Location: Council Chamber, Daneshill House, Danestrete
Present: Members: Councillors, Mrs L.G. Strange (Mayor), B. Jackson (Deputy Mayor), G. Clark, R.A. Clark, D.W. Cullen, M. Downing, CC, B.G. Dunnell, P.E.J. Gallagher, J. Gardner, B.P. Hall, L. Harrington, R.J. Henry, T.G.M. Kent, CC, P.D. Kissane, L. Knight, C. Latif, M.A. Mason, A.J.R. McCarthy, D.F. Monaghan , S.M. Myson, M. Notley, R.G. Parker, M.P. Patston, R. Raynor, R.J. Smith, MBE, DL, CC, G. Snell, S.K. Speller, P. Stuart, S. Taylor, H.C.L. Tessier, A.T. Turner, K. Vale, Mrs P.A Webb, CC, D. Webb. The formal Minutes of this meeting comprise this covering document detailing decisions taken, together with the Agenda papers and reports refered to herein. Each minute relates to the item bearing the same number on the Agenda.
Others: Stewart Gillies, Independent Member of Standards Committee.
Duration:
Start Time: 7.00p.m.
End Time: 9.55p.m.
Status: Noted
Business: Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors J. Hollywell, D. Royall, CC, J. Thomas and B.G. Underwood.
Declarations of interest in respect of Items 5 and 11 were made as follows:-
Councillor G. Clark - Stevenage Community Trust. Oval Community Association, Furniture Recycling Scheme, World Forum.
Councillor D.W. Cullen - Bedwell Community Centre.
Councillor M. Downing, CC - Old Stevenage Community Association.
Councillor J. Gardner - Homestart, Broadwater Community Association.
Councillor L. Harrington - Women's Resource Centre.
Councillor R.J. Henry - Stevenage Leisure Limited - Director.
Councillor T.G.M. Kent, CC - Bedwell Community Association.
Councillor P.D. Kissane - Stevenage Haven, Furniture & Recycling Scheme, Stevenage Consolidated Charities.
Councillor L. Knight - Chells Manor Community Association, Timebridge Community Association, Victim Support Scheme.
Councillor C. Latif - St. Nicholas Community Association, Stevenage Consolidated Charities.
Councillor A.J.R. McCarthy - Broadwater Community Association.
Councillor S. Myson - Hertford Road Community Association.
Councillor M. Notley - Symonds Green Community Association.
Councillor R.G. Parker - Chells Community Association.
Councillor M.P. Patston - Stevenage Leisure Limited - Director.
Councillor R. Raynor - St. Nicholas Community Association & Stevenage Consolidated Charities.
Councillor R.J. Smith, MBE, DL,CC - Douglas Drive Day Centre, Pin Green Community Centre, St. Nicholas Community Association.
Councillor S. Taylor - Symonds Green Community Association, Digswell Arts Trust, Fusion Community Arts Theatre, Stevenage Credit Union.
Councillor H.C.L. Tessier - Stevenage Haven, Springfield House, Fusion Community Arts Theatre.
Councillor K. Vale - Stevenage Crossroads, Garden House Hospice.
Having declared prejudicial interests in Items 5 & 11, Councillors R.J. Henry and M.P. Patson left the meeting during consideration of these items.
Decision:
Status: Agreed
Business:
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the Council meeting held on 28th January 2004, having been previously circulated, be taken as read and be signed as a correct record.
Status: Noted
Business: The Mayor referred to the fact that she had undertaken 150 engagements since her last attendance at Council. She mentioned some of the highlights and reminded those present that Councillor Speller would be embarking on a sponsored solo cycle ride in June, with the sponsorship money being donated to the Mayor's charities.
The Mayor presented Councillor R.J. Henry, Executive Councillor for Public and Environmental Health, with a Foundation Certificate in Food Hygiene, following his successful completion of that Course.
At this point the Mayor advised that she had to leave the meeting due to a prior engagement.
Councillor B. Jackson (Deputy Mayor) took the Chair.
Decision:
Status: Agreed
Business: In accordance with Section 25 of the Local Government Act 2003, the Council considered the report of the Council's Chief Financial Officer on the robustness of the estimates included within the 2004/05 Budget, and the adequacy of the Council's reserves and balances.
The Chief Executive advised Council of a typing error at paragraph 4.8.1, sub paragraph (1) which should refer to key risks set out in paragraphs 4.2 and 4.4 - not paragraph 15 as quoted.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the following statement of the Council's Chief Financial Officer be noted.
'The main conclusion of the report is that in the light of the information provided during the budget process, it is my opinion that there is sufficient capacity in the proposed overall budget to cope with the financial risks the Council faces in 2004/05. The Summary and Conclusion of the report also sets out advice for managing the financial risks in the budget for 2004/05'.
Status: Noted
Business:
Decision: As the Council's Budget for 2004/05 was to be considered at the meeting, on this occasion there was no Main Debate item.
Status: Noted
Business: There were none received.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: A question had been received and was detailed in the Agenda. The questioner made a statement in relation to her question and a response was given by the Executive Councillor (Environment).
Decision:
Status: Agreed
Business: The Leader of the Council and appropriate Members of the Executive updated the Council in respect of the Pilot Garden Waste Collection Scheme, the addition of Stevenage to the London - Stansted - Cambridge/Growth Area, Asquith Court Refurbishment, Community Safety, Air Quality Results, Postal Voting Applications, Peformance Achievements at the Customer Services Centre and the Council's application for Beacon Status for the theme of Services for Older People. Members of the Council expressed their views on a number of these matters.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that John Bentley, Head of Community Development, be thanked for all his hard work and enthusiasm in submiting applications for Beacon Council Status.
In accordance with Standing Order 11 (c), the Leader of the Opposition raised the matter of the Play Service Review, which had resulted in the decision to close three of the Council's Play Centres. He expressed concern at the apparent lack of consultation prior to the Review, and he asked whether subsequent consultation had been undertaken and, if so, whether any feedback was available.
The Leader of the Opposition was informed by the Executive Councillor for Best Value that the Consultant who had undertaken the Play Service Review had introduced a major step change, and that the children who used the Play Centres would be consulted in due course.
The Leader of the Council added that there had been a dramatic fall in numbers attending the Play Centres and a Consultant had been employed to recommend areas for improvement.
Status: Noted
Business: No notices of motion were received.
Decision:
Status: Noted
Business: A question had been received from Councillor L. Knight to Councillor S. Taylor, Executive Portfolio Holder for Resources, and was detailed in the Agenda.
A response was given by the Executive Councillor (Resources), and the Executive Councillor (Environment) added to Councillor Taylor's comments.
Decision:
Status: Agreed
Business: The Council considered a report and resolution from the Executive meeting held on 11th February 2004.
Decision: At this juncture, it was moved, seconded and RESOLVED that Standing Order 18 (c)(iii), concerning the time allowed for Members to speak, be waived for this item.
The Leader delivered his budget speech for 2004/05. As part of his speech, he referred to the previous year's special initiatives and gave an update on their success.
The Leader then drew attention to the following Capital Initiative, as an addition to the 2004/05 Capital Programme:
CCTV: 3 new digital cameras - £23,500
The Leader of the Council then proposed the following Revenue Initiatives, as additions to the 2004/05 General Fund Revenue Budget as follows:
(i) Benefit Take Up Campaign - £ 5,000
(ii) Invest to Save Scheme - Capital funding to be allocated following scheme approval.
(iii) Concessionary Fares Scheme - £27,500
- no increase
(iv) Shephall Sports Centre - £ 3,000
- Easter with activities.
Following further debate, it was RESOLVED:
(A) GENERAL FUND BUDGET & CAPITAL PROGRAMME 2004/05
(i) That the proposed budget summary summarised at Appendix A to the report, as amended by the recommendations of the Resources & Corporate Management Scrutiny Panel/Scrutiny Overview Committee, and by the addition of the Revenue Initiatives outlined above, be the Council's General Fund Budget 2004/05.
(ii) That the proposed General Fund Budget Requirement for 2004/05 of £12,134,080, use of balances of £1,689,848 and a Band D Council Tax of £159.83, as reflected in the draft Council Tax Resolution at Appendix F3 as circulated at the meeting be approved.
(iii) That the proposed General Fund Revenue Account Contingency Sum in the Budget and Policy Framework for 2004/05 of £500,000 be approved.
(iv) That the proposed 2004/05 Capital Programme, attached as Appendix E to the report, and by the addition of the Capital Initiative outlined above, be the Council's 2004/05 Capital Programme.
(v) That the proposed Contingency Sum in the Budget and Policy Framework for 2004/05 of £2,000,000 for the Capital Programme be approved.
(B) FORMAL COUNCIL TAX RESOLUTION
1. That the following be approved:
a. the probable revenue estimates for the year 2003/04 amounting to £12,917,810 and the revenue estimates for 2004/05 amounting to £12,134,080;
b. the contribution from balances of £2,253,032 in 2003/04;
c. the contribution from balances totalling £1,689,848 in 2004/05.
2. That it be noted that at its meeting on 14th January 2004, the Executive calculated the amount of 27,264.71 Band D equivalent properties as its council tax base for the year 2004/05 in accordance with Regulation 3 of the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 1992 made under Section 33 (5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.
3. That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2004/05 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:
a. £10,444,232 - Being the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(2)(a) to (e) of the Act, less the aggregate of the amounts which the Council estimates for the items set out in Section 32(3)(a) to (c).
b. £6,056,645 - Being the aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable for the year into its general fund in respect of redistributed non-domestic rates and revenue support grant.
c. £29,868 - Being the utilisation of the Council's share of the estimated surplus totalling £262,500 as calculated in accordance with Sections 97(3) and Section 98(4) of the Local Government Finance Act 1988.
d. £159.83 - Being the amount at 3a. above less the amounts at 3b. and 3c. above, all divided by the amount at 2. Above, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 33(1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year.
e. VALUATION BANDS
A £106.55
B £124.31
C £142.07
D £159.83
E £195.35
F £230.87
G £266.38
H £319.66
Being the amounts given by multiplying the amount at 3d. above by the number which, in the proportion set out in Section 5(1) of the Act, is applicable to dwellings listed in a particular valuation band divided by the number which in that proportion is applicable to dwellings listed in valuation D, calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 36(1) of the Act, as the amounts to be taken into account for the year in respect of categories of dwellings listed in different valuation bands.
4. a. That it be noted that for the year 2004/05 Hertfordshire County Council have stated the following amounts in precepts issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Governement Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of the dwellings shown below:
VALUATION BANDS
A £ 596.38
B £ 695.78
C £ 795.17
D £ 894.57
E £1,093.36
F £1,292.16
G £1,490.95
H £1,789.14
b. That it be noted that for the year 2004/05 Hertfordshire Police Authority have stated the following amounts in precepts issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 and amended by Section 27 of the Police and Magistrates' Court Act 1994, for each of the categories of the dwellings shown below:-
VALUATION BANDS
A £ 75.02
B £ 87.52
C £ 100.03
D £ 112.53
E £ 137.54
F £ 162.54
G £ 187.55
H £ 225.06
5. That, having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at 3e and 4a and b. above, the Council in accordance with Section 30(2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the following amounts as the amounts for council tax for the year 2004/05 for each of the categories of dwellings shown below:-
VALUATION BANDS
A £ 777.95
B £ 907.61
C £1,037.27
D £1,166.93
E £1,426.25
F £1,685.57
G £1,944.88
H £2,333.86
Status: Agreed
Business: The Council considered a report and recommendations from the meeting held on 11th February 2004.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that the following Prudential Code Indicators be adopted:
(1) The actual capital expenditure that was incurred in 2002/03 and the estimates of capital expenditure for the current and future years that are recommended for approval are:
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE
2002/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07
Actual Prob. Est. Est. Est.
£000's £000's £000's £000's £000's
General Fund £5,029 £14,739 £9,366 £5,100 £ 4,836
HRA £9,851 £11,449 £11,178£11,000£ 9,383
Total £14,880£26,188 £20,544£16,100£14,219
(ii) Estimates of the ratio of financing costs to net revenue stream for the current and future years, and the actual figures for 2002/03 are:-
2002/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07
Actual Prob. Est. Est. Est.
% % % % %
Financing Costs re: General Fund Capital Expenditure.
0.92 4.35 9.35 11.70 12.64
HRA Capital Expenditure
1.76 4.31 7.00 8.50 9.36
(iii) Estimates of the end of year capital financing requirement for the current and future years and the actual capital financing requirement at 31st March 2003:
31/3/03 31/3/04 31/3/05 31/3/0631/3/07
Actual Prob. Est. Est. Est.
£000's £000's £000's £000's £000's
-4,878 -5,000 -5,000 -5,000 -5,000
(iv) The estimated incremental impact of capital expenditure budget proposals on Band D Council Tax is as follows:-
2004/05 2005/06 2006/07
£12 £20 £14
(v) In order to ensure that over the medium term net borrowing will only be for capital purposes, net external borrowing should not exceed the total of capital financing requirements in the preceding year plus estimated current and next 2 years requirement.
(vi) Authorised limit for external debt:
2002/03 03/04 04/05 05/06 06/07
£000's £000's £000's £000's £000's
Borrowing
£15k £15k £15k £15k £15k
Other Long Term Liabilities
Nil Nil Nil Nil Nil
(vii) The Code also requires an Operational Limit to be set which can be less than the Authorised Limit. However, in this Council's circumstances, it is recommended that the Operation Limit equates to the Authorised Limit.
(viii) The Council has adopted the CIPFA Code of Practice for Treasury Management and manages its treasury position in terms of borrowing and investments in accordance with the code.
(ix) Upper limit of variable interest rate exposure as a percentage of total debt:
2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07
100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
(x) Short term borrowing limit.
2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 2005/06 2006/07
£000's £000's £000's £000's £000's
£15,000 £15,000 £15,000 £15,000 £15,000
Status: Agreed
Business: The Council considered a report and recommendations from the Executive meeting held on 11th February 2004.
Decision: It was RESOLVED:
(i) That the publication of the Borough Council's schedule of responses to the Inspector's Report and schedule of proposed modifications to the District Plan Review be endorsed.
(ii) That the carrying out of a six week period of statutory public consultation on the proposed modifications be authorised.
Status: Agreed
Business: The Chief Executive submitted a report on a Members' Allowances Scheme to run from 1st April 2004 to 31st March 2005.
Decision: It was RESOLVED that a Members' Allowances Scheme be made for 1st April 2004 to 31st March 2005 in the form set out in the appendix to the report of the Chief Executive.