Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from Members to determine the quorum of the meeting in accordance with Rule 7 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

An apology for absence was received from Councillors L M Broadley and F S Broadley.

To appoint substitute Members in accordance with Rule 26 of Part 4 of the Constitution and the Substitution Procedure Rules.

None.

 

Members are reminded that any declaration of interest should be made having regard to the Members’ Code of Conduct. In particular, Members must make clear the nature of the interest and whether it is 'pecuniary' or ‘non-pecuniary'.

None.

 

To read, confirm and sign the minutes of the previous meeting in accordance with Rule 19 of Part 4 of the Constitution.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

 

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 6^th December 2022 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

There was no Action List arising from the previous meeting.

None.

To receive any Petitions and, or, Deputations in accordance with Rule(s) 11 and 12 of Part 4 of the Constitution and the Petitions Procedure Rules respectively.

None.

 

Report of the Legal & Democratic Services Manager / Deputy Monitoring Officer

In accordance with Rule 6.3 of Part 4 of the Constitution, the Chair moved for the order of business to be altered and taken in the order as reflected in the minutes.

 

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 166-170 of the agenda reports pack) which asked it to resolve whether or not to approve any disposal of the part of public open space situated off London Road in Oadby.

 

It was moved by the Vice-Chair, seconded by Cllr S Z Haq and

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

 

(i)          The report be noted: and

(ii)        The Liberal Democrat run Council not approve any disposal of the part of public open space situated off London Road in Oadby (as edged blue in the Plan at Appendix 1).

Report of the Head of Finance / Deputy Section 151 Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 9-26 of the agenda reports pack) which provided an update on the forecast financial position for the Council for the financial year 2022/23, as at the end of the third quarter.

 

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by the Vice-Chair and

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

 

(i)                 The content of the report be noted; and

(ii)                The decisions of the S151 Officer to repurpose earmarked reserves back to the General Unallocated General Fund reserves (as set out in section 6 of the report) be ratified after the next meeting of Full Council.

Report of the Strategic Director / Section 151 Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 27-116) which asked it to consider the comments received as part of the budget consultation, receive an update on the medium term financial outlook and recommend to Council the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA) revenue budget proposals and the Draft Capital Programmes for approval.

 

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Cllr K J Loydall and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

(i)          The S151 Officer’s statement on the robustness of the budget and the adequacy of reserves as set out in section 11 of the report be noted.

 

Votes For                   11

Votes Against           3

Abstentions              0

 

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Cllr J Kaufman and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

(i)                 The proposals contained in Section 6 of the report in respect of the Community and Wellbeing service be considered and the proposed recommendation to Council for approval as part of the budget be approved.

 

Votes For                   11

Votes Against           3

Abstentions              0

 

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Cllr K J Loydall and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

(i)                 An increase in Council Tax by the maximum core referendum limit, including 2.99% or £10 limit, should the government amend this as part of the Final Local Government Settlement, from the options as set out in section 4 be recommended to Full Council.

 

Votes For                   11

Votes Against           3

Abstentions              0

 

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by the Vice-Chair and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

(i)                 Having approved the recommendations as set out above, the General Fund Revenue Budget for 2023/24 subject to any final adjustments as may be required for new information prior to Full Council (such as the NNDR1 final estimates and the Final Local Government Finance Settlement 2023/24), as set out in Appendix 5 be recommended to Full Council.

 

Votes For                   11

Votes Against           0

Abstentions              3

 

It was moved by Cllr J W Boyce, seconded by the Chair and

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

 

(i)          From April 2023 the Council will achieve full cost recovery on heating costs annually with delegation to the S151 Officer to monitor quarterly and adjust accordingly.

 

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Cllr G A Boulter and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

(i)                 The Committee will recommend that Full Council approve the HRA budget for 2023/24 as detailed in Appendix 8.

 

Votes For                   11

Votes Against           0

Abstentions              3

 

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Cllr J W Boyce, and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

(i)          The Committee will recommend that Full Council approve the Scale of Fees and Charges as set out in Appendix 9.

 

Votes For                   11

Votes Against           3

Abstentions              0

 

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Cllr S Z Haq, and

 

RESOLVED THAT:

 

(i)          The Committee will recommend that Full Council approve the new Capital Schemes of the General Fund and HRA, as set out in Appendix 10.

 

Votes For                   11

Votes Against           0

Abstentions              3

 

By general affirmation of the meeting, it was

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

Report of the Strategic Director / Section 151 Officer

Report of the Head of Finance / Deputy Section 151 Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 117-165 of the agenda report pack) which asked it to approve the Treasury Management Policy and Strategies and Prudential Indicators (2023/24).

 

It was moved by Cllr J W Boyce, seconded by Cllr G A Boulter and

 

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

 

(i)                 The Capital Strategy including the Prudential Indicators (as set out in Appendix 1) be approved;

(ii)                The Treasury Management Policy, Treasury Strategy and Plan 2023/24 (as set out in Appendix 2 and 3) be approved;

(iii)               The Minimum Revenue Provision Statement 2023/24 (as set out in Appendix 4) ne approved;

(iv)               The Investment Strategy 2023/24 (as set out in Appendix 5) be approved; and

(v)                The Flexible Use of Capital Receipts Strategy (as set out in Appendix 6) be approved.