Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies.

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in items on the agenda. For any advice on declarations of interest; please contact the Monitoring Officer before the meeting.

There were no disclosable pecuniary or other significant interests declared at the meeting.

To note any members of the Council wishing to speak, of which due notice has been given in accordance with Cabinet Procedure Rule 28.4, and which item(s) they wish to speak on.

Councillors Hayward and Pope had registered as wishing to speak on minute item 9 – Phased Reopening of Council Sports Centres.

To approve the minutes of a previous meeting as a correct record. The only issue relating to the minutes that can be discussed is their accuracy.

Members reviewed the minutes. No amendments were proposed.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting dated 6 August 2020 be approved as a correct record.

To receive any questions from members of the Council, of which due notice has been given in accordance with Cabinet Procedure Rule 28.3, to be submitted and answered.

There were no questions from members of the Council.

To receive any questions from members of the public, of which due notice has been given in accordance with Cabinet Procedure Rule 28.5, to be submitted and answered.

Pursuant to Cabinet Procedure Rule 28.5, Mr Adrian Thorne a resident, had submitted the question as follows:

“As the body responsible for setting the remit for the Climate Emergency Advisory Panel (CEAP), I wish to ask the following:

1.    Given the importance of the climate emergency (recognised by TWBC in the 2019 climate declaration) why us the CEAP only formed on an informal basis?  These are some of the most important decisions facing our town, and they should be treated as such.

2.    Why is it considered unnecessary to keep minutes for some of the CEAP meetings?  The vast body of evidence shows that an informed (and ideally involved) public are more supportive of changes made to mitigate and adapt to climate change, than a public kept in the dark.  Currently the best way to find out what is going on seems to be badgering committee members on social media – hardly satisfactory.

3.    Will the cabinet reform the CEAP on a formal basis, with transparency for the public?

To remind the cabinet, the 2019 TWBC climate emergency declaration talks of seeking ways to include members of the community.”

Councillor Bailey, Portfolio Holder for Sustainability provided the following reply:

“The Climate Emergency Advisory Panel (CEAP) was set up following the Motion at the July 2019 Full Council Meeting that recognised the climate emergency.  All political parties are represented equally, and the panel also contains senior Council officers with expertise in this area.

It is not correct to say that CEAP is set up on an informal basis.  It is a well-resourced panel that is conducting important work for the future of the borough.  Meetings are taking place monthly and we have obtained input from expert speakers and external consultants.

Eight meetings have taken place since the panel’s inception.  Minutes have been kept and distributed to panel members.

The panel procured the services of consultancy firm Laser to conduct a green audit of the carbon emissions from the council’s estate and services and this work has been completed.  The Council is currently working with the consultant on potential policy ideas to reduce carbon emissions, and these options will be costed in broad terms.

Once this work is complete the panel will present a report to Cabinet at which point the findings will be publically available.  This is scheduled for February 2021.

The panel is also working on plans to consult with residents via a Citizens’ Assembly.  Once again the recommendations will be made to Cabinet and publically available at that point.”

Members considered the plan. No amendments were proposed.

RESOLVED – That the Forward Plan as at 12 August 2020 be noted.

To consider and decide on the recommendations as set out in the attached report.

RESOLVED – That Full Council be recommended:

1. To note the impact of Covid 19, Brexit and abnormal costs on the delivery and fund raising strategies for the Amelia Scott Project;
2. To note the proposed additional capital contribution of £900,000 by Kent CC for the delivery of the Amelia Scott Project;
3. That Full Council approve the addition of £2,000,000 to the Council’s Capital Programme to deliver he Amelia Scott Project and underwrite  a further £275,000 for (NLHF funding), and delegate the s151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance, to determine the sources of funding to deliver the project; and;
4. To delegate to the Head of Economic Development and Property and the Head of HR Customer Service and Culture in consultation with the Director of Change and Communities, the s151 Officer, the Monitoring Officer, the Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance authority to enter into contract with the necessary contractors and suppliers and enter into all necessary legal agreements in order to deliver the Amelia Scott Project.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To progress the Council’s priority project in line with the strategic aim to grow our role as the cultural

centre of the Kent & Sussex High Weald.  To be completed in December 2021.

