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Agenda and minutes

Cabinet - Thursday, 28th November, 2013 6.00 pm

Venue: Committee Room 1 Marmion House, Lichfield Street, Tamworth

Contact: Democratic Services  01827 709264

Items
No. Item

65.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor R Pritchard.

66.

Corporate Update

Title:    New Council Website

 

            Presenter:      Communications Manager

Minutes:

The Communications Manager gave a presentation on The New Council Website.

67.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 52 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 October 2013 were approved and signed as a correct record.

 

(Moved by Councillor Oates and seconded by Councillor Doyle)

68.

Declarations of Interest

To receive any declarations of Members’ interests (pecuniary and non-pecuniary) in any matters which are to be considered at this meeting.

 

When Members are declaring a pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest in respect of which they have dispensation, they should specify the nature of such interest.  Members should leave the room if they have a pecuniary or non-pecuniary interest in respect of which they do not have a dispensation. 

Minutes:

There were no Declarations of Interest.

69.

Question Time:

To answer questions from members of the public pursuant to Executive Procedure Rule No. 13

Minutes:

There were no questions received from the public.

70.

Matters Referred to the Cabinet in Accordance with the Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules

None

Minutes:

None

71.

Draft Base Budget Forecasts 2014/15 to 2018/19 pdf icon PDF 310 KB

(Report of the Leader of the Council)

Minutes:

The Report of the Leader of the Council informing Members of the re-priced base budget for 2014/15, base budget forecasts for the period 2014/15 to 2018/19 (the 5 year Medium Term Planning period) and the underlying assumptions and the future strategy to address the financial trends was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That:

 

1

The technical adjustments and re-priced budget figures for 2014/15 and indicative budgets to 2018/19 be approved, and;

 

2

The proposed policy changes, as detailed within the report be considered, and;

 

3

In compliance with the Constitution of the Council, the Joint Scrutiny Budget Workshop be asked to consider the budget proposals contained within this report.

 

 

 

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor S Doyle)

 

72.

Quarter Two 2013/14 Performance Report pdf icon PDF 19 KB

(Report of the Leader of the Council)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Report of the Leader providing Cabinet with a performance health-check was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be endorsed.

 

 

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor S Doyle)

 

73.

The Tamworth Growth and Regeneration Plan pdf icon PDF 26 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education seeking approval for the draft Tamworth Growth and Regeneration Plan was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That:

 

1

The Tamworth Growth and Regeneration Plan be approved and that its implementation is managed through the Regeneration Board of CMT in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder Economy and Education and with reports to Cabinet on progress, and;

 

2

Authority be delegated to the Head of Planning and Regeneration to make minor amendments to the Growth and Regeneration Plan prior to it being finalised and printed in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education.

 

 

 

(Moved by Councillor S Claymore and seconded by Councillor D Cook)

 

74.

Shared Service in Economic Development - Annual Report pdf icon PDF 41 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education updating Cabinet on the progress made by the Shared Service in Economic Development in the implementation of the Business and Economic Partnership’s (BEP) Economic Strategy 2011 and the contributions made to the development of the local economy was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That:

 

1

The progress made by the Shared Service and BEP in implementing the 2011 Economic Strategy be endorsed, and;

 

2

The review of the 2011 Economic Strategy be supported and that a refreshed Strategy be presented to Cabinet in early 2014, and;

 

3

The continued work and approach of the Shared Service and BEP in seeking to achieve the ambitions of the Economic Strategy and related economic objectives of both Tamworth Borough Council and Lichfield District Council be endorsed.

 

 

 

(Moved by Councillor Claymore and seconded by Councillor Cook)

 

75.

Think Local Limited: ceasing of trading, pdf icon PDF 36 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Economy and Education)

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for the Economy and Education informing Cabinet of a Board decision by Think Local Ltd to voluntarily dissolve the company and transfer the assets back to Tamworth Borough Council, and seeking authorisation to establish a dormant limited company in Tamworth Borough Council’s ownership in order to preserve and protect the trading name ‘Think Local Limited’ was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

That the decisions of the Board of Think Local Limited be endorsed and The Director Communities, Planning and Partnerships in conjunction with the Portfolio Holder Economy and Education be authorised to establish the dormant company as soon as practically possible.

 

 

(Moved by Councillor Claymore and seconded by Councillor S Doyle)

 

76.

