Agenda and minutes
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Register of attendance, membership and apologies for absence
Minutes: Apologies were received from Councillors Bellamy, Crawford, Manterfield, Morgan, Trotter, Ian Stokes and Mrs Judy Smith.
Councillor Jacky Smith, a non-Committee Member, was present at the meeting and advised the Chairman that she would be available to substitute in the place of one of the Conservative Members who had given their apologies. Following advice from Democratic Services and group leader consent, the Chairman agreed for the substitution to take place. It was confirmed that Councillor Jacky Smith would be substituting for Councillor Nikki Manterfield, for this meeting only.
A Point of Order was later raised regarding this substitution (see Minute 25, Any Other Business).
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Disclosure of interests
Members are asked to disclose any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting. Minutes: No interests were disclosed. |
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Action notes from the meeting held on 26 August 2020
Minutes: The action notes of the meeting held on 26 August 2020, were agreed as a correct record. |
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Updates from the previous meeting
Minutes: A Member referred to the action point raised at the previous meeting in relation to the Deepings all-weather pitch and asked if the Deputy Leader could provide an update on the status of the project.
It was confirmed that a topographical survey was being carried out and plans were in the development stages to identify an appropriate location for the pitch. The Chief Executive confirmed that an update from the Head of Leisure could be circulated to Members.
Action
1. An update to be circulated to Members on the progress of the Deepings all-weather pitch project
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Budget Proposals 2021/22 and Indicative Budgets for 2022/23 and 2023/24
The report of the Cabinet Member for Finance Additional documents: Minutes: The Chairman confirmed that the discussion would be divided into six sections; the national context and built-in budget proposals, Company funding proposals, Council Tax proposals, Housing Revenue Account proposals, Capital and Reserve Movements and Fees and Charges.
The National Context and Built-in Budget Proposals
The Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources introduced the report by explaining that that the proposals put forward were based on the most current information available regarding Government settlement information. Due to the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the proposals were subject to a degree of volatility and were being monitored and reviewed by the Cabinet Member and the Interim Director of Finance on an on-going basis.
The Interim Director of Finance explained the decision timeline for the Budget proposals. The indicative proposals had been considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 12 January 2021. The public consultation would begin on 13 January 2021 and end on 26 January 2021. Feedback received from the public consultation would be considered by Cabinet at its meeting on 2 February 2021, along with any recommendations from Budget Overview and Scrutiny. A meeting of full Council would be held on 1 March 2021 to set the Council Tax level and approve the Budget.
Members received an overview of the indicative funding levels for 2021/22 and were given the opportunity to ask questions regarding the funding position for the General Fund and the key budgetary proposals for 2021/22.
Referring to the proposal to increase parking charges, several Members queried the thirty pence proposed increase for Stamford and asked why it was higher than other towns in the District. The Interim Director of Finance explained that the Fees and Charges Policy, adopted by the Council in March 2020, made provision for a distinction between charging for services in different areas of the District depending upon service demand and service provision.
The Committee considered options to offset the financial impact on the Budget proposals if the parking charge increase in Stamford was reduced to twenty pence. Officers explained that there had been some additional funding within the Government settlement, that was not anticipated at the time the proposals regarding car parking charges were developed. It was projected that there would be a reduction in the Council’s income budget of an estimated £60k per annum which, if supported, could be offset against the additional funding.
A Member put forward a suggestion for a car parking reimbursement scheme to be introduced in collaboration with local shops in Council-owned car parks. The Chair requested that the Cabinet Member responded to this request outside of the meeting to further explore this option.
A proposal was put forward for £9k to be included within the Budget to part finance a road cleaning service in Bourne. It was confirmed that the Councillor who put forward the proposition would meet with the Cabinet Member for Commercial and Operations and the Leader of the Council, to discuss the details of the proposal and explore options. The Cabinet Member explained ... view the full minutes text for item 24. |
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Any other business which the Chairman, by reason of special circumstances, decides is urgent
Minutes: Councillor Phil Dilks raised a Point of Order in relation to the substitution that had been allowed at during Item 1 (Register of Attendance). He explained that the substitution had not been made in line with the Council’s Constitution; notice of a substitution should be made prior to the commencement of the meeting. The Chairman thanked Councillor Dilks for raising the point and confirmed that this information would be followed up after the meeting had closed.
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Close of the meeting
Minutes: The meeting closed at 16:50. |