| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| CB 10/024 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL | ||
| CB 10/025 |
Council Improvement Priorities for 2010/11 |
Consideration was given to the joint report of the Leader and Chief Executive which proposed a revised set of key priorities for 2010/11 taking account of the current and anticipated effects of the recession. It was noted that the priorities would be updated in two stages, the current report focusing on six key priorities while the improvement actions to achieve them would be fully updated and set out in the 2010/11 Corporate Performance Plan to be reported to the next meeting. RECOMMENDED: That the revised set of six key priorities identified in paragraph 1.2.5 of the report be endorsed. *Referred to Council |
| CB 10/026 |
Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2010/11 |
The report of the Director of Finance sought approval for adoption of the revised CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice and Cross-Sectoral Guidance Notes 2009, the revised Treasury Management Guidance Notes for Local Authorities 2009 and the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2010/11 as required by the Local Government Act 2003. It was noted that in response to the difficulties caused by the banking crisis CIPFA had undertaken a review of the Treasury Management Code of Practice and Guidance Notes. Attention was drawn to the primary changes to the Code including a specific reference to "investments", the assessment and spread of counter party risk, enhancement of the scrutiny process and the strengthening of internal processes. The Audit Committee had been invited to review Treasury Management matters at its meeting on 26 January 2010 and the revised documents had been commended for adoption. RECOMMENDED: That (1) the CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice 2009 and Cross Sectoral Guidance Notes together with the four clauses set out at Appendix 1 of the Annex to the report be adopted by the Council; (2) the revised Treasury Management Policy Statement set out at Appendix 2 of the Annex to the report be adopted; and (3) the Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Annual Investment Strategy for 2010/11, as set out at the Annex to the report, be adopted. *Referred to Council |
| CB 10/027 |
Setting the Budget for 2010/11 |
The Chief Executive and Director of Finance presented a report updating the Cabinet on issues relating to the setting of the Revenue Budget for 2010/11 and Capital Plan together with a number of changes which had emerged since preparation of the draft Revenue Estimates Booklet. A more detailed supplementary report prepared in liaison with the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance was circulated in advance of the meeting. This updated the position on issues relating to the Medium Term Financial Strategy and confirmed the final Revenue Support Grant settlement. In introducing the report the Director of Finance explained that 2010/11 could be regarded as a 'holding year' when there would be an almost balanced budget. However, reference was made to the likelihood of general government grant being cut significantly after the next General Election and subsequent Spending Review. It was therefore considered appropriate to revisit the objectives within the Medium Term Financial Strategy as part of a fundamental review of the Council's overall finances. A draft model was presented to provide a 'flavour' of the direction expected to be taken in the Medium Term Financial Strategy in due course. The report referred to the outcome of examination of the Draft Revenue Estimates and the Capital Plan Review process undertaken by the Finance and Property Advisory Board and the Policy Overview Committee. Attention was drawn to a summary of the recommendations from Advisory Boards regarding the levels of fees and charges to be implemented from 1 April 2010 which had been incorporated in the draft estimates. Members were reminded of the new approach adopted last year with regard to the preparation of the Capital Plan and it was suggested that the annual allowance for capital expenditure be reduced to a lower interim ceiling of £350,000. An updated summary of the Capital Plan was set out at Annex 7 to the report including the proposed transfer of eight schemes from List B. The report then described the remaining procedures to be followed in setting the budget for 2010/11 and calculating the Council Tax requirements. Consideration was given to the updated Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2010/11 to 2015/16 having regard to the budget, the Government stance on capping and the future review to be undertaken to address the funding gap in order to maintain the integrity of the Strategy. The Director of Finance explained the basis on which the statement as to the robustness of the estimates and adequacy of the reserves had been made. Members recognised the difficult circumstances surrounding the preparation of the budget and recorded their thanks to all officers involved. Appreciation was also expressed for the positive response of staff to the measures identified for addressing the Council's budgetary situation. RECOMMENDED: That (1) the fees and charges set out in Annex 2 to the report as recommended by the Advisory Boards be endorsed (see Decision Nos D100008CAB to D100012CAB); (2) the Capital Plan be updated as set out in paragraph 1.5.13 of the report as follows and adopted accordingly: (i) the position of the existing Capital Plan (List A) as summarised in Annex 3 to the report be approved; (ii) the addition to and deletion from List C of those List C schemes shown in Annex 4 to the report be approved; (iii) the selection of those List C schemes listed in Annex 5 to the report for evaluation over the coming year be approved with those so indicated being selected for immediate