| Item | Description | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| PART 1 - PUBLIC | ||
| FIP 13/018 |
Declarations of interest. |
There were no declarations of interest made in accordance with the Code of Conduct. However, Councillor Luker advised in respect of Applications for Discretionary Rate Relief that Platform 51 was one of the charities supported during his mayoral year. |
| FIP 13/019 |
Minutes |
RESOLVED: That the notes of the meeting of the Finance, Innovation and Property Advisory Board held on 22 May 2013 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
| FIP 13/020 |
Presentation/Briefing on Business Rate Retention/Discretionary Rate Relief |
As indicated at Minute FIP 13/004 of the last meeting, Members received a presentation on business rate retention including the calculation of the Council's baseline funding level. The effects on the Council's finances of granting mandatory and discretionary rate relief were also explained and officers answered Members' questions on various aspects of the new regime. |
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| FIP 13/021 |
Applications for Discretionary Rate Relief Decision Notice D130090MEM |
The report of the Director of Finance and Transformation gave details of renewal and new applications for discretionary rate relief which were considered in accordance with the previously agreed criteria for determining such applications. RECOMMENDED: That (1) in respect of the reapplications for relief set out at Annex 2 to the report, 20% discretionary rate relief be awarded in each case with effect from 1 April 2013, time limited to 31 March 2015; (2) the new applications for discretionary rate relief be determined as follows: Platform 51 (YWCA England and Wales), Hope House, 7 Lyons Crescent, Tonbridge - 5% discretionary relief be awarded, back-dated to 1 April 2010 and time limited to 31 March 2014; Poppy Pre-School, Teapot Lane, Aylesford - 20% discretionary rate relief be awarded time limited to 31 March 2015; Vivat Trust Management Services Ltd, The Tower, Hadlow Castle, High Street, Hadlow - no discretionary relief be granted; and (3) the criteria stating that the Council is unlikely to grant relief to charity shops or shops operated by the trading arms of charities be amended to include reference to properties, other than shops, operated by the trading arms of charities. |
| FIP 13/022 |
Financial Planning and Control Decision Notice D130091MEM |
The report of the Director of Finance and Transformation provided information on the Council's key budget areas of salaries, major income streams, investment income and the trading position of the Leisure Services Business Unit. It also gave an update on the variations agreed in relation to the revenue budget and areas identified through budgetary control, summarised to provide an indicative overall budget position which showed a net favourable variance of £358,500. An update was also given on capital expenditure and variations agreed in relation to the capital plan. RECOMMENDED: That the contents of the report be noted and endorsed. |
| FIP 13/023 |
Business Rates - Technical Consultation in Respect of New Build, Empty Property Decision Notice D130092MEM |
The report of the Director of Finance and Transformation gave details of the recent consultation from the Department for Communities and Local Government on a proposal to exempt all newly built commercial property completed between 1 October 2013 and 30 September 2016 from empty property rates for the first 18 months. Consideration was given to a suggested response to be submitted by the 26 July deadline. RECOMMENDED: That the Director of Finance and Transformation be authorised to respond to the consultation paper on the basis set out at paragraph 1.2.5 of the report. |
| MATTERS SUBMITTED FOR INFORMATION | ||
| FIP 13/024 |
Spending Review 2013 |
The report highlighted the main issues affecting local authorities contained within the Spending Review 2013 recently published by the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Members were advised that local government faced a 10% cut in its budgets in 2015/16 in addition to the 33% cut that it had already experienced. It was not yet clear how this reduction would affect individual local authority allocations but in terms of the Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) the announcement put further pressure on the Council's finances from the 10% cut, the council tax referendum threshold of 2% and the £400m to be top-sliced from the New Homes Bonus. The MTFS would be reviewed and updated over the coming months and the outcome, taking into account the Spending Review, reported to the Cabinet in October. |
| FIP 13/025 |
Benefits Update |
Members were advised of current issues arising in the benefits field including performance and workload of the Benefits Service. An update was given on the implementation of the various aspects of welfare reform and their impact in the Borough. Thanks were recorded to all staff involved in implementing the changes and responding to the on-going challenges. |
| FIP 13/026 |
Council Tax and Business Rates Update Report |
The report gave details of recent developments in respect of council tax and business rates including collection rates in the light of the large number of new tax payers following the introduction of the council tax reduction scheme. Reference was made to the recommendation in the report by Lord Heseltine entitled "No Stone Unturned: In Pursuit of Growth" that local authorities should publish a list of all businesses paying non-domestic rates. Members received a copy of the report on this matter to the recent meeting of the Economic Regeneration Advisory Board. |
