Decision details

This report had not been circulated to Members five clear days before the meeting nor had it been made available for public inspection.  The Chair determined however that given the short time left before the end of the call-in period on 14 September 2018 it be considered on this occasion.

Minutes – Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Select Committees

The Committee noted the comments of the Executive.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

In reply to a number of questions on the report, the Committee was advised:

·      CIL was now recommended, as (unlike Section 106) it allowed the Council to charges for all development applications that created net additional floorspace of at least 100 square metres or development of any size that resulted in a new house or flat.  CIL was not subject to the pooling restrictions imposed on Section 106 Agreements introduced in 2015, whereby a maximum of 5 payments could be used to contribute towards infrastructure improvements on larger schemes.  Also, the level of CIL charges proposed struck an acceptable balance in terms of the viability of schemes progressing.

·      CIL rates would be non-negotiable, which should help speed up the process of the receipt of contributions.  CIL monies could be used to fund infrastructure improvements required by the Council anywhere in the Borough.  However, Section 106 would still apply to those larger schemes which required site-specific infrastructure improvements (ie. new schools, highway improvements etc.).

·      CIL would be regularly monitored by the Planning and Development Committee, and the Audit Committee would be used to monitor CIL on a retrospective basis.  CIL performance would also be added to the Executive’s Performance Monitoring indicators.

Council Tax Support Scheme

The Assistant Director (Finance and Estates) reminded Members that she had informed the Committee in March 2018 that the existing software was not robust enough to bring about the introduction of a new scheme for 2019/20 based on claimants’ income bands.  Hence further modelling would be required with the aim of operating a new scheme for 2020/21.  In the meantime, it was proposed that the existing (2018/19) scheme would remain operational for 2019/20, and would form an additional recommendation in the Budget report in January 2019.

General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy 2018/2019 to 2022/2023

In reply to a question, the Assistant Director (Finance and Estates) confirmed that the Leader’s Services Financial Group would be considering potential savings for the next 3 financial years, even though the annual General Fund/HRA budget only contained one year’s information.

1^st Quarter Revenue Monitoring Report 2018/2019 – General Fund and Housing Revenue Account

In response to questions, the Assistant Director (Finance and Estates) commented:

·      The minimum investment rating for organisations that the Council invested in as part of its Treasury Strategy was AA.

·      The Council’s investment portfolio assumed an annual increase in the Bank of England base interest rate of 0.25%.

·      The works to the St. George’s Multi-Storey Car Park entailed refurbishment works carried out and funded by the Council, followed by new cladding works to the elevation facing the Park Place Development, the funding for which would be provided by the Park Place developer.

1^st Quarter Capital Programme Monitoring Report 2018/2019 – General Fund and Housing Revenue Account

The Assistant Director (Finance and Estates) confirmed that works had been carried out to boilers at both Springfield House and St. Nicholas Community Centre.

The Committee noted that the potential figure at risk of repayment of Right to Buy receipts to the Government had increased to £336,000, given the tight restrictions on use, particularly when land assembly and other elements were required to bring forward more complex sites.

Annual Treasury Management Review of 2017/18, including Prudential Code

The Assistant Director (Finance and Estates) drew attention to the cash balances (as at 31 March 2018) pie chart tabled at the meeting, which was a clearer representation of the pie chart set out in Paragraph 5.7.3 of the original report to the Executive.

The Committee noted an additional resolution agreed by the Executive that the provisions of the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 be invoked to call upon the Government to share with the Council information it had on Brexit and its impact on Stevenage.

Corporate Performance – Quarter One 2018/19

The Assistant Director (Corporate Services and Transformation) drew attention to the new suite of performance indicators for 2018/19, and explained that, for Quarter One, 40 indicators were at green status; 2 were at amber; and 11 were at red.  Officers had focussed on the 3 red indicators relating to the Future Town, Future Council (FTFC) Programme (namely homelessness; Customer Service Centre; and sickness absence management), and had authorised improvement plans for these areas.

Members asked a number of detailed questions on the report which were answered by officers.

The Committee acknowledged the Executive’s suggestion that it brings forward its planned consideration of staff sickness.  The Chair agreed to liaise with the Scrutiny Officer with the aim of revising the Committee’s Work Programme to bring forward this item, ideally before the end of 2018.

It was RESOLVED that the following Part I decisions of the Executive are noted:

·      Minutes – Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Select Committees

·      Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

·      Council Tax Support Scheme

·      General Fund Medium Term Financial Strategy 2018/2019 to 2022/2023

·      1^st Quarter Revenue Monitoring Report 2018/2019 – General Fund and Housing Revenue Account

·      1^st Quarter Capital Programme Monitoring Report 2018/2019 – General Fund and Housing Revenue Account

·      Annual Treasury Management Review of 2017/18, including Prudential Code

·      Corporate Performance – Quarter One 2018/19