Improvement Works to Private Sector Housing pdf icon PDF 42 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Public Housing and Vulnerable People)

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Public Housing and Vulnerable People seeking approval for the utilisation of existing Council resources to undertake works in default and to provide loans to remedy urgent repair issues in private sector homes was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

That that proposal to release the £130,000 held in the ‘Coalfields’ Capital Contingency Funds and utilise them to carry out works in default and provide loans to remedy urgent repair issues in private sector homes in line with the Council’s existing Enforcement Policy and Financial Assistance Policy be approved.

 

 

(Moved by Councillor M Greatorex and seconded by Councillor J Oates)

 

77.

Installation of Gas Connections in Belgrave pdf icon PDF 46 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Public Housing and Vulnerable People)

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Public Housing and Vulnerable People seeking approval for the Council to support Affordable Warmth Solutions to install mains gas in a defined area of Belgrave Tamworth was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That:

 

1

A programme to install mains gas and related works to an area of Belgrave working in partnership with Affordable Warmth Solutions be supported, and;

 

2

Subject to the outcome of the consultation with tenants and residents the installation of gas central heating systems in Council homes within the area be approved as part of the Council’s overall Housing Investment Programme.

 

 

 

(Moved by Councillor M Greatorex and seconded by Councillor D Cook)

 

78.

Fees and Charges - Assets and Environment pdf icon PDF 21 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Waste Management)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Waste Management informing members of proposed fee increases applicable to the cemetery and sports pitch services was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That:

 

1

The initial increase in Cemetery fees from 1 January 2014 be approved, and;

 

2

Annual increases in Cemetery fees by RPI commencing on 1 April 2015 with a full review of fees every three years be approved, and;

 

3

The ongoing annual increase in Sports Pitch fees by RPI on 1 April 2014 with a full review every three years be approved.

 

 

 

(Moved by Councillor S Doyle and seconded by Councillor D Cook)

 

79.

Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 Fees pdf icon PDF 30 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Environmental and Waste Management)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Waste Management providing details of proposed fees and seeking approval to refer the fees and Scheme of Delegation to Council was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That:

 

1

The Scheme of Delegation be endorsed and recommended to full Council, and;

 

2

The proposed fee levels be endorsed and recommended to full Council.

 

 

 

(Moved by Councillor S Doyle and seconded by Councillor D Cook)

 

80.

Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy Mid-year Review Report 2013/14 pdf icon PDF 283 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets presenting members with the mid-year review of the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

That the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy Mid-year Review Report 2013/14 be accepted.

 

 

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor S Doyle)

 

81.

Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2014/15 pdf icon PDF 55 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets seeking Cabinet consideration of the ongoing agreement of the Authority’s current Council Tax Reduction Scheme for Working Age customers including 1% up ratings to Applicable Amounts applied for 2014/15 was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That:

 

1

The continuation of the Authority’s current Council Tax Reduction Scheme for a further year, without change, for 2014/15 be endorsed, and;

 

2

The scheme be reviewed following completion of the first year, identification of delivery of the scheme’s financial target and full implications of potential changes that may arise re: consultation/equalities/potential challenge.

 

 

 

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor M Greatorex)

 

82.

Cabinet Report for Write Offs 01/4/13 - 30/9/13 pdf icon PDF 32 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets providing members with details of write offs from 1 April 2013 to 30 September 2013 was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

That the amount of debt be written off.

 

 

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor S Claymore)

 

83.

Council Taxbase 2014/15 pdf icon PDF 26 KB

(Report of the Portfolio Holder  for Operations and Assets)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets reporting the Council Tax Base for the Borough Council for 2014/15 was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

That Tamworth Borough Council resolves its calculation of the Council Tax Base for the year 2014/15 to be 20,389.

 

 

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor S Doyle)

 

EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:   That members of the press and public be now excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that the business involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 and 3, Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

 

84.

Land Adjacent To 56 Watling Street, Tamworth

(Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets)

Minutes:

The Report of the Portfolio Holder for Operations and Assets seeking approval to dispose of land adjacent to 56 Watling Street was considered.

 

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet authorised the disposal of the land and authorised the Director of Assets and Environment to conclude the negotiations and finalise the sale.

 

 

(Moved by Councillor D Cook and seconded by Councillor S Claymore)