Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bevan, Broughton, Higgs, Mrs Kaberry-Brown, King, Parkin and Wells.

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

No interests were disclosed.

                                                                                                                  (Enclosure)

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2014 were proposed, seconded and agreed as a correct record.

                                                                                                                  (Enclosure)

The Chairman’s communications were noted. Members’ attention was drawn to a typographical error on the engagement for 28 February 2014. The description of this event referred to Grantham town council however there was no town council in Grantham.

Report number LDS120 by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.    (Enclosure)

Decision:

That the Council adopts the requirements of the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 relating to recorded votes for budget decisions and approves the amendment to the Constitution to incorporate the amendment in the Council Procedures and the Budget and Policy Framework Rules as follows:

·         Council Procedures at page 135 of the Constitution, paragraph 16.4

And

·         Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules at page 164, paragraph 3

With the words:

“A recorded vote shall be taken in respect of any vote for a decision or against a decision or any abstention from voting on any decision relating to the making of calculations in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992 at any budget decision meeting of the Council.”

In proposing the recommendations in report number LDS120 on changes to Standing Orders for voting on Budget decisions, the Portfolio Holder for Governance and Communication explained that the change was necessary because of new Regulations. The proposition was seconded. In response to a question, the Monitoring Officer clarified that the new Standing Orders would only cover votes on substantive items, not proposed amendments.

On being put to the vote the proposal was carried.

Report number HOF267 by the Leader, Strategic Resources –Well Run Council Portfolio Holder and the Good Housing Portfolio Holder.                                                         (Enclosure)

Decision:

PART A

The Council agrees:

In relation to the General Fund – Revenue

a.         to set a General Fund budget requirement of £13.185M for 2014/15 shown at Appendix A of report number HOF267 (inclusive of special expenses) taking into consideration the savings and efficiencies shown at Appendix B of report number HOF267

b.        to approve a Council Tax freeze (no increase) for 2014/15

c.         to note the indicative base estimates for 2015/16 and 2016/17 as detailed in the summary at Appendix A of report number HOF267

d.        to approve the fees and charges as shown at Appendix C of report number HOF267

In relation to the General Fund – Capital

e.         to approve the General Fund Capital programme for 2014/15 to 2018/19 detailed at Appendix D page 1 of report number HOF267

f.          to approve the Capital Financing statement detailed at Appendix D page 2 of report number HOF267

In relation to the General Fund - Reserves and Balances

g.        to approve the use of reserves as detailed at Appendix E of report number HOF267

Management and prudential indicators

h.        to approve the Treasury Management Strategy provided at Appendix F of report number HOF267

In relation to the Housing Revenue Account - Revenue

i.          to approve dwelling rent increases in accordance with Government guideline rent providing an average rent of £78.13 (an average rental increase of 5.13%)

j.          to approve an increase in garage rents of 3.2%

k.         to approve an increase in service charges by 3.2% 

l.          to approve the Housing Revenue Account for the year 2014/15 (including the  items at Appendix H in the report) and indicative years 2015/16 and 2016/17 shown at Appendix G of report number HOF267

In relation to the Housing Revenue Account - Capital

m.       approve the indicative Housing Investment Programme for 2014/15 to 2018/19 detailed at Appendix I page 1 of report number HOF267

n.        approve the Capital Financing statement detailed at Appendix I page 2 of report number HOF267

In relation to the Housing Revenue Account - Reserves and balances

o.        to approve the use of the reserves as detailed at Appendix J of report number HOF267

Pay Policy Statement

p.        to approve the pay policy statement shown at Appendix K of report number HOF267

PART B

In accordance with paragraphs 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended, the Council adopts:

1)  That the following amounts be calculated by the Council for the year 2014/15 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended)

                   a)   £60,393,983 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32 (2) (a) to (e) of the Act (including special expense and parish precepts).

b)    £45,804,502 being the aggregate of the amounts which the   Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32 (3) (a) to (c) of the Act.

c)     £14,589,481 being the amount by which the aggregate at a) above exceeds the aggregate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

Report number LDS119 of the Chief Executive.                             (Enclosure)

Decision:

That the Council makes the following appointments to outside bodies:

1.    Black Sluice Internal Drainage Board

·         Councillor Bob Russell

2.    Upper Witham Internal Drainage Board

·         Councillor Nick Craft

·         Councillor Mike Taylor

·         Councillor Frank Turner

3.    Welland and Deeping Internal Drainage Board

·         Councillor Ray Auger

·         Councillor Paul Cosham

·         Councillor Reg Howard

·         Councillor Jacky Smith

Report number LDS119 explained that the Council was required to make appointments to the three internal drainage boards that operated in South Kesteven. The Leader proposed the following appointments, which were seconded.

An amendment was proposed and seconded:

“That those wishing to be considered to serve as this Council’s representatives on outside bodies be given the opportunity to put forward a written resume of the experience and qualifications relevant to the particular role under consideration, to enable councillors to properly consider each candidate on their merit to ensure that this Council appoints the best possible representatives to outside bodies.”

As the meeting had been in progress for almost three hours, it was proposed and seconded in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 14.10(vii) that the meeting should continue. On being put to the vote this was carried.

Those Members who spoke against the amendment highlighted ongoing business on the drainage boards where continuity was critical. There was also some concern that the proposed amendment would delay appointments. Opponents also challenged that the only members who would be able to evidence suitable skills and experience were those who already represented the Council on the drainage boards. Reference was made to current arrangements which had seen those nominating a prospective representative summarising the reasons they believed them to be suitable for the role.

The Members who supported the amendment felt that presenting a resume would clearly evidence an individual’s suitability and enthusiasm for a post. They also acknowledged that in many instances the incumbent was likely to be the candidate with relevant experience and knowledge, particularly in respect of appointments to specialist bodies like internal drainage boards. It was added that there would be no need to delay making appointments to the Internal Drainage Boards if the Council approved the principle for use when making future appointments.

On being put to the vote, the amendment was lost. A vote was taken on the substantive motion, which was carried.

Following the vote, Councillor Smith as the Council’s representative on the Local Government Association Rural Commission gave a brief update. Report number LDS119 explained that the Local Government Association Urban Commission had been disbanded; Councillor Smith explained that the Rural Commission had been similarly disbanded and would be replaced by a People and Places Board.

The meeting was closed at 17:34.