Agenda, decisions and minutes

Apologies were receievd from Councillor Bottwood.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 7^th September 2016 were agreed and signed by the Leader with the following amendment:

‘Item 9 – Review of Older Persons’ Housing;

 “All Councils generally required bungalows and many would be re-classified as sheltered housing as well as possibly up to 600 flats.  A new standard for designated sheltered housing was also included in the report” be replaced with:

“Most of the Councils ‘general needs’ bungalow would be re-classified as older persons housing and up to 6000 flats, currently classified as ‘sheltered housing’ would be re-classified to ‘general needs’”.

There was no intention to hold any parts of the meeting in private.

There were none.

Councillor Hadland declared a personal non-pecuniary interest in Item 7 – ‘Efficiency Plan and Medium Term Financial Strategy’ as a Trustee of Delapre Abbey Preservation Trust.

None

There were none.

(Copy herewith)

1.    Cabinet accepted the government’s offer of a four year funding settlement.

2.    Cabinet approved the draft Efficiency Plan as attached in Appendix 1 of the report, for submission to the Department of Communities and Local Government.

3.    Cabinet approved the realignment of earmarked reserves as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.

4.    Cabinet approved the proposed governance arrangements supporting the achievement of the Efficiency Plan, as set out in Appendix 3 of the report.

Councillor Beardsworth addressed Cabinet and expressed some concerns about the report as the Council relies on Business Rates and New Homes Bonuses for its’ funding. She questioned whether the Administration were ‘Living now and Paying later’. She further commented that the income from Business Rates and New Homes Bonus were limited due to Boundary issues.

Councillor Eldred, as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted a report and elaborated thereon. He noted that those businesses in the Enterprise Zone received a discount on their rates but not a 100% reduction. He stated that the Efficiency Plan compliments the Council’s current financial plan and explained that both the General Fund and the Housing Revenue Accounts were in good order. He further noted that a 4 year plan was a positive way forward as it would allow the Council to have full knowledge of the exact funding they would receive for the year which would provide stability and could lead to future cost-neutral budgets.

RESOLVED:

1.    That the Government’s offer of a four year funding settlement be accepted.

2.    That the draft Efficiency Plan as attached in Appendix 1 of the report, for submission to the Department of Communities and Local Government be approved.

3.    That the realignment of earmarked reserves as set out in Appendix 2 of the report be approved.

4.    That the proposed governance arrangements supporting the achievement of the Efficiency Plan, as set out in Appendix 3 of the report be approved.

(Copy herewith)

Cabinet approved the forward funding from the Partnership Grant in the total sum per annum of £150,000 for CAB and CLS for years 2017/18 and 2018/19, to deliver information and advice services in the Borough of Northampton.

Councillor King, as the relevant Cabinet Member submitted a report and elaborated thereon. She commented that the Administration recognised the hard work of Citizens Advice and Community Law Service Northampton & County and Cabinet were asked to provide forward funding which would run from 1st April 2016 to the 31^st March 2019.

The Deputy Leader commented that consideration could be given to similar grant applications by going out to other organisations.

RESOLVED:

That the forward funding from the Partnership Grant in the total sum per annum of £150,000 for CAB and CLS for years 2017/18 and 2018/19, to deliver information and advice services in the Borough of Northampton be approved.