Agenda and draft 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 J K Ford, D A Gamble and G G Hunt.

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

Councillors J K Chohan and F S Ghattoraya substituted for Councillors D A Gamble and J K Ford respectively.

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 approve 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 17 June 2025 be taken as read, confirmed and approved.

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

There was no action list.

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 Finance Manager / Deputy S151 Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 8 – 22 of the agenda reports pack), which detailed the performance and activities of the authority’s treasury management function for the financial year 2024/25.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the report and appendices be noted.

Report of the Chief Finance Officer / S151 Officer & the Finance Manager / Deputy S151 Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 23 – 39 of the agenda reports pack), which provided the Committee with the forecast Outturn position for the Council for the financial year 2025/26, at the end Quarter 1.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

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

ii)           The carry forward of slippage as shown in the Capital projects be approved.

Report of the Chief Finance Officer / S151 Officer

Under section 100B(4)(B) of the Local Government Act 1972, by reason of special circumstance, in that this additional item of business needs to be considered before the next meeting of the Policy, Finance & Development Committee.

The Committee gave consideration to the report (as set out at pages 3 – 6 of the agenda update), which sought approval of the approach to set the annual budget for 2026/27 and provided an update on the MTFP budget gaps and progress on the Sustainability Programme.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            The Budget Approach for 2026/27 be agreed and recommended to Council; and

ii)           The updated MTFP budget gaps be noted.

The press and public are likely to be excluded from the meeting for the item below in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (Exempt Information) during consideration of the item below on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in the respective paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and, in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exempt item outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The press and public be excluded from the meeting for items 11 and 16 in accordance with Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (Exempt Information) during consideration of the aforementioned items on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in the respective paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and, in all the circumstances, the public interest in maintaining the exempt items outweighed the public interest in disclosing the information.

Exempt report of the Chief Finance Officer / S151 Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the exempt report and appendix (as set out at pages 40 – 47 of the agenda reports pack), which sought Members approval to exercise a pension discretion.

It was moved by Councillor G A Boulter, seconded by Councillor L A Bentley and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The recommendation be approved.

Exempt report of the Legal Consultant

In accordance with Rule 6.3 of Section 1 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.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The order of business be altered accordingly.

The Committee gave consideration to the exempt report and appendix (as set out at pages 74 – 79 of the agenda update), which provided an update on the current status of the Asset Review.

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

i)            Recommendation A be noted;

ii)           Recommendation B be approved; and

iii)         Recommendation E be noted.

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

REJECTED THAT:

iv)         Recommendation C be approved; and

v)           Recommendation D be approved.

For                  9

Against          3

Abstentions  0

Report of the Legal & Democratic Services Manager / Monitoring Officer

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendix (as set out at pages 48 – 58 of the agenda reports pack), which presented the figures for local determination of complaints and ethical indicators for Q1 2025-26.

By affirmation of the meeting, it was

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

The content of the report and appendix be noted.

Report of the Legal Consultant

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 7 – 52 of the agenda update) which sought approval for a public consultation on the proposed Cemetery and Burial Strategy.

Members requested involvement in the creation of the consultation questions via a working group to include Councillors N Alam, G A Boulter, J Kaufman and I K Ridley.

It was proposed that the wording of recommendation B be amended to “The Committee approves the 8-week consultation on the Cemetery & Burial Strategy (2026 – 2036) (at Appendix 1).”

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

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

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

ii)           The 8-week consultation on the Cemetery & Burial Strategy (2026 – 2036) (at Appendix 1) be approved.

Report of the Legal Consultant

The Committee gave consideration to the report and appendices (as set out at pages 53 – 73 of the agenda update) which sought Members approval to consult on the Green Spaces Strategy (2025 - 2035).

It was moved by Councillor S Z Haq, seconded by Councillor K J Loydall and

UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED THAT:

That the Green Space Strategy (2025 – 2035) (at Appendix 1) be approved for a 6-week public consultation.