Agenda item

Report number HOF310 of the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Good Housing.                                                                                                                  (Enclosure)

Decision:

 

PART A

 

In relation to the General Fund - Revenue

           

a.    to set a General Fund budget requirement of £13.014M for 2015/16 shown at Appendix A of report number HOF310 (inclusive of special expenses) taking into consideration the savings and efficiencies shown at Appendix B

b.    to approve a Council Tax freeze (no increase) for 2015/16

c.    to note the indicative base estimates for 2016/17 and 2017/18 as detailed in the summary at Appendix A of report number HOF310

d.    To approve the fees and charges as shown at Appendix C of report number HOF310

 

In relation to the General Fund – Capital

 

e.    approve the General Fund Capital programme for 2015/16 to 2019/20 detailed at Appendix D page 1 of report number HOF310

f.     approve the Capital Financing statement detailed at Appendix D page 2 of report number HOF310

 

In relation to the General Fund - Reserves and Balances

 

g.    to approve the use of reserves as detailed at Appendix E of report number HOF310

 

Management and prudential indicators

 

h.    to approve the Treasury Management Strategy provided at Appendix F of report number HOF310

 

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 £80.91 (an average rental increase of 3.56%)

j.      to approve an increase in garage rents of 2.3%

k.    to approve an increase in service charges by 2.3%

l.      to approve the Housing Revenue Account for the year 2015/16 (including the  items at Appendix H in the report) and indicative years 2016/17 and 2017/18 shown at Appendix G of report number HOF310

 

In relation to the Housing Revenue Account - Capital

 

m.  approve the indicative Housing Investment Programme for 2015/16 to 2019/20 detailed at Appendix I page 1 of report number HOF310

n.    approve the Capital Financing statement detailed at Appendix I page 2 of report number HOF310

 

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 HOF310

 

Pay Policy Statement

 

p.    to approve the pay policy statement shown at Appendix K of report number HOF310

 

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 2015/16 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended)

 

a)      £77,763,996 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)        £63,605,236 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)        £14,158,760 being the amount by which the aggregate at a) above exceeds the aggregate at b) above, calculated by  the Council, in accordance with Section 32(4) of the Act, as its        budget requirement for the year.

 

d)         £6,476,000 being the aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable for the year into its General Fund in respect of redistributed Non-Domestic Rates and Revenue Support Grant increased by the amount of the sum to be transferred from the Collection Fund to the General Fund

 

e)      £171.67 being the amount at c) above less the amount at d)              above, all divided by the Council's tax base of 44,753.20 as  recorded in minute 29 of the cabinet meeting of  1 December 2014, in accordance with Section 33(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year 2015/16.

 

f)       £2,071,850 being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act.

 

g)      £127.47 being the amount of e) above, less the result given by dividing the amount of f) above by the Council's tax base relating to special items as set on 1 December 2014, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no special item relates.

 

h)      Part of the Council’s area being calculated by adding to the amount at (g) above the amounts of special items relating to dwellings in those parts of the Council's area, divided in each case by the individual tax bases as recorded in minute 33 in accordance with Section 34(3) of the Act, as the basic amounts of its Council Tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which special item relates.

           

Parish	Adjusted Band D Equivalents
	No.
Grantham combined	10295.23
Stamford combined	6753.02
Bourne Combined	4978.27
Allington	338.90
Ancaster	543.21
Aslackby	103.80
Barholm & Stowe	33.35
Barkston and Syston combined	242.89
Barrowby	683.50
Baston	544.72
Belton & Manthorpe	202.93
Billingborough	452.34
Bitchfield & Bassingthorpe	53.72
Boothby Pagnell	62.15
Braceborough & Wilsthorpe	139.34
Ropsley, Humby, Braceby, Sapperton combined	345.40
Burton Coggles	37.77
Careby	74.22
Carlby	200.66
Carlton Scroop and Normanton combined	126.26
Castle Bytham	284.72
Caythorpe & Frieston	513.16
Claypole	507.85
Colsterwoth, Gunby & Stainby, North Witham combined	743.16
Corby Glen & Birkholme	389.66
Counthorpe & Creeton	25.33
Deeping St James	2365.68
Denton	120.43
Dowsby	51.75
Dunsby	44.45
Stoke Rochford and Easton combined	90.58
Edenham	106.83
Fenton	57.33
Folkingham	267.24
Foston	210.09
Fulbeck	211.80
Greatford	126.02
Great Gonerby	719.78
Great Ponton	120.38
Haconby & Stainfield	182.26
Harlaxton	331.02
Heydour	148.48
Honington	64.27
Horbling	154.63
Hougham	77.62
Hough-on-the-Hill	156.76
Ingoldsby	113.57
Irnham	107.05
Kirkby Underwood	76.61
Langtoft	745.07
Lenton, Keisby & Osgodby	65.41
Little Bytham	110.71
Little Ponton & Stroxton	65.73
Londonthorpe & Harrowby without combined	1608.55
Long Bennington	897.86
Market Deeping	2032.09
Marston	148.41
Morton & Hanthorpe	802.49
Old Somerby	87.07
Pickworth	75.24
Pointon & Sempringham	188.70
Rippingale	330.35
Sedgebrook	142.53
Skillington	130.63
South Witham	433.28
Stubton	71.83
Swayfield	137.54
Swinstead	72.71
Tallington	202.15
Thurlby	780.48
Toft Lound & Manthorpe	137.23
Uffington	314.14
Welby	78.64
Westborough & Dry Doddington	145.96
West Deeping	115.23
Witham-on-the-Hill	94.72
Woolsthorpe	138.51
Wyville cum Hungerton	19.80

