Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillors McMillan, Knight and Holden.

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 or other significant interests declared at the meeting. 

To note any visiting Members and members of the public wishing to speak, of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Meeting Procedure Rule 18 and 19 and which items they wish to speak on.

Councillors O’Connell and Brice had registered to speak on Agenda Item 8 – Dunorlan Parking, Consultation Response.

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.

No amendments were proposed.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting dated 6 June 2023 be approved as a correct record.

To note forthcoming items as set out in the Forward Plan

No amendments were proposed.

RESOLVED – That the Forward Plan as at 23 June 2023 be noted.

To consider and provide a recommendation to Cabinet on the proposals set out in the attached report.

Lee Colyer, Director of Finance, Policy and Development introduced the report set out in the agenda.

Discussion and questions from Members including the following:

-       The cross cutting details included in the report refer to the Risk Register itself, rather than for the specific components contained within the report. 

RESOLVED – That the recommendations to Cabinet set out in the report be supported. 

To consider and provide a recommendation to Cabinet on the proposals set out in the attached report.

Lee Colyer, Director of Finance, Policy and Development introduced the report set out in the agenda.

Discussion and questions from Members including the following:

-       Town Hall occupational costs refer to the proposed co-working arrangements.

-       When the agreement came into force, the Council would be able to reduce its occupational costs.  The Council would pay less Business Rates, less cleaning costs etc.

-       There were two components of the financial benefits from the co-working arrangements.  The first was a reduction in the Council’s operating costs.  The Council would also receive rent.  However, the rent collected was not included as it would be needed to repay the capital costs associated with the works required to bring the building up to the standard required in order for it to be let.

-       Although it had not been possible for the last couple of years due to the pandemic, Councils should balance their revenue budget without recourse to using reserves.

-       Now the pandemic had settled, the Council was aware of how much it would get from Government, it needed to try and balance the budget in accordance with the income it had available, alongside the demands it had on its services. 

-       If necessary, the Council could temporarily dip into its reserves but it was noted that the Council had internal borrowing commitments that still needed to be repaid.  The use of reserves and the cost of repaying internal borrowing would bring the Council very close to its minimum level of reserves. 

-       The Council received interest on reserves, but the intention was to use the interest to fund the Council’s capital programme.

-       The graph included at 2.20 demonstrated that in the South East, public sector pay was considerably less than for the private sector.  The meant the Council faced particular challenges when trying to recruit staff.

-       The Council’s pension costs had held fairly stable.  This was primarily because of the returns and actuaries.  Local Government, used the revenue from pension contributions to acquire assets, which grow and generate returns.  Those returns were sufficient to meet the liabilities associated with the pension scheme. 

-       The Council took the decision to come out of national pay bargaining, so it had control of its own pay scheme and pay policy.  The Council had a very good relationship with its Union and was very transparent with salary details.

-       At this stage, a 5% increase in all establishment costs had been included.  Discussions would be ongoing, with regular benchmarking checks to the local market made.

-       The budget was set on the basis of the Council having a full complement of staff.  However, the Council understood that it would struggle to recruit to the optimum level and that there would be changes in staff throughout the year.

-       The Council netted off the vacancy factor, which for next year, had been set at £500,000.  The forecast budget had therefore already taken into account that it would not be able to recruit and/or  ...  view the full minutes text for item FG19/23

To consider and provide a recommendation to Cabinet on the proposals set out in the attached report.

Jane Fineman, Head of Finance, Procurement and Parking introduced the report set out in the agenda.

Councillor O’Connell had registered to speak which included the following comments:

-       Would like the Committee to reject the recommendation to introduce car parking charges (recommendation 2) and instead include a new recommendation to retain free parking at Dunorlan Park.

-       The reason was because this was what residents wanted (including via a well-supported petition and the Council’s Talking Point consultation).

-       50% of the 1,008 respondents opted to keep parking free.

-       The Council actively encouraged residents to respond to consultations and seek to take their views into account.

-       Whilst the views of residents were not binding, it was important that they be given due weight as part of the decision making process.

-       Was the Council now going to ignore the 50% respondents who wanted to keep parking free in Dunorlan.

-       It was noted, that at least charging Option B did take notice of the 34% of residents that opted for a period of  free parking, followed by charging.

-       If Cabinet opted for a parking regime, it would be absolutely essential that the option in paragraph 3.8 (to give free parking to volunteers and businesses) was adopted.

-       The freeform comments made interesting reading.  Residents were passionate about keeping parking free.  This was also the case when going door to door in Park Ward. 

-       An argument raised in support of parking charges was to deter all day parking by commuters.  A suggestion had been made for a longer free period of parking, followed by a charge at a higher rate, that would discourage all day parking.

-       It was accepted there were significant financial challenges being faced by the Council, but rather than continue with a heavy reliance on income from car parking charges, surely it was time to diversify and look for innovative solutions for raising revenue.

-       It was important to listen to the views of residents, and the recommendation to Cabinet should be keep Dunorlan car park free.

Councillor Brice had registered to speak which included the following comments:

-       A regular user of the park but was not speaking as a representative of any organisation connected to the park. 

-       Believe that it was entirely correct to introduce car parking fees at the park.

-       It was not sensible that Dunorlan Park did not charge for parking.  It was the only car park in the town that didn’t charge.

-       The introduction of charges should have been done years ago and would have had a significant contribution to the deficit. 

-       Residents within walking distance of the park should not have to subsidise those who drive to the park.

-       This not only applied to the residents of Culverden, but also those in Park and Sherwood, who were also able to walk to the park.

-       Option A would be the preference.

-       The results of the consultation was 50% of respondents, not 50%  ...  view the full minutes text for item FG20/23

To consider and provide a recommendation to Cabinet on the proposals set out in the attached report.

David Candlin, Head of Economic Development and Property introduced the report set out in the agenda.

To note the matter was decided taking the exempt information set out in the Agenda as read.

RESOLVED – That the recommendations to Cabinet as set out in the report be supported. 

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 Tuesday 5 September 2023 at 6.30pm. 

The next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday 5 September 2023 at 6:30pm