Agenda item

Report number CFM358 of the Leader of the Council, the Executive Member, Resources and the Executive Member, Housing.                                                              (Enclosure)

Decision:

 

PART A

 

In relation to the General Fund - Revenue

             

a.     to set a General Fund budget requirement of £12.403M for 2016/17 shown at Appendix A (inclusive of special expenses) of report number CFM358 taking into consideration the savings and efficiencies shown at Appendix B

b.     to approve a Council Tax increase of £5 (Band D equivalent) for 2016/17

c.     to note the indicative base estimates for 2017/18 and 2018/19 as detailed in the summary at Appendix A of report number CFM358

d.     To approve the fees and charges as shown at Appendix C of report number CFM358

 

In relation to the General Fund – Capital

 

e.     approve the General Fund Capital programme for 2016/17 to 2020/21 detailed at Appendix D page 1 of report number CFM358

f.      approve the Capital Financing statement detailed at Appendix D page 2 of report number CFM358

 

In relation to the General Fund - Reserves and Balances

 

g.     to approve the use of reserves as detailed at Appendix E of report number CFM358

 

Management and prudential indicators

 

h.     to approve the Treasury Management Strategy provided at Appendix F of report number CFM358

 

In relation to the Housing Revenue Account - Revenue

 

i.       to approve dwelling rent decrease of 1% providing an average rent of £80.09 (an average rental decrease of 81p per week)

j.       to approve an increase in garage rents of 1.5%

k.     to approve a decrease of 1% in service charges for communal facilities and community rooms

l.       to approve the Housing Revenue Account for the year 2016/17 (including the  items at Appendix H in the report) and indicative years 2017/18 and 2018/19 shown at Appendix G of report number CFM358

 

In relation to the Housing Revenue Account - Capital

 

m.   approve the indicative Housing Investment Programme for 2016/17 to 2020/21 detailed at Appendix I page 1 of report number CFM358

n.     approve the Capital Financing statement detailed at Appendix I page 2 of report number CFM358

 

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 CFM358

 

Pay Policy Statement

 

p.     to approve the pay policy statement shown at Appendix K of report number CFM358

 

PART B

 

That the following amounts be calculated by the Council for the year 2016/17 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (as amended)

 

a)   £65,121,156 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)    £51,378,667 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)      £13,742,489 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)    £5,695,400 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)   £177.09 being the amount at c) above less the amount at d) above, all divided by the Council's tax base of 45,440.40 as  recorded in minute 26 of the Executive meeting of  7 December 2015, in accordance with Section 33(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year 2016/17.

 

f)    £2,119,285 being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act.

 

g)   £132.03 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 7 December 2015, 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	10464.01
Stamford combined	6829.02
Bourne Combined	5157.84
Allington	343.76
Ancaster	550.86
Aslackby	108.56
Barholm & Stowe	33.63
Barkston and Syston combined	240.07
Barrowby	701.98
Baston	560.76
Belton & Manthorpe	205.93
Billingborough	456.01
Bitchfield & Bassingthorpe	55.96
Boothby Pagnell	62.49
Braceborough & Wilsthorpe	141.19
Ropsley, Humby, Braceby, Sapperton combined	316.17
Burton Coggles	40.51
Careby	77.21
Carlby	198.44
Carlton Scroop and Normanton combined	125.40
Castle Bytham	292.09
Caythorpe & Frieston	519.39
Claypole	514.45
Colsterwoth, Gunby & Stainby, North Witham combined	739.53
Corby Glen & Birkholme	398.55
Counthorpe & Creeton	26.81
Deeping St James	2390.82
Denton	123.87
Dowsby	55.33
Dunsby	44.20
Stoke Rochford and Easton combined	83.14
Edenham	115.93
Fenton	57.89
Folkingham	274.63
Foston	213.13
Fulbeck	218.44
Greatford	126.29
Great Gonerby	718.62
Great Ponton	119.85
Haconby & Stainfield	183.57
Harlaxton	334.95
Heydour	151.75
Honington	65.74
Horbling	159.04
Hougham	77.33
Hough-on-the-Hill	162.13
Ingoldsby	115.30
Irnham	111.74
Kirkby Underwood	76.94
Langtoft	749.36
Lenton, Keisby & Osgodby	67.48
Little Bytham	110.83
Little Ponton & Stroxton	67.57
Londonthorpe & Harrowby without combined	1562.12
Long Bennington	919.78
Market Deeping	2092.17
Marston	153.35
Morton & Hanthorpe	805.77
Old Somerby	90.49
Pickworth	74.54
Pointon & Sempringham	189.41
Rippingale	338.28
Sedgebrook	140.09
Skillington	132.31
South Witham	456.22
Stubton	72.45
Swayfield	135.68
Swinstead	78.23
Tallington	224.79
Thurlby	790.21
Toft Lound & Manthorpe	138.02
Uffington	315.68
Welby	80.53
Westborough & Dry Doddington	143.95
West Deeping	116.47
Witham-on-the-Hill	96.79
Woolsthorpe	137.74
Wyville cum Hungerton	18.84

