Agenda, decisions and minutes

There were no apologies.

There were no declarations of interest stated.

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting.

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 January, 2019 be agreed as a correct record and that the amended Capital Strategy 2019- 2029 be referred to Full Council on 20 February, 2019.

Resolved:     That the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 January, 2019 be

agreed as a correct record and that the amended Capital Strategy 2019- 2029 be referred to Full Council on 20 February, 2019.

(i)            That the 2019/20 General Fund Revenue Budget, as detailed in this report and in the report to Cabinet dated 16^th January 2019 be recommended to Full Council for approval.

(ii)           That the Capital Programme for 2019/20 to 2021/22, as shown at Appendix 3, be recommended to Full Council for approval.

(iii)         That an increase in the Band D council tax levy of 2.99% be recommended to Full Council for approval.

(iv)         That a minimum level of un-earmarked reserves and contingencies of £1.548m, required to be maintained for 2019/20, is recommended to Full Council for approval.

(v)          That the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2019/20 be recommended to Full Council for approval and that the results of the consultation around de-minimus changes be considered by Full Council.

The Leader, Councillor Simon Tagg introduced a report asking the Cabinet to recommend the 2019/20 General Fund Revenue Budget and the 2019/20 Capital Programme to Full Council at its meeting on 20 February, 2019.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Efficiency, Councillor Stephen Sweeney advised Members that there was a ‘new way of working’ in preparing the accounts in that it now involved more face to face working with officers and Members.  Councillor Sweeney gave credit to the officers and the Interim Executive Director for Resources and Support Services, Jan Willis for reworking the way in which they are prepared.

Members’ attention was brought to paragraphs 1.2 and 1.3 of the report, referring to the Business Rates Pilot and savings.

The Revenue Budget and Capital Programme were considered by the Finance, Assets and Performance Scrutiny Committee on 24 January who noted everything that had been undertaken.

Members thanked Councillor Sweeney and officers for their work and had no hesitation in recommending the Revenue Budget and Capital Programme to Full Council.  Having a ten year Strategy would mean that ‘big’ spends could be identified more quickly and savings made  would be available for Council projects

The Leader thanked Councillor Sweeney and officers for the work that had been done.   Reference was made to ‘a Town Centre for All’ and the projects fitting in with the new Council Plan which was agreed last September.

Resolved:      (i)         That the 2019/20 General Fund Revenue Budget, as

detailed in this report and in the report to Cabinet dated 16^th January 2019 be recommended to Full Council for approval.

(ii)          That the Capital Programme for 2019/20 to 2021/22, as shown at Appendix 3, be recommended to Full Council for approval.

(iii)         That an increase in the Band D council tax levy of 2.99% be recommended to Full Council for approval.

(iv)         That a minimum level of un-earmarked reserves and contingencies of £1.548m, required to be maintained for 2019/20, is recommended to Full Council for approval.

(v)          That the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2019/20 be recommended to Full Council for approval and that the results of the consultation around de-minimus changes be considered by Full Council.

(i)            That the Ministerial Directions, the actions and statutory deadlines associated with them, and the arrangements proposed to involve Members in the development and assessment of potential options and the production of a preferred policy, be noted.

(ii)          That the Leader of the Council write to Mr Paul Farrelly MP asking for his involvement and support in taking up the case with Central Government and to actively lobby against any  ‘charging Clean Air Zone’ on the A53 (Basford Bank area).  

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Recycling, Councillor Trevor Johnson Introduced a report seeking Cabinet’s support in respect of Air Quality works on the A53 (Basford Bank area). Members were also advised of further works required by DEFRA.

Members’ attention was brought to paragraph 1.8 which set out two directions.

Members were all in agreement that a charging Clean Air Zone  would not solve the problem but would move it elsewhere.  It would also have a detrimental impact on small local businesses.

The Leader thanked Councillor Johnson and stated that further analysis needed to be made.  In addition,  a further recommendation was proposed to involve Newcastle MP, Mr Paul Farrelly to help  fight against introducing a charging Clean Air Zone.

Resolved:     (i)         That the Ministerial Directions, the actions and statutory

deadlines associated with them, and the arrangements proposed to involve Members in the development and assessment of potential options and the production of a preferred policy, be noted.

(ii)          That the Leader of the Council write to Mr Paul Farrelly MP asking for his involvement and support in taking up the case with Central Government and to actively lobby against any  ‘charging Clean Air Zone’ on the A53 (Basford Bank area).  

There was no Urgent Business.