David Candlin, Head of Economic Development and Property introduced the report that provided an update on the development and delivery of the scheme.

Discussion and responses to Members questions included the following:

-       The report included the issues identified and addressed including Covid-19.

-       The Council had commissioned a financial review of the project that would provide clarity on the financial aspects of delivering the project and objectives in full.

-       Cabinet agreed to deliver this joint project with Kent County Council in 2015.  The project also received support from both the Arts Council England (ACE) and the National Heritage Lottery Fund (NHLF).

-       The new Hub was expected to attract around 500,000 visitors and 18,000 learners a year.

-       The construction phase started on 13 January 2020 and remained on schedule.  The Amelia Scott was the only NHLF funded project that had remained on schedule during the Covid-19 pandemic.

-       The fit out programme remained on schedule. 

-       The Amelia  Scott Charitable Trust was registered in December 2019 and became a registered charity in June 2020. 

-       The scheme had managed Covid-19 to date although concerns remained, along with the impact of Brexit. 

-       There remained key budgetary challenges for both the construction and fit out.  To address those concerns, TWBC commissioned Focus Consultants to undertake a Project Financial Review Report.  The key point to note was the project cost had increased from £16.17m to £19.347m – an additional £3.17m. 

-       To fund the additional £3.17m the following measures were being taken:

o   A request to NHLF for an additional grant of £675k to be submitted in November 2020.  Recent discussions with NHLF suggested that this request would be received positively.

o   An additional £900k from Kent CC had been confirmed. 

o   TWBC would then need to fund the additional £2m of planned expenditure.

-       TWBC had committed to underwrite aspects of the project and inclusive of these previous commitments, the Council would now have a potential additional exposure of £275k.  This would bring the total of underwritten risk up to £2.46m. 

-       Given the current economic climate, a sensitively analysis had been undertaken to provide a best, mid and worst case scenario.  In a reasonable mid case scenario, an additional £1.2m of risk was a possibility. 

-       The Council would continue to bid and explore opportunities for possible additional funding.  The Arts Council had just announced their Capital Kick Start Fund and the Council had now submitted a bid for just under £300k. 

-       Alternative options had been considered including reducing the build or completing the build but reducing the fit out .  The project board had agreed that the project be delivered with all its objectives, rather than a reduced project and risk existing financial commitments from national funders and potentially losing the wider benefits.

-       It was noted that once the work was finished, the result would see two very old buildings ranked as very good on the BREEAM scale.

-       The new facility would offer  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB19/20

Report to follow.

RESOLVED –

1. That the impact of the various restrictions put in place in response to Covid-19 on the operation of the Council’s three sports centres be noted;
2. That Cabinet not recover the £249,634 management fee income due from Fusion Lifestyle in 2020/21
3. That interim financial support up to a maximum of £420,000 to 31 March 2021 to facilitate the reopening of the Council’s three sports centres be approved.
4. Delegation to the Head of Housing, Health and Environment in consultation with the Director of Change and Communities, the Monitoring Officer and the Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development authority to vary the existing contract and all necessary legal agreements with Fusion Lifestyle to enable the reopening of the Council’s three sports centres be approved.
5. That the Head of Housing, Health and Environment be instructed to prepare a report that reviews the options for the future delivery and extent of sports centre activities from 1 April 2022.

REASON FOR DECISION: To allow the Sports Centres to reopen and be available to residents again and to help protect the viability of the Council’s sports offer.

Paul Taylor, Director of Change and Communities introduced the report to consider the provision of interim financial support to Fusion Lifestyle to enable the Council’s three sports centres to reopen which included the following:

-       The pandemic had had a major impact on the leisure industry and the Council’s three leisure centres had been closed since 20 March 2020.

