Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Duggan, Lee and Topping.

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.

Councillor Arthur declared a personal interest in agenda item 52 ‘Revenue Budget and Capital Programme 2022/23 and Medium Term Financial Plan’ in relation to the Selby Gateway Project as he was employed by Network Rail.

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Council held on 28 September 2021.

The Council considered the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 28^th September 2021.

RESOLVED:

To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on Tuesday 28^th September 2021 for signing by the Chairman.

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

There were no communications.

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

The Vice Chairman welcomed Councillor Ashton to her first Council meeting since her election to the Byram and Brotherton ward at the recent by-election.

The Chief Executive thanked the Vice Chairman for chairing the meeting in the absence of the Chairman.

The Chief Executive announced that this would be the Democratic Services Manager’s last Council meeting as he would be leaving the Council to take up a new post with Ryedale District Council. The Chief Executive and Members thanked the Democratic Services Manager for his work for the Council.

To receive any petitions.

There were no petitions.

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

There were no public questions.

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

There were no Councillors’ questions.

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.

Councillor Mark 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 and thanked Council officers for their hard work during the recent flooding that had occurred in the district.

A query was raised regarding the devolution deal for North Yorkshire as this was linked to Local Government Reorganisation. The Leader of the Council explained that recently that there had been increased action and discussion with the Government on the devolution deal for the area.

Concern was raised on staffing resources with Local Government Reorganisation as a number of staff had been seconded to North Yorkshire County Council and that complaints had been received from residents that emails were not being forwarded in their absence. It was added that Members should be kept informed of staffing changes. The Leader of the Council explained that as time progressed, officers would be increasingly needed for work associated with Local Government Reorganisation and that there should be systems in place for reading emails.

A query was raised regarding the lack of timetable information at Selby Bus Station and there being no bus stop at the Selby War Memorial Hospital site when buses visited there on a regular basis. The Leader of the Council agreed to look into this.

Councillor Richard Musgrave, Deputy Leader and Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping

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

There were no questions or comments on the report.

Councillor C Lunn, Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources

The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources presented his update on the work he had recently undertaken, as outlined in his report and brought Members’ attention to the additional document that had been circulated concerning the updated budget profile on the Selby Gateway project.

A query was raised regarding the spend for the Programme for Growth as the spend to the end of November had been £1m however the spend forecast to the end of the financial year was £5.4m, The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources explained that the spend on the project had been difficult to predict however would obtain a response on the queries raised.

Councillor D Buckle, Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development

The Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development presented his update on the work he had recently undertaken, as outlined in his report and added that with regard to locality grants, there would be a Panel meeting to discuss the grants next week.

In response to a query regarding the town centre in Tadcaster including the former Natwest Bank, the Lead Executive Member for Communities and Economic Development explained that he would be visiting business in Tadcaster to understand the issues they are facing. With regard to the Bank, Council was informed that the building was in an important location which would be linked to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

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.

Councillor Karl 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.

There were no questions for Councillor Arthur.

Councillor C Pearson, Chairman of the Policy Review Committee

Councillor Pearson, Chairman of the Policy Review Committee, provided an update on the work of the Committee as outlined in his report.

In response to a query, tt was clarified that the 2% pay award figure outlined in the report referred to what was in the budget for the pay award.

Councillor S Shaw-Wright, Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee

Councillor Shaw-Wright, Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee, provided an update on the work of the Committee as outlined in his report and added that a further meeting of the Scrutiny Committee had taken p[lace regarding blue light services with contributions from the Police and the Ambulance Service.

There were no questions for Councillor Shaw-Wright.

RESOLVED:

To receive and note the reports from Committees.

Motions Process:

• No speeches may be made after the mover has moved a proposal and explained the purpose of it until the motion has been seconded.

• When seconding a motion or amendment, a councillor may reserve their speech until later in the debate.

• Speeches must be directed to the motion under discussion or to a personal explanation or point of order. No speech may exceed five minutes without the consent of the Chairman.

