Source: http://democracy.northlincs.gov.uk/council-minutes/council-minutes-2015-2016/full-council-23-february-2016/
Timestamp: 2019-03-21 10:51:43
Document Index: 794652864

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 1']

Full Council – 23 February 2016
Councillors Ali, Allcock, Armiger, Armitage, Bainbridge, J Briggs, Carlile, Clark, Collinson, A Davison, J Davison, Ellerby, England, L Foster, T Foster, Glover, Godfrey, Gosling, Grant, Hannigan, Kataria, Longcake, Mumby-Croft, Ogg, Oldfield, Perry, Poole, Baroness Mrs Redfern, Reed, Robinson, Rose, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, K Vickers, P Vickers, Waltham, Wells, and Wilson.
2423 DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS AND PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS – Declarations of personal interests were indicated as follows –
Councillor M Grant
Councillor D Rose
Councillor D Wells Isle of Axholme and North Nottinghamshire Water Management Board – Member
Humberside Fire Authority – Member Isle of Axholme and North Nottinghamshire Water Management Board – Member
Isle of Axholme and North Nottinghamshire Water Management Board – Member Family Member employed by the Council
Isle of Axholme and North Nottinghamshire Water Management Board – Member Campaign for Rural England – Member
Humberside Fire Authority – Member Ancholme Internal Drainage Board – Member
2424 (16) NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE STRATEGY 2016/2020 – The Chief Executive submitted a report seeking approval of the new North Lincolnshire Strategy for 2016/2020. In July 2012 cabinet had approved the council strategy for 2012/2016 and there had been subsequent annual refreshers. All of the actions within the strategy had either been completed or were on track to be completed within the timescales.
Paragraph 2.2 of the report set out the notable achievements over recent years and indicated that the strategy also presented a summary of the latest census data for the area and set out the strategic priorities for the next four years. The priorities identified had been informed by the evidence presented in the North Lincolnshire Strategic Assessment. This new strategy was designed to be read electronically and linked to the latest data contained within the North Lincolnshire Data Observatory.
The original priorities and aims of the strategy had been revisited and amendments had been made to respond to the changing environment and to reflect new and emerging agendas. The new priorities and their aims were set out in detail in paragraph 2.4 of the report. The report also indicated that in February each year council approved the annual council budget and spending priorities for the next four years and the strategy helped the council focus on the approved priorities and was a critical step in ensuring the council achieved value for money. All supporting strategies and plans would need to be reviewed to ensure they aligned with the priorities identified in the new North Lincolnshire Strategy for 2016/2020.
Resolved – That the North Lincolnshire Strategy for 2016/2020 be approved and adopted.
2425 BUDGET SPEECHES – It was moved by Councillor England and seconded by Councillor Poole –
2426 (17) REVENUE BUDGET 2016/2017 AND FINANCIAL PLAN 2016/2020, CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2016/2020, TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 2016/2017 AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2016/2017 PAY POLICY STATEMENT – The Director of Policy and Resources submitted reports relating to –
The Revenue Budget 2016/2017 and Financial Plan 2016/2020
The Capital Programme 2016/2020.
The Treasury Management Strategy 2016/2017.
The implementation of the 2016/2017 Pay Policy Statement.
Each year the council decided its spending plans for the next financial year. This starts in April and the plans include –
A Treasury Management and Investment Strategy which says how it will invest its cash, both investment in assets or to help its cash flow and manage its debt.
Each of these issues was dealt with by a separate report. The budget is part of a long term financial strategy because the council needs to be sure its spending on services are sustainable.
It must also ensure that its resources are deployed in the most effective way to deliver improved public services and to do so would increase efficiency. The reports and their appendices identified options for continuing to deliver high quality services while meeting the challenges of the current financial climate. The report on the Revenue Budget 2016/2017 and Financial Plan 2016/2020 considered some key issues and relevant factors for the Financial Strategy namely –
Central Government Funding and the Local Government Finance Settlement.
There is a legal requirement to set a revenue budget each year. The council must decide the level of spending it could afford and take account of how much government grant it will receive and the level of council tax it wished to set. The council must make sure that it sets a balanced budget and that it has identified adequate finance to pay for its spending plans. Although the revenue budget is by law set one year at a time, it needs to fit in the longer term strategic vision and in practice the council sets an indicative four year financial plan as well as a detailed one year budget.
This year’s local government financial settlement also included an additional element of additional funding for adult social care, through the Better Care Fund and the option of a 2% adult social care precept each year.
