Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors Mackman and Musgrave.

The Executive is asked to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 4 January 2018.

The Executive considered the minutes of the meeting held on 4 January 2018.

RESOLVED:

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 4 January 2018 for signing by the Chair.

A copy of the Register of Interest for each Selby District Councillor is

available for inspection at www.selby.gov.uk.

Councillors should declare to the meeting any disclosable pecuniary

interest in any item of business on this agenda which is not already

entered in their Register of Interests.

Councillors should leave the meeting and take no part in the

consideration, discussion or vote on any matter in which they have a

disclosable pecuniary interest.

Councillors should also declare any other interests. Having made the

declaration, provided the other interest is not a disclosable pecuniary

interest, the Councillor may stay in the meeting, speak and vote on that

item of business.

If in doubt, Councillors are advised to seek advice from the Monitoring

Officer.

There were no disclosures of interest.

Report E/17/44 presents the feedback report from the recent Corporate Peer Challenge and outlines an Improvement Plan to implement the recommendations from the report.

Councillor Crane, Leader of the Council presented the report that outlined feedback from the recent Corporate Peer Challenge and introduced a draft improvement plan to implement recommendations from the report.

The Leader of the Council explained that overall the report was pleasing – with a number of positive aspects identified by the Peer Challenge Team. However, some areas for improvement, such as improving prioritisation, some aspects of communications and strengthening the Scrutiny function were identified by the Peer Challenge Team.

RESOLVED:

i)             To agree to the publication of the Feedback Report.

ii)            To approve the draft improvement plan.

iii)           To present the feedback report and improvement plan to Council on 22 February for comment.

REASON FOR THE DECISION

The primary purpose of the Peer Challenge was to support Selby District Council to deliver its stated objectives and meet residents’ aspirations. Delivering on the seven key recommendations made in the report will help ensure this happens. Being open and transparent in how we do this will help ensure we get stakeholders – including Members - bought into our continuing improvement and delivery.

Report E/17/45 presents the financial results and budget exceptions report to 31 December 2017.

Councillor Lunn, Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources presented the financial results and budget exceptions report to 31 December 2017.

The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources explained that the performance from the last quarter had been positive however the Council was still slightly short of the savings target. It was also noted that there had been slight slippage in the Programme for Growth.

Concern was raised at the levies charged to the authority by the Internal Drainage Boards and it was felt that as the Revenue Support Grant was stopped by the Government, the levies would create more pressure for the authority.

The Chief Finance Officer explained that the Fair Funding Review consultation by the Government allowed an opportunity to raise issues such as this along with other pressures on local government budgets.

RESOLVED:

To endorse the actions of officers and note the contents of the report.

REASON FOR THE DECISION

To ensure that budget exceptions are brought to the attention of the Executive in order to approve remedial action where necessary.

Report E/17/46 reviews the Council’s Treasury Management Activity for the 9 month period 1 April 2017 to 31 December 2017 and presents performance against the Prudential Indicators.

Councillor Lunn, Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources presented the report which reviewed the Council’s treasury management period for the nine month period from 1 April 2017 to 31 December 2017 and presented performance against the prudential indicators.

The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources explained that the performance in the period outlined had been positive.

RESOLVED:

To endorse the actions of officers on the Council’s treasury activities for Q3 and approve the report.

REASON FOR THE DECISION

To comply with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) Code of Practice for Treasury Management, the Executive is required to receive and review regular Treasury Management Monitoring Reports.

Report E/17/47 presents for approval the proposed Treasury Management Strategy together with the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement, Annual Investment Strategy for 2018/19, Capital Strategy 2018/19 and Prudential Indicators 2018/19 as required by the Department of Communities and Local Government and CIPFA (as updated 2017).

Councillor Lunn, Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources presented the proposed Treasury Management Strategy together with the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement, Annual Investment Strategy for 2018/19, Capital Strategy 2018/19 and Prudential Indicators 2018/19 as required by the Department of Communities and Local Government and CIPFA.

The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources highlighted that the strategy included a new ‘capital strategy’ which sets out in broad terms the proposed approach to alternative investments – a new requirement driven by the growing practice of councils pursuing commercial investments.

The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources also highlighted the inclusion of property funds in the Council’s list of investments advising that North Yorkshire County Council was in the process of assessing such funds and it was expected that Selby would have the option to join these funds should this be considered beneficial.

RESOLVED:

                        To recommend the following to Council:

i)             The Operational Borrowing Limit for 2018/19 is set at £79m.

ii)            The Authorised Borrowing Limit for 2018/19 is set at £84m.

iii)           Councillors delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer to effect movement within the agreed authorised boundary limits for long-term borrowing for 2018/19 onwards.

iv)           Councillors delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer to effect movement within the agreed operational boundary limits for long-term borrowing for 2018/19 onwards.

v)            The treasury management strategy statement 2018/19 be approved.

vi)           The minimum revenue provision policy statement for 2018/19 be approved.

vii)         The treasury management investment strategy for 2018/19 be approved.

viii)        The prudential indicators for 2018/19 which reflect the capital expenditure plans which are affordable, prudent and sustainable be approved.

ix)           The Capital Strategy for 2018/19 be approved.

REASON FOR THE DECISION

To ensure the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy and associated policies are prudent and affordable.

Report E/17/48 presents the draft revenue budget; capital programmes and outline Programme for Growth for 2018/19 to 2020/21.

Councillor Lunn, Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources presented the draft revenue budget, capital programme and outline Programme for Growth for 2018/19 to 2020/21.

The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources explained that the budget assumed a council tax rise of £5 for a band d property which equated to around 10p a week. It was noted that the rise in the council tax base would yield an additional £200k for the authority.

The Executive were informed that no responses had been received during the consultation period and that all members had been offered a briefing on the budget by the Chief Finance Officer.

The Executive raised their disappointment that the New Homes Bonus had been reduced from six to four years and felt that the impact of internal drainage board levies needed to be more explicit.

RESOLVED:

To submit the draft budgets, bids and savings to Council for approval.

REASON FOR THE DECISION

To enable Council to consider the Executive’s spending plans for the coming 3 years and to set the Budget and Council Tax for 2018/19.