Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on xx 2017

The minutes of the last meeting were approved and signed by the Chair.

To consider questions, statements or petitions from Members of the Public

Mr Ian Chapman addressed the meeting under the Right to Speak procedure.

Members noted the Urgent Executive Decision.

To consider the updated Strategic Plan.

PURPOSE

To seek Executive endorsement of the Strategic Plan

REASON FOR DECISION

The Strategic Plan sets out a clear vision for the future: one that is evidence based, shared by all units of the Council, and is in tune with the aspirations of local people.

DECISION

That the Executive recommend the Strategic Plan to Full Council with the following amendment:

P9 (of the Strategic Plan document) PR2 – We will proactively support the borough`s businesses in the urban and rural areas to innovate and expand, and make the borough a natural choice for business relocation.

To consider a report setting out the Council`s proposed Climate Change Strategy.

PURPOSE

To seek approval for a number of initiatives that will support and advance the Council’s priority to address the issues of climate change across its work programme and in partnership with stakeholders.

REASON FOR DECISION

To ensure that the Council has suffient resources, skills and knowledge in place to effectively address the issues of climate change through their work programme, and promote and facility climate change action through their partnerships and sphere of influence.

DECISION

It was RESOLVED to:

1.    Approve the Climate Change Strategy 2022 - 2026 (appendix 1).

2.    Approve the introduction of a Climate Change Programme Manager subject to Full Council approval of the budget provision.

3.    To authorise the Chief Operating Officer to apply for Carbon Literacy Accreditation for the Council.

To consider an Electric Vehicle charging strategy for Burnley

PURPOSE

To consider the Council’s Electric Vehicle Strategy.

REASON FOR DECISION

In line with the Council’s emerging climate emergency strategy, and the Government’s future ban on the sale of new Petrol & Diesel cars & vans from 2030, there is a clear need to develop and implement an Electronic Vehicle Strategy. The Grant criteria requires the scheme to be completed by no later than the 31st of March 2023. To meet these timescales the appointment of a provider via a framework approach is recommended and in line with the procurement approaches that have been adopted by other local authorities

DECISION

The Executive RESOLVED:

       i.          To approve that further work and consultation is undertaken on the draft Council’s Electric Vehicle Strategy and to delegate authority to the Head of Streetscene in consultation with the Executive Member for Community and Environmental Services to finalise the Strategy.

      ii.          To approve the development and submission of a funding application to the Government’s; ‘On Street Residential Chargepoint Grant Scheme’.

    iii.          That the Head of Streetscene be authorised to undertake a compliant procurement exercise through an available framework agreement to appoint a provider to assist with any required services associated with the preparation of the bid submission for electric vehicle charging and the ensuing installation and service operation; and is given delegated authority in consultation with the Executive Member for Community and Environmental Services to award a contract.  

    iv.          That the Head of Streetscene in consultation with the Head of Legal & Democratic Services is granted delegated authority to execute all documents necessary to give effect to the above decision.

To consider the latest revenue budget position as at 31^st December 2021.

Members noted a revision at recommendation (d).  The revised carry forward had increased from £160k to £182k.

PURPOSE

To report the forecast outturn position for the year as at 31 March 2022 based upon actual spending and income to 31 December 2021, and to note the financial impact of the Coronavirus pandemic.  In view of these exceptional times the revenue monitoring position is uncertain.

REASON FOR DECISION

To give consideration to the level of revenue spending and income in 2021/22 as part of the effective governance of the Council and to ensure that appropriate management action is

taken to ensure a balanced financial position.

DECISION

The Executive RESOLVED to:

a.   Note the projected revenue budget forecast position of a net overspend of £12k, as summarised in Table 1 and detailed in Appendix 1.

And also to seek approval from Full Council for:

b.   The latest revised net budget of £15.419m as shown in Table 1, and

c.   The net transfers from earmarked reserves of £2.166m as shown in Appendix 2.

d.    The carry forward of forecast unspent budgets as requested by Heads of Service in Appendix 3. These amounts totalling £182k are to be transferred into the Carry Forward Reserve.  The monies will be transferred back out to create additional revenue budgets in 2022/23 or when required.

To consider the latest capital budget position as at 31^st December 2021.

PURPOSE

To provide Members with an update on capital expenditure and the resources position along with highlighting any variances.

REASON FOR DECISION

To effectively manage the 2021/22 capital programme.

DECISION

The Executive RESOLVED to:

a.      Recommend to Full Council, approval of net budget changes totalling a decrease of £5,725,705 giving a revised capital budget for 2021/22 totalling £36,670,513 as detailed in Appendix 1.

b.      Recommend to Full Council, approval of the proposed financing of the revised capital budget totalling £36,670,513 as shown in Appendix 2.

c.       Note the latest estimated year end position on capital receipts and contributions showing an assumed balance of£1,840,205 at 31 March 2022 as shown in Appendix 3.

