Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Henry Caunce.

The Executive Leader, Councillor Peter Goldsworthy advised Members that the consultation period for the Executive and Electoral Arrangements (Minute 10.C.69) had been extended until 31 March 2010 and therefore a report on the outcome would not be considered until the April meeting of the Council.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the last Council meeting held on 26 January 2010 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Mayor.

Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda. If the interest arises only as result of your membership of another public body or one to which you have been appointed by the Council then you only need to declare it if you intend to speak.

If the personal interest is a prejudicial 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 made by any Member of the Council.

The Mayor reported that she and the four political group leaders had that afternoon attended the funeral of Warrant Officer David Markland who had been killed in Afghanistan on 8 February 2010. She asked that Members of the Council stand in silence in remembrance of David who had grown up and attended school in Chorley before joining the Royal Engineers.

The Mayor referred to the computer virus problem which had resulted in all Council PCs and the telephone system going down. Systems had been restored but Members could still be without their computers and staff from the IT team would be in contact shortly to try and resolve the problem.

The Mayor thanked those who had attended her Charity Ball on 5 February which had raised £2350. She referred to other forthcoming events to support her chosen charities including an Easter raffle; a Mini Auction on the Loop; Junior Fishing Competition; and Plant Sale.

Members of the public who have requested the opportunity to ask question(s) on any item(s) on the agenda will be asked to put their question(s) to the Council. Members of the public will be allowed to ask one supplementary question within their allocated 3 minutes.

There were no questions received from members of the public.

Additional report of the Executive enclosed, including the following appendices:

Appendix A – Additional savings options and proposals (Page 101)

Appendix B – Fees and charges review (Page 103)

Appendix C – Revised Council Tax resolution (Pages 105 -110)

Appendix D – Analysis of budget variations 2009/10 - 2012/13 (Page 111)

Members of the Council considered a report of the Executive seeking approval to proposals for the Council’s Revenue and Capital Budget for 2010/11 including the level of Council Tax increase proposed for the forthcoming year.

The report set out the Executive’s key objective – to protect frontline services and also the key budget principles which had been the subject of consultation with the Citizens Panel, Parish Councils and with Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.  As a result the key proposals for 2010/11 were:

·                    To freeze Council Tax for 2010/11.

·                    To freeze pay and display fee income and market rent.

·                    To continue to invest in priority services.

·                    To continue to make further efficiencies in management and back office costs.

The report included a number of appendices with the detailed basis of the proposals.

Appendix A – Formal Council Tax Resolution

Appendix B (B1 – B5) – Capital Programme 2010/11 – 2012/13

Appendix C – Treasury Management Strategy

Appendix D – Statutory Report

Appendix E – Medium Term Financial Strategy

Appendix F – Significant Budget Movements

Appendix G – Special Expenses Parish Precepts

Appendix H – Budget Consultation 2010/11

The Executive Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Joyce, presented the proposed budget and circulated additional information as follows:

New Appendix A – Additional Savings Options and Proposals

New Appendix B – Fees and Charges Review

New Appendix C – A Revised Formal Council Tax Resolution

New Appendix D – Analysis of Budget Variations 2009/10 – 2012/13

The additional information contained further budget proposals and savings.

Councillor Dennis Edgerley, Leader of the Labour Group circulated an alternative budget report which proposed a 1% reduction in Council Tax and further back office savings at Senior Management level and within the Policy team; from the removal of the car lease scheme for staff; plus additional investment in free parking, street cleaning, neighbourhood staffing and activities for young people.

Councillor Dennis Edgerley proposed and Councillor Adrian Lowe seconded the adoption of the Labour Group’s alternative budget.

The proposal was put to the vote and the Mayor declared it LOST.

The Executive Member for Resources, Councillor Kevin Joyce moved and the Executive Leader, Councillor Peter Goldsworthy seconded, the adoption of the budget proposed under the additional budget proposals report for 2010/11 and it was RESOLVED – that

(1)       The proposed budget, including additional budget proposals and savings be agreed as follows:

            1.1       The following posts be disestablished:

                        1 FTE Building Control Officer

                        1 Business Process Officer (Neighbourhoods)

                        1 Head of Customer Services

            1.2       That consultation takes place with staff in respect of reducing the Council’s cost of car leasing scheme by 25%.

            1.3       That an immediate review be undertaken following the senior management restructure of the Council’s administrative and transactional service provision to identify further potential savings.

            1.4       That the budget for the Council’s contribution towards the Local Strategic Partnership be reduced by £50k from 2010/11.

            1.5       That the building maintenance revenue budget for the Council’s leisure facilities be reduced by £50k from 2010/11.

            1.6       That  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.