           

i)       The amounts on the attached schedule (Appendix A to Part B), being the amounts given by multiplying the amounts at g) above and h) above by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act,  is applicable to dwellings listed in valuation Band 'D', calculated by theCouncil, in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands.

 

j)       That it be noted that for the year 2015/16, Lincolnshire County Council has stated the following amounts as a precept issued to the Council in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992, for each of the categories of dwellings shown below:-

 

Valuation Band

 

A      £	B     £	C      £	D      £	E     £	F     £	G     £	H      £
723.96	844.62	965.28	1085.94	1327.26	1568.58	1809.90	2171.88

 

k)      That it be noted that for the year 2015/16, Police and Crime Commissioner has stated the following amounts as a precept issued to the Council in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of dwellings shown below:-

 

Valuation Band

 

A      £	B     £	C      £	D      £	E     £	F     £	G     £	H      £
131.76	153.72	175.68	197.64	241.56	285.48	329.40	395.28

 

 

l)       That, having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at i), j) and k) above, the Council, in accordance with Section 30 (2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the amounts in Appendix B to Part B as the levels of Council Tax for the year 2015/16 for the categories of dwellings shown in Appendix A to Part B.

 

It was proposed, seconded and, on being put to the vote agreed, that Council Procedure Rule 14.4 be suspended for this agenda item only, removing the five-minute time limit for speeches.

 

The Leader of the Council proposed the draft Budget for 2015/16 (together with indicative budgets for 2016/17 and 2017/18) for the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and their associated Capital Programmes as set out in report number HOF310. In so doing, she explained that the Budget was designed to deliver against the Council’s priorities in difficult financial conditions; she also drew Members’ attention to the proposed freeze of Council Tax and savings that had been made during the 2014/15 financial year. She highlighted a number of key projects including the Southern Quadrant development, the Local Authority Mortgage Scheme and ‘Love South Kesteven, Hate Litter’ campaign. Reference was also made to economic development activity, including the arrival of new employers in the district, car parking, the Gravity Fields and Georgian Festivals and the leisure offer.

 

The proposal was seconded by the Portfolio Holder for Good Housing, who drew Members’ attention to proposals for the Housing Revenue Account. Reference was made to new council homes that had been built and the reacquisition of properties that had formerly been part of the housing stock; proposals for rent increases which complied with Government Guidance, work to take the Council’s housing stock beyond the decent homes standard, improvements to the energy efficiency of council properties, opportunities to acquire additional land and properties and the way that the Council was working with tenants. The proposals were set out in the context of the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan, which determined where resources should be allocated.

 

A series of amendments to the Budget were proposed and seconded (a full copy of the alternative proposals are attached as an appendix to these minutes)

 

The proposer spoke on each of the amendments, explaining each of the proposals. The first proposal related to maximising the HRA borrowing headroom in order to  to release up to a maximum £68m funding to build 500 new council homes in year five. Issues highlighted included the need for new homes and the pressure this need placed on other services. The amendments also included increasing the funding available for discretionary housing payments to support residents affected by the spare room subsidy.

 

The third proposed amendment related to a community fly-tipping pilot project. The proposer explained that the amendment was designed to provide a fund for clearing fly-tipping in communal and private areas. It was suggested that this fund could be spent in conjunction with improved security and education. The success of the proposed pilot scheme would be reviewed when it had been in operation for a year.

 

The final two amendments related to the preparation of feasibility studies into waste collection for businesses and to allow two-hours free car parking in the town centres. Identifying demand for a business waste collection scheme could ultimately lead to an additional source of revenue for the authority. The proposer also felt that introducing two-hours free parking in the town centres would increase the number of visitors and result in economic growth.