| FIP 13/027 |
Capital Programme: Post Implementation Reviews Monitoring Report |
The report identified the post implementation reviews carried out since the meeting of the Finance and Property Advisory Board in July 2012 and the capital plan schemes for which reviews were due. |
| FIP 13/028 |
Capital Projects Post Implementation Reviews - GIS |
A capital plan post implementation review was submitted in respect of Geographic Information System (GIS) Development. It was noted that the project had been delivered on time with a saving of £1,000 against budgetary provision. |
| MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION IN PRIVATE | ||
| FIP 13/029 |
Exclusion of Press and Public |
The Chairman moved, it was seconded and RESOLVED: That as public discussion would disclose exempt information, the following matters be considered in private. |
| PART 2 - PRIVATE | ||
| MATTERS FOR RECOMMENDATION TO THE CABINET | ||
| FIP 13/030 |
Debts for Write Off (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 2 - Information likely to reveal information about an individual) Decision Notice D130093MEM |
The report of the Director of Finance and Transformation recommended approval of the writing-off of debts considered to be irrecoverable. Details were also given of debts under £1,000 which had been written-off in accordance with Financial Procedure Rule 17.2 together with cumulative totals of debts in the current and previous financial years and information on budgeted bad debt provision. RECOMMENDED: That the seven items shown in the schedule totalling £95,065 be written-off for the reasons stated. |
| FIP 13/031 |
Landsbanki Deposit (Icelandic Bank) (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 3 - Financial or business affairs of any particular person) |
The report of the Director of Finance and Transformation gave details of an urgent decision taken on behalf of the Cabinet by the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property in respect of the potential sale of the Council's Landsbanki claim. The legal advisors dealing with the recovery of the deposit had invited those authorities that wished to do so to participate in a joint sale of their claims. A selected group of Members had therefore been consulted on the proposal in order to meet the response deadline. RECOMMENDED: That the Cabinet endorse the decision taken by the Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, Innovation and Property to participate in the sale of the Council's Landsbanki claim as set out in the report. *Referred to Cabinet |
| FIP 13/032 |
Proposed Terms for New Leases at Martin Square, Larkfield (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 3 - Financial or business affairs of any particular person) Decision Notice D130094MEM |
The report of the Director of Central Services gave details of proposed terms for new leases at Martin Square, Larkfield. RECOMMENDED: That new leases be offered on the terms outlined in the report. |
| FIP 13/033 |
Proposed Terms for New Lease at Twisden Road, East Malling (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 3 - Financial or business affairs of any particular person) Decision Notice D130095MEM |
Consideration was given to proposed terms and conditions for a new lease of shop premises at Twisden Road, East Malling. RECOMMENDED: That the proposed terms for a new lease of premises at Twisden Road, East Malling be approved on the basis set out in the report of the Director of Central Services. |
| FIP 13/034 |
Proposed Lease of Land at Rear of Barden Park Road, Tonbridge (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 3 - Financial or business affairs of any particular person) Decision Notice D130096MEM |
The report of the Director of Central Services gave details of the proposed lease of land to the rear of Barden Park Road, Tonbridge. RECOMMENDED: That approval be given to the grant of lease on the terms detailed in the report with the inclusion of a rolling break clause after the fifth year. |
| FIP 13/035 |
Licence Request for Hot Food Trader at Land Adjacent to Bailey Bridge Car Park, Aylesford (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 3 - Financial or business affairs of any particular person) Decision Notice D130097MEM |
Consideration was given to a request that a new licence be granted to operate a catering unit from land adjacent to Bailey Bridge Car Park, Aylesford. RECOMMENDED: That a new licence be refused on the grounds of (1) not being in keeping with the charactor of the immediate area; and (2) the concerns raised by residents and the Parish Council in respect of litter, anti-social behaviour and noise. |
| FIP 13/036 |
Proposed Easement Across Sovereign Way North Car Park (Reason: LGA 1972 Sch 12A Para 3 - Financial or business affairs of any particular person) Decision Notice D130098MEM |
Further to Decision No D130064MEM, the report of the Director of Central Services gave details of a proposed easement across Sovereign Way North Car Park for the landing of a pedestrian bridge and pedestrian route through the car park in order to safeguard the future provision of the bridge. RECOMMENDED: That approval be given to the grant of an easement as detailed in the report. |