The council also has a separate capital programme for longer term investment in services. This is spending on the construction and improvement of assets such as schools, roads and other council run facilities. It also includes grants for investment in community facilities and home improvement and government funding allocated for economic regeneration and infrastructure development. These could be funded from grants and other external funding, borrowing, capital receipts from the sale of council assets and direct contributions from the council’s general fund revenue budget. The prudential code governs borrowing decisions and the council has to ensure that borrowing to support investment is affordable and prudent over the long term.
All councils are required by regulation to give due regard to the CIPFA Prudential Code of Practice for capital finance in local authorities when setting their capital programmes. This code requires that the council agree a series of indicators and limits for the forthcoming year which will help to decide what is affordable and what is prudent. The objectives of the code are to ensure that the capital investment plans of the council are affordable, prudent and sustainable.
The council has also adopted the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management, the standard of best practice. This has been revised over the years to take account of changes and the revised code emphasises that risk management is a fundamental part of a Treasury Management Strategy. The code prioritises the security of investment above the return achieved. It provides a framework to ensure for a particular council that capital expenditure plans are affordable, all external borrowing and other long term liabilities are within improvement and sustainable levels and that treasury management decisions are taken in accordance with professional good practice. The code requires the council to set a strategy for the investment of cash services, the management of its debt portfolio and define how and in what circumstances it would borrow.
In addition, the implementation of the 2016/2017 Pay Policy Statement Report outlined and sought approval of the council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2016/2017, in accordance with Section 38 of the Localism Act 2011. Local Authorities were now required under Section 38(1) of that Act to prepare an annual Pay Policy Statement. The statement attached as an appendix to the report set out the council’s approach to pay and reward of its most senior employees set within the context of the pay of the wider workforce.
Each of the financial reports submitted by the Director of Policy and Resources dealt with council priorities and the financial plan, revenue and spending, capital investment and treasury management. Each report contained a great deal of detail in relation to those specific areas which, taken together, would enable the council to set a budget for 2016/2017.
1 That in determining the resource allocation the Council has taken account of the state of public finances, the council’s financial resources and the council’s strategic priorities as set out in report 3(a)
2 That the budget consultation feedback from local residents, business and other stakeholders, considered in Appendix A3 of report 3(a)be welcomed.
3 That the revenue budget for 2016/17 be set in total and for each service as follows:
Education 5,796
Prevention & Commissioning 9,267
Childrens Services 16,509
Adult Services 30,767
Total People services 62,339
Human Resources 1,406
Legal Services 2,707
Financial Services 2,565
Business Support 3,653
Total Policy & Resources 10,331
Customer Services 4,664
Community Services 24,574
Technical and Environmental Services 4,002
Planning & Regeneration 2,450
Special Projects 155
Total Places 35,845
Corporate Budgets & Levies 2,990
Capital Financing 14,236
Contingency 84
Total Central Budgets 17,310
Total Net Budget 125,825
4 That all budgets be strictly cash limited to the figures set by the Council and that services ensure tight control of expenditure during the year and take immediate action to contain cost pressures
5 At the meeting held on 10th November 2015 Council set the following amounts for the year 2016/17. These are as required by regulations made under Section 33(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:-
(a) 46,498.1 as its Council Tax Base for the year (Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended, the “Act”)
(b) the Council Tax Base for each part of the area as shown in Appendix C, column 2 (regulation 6)
6 That the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2016/17 (excluding Parish precepts but including special expenses) is £60,898,600.
7 That the following amounts for 2016/17, as required by Sections 31 to 52 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as amended be approved
(a) £325,195,172 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils (gross expenditure including parish precepts and special expenses)
(b) £262,951,399 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act (gross income)
(c) £62,243,773 being the amount by which the aggregate at (a) above exceeds the aggregate at (b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its Council Tax requirement for the year. (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act).
(d) £1,338.63 being the amount at (c) above Item R, divided by Item T (5(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish precepts). (Band D council tax including parish precepts and special expenses)
(e) £1,826,932 being the aggregate amount of all special items and Parish precepts referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act (as per the attached Appendix C1) (Total of all Parish Precepts and Special Expenses) 8 That it be noted that for the year 2016/17 the major precepting authorities have issued precepts to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992 (police and fire precepts)
9 That the amounts of council tax for the year 2016/17 for each of the categories of dwellings be as specified in revised Appendices C1 and C2 of report 3(a) attached. Having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 7 and 8 above in accordance with Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992 as amended (council tax including police, fire and parish precept for each band and each parish)
10 That the robustness of the estimates used in setting the level of council tax in accordance with the Local Government Act, 2003 requirements (Part 2 Section 25 (1)(a) of the Act) be confirmed
11 That the adequacy of reserves included in the budget in accordance with the Local Government Act, 2003 requirements (Part 2 Section 25 (1) (b) of the Act), and the policy for use of reserves as set out in Section (e) and at revised Appendix A2 of report 3(a) attached be confirmed.
