Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 8^th August, 2017 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 8^th August 2017 were approved as a correct record.

The Chairman advised that there were no items of urgent business.

To receive declarations by Members of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Members are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Members should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

No declarations were made at this point.

Members were advised that there had been no requests to speak at the meeting in accordance with Cabinet’s agreed procedure.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Report of Chief Officer (Resources)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Resources) which sought approval of a draft Discretionary Relief Scheme designed in line with DCLG guidance, and financed by Government grant, to provide financial support to those local businesses hardest hit by the recent business rate revaluation in April 2017.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the report as follows:

Option 1 – Agree to the proposal as recommended

This policy sets out a formal approach to distributing this new discretionary rate relief, providing guidance for officers and a consistent platform in dealing with applications.  The approach adopted seeks to maximise use of the grant in an open and equitable way, drawing on Government guidance, and therefore risks associated with any challenge are considered small and manageable.

Option 2 – Suggest amendments to the proposed policy

Any such amendments would need to have regard to statutory requirements, and therefore should this option be chosen, officers are likely to need extra time to reconsider the implications prior to the re-consideration of an amended policy.  There is some reputational risk associated with further delay.

Whatever the scheme design there will be some risk that the scheme will over- or underspend, but targeted assistance and the proposed allocation arrangements are designed to ensure that as far as possible, the cost of relief granted remains within budget.

            The officer preferred option is that Option 1 be approved.  The new policy enables a formal approach to decision making, with criteria in line with the priorities of the Council, benefiting smaller local businesses which have been hardest hit by the revaluation.

Councillor Whitehead proposed, seconded by Councillor Clifford:-

“That the recommendation, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That the Discretionary Rate Relief Scheme for Revaluation Support as set out at Appendix A to the report, be approved, effective from April 2017.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Resources)

Reasons for making the decision:

The proposals are considered to be fair and reasonable as a way to distribute available funds, drawing on Government guidance and the decision is consistent with the Council’s priorities of Community Leadership and Sustainable Economic Growth.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Report of Chief Officer (Environment)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Environment) to inform Cabinet of the work carried out to establish a portfolio of key performance indicators that were focused on core service delivery and the achievement of corporate outcomes and priorities. The report also set out the new approach for reporting corporate performance and provided a review of performance against corporate plan priorities and outcomes in the first quarter of 2017 – 2018.

As the report was primarily for noting, no options were provided.  This was work in progress and Cabinet commented on areas where clarification could be provided in future reporting, notably regarding units of measurement and timescale, and using other comparable local authorities for benchmarking where appropriate.

Councillor Blamire proposed, seconded by Councillor Pattison:-

“That the recommendations, as set out in the report, be approved.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That Cabinet notes the work that has been done to establish a portfolio of management performance indicators and the revised reporting format for monitoring performance as recommended by the Budget and Performance Panel at its meeting of 11 July 2017. 

(2)          That the performance of key indicators at the end of Quarter 1 2017 – 2018 (30 June 2017) be noted.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Environment)

Reasons for making the decision:

The City Council’s Performance Management Framework requires the regular reporting of operational, as well as financial performance. Monitoring key indicators throughout the year will provide a meaningful overview of performance and provide Members with an opportunity to probe areas of interest and challenge areas where performance looks to be better or worse than expected in a proactive way that is more likely to draw meaningful conclusions and enhances the potential for improvement.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Report of Chief Officer (Resources)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Resources) which provided an overview of the Council’s financial position for Quarter 1 of the 2017/18 monitoring cycle, and the supporting actions underway.

As the report was primarily for noting, no options were provided.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That the report be noted.