 

In speaking against the amendment that related to the programme for building council housing, reference was made to the  Housing Revenue Account Business Plan, which included a commitment to build further council houses. Some concern was also expressed that the proposal, while stating an increase of 500 homes, did not demonstrate a breakdown of costs.

 

Those members in favour of the amendment highlighted the shortage on one and two bedroom homes.

 

Several Councillors spoke about their experiences of fly-tipping in their Wards and its impact on local neighbourhoods. Members’ attention was drawn to a Community Fund Reserve of £300k that had been included in the draft budget and the suggestion was made that this might be a more appropriate source of funding for any requests to clear fly-tipping in exceptional circumstances. Councillors opposing the amendment had concerns that the Council with such a scheme the Council would have to clear fly-tipping from private property and the risks that the creation of such a scheme would encourage fly-tipping.

 

It was further added that the proposal to collect waste was under consideration as part of the review of the Waste Strategy.

 

Other broader concerns about the proposed amendments included a reliance for funding the projects through reserves. The alternate view was put forward that the amount of reserves committed to carry out feasibility studies would be outweighed by income generated through a scheme to collect business waste.

 

Those Councillors who did not support the proposal for a feasibility study for two-hour free parking highlighted periods in the past when all day parking had been offered across the district on Saturdays in the run up to Christmas, when no economic advantage had been demonstrated.

 

The suggestion was made that the most appropriate route for the amendments, particularly where feasibility studies to change council policy had been suggested, would have been through the policy development groups, to enable wider discussion and consideration at an earlier date. Several members felt that it would have been advantageous to have the proposed amendments at an earlier date while expressed that a decision should not be based on when the amendments were received but the merit of the amendment itself.

 

The Section 151 Officer stated that he had considered the proposed amendments as to whether what they were trying to achieve was legal and the Council had powers to do it. He added that he had also discussed the viability of spending the proposed sums in a short period of time.

 

As the proposer of the original motion, the Leader was given the opportunity to sum up. She gave a brief explanation of the refinancing and repayment arrangements. She also clarified that an additional £60m could be available to the Council it it decided to maximise its borrowing headroom that has been created following the introduction of the self financing arrangements following the abolition of the national subsidy policy   She reminded Councillors of the commitment to build additional houses set out in the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan. She also reiterated concerns about the potential effects of introducing a fund specifically to deal with incidences of fly-tipping, particularly highlighting the risk of increasing those incidences. She also added that business waste collection had been considered previously but suggested it might not be an appropriate time to reconsider such a scheme; gate fees charged to the council for disposal of the recyclate would make such a service costly to provide. Brief argument was also made against the proposal for a feasibility study for two-hours free parking and increasing the amount available for discretionary housing payments.

 

The amendments relating to building additional council homes and increasing the amount of discretionary housing payment fund were both put to the vote (each voted on separately) and lost.

 

In accordance with Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, a recorded vote was taken on each of the three amendments because their amendment would affect the making of calculations in accordance with the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

 

Fly-tipping amendment:

 

For	Against	Abstain
Councillor Ashberry Councillor Bisnauthsing Councillor Miss Channell Councillor Dilks Councillor Morgan Councillor Sampson Councillor Selby Councillor Shorrock Councillor J Stevens Councillor Wells Councillor Wood	Councillor Adams Councillor Auger Councillor Mrs Bosworth Councillor Bryant Councillor Carpenter Councillor Mrs Cartwright Councillor Chivers Councillor K Cooke Councillor Cosham Councillor Craft Councillor Griffin Councillor Mrs Kaberry-Brown Councillor King Councillor Dr Moseley Councillor Nalson Councillor Mrs Neal Councillor Nicholson Councillor Robins Councillor Rowlands Councillor Russell Councillor Scott Councillor Jacky Smith Councillor John Smith Councillor Judy Smith Councillor P Stephens Councillor A Stokes Councillor I Stokes Councillor Mrs Sumner Councillor Mrs J Taylor Councillor M Taylor Councillor Turner Councillor Wilkins Councillor Woolley Councillor Wootten	Councillor Howard Councillor V Kerr Councillor B Sandall Councillor S Sandall Councillor Thompson
11	34	5

 

The amendment was lost.