12 That grant be awarded to parishes in accordance with the principles agreed at council on 10th November 2015 and shown in Appendix C1.
13 That the financial strategy for 2016/20 as set out in revised Appendices B1 and B2 of report 3(a) be approved and the council tax increases be set at 0% in 2016/17 and indicatively at 1.99% in 2017/18, 2018/19 & 2019/20.
14 That the Adult Social Care Precept as set out in revised Appendices B1 and B2 of report 3(a) be approved and the council tax increases be set at 2% in 2016/17 and indicatively at 2% in 2017/18, 2018/19 & 2019/20.
15 That the Director of Policy & Resources be authorised to produce the necessary taxpayer information and to allocate to service budgets in 2016/17 the contingency provision for pay and inflation.
16 That the Members Allowance Scheme for 2016/17 be approved as detailed in paragraph 1 of Council minute 2372.
17 That the capital programme for 2016/20 be approved in line with revised Appendices A & B of report 3(b) attached.
18 That any further capital projects fully funded by external sources or which are self-financing be added to the capital programme when known, subject to a proper assessment of the business case, and approval of the necessary virement.
19 That in accordance with Part 1, sections 3 and 5 of the Local Government Act, 2003 the Prudential Indicators contained in revised Appendix C of report 3(b) attached be approved.
20 That the Director of Policy & Resources be authorised to determine the methods of capital financing within the available funding (revenue budget, capital receipts, borrowing, specific external funding and leasing)
21 That the Director of Policy & Resources be delegatedauthority to:
22 That the Director of Policy & Resources report any amendments required to Prudential Indicators during 2016/17, to cabinet or council as appropriate at the next meeting following the change.
23 That the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy for2016/17 be approved
24 That the prudential indicators for 2016/19 atrevised Appendix D to the report at 3(c) be approved
25 That the policy on the Minimum Revenue Provision at paragraph 4.28 to the report at 3(c)be approved
26 That council approves the list of approved financial institutions at Appendix C to the report 3(c) and delegates to the Director of Policy and Resources the authority to make changes to the list as necessary, within the guidelines set by the Treasury Strategy. Any changes to be reported back to Council, Cabinet and Audit Committee as part of the regular reporting process.
27 That council endorses the proposal to review the benefit resulting from procuring the services of paid Treasury Advisers.
28 That the proposed Pay Policy Statement for 2016/17 contained in report 3(d) be approved
Moved by Councillor L Foster and seconded by Councillor Davison as an amendment –
That the budget consultation feedback from local residents, business and other stakeholders, considered in Appendix A3 of report 3(a) be welcomed.
That the revenue budget for 2016/17 be set in total and for each service as follows:
Education 5,546
Total People Services 62,089
Customer Services 4,519
Community Services 24,549
Technical and Environmental Services 3,902
Total Places 35,575
Capital Financing 14,101
Total Central Budgets 17,175
Total Net Budget 125,170
That all budgets be strictly cash limited to the figures set by the Council and that services ensure tight control of expenditure during the year and take immediate action to contain cost pressures
At the meeting held on 10th November 2015 Council set the following amounts for the year 2016/17. These are as required by regulations made under Section 33(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:-
That the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2016/17 (excluding parish precepts but including special expenses) is £61,973,946.
That the following amounts for 2016/17, as required by Sections 31 to 52 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as amended be approved
(a) £324,540,172 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by Parish Councils (gross expenditure including parish precepts and special expenses)
(b) £261,221,053 being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act (gross income)
(c) £63,319,119 being the amount by which the aggregate at (a) above exceeds the aggregate at (b) above, calculated by the Council in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its Council Tax requirement for the year. (Item R in the formula in Section 31B of the Act).
