Agenda and decisions

To receive any announcements.

Council received tributes to Adrian Lythgo, Chief Executive, who was in attendance at his final meeting of Council following 7 years’ service at the Authority.

The Mayor announced that, in consultation with the Chief Executive, it had been agreed that Agenda Item 6 would be considered at the meeting, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 3 as the matter is financial in nature and a decision on the matter was required prior to the next scheduled meeting of Council.

Members of the Council were reminded of the restrictions applying to voting on Agenda Item 5 under Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992.

Group Business Managers to submit any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To agree and authorise the Mayor to sign as a correct record.

Approved as a correct record.

The Councillors will be asked to say if there are any items of the Agenda in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interests, which would prevent them from participating in any discussion of them items or participating in any vote upon the items, or any other interests.

1)    That the list of dispensations (as tabled) be noted. (please see attached)

2)    That the following declarations be recorded;

Councillor Sokhal declared an ‘other’ interest in Agenda Item 5 on the grounds that his daughter works for Gateway to Care.

Councillor Lowe declared an ‘other’ interest in Agenda Item 5 on the grounds that her daughter is employed by Kirklees Active Leisure.

Councillor A U Pinnock declared an ‘other’ interest in Agenda Item 5 on the grounds that she works for a voluntary sector organisation that supports housing tenants.

Councillor E Firth declared ‘other’ interests in Agenda Item 5 on the grounds that he is (i) a member of Unite (ii) a trustee of Kirklees Community  Association (iii) a trustee of Dewsbury Endowed Trust. He also declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Agenda Item 5 on the grounds that he is Deputy Chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee.

To consider the recommendations of Cabinet (Budget) held on 31 January 2017.

(1) Capital

(i) That the Capital Investment Plan be recommended to Council with an intention that the Plan is reviewed as an integral element of the Council’s Budget Strategy to support Council priorities (on both capital and revenue budget proposals) and is contained within foreseeable resources (Appendix A, Section 1 and Appendix E refer).

(ii) That Council be advised to determine the Prudential Indicators as referred to in Appendix A (Section 1, para 1.3.19) and Appendix F.

(2) Treasury Management

(i) That the borrowing strategy as outlined in Appendix A (Section 2, para 2.3) be approved.

(iii) That the investment strategy be outlined in Appendix A (Section 2, para 2.4) and Appendix G be approved.

(iv) That the policy for provision of repayment of debt (minimum revenue provision) as outlined in Appendix A (Section 2, para 2.5) and Appendix I be approved.

(3) General Revenue Fund

(i) That the draft Revenue Budget for 2017-2020 and indicative high level funding and cost estimates for 2020-21 be approved (Appendix B refers).

(ii) That the proposed re-direct of £3.3m from rollover reserves to general balances, the proposed 2016-2017 year end transfer of £7.7m to organisational risk reserves (in-year further treasury management saving from the proposed amendment to the Council’s minimum revenue provision strategy) , and the proposed re-alignment of £1.4m currently uncommitted resources earmarked for transformation projects totalling £1.4m to the New Council Transformation reserve be approved (Appendix A, Section 3, para 3.16.5 refers).

(iii) That, subject to approval of (3)(ii) above, the forecast levels of general and earmarked reserves as set out at Appendix A (Section 3, para 3.16.6) be noted.

(iv) That the strategy for the use of balances and reserves, as set out in Appendix A (section 3, paras 3.16.7 and 3.16.8 refer) be approved.

(v) That it be acknowledged that for 2017-2018 the minimum level of General Fund balances should be £5.0m (Appendix A, Section 3, para 3.16.6 refers).

(vi) That a further reassessment of reserves requirements be undertaken at year end and reported as part of the 2016-2017 revenue rollover and outturn report.

(vii) That it be noted that