• A councillor who has spoken on a motion may not speak again whilst it is the subject of debate, except:

a)    To speak once on an amendment moved by another councillor;

b)    To move a further amendment if the motion has been amended since he/she last spoke;

c)    If his/her first speech was on an amendment moved by another councillor, to speak on the main issue (whether or not the amendment on which he/she spoke was carried);

d)    In exercise of a right of reply (see Rule 15.9 of the Constitution);

e)    On a point of order (see Rule 15.12 of the Constitution); and

f)      By way of personal explanation (see Rule 15.13 of the Constitution).

• For amendments, please refer to Rule 15.6 of the Constitution.

Two motions have been submitted for consideration. These are outlined at 11.1 and 11.2 on the agenda.

It was noted that two motions had been submitted for consideration. The first motion was as follows:

This district council supports the implementation of 20mph as the default speed limit for our district in all the urban and village streets where people live, work, shop, play and learn.  The Council will write to the Leader and Cabinet Member for the Highway Authority (currently North Yorkshire County Council) to implement 20mph as the default limit with higher limits only where the needs of vulnerable road users are fully taken into account.

Councillor Steve Shaw-Wright proposed the motion and outlined that there were many benefits of 20mph zones such as reducing congestion and reducing the number of accidents including outside schools. The motion was seconded by Councillor Packham who stated that surveys had shown that a high percentage of the public were in favour of 20mph zones and that it was cheaper to introduce than other initiatives such as traffic calming measures.

The Leader of the Council responded to the motion and stated that the evidence from North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) was that it did not prevent accidents and that it was difficult to enforce by the Police. The Deputy Leader of the Council stated the issue of 20mph zones had already been responded to by the portfolio holder for transport at NYCC. Council was informed that speed limits were set by NYCC in accordance with Department for Transport guidance and that their judgement was that 30mph was the appropriate speed limit for residential areas.

Additionally, it was explained that it would cost £12m to introduce 20mph speed limits as the default limit however NYCC’s Executive were looking at introducing 20mph in some areas in a targeted way.

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was rejected.

RESOLVED:

                    To reject the motion.

The second motion was as follows:

This Council notes recent research by the Resolution Foundation think-tank, which reveals the number of UK households suffering from ‘fuel stress’ – those spending at least 10% of their family budgets on energy bills – is set to treble to 6.3m overnight when the new energy price cap comes in on 1 April 2022.

This Council notes and is concerned by the Government’s latest official data, which reveals nearly 5000 households (13.2%) in Selby District are in fuel poverty.

This Council agrees with the well-respected ‘Money Saving Expert’, Martin Lewis that ‘it is not an exaggeration to say there are people in the country who will be choosing between heating and eating come April.’

This Council calls on the UK Government to take immediate and substantive action to support families across Selby, and indeed the United Kingdom, who are struggling with the recent sharp increases in household energy costs and the increases to come in the weeks and months ahead.

This Council notes Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s public statement in May 2016 that ‘the least wealthy are hit particularly hard’ by VAT on household energy bills and that ‘when we vote Leave,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 47.

The Council are asked to consider report C/21/8 which sets out the Council’s proposed Low Carbon Strategy 2021-2030.

The Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping presented the report which outlined the Council’s proposed Low Carbon Strategy 2021-2030.

The Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping thanked officers and the Low Carbon Working Group for their work on the strategy.

RESOLVED:

1)    To approve the Low Carbon Strategy 2021 – 2030 (Appendix A) and that support be provided for targets for the Council to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050 as outlined in the Council Plan but with the aspiration of achieving this by 2030, or as near to that date as possible.

2)    To support and select the first option of offsetting scope 1 and 2 emissions with regards to carbon offsetting from 2018 to 2023 as outlined in section 4.2.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To enable the Council to achieve its low carbon targets and to show leadership with addressing the impacts of climate change.

Report C/21/9 asks that Council recommends that the revised Local Development Scheme which sets out the timescales for the preparation of a new Local Plan is brought into effect and published.

The Lead Executive Member for Place Shaping presented the report which asked that Council recommend that the revised Local Development Scheme which set out the timescales for the preparation of a new Local Plan was brought into effect and published.

It was noted there was an error in the report where it referred to Access Selby and it was agreed this would be removed.

RESOLVED:

To recommend that the revised Local Development Scheme which sets out the timescales for the preparation of a new Local Plan at Appendix A is brought into effect and published.