(d) £1,361.76 being the amount at (c) above Item R, divided by Item T (5(a) above), calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 31B of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year (including Parish precepts). (Band D council tax including parish precepts and special expenses)
(e) £1,835,611 being the aggregate amount of all special items and Parish precepts referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act (as per the attached Appendix C1) (Total of all Parish Precepts and Special Expenses)
That it be noted that for the year 2016/17 the major precepting authorities have issued precepts to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992 (police and fire precepts)
That the amounts of council tax for the year 2016/17 for each of the categories of dwellings be as specified in revised Appendices C1 and C2 of report 3(a) attached. Having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 7 and 8 above in accordance with Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992 as amended (council tax including police, fire and parish precept for each band and each parish)
That the robustness of the estimates used in setting the level of council tax in accordance with the Local Government Act, 2003 requirements (Part 2 Section 25 (1)(a) of the Act) be confirmed
That the adequacy of reserves included in the budget in accordance with the Local Government Act, 2003 requirements (Part 2 Section 25 (1) (b) of the Act), and the policy for use of reserves as set out in Section (e) and at revised Appendix A2 of report 3(a) attached be confirmed.
That grant be awarded to parishes in accordance with the principles agreed at council on 10th November 2015 and shown in Appendix C1.
That the financial strategy for 2016/20 as set out in revised Appendices B1 and B2 of report 3(a) be approved and the council tax increases be set at 1.8% in 2016/17 and indicatively at 1.8% in 2017/18, 2018/19 & 2019/20.
That the Adult Social Care Precept as set out in revised Appendices B1 and B2 of report 3(a) be approved and the council tax increases be set at 2% in 2016/17 and indicatively at 2% in 2017/18, 2018/19 & 2019/20.
That the Director of Policy & Resources be authorised to produce the necessary taxpayer information and to allocate to service budgets in 2016/17 the contingency provision for pay and inflation.
That the Members Allowance Scheme for 2016/17 be approved as detailed in paragraph 1 of Council minute 2372.
That the capital programme for 2016/20 be approved in line with revised Appendices A & B of report 3(b) attached.
That any further capital projects fully funded by external sources or which are self-financing be added to the capital programme when known, subject to a proper assessment of the business case, and approval of the necessary virement
That in accordance with Part 1, sections 3 and 5 of the Local Government Act, 2003 the Prudential Indicators contained in revised Appendix C of report 3(b) attached be approved.
That the Director of Policy & Resources be authorised to determine the methods of capital financing within the available funding (revenue budget, capital receipts, borrowing, specific external funding and leasing)
That the Director of Policy & Resources be delegatedauthority to:
That the Director of Policy & Resources report any amendments required to Prudential Indicators during 2016/17, to cabinet or council as appropriate at the next meeting following the change.
That the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy for 2016/17 be approved
That the prudential indicators for 2016/19 at revised Appendix D to the report at 3(c) be approved
That the policy on the Minimum Revenue Provision at paragraph 4.28 to the report at 3(c) be approved
That council approves the list of approved financial institutions at Appendix C to the report 3(c) and delegates to the Director of Policy and Resources the authority to make changes to the list as necessary, within the guidelines set by the Treasury Strategy. Any changes to be reported back to Council, Cabinet and Audit Committee as part of the regular reporting process.
Council endorse the proposal to review the benefit resulting from procuring the services of paid Treasury Advisers.
That the proposed Pay Policy Statement for 2016/17 contained in report 3(d) be approved
Members were reminded that in accordance with Minute 2173 of council and as required by the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 immediately after any vote was taken at a budget meeting the voting shall be recorded in the minutes to show whether each member present votes for or against a decision or who abstained from voting. The names of members voting for, against and abstaining from the amendment are as follows –
FOR: Councillors Ali, Armitage, Bainbridge, Carlile, Collinson, A Davison, Ellerby, L Foster, Godfrey, Gosling, Grant, Kataria, Oldfield, Perry and Wilson.
AGAINST: Councillors Allcock, Armiger, Briggs, Clark, J Davison, England, T Foster, Glover, Hannigan, Longcake, Mumby-Croft, Ogg, Poole, Baroness Redfern, Reed, Robinson, Rose, Rowson, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, K Vickers, P Vickers, Waltham and Wells.
In accordance with Minute 2173 and as required by the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014 the names of members voting for, against and abstaining from the motion are as follows –
FOR: Councillors Allcock, Armiger, Briggs, Clark, J Davison, England, T Foster, Glover, Hannigan, Longcake, Mumby-Croft, Ogg, Poole, Baroness Redfern, Reed, Robinson, Rose, Rowson, C Sherwood, N Sherwood, K Vickers, P Vickers, Waltham and Wells.
AGAINST: Councillors Ali, Armitage, Bainbridge, Carlile, Collinson, A Davison, Ellerby, L Foster, Godfrey, Gosling, Grant, Kataria, Oldfield, Perry and Wilson.
