Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Civic Centre, Doncaster Road, Selby, YO8 9FT

Contact: Palbinder Mann 

Items
No. Item

53.

Apologies for Absence

To receive apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Councillors Casling, Ellis, Jordan, Marshall, Peart, Sage and Sweeting.

54.

Disclosures of Interest

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.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

55.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 251 KB

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on Tuesday 18 December 2018.

Minutes:

The Council considered the minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2018.

 

RESOLVED:

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 18 December 2018 for signing by the Chairman.

56.

Communications

The Chairman, Leader of the Council or the Chief Executive will deal with any communications which need to be reported to the Council.

Minutes:

The Chairman announced that during the last week, he had been involved in two small business awards. These had been awarded to the following:

 

·         The Blacksmiths Arms in Biggin which had been rated in the top 10 in the UK for their meals and for using local suppliers in the area within a 10 mile radius of Biggin.

 

·         The Queen of the Old Thatch at South Milford which had received the best Sunday lunch in England and this had been awarded by the Observer newspaper.

 

The Chairman informed Council that tomorrow, he would be attending the opening of the Rhubarb festival in Wakefield with the Mayor of Wakefield. It was noted that the festival would on for three days with over 200 food stalls, with many from the Selby area.

 

Additionally, the Chairman informed Council that tomorrow night, he had been invited in his role as Chairman to the Yorkshire Hero Awards at York Racecourse. He noted that many groups and individuals from the Selby area had been nominated for an award and he wished them all the success for their hard work.

57.

Announcements

To receive any announcements from the Chairman, Leader or Members of the Executive.

Minutes:

Councillor Reynolds entered the meeting at this point.

 

The Leader of the Council informed Council that Network Rail had written to residents regarding crossing work taking place in the town however had stated the incorrect times for the work to take place. He added that he had contacted them and they would be sending an amended letter to all residents with the correct information.

 

Concern was raised at the number of roadworks taking place in the town and in the surrounding areas and it was felt better communication was needed between different authorities and agencies to ensure work was appropriately scheduled to avoid disruption.

 

The Chairman announced two events that would taking place to raise money for his chosen charities as follows:

 

·         There would be a Race Night at Fields Garden Centre on Friday 1 March in Sherburn in Elmet. The Chairman announced that the event had been sold out and thanked everyone who had brought a ticket or sponsored a horse.

 

·         There would be a gala concert at Selby Abbey as part of the 950th anniversary, this would be made up of 12 acts from the Selby area and would take place on Saturday 16th March with two shows at 2pm and 7pm. The Chairman announced that some tickets were still available if people wanted to attend.

 

The Chairman announced that the above events would be last main fund raising events during his year in office due to the elections and thanked everyone for their support during his year in office.

58.

Petitions

To receive any petitions.

Minutes:

There were no petitions received.

 

59.

Public Questions

To receive and answer questions, notice of which has been given in accordance with rule 10.1 of the Constitution.

Minutes:

There were no public questions received.

60.

Councillors' Questions

To receive and answer questions submitted by councillors in accordance with rule 11.2 of the Constitution.

Minutes:

There were no questions submitted by Councillors.

 

61.

Reports from the Executive pdf icon PDF 116 KB

The Leader of the Council, and other members of the Executive, will report on their work since the last meeting of the Council and will respond to questions from Councillors on that work.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor M Crane, Leader of the Council

 

The Leader of the Council presented his update on the work he had recently undertaken, as outlined in his report.

 

The Leader of the Council added that with regard to the highway works taking place across the area, there should be better co-ordination between the relevant authorities and agencies and that when work had ceased for the day, roads should be open for traffic until work restarted again the next day.

 

In relation to the devolution proposals, the Leader of the Council informed Council that he and other local leads would be meeting James Brokenshire about the devolution proposals.

 

In response to a query concerning the review for Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), the Leader of the Council announced that sup group was now up and running however that there was issues in relation to who would be the responsible body for the sub group with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) wanting to take on the role. The Leader of the Council stated that the District Council was not a member of WYCA. With regard to the proposed memberships of LEPs going forward, the Leader of the Council informed Council that he raised concern at the limited number of places that would be allocated to District Councils on LEPs.

 

A query was raised regarding who would be involved in the work to bid for the Selby High Street Fund. The Leader of the Council stated that this was likely to be local members and the Selby Town Enterprise Partnership (STEP).

 

Concern was raised at the lack of provision for football pitches in Eggborough and Hensall as part of the Local Football Facilities Plan. The Leader of the Council explained that he was aware football provision was needed in a specific area and discussion had taken place with the company who would be looking after Eggborough Power Station about whether the current sports facilities could be maintained.

 

Councillor J Mackman, Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Lead Member for Place Shaping

 

Councillor Mackman, Deputy Leader of the Council and Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping, provided an update on the work he had recently undertaken, as outlined in his report.

 

The Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping explained that he had attended a meeting with the people who would be carrying out the demolition through controlled explosion of some of the chimneys at Ferrybridge Station. The Council was informed that the demolition process would take two years and access to the M62 would be controlled throughout the demolition process.