REASON FOR DECISION:

It is important that there is clarity about what work is being undertaken to progress the Local Plan for Selby District and what documents will be produced. Local Plan documents have key implications for places across the district and for communities, businesses and organisations across and beyond the district. There is a legal requirement to produce a Local Development Scheme, which must be made publicly available and kept up-to-date.

Report C/21/10 sets out the 2021-22 review of the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2020-2025.

The Leader of the Council presented the report which set out the 2021-22 review of the Housing Revenue Account Business Plan 2020-2025.

There were no comments on the report.

RESOLVED:

To approve the 2021/22 review of the HRA Business Plan 2020-2025 and reflect the revised cost and income profiles in the budget proposals for 22/23 - 24/25.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Approving this review of the HRA Business Plan 2020-2025 allows the Council to continue to try and deliver an ambitious programme of improvement within our housing stock, as well as maintain our commitment to housing development and securing building safety; ensuring as much as possible that the needs of our residents are met now and in the future.

Report C/21/11 confirms the robustness of the Council’s budget and the adequacy of its reserves and balances having regard to a variety of factors.

Karen Iveson, Chief Finance Officer presented the report which confirmed the robustness of the Council’s budget and the adequacy of its reserves and balances having regard to a variety of factors.

There were no comments on the report.

RESOLVED:

To consider the Chief Finance Officer’s statements in paragraphs 2.8 and 2.14 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 2022/23.

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.

To consider report C/21/12 which presents the Executive’s proposed revenue budget; capital programmes and the Programme for Growth for 2022-23.

The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources provided a presentation on the Executive’s proposed revenue budget, capital programmes and the Programme for Growth for 2022/23. The proposed budget also set out recommendations for formal Council Tax setting. The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources also drew Members’ attention to the update note which had been circulated concerning the Selby Gateway Project.

The key elements of the presentation were as follows:

·         This would be the last budge for Selby District Council before the new North Yorkshire unitary authority was established next year. The aim was to deliver on the Council Plan and support a smooth transition to the new Council.

·         There continued to be challenges on the delivery of the Council plans due to Covid-19, capacity issues, inflation, supply chain and other market issues.

·         The proposed budget delivered the necessary financial investment to meet the Council’s stated priorities, balanced the investment of cash windfalls with future financial sustainability, and allocated resources and reserves to support financial resilience and manage risk as the transition continue to the new unitary authority.

·         Savings would be delayed to 2024/25 which would be post Local Government Reorganisation (LGR).

·         The General Fund (GF) had a net revenue budget of £22.6m with a precept of just over £6m.It was noted that due to the ongoing impacts of Covid-19 and LGR, the budget included substantial contingencies.

·         It was proposed that there would be a freeze in the Band D charge for Council Tax which meant it would remain ay £183.22 for 2022/23. Additionally, Members were informed that the tax base had show a 2.19% growth.

·         The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) had a net revenue budget of £8.3m with a surplus of £4.3 for major repairs. It was noted that the Executive had previously approved a 4.1% increase in Council rents.

·         Some of the budget risks included ongoing impacts of Covid-19 on services such as leisure, the new Government funding formula in development and a review of the New Homes Bonus.

·         There was significant service investment planned for the next three years in the GF and HRA Capital Programmes and the Programmes for Growth.

A query was raised whether the forthcoming call-in consideration of the proposed funding for leisure services had an impact on how the budget was considered. The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources explained that a contingency amount had been included in the budget therefore it would not preclude the decision on the budget.

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

The voting for the proposals was as follows:

For the proposal: 26

Councillors K Arthur, G Ashton, D Brook, D Buckle, J Cattanach, I Chilvers, J Chilvers, M Crane, S Duckett, K Ellis, K Franks, T Grogan, M Jordan, C Lunn, D Mackay, J Mackman, R Musgrave, W Nichols, B Packham, C Pearson, N  ...  view the full minutes text for item 52.

The Council are asked to approve report C/21/13 which sets out the Council’s proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2022-23.

The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources presented the report which set out the Council’s proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2022-23 and informed Council that the Selby Station Gateway project expenditure would be updated as outlined on the budget item.

There were no comments on the report.

