Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 5 November 2019 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 5 November 2019 were approved as a correct record.

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

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

Councillors 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, Councillors 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, Councillors 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.

At this point the Chair requested that standing order 17 (Cabinet Procedure Rule 17) be suspended to allow for questions to be taken from all members as the reports were introduced.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Hamilton-Cox and unanimously agreed.

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That Standing Order 17 (Cabinet Procedure Rule 17) be suspended.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Report of Chief Finance Officer

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Whitehead)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Finance Officer, which sought Cabinet’s considerationof variousmattersinconnectionwiththeTreasury ManagementMid-Year Review 2019/20 and associated revisions to the Council’s Prudential Code Indicators.

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

The officer preferred option is Option 1.  The Code requires Full Council to approve any revisions to the Council’s Prudential Code Indicators. The Indicators have been revised to allow sufficient flexibility to enable the Council to proceed with its agreed initial purchased, but also allow for those which may occur before 31^st March 2020.  The acquisition of commercial investment opportunities and the revenues streams form a central pillar in the Councils Funding the Future Strategy and will play a significant role in addressing the budget deficit over the next 4 years.

Councillor Whitehead proposed, seconded by Councillor Reynolds:-

“That the recommendation, as set out in the report, be approved and that the Financial Resilience Group be requested to review the Treasury Management Strategy to ensure it is consistent with the Climate Emergency priority prior to Budget Council in February 2020.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That Cabinet endorse the various matters in connection with the Treasury Management Mid-Year Review 2019/20 and associated revisions to the Council’s Prudential Indicators.

(2)          That Cabinet recommend that Full Council approve the acquisitions and associated funding into the Council’s capital programme in accordance with the Council’s Budget and Policy Framework.

(3)          That Cabinet recommend that Full Council approves the revisions to the Council’s Capital Financing Requirement (CFR), the Operational and Authorised limits for External Debt and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

This is to give further notice in accordance with Part 2, paragraph 5 (4) and 5 (5) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 of the intention to take the following item in private. 

Cabinet is recommended to pass the following recommendation in relation to the following item:- 

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business, on the grounds that they could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.” 

Members are reminded that, whilst the following item(s) have been marked as exempt, it is for Cabinet itself to decide whether or not to consider each of them in private or in public.  In making the decision, Members should consider the relevant paragraph of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and also whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.  In considering their discretion Members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers. 

It was moved by Councillor Hamilton-Cox and seconded by Councillor Brookes:-

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

Members then voted as follows:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)        That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of that Act. 

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Report of Interim Regeneration Manager, Economic Growth & Regeneration

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Hamilton-Cox)

Cabinet received a report from the Interim Regeneration Manager to confirm, following the agreement of the sale contract, instructions to exchange contracts in a disposal of a short-term stay surface car park for redevelopment.  The report was exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3, of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

The options, options analysis, including risk assessment and officer preferred option, were set out in the exempt report.

It was proposed by Councillor Hamilton-Cox and seconded by Councillor Brookes and resolved:

Resolved:

(5 Members (Councillors Brookes, Hamilton-Cox, Jackson, Lewis and Sinclair) voted in favour, and 2 Members (Councillors Reynolds and Whitehead) abstained.)

(1)          The resolution is set out in a minute exempt from publication by virtue of paragraph 3, of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

Officer responsible for effecting the decision:

Director for Economic Growth & Regeneration

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision is consistent with the Council’s priorities.  Exactly how the decision fits with those priorities is set out in the exempt minute.