Agenda, decisions and minutes

Decision: The minutes of the meeting of the Executive Cabinet held on 11 December 2014 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Executive Leader.

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 any interests.

Members of the public who have requested the opportunity to ask a question(s) on an item(s) on the agenda will have three minutes to put their question(s) to the respective Executive Member(s).  Each member of the public will be allowed to ask one short supplementary question. 

The Executive Leader reported that there had been no requests from members of the public to speak on any of the meeting’s agenda items.

Report of the Chief Executive (enclosed). 

To agree the contents of the report in order to start the Budget Consultation process and note the following proposed budget items, in particular:

·         Council Tax to be frozen in 2015/16.

·         The proposed New Investments for 2015/16.

·         New Growth Items funded from budget savings.

·         The balanced budget position for 2015/16.

·         The forecasted budget position to 2017/18.

The report of the Chief Executive was presented by the Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson.

It was proposed that Council Tax be frozen and not increase in 2015/16.  This would be the third consecutive year that the current administration had achieved a balanced budget position for the forthcoming financial year without increasing Council Tax.

The administration had seen large scale reductions in Central Government grant placing unprecedented levels of pressure on the Councils budget. 

The proposed budgeted new investments for 2015/16 were set out within the report, and included a Chorley Flower Show and additional events at Astley Hall and Park.  Proposed capital schemes included a community centre at Buckshaw Village, a Youth Zone and improvements to Market Street. 

The projected budget position consistently showed a significant budget gap in future years 2016/17 and 2017/18.  This shortfall, together with heightened uncertainty and risk in the form of year on year variable new funding regimes, meant that budget austerity measures would continue to impact on the Council’s budget.

NHB receipts in respect of 2013/14 to 2015/16 had not been built into the base budget as recurring core funding.  This was to enable the Council to improve budget resilience and flexibility to respond to future annual uncertainty inherent in the new public finance funding regimes.  Future years’ awards would be dependent upon the level of housing development.

The consultation on the proposed budget would focus on obtaining feedback on the key investment areas in order to help prioritise activity.  It would also highlight the impact of a reduction in Council funds and ask residents to give the Council their views on the budget.  The consultation would invite responses from residents, partners, parish groups and other stakeholders through a variety of methods including a short survey.  Results would be analysed and published in February for consideration as part of budget finalisation. 

The Executive Leader commented on the ambitious nature of the budget and Members supported the projects proposed. 

Decision: To agree the contents of the report in order to start the Budget Consultation process and note the following proposed budget items, in particular:

·         Council Tax to be frozen in 2015/16.

·         The proposed New Investments for 2015/16.

·         New Growth Items funded from budget savings.

·         The balanced budget position for 2015/16.

·         The forecasted budget position to 2017/18.

Reasons for recommendation(s)

To progress the Council’s 2015/16 Budget Setting process to achieve an approved and balanced budget.

Alternative options considered and rejected

Setting the budget is a statutory responsibility.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

By Virtue of Paragraph 3: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information)

Condition:

Information is not exempt if it is required to be registered under-

The Companies Act 1985

The Friendly Societies Act 1974

The Friendly Societies Act 1992

The Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965 to 1978

The Building Societies Act 1986 (recorded in the public file of any building society, within the meaning of the Act)

The Charities Act 1993

Information is exempt to the extent that, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Information is not exempt if it relates to proposed development for which the local planning authority may grant itself planning permission pursuant to Regulation 3 of the Town & Country Planning General Regulations 1992(a).

To exclude the press and public for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Decision: To exclude the press and public for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

Report of Director of Customer and Advice Services. 

1.         To approve the procurement process and provide agreement for the tender to be advertised on the chest.

2.         To delegate the decision to appoint the successful bidder to the Executive Member for Resources.

The confidential report of the Chief was presented by the Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson.

The report set out the procurement process and allocated budget for the purchase of architectural design services for an Extra Care Scheme in Chorley, to be located on Fleet Street.

Decision:

1.         To approve the procurement process and provide agreement for the tender to be advertised on the chest.

2.         To delegate the decision to appoint the successful bidder to the Executive Member for Resources.

Reasons for recommendation(s)

There is currently no expertise within the Council to do the design work necessary to progress this project. This work is essential in order to develop design options which will inform the financial modelling and ultimately the final design and business case for the scheme.

Alternative options considered and rejected

None.

Report of Chief Executive. 

1.         Authorisation granted to proceed with the disposal of the freehold reversionary interest.

2.         To delegate authority to the Executive Member for Resources to agree any minor amendments to the terms of the proposed sale to include but not be limited to the inclusion of a clawback provision in the terms of sale.

3.         Authorisation granted to the Head of Governance to complete the documentation.

The confidential report of the Chief was presented by the Executive Member (Resources), Councillor Peter Wilson.

Decision:

1.         Authorisation granted to proceed with the disposal of the freehold reversionary interest.

2.         To delegate authority to the Executive Member for Resources to agree any minor amendments to the terms of the proposed sale to include but not be limited to the inclusion of a clawback provision in the terms of sale.

3.         Authorisation granted to the Head of Governance to complete the documentation.

Reasons for recommendation(s)

1.         The sale of the freehold reversion will provide the company with greater control and security when making financial decisions.

2.         The sale of the freehold reversion will obviate any future need to collect rental for this property but will also result in a capital receipt for the Council. As a result of the company being able to purchase the freehold this may result in further economic growth and create further job opportunities.

3.         The sale of the freehold reversion will result in a capital receipt.

Alternative options considered and rejected

1.         A decision not to allow the company to purchase the freehold may result in them deciding to relocate to an alternative site resulting in approximately 110 job losses in Chorley Borough.

2.         If the freehold reversion is not sold to the company, the Council would not benefit from a capital receipt and future economic growth and further employment opportunities in this location.