 

Feasibility study relating to the collection of business waste:

 

For	Against	Abstain
Councillor Ashberry Councillor Bisnauthsing Councillor Miss Channell Councillor Dilks Councillor Howard Councillor Morgan Councillor Sampson Councillor B Sandall Councillor Selby Councillor Shorrock Councillor J Stevens Councillor Wells Councillor Wood	Councillor Adams Councillor Auger Councillor Mrs Bosworth Councillor Bryant Councillor Carpenter Councillor Mrs Cartwright Councillor Chivers Councillor K Cooke Councillor Cosham Councillor Craft Councillor Griffin Councillor Mrs Kaberry-Brown Councillor King Councillor Dr Moseley Councillor Nalson Councillor Mrs Neal Councillor Nicholson Councillor Robins Councillor Rowlands Councillor Russell Councillor Scott Councillor Jacky Smith Councillor John Smith Councillor Judy Smith Councillor P Stephens Councillor A Stokes Councillor I Stokes Councillor Mrs Sumner Councillor Mrs J Taylor Councillor M Taylor Councillor Turner Councillor Wilkins Councillor Woolley Councillor Wootten	Councillor V Kerr Councillor S Sandall Councillor Thompson
	34	3

 

The amendment was lost.

 

Feasibility study for two-hours free car parking

 

For	Against	Abstain
Councillor Ashberry Councillor Bisnauthsing Councillor Miss Channell Councillor Dilks Councillor Morgan Councillor Sampson Councillor B Sandall Councillor Selby Councillor Shorrock Councillor J Stevens Councillor Wells Councillor Wood	Councillor Adams Councillor Auger Councillor Mrs Bosworth Councillor Bryant Councillor Carpenter Councillor Mrs Cartwright Councillor Chivers Councillor K Cooke Councillor Cosham Councillor Craft Councillor Griffin Councillor Mrs Kaberry-Brown Councillor King Councillor Dr Moseley Councillor Nalson Councillor Mrs Neal Councillor Nicholson Councillor Robins Councillor Rowlands Councillor Russell Councillor Scott Councillor Jacky Smith Councillor John Smith Councillor Judy Smith Councillor P Stephens Councillor A Stokes Councillor I Stokes Councillor Mrs Sumner Councillor Mrs J Taylor Councillor M Taylor Councillor Turner Councillor Wilkins Councillor Woolley Councillor Wootten	Councillor Howard Councillor V Kerr Councillor S Sandall Councillor Thompson
12	34	4

 

The amendment was lost.

 

Debate returned to the substantive motion. Brief reference was made to the addendum that was circulated following the publication of the agenda. Councillors were informed that the addendum contained information relating to the precept levels for Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire County Council’s Council Tax requirements. These amounts had not been agreed sufficiently early to include them in agenda packs.

 

The Leader summed up, reiterating the Council’s focus on growth and investment despite funding reductions of 45% over the last five years. She also made reference to the ambitions of the Council and the focus on neighbourhoods. Finally she commended the Budget as proposed.

 

The recommendations were split into sections and separate votes were taken on each. Where proposals related to the making of calculations in accordance with the Local Government and Finance Act 1992, a recorded vote was taken. The electronic voting system was used for all other votes.

 

Recommendations a to d

 

For	Against	Abstain
Councillor Adams Councillor Ashberry Councillor Auger Councillor Bisnauthsing Councillor Mrs Bosworth Councillor Bryant Councillor Carpenter Councillor Mrs Cartwright Councillor Chivers Councillor K Cooke Councillor Cosham Councillor Craft Councillor Dilks Councillor Griffin Councillor Howard Councillor Mrs Kaberry-Brown Councillor V Kerr Councillor King Councillor Morgan Councillor Dr Moseley Councillor Nalson Councillor Mrs Neal Councillor Nicholson Councillor Robins Councillor Rowlands Councillor Russell Councillor Sampson Councillor B Sandall Councillor S Sandall Councillor Scott Councillor Selby Councillor Shorrock Councillor Jacky Smith Councillor John Smith Councillor Judy Smith Councillor P Stephens Councillor J Stevens Councillor A Stokes Councillor I Stokes Councillor Mrs Sumner Councillor Mrs J Taylor Councillor M Taylor Councillor Thompson Councillor Turner Councillor Wells Councillor Wilkins Councillor Wood Councillor Woolley Councillor Wootten		Councillor Miss Channell
49	0	1

 

The recommendations were approved.

