Agenda and minutes

Apologies for Absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Goodchild, Jones, McIntyre and Thompson.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no formal announcements for this meeting.

The Elected Mayor and the Chief Executive submitted a report for Council’s consideration. The report sought Council’s approval of the proposed revised Strategic Plan for the period 2021-24.

The Mayor presented the Strategic Plan for the period 2021-24.

The Mayor advised that Members have been briefed on the approach to the Strategic Plan and the document was endorsed by Executive on 16 February.

At the Executive’s next meeting on 16 March, a work plan to support the delivery of the Strategic Plan would be considered. This would include activity developed in response to the outcome of the recent public consultation.

Members would receive a quarterly briefing on progress in delivering the plan, in addition to the formal reports received by Executive and OSB.

The Mayor outlined some of the achievements by the Council.

Members commented on issues with the overall content and balance of the plan, the fact that the results of the consultation process had not been included, the low response to the consultation, the lack of milestones and measurements in the plan and the impact of the Freeport on business rates in the town.

Following a vote it was:

ORDERED that the revised Strategic Plan for the period 2021-24 be approved.

The Mayor presented a report which set out the proposed Revenue Budget, Council Tax, Medium Term Financial Plan and Capital Strategy for 2021/22.

Members commented on the overall budget and thanked the Council officers for their hard work in pulling the budget together.

It was highlighted that the proposed increase in Council Tax was below the increase recommended by the Government.

It was commented that the government needed to agree the Public Health Grant and that the Local Government Settlement Grant should be based on deprivation to allow the Council to provide the necessary services to local people.

In accordance with statutory regulations a recorded vote was taken by roll call of those Members present at that time, the results of which were as follows:-

Votes For: (42)

The Mayor (A Preston), Councillors Arundale, Bell, Branson, Cooke, Cooper, Coupe, Davison, Dean, Dodds, Furness, Garvey, Hellaoui, Higgins, High, Hill, C Hobson, J Hobson, Hubbard, Hussain, Lewis, Mason, Mawston, McCabe, McTigue, Nugent, Platt, Polano, Purvis, Rooney, Rostron, Sands, Saunders, Smiles, M Storey, P Storey, , Uddin, J Walker, S Walker, Waters, Wilson, Wright

Against (0)                  Abstentions (0)

ORDERED as follows:

That the Council approves the proposed budget strategy for 2021/22 as set out in paragraphs 35 to 70, and approves the proposed budget efficiency savings for 2021/22 (Appendices 1).

That the Council approves the budget requirement for 2021/22 to be set at £116,492,035 as detailed in Appendix 2.

Having taken into account the matters set out in Section 32 of the Local Government Act 1992 and the items set out within the report that the Council approves that the basic amount of Council Tax (Band D) for 2021/22 be £1,757.67 being a 1.99% increase in general Council Tax and an annual precept of 0.76% for Adult Social Care which has been continued by the Government to contribute towards the shortfall of funding for adult social care. In total this represents an increase of 2.75% in the basic amount of Council Tax for the whole of the Borough.

That the Council approves the actual amount of Council Tax (Band D) for areas without parish precepts (excluding Fire and Police) be set at £1,757.11.

That the Council approves the actual amount of Council Tax (Band D) for areas with parish precepts (excluding Fire and Police) be set at :-

Nunthorpe Parish £1,761.41

Stainton and Thornton Parish £1,766.42 

That the Council approves the amounts of Council Tax for each category of dwelling be set in accordance with table 4 of Appendix 4 within the report.

That the Council notes the refreshed Medium-Term Financial Plan position for 2021- 24 set out in this report in paragraphs 90 to 119.

That the Council approves the updated Investment Strategy for the period to 2023/24 as outlined in paragraphs 120 to 124 and detailed in Appendix 5.

That the Council approves the Capital Strategy Report (Prudential indicators, Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision) 2021/22 as outlined in paragraphs 125 to 136 and detailed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 20/74

The Executive Member for Finance & Governance presented a report, the purpose of which was to approve the Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme for 2021/2022.

Following a Vote it was:

ORDERED that the Council Tax Support (CTS) scheme for 2021/2022 be approved.