Agenda and minutes

Members are asked to declare any interests in the items under consideration and in doing so state:

(1) the type of interest concerned either a

(a)   personal interest

(b)   prejudicial interest

(c)    disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI)

and

(2) the nature of the interest concerned

If any member requires advice on declarations of interests, they are advised to contact the Head of Democratic Governance in advance of the meeting.

In relation to agenda item 6 ‘Council Tax 2020/ 2021’:

·                Councillors Hutton, Kirkland and Stansfield declared prejudicial interests in relation to income from Blackpool Waste Services Limited as Council-appointed non-executive directors.

·                Councillors Blackburn, Jackson and T Williams declared personal interests as Council-appointed representatives on Lancashire Combined Fire Authority.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 12 February 2020 as a true and correct record.

Resolved: That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 12 February 2020 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

To consider the Executive’s recommendation from its meeting on the 10 February 2020 regarding the Capital Strategy for 2020/ 2021 to 2022/ 2023 which incorporates the Property Investment Strategy for 2020/ 2021.

The Council considered the recommendations from the Executive meeting of 10 February 2020 on the proposed capital strategy which integrated with the Council’s Capital Programme and Treasury Management Strategy and outlined how capital expenditure and investment decisions were taken in line with service objectives and took account of stewardship, value for money, prudence, sustainability and affordability.

Motion: Councillor Blackburn proposed (and Councillor Campbell seconded):

‘To approve the Capital Strategy 2020/ 2021 to 2022/ 2023 incorporating the Property Investment Strategy 2020/2021’.

Motion carried: The motion was submitted to the Council and carried.

To consider the recommendations of the Executive on the 10 February 2020 regarding the 2020/ 2021, 2021/2022, 2022/ 2023 Capital Programme – which have been circulated to members under separate cover.

Members considered the recommendations of the Executive in relation to the Capital Programme for 2020/2021 to 2022/2023 and noted that the programme ran concurrently with the 2020/2021 General Fund Revenue Budget and projected forward indicative spending for three years.

Members also noted that the programmes had been drawn up based upon individual allocations and current proposals and would be reviewed as part of the budget processes for those years in light of changing priorities.

Motion: Councillor Blackburn proposed (and Councillor Campbell seconded):

‘1.      To approve the Capital Programme for 2020/2021 as set out at Appendices A and B to the Executive report.

2.       To adopt the Single Capital Pot approach as outlined in Section 4 of the Capital Programme report as circulated with the agenda for that meeting with a top slice of 12.5% to allow for investment in key priority areas and overspends that are not otherwise fundable.

3.       To approve the Capital Prudential Indicators as identified in Appendix C to the Executive report.

4.       To agree that Executive approval will continue to be required for all Prudential borrowing schemes (reference paragraph 3.1 of the Executive report)’.

Motion carried: The motion was submitted to the Council and carried.

To consider the recommendations of the Executive from its meeting on 10 February 2020 regarding the Treasury Management Strategy for the financial year 2020/2021.

The Council considered the recommendations of the Executive in relation to the proposed Treasury Management Strategy 2020/ 2021, which incorporated an Investment Strategy and set out how the Council would manage its investments and cashflows over the forthcoming financial year.

Motion: Councillor Blackburn proposed (and Councillor Campbell seconded):

‘1.      To approve the Treasury Management Strategy 2020/ 2021 including both the Borrowing and Investment Strategies set out in Annex C and Annex D to the Executive report.

2.       To adopt the Treasury Management Policy Statement, the three key principles and four clauses taken from CIPFA’s Treasury Management in Public Services Code of Practice and Cross Sectoral Guidance Notes (2017 Edition) and set out in Annex B to the Executive report.

3.       To approve the revised Prudential Indicators and limits for 2019/2020 and the new Prudential Indicators and limits for 2020/2021 – 2022/2023 which are set out in Annex E to the Executive report.

4.       To approve the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement for 2020/ 2021, which will ensure a prudent Minimum Revenue Provision charge in the annual statement of accounts. The policy is set out within Annex D to the report to the Executive’.

Motion carried: The motion was submitted to the Council and carried.

To consider the recommendations of the Executive in relation to the draft General Fund Revenue Budget and the setting of a Council Tax for the 2020/ 2021 Financial Year.

NOTE:  Appendix 6(c) and an Extended Order of Proceedings for this item will be circulated on Thursday 5 March 2020.

The Council considered the recommendations from the Executive at its meetings on 10 February and 4 March 2020 in relation to the draft General Fund Revenue Budget and setting of Council Tax for 2020/2021.

Members firstly considered the proposed budget saving of as a result of the income from Blackpool Waste Services Limited (trading as Enveco) in the sum of £200,000 in respect of joint working.

Motion 1:  Councillor Blackburn proposed (and Councillor Campbell seconded):

‘To approve the income generation of £200,000 in respect of joint working with Blackpool Waste Services Limited trading as Enveco (recommendation 2a of Appendix 6c to the Council report)’.

Recorded vote: The Council noted that under the Local Authorities (Standing Order) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, there was a requirement for a recorded vote on setting the Council tax and budget. The voting was as follows:

For the motion:

Councillors Benson, Blackburn, Brookes, Burdess, Cain, Campbell, G Coleman, Collett, Critchley, Cross, Farrell, Hobson, Hugo, Hunter, Jackson, Matthews, Mitchell, O’Hara, Owen, Smith, Taylor, L Williams - Total 22.

Against the motion:

Councillors Mrs Callow, Callow, Clapham, Galley, Robertson, D Scott, M Scott, R Scott, T Williams, Wilshaw, Wing – Total 11.

Abstentions:  None

Motion 1 carried:  The motion was therefore carried.

Note:  Having declared prejudicial interests, Councillors Hutton, Kirkland and Stansfield the meeting during consideration of the above part of the item.

Motion 2:  Councillor Blackburn proposed (and Councillor Campbell seconded):

‘To agree the remaining recommendations 2b to 2k as outlined in Appendix 6(c) of the Council report, bringing together the recommendations from the Executive meetings on 10 February 2020 and 4 March 2020 into a summary document, set out in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011.

1.           To agree a level of budget savings of £19.45m (£19.65m excluding £200,000 approved above)

2.           That the £5,922,000 Social Care Grant is allocated in full to Children’s Social Care.

3.           To agree the level of net expenditure for the draft General Fund Revenue Budget 2020/21 of £142,084,000.

4.           That the Chief Executive be authorised to take any necessary steps to ensure all staffing savings are achieved.

5.           That the target level of working balances remains at £6m.

6.           To adopt the formal Council Tax Resolutions set out at Appendix 6 (c) (Annex 1) of the Council report, in so doing agree a Council Tax Requirement of £60,134,500 and a Council Tax Base of 37,157.

7.           To note the calculation of Aggregate Amounts as directed by Section 31A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as set out at Appendix 6 (c) (Annex 1 and 2) of the Council report.

8.           To approve a level of Council Tax for the financial year 2020/21 of £1,618.39 at valuation Band D equivalent (a 3.99% increase including the 2% Adult Social Care Precept but excluding the precepts for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire and the Lancashire Combined Fire Authority).

9.           To note that the Police and Crime Commissioner for Lancashire’s precept  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.