 

In response to a query concerning the responsibility for the Ferrybridge Station proposal mentioned in the report, the Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping explained that Wakefield was the main authority dealing with the application and Selby would be a statutory consultee. Additionally, it was noted that liaison meetings had been arranged for local people to attend.

 

Councillor C Lunn, Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources  

 

Councillor Lunn, Lead Executive Member for Finance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

62.

Reports from Committees pdf icon PDF 283 KB

To receive reports from the Council’s committees which need to be brought to the attention of Council. To receive questions and provide answers on any of those reports.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor W Nichols, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

Councillor W Nichols, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee provided an update on the work of the Committee as outlined in her report. There were no questions for Councillor Nichols. 

 

Councillor J Deans, Chairman of the Policy Review Committee

 

Councillor Deans, Chairman of the Policy Review Committee provided an update on the work of the Committee as outlined in his report. There were no questions for Councillor Deans.

 

Councillor K Arthur, Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee

 

Councillor Arthur, Chairman of the Audit and Governance Committee provided an update on the work of the Committee as outlined in his report. Members raised concern that the briefing note on Brexit which had been circulated to the Committee had not been circulated to all Members. It was agreed this would be circulated to all Members.

 

RESOLVED:

To receive and note the reports from Committees.

 

63.

Motions

To consider the following motion proposed by Councillors Duckett, Jordan, McCartney, Marshall, Nichols, Packham, Shaw-Wright, Thurlow and Welch:

 

This Council calls upon the Government to reconsider transitional arrangements for women born on or after 6th April 1951, so that women do not live in hardship due to pension changes they were not told about until it was too late to make alternative arrangements.

 

 

 

 

Minutes:

The following motion had been listed on the agenda for discussion:

 

This Council calls upon the Government to reconsider transitional arrangements for women born on or after 6th April 1951, so that women do not live in hardship due to pension changes they were not told about until it was too late to make alternative arrangements.

 

Councillor Packham proposed the motion and explained the following:

 

·         The matter had been discussed at a Council meeting last February however an amended motion had been passed at that meeting which had been effectively a negative of the proposal therefore it was up for consideration again. It was noted that 156 other Councils including North Yorkshire County Council had approved the motion.

 

·         592,600 women had been affected by the changes in Yorkshire and of these, 6,700 were from Selby and Ainsty. Some women had been waiting six years, to the age of 66 for a pension they expected to receive for most of their life, at the age of 60.

 

·         Many women in the affected age group had not been individually informed of the changes likely to affect them, or were given only an eighteen month notice of a six year change in their pension age. This was in contrast to when the state pension age for men increased from 65 to 66 and men had been given five years notice which was unfair.

 

·         The changes had led to hardship for those who had been affected with impacts on other allowances such as winter fuel allowance and bus passes.

 

·         Members had received individual letters from women affected explaining the difficult personal circumstances they were facing as a result of the changes.

 

·         A Judicial Review of the changes had been brought on behalf of a group and this would be heard in the High Court in the spring. It was also understood that the local MP, Nigel Adams was sympathetic to the cause.

 

The Leader of the Council explained that he felt sorry for the people affected and would vote in favour of the motion along with writing a letter of support however outlined that this was not an issue which the District Council had control over.

 

RESOLVED:

To agree the following motion:

 

This Council calls upon the Government to reconsider transitional arrangements for women born on or after 6th April 1951, so that women do not live in hardship due to pension changes they were not told about until it was too late to make alternative arrangements.

 

64.

The Budget, Reserves and Balances 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 308 KB

To consider a report which provides Council with assurance on the proposed budget and the Council’s reserves in order to formally set the budget and Council Tax for 2019/20.

 

Minutes:

Karen Iveson, Chief Finance Officer presented the report which provided the Council with assurance on the proposed budget and the Council’s reserves in order to formally set the budget and Council Tax for 2019/20.

 

The Chief Finance Officer confirmed that she felt that the Council’s budget proposals were robust and that the reserves were adequate.

 

RESOLVED:

To consider the Chief Finance Officer’s statements in paragraphs 2.6 and 2.12 of the report when setting the Council Tax.

 

REASON FOR DECISION:

 

To provide Council with assurance on the proposed budget and the Council’s reserves in order to formally set the budget and Council Tax for 2019/20.

 

 

65.

Revenue Budget and Capital Programme 2019/20 and Medium Term Financial Plan pdf icon PDF 348 KB

To consider a report which presents Executive’s proposed revenue budget; capital programmes and outline Programme for Growth for 2019/20 to 2021/22.

 

In accordance with The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, all local authorities must record in their minutes how each Councillor voted (or abstained from voting) on the question of Budget and Council tax setting at the ‘Budget Decision Meeting’ of the Council. This rule will therefore apply and a recorded vote will be taken on this item.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Lunn, Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources provided a presentation on Executive’s proposed revenue budget, capital programmes and outline Programme for Growth, for 2019/120 to 2021/22.

 

The key elements of the presentation were:

 

·         In its financial strategy, the Council was taking a long term view of resources and spending and managing down the ongoing revenue budget in line with in year funding through efficiency savings and growing income.