To consider a Medium Term Financial Strategy from 2023-24 to 2026-27.

Members of the Executive wished to place on record their thanks to all members of the finance team who had worked hard to produce a number of clear but detailed reports for consideration.

PURPOSE

To consider the longer term financial outlook within the context of a Medium-Term Financial Strategy covering the financial years 2023/24 to 2026/27, highlighting uncertainties, underlying risks and make recommendations to Council.  The Medium-Term Financial Strategy should be read in conjunction with the Revenue Budget 2022/23 and the associated statutory report of the Chief Finance Officer.

REASON FOR DECISION

Professional accounting practice recommends that a medium term financial strategy is in place to ensure that resources are aligned to strategic intent and business objectives.  It also provides a firm and robust basis on which to prepare the annual budget.  Given the current financial climate, the need for consideration of the medium term financial position is pertinent to ensuring sustainable service delivery and for the Council to remain viable as a going concern.

DECISION

The Executive RESOLVED to recommend to Full Council:

1.    Approve the latest Medium-Term Financial Strategy;

2.    Approve the Reserves Strategy, as appended to the Medium-Term Financial Strategy; and

3.    Note that a refreshed document will be provided when required as an aid to monitoring the continued delivery of an annually balanced budget.

To consider a report setting out a treasury management strategy.

PURPOSE

REASON FOR DECISION

a)    To provide the proper basis required by current Government regulations and guidance to make charges for debt repayment (MRP) to the Council’s revenue account.    

b)     To fulfil statutory and regulatory requirements and to provide a clear framework for local authority capital finance and treasury management.

DECISION

It was RESOLVED that the Executive recommend to Full Council approval of;

a)    The treasury management strategy statement for 2022/23 as set out in Appendix 1

b)    The prudential and treasury indicators for 2022/23 to 2024/25 per Appendix 2 including the authorised limit for external debt of £95.346m in 2022/23.

c)    The list of Counterparties for Deposits outlined within Appendix 3.

d)    The Council’s MRP Statement for 2022/23 as set out in Appendix 4 of this report.

To consider the proposed budget for 2022-23.

PURPOSE

To consider the estimates of revenue income and expenditure for 2022/23 and to make recommendations to Full Council about next year’s Revenue Budget.

REASONS FOR DECISION

To fulfil the Council’s statutory obligation to calculate its Council Tax requirement as set out in Section 31A of the Local Government Act 1992 (as amended by section 74 of the Localism Act 2011).

To set a balanced budget for the financial year 2022/23 that ensures the viability of the Council and aligns resources to the Council’s strategic priorities.

DECISION

The Executive RESOLVED to recommend that Full Council:

i)             Endorse the approach that has been adopted in developing budget proposals that reflect the Council’s Strategic Objectives for 2022/23;

ii)            Approve the proposals contained in this report;

iii)           Set a Council Tax Requirement of £7,480,375 for the financial year 2022/23;

iv)           Set a Net Budget Requirement of £15,231,941 for 2022/23;

v)            Receive and consider the statutory report issued by the Head of Finance and Property under the Local Government Act, 2003;

vi)           Authorise the Chief Operating Officer/Heads of Service to progress action plans to deliver the 2022/23 budget;

vii)          Approve a Council Tax (Band D) figure of £318.49 for this Council for the year commencing 1st April 2022 and adopt the statutory resolution to set the full Council Tax for the year. This is equivalent to a 1.99% Council tax increase.

To consider the capital budget for 2022-23 and the future investment programme.

PURPOSE

To recommend approval of the capital budget for 2022/23

REASON FOR DECISION

To establish a capital budget that reflects the Council’s overall priorities and provides a framework for capital spending to be undertaken during 2022/23.

DECISION

The Executive RESOLVED:

a) to recommend that Full Council:

(i) Approve the 2022/23 Capital Budget, totalling £37,805,441, as set out in Appendix 1

(ii) Note the 2022-27 Capital Investment Programme as set out in Appendix 1.

(iii) Note the estimated position on capital resources as set out in Appendix 2.

b) That subject to a)(i) above the Executive approve the release of capital scheme budgets including slippage from 2021/22, subject to compliance with the Financial Procedure Rules and that there will be full compliance with Standing Orders for Contracts.

c) to Approve the Capital Strategy 2022-27, as set out in Appendix 4

To consider the Annual Pay Policy statement report.

PURPOSE

To seek approval for the Council’s Pay Policy Statement which is required to be published prior to the end of March each year.

