Meeting of the Special Council (Budget) - 3 March 2008
This page provides access to most of the documents to be considered by the Special Council (Budget) at the meeting held on Monday, 3 March 2008 at 2.00 pm in the Council Chamber, Council House, Saltergate, Chesterfield.
A G E N D A
The Model Code of Conduct
Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any personal and/or prejudicial interest in any matter arising from this agenda and to withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.
1 Apologies for Absence
2 To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the attached Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 7 January 2008
3 Chair’s Announcements (if any)
4 Public Participation
In accordance with Standing Order No 8 to allow members of the public to ask questions about the Council’s activities for a period up to fifteen minutes. The replies any such questions will be given by the appropriate Cabinet Member.
5 To receive and consider the following Minutes:
To access these documents on the Council’s Website www.ne-derbyshire.gov.uk/council-democracy/local-democracy/meetings-and-committees
Go to left hand column and click on the following to access:
Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee 7 February 2008
· Click on Scrutiny and Overview
· Click on Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee
· Click on Minutes
· Click on Date of Meeting
Go to left hand column and click on the following to access:
Special Cabinet 13 February 2008
· Click on Cabinet Meetings
· Click on Cabinet Meetings Minutes
· Click on Date of Meeting
Arrangements will be made to project an electronic copy of the above Minutes onto the screens in the Council Chamber should any Member have a specific question they wish to raise.
The recommendations within the above Minutes are as follows:
Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee – 7 February 2008
Minute No 556 – Medium Term Financial Plan
(a) General Fund – 2008/09 Estimates
RECOMMENDED –
(1) That the view of the Section 151 Officer that the estimates included in the Medium Term Financial Plan 2008/11 were robust and that the level of reserves are adequate be accepted.
(2) Council Tax be increased by 3.9% and this recommendation be submitted for approval by the Council at its meeting on 3 March 2008.
(3) That Cabinet approves the Medium Term Financial Plan in respect of the General Fund as set out in Appendix B to these Minutes, and agree the revised Budget together with a requirement of £13,107,231 in 2008/09 as detailed in Appendix 3(2).
(4) That officers be required to report back to the Cabinet and the Audit and Governance Committee on at least a quarterly basis regarding the overall position in respect of the budget, those reports to include updates on progress in achieving the Gershon efficiencies and the Base Budget savings necessary to achieve a balanced budget by 2008/09.
Minute No 556 – Medium Term Financial Plan
(b) Housing Revenue Account (HRA)
RECOMMENDED –
(1) That Cabinet introduce the Government recommended increases with effect from 7 April 2008. The recommended increase will bring about an average increase in rents of some 7.3%. However, the actual percentages will vary depending on the type of property.
(2) That the increases in respect of other charges as outlined in paragraphs 64 to 66 be implemented with effect from 7 April 2008.
(3) That the Housing Revenue Account as set out in Appendix C to these Minutes be approved.
(4) That officers be required to report back to Cabinet and the Audit and Corporate Governance Scrutiny Committee on at least a quarterly basis regarding the overall position in respect of the HRA budget. (Director of Finance and Assets)
Minute No 556 – Medium Term Financial Plan
(c) Capital Programme 2007/2010
RECOMMENDED -
1) The Capital Programme for 2008/2011 as set out in Appendix D to these Minutes be approved.
2) That Members reaffirm the decision to authorise the Section 151 Officer to utilise all land sales from the Housing Revenue Account (excluding RTB sales) for the purposes of affordable housing and regeneration to ensure that the Council’s financial position is optimised.
Special Cabinet – 13 February 2008
Minute No 566 – Medium Term Financial Plan
(a) General Fund – 2008/09 Estimates
RECOMMENDED –
(a) That the view of the Section 151 Officer that the estimates included in the Medium Term Financial Plan 2008/11 were robust and that the level of reserves were adequate be accepted.
(b) Council Tax be increased by 3.9% and this recommendation be submitted for approval by the Council at its meeting on 3rd March 2008.
(c) That the Medium Term Financial Plan in respect of the General Fund as set out in Appendix A to these Minutes, and the revised Budget together with a requirement of £12,712,292 in 2007/08 as detailed in the Appendix be approved.
(d) That officers be required to report back to the Cabinet and the Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee on at least a quarterly basis regarding the overall position in respect of the budget, these reports to include updates on progress in achieving the range of identified efficiencies necessary to achieve a balanced budget by the end of 2008/09. (Director of Finance and Assets)
Minute No 566 – Medium Term Financial Plan
(a) General Fund – Capital Programme
RECOMMENDED –
(a) The Capital Programme for 2008/2011 as set out in Appendix C to these Minutes be approved
(b) That Members reaffirm the decision to authorise the Section 151 Officer to utilise all land sales from the Housing Revenue Account (excluding RTB sales) for the purposes of affordable housing and regeneration to ensure that the Council’s financial position was optimised.
(c) That Officers be required to report back to Cabinet and the Audit and Governance Scrutiny Committee on at least a quarterly basis regarding the overall position in respect of the Capital Programme. (Director of Finance and Assets)
6 To answer any questions asked under Standing Order No 9
7 Report of the Section 151 Officer
Report No SECT151/03/08/MWG - Level of Council Tax 2008/09
8 Local Development Framework – Steering Group
Further to Minute No 370 (Council – 29 October 2007) it is considered appropriate to include the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Economic Regeneration and Skills Scrutiny Committee (currently Councillor M Emmens and Councillor L Robinson) of the above Steering Group and therefore it is recommended that the Chair and Vice Chair of that Scrutiny Committee be appointed to serve on the Local development Framework Steering Group.
9 Local Democracy Week – October 2007
To view a short DVD showing events held in connection with Local Democracy Week 2007 within the Council.
10 Protocol for Members Appointed to Represent the Council on Outside Bodies
To receive (if any) oral reports from Members following their attendance at any outside bodies upon which they represent the Council.
11 Under Standing Order No 11 (Motions without Notice) to receive reports and recommendations of Committees or officers and to make any decision necessarily arising.
NOTE:
(1) Model Code of Conduct - The Register of Members’ Interests
Members are reminded that a Member must within 28 days of becoming aware of any changes to their interests under paragraphs 13 and 14 of the Code of Conduct provide written notification to the Authority’s Monitoring Officer.
(2) Members are reminded that the Protocol which relates to gifts or hospitality (included at Part 5 of the Council’s Constitution) relates to any offer, gift, favour or hospitality that is made, given or offered to you in your capacity as a Member whether you accept it or not.
As a Member you must declare in writing to the Monitoring Officer within 28 days of being offered or receiving any gift or hospitality. Such declarations will be recorded in a register which is kept by the Monitoring Officer (Room 029).
Downloads
Agenda for the Special Council (Budget) on 03.03.2008 (33.5 KB)
Minutes of the Council Meeting on 07.01.2008 (153 KB)
Appendix C to Council Minutes on 07.01.2008 (341 KB)
Open Report of the Section 151 Officer for Special Council (Budget), 03.03.2008, Level of Council Tax (86.5 KB)
