Agenda and minutes

To receive as a correct record the minutes of Cabinet held on Tuesday, 17^th February 2015 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 17^th February 2015 were approved as a correct record.

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

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 Blamire)

Report of the Chief Executive

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Executive to consider the Cabinet Liaison Groups currently constituted and Cabinet appointments to Outside Bodies, Partnerships, Boards and Joint Committees.

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

The options regarding Cabinet Liaison Groups are:

·         To note existing arrangements and make no amendments.

·         To consider and approve, where appropriate, any proposals from Cabinet Members.

With regard to Outside Bodies, Partnerships and Boards, Cabinet is requested to make appointments, as set out in Appendix C to the report.

The Leader is asked to make appointments to the Joint Committee for 2015/16 at this meeting.

            Councillor Pattison proposed, seconded by Councillor Clifford:-

“That the Cabinet Liaison Groups as set out in Appendix B to the report, be reconvened with the following exceptions:

·         Business Cabinet Liaison Group to be stood down

·         Renewable Energy Strategy Cabinet Liaison Group to be stood down”

That appointments to Outside Bodies, Partnerships and Boards, as set out in Appendix C, appended to the minutes, be agreed.

That Councillors Blamire and Newman-Thompson be appointed to the Joint Committee for Revenues and Benefits for 2015/16.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)  That the Cabinet Liaison Groups as set out in Appendix B to the report, be reconvened with the following exceptions:

·         Business Cabinet Liaison Group to be stood down

·         Renewable Energy Strategy Cabinet Liaison Group to be stood down.

(2)  That appointments to Outside Bodies, Partnerships and Boards, as set out in Appendix C, appended to the minutes, be agreed.

(3)  That Councillors Blamire and Newman-Thompson be appointed to the Joint Committee for Revenues and Benefits for 2015/16.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Executive

Chief Officer (Governance)

Reasons for making the decision:

            The establishment of Cabinet Committees and Cabinet Liaison Groups assists the Cabinet in the discharge of executive functions.  Representation on Outside Bodies is part of the City Council’s community leadership role. The decision ensures that the appointments are aligned as closely as possible to individual Cabinet Members’ portfolios.  The energy strategy has been approved and is being implemented so a Cabinet Liaison Group is no longer required.  Cabinet meet on a regular basis with Lancaster District Chamber and a Business Cabinet Liaison Group is now longer required.

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Report of the Chief Officer (Governance)

(Cabinet Member with Special Responsibility Councillor Blamire)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Governance) to enable Cabinet, as requested by Council, to consider how the Council could support events on Armed Forces Days in future years.

There were no specific options, as Cabinet was requested to clarify to what extent it wished to support this event in future years.  Further options would then, if appropriate be provided in the budget process.

Councillor Clifford proposed, seconded by Councillor Newman-Thompson:-

“That the City Council’s support of events organised for the Armed Forces Day be undertaken within existing resources.

That Cabinet notes that there is a first come first served rolling programme process to book the platform in Market Square and that the organisers of local Armed Forces Day events be recommended to submit their application as soon as they are aware when they will be requiring to reserve the platform in order to secure the booking.”

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That the City Council’s support of events organised for the Armed Forces Day be undertaken within existing resources.

(2)          That Cabinet notes that there is a first come first served rolling programme process to book the platform in Market Square and that the organisers of local Armed Forces Day events be recommended to submit their application as soon as they are aware when they will be requiring to reserve the platform in order to secure the booking.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Officer (Governance)

Chief Officer (Environment)

Reasons for making the decision:

The decision builds on the City Council’s resolution on 4^th March 2015 to support local events held annually to mark Armed Forces Day by providing practical support to the organisers of the local events. 

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Blamire & Newman-Thompson)

Report of the Chief Officer (Resources)

(Cabinet Members with Special Responsibility Councillors Blamire and Newman-Thompson)

Cabinet received a report from the Chief Officer (Resources) which provided summary information regarding the provisional outturn for 2014/15.  It set out information regarding the carry forward of capital slippage for Members’ consideration and incorporated the treasury management outturn report and related matters.

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

The City Council has a legal requirement to ensure that its expenditure is fully funded and to produce accounts in accordance with proper accounting practice.  In addition, the Prudential Indicators are a statutory requirement linked to the budgetary framework.  For these aspects, therefore, there are no alternative options for Cabinet to consider.  Members are being asked to endorse certain actions taken by the Chief Officer (Resources), and Cabinet should consider whether it has sufficient information to do so or whether it requires any further justification.

The report requests Cabinet to consider a number of capital slippage items.  The framework for considering these is set out in the report but basically Cabinet may:

-          Approve any number of the items / requests, in full or part.

-          Refuse various requests and if commitments have already been incurred, require alternative funding options to be identified.  Cabinet should note, however, that this may impact on other areas of service delivery.

-          Request further information regarding them, if appropriate.

On the assumption that the Council continues to support its previously approved spending plans, then the Officer preferred options are to approve the capital slippage requests (Appendix G to the report).

Although the Council’s General Fund budget and the associated Government funding reduced again in 2014/15, it continued to manage the financial pressure well, and has again improved its overall financial standing as at 31 March 2015.  Similarly, the HRA’s standing is sound.  Balances for both General Fund and the HRA are higher than forecast, and the Council has other substantial earmarked reserves to help respond to the tough financial challenges now ahead.  In itself however, the Council’s financial standing will not withstand those challenges, without other decisive planning and action being taken. 

Councillor Newman-Thompson proposed, seconded by Councillor Clifford:-

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

Councillors then voted:-

Resolved unanimously:

(1)          That the provisional outturn for 2014/15 be endorsed, including the transfers to provisions and Balances actioned by the Chief Officer (Resources), and the position regarding overspendings. 

(2)          That the requests for capital slippage, as set out at Appendix G to the report, be approved.

(3)          That the Annual Treasury Management report and Prudential Indicators, as set out at Appendix H to the report, be noted and referred on to Council.

Officers responsible for effecting the decision:

Chief Executive

Chief Officer (Resources)

Reasons for making the decision:

The Outturn and Statement of Accounts report on all the financial resources generated and/or used by the Council in providing services or undertaking other activities under the Policy Framework.  The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.