Agenda and minutes

Purpose

To seek approval in respect of a new policy for awarding local

Council Tax discount to the owners of renovated properties

which were previously classed as either uninhabitable or

long-term empty.

An amendment to the recommendation in Paragraph 3 of the

report was considered to include the Head of Finance in the

delegation.

Reason for Decision

This new Policy seeks to relieve property owners from the

burden of paying Council Tax whilst they are renovating properties

which were previously classed as either uninhabitable or long-term

empty.

The policy adds an extra incentive for such owners by awarding a

100% local discount for up to six months, once renovation works

have been completed on former uninhabitable or long-term

empty properties, and the works have brought the property

up to an agreed standard.

Decision

(1)  That Full Council be recommended to approve this new

policy for awarding local Council Tax discount from

1April 2017. (Appendix 1); and

(2)  That Full Council be recommended, as amended, to approve

that delegated authority is given to the Head of Housing

and Development Control in conjunction with the Head of

Finance to amend the criteria of the scheme to ensure it

remains cost effective and achieves the objectives of the policy.

Purpose

To seek approval of the draft Padiham Conservation Area Management Plan (CAMP) for consultation. 

Reason for Decision

The CAMP is a key tool in fulfilling the council’s duties under Section 71 of the 1990 Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act to draw up and publish proposals for the preservation and enhancement of conservation areas and to consult the local community.

An adopted CAMP is a key requirement for the awarding of £1.4m HLF funding for Padiham Town Centre.

By supporting the CAMP and its proactive implementation throughout the lifetime of the TH scheme and beyond, the Council is demonstrating to HLF its commitment to using the full range of planning measures and statutory powers, where appropriate, to ensure proper management of the conservation area in which funding will be invested

Decision

(1)  That the Executive approve the draft CAMP for the purposes of public consultation in accordance with Section 71 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990;

(2)  That the Executive approve the Head of Regeneration and Planning Policy has delegation to make minor editorial changes to the draft CAMP prior to publication; and  

(3)  To note the final CAMP will be reported to the Executive for approval and adoption at a future meeting.

Purpose

To report the forecast outturn position for the year as at

31^st March 2017 based upon actual spending and income

to 31^st December 2016.

A correction to Paragraph 2f of the report was noted to

show that Appendix 5 referred to 60k.  

Reason for Decision

To give consideration to the level of revenue spending

and income in 2016/17 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

(1)  That the projected revenue budget forecast underspend

of £276k (see the overview table in paragraph 6) which

includes utility savings and an improved income position

be noted;

(2)  That Full Council be recommended to approve the latest

revised budget of £15.223m as shown in Appendix 1.

(3)  That Full Council be recommended to approve the creation

of a new reserve, Burnley bondholders, and the transfer of

the balance of contributions totalling £35k from the Growth reserve;

(4)  That Full Council be recommended to approve the creation

of a new reserve, Town Centre Masterplan, utilising the

£89k balance on the Housing Benefits Administration

Subsidy reserve and £54k of the balance on the Rail

Services reserve;

(5)  That Full Council be recommended to approve the net

transfers to earmarked reserves of £721k as shown in

Appendix 4; and

(6)  That Full Council be recommended to approve as corrected

the carry forward of forecast unspent budgets as

requested by Heads of Service in Appendix 5. These

amounts totalling £60k to be transferred into the

 transformation reserve and transferred back out to

create additional revenue budgets in 2017/18 or when required.

Purpose

To consider the longer term financial outlook within the context

of a Medium-Term Financial Strategy covering the financial years

2018/19 to 2020/21, highlighting uncertainties, underlying risks and

make recommendations to Council.  The Medium-Term Financial

Strategy should be read in conjunction with the revenue budget

2017/18 and the associated statutory report of the Chief Finance

Officer.