 

Recommendations e and f

 

For	Against	Abstain
Councillor Adams Councillor Ashberry Councillor Auger Councillor Bisnauthsing Councillor Mrs Bosworth Councillor Bryant Councillor Carpenter Councillor Mrs Cartwright Councillor Chivers Councillor K Cooke Councillor Cosham Councillor Craft Councillor Dilks Councillor Griffin Councillor Howard Councillor Mrs Kaberry-Brown Councillor V Kerr Councillor King Councillor Morgan Councillor Dr Moseley Councillor Nalson Councillor Mrs Neal Councillor Nicholson Councillor Robins Councillor Rowlands Councillor Russell Councillor Sampson Councillor B Sandall Councillor S Sandall Councillor Scott Councillor Selby Councillor Shorrock Councillor Jacky Smith Councillor John Smith Councillor Judy Smith Councillor P Stephens Councillor J Stevens Councillor A Stokes Councillor I Stokes Councillor Mrs Sumner Councillor Mrs J Taylor Councillor M Taylor Councillor Thompson Councillor Turner Councillor Wells Councillor Wilkins Councillor Wood Councillor Woolley Councillor Wootten		Councillor Miss Channell
49	0	1

 

The recommendations were approved.

 

Recommendation g

 

For	Against	Abstain
Councillor Adams Councillor Auger Councillor Bisnauthsing Councillor Mrs Bosworth Councillor Bryant Councillor Carpenter Councillor Mrs Cartwright Councillor Chivers Councillor K Cooke Councillor Cosham Councillor Craft Councillor Griffin Councillor Howard Councillor Mrs Kaberry-Brown Councillor V Kerr Councillor King Councillor Dr Moseley Councillor Nalson Councillor Mrs Neal Councillor Nicholson Councillor Robins Councillor Rowlands Councillor Russell Councillor Sampson Councillor B Sandall Councillor S Sandall Councillor Scott Councillor Jacky Smith Councillor John Smith Councillor Judy Smith Councillor P Stephens Councillor J Stevens Councillor A Stokes Councillor I Stokes Councillor Mrs Sumner Councillor Mrs J Taylor Councillor M Taylor Councillor Thompson Councillor Turner Councillor Wilkins Councillor Wood Councillor Woolley Councillor Wootten	Councillor Ashberry Councillor Dilks Councillor Morgan Councillor Selby Councillor Shorrock Councillor Wells	Councillor Miss Channell
43	6	1

 

The recommendations were approved.

 

Recommendation h

 

For	Against	Abstain
Councillor Adams Councillor Ashberry Councillor Auger Councillor Bisnauthsing Councillor Mrs Bosworth Councillor Bryant Councillor Carpenter Councillor Mrs Cartwright Councillor Chivers Councillor K Cooke Councillor Cosham Councillor Craft Councillor Dilks Councillor Griffin Councillor Howard Councillor Mrs Kaberry-Brown Councillor V Kerr Councillor King Councillor Morgan Councillor Dr Moseley Councillor Nalson Councillor Mrs Neal Councillor Nicholson Councillor Robins Councillor Rowlands Councillor Russell Councillor Sampson Councillor B Sandall Councillor S Sandall Councillor Scott Councillor Selby Councillor Shorrock Councillor Jacky Smith Councillor John Smith Councillor Judy Smith Councillor P Stephens Councillor J Stevens Councillor A Stokes Councillor I Stokes Councillor Mrs Sumner Councillor Mrs J Taylor Councillor M Taylor Councillor Thompson Councillor Turner Councillor Wells Councillor Wilkins Councillor Wood Councillor Woolley Councillor Wootten		Councillor Miss Channell
49		1

 

The recommendations were approved.

 

Separate electronic votes were taken on recommendations i to l; m and n; o and p. All of which were carried.

 

A further recorded vote was required on Part B of HOF310:

 

For	Against	Abstain
Councillor Adams Councillor Auger Councillor Bisnauthsing Councillor Mrs Bosworth Councillor Bryant Councillor Carpenter Councillor Mrs Cartwright Councillor Chivers Councillor K Cooke Councillor Cosham Councillor Craft Councillor Griffin Councillor Howard Councillor Mrs Kaberry-Brown Councillor V Kerr Councillor King Councillor Dr Moseley Councillor Nalson Councillor Mrs Neal Councillor Nicholson Councillor Robins Councillor Rowlands Councillor Russell Councillor Sampson Councillor B Sandall Councillor S Sandall Councillor Scott Councillor Jacky Smith Councillor John Smith Councillor Judy Smith Councillor P Stephens Councillor J Stevens Councillor A Stokes Councillor I Stokes Councillor Mrs Sumner Councillor Mrs J Taylor Councillor M Taylor Councillor Thompson Councillor Turner Councillor Wilkins Councillor Wood Councillor Woolley Councillor Wootten	Councillor Morgan Councillor Shorrock	Councillor Ashberry Councillor Miss Channell Councillor Dilks Councillor Selby Councillor Wells
43	2	5

 

The vote was carried and the recommendations were approved.

 

16:15 to 16:38 – the meeting adjourned