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.

None.

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 7 December 2021 be taken as read, confirmed and signed.

To read, confirm and note the Action List arising from the previous meeting.

There was no action list arising from the previous meeting held on 7 December 2021.

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 Head of Finance / Deputy Section 151 Officer and Finance Manager.

The Committee gave consideration to the report as set out on pages 8 – 19 of the agenda, which asked it to note the overall Council position for the financial year 2021/22, as at the end of the third Quarter for both Revenue and Capital Expenditure.

The Head of Finance tabled a correction to the report at paragraphs 4.6 and 4.9 to replace the word ‘overspend’ with ‘underspend’.

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 Senior Leadership Team be instructed to continue to look at ways to reduce the overspend.

Report of Head of Finance / Deputy Section 151 Officer and the Interim Senior Finance Strategy Manager.

The Committee gave consideration to the report as set out on pages 20 – 50 of the agenda, which asked it to review the draft budget estimates for 2022/23, the Medium

Term Financial Plan (MTFP) forecasts, and the 2022/23 Capital Programme and proposed sources of funding.

An amendment was moved by the Chair, proposing that £20,000 be provisionally entered into the budget to fund improvement works at Fludes Lane, Oadby, with scoping work to be carried out between the date of the Committee meeting and the next meeting of Full Council on Tuesday 24 February 2022. The amendment was seconded by Councillor Mrs S Z Haq, put to the vote and carried:

Votes For:                 14

Votes Against:          0

Abstentions:             0

The recommendations, as amended, were then moved en bloc by J W Boyce and seconded by the Vice Chair.

RESOLVED THAT:

(i)          The Section 151 Officer’s statement on the robustness of the budget and the adequacy of reserves be noted;

(ii)        A recommendation be made to Full Council to approve the Draft Revenue Budget, subject to any final adjustments as may be required for new information prior to its next meeting (such as the NNDR1 final estimates and the Final Finance Settlement 2022/23);

(iii)       A basic Band D Council Tax of £239.50 be recommended to Full Council;

(iv)       Approval of the HRA budget for 2022/23 be recommended to Full Council;

(v)        Approval of the new Capital Schemes of the General Fund and HRA be recommended to Full Council; and

(vi)       Approval of the Capital Strategy be recommended to Full Council.

Votes For:                 14

Votes Against:          0

Abstentions:             1

Report of the Head of Finance / Deputy Section 151 Officer and Finance Manager.

The Committee gave consideration to the report as set out at pages 51 – 88 of the agenda, which asked it to approve the current Treasury Management practices carried out by the Council.

The Committee welcomed the report and asked that particular attention to be drawn to paragraph 3.4, at which the Section 151 Officer reported that the Council complied with the requirement to keep net borrowing below the relevant CFR in 2020/21 and no difficulties were foreseen for the current year or in respect of net debt for future years.

It was moved by J W Boyce, seconded by J Kaufman and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

(i)          The Treasury Management Policy be approved;

(ii)        The Prudential Indicators for 2022/23 be approved;

(iii)       The Treasury Strategy and Plan 2022/23 be approved; and

(iv)       The Investment Strategy 2022/23 be approved;

Report of the Head of Law and Democracy / Monitoring Officer.

The Committee gave consideration to the report as set out on pages 89 – 98 of the agenda, which asked it to note the figures for local determination of complaints and

ethical indicators for Q3 2021-22.

The Head of Law & Democracy advised the Committee that a review of the Council’s use of surveillance and other investigatory powers regulated by RIPA would be carried out during February 2022.

The Committee requested that a bi-annual report providing a detailed overview of the Council’s performance in responding to and resolving complaints be produced for Service Delivery Committee.

It was moved by the Chair, seconded by Mrs L Kaufman and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the report be noted.