 

·         The budget risks included the reduction and uncertainty of Government funding, rates retention being currently under review, a rent reduction of 1% imposed for 2019/20 and concerns over the impact of Brexit and any other wider economic impacts.

 

·         There were significant revenue and capital investments proposed over the next three years with around £10.1m from the General Fund (GF) and £14.5m from the Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

 

·         The Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement includes business rates baseline funding being increased to £2.427m to reflect the 75% pilot in 2019/20. Furthermore, an additional £340k will be received for the New Homes Bonus for 2019/20.

 

·         The GF presents a balanced budget which includes increased service commitments for areas such as recycling credits and housing benefit grant. The planned efficiencies and income growth are estimated at £1.1m.

 

·         The HRA was showing a net revenue surplus of £3.2m before the funding for the capital programme for 2019/20. This includes a 1% reduction is housing rents and £214k of planned savings.

 

·         A council tax increase of £3 for a Band D property was being proposed which would result in an approximate increase of 1.71%.

 

Concern was raised around the vacancy levels and impact this could have on current staff who may have to pick up extra duties. The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources explained that this was reflecting what was actually happening and no added impact was expected.

 

Discussion took place on the proposals put forward and it was felt that the proposed £2 saving on council tax for a Band D property would result in minimal savings for residents when taking into account precept increases from other authorities along with the relevant parish. Concern was raised that by not increasing council tax by the maximum £5 for a Band D property would result in reduction in council tax over the year of £62k.

 

With regard to the proposed council tax increase, the Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources explained that the Council had always aimed to keep the rise below inflation and had kept the same practice when proposing the current rise.

 

Council attention was drawn to the council tax figures in the amended appendices A to C that had been circulated following the agreement of the precept by the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

 

In line with the Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2014, the Chairman explained that a recorded vote must be taken on the proposals which had been put forward as outlined in the report.

 

For the proposal: Fifteen

Councillors K Arthur, D Buckle, J Cattanach,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

66.

Treasury Management - Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2019/20, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement 2019/20, Annual Investment Strategy 2019/20 and Prudential Indicators 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 355 KB

To consider a report  which presents for approval the proposed Treasury Management Strategy together with the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement, Annual Investment Strategy for 2019/20, Capital Strategy 2019/20 and Prudential Indicators 2019/20 as required by the Department of Communities and Local Government and CIPFA (as updated 2017).

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Lunn, Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources presented the report which presented for approval the proposed Treasury Management Strategy together with the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy Statement, Annual Investment Strategy for 2019/20, Capital Strategy 2019/20 and Prudential Indicators 2019/20 as required by the Department of Communities and Local Government and CIPFA (as updated 2017).

 

There were no comments on the report.

 

RESOLVED:

i)             To set the Operational Borrowing Limit for 2018/19 at £79m;

 

ii)            To set the Authorised  Borrowing Limit for 2018/19 at £84m;

 

iii)           To 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)          To 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)            To approve the treasury management strategy statement 2018/19;

 

vi)          To approve the minimum revenue provision policy statement for 2018/19;

 

vii)         To approve the treasury management investment strategy for 2018/19;

 

viii)        To approve the prudential indicators for 2018/19 which reflect the capital expenditure plans which are affordable, prudent and sustainable;

 

ix)          To approve the Capital Strategy for 2018/19.

 

REASON FOR DECISION:

 

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

 

67.

Pay Policy Statement 2019/20 pdf icon PDF 486 KB

To consider a report which seeks approval of the Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2019/20 in accordance with section 38 of the Localism Act 2011.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Crane, Leader of the Council presented the report which sought approval of the Council’s Pay Policy Statement 2019/20 in accordance with section 38 of the Localism Act 2011.

 

It was noted this report needed to be produced each year.

 

RESOLVED:

                        To approve the Pay Policy Statement for 2019/20.

 

REASON FOR DECISION:

 

To comply with Localism Act 2011 (the Act) to prepare a Pay Policy Statement articulating the Council’s policy towards the pay of the workforce.

 

68.

Appointment of the Monitoring Officer pdf icon PDF 158 KB

To consider a report which asks the Council to appoint a Monitoring Officer.

Minutes:

Councillor Crane, Leader of the Council presented the report which asked the Council to appoint a Monitoring Officer.

 

A view was expressed that it would have been better to see a permanent post advertised allowing individuals from the district to apply. The Chief Executive explained that the interim appointment would be for a maximum of six months which would sit alongside the Better Together work currently undertaken with North Yorkshire County Council. The Chief Executive further explained that the time would allow the Council to define what they wanted from the permanent role.

 

RESOLVED:

To appoint Bernice Elgot as the Council’s Monitoring Officer.

 

REASON FOR DECISION:

 

To ensure that the Council appoints a Monitoring Officer as per section 5 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

 

69.

Urgent Action

The Chief Executive will report on any instances where she has acted in urgent or emergency situations under the functions delegated to her in the Constitution.

Minutes:

The Chief Executive informed Council that the following urgent action had been taken by her since the last Council meeting under her delegated authority:

 

·         On 28 January 2019, to appoint Councillor Chris Pearson as a substitute member of the Planning Committee for the municipal year 2018/19 with immediate effect.