 

          

i)   The amounts on the schedule (Appendix A to Part B of report number CFM358), 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 the Council, 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 2016/17, 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 £
752.55	877.98	1,003.40	1,128.83	1,379.68	1,630.53	1,881.38	2,257.66

 

k)That it be noted that for the year 2016/17, 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 £
134.34	156.73	179.12	201.51	246.29	291.07	335.85	403.02

 

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 2016/17 for the categories of dwellings shown in Appendix A to Part B of report number CFM358.

 

It was proposed, seconded and on being put to the vote agreed that article 4.11.4 of the Council’s Constitution be suspended for this item only, removing the five-minute time restriction from members’ speeches.

 

The Council was asked to consider report number CFM358 on the determination of the Budget for 2016/17 and indicative budgets to 2018/19 for in respect of the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and associated Capital Programmes. An addendum to Part B of the Budget that updated members on precept information from Lincolnshire County Council and Lincolnshire Police had been circulated to all members. An appendix to the addendum was also circulated during the meeting.

 

The Leader proposed the recommendations listed in part A of the report. In so doing he commended the work done by officers in preparing the budget and requested his thanks be placed on record. During his speech the Leader explained that the budget had been designed to deliver the Council’s priorities while continuing to provide services. He referred to the proposed increase in council tax of 3.58%. Reference was made to consultation undertaken with residents as part of the preparation of the budget. To meet reductions in grant funding, overheads had been reduced, new funding streams explored and two management reviews had taken place. The Fit for the Future programme had also facilitated the development of an investment strategy and work was also underway to create a local authority controlled company with a focus on private sector housing. The Leader also referred to some of the successful projects delivered in 2015/16 including the Stamford Georgian Festival, ongoing improvements to the Meres leisure centre and stadium and phase one works on the Grantham southern relief road. Some of the bodies that had benefited from the community fund were also listed.  Reference was also made to forthcoming projects like the Gravity Fields Festival in September 2016 and the delivery of further phases of the Grantham southern relief road.

 

The Executive Member, Resources seconded those recommendations that related to the General Fund, reiterating his thanks to the officers and members who had participated in the preparation of the Budget. He referred to the wider context of the Government Spending Review, specifically the ongoing protection of budgets for education, overseas aid and defence spending and the subsequent impact on local government funding. Reference was also made to the local retention of business rates noting associated risks, proposed changes to New Homes Bonus, the cost of providing services in rural areas and the opportunity for a four-year settlement following the signing-off of an efficiency plan (the settlement would be withdrawn if there were significant financial changes during the period it was in place). Further comment was made regarding council tax proposals; members noted that whilst the referendum limit for council tax increases had been set at 2%, as an authority with council tax levels in the lowest quartile, the Council had dispensation from Government to increase council tax by £5 a year on a band D property. Finally, members’ attention was drawn to the proposed capital programme which was targeted at the Council’s priorities and included an additional £5m to fund commercial investment.

 

The proposals that related to the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) were seconded by the Executive Member, Housing. In seconding the recommendations she referred to the building programme that had seen the development of new council houses in the district. She also spoke of the challenges associated with a national four year rent reduction (1% year on year) for council properties. Increases of 1.5% were proposed for garage rents while charges for communal rooms and associated facilities would also reduce by 1%. The focus of the HRA capital programme focussed on new build housing, stock improvement and estate management. Members were reminded that in 2020 the Council would be required to pay the first instalment of the loan used to fund the self-financing of the HRA and advised that the ability to make this payment might be affected by the impact of rent reduction.

 

One member spoke in support of the budget, acknowledging the challenging financial circumstances in which it had to be set. The member went on to ask the Leader whether the creation of a literary festival in the Deepings could be considered given the successful festivals that the Council had held in Grantham and Stamford. The Leader agreed to this discussion but emphasised that consideration would only be given to a new event that aligned with Council priorities.