evaluation; (iv) the transfer of the following List B schemes to List A be approved: Car Park Enhancement Programme Phase 3 Tonbridge Castle East Curtain Wall Larkfield Leisure Centre: Larkabout Toilets Angel Changing / Toilets / Meeting Rooms Refurbishment of Tonbridge Farm Pavilion Racecourse Sportsground: Bridge Repair Wrotham School All Weather Pitch Hill Top / Priory Wood Children's Play Equipment (v) the retention on List B of the following schemes be approved: Hayesbrook School All Weather Pitch Tonbridge Riverside Path Enhancement Tonbridge Town Lock (vi) the "exceptional case" capital grant applications from Leybourne Parish Council (£6,500) and Snodland Town Council (£9,000) be approved and be met from existing budgetary provision; (vii) pending the review of the Council's overall finances, as an interim measure, the annual "capital allowance" be down-sized to £350,000; (3) the prudential indicators listed in paragraphs 1.6.5 and 1.6.9 of the report be adopted for the financial year 2010/11; (4) for the financial year 2010/11 the Council's minimum revenue provision be endorsed as nil as set out in paragraph 1.6.13 of the report; (5) the adjustments to the draft Revenue Estimates outlined in paragraph 1.8.1 of the report be endorsed; (6) the Medium Term Financial Strategy be updated in accordance with paragraph 1.8.14 of the report and it be reaffirmed that a minimum general revenue reserve balance of £3m currently continues to be appropriate for an authority of the size and scale of Tonbridge and Malling; and (7) the statement provided by the Director of Finance as to the Robustness of the Estimates and the Adequacy of the Reserves be noted and endorsed. *Referred to Council |
| CB 10/028 |
Setting the Council Tax 2010/11 |
The joint report of the Chief Executive, Director of Finance, Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance set out the requirements under the Local Government Finance Act 1992 for a billing authority to set an amount of Council Tax for each category of dwelling in its area. Members were advised that the Kent County Council, the Kent Police Authority and the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority had not yet met to determine their respective precepts for 2010/11. The report explained the figures which had to be calculated and the process to be undertaken in arriving at the levels of Council Tax to be set for each part of the Borough. Consideration was given to a draft resolution in respect of the Borough Council's level of Council Tax and it was noted that information regarding the precepts of the other authorities would be reported to the full Council on 18 February 2010. RECOMMENDED: That subject to incorporation of the precepts issued by Kent County Council, Kent Police Authority and Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority when notified, the draft resolution annexed to these Minutes as it relates to the Borough Council's level of Council Tax be commended to the Council. *Referred to Council |
| CB 10/029 |
Human Resources Strategy Update Item PO 10/006 referred from Policy Overview Committee minutes of 19th January, 2010 |
The report of the Central Services Director introduced the update of the Human Resources Strategy which had been considered by the Policy Overview Committee on 19 January 2010. It was noted that the draft updated Strategy contained the Council's Pay and Workforce Strategy for 2009/10, required for the Comprehensive Area Assessment. In addition the appendix to the Strategy notified the Cabinet of the outcomes of the equalities monitoring of staffing issues, a statutory requirement in accordance with race relations, disability discrimination and sex discrimination legislation. RECOMMENDED: That the updated Human Resources Strategy be adopted by the Council. *Referred to Council |
| CB 10/030 |
Anti Money Laundering Policy Update Item PO 10/005 referred from Policy Overview Committee minutes of 19th January, 2010 |
The report of the Director of Finance invited endorsement of a draft update of the Council's Anti Money Laundering Policy and supporting Guidance Note together with a change of designated Money Laundering Returning Officer as recommended by the Policy Overview Committee on 19 January and the Audit Committee on 26 January 2010. RECOMMENDED: That the updated Anti Money Laundering Policy and Guidance Note together with the change in designated Money Laundering Reporting Officer be adopted by the Council. *Referred to Council |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| CB 10/031 |
Adverse Weather Conditions - Impact upon Borough Council Services |
The report of the Chief Executive highlighted issues that had arisen during the two recent bouts of heavy snowfall prior to Christmas and in January which had created severe problems at a national, regional and local level. The report focused separately on the impact of each of the events including the different approach adopted as a result of lessons learned from the pre-Christmas adverse weather conditions. It was noted that reports would be presented to the appropriate Advisory Boards on the car parks, refuse, recycling and street cleansing issues that had arisen. It was also planned that Kent County Council representatives would have an opportunity to respond to highways concerns at the forthcoming meetings of the Joint Transportation Board and Parish Partnership Panel. The Chief Executive paid tribute to the Council's staff, fellow Chief Officers and the support of Members in maintaining services to the community in difficult circumstances. The Cabinet in turn recorded thanks to the Chief Executive and Management Team colleagues for the way in which the events had been handled. RESOLVED: That the report be received and noted. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| CB 10/032 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
There were no items considered in private. |