REASON FOR DECISION

The Localism Act 2011 – [Chapter 8 - Pay Accountability], requires all local authorities to set out its position on a range of issues relating to the remuneration of its employees.  The Pay Policy Statement must be approved by the Council in open forum, by the end of March each year and then be published on its website

DECISION

It was RESOLVED that Full Council be recommended to approve the amended recommendations, as set out below:

• To approve this report and the attached Pay Policy Statement for 2022/23;
• To note the Council’s Gender Pay Gap report which is at Appendix H of the Pay Policy Statement.
• To agree a delegation to the Strategic HR Manager to make minor amendments to finalise the Pay Policy Statement following agreement of pay awards for 2021-22.

·         To approve, subject to reaching a collective agreement or following consultation with affected employees, an amendment to NJC terms and conditions which will require employees on Grades 7-11 to provide a minimum of 2 months’ notice of termination and for employees on Grades 12-14 to provide a minimum of 3 months`.

To consider a report on the migration of elements of the land charges function.

PURPOSE

To inform the Executive of the ongoing work with Her Majesty’s Land Registry (HMLR) in connection with the migration of the Council’s Local Land Charges service to HMLR and to seek approval to enter into a Collaboration Agreement and agree a Development Plan with HMLR.

REASON FOR DECISION

To enable the Council to progress the migration of the Council’s Local Land Charges Service to HMLR.

DECISION

It was RESOLVED that the Executive authorise the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to enter into a Collaboration Agreement and agree a Delivery Plan with HMLR and enter into any other agreements necessary to facilitate the migration of the Council’s Local Land Charges service to HMLR.

To consider the exclusion of the public from the meeting before discussion takes place on the following items of business on the grounds that in view of the nature of the business to be transacted if the public were present there would be a disclosure to them of exempt information within the meaning of Part VA of the Local Government Act 1972.

Members  determined  to  exclude  the  public  form  the  meeting  before  discussion  took  place on  the  items  of  business  relating  to  Minute  100 (Item  21  Lower  St  James  Street  Heritage Action  Zone),  and  Minute  101 (Item  22  Sale  of  Land  at  Holme  Road)  on  the  grounds  that  in view  of  the  nature  of  the  business to  be  transacted  if  the  public were present  there would  be a  disclosure  to  them  of  exempt  information  within  the  meaning  of  Part  3 of Schedule 12A  of  the  Local Government  Act  1972.

To consider proposals relating to Lower St James St Heritage Action Zone.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the report is to approve proposals to develop a Creative Hub project as part of the Lower St James’s Street Historic Action Zone programme.

REASON FOR DECISION

In April 2020 Burnley Council successfully signed terms with Historic England, securing a grant of circa £1.261m to create a Heritage Action Zone on Lower St James Street. Along with match funding from the private sector, Lancashire County Council, the LEP and from Burnley Council, the total project value is £2,516,775.14. The funding is allocated to complete public realm works, grants for property refurbishments, community engagement with a specific amount ring-fenced for Burnley Council to acquire and transform a property into a hub for creative industries. The recommendations are required to progress the creative hub project.

DECISION

The Executive RESOLVED to:

a)    Authorise acquisition of the property referred to in paragraph 9 by the end of March 2022, in the HAZ project area for the purpose of renovation/redevelopment under the HAZ scheme.

b)    Authorise the Strategic Head of Economy and Growth in consultation with the Executive Member for Economy and Growth to appoint an operator/leasee for the project following a tender exercise.

c)    Authorise the tendering of any renovation works and delegate power to accept the tender to the Strategic Head of Economy and Growth, in consultation with the Head of Finance and Property and the Executive Member for Economy and Growth.

d)    Delegate authority to the Head of Finance and Property Services in consultation with   Strategic Head of Economy and Growth and the Executive Member for Resources and Performance to agree terms for the disposal of the building on completion of the works to the organisation chosen at b) above on the terms set out in paragraph 13.

e)    Delegate authority to the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to execute all documents necessary to give effect to this decision.

To consider the sale of land at Stoneyholme Recreation Ground, Holme Road.

PURPOSE

To seek authority to sell Burnley College 2.26 ha (5.57 acres), or thereabouts, of land at Holme Road, Burnley, shown edged red on the plan contained in Appendix 1, to enable the development of an extension to the existing College/UCLan complex at Princess Way, subject to planning permission.

REASON FOR DECISION

The sale of the land will facilitate the development of additional educational facilities on a key development site, in accordance with its allocation in the Local Plan and planning permission. It is anticipated that a completed scheme will attract an estimated 2,000 additional students to Burnley from a wide array of subject areas and study routes and create an estimated 150 full time equivalent new jobs.

DECISION

The Executive RESOLVED to:

i.              Delegate authority to the Head of Finance & Property to negotiate and agree the terms for sale of land at Holme Road, Burnley, as reported, in accordance with the planning resolution of the Development Control Committee and the associated decision.

ii.            Delegate authority to the Head of Legal & Democratic Services to complete all associated legal documentation to give effect to the decision.