 

A series of amendments to the budget were proposed and seconded:

 

Proposal	Comment	Cost	Outcomes
Tourism Growth Maximi-sation Feasibility Study	As tourism is one of the largest areas of growth in the UK economy, and given South Kesteven has direct rail and road links to London and the rest of our region, more emphasis should be place on using tourism to grow our economy.	£5k	To identify through engagement with local residents and businesses, what initiatives can be made to the Market Towns and rural villages to identify how SKDC may support local businesses and communities best capitalise on the growing tourism industry including provision of improved marketing, Tourist Trails, Tourist Maps and Tourist Walks etc.
Grantham as a tourist hub	Grantham has an incredibly rich history including the Knights Templar, Civil War, WW1 and WW2, internationally renowned characters Sir Isaac Newton, Margaret Thatcher and Thomas Paine. It also has a rich industrial heritage but despite excellent road and rail links, Grantham has not fully capitalised on its heritage to create future economic growth.	£5k	To complete a feasibility study to identify whether a Heritage and Craft Centre may be sited in Grantham Town Centre, which complements the existing Museum and which attracts visitors from the region, nationally and internationally.   To identify potential location   To identify potential partners   To identify potential funding streams
Parity for The Deepings	An initiative has been proposed to give parity to The Deepings as Grantham has Gravity Fields bi-annually and Stamford has its Georgian Festival bi-annually.	£20k	Trial Fund to be set aside for a Literary Festival to take place during 2016/17 at The Deepings as a one off cost from General Reserves with the objective of identifying if the Festival increases visitor numbers and spend in The Deepings Area and beyond during the Festival Period. The fund will enable the Festival to be hosted, marketed and key guests to be invited.
A better place to live/visit	Whilst much of the District is rural and very attractive some of the areas of the District such as the gateways coming into Grantham from the South on London Road appear neglected. We need to improve the appearance of Grantham to attract more visitors.	£5k	To complete a feasibility study to identify what changes local people think will make the most difference to improving the gateways to Grantham including the possibility of improved street cleaning, providing more street trees, hanging baskets and benches   The study will include consulting with residents and local business people in Grantham to identify what changes they believe would make the most difference.   To use the outcome when the Grantham Relief Road is completed as a basis for funding or seeking external funding to enhance the area.
Free Parking in Market Towns	There is a call from local businesses and residents for free parking in our Market towns Grantham and Stamford to increase visitor numbers.	£5k	To complete a feasibility study to identify what the barriers are to visitors coming by car to Grantham town centre and to identify if by offering free parking for one hour would encourage more visitors and encourage visitors to stay longer.
Improve Waste Collection Services for Businesses	Local businesses have indicated they are currently faced with costly and inadequate business waste collection services from the private sector. Rural areas in particular are poorly served by business waste contractors and anecdotal evidence indicates small business people are taking waste home.	£5k	To complete a feasibility study to identify if there is sufficient demand to make it viable for SKDC to provide a Business Waste Collection service across the District or part of the District as other local authorities do, and, identify whether it is possible to raise income from this activity.   The study may consider working either alone or in partnership with existing business waste collection businesses.
Enhance quality of life	There are residents living within the District who have nowhere to put black bin waste outside their living accommodation. This is particularly relevant to town centre properties in houses being used for Multiple Occupancy with no external garden or yard space provided. As a result some residents are living in intolerable conditions, especially in the summer months, or, are using the streets to leave black bins out which has an impact on the whole community.	£5k	To complete a feasibility study to identify how many residents are forced to live throughout the year with food waste within their living space for up to two weeks.   To identify the potential cost of providing an optional weekly black bag collection service whether free or at additional cost.   The service may be across the District or targeted areas with sufficient density of need to warrant make the service viable.

 

The proposals affected recommendations a and g as listed in report number CFM358. The proposer referred again to the financial backdrop of the budget and changes to the funding available to district councils. In recognising the financial context, she explained that the amendment was designed with the future in mind; feasibility work would already be completed so that plans could be implemented when the financial position improved.

 

In proposing the amendment, a brief overview was given of each of the projects and the potential benefits anticipated by the proposer. In summarising the amendment, the proposer explained that each provision was intended to make the district more attractive to visitors, improve the quality of life for people living within it and provide support and services to businesses operating in the district.