Amendments were considered at the meeting relating

to the following changes to the report and appendix;

-Paragraph 7 of the report        -  “considerable”   to “severe”

-Paragraph 2 of the appendix   -  “challenging”     to “severe”

-Paragraph 29 of the appendix -  “significant”       to “severe”

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

(1)  That Full Council be recommended to approve the latest

Medium-Term Financial Strategy, as amended regarding

the changes to Paragraph 7 of the report and Paragraphs 2

and 29 of the Appendix to “severe”;

(2)  That Full Council be recommended to approve the Reserves

Strategy, as appended to the Medium-Term Financial Strategy;

and

(3)  That Full Council be recommended to note

that a refreshed document will be provided regularly when

required as an aid to monitoring the continued delivery

of an annually balanced budget.

Purpose

To consider the estimates of revenue income and expenditure for

2017/18 and to make recommendations to full Council about next

year’s Revenue Budget.

Reason for Decision

Decision

That full Council be recommended to;

(1)    Endorse the approach that has been adopted in developing

budget Proposals that reflect the Council’s Strategic Objectives

for 2017/18;

(2)     Approve the proposals contained in this report;

(3)     Set a Council Tax Requirement of £6,390,760 for the financial

year 2017/18;

(4)     Set a Net Budget Requirement of £14,595,648 for 2017/18;

(5)    Receive and consider the statutory report issued by the Head of

Finance under the Local Government Act, 2003;

(6)       Authorise the Chief Operating Officer/Heads of Service to

progress action plans to deliver the 2017/18 budget;

(7)       Approve a Council Tax (Band D) figure of £283.04 for this Council

for the year commencing 1^st April 2017 and adopt the statutory

resolution to set the full Council Tax for the year. This is equivalent

to a 1.9% Council tax increase.

Purpose

To comply with the amended Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management 2011.

To outline a treasury management strategy statement for the financial year 2017/18.

To set out prudential indicators for the financial years 2017/20 in line with the CIPFA’s Prudential Code 2013.

To seek approval for the Council’s Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy Statement for the financial year 2017/18 in accordance with Government regulations.

Reason for Decision

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.

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

Decision

(1) That Full Council be recommended to approve the treasury management strategy statement for 2017/18 as set out in Appendix 1;

(2) That Full Council be recommended to approve the prudential and treasury indicators for 2017/18 to 2019/20 per Appendix 2 including the authorised limit for external debt of £35.067m in 2017/18;

(3) That Full Council be recommended to approve the list of Counterparties for Deposits outlined within Appendix 3; and

(4) That Full Council be recommended to approve the Council’s MRP Statement for 2017/18 as set out in Appendix 4 of this report.

.

Purpose

To provide Members with an update on capital expenditure and

resources position along with highlighting any variances.

Reason for Decision

To effectively manage the 2016/17 capital programme

Decision

(1)  That Full Council be recommended to approve the revised

capital budget for 2016/17 totalling £7,500,591, as outlined

 in Appendix 1;

(2)  That Full Council be recommended to approve the proposed financing of the revised capital budget totalling £7,500,591 as shown in Appendix 2; and

(3)  That the latest estimated year end position on capital receipts

 and contributions showing an assumed balance of £2,749,051

at 31^st March 2017, in Appendix 3, be noted.

Purpose

To recommend approval of the capital budget for 2017/18.

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 2017/18

Decision

(1) That Full Council be recommended to be recommended to approve the 2017/18 Capital Budget, totalling £12,027,721, as set out in Appendix 1;

(2)  That Full Council be recommended to note the 2017/20 Capital Investment Programme as also set out in Appendix 1;

(3) That Full Council be recommended to note the estimated position on capital resources as set out in Appendix 2; and

(4)  That subject to (1) above to approve the release of capital scheme budgets including slippage from 2016/17, subject to compliance with the Financial Procedure Rules and that there will be full compliance with Standing Orders for Contracts.

Purpose

To seek Executive endorsement of the updated Strategic Plan (appendix 1).

Reason for Decision

The Strategic Plan sets out a clear vision for the future at a time of challenging budget decisions: 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 updated Strategic Plan be recommended to Full Council.