the budget proposals for this meeting alone be permitted to not exceed ten minutes.

Report number CHFCS90 by the Assets and Resources Portfolio Holder presented on behalf of the Cabinet:                                 (Enclosure)

PART A:

• Revenue Estimates 2010/11 and indicative budgets 2011/12 to 2012/13  (Appendix A);
• Capital estimates 2010/11 to 2012/13 (Appendix B);
• Reserves Statement (Appendix C);
• Fees and Charges 2010/11 (Appendix D);
• Treasury Management Strategy (Appendix E);
• Risks to the Budget (Appendix F);
• Priority Theme Action Plans (Appendix G).

PART B:

• Council Tax setting 2010/11

NOTE: Please can members bring their budget books to the meeting.

PART A: Revenue Estimates 2009/10 and indicative budget 2010/11 and 2011/12

DECISION:

That the Council:-

General Fund Revenue Estimate

a.)  set a General Fund budget requirement of £16.416M for 2010/11 (inclusive of special expenses) and note the indicative budget requirement figures of £15.893M for 2011/12 and £16.115M for 2012/13

b.)   set a Council Tax increase of 2.5% for 2010/11 (1.2% inclusive of special expense areas)

c.)  approve the original base estimate for 2010/11 and indicative base estimates for 2011/12 and 2012/13 as detailed in the summary at Appendix A page 1

d.)  approve the Treasury Management Strategy provided at Appendix E

e.)  approve increases in Fees and Charges for 2010/11 (in accordance with the Council’s Fees and Charges Strategy) as set out in Appendix D

f.)    approve the Revenue and Capital Reserves statement contained at Appendix C

g.)  continue the fundamental review of services where the projected income levels show a continued reduction to ensure the allocated resources are proportionally aligned

h.)  approve a revised funding allocation of £56K per annum in respect of the town centre partnerships

i.)    approve a service review programme to ensure all services delivered are cost efficient, aligned to priorities and providing value for money to the taxpayer

j.)    approve the growth in the base budgets in respect of the following:

• Choice based lettings set up costs
• Provision for additional benefits assessor
• Civilian parking enforcement set up costs
• Creation of priority action plans provision
• Efficiency initiatives provision
• Service initiatives provision

k.)  set cash releasing efficiency targets for each service area at corporate level in order for the Council to achieve its overall efficiency target

l.)    approve the use of the Housing and Planning Delivery Grant in respect of the works associated with the Local Development Framework

m.)approve the priority theme action plans as detailed at Appendix G

n.)   approve the use of the priority themes and service improvement reserve to financially support the ‘next steps’ programme

Capital Programme

o.)  note the forecast outturn Capital Programme for 2009/10 and approve the indicative programme for 2010/11 to 2012/13 detailed at Appendix B pages 1-3

p.)  authorise the funding proposals subject to an annual review of the financing options by the Corporate Head of Finance and Customer Services, in consultation with the Resources and Assets Portfolio Holder, during the preparation of the Statement of Accounts to optimise the use of Council resources.

q.)  approve the setting of a cash releasing efficiency target in respect of the Capital programme

Housing Revenue Account (HRA)

r.)   set dwelling rent increases in accordance with Government guideline rent, of 3.1% providing an average rent of £61.86 (and an actual average rental increase of 1.78%)

s.)  set an increase in garage rents of 3.1%

t.)    increase service charges by 3.1%

u.)  approve the Housing Revenue Account for the year 2010/11 and indicative years 2011/12 and 2012/13 shown at Appendix A page 9

v.)  approve the setting of a cash releasing efficiency target in respect of the Housing Revenue Account

PART B: Council Tax  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83.

To note the list of questions asked under Council procedure rule 11.1 as circulated at the start of the meeting and their reference to the relevant Policy Development Group.

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NOTICES OF MOTION TO NEXT COUNCIL MEETING

Please note the deadline for submission of notices of motion to the annual meeting on Thursday 22 April 2010 is:

2pm on Friday 9 April 2010

The meeting concluded at 3:54 pm.