Agenda and minutes

To receive, as read, the Minutes of the proceedings of the previous Council meetings, and to confirm them or otherwise.

RESOLVED         The Minutes of the meetings of the Council held on the 20^th and 28^th October 2021 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To receive any declarations of interest.

The Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Chair of Audit and Standards Committee granted a dispensation for item 5d – Fees and Charges - prior to the meetings of the Executive and Council as Members have a pecuniary interest related to contracts for additional services (contract parking and garden waste service) delivered by the Council. In his opinion the number of persons affected would prevent the business from being transacted.

Councillor Andy Fewings declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in items 5 (b) and 5 (c) Revenue and Capital Monitoring Reports.  He left the room and took no part in the debate or decision.

To receive questions, statements or petitions (if any) from members of the public.

Jennifer Braddock addressed the Council under the Request to Speak Policy on youth problems and selective landlord licensing in the Burnley Lane area.

To consider the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel in respect of a members allowance scheme from 1^st April 2022.

Consideration was given to the findings of the Independent Remuneration Panel in respect of a members allowance scheme from 1^st April 2022.

The Mayor extended the Council`s gratitude to the Independent Remuneration Panel for their time in assisting the Council`s setting of a members allowance scheme.

RESOLVED

That the findings of the Independent Remuneration Panel be noted.

To consider the latest net budget of £15.419m and the net transfers from earmarked reserves of £2.166m.

With reference to Minute 61of the Executive (1^st December 2021) consideration was given to the forecast outturn position for the year as at 31^st March 2022 based upon actual spending and income to 30^th September 2021.

RESOLVED

(1)  That approval be given to the latest revised net budget of £15.419m as shown in table 1; and

(2)  That approval be given to the net transfers from earmarked reserves of £2.166m as shown in appendix 2.

To consider a revised capital budget of £42,396,218 and note the latest estimated year end position.

With reference to Minute 62 of the Executive (1^st December 2021) consideration was given to a revised capital budget.

RESOLVED

(1)  That approval be given to net budget changes totalling an increase of £2,914,922 giving a revised capital budget for 2021/22 totalling £42,396,218 as detailed in Appendix 1; and

(2)  The approval be given to the proposed financing of the revised capital budget totalling £42,396,218 as shown in appendix 2.

(3)  That the latest estimated year end position on capital receipts and contributions showing as assumed balance of £1,124,576 at 31 March 2022 as shown in appendix 3 be noted.

To consider the proposed fees and charges from 1 April 2022.

With reference to Minute 63 of the Executive (1^st December 20201) consideration was given to the proposed list of fees and charges to be levied from 1^st April 2022.

RESOLVED

(1)  That approval be given to the proposed tariff of fees and charges from 1^st April 2022 with an increase of 2.0% as outlined in Appendix A attached, with a range of exceptions as outlined in the report.

(2)  That the Head of Finance and Property, in consultation with the relevant Head of Service, be authorised to determine any new charges or changes to existing charges relating to the preparation and approval of the 2022/23 revenue budget.

(3)  That the Executive Portfolio Members be authorised to amend fees and charges periodically in their own area on the basis that overall income in their portfolio area remains the same as a minimum.

(4)  That the Strategic Head of Economy and Growth in consultation with the Executive Member for Resources and Performance Management and the Head of Finance and Property, be authorised to adjust fees and charges in relation to the Markets service from time to time to reflect current trading conditions and the overall position of the market.

To consider the mid-year update on the Treasury Management Strategy for 2021/22 and the revised Operational Boundary and Authorised Limit for external debt.

With reference to Minute 64 of the Executive (1^st December 2021) consideration was given to the treasury management activity for the first half of the year covering the period 1^st April to 30^th September 2021.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the mid-year update on the Treasury Management Strategy for 2021/22, in compliance with the requirements of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy’s (CIPFA) Code of Practice on Treasury Management, be endorsed; and

(2)  That approval be given to the revised Operational Boundary and Authorised Limit for external debt as set out in Appendix 1 to the report.

To seek approval of the Council`s Gambling Policy.

With reference to Minute 57 of the Executive (1^st December 2021) consideration was given to the draft Gambling Policy Statement.

RESOLVED

That the draft Gambling Policy Statement be approved.

To seek approval for a change, and inform Members of changes made, to Part 3 (Scheme of Delegation) of the constitution.

Consideration was given to the constitutional amendments and reporting since the last Council meeting.

RESOLVED

(1)  That the changes made by the Leader to Part 3 (Executive) Scheme of Delegation regarding various Heads of Service delegations (particularly the Head of Finance and Property relating to Charter Walk) (Appendix 1) and also a further Part 3 (Executive) delegation on 17^th November 2021 regarding the Head of Housing and Development Control (Appendix 2) be noted

(2)  That the informing of Members of the use of a delegation by the Chief Operating Officer to make minor changes to the constitution relating to Part 3 (Executive) Scheme of Delegation for the Head of Streetscene in relation to Proper Officers for Public Health as set out in paragraph 10 be noted

(3)  That approval be given to a change to Part 3 (Council) Scheme of Delegation regarding an additional delegation from 10^th November 2021 Licensing Committee to the Head of Legal and Democratic Services relating to Taxi Licensing – Policy Guidelines, as set out in paragraph 11.

RESOLVED

That the reports of the Chairs of Scrutiny, Audit and Standards, Licensing and Development Control be noted.

RESOLVED              That the Strategic Plan Progress Reports of Executive Members be noted.