-       The extended period of enforced closure had resulted in revenue lines collapsing for all the providers.  Although many staff had been furloughed to reduce costs, many costs still remained.

-       The result of which had led to most sports and leisure providers to request additional financial support to enable them to reopen.

-       TWBC had been in close contact with other authorities including those who had contracts with Fusion and many of them were in the same position. 

-       TWBC, in partnership with Local Partnerships had carried out a review of Fusion’s financial position.  The report highlighted that Fusion had acted quickly to deal with the impact of Covid-19, had worked with all their clients and Councils to quickly mothball their facilities and taken action to reduce costs where this was possible. 

-       Fusion had used the Job Retention Scheme to minimise their staffing costs. 

-       Fusion had been impacted by a prolonged loss of income which would continue until customer confidence returned. 

-       TWBC had provided no direct financial support during the closure period.  However the recovery action for the outstanding debt had been held in abeyance.

-       The three leisure centres had reopened on 1 September, the pools opened on 4 September and the indoor tennis opened on 7 September. 

-       Officers were attending on a daily basis and would carry out additional monitoring (quality of service and cleanliness) and to ensure it was Covid secure. 

-       Early return figures suggested that attendance at the gyms had been slow, classes had picked up and there was good usage of the pools. 

-       TWBC’s current contract with Fusion would end on 31 March 2022.  Prior to Covid-19 TWBC had already started recommissioning work. TWBC would review and develop all the options for consideration and bring these forward towards the end of 2020, with a procurement process likely in 2021. 

-       Fusion’s financial position would be reviewed on a monthly basis.  Fusion would submit a detailed breakdown of the actual costs incurred and the income generated for each site.  These figures would be compared against the baseline projections.  Any variations would be challenged before any monthly support payment would be made.

Meryl Flashman, Chair of Paddock Wood Town Council had submitted a statement which was read out in full as follows:

“I should like to say how pleased I am that Putlands reopened on 1^st September albeit only partially.  I look forward to a phased reopening of the whole centre in due course.  PWTC is dependant on the reopening of the changing rooms in order to re let the football and rugby pitches on Putlands.

Putlands Sports and Leisure  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB20/20

To consider and decide on the recommendations as set out in the attached report.

RESOLVED –

1. That support for the Budget Strategy be reaffirmed;
2. That consultation relating to the budget be undertaken in three phases: an initial phase to gather the views of residents and businesses on potential areas of savings and optimising income; a second phase to be undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee; and a third phase in December and January to consult on the impact of proposals following the publication of the Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To agree the form of consultation and begin the process of setting the budget for 2021/22.

Lee Colyer, Director of Finance, Policy and Development introduced the report that outlined the assumptions that had been built into the proposed budget for 2021/22 and provided projections for the next five years.

Discussion and responses to Members questions included the following:

-       This was the first report in the process of setting the budget for 2021/22. 

-       The base budget within the medium term financial strategy had been updated to reflect the following main adjustments.

-       The postponement of the Borough elections would now need to be funded in May 2021

-       The postponed fair funding review which enabled the removal of the £200k reduction that had been anticipated for the Council.  It was now assumed that any adjustment to retain the Business Rate base line would be neutral to effect the need for Government to put more funding into Local Government.

-       The eschewed recurring 1% increase in the tax base had now been removed.  This reflected the likely impact of an increase in take up of Council Tax Support claims.

-       If the projected income losses levelled off at £250k per month and on the assumption there was no Government support scheme in place for next financial year this would leave a £3m reduction in income (at this point in time).

-       These changes resulted in a projected budget gap at this stage of £3.5m.

-       This budget gap could not be left unmanaged.  The projections would continue to be updated on a regular basis to reflect the budget management approach taking account of actual income expenditure, local economic data and levels of Government support. 

-       Government had been clear, drastic decisions should be avoided and instead Councils should use their reserves and other resources to both get the Council and their contractors through this period. 

