Agenda and minutes

Resolved:  That a dispensation be granted from Council Procedure Rule 17.2 to allow Councillor Ryan to sit and vote in a different seat to that normally assigned to him for this meeting only.

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

(1) the type of interest concerned; 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.

Councillors Hutton, Stansfield and Robertson declared personal interests in agenda item 5 ‘Proposed Rent Review 2016/2017’ as Council appointed directors of Blackpool Coastal Housing Company Ltd.

Councillors Cain, D Coleman, Cox and Smith declared prejudicial interests in relation to the additional income from Blackpool Operating Company Ltd as set out in agenda item 6 ‘Council Tax 2016/2017’ as Council-appointed directors of that company. 

Councillors Blackburn and Campbell declared disclosable pecuniary interests in relation to the savings of £200,000 for Housing Related Support as set out in agenda item 6 ‘Council Tax 2016/2017’.

To agree the minutes of the last meeting held on 20^th January 2016 as a true and correct record.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Council meeting held on 20 January 2016 be signed by the Mayor as a correct record.

To consider the recommendations of the Executive on the setting of the Capital Programme for 2016/2017, 2017/2018 and 2018/2019.

Members considered the recommendations of the Executive in relation to the Capital Programme for 2016/17 and noted that the programme ran concurrently with the 2016/17 revenue budget.  It was reported that the schemes usually extended over a number of years, and for that reason, the programme projected forward indicative spending for three years. 

Members also noted that the 2017/18 and 2018/19 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.

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

1.                  To approve the recommendations of the Executive from its meeting held on 8^th February 2016, namely:

1.1              To approve the Capital Programme for 2016/2017 as set out at Appendices A and B in the report to the Executive, including the in- year contingency of £809,000.  

1.2              To agree to adopt the Single Capital Pot approach, as outlined in Section 4 of the report to the Executive (reference paragraph 4.2) and to approve a top slice of 12.5%, to allow for investment in key priority areas and overspends that are not otherwise fundable.

2.                  To note the following decisions of the Executive in relation to the Capital Programme from its meeting on 8 February 2016, namely:

2.1              To agree that individual Executive approvals will continue to be required for all Prudential borrowing schemes (reference paragraph 3.1 of the report to the Executive).

2.2              To agree the Capital Prudential Indicators as identified in Appendix C of 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 Treasury Management Strategy for the financial year 2016/ 2017.

Members considered the recommendations of the Executive in relation to the proposed Treasury Management Strategy 2016/17 which set out treasury management activities for the year and incorporated an Investment Strategy.

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

To approve the recommendations of the Executive from its meeting held on 8 February 2016, namely:

1.                  To adopt all the Elements of the Treasury Management Strategy 2016/2017 and to approve the Prudential Indicators and limits for 2016/2017 – 2018/2019 as set in Annex B to the report to the Executive.

2.                  To approve the Prudential Indicators and Limits for 2016/2017 – 2018/2019 as set out in Annex C to the report to the Executive.

3.                  To approve the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement for 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 (as set out in Annex D to the report to the Executive) which contains significant changes from the previous year but, which will ensure a more prudent Minimum Revenue Provision charge in the annual statement of accounts.

4.                  To approve the Municipal Bond Agency as a source of new borrowing for the Council (further details are provided in Annex B, paragraph 4.5 of the report to the Executive).

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

To consider the recommendations of the Executive on the levels of rents and service charges to be charged in connection with Housing Revenue Account dwellings during 2016/ 2017

The Council considered the recommendations of the Executive from its meeting on 8 February 2016, regarding the levels of rents and service charges for Housing revenue account dwellings to be applied to the 2016/17 financial year, as well as new charges for Housing Revenue Account Services and related Non-Housing Revenue Account properties.

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

To approve the recommendations of the Executive from its meeting held on 8 February 2016, namely:

1.                  To agree that a rent reduction of 1% is implemented for all Housing Revenue Account properties in 2016/2017.

2.                  To agree that the level of Housing Revenue Account balances remain protected at £1 million, as previously agreed.

3.                  To agree that the de-pooled services (as detailed in Appendix C to the report to the Executive) and that other service charges (as detailed in Appendices D and E to that report) are charged as outlined.

4.                  To agree that the Leaseholder Management Charge is amended in line with the cost of managing the service.

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 2016/ 2017 Financial Year.

The Council received the report on the recommendations from the Executive at its meetings on 8 February and 22 February 2016 in relation to the draft General Fund Revenue Budget for 2016/17.  The report highlighted that consultation had taken place with representatives from the trade unions, business ratepayers and the Council’s Tourism, Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee as well as range of consultation activities held over the course of the previous months. 

Members also noted that as the Provisional and Final Local Government Finance Settlements had required a further £5.1m of budget savings to that previously consulted upon, a further three month consultation process was also being proposed, in relation to additional items put forward for savings in Appendix 2b of the report to the Executive.

Members firstly considered the proposed budget saving of £200,000 in relation to Housing Related Support.

Motion 1:  Councillor Cain proposed (and Councillor Jackson seconded):

To approve the savings of £200,000 from Housing Related Support as part of the second tranche of budget saving proposals and to note that formal consultation on this proposal will take place over the next three months (as set out in paragraph 7.2 and Appendix 2b of the report to the Executive on 8 February 2016).

Motion 1 carried:  The motion was submitted to the Council and carried.

Note:  Having declared disclosable pecuniary interests, Councillors Blackburn and Campbell left the meeting during consideration of the above part of the item.

Members then considered the savings in relation to additional income from Blackpool Operating Company Ltd. 

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

To approve the additional income of £100,000 from Blackpool Operating Company Ltd as part of the second tranche of budget saving proposals and to note that formal consultation on this proposal will take place over the next three months (as set out in paragraph 7.2 and Appendix 2b of the report to the Executive on 8 February 2016).

Motion 2 carried:  The motion was submitted to the Council and carried.

Note:  Having declared prejudicial interests, Councillors Cain, D Coleman, Cox and Smith left the meeting during consideration of the above part of the item.

The Council then went on to consider the remainder of the budget proposals and proposed Council tax levels and noted the precepts set by the Police and Crime Commissioner and Lancashire Combined Fire Authority.

Motion 3:  Councillor Blackburn proposed (and Councillor Campbell seconded): 

The Council to agree the following proposed remaining recommendations, bringing together the recommendations from the Executive meetings on 8 February 2016 and 22 February 2016 into a summary document, set out in accordance with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011. 

1.                       To agree the level of net expenditure for the General Fund Revenue Budget 2016/2017 of £122,999,000 (ref. Paragraph 2.3 of the report to the Executive on 22 February 2016).

2.                       To approve a level of budget savings of £25.1m (reference paragraph 7.1 and 7.2 and Appendices 2, 2a and 2b of the report  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.