RESOLVED:

i)             To set the Operational Borrowing Limit for 2022/23 at £73m

ii)            To set the Authorised Borrowing Limit for 2022/23 at £78m

iii)          To delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer to effect movement within the agreed authorised boundary limits for long-term borrowing for 2022/23.

iv)          To delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer to effect movement within the agreed operational boundary limits for long-term borrowing for 2022/23 onwards.

v)            To approve the treasury management strategy statement 2022/23.

vi)          To approve the minimum revenue provision policy statement for 2022/23.

vii)         To approve the treasury management investment strategy for 2022/23.

viii)       To approve the prudential indicators for 2022/23 which reflect the capital expenditure plans which are affordable, prudent and sustainable.

ix)          To approve the Capital Strategy for 2022/23.

REASON FOR DECISION:

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

Report C/21/14 asks the Council to approve the Pay Policy Statement for 2022-23.

The Leader of the Council presented the report which asked Council to approve the Pay Policy Statement for 2022/23.

There were no comments on the report.

RESOLVED:

To approve the Pay Policy Statement for 2022/23 (Appendix A).

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.

Report C/21/15 sets out proposals for appointing the external auditor to the Council for the accounts for the five-year period from 2023/24.

The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources presented the report which set out proposals for appointing the external auditor to the Council for the accounts for the five-year period from 2023/24.

The Lead Executive Member for Finance and Resources explained that the proposals were presented in the context of LGR and had the support of all eight section 151 officers across the area.

Council was informed that the Public Sector Auditor Appointments (PSAA) had advised that existing Councils should opt into the proposals arrangements in case there was a delay with LGR.

RESOLVED:

To accept the Public Sector Audit Appointments’ invitation to opt into the sector-led option for the appointment of external auditors to principal local government and police bodies for five financial years from 1 April 2023.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To ensure an external auditor appointment should LGR be delayed for any reason.

The Council are asked to note the content of report C/21/16 – the report of the Council’s Monitoring Officer 2021- Standards Arrangements.

Alison Hartley, Monitoring Officer presented the annual report of the Monitoring Officer for 2021 regarding the standards arrangements of the Council.

Concern was raised that the Democratic Services Manager in their role as Deputy Monitoring Officer would be placed in a difficult position if having to deal with complaints against Members due to the role working closely with Members on a regular basis.

The Monitoring Officer advised that the Democratic Services Manager in their role as the Deputy Monitoring Officer predominantly dealt with complaints relating to Parish Councillors and that the Solicitor (Planning) in their role as Deputy Monitoring Officer with full powers would assist in dealing with complaints against District Councillors.

RESOLVED:

                        To note the contents of the report.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To ensure that high standards of conduct by Councillors and co-optees are promoted

and maintained.

The Council are asked to approve the updated appointment of Councillors to Committees for the 2021-22 municipal year as outlined in report C/21/17.

The Leader of the Council presented the report which asked Council to approve the updated appointment of Councillors to Committees for the 2021-22 municipal year as outlined in the report.

There were no comments on the report.

RESOLVED:

To approve the updated appointment of Councillors to Committees as outlined at Appendix A for the 2021/22 municipal year

REASON FOR DECISION:

To meet legislative requirements and to enable the proper functioning of the Council in the 2021/22 municipal year. 

Report C/21/18 sets out any administrative changes to the Constitution that have been made under delegation by the Monitoring Officer since the last approval by Council.

Alison Hartley, Monitoring Officer presented the report which set out any administrative changes to the Constitution that had been made under delegation by the Monitoring Officer since the last approval by Council.

There were no comments on the report.

RESOLVED:

To note the administrative changes made by the Monitoring Officer since the last amendments were reported to Council in April 2021.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To ensure the constitution is up to date and fit for purpose.

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.

The Chief Executive reported the following urgent action she had agreed since the previous meeting of the Council in September 2021:

• On 16^th December 2021, following consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and the Leader of the Council, the decision to cancel the Council meeting due to take place on 21 December 2021 due to the continuing Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

• On 16^th December 2021, following consultation with the Leader of the Council, the Executive and the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the decision to cancel the Executive meeting due to take place on 21 December due to the continuing Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.

RESOLVED:

                        To note the urgent action taken and reported by the Chief Executive.