-       The Government’s autumn statement would need to include an injection of new funding into Local Government to support revenue budgets.  If the Government failed to provide sufficient funding that was certain and reliable then Local Government would not be able to continue to provide the range and quality of services expected by the public. 

-       In anticipation of this scenario the Government had announced there would be a White Paper in the autumn that would set out the process for the Local Government reorganisation which could potentially see the replacement of Borough and County Councils with new Unitary Councils in two tier areas.

-       There remained uncertainty around the funding of leisure centres, theatres and the Amelia Scott project which would have a further financial impact, details of which would be set out in separate reports. 

-       Challenges were considerable, but the Council’s approach accorded with Government advice and was in a healthy position with options available to fund local services and support the community and businesses until the Government came forward with a sustainable funding model for the Local Government sector.

RESOLVED –

1. That support for the Budget Strategy be reaffirmed;
2. That consultation relating to the budget be undertaken  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB21/20

To consider and decide on the recommendations as set out in the attached report.

RESOLVED –

1.     To proceed with the design and construction of the new Parks contractor depot as described in the report be approved;

2.     That the Head of Economic Development and Property in consultation with the Director of Finance, Policy and Development, The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance and the Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development be authorised to submit a full planning application, invite competitive tenders for the development, accept a tender within the costs given in this report and oversee the development to completion and to enter into such deeds and agreements arising from or ancillary to the legal formalities referred to in this recommendation be approved;

3.     The disposal of the remaining part of the Cemetery Depot in Benhall Mill Road as identified in the attached report be approved and for that disposal to be dealt with under delegated authority to the Head of Economic Development and Property in consultation with the Director of Finance, Policy and Development and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance. 

4.     The Head of Economic Development and Property in consultation with the Director of Finance, Policy and Development and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance be given delegated authority to complete all necessary negotiations, legal processes and legal documentation to complete this disposal be approved.

5.     That the head of Mid Kent Legal Services be authorised to negotiate and complete all necessary deeds and agreements arising from or ancillary to the application for planning permission, tenders, development and other legal formalities referred to in the recommendations and the disposal of the property on terms agreed by the Head of Economic Development and Property be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To provide a new Parks contractor building and storage areas that would better suit the needs of the Parks contractor and provide a safer, more secure and energy efficient facility.  This would support the Council’s  strategic and five year plan to improve processes and deliver more effective services and save money.

Paul Doherr, Architectural Surveyor introduced the report that provided details for the future use of the existing  Cemetery Depot and plans, costs and timescales for providing a new facility for use by the Council’s Parks maintenance contractor.

Discussion and responses to Members questions included the following:

-       The new facility would be more efficient, would reduce property maintenance costs and would make the best use of Council assets.

-       The main Council Depot on North Farm Lane included most of the facilities for the Council’s Parks maintenance contractor.  For logistical reasons some of the facilities needed to be retained at the cemetery depot. 

-       The existing buildings had reached the end of their useful life and it was not possible to economically maintain them any longer.  The site was also vulnerable to vandalism and fly tipping.

-       The design for the new depot fulfilled the Council’s brief, providing the necessary storage areas for the Parks maintenance contractors machinery equipment and welfare facilities. 

-       The design also provided a secure building and yard area and one that was sympathetic to its location adjacent to the Borough cemetery.

-       As part of the next stage of the design process, consideration would be given to all viable, sustainable and energy efficient equipment and renewable energy options. 

-       The draft programme showed construction work starting in June 2021, to be completed in November 2021.  This would be subject to the results of surveys currently being carried out to assess ecology, ground and site conditions.

RESOLVED –

1.    To proceed with the design and construction of the new Parks contractor depot as described in the report be approved;

2.    That the Head of Economic Development and Property in consultation with the Director of Finance, Policy and Development, The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance and the Portfolio Holder for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development be authorised to submit a full planning application, invite competitive tenders for the development, accept a tender within the costs given in this report and oversee the development to completion and to enter into such deeds and agreements arising from or ancillary to the legal formalities referred to in this recommendation be approved;

3.    The disposal of the remaining part of the Cemetery Depot in Benhall Mill Road as identified in the attached report be approved and for that disposal to be dealt with under delegated authority to the Head of Economic Development and Property in consultation with the Director of Finance, Policy and Development and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance. 