 

The seconder of the amendment reiterated the intentions behind it. He also referred to the proposal for a literary festival for the Deepings and the comments made by the Leader earlier in the debate.

 

A request was made that any vote on a festival for the Deepings be considered separately from the rest of the amendment.

 

As the proposer of the original motion the Leader stated that he was disappointed that the proposals had not been raised through the policy development groups or directly with him earlier in the year. The proposer of the amendment stated that information had been provided to the Leader and that, whilst waste had been considered by Communities PDG, a commercial waste service had not been discussed.

 

Comments were made about the Leader’s commitment to consider opportunities for a literary festival in the Deepings and the potential effect of that commitment if the amendment was lost. Consequently, the proposer of the amendment agreed to withdraw the proposal related to a festival for the Deepings.

 

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

 

For	Against		Abstain
Councillor Baxter Councillor Broughton Councillor Dilks Councillor Morgan Councillor Powell Councillor Sampson Councillor Selby		Councillor Adams Councillor Ashwell Councillor Mrs Bosworth Councillor Brown Councillor Bryant Councillor Mrs Cartwright Councillor Chivers Councillor Cooke Councillor outs Councillor Craft Councillor Cunningham Councillor Dobson Councillor Evans Councillor Exton Councillor Goral Councillor Griffin Councillor Jeal Councillor Mrs. Kaberry-Brown Councillor Kingman Councillor Manterfield Councillor Dr. Moseley Councillor Neilson Councillor Reid Councillor Robins Councillor Russell Councillor Jacky Smith Councillor Judy Smith Councillor P. Stephens Councillor A. Stokes Councillor I. Stokes Councillor Mrs. S. Stokes Councillor Mrs Sumner Councillor Sumner Councillor Turner Councillor Ward Councillor Webster Councillor Westropp Councillor Wilkins Councillor Woolley Councillor Mrs. Wootten Councillor R. Wootten	Councillor J. Stevens Councillor Wood
7		41	2

 

The amendment was lost.

 

Discussion returned to the substantive motion where further comments were made about the provision of a festival for the Deepings, the extent of new build council housing, new facilities at the Meres leisure centre and wider provision across the district, and the reduction in rents for council tenants.

 

The Leader, as the proposer of the budget was given the opportunity to sum up. In doing so he referred to a meeting he had previously had with Market Deeping Town Council and Deeping St. James Parish Council, asking them to suggest solutions to improve access to leisure. He also emphasised that no alocation had been included in the 2016/17 budget for a festival in the Deepings.

 

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 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 Ashwell Councillor Baxter Councillor Mrs Bosworth Councillor Broughton Councillor Brown Councillor Bryant Councillor Mrs. Cartwright Councillor Chivers Councillor Cooke Councillor Coutts Councillor Craft Councillor Cunningham Councillor Dobson Councillor Evans Councillor Exton Councillor Goral Councillor Griffin Councillor Jeal Councillor Mrs. Kaberry-Brown Councillor Kingman Councillor Manterfield Councillor Dr. Moseley Councillor Neilson Councillor Reid Councillor Robins Councillor Russell Councillor Sampson Councillor Selby Councillor Jacky Smith Councillor Judy Smith Councillor P. Stephens Councillor J. Stevens Councillor I. Stokes Councillor Mrs. Stokes Councillor Mrs. Sumner Councillor Sumner Councillor Turner Councillor Ward Councillor Webster Councillor Westropp Councillor Wilkins Councillor Wood Councillor Woolley Councillor Mrs. Wootten Councillor R. Wootten		Councillor Dilks Councillor Morgan Councillor Powell Councillor A. Stokes
46	0	4

 

The recommendations were approved.

 

Recommendations e and f:

 

For	Against	Abstain
Councillor Adams Councillor Ashwell Councillor Baxter Councillor Mrs. Bosworth Councillor Broughton Councillor brown Councillor Bryant Councillor Mrs. Cartwright Councillor Chivers Councillor Cooke Councillor Coutts Councillor Craft Councillor Cunningham Councillor Dobson Councillor Evans Councillor Exton Councillor Goral Councillor Griffin Councillor Jeal Councillor Mrs. Kaberry-Brown Councillor Kingman Councillor Manterfield Councillor Dr. Moseley Councillor Neilson Councillor Powell Councillor Reid Councillor Robins Councillor Russell Councillor Sampson Councillor Selby Councillor Jacky Smith Councillor Judy Smith Councillor P. Stephens Councillor J. Stevens Councillor A. Stokes Councillor I. Stokes Councillor Mrs. Stokes Councillor Mrs. Sumner Councillor Sumner Councillor Turner Councillor Ward Councillor Webster Councillor Westropp Councillor Wilkins Councillor Wood Councillor Woolley Councillor Mrs. Wootten Councillor R. Wootten		Councillor Dilks Councillor Morgan
48	0	2

 

The recommendations were approved.

