Agenda and minutes

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any pecuniary interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda.

If you have a pecuniary interest you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.

There were no declarations of interest received.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the last meeting of the Council held on 24 January, 2017 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Mayor.

The Mayor updated Members on her fundraising activities and referred to her last two charity events, a Houghton Weavers Concert on 25 March and an Easter Tea Dance on 11 April 2017.

Members of the public who have requested the opportunity to ask question(s) on any item(s) on the agenda will have three minutes to put their question(s) to the relevant Councillor. Members of the public will be allowed to ask one short supplementary question.

There were no public questions for consideration.

To seek approval to recommendations from the Executive contained in the attached report of the Chief Finance Officer (introduced by the Executive Member for Resources) and within the appendices listed below.

Councillor Peter Wilson, Executive Member for Resources, presented the Executive’s General Fund Revenue and Capital Budget and Council Tax proposals for 2017/18.

Councillor Wilson referred to the achievements of the Council in recent years and its commitment to a number of major capital projects including the Market Walk Extension and the Primrose Gardens Retirement Scheme as well as ongoing commitments to fund smaller schemes to support local businesses, older people, etc. Despite year on year funding cuts, the Council had continued to deliver new projects and business as usual. However over the next 3 years there would be a £4.3m funding gap because of significant reductions in both Government grant and the new homes bonus and also a loss of £900,000 from Lancashire County Council for waste cost share funding.

The Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy for 2017/2020 had therefore to prepare for that shortfall to ensure the future sustainability of the Council. Sound financial management and planning was essential and whilst investment in income generation schemes would continue, there was a need to ask residents for an increase in their contributions to Council tax in addition to the changes to waste collection services agreed at the last Council meeting on 24 January 2017.

Councillor Bradley referred to the proposed 2% increase in Council tax and advised that the Government had changed approach and there was now an expectation that local authorities would increase Council tax to help deal with budget shortfalls. It would be the first time in 7 years that the Council had increased Council tax and whilst this and changes in waste collection were regrettable, they were essential to continue service delivery and ensure the long term future of the Council. Officers were thanked for their support in compiling the budget proposals and supporting documentation.

In summary, the report set out proposals that would:

·         Mitigate the reduction in Central Government grant and the introduction of a reverse tariff, by increasing Council Tax by 2% in 2017/18 and including a 2% increase in Council Tax in 2018/19 and 2019/20 as part of the medium term budget strategy.

·         Protect the impact on front line services that the reduction in LCC funding will have by introducing a subscription based garden waste collection service and charging for replacement bins.

·         Deliver budget efficiency savings and increased income of £0.416m in 2017/18 onwards.

·         Continue to deliver investment in strategic priorities including £0.652m in 2017/18 and £0.468m in 2018/19 onwards.

·         Seek to bridge the forecasted budget gap, in particular through shared services and investing in projects that generate net income streams for the Council.

·         Were consistent with the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

·         Minimise the revenue impact of the Council’s borrowing commitment to fund the capital programme.

·         Enhance the financial resilience of the Council’s budget by increasing the level of working balances from £3.0m to £4.0m by the end of 2018/19.

The following appendices were attached to the main report on the General Fund Revenue and Capital Budget and Council Tax for 2017/18, providing supporting  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.C.410

To consider a report of the Conservative Group (enclosed).

This item was withdrawn during debate contained in the above agenda item.

To consider the attached report of the Chief Executive which was agreed at Governance Committee on 25 January 2017.

Members of the Council considered a report of the Chief Executive seeking approval to arrangements to appoint a new external auditor  beyond 2017/18 when the current contract with Grant Thornton comes to an end. There were a number of options available to the Council, including:

·         Setting up an independent Auditor Appointment Panel.

The report looked at the advantages and disadvantages of each option and advised that Governance Committee in considering this matter on 25 January 2017 was recommending that the Council adopt option 3 in the report which was to opt-in to a sector led body.

Councillor Paul Leadbetter, Chair of the Governance Committee proposed, Councillor Anthony Gee, Vice Chair seconded and it was RESOLVED – that the Council approve Option 3 in the report and accept the invitation from Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd to become an opted-in authority for the purposes of the appointment of its external auditor.

Councillor Alistair Bradley, Executive Leader proposed and Councillor Peter Wilson, Deputy Leader seconded a request for approval to a change in an outside body appointment.

RESOLVED – that Councillor Jean Cronshaw replaces Councillor Margaret France as substitute member repesentative on the LCC Adult Social Care and Health Scrutiny Committee.