Agenda and minutes

1.    The Leader of the Council, on behalf of Members present at the meeting, declared a general Non Disclosable Pecuniary/Other Interest in respect of items related to the setting of the Council Tax for 2020/2021.

2.    The Director of Legal and Governance (and Monitoring Officer), on behalf of officers present at the meeting, declared a general Non Disclosable Pecuniary/Other Interest in respect of items related to the setting of the Council Tax for 2020/2021.

At this point in the proceedings, the Leader of the Council gave a short update to Council in relation to the latest Government advice and information pertaining to the Covid-19 virus and the Council’s preparations for dealing with the epidemic as it progresses.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 30.1, Councillor Jason Zadrozny moved suspension of Council Procedure Rule 16.4, in relation to the "Content and Length of Speeches", to enable the following:

·         the Portfolio Holder for Finance to deliver her budget speech for an allocated total of 15 minutes at agenda item 3 rather than over the 3 budget agenda items in 5 minute slots;

·         Councillor Chris Baron to have an allocated total of 15 minutes to speak on agenda item 5a only rather than 5 minute slots over the 3 budget items;

·         the Leader of the Council and the Portfolio Holder for Finance to have unlimited time to deliver their rights of reply at the conclusion of agenda item 5a.

Agenda items 3, 4 and 5a would still be taken separately and the Portfolio Holder for Finance would still exercise her right of reply on each motion if required.  All other Members wishing to speak would still utilise the 5 minute allocation as prescribed.  Having been seconded by Councillor Helen-Ann Smith, the motion was duly carried.

Council was requested to approve the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting held on 24 February 2020 in relation to the Capital Strategy.

RESOLVED

that the Capital Strategy, Commercial Property Investment Strategy and the Commercial Property Indicators, as appended to the attached Cabinet report, be approved.

(During consideration of this item, Councillor Chris Baron left the room at 7.17pm and returned to the meeting at 7.20pm.)

Council was requested to consider the Treasury Management Policy Statement and associated documents as presented.

RESOLVED

that the Treasury Management Policy Statement incorporating the undermentioned documents as presented, be approved:

·         Treasury Management Strategy Statement (TMSS)

·         Borrowing Strategy

·         Annual Investment Strategy

·         Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy;

·         Prudential Indicators and Treasury Management Indicators

·         Treasury Management Practices: Risk Management.

(During consideration of the above item, Councillors Helen-Ann Smith, David Hennigan, Daniel Williamson and Dale Grounds left the room at 7.57pm, 7.57pm, 7.58pm and 8.02pm and returned to the meeting at 8.00pm, 8.02pm, 8.01pm and 8.02pm respectively.)

Council was requested to approve the recommendations from the Cabinet meeting held on 24 February 2020 in relation to the Annual Budget and Council Tax Setting for 2020/21 and an update for the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS).

Councillor Chris Baron advised that he wished to move an amendment to the budget and circulated a document outlining his proposed changes.

The meeting adjourned at 8.30pm and reconvened at 8.51pm.

At this point in the proceedings, Councillor Melanie Darrington declared a Non Disclosable Pecuniary/Other Interest in relation to her daughter’s involvement with the NOVA Centurion Swimming Club who were currently using Edgewood Leisure Centre swimming pool for training purposes. Her interest was such that she left the room and took no part in the discussion or voting thereon.)

(In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 30.1, Councillor Jason Zadrozny moved suspension of Council Procedure Rule 23, Conclusion of Proceedings, to enable the meeting to continue past 9.30pm and finish at its natural conclusion, thus ensuring that Members gave proper consideration to the determination of the Council’s budget.  Having been seconded by Councillor Helen-Ann Smith, the motion was duly carried.)

The amendment as moved by Councillor Baron and seconded by Councillor Phil Rostance was as follows:-

“This Council revokes its decision to enforce closure of Edgewood leisure centre and includes the centre in the procurement process with a new leisure provider or establishes a partnership working programme to not only ensure that the centre remains open but will be protected for the future, whilst reviewing leisure facilities for Hucknall as a whole and the proposed expenditure based on need for the District of Ashfield.

This Council revokes the increase in parking charges and introduces two hours free parking across the District. Having received notification of financial help to regenerate our high streets this will be a positive step in working towards regeneration and not an adverse affect caused by increased charges. The Council should provide a comprehensive business case that incorporates future investment and the impact on future budgets and not a short term revenue gain of increasing charges and the probability of detracting the appeal of our town centres at a cost to business across the District and undoubtedly a reduction in revenue.

Financial amendments:-

1.    Not renewing 1 of the current vacant posts (Technician) @ £27,000

2.    Increase vacancy factor by 0.75% @ £36,000

3.    Investigate parking charges at leisure facilities for none users to increase revenue

4.    Referral to the Independent Remuneration Panel to propose a % decrease in Members allowance to meet the shortfall.”

Having been fully debated, the amendment was put to the vote but not carried.

RESOLVED that

a)    a £5 (2.7%) increase in the level of the District’s own Council Tax for 2020/21, setting the Band D equivalent at £190.46, be approved;

b)    the proposed 2020/21 Revenue (General Fund) and HRA Budgets as set out in the report (Sections 3 and 4), be approved;

c)    the proposed Capital Programme and associated borrowing 2019/20 to 2023/24 as  ...  view the full minutes text for item C.76

RESOLVED

that the Council Tax levels for 2020/21 on the basis of a Band “D” tax level for the District Council’s own expenditure of £190.46 (£5 or 2.7% increase), be approved as follows:-

1.    That it be noted that on 16th December 2019 the Council calculated the Council Tax Base for 2020/21

a.    for the whole Council area:  33,695.3

b.    for dwellings in those parts of its area to which a Parish precept relates –

The Parish of Annesley and Felley:  545.1

The Parish of Selston:  3,725.9

2.    That the calculation of the Council Tax requirement for the Council’s own purposes for 2019/20 (excluding Parish precepts) is £6,417,607.

3.    That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2020/21 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:

5.    That the Council, in accordance with Sections 30 and 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the aggregate amounts shown in the tables below as the amounts of Council Tax for 2020/21 for each part of its area and for each of the categories of dwellings.

  2020/21 Council Tax amounts by band: