1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
2. MINUTES - 9 DECEMBER 2015
To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Council held on Wednesday, 9 December 2015.
Minutes attached
3. MINUTES - 26 JANUARY 2016
To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the Special meeting of the Council held on Tuesday, 26 January 2016.
Minutes attached
4. MAYOR'S COMMUNICATIONS
To receive any communications that the Mayor may wish to put before Council.
5. MAIN DEBATE - 2016/2017 COUNCIL TAX AND GENERAL FUND AND CAPITAL BUDGETS
The Main Debate concerns the setting of the 2016/2017 Council Tax and the General Fund and Capital Budgets. The reports attached as 5A and 5B were considered by the Executive at its meeting on 16 February 2016 and any updates or changes to the recommendations arising from the Executive will be provided at the meeting or included in a supplementary agenda.
Formal Council Tax Resolution
Report 5A
*Revised Report 5A - Section 4.11
*Revised Appendix A - 2014/15 working & 2015/16 Summary General Fund Budget
Appendix B - Final Council Tax Resolution
Appendix C - Robustness of the Final Budget and Adequacy of Reserves
Appendix D - Savings Proposals 2015/16
Appendix E - Growth Bids 2015/16
Appendix F - Fees and Charges 2015/16
Appendix G - Concessions Policy
Appendix H - 2016/17 Concessions
Appendix I - Risk Assessment of General Fund balances 2016/17
Appendix J - General Fund and HRA EQIA
Appendix K - Council wide staffing EQIA
Report 5B
Appendix A - General Fund 5 Year Capital Strategy
Appendix B - General Fund Capital Bids
Appendix C - HRA 5 Year Strategy
6. PETITIONS AND DEPUTATIONS
None received.
7. QUESTIONS FROM THE YOUTH COUNCIL
None received.
8. QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
None received.
9 . LEADER OF THE COUNCIL'S UPDATE
In accordance with Standing Order 14, the Leader of the Opposition shall be given the opportunity to raise one matter relevant to the Borough that has arisen since the last meeting of the Council.
The Leader of the Council shall then have the opportunity to advise the Council of matters relevant to the Borough that have arisen since the last meeting.
10. NOTICE OF MOTIONS
None received.
11. QUESTIONS TO COMMITTEE CHAIRS/EXECUTIVE MEMBERS
The following questions have been received -
(a) From Councillor R Parker CC -
When our refuse or other contractors damage the grass verges, it can take weeks for the damage to be repaired, and only then if it is witnessed and reported to the Council. What are the Council's plans pro-actively to monitor the fact that an incident has occurred, to improve the reporting and repair process and to reduce the frequency of this type of damage?
(b) From Councillor G Snell -
What plans are there to improve the efficiency of the operation of the SBC Search facility on the SBC website?
(c) From Councillor A McGuinness -
What are the Council's plans to increase the provision of publicly accessible toilets across the town?
12. REPORT REFERRED FROM EXECUTIVE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE - PRUDENTIAL CODE INDICATORS AND TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 2016/2017
The report attached as item 12 was considered by the Audit Committee at its meeting on 1 February. The Audit Committee concurred with the report. The report will also be considered by the Executive 16 February 2016. Any updates or changes to the recommendations arising from the Executive will be provided at the meeting or included in a supplementary agenda.
Report attached
Appendix A - Treasury Management Strategy
Appendix B - Minimum Revenue Provision Policy
Appendix C - Prudential Indicators
Appendix D - Specified and Non-Specified Investment Criteria
Appendix E - Approved Countries for Investment
13. OFFICER REPORT - MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES - REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL
To consider the attached officer report (Item 13) concerning the findings of the Independent Panel on Members' Allowances and, in the light of that report, recommends the Scheme of Allowances for 2016/2017.
Report attached
Appendix A - Report of Independent Remuneration Panel
Appendix B - Proposed Scheme for 2016/2017
14. OFFICER REPORT - PAY POLICY STATEMENT
To consider the attached report (item 14) concerning the Council's pay policy statement for the financial year 2016/17 in accordance with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011.
Report & Appendix 1 - Stevenage Borough Council Pay Policy Statement 2016/17
Revised Appendix 1
15. MINUTES - AUDIT COMMITTEE - 1 FEBRUARY 2016
To note the draft Minutes of the Audit Committee meeting held on 1 February 2016.
Minutes attached