Agenda, decisions and minutes

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting.

Resolved:     That, subject to adding that Members also wished Councillor Rout a speedy recovery under Apologies, the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January, 2017 be agreed as a correct record.

Councillor Kearon declared an interest in Item 7 – Keele University – Ambitions for Growth.  Members agreed that Councillor Kearon could remain in the room during consideration of the item.

a)           That the 2017/18 General Fund Revenue Budget as detailed in the report to Cabinet dated 18 January 2017 be recommended to Full Council for approval.

b)           That the Capital Programme 2017/18 as detailed in the report to Cabinet dated 18 January 2017 be recommended to Full Council for approval.

c)           That the estimated council tax and business rates collection fund surpluses, totalling £63,320, to be transferred to the revenue account in 2017/18 be utilised to top up the Insurance Provision, Bad Debts Provision and Municipal Mutual Provision as required, following a review of the adequacy of those provisions at the end of the financial year 2017/18.

A report was submitted to Cabinet seeking recommendation of the 2017/18 General Fund Revenue Budget and the 2017/18 Capital Programme to Full Council on 22 February, 2017.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance, IT and Customer – Councillor Terry Turner responded to the comments made by the Finance, Resources and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee.  Under the Revenue and Capital Budget heading, Councillor Turner defended the budget as being aspirational with projects such as the new Civic Hub and student accommodation being underway. 

With regard to the Capital Asset Management Strategy, this had been discussed at the previous meeting of the Cabinet and all of the Council’s assets were being reviewed to determine long term liabilities and the revenue which they bring in.

Also, with regard to IT and open source software, this was already being done.

Councillor Turner also took on board the comment to rename ‘notable achievements’ as ’Outcomes’ and stated that this would be done for next year (2018/19).

Members attention was brought to paragraph 1.3 of the report with regard to council tax.

The Members of the Finance, Resources and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee were thanked for their feedback.

Resolved:      (i)         That the 2017/18 General Fund Revenue Budget as detailed in

the report to Cabinet dated 18 January 2017 be recommended to Full Council for approval.

(ii)        That the Capital Programme 2017/18 as detailed in the report

to Cabinet dated 18 January 2017 be recommended to Full Council for approval.

(iii)        That the estimated council tax and business rates collection

fund surpluses, totalling £63,320, to be transferred to the revenue account in 2017/18 be utilised to top up the Insurance Provision, Bad Debts Provision and Municipal Mutual Provision as required, following a review of the adequacy of those provisions at the end of the financial year 2017/18.

(a)          That Members note the contents of the attached report and agrees to the recommendation that the Council continues to monitor performance alongside the latest financial information for the same period.

(b)          That Members agree to explore a more efficient operating model for the two Council Leisure Centres and that a report be brought back to Cabinet in the summer.  This should include capital investment requirements, operating models in use by other local authorities and resource implications for the future.

A report was submitted to Cabinet providing the Finance and Performance Review report for the third quarter of 2016/17.

The Chair, Councillor Elizabeth Shenton advised Members that she wished for an additional recommendation to be added to this report.  The Council currently had an opportunity to look at more efficient operating models for the Council’s two leisure centres and to be aware of the health and wellbeing of residents of the borough by exploring further NHS referrals and rehabilitation options.

The Portfolio Holder for Town Centres, Property and Business – Councillor John Williams brought Members’ attention to the cost of repairs to the J2 building which was interfering with the running of the building. 

Resolved:       (i)         That the contents of the attached report be noted and

that the recommendation that the Council continues to monitor performance alongside the latest financial information for the same period be agreed.

(ii)           That it be agreed to explore a more efficient operating model for the two Council Leisure Centres and that a report be brought back to Cabinet in the summer.  This should include capital investment requirements, operating models in use by other local authorities and resource implications for the future.

That the appointment of Strategi Solutions Ltd in Newcastle-under-Lyme in the terms outlined in the report be supported.

A report was submitted to cabinet informing Members of the awarding of a contract to generate income from commercial advertising as part of a joint project with the private sector.

Councillor Turner advised the Cabinet that in 2020/21 this Council would need to be self-sufficient in terms of its income and therefore new ways of generating such income needed to be found.

New partners would need to be found to advertise on our billboards and the Council  were also looking to extend the number of sites.

In addition, all Directorates of the Council would be asked to look at areas where we could operate more commercially.

The Council’s Head of Communications – Phil Jones and his team were thanked for this and for setting up the original contract with the Sentinel.

Resolved:       (i)         That the appointment of Strategi Solutions Ltd in Newcastle-

                                    under-Lyme in the terms outlined in the report be supported.

(a)  That the information be noted.

(b)  That the University’s ambitions and plans for growth be supported, as framed by the Keele Deal and the University’s Growth Strategy, thereby contributing to the long term economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the borough.

(c)  That officers be authorised to take all reasonable, proportionate and appropriate steps to facilitate and enable growth of the University and environs including the shaping of future strategies, policies and plans of the Council (including any in which the Council is a strategic partner).

A report was submitted to Cabinet setting out the wider context for Keele University’s development and growth plans and to consider endorsing the University’s direction of travel.

Resolved:        (i)         That the information be noted.

(ii)           That the University’s ambitions and plans for growth be supported, as framed by the Keele Deal and the University’s Growth Strategy, thereby contributing to the long term economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the borough.

(iii)          That officers be authorised to take all reasonable, proportionate and appropriate steps to facilitate and enable growth of the University and environs including the shaping of future strategies, policies and plans of the Council (including any in which the Council is a strategic partner).

To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the attached report, because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved:-                That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration if the following matter because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1,2, and 3 in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act, 1972.

That, having considered the circumstances of the application, the exhumation request be granted.

A report was submitted to Cabinet for the consideration of a request for exhumation as detailed in the agenda report.

Resolved:       That, having considered the circumstances of the application, the exhumation request be granted.

There was no Urgent Business.