Agenda and decisions

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 12 October 2022 for signature by the Chair.

It was RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 12 October 2022 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

To note the following Minutes of meetings of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Select Committees –

Community Select Committee – 11 October 2022

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 18 October 2022

In respect of the Community Select Committee’s review of Void properties, the Leader referred to the serious Coroner’s case of a two-year old in Rochdale who had died from a severe respiratory condition as a result of the damp and mould in the social housing property in which he lived.  As the Community Select Committee had carried out a review of damp and mould in SBC-owned properties in 2016, officers were asked to bring the Coroner’s report, and in particular the associated recommendations concerning the Rochdale incident, to the attention of the Community Select Committee.

With regard to Minute 3(5) – Climate Change Annual Update: October 2022 of the Minutes of the meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee held on 18 October 2022, the Leader and Portfolio Holder for Environment & Climate Change supported the Committee’s request that each of the 13 wards in the Co-operative Neighbourhood areas should be allocated a sum of £7,500 per annum for physical climate change-related improvements in their areas.

It was RESOLVED that the following Minutes of meetings of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee and Select Committees be noted –

Community Select Committee – 11 October 2022

Overview & Scrutiny Committee – 18 October 2022

To consider the Second Quarter Revenue Monitoring report 2022/23 for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account.

The Executive considered a report in respect of Second Quarter Revenue Budget monitoring 2022/23 for the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account (HRA).

The Portfolio Holder for Environment & Climate Change referred to the climate change implications set out at Paragraph 5.6 of the report, and stressed the point that in the long run climate change mitigation projects and initiatives would reduce energy and other budget costs.

In reply to a question from the Leader, the Strategic Director (RP) confirmed that the underspend in Street scene salaries was due to staff recruitment and retention challenges following a recent restructuring of the service.

It was RESOLVED:

General Fund

1.          That the 2022/23 2nd Quarter projected net decrease in General Fund expenditure of £199,920 be approved.

2.          That it be noted the cumulative changes made to the General Fund net budget remains within the £400,000 increase variation limit delegated to the Executive.

Housing Revenue Account

3.          That the 2022/23 2nd Quarter projected net decrease in HRA expenditure of £263,300 be approved.

4.          That it be noted the cumulative increases made to the HRA net budget remains within the £250,000 increase variation limit delegated to the Executive.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

To consider the 2022/23 Mid Year Treasury Management review and prudential indicators.

The Executive considered a report in respect of the 2022/23 Mid Year Treasury Management Review and Prudential Indicators.

In reply to a question from the Leader regarding local authority borrowing, the Strategic Director (CF) explained that of the £291M figure for SBC borrowing, 71% of that figure related to the financing deal that the Council entered into to buy back its housing stock from the Government.  All four Hertfordshire District/Borough Councils with their own housing stocks had significant levels of borrowing.  A further 19% of the SBC borrowing figure related to investment in the Council’s housing stock, including the Housing Development programme for the provision of brand new Council homes.  90% of the overall borrowing debt related to the Housing Revenue Account, with 2% (£6 Million) for Regeneration projects.

It was RESOLVED that the 2022/23 Mid Year Treasury Management Review and Prudential Indicators be recommended to Council for approval.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

To consider any Part I business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

None.

To consider the following motions –

1.          That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in Paragraphs 1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2.          That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

It was RESOLVED:

1.          That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in Paragraphs 1 – 7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

2.     That the reasons for the following reports being in Part II were accepted, and that the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

To approve as a correct record the Part II Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 12 October 2022 for signature by the Chair.

It was RESOLVED that the Part II Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 12 October 2022 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

To consider Making Your Money Count Options 2023/24.

The Executive considered a Part II report in respect of the proposed Making Your Money Count options for 2023/24.

It was RESOLVED that the recommendations set out in the report be approved.

Reason for Decision:  As contained in report.

Other Options considered:  As contained in report.

To consider any Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent.

None.