Agenda and decisions

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.

To consider the Financial Inclusion Strategy for 2022-2027.

Once approved this document will form part of the Executive policy framework.

The Executive agreed the recommendation as outlined above namely:

To approve the Financial Inclusion Strategy for 2022-2027 with effect until 31 December 2027.

To establish the Enhanced Bus Partnership and approve the revised Bus Service Improvement Plan, as required under the Government’s National Bus Strategy (2021).

The Executive agreed the recommendations as outlined above namely:

1. To establish the Enhanced Partnership (EP) in accordance with Government guidance and the Bus Services Act 2017 as set out in the Enhanced Partnership Plan at Appendix 3a, to the Executive report, together with the Enhanced Partnership Scheme at Appendix 3b, to the Executive report.

2. To approve the revised Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP). (Appendix 3c to the Executive report).

3. To grant authority to the Director of Communications and Regeneration to consider any representations made during the statutory consultation period after the service of notice pursuant to section 138 F(1)(d) and to consider whether any modifications to the draft Enhanced Partnership Plan or draft Enhanced Partnership Scheme are required as a result of the representations, and to make any necessary minor amendments to the Bus Service Improvement Plan before notifying the Department for Transport the Bus Service Improvement Plan is final by the end of November 2022.

4. To grant authority to the Director of Communications and Regeneration to serve notice of making the Enhanced Partnership Scheme pursuant to section 138 G (5) and publish on the Council’s website as required.

To update the Executive regarding the details of the Government’s new Investment Zone initiative (launched 2 October 2022), and to outline the Expression of Interest (EOI) response to Government.

The Executive agreed the recommendations as outlined namely:

1. To note the details of Government’s Investment Zone initiative.

2. To endorse the Council’s Expression of Interest agreed by the Chief Executive after consultation with the Leader of the Council, noting that this submission was ahead of a potential more detailed application process.

3. To note that the Executive will receive a further report in respect of the Government response to the Expression of Interest and when greater clarity is received on next steps.

4. To authorise the Head of Legal Services to enter into any contracts as are necessitated by a successful Expression of Interest approval and required before the approval of the report outlined at resolution 3.

To consider the Treasury Management Half-Yearly Progress Report for the year ended 30 September 2022

The Executive agreed the recommendation as outlined above namely:

To note the report concerning the Treasury Management activities for the six months to 30 September 2022.

To report the level of spending and exposure against the Council’s Revenue budgets and reserves and balances for the first 5 months to 31 August 2022.  The report also includes an update on the Medium Term Financial Plan 2023/24 – 2026/27

The Executive agreed the recommendation as outlined above namely:

1. To note the report.  

2. To require the respective directors and Director of Resources to continue to closely monitor and manage service financial and operational performances, specifically Children’s Services, Treasury Management and Growth and Prosperity.

3. To prompt the Scrutiny Leadership Board to continue to independently review the financial and operational performances of the services listed in resolution 2.

4. To continue to lobby central government (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Department for Health and Social Care and Department for Education in particular) along with local authority peers and networks and the Local Government Association for the funding necessary to cope with the burdens and demands presenting as a result of exceptional inflationary pressures and demographic demands upon statutory services.

5. To continue to work towards increased target working balances of £8m from £6m with formal effect from the start of financial year 2023/24.