4.    The Head of Economic Development and Property in consultation with the Director of Finance, Policy and Development and the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Governance be given delegated authority to complete all necessary negotiations, legal processes and legal documentation to complete this disposal be approved.

5.    That the head of Mid Kent Legal Services be authorised to negotiate and complete all necessary deeds and agreements arising from or ancillary to the application for planning permission, tenders, development  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB22/20

To consider and decide on the recommendations as set out in the attached report.

RESOLVED –

1. That the summary of priority projects performance over quarter 1 be noted;
2. That the summary of service performance over quarter 1 be noted;
3. That performance indicator Recovery Plans submitted and notes for those not submitted be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To monitor the effectiveness of the Council’s actions and plans to meet all of the objectives within the Five Year Plan, highlight underperforming areas, and propose actions to remedy any underperformance to ensure the key objectives are met.

Jane Clarke, Head of Policy and Governance introduced the report that summarised the performance of the Council’s priority projects and service delivery from 1 April to 30 June 2020.

Discussion and responses to Members questions included the following:

-       In terms of project performance, of the 6 projects remaining in the Five Year Plan, 2 were on amber status and 4 were on green status. 

-       The indicator for Assembly Hall Theatre was not being collected as it related to the number of online bookings made.

-       In addition, for this year the Historic museum indicators had been deleted.  When the new Amelia Scott opened new indicators would be set up. 

-       The Historic property indicator, the domestic violence indictor and a street cleansing indicator had also been deleted for this year.

-       An indicator on homelessness had had its target removed because it was no longer relevant.

-       The Council was now collecting performance information on 32 indicators, of which 23 had targets.  Of those 23, 13 were on target, 7 were not on target and 3 were missing (the Assembly Hall Theatre and 2 for recycling and waste).

-       Of the 7 indicators not on target, 4 did not have recovery plans for this quarter as they were under target specifically due to Covd-19.

-       Council Tax and NNDR was down and was expected to be down for the entire year. 

RESOLVED –

1. That the summary of priority projects performance over quarter 1 be noted;
2. That the summary of service performance over quarter 1 be noted;
3. That performance indicator Recovery Plans submitted and notes for those not submitted be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To monitor the effectiveness of the Council’s actions and plans to meet all of the objectives within the Five Year Plan, highlight underperforming areas, and propose actions to remedy any underperformance to ensure the key objectives are met.

To consider and decide on the recommendations as set out in the attached report.

RESOLVED –

1. That at Quarter 1 the net expenditure on services year to date was £4,299,000, £1,591,000 more than forecast, be noted;
2. That by year end the Council anticipates net expenditure of £18,012,000 on services, £5,806,000 over budget, be noted;
3. That by year end the Council anticipates receiving an increase in funding of £3,950,000 which reduced the deficit to £1,856,000 over budget, be noted;
4. That Cabinet make available £6,658,000 of reserves to close the budget deficit, with the final allocation between specific reserves being made once the actual budget position is known at year end, and to hold the reserve balances as available until then be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To show the actual expenditure on services compared to the revised budget for the period ended 30 June 2020, and the forecast outturn position, highlighting significant variances from the revised annual budget.

Jane Fineman, Head of Finance, Procurement and Parking introduced the report that provided details of the actual expenditure on services compared to the revised budget for the period ended 30 June 2020.

Discussion and responses to Members questions included the following:

-       Actual expenditure to the end of June 2020 was £4.299m, £1.591m over budget.  This consisted of a shortfall in income of £2.5m, less a saving in costs of £0.9m.  The forecast outturn for the year was £1.856m over budget.

-       Income from sales, fees and charges were forecast to be £6.8m under achieved for the year so far due to the Coronavirus.  This was mainly due to £3.388m for on and off street parking, £2.2m for the Assembly Hall Theatre, which included £79k of income from the Government for the furlough scheme, £350k of planning income and £280k for green waste income and wheelie bin sales.

-       The Government had offered some compensation to help with these losses.  The Council would bear the first 5% of the lost budgeted income but then the Government would compensate for 0.75p in every £1 thereafter.  The Council estimated that this compensation would total around £3.548m.

-       Forecast cost savings were anticipated to be £994k for the year.  The main contributor was a savings of £1.3m for the Assembly Hall due to the savings on show fees.  However, this was partially offset by additional costs of £336k that had been forecast due to the responsibility that had arose from Covid-19.  This included setting up the Community Hub and providing additional support for the vulnerable and for homelessness.

-       The Council had estimated a lower estimated collection on Council Tax and housing rents of £825k. 

-       It was anticipated the level of bad debt would increase and the eligibility for the Council Tax Support Scheme would also increase. 

-       There was also a projected decrease in investment and bank interest of £187k this year. 

-       The Council was also forecasting not to receive the £85k rent from the investment property in Monson Road.  

-       The Government had so far allocated 3 tranches of funding to help support Councils during the Covid-19 crisis.  The total of these grants along with a new burdens grant had all been included in the forecast.

-       The forecasts would be monitored monthly.

-       Where possible, items from the Capital Programme had been deferred with the option to borrow for Capital projects if needed.

-       Approval was sought to use earmarked reserves to fund the balance of £1.856m forecast for this year. 

-       As at 31 March 2020, the Council had £21.2m of usable reserves.  This included £4.09m in the General Fund and £11.26m in earmarked reserves. 

-       The reserves had been analysed with £6.6m identified that could be utilised to meet the budget gap caused by Covid-19.  The use of reserves was in line with Government guidance.

RESOLVED –

1. That at Quarter 1 the net expenditure on services year to date was £4,299,000, £1,591,000 more than forecast, be  ...  view the full minutes text for item CAB24/20

To consider and decide on the recommendations as set out in the attached report.

RESOLVED –

1. That the actual gross and net expenditure for the year and the sources of finance, as shown in Appendices B to D, be noted;
2. That the proposed variations to the Capital Programme, set out in note 4.3 to 4.6 be approved;
3. The new proposed schemes to be included in the Capital Programme as set out in notes 4.7 and 4.8 be approved.
4. The proposed movement between years set out in note 4.9.be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Managing and forecasting capital expenditure effectively was vital in order to support all of the services provided by the Council

Jane Fineman, Head of Finance, Procurement and Parking introduced the report that summarised the actual and forecast outturn expenditure on capital schemes as at 30 June 2020.

Discussion and responses to Members questions included the following:

-       Cabinet originally approved expenditure of £19.5m for 2021. 

-       Since then a net £1.082m of projects had been rescheduled from 2019/20 or removed from the programme altogether.  This brought the revised forecast outturn to £18.397m. 

-       Approvals requested in this report would bring the total spend for 2021 to £17.962m which was a net reduction of £435k. 

-       This consisted of a decrease of £2.5m for spending rescheduled to 2021/22 and a net increase in the projected forecast spend of £2.06m.

-       The Council had decided to defer a number of schemes in the Capital Programme in order to free up reserves.  These schemes totalled £2.5m.

-       Approval was sought for a net increase in the 2021 budget of £2.06m.

-       As the capital programme was a 4 year rolling plan an additional £854k for 2021 was also included for approval.

-       The receipt of the last tranche of sale proceeds for Holly Farm was received (£4.625m).  The Council also sold land at Hornbeam Avenue for £526k.  Both sums would be transferred to the capital receipts reserve and used for investment purposes.