 

Recommendation g:

 

For	Against	Abstain
Councillor Adams Councillor Ashwell Councillor Baxter Councillor Mrs. Bosworth Councillor Broughton Councillor brown Councillor Bryant Councillor Mrs. Cartwright Councillor Chivers Councillor Cooke Councillor Coutts Councillor Craft Councillor Cunningham Councillor Dobson Councillor Evans Councillor Exton Councillor Goral Councillor Griffin Councillor Jeal Councillor Mrs. Kaberry-Brown Councillor Kingman Councillor Manterfield Councillor Dr. Moseley Councillor Neilson Councillor Powell Councillor Reid Councillor Robins Councillor Russell Councillor Sampson Councillor Selby Councillor Jacky Smith Councillor Judy Smith Councillor P. Stephens Councillor J. Stevens Councillor A. Stokes Councillor I. Stokes Councillor Mrs. Stokes Councillor Mrs. Sumner Councillor Sumner Councillor Turner Councillor Ward Councillor Webster Councillor Westropp Councillor Wilkins Councillor Wood Councillor Woolley Councillor Mrs. Wootten Councillor R. Wootten		Councillor Dilks Councillor Morgan
48		2

 

The recommendation was approved.

 

Recommendation h:

 

(Councillors Ashwell and Mrs. Kaberry-Brown had left the meeting prior to this vote taking place. Neither Councillor returned to the meeting)

 

For	Against	Abstain
Councillor Adams Councillor Baxter Councillor Mrs. Bosworth Councillor Broughton Councillor Brown Councillor Bryant Councillor Mrs. Cartwright Councillor Chivers Councillor Cooke Councillor Coutts Councillor Craft Councillor Cunningham Councillor Dilks Councillor Dobson Councillor Evans Councillor Exton Councillor Goral Councillor Griffin Councillor Jeal Councillor Kingman Councillor Manterfield Councillor Morgan Councillor Dr. Moseley Councillor Neilson Councillor Powell Councillor Reid Councillor Robins Councillor Russell Councillor Sampson Councillor Selby Councillor Jacky Smith Councillor Judy Smith Councillor P. Stephens Councillor J. Stevens Councillor A. Stokes Councillor I. Stokes Councillor Mrs. Stokes Councillor Mrs. Sumner Councillor Sumner Councillor Turner Councillor Ward Councillor Webster Councillor Westropp Councillor Wilkins Councillor Wood Councillor Woolley Councillor Mrs. Wootten Councillor R. Wootten
48	0	0

 

The recommendation was approved.

 

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

 

15:50 to 16:13 – the meeting adjourned. (Councillor Adam Stokes did not return to the meeting following the recess)

 

The recommendations detailed in Part B of report number CFM358, were proposed, seconded and subject to a further recorded vote:

 

For	Against	Abstain
Councillor Adams Councillor Mrs Bosworth Councillor Broughton Councillor Brown Councillor Bryant Councillor Mrs. Cartwright Councillor Chivers Councillor Cooke Councillor Coutts Councillor Craft Councillor Cunningham Councillor Dilks Councillor Dobson Councillor Evans Councillor Exton Councillor Goral Councillor Griffin Councillor Jeal Councillor Kingman Councillor Manterfield Councillor Morgan Councillor Dr. Moseley Councillor Neilson Councillor Powell Councillor Reid Councillor Robins Councillor Russell Councillor Sampson Councillor Selby Councillor Jacky Smith Councillor Judy Smith Councillor P. Stephens Councillor J. Stevens Councillor I. Stokes Councillor Mrs. Stokes Councillor Mrs. Sumner Councillor Sumner Councillor Turner Councillor Ward Councillor Webster Councillor Westropp Councillor Wilkins Councillor Wood Councillor Woolley Councillor Mrs. Wootten Councillor R. Wootten		Councillor Baxter
46	0	1

 

The vote was carried and the recommendations were approved.