2427 (18) SHARED SERVICES – DELEGATION OF FUNCTIONS TO THE JOINT COMMITTEE ON SHARED SERVICES – The Director of Policy and Resources submitted a report which sought to formally authorise the arrangements for the Joint Committee on Shared Services and to delegate to the Monitoring Officer the tasks of making all necessary consequential amendments to the council’s Constitution and to enter into a legal agreement to underpin the shared services programme.
The shared services initiative between North and North East Lincolnshire Councils had grown out of the need to provide efficient and effective support services at minimum cost in order to protect frontline services to local people in North Lincolnshire.
Shared services had initially been established between the two councils for local taxation and benefits, procurement, print and insurance (the latter also involving the East Riding of Yorkshire Council). These had all proved successful and in January/February 2015 both councils decided to extend the arrangements to a full back office service incorporating Information Technology, Finance, Internal Audit, Human Resources and Legal Services. The report indicated that as the range of functions covered by the shared service now encompassed both executive (e.g. legal) and non executive (e.g. finance) to ensure that it could properly discharge its delivery role, the Joint Committee on Shared Services required both sets of functions to be delegated by both the council and cabinet of each council. Such delegations had to be carried out in line with both councils constitutions, the Local Government Act 1972 and 2000 and the 2012 Regulations which also required that mixed function joint arrangements, such as these, must be approved by the council “with the agreement of the Executive” and the council’s three appointees also needed to be authorised as part of the arrangements.
The proper delegation of functions to the joint committee would then enable that committee to sub-delegate the functions to Heads of Service and their staff, manage the risks arising from the shared services agenda and ultimately enable both councils to realise the efficiencies arising from the Shared Services Programme. The scope of the functions to be delegated were set out in appendix 1 and the terms of reference for the joint committee in appendix 2 to the report. It was noted that whilst the procurement services would be operated jointly, procurement decisions would be retained by both councils through their existing structures and procedures. It was proposed that the staff in the services delivered through the joint arrangements were retained in employment by their current employer, but placed at the disposal of both councils pursuant to Section 113 of the Local Government Act 1972 through the new structures that would be adopted for the management and delivery of services.
The joint committee would be required to approve the business plans for the shared service and management and oversight of service delivery would be led through a Shared Services Partnership Board comprising 3 senior officers nominated by each of the councils that would report to the joint committee and produce an annual report for members.
Finally, a legal agreement was currently being developed by both councils to underpin the shared services arrangement and the intention was that it would be in place by 1 April 2016. It would operate for an initial term of 5 years and then on a 3 year rolling basis. Both councils would be considering a report of this kind at both their cabinet and council meetings.
Moved by Baroness Councillor Mrs Redfern and seconded by Councillor Hannigan –
(a) That council notes the progress of the shared services initiative and the legal agreement that is being developed thereunder; (b) that council approves the arrangements set out in this report including the delegation of any non-executive functions to the joint committee and confirms the appointments of Councillors Baroness Redfern, Hannigan and C Sherwood as members of the joint committee and (c) that the council authorises the Monitoring Officer to approve the terms of the legal agreement and make all the required amendments to the council’s constitution to reflect the delegations, role and function of the Joint Committee on Shared Services, together with all ancillary matters required thereto to enable that committee to function in line with the final legal agreement to be signed by both councils.
Lab Revised Appx D of Report 3(c) (109 kB)
Lab Revised Appx C of Report 3(b) (114 kB)
Lab Revised Appx B2 of Report 3(a) (161 kB)
Lab Revised Appx B1 of Report 3(a) (116 kB)
Lab Revised Appx B of Report 3(b) (173 kB)
Lab Revised Appx A2 of Report 3(a) (115 kB)
Lab Revised Appx A of Report 3(b) (74 kB)
Lab Appx C2 (115 kB)
Lab Appx C1 (115 kB)
Con Revised Appx D of Report 3(c) (109 kB)
Con Revised Appx C of Report 3(b) (115 kB)
Con Revised Appx B2 of Report 3(a) (162 kB)
Con Revised Appx B1 of Report 3(a) (116 kB)
Con Revised Appx B of Report 3(b) (175 kB)
Con Revised Appx A2 of Report 3(a) (115 kB)
Con Revised Appx A of Report 3(b) (75 kB)
Con Appx C2 (103 kB)
Con Appx C1 (103 kB)
Agenda Item 4 Shared Services Delegations (33 kB)
Agenda Item 3(d) Implementation 2016 (92 kB)
Agenda Item 3(c) Treasury Management Strategy (467 kB)
Agenda Item 3(b) Capital Programme 2016 (221 kB)
Agenda Item 3(a) Revenue Budget & Financial Plan (677 kB)
Agenda Item 2 NL Strategy 2016 (37 kB)