RESOLVED –

1. That the actual gross and net expenditure for the year and the sources of finance, as shown in Appendices B to D, be noted;
2. That the proposed variations to the Capital Programme, set out in note 4.3 to 4.6 be approved;
3. The new proposed schemes to be included in the Capital Programme as set out in notes 4.7 and 4.8 be approved.
4. The proposed movement between years set out in note 4.9.be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Managing and forecasting capital expenditure effectively was vital in order to support all of the services provided by the Council. 

To consider and decided on the recommendations as set out in the attached report.

RESOLVED –

1. That the 2020/21 Treasury Management and Prudential Indicator position be noted;
2. That a decrease in the forecast for investment and bank interest of £187,000, which decreases the forecast budget from £633,000 to £466,000, be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Ensuring effective cash flow management was vital in order to support all the services provided by the Council. The interest received from investments was an important source of income in helping to set a balanced budget.

Jane Fineman, Head of Finance, Procurement and Parking introduced the report that provided an update on investments held by the Council and the interest received.

Discussion and responses to Members questions included the following:

-       The projected interest from investments and bank interest for 2021 was now £446k, a reduction on the budget of £187k.  This was due to the sudden cut in bank interest rates in March 2020. 

-       Overall the expected interest projected was 1.04%.  This compared to the budget of 1.81%. 

-       The Council’s opening investment position was stronger than forecast.  This was due to a number of cash flows unrelated to Covid-19. These included capital projects being delayed or removed from the capital programme during 2019/20, a surplus held on the collection fund as at 31 March 2020 of £2.5m, a number of large s106 amounts being held on the balance sheets and £842k of surplus transferred to the General Fund for 2019/20.

-       As a result of the pandemic the Government paid Business Rate Relief related to 2020/21 of £2.2m which would have usually been spread throughout the year. 

-       The Government also deferred the monthly instalments of £4.5m of Business Rates for the first 3 months of the year. 

-       Overall, the amount the Council had to invest this year was higher than forecast, despite the negative effect of Covid-19 on income levels and cash flow. 

-       The Council was keeping its investments short term or holding them in their current accounts as there was little incentive to invest longer and forecasting remained much more difficult. 

-       The £1m remaining of a PWLB loan was paid in July 2020.

-       The current value of the £9m invested in the Property Fund was £10.07m as at 30 June 2020. 

RESOLVED –

1. That the 2020/21 Treasury Management and Prudential Indicator position be noted;
2. That a decrease in the forecast for investment and bank interest of £187,000, which decreases the forecast budget from £633,000 to £466,000, be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION:

Ensuring effective cash flow management was vital in order to support all the services provided by the Council. The interest received from investments was an important source of income in helping to set a balanced budget.

To consider and decide on the recommendations as set out in the attached report.

RESOLVED –

1. That the contents of the report, along with the work undertaken to secure a safe and healthy working environment be noted;
2. That the priorities for 2020/21 be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To ensure that the Council continues to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and ensure that there is effective monitoring and review of health and safety management throughout the Council.

Mike Catling, Corporate Health and Safety Advisor introduced the report that provided details of the work undertaken to secure a safe and healthy work environment and the consideration of priorities for 2020/21.

Discussion and responses to Members questions included the following:

-       The report noted last year’s health and safety figures, compared it to previous year’s information and picked out specific issues and priorities that would need to be included in the future.

-       The report was key to forming part of the Council’s safety management system.  It showed adequate communication of health and safety went right through, from members of staff to Cabinet. 

-       The report noted almost a year of normal operations.  The Council was now in very different times.

-       The priorities for this year would now be based on the new situation the Council found itself in. 

RESOLVED –

1. That the contents of the report, along with the work undertaken to secure a safe and healthy working environment be noted;
2. That the priorities for 2020/21 be approved.

REASON FOR DECISION:

To ensure that the Council continues to comply with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and ensure that there is effective monitoring and review of health and safety management throughout the Council.

To consider any other items which the Chairman decides are urgent, for the reasons to be stated, in accordance with Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business.

To note that the date of the next scheduled meeting is Thursday 22 October 2020 at 10:30am.

The next meeting would be held on Thursday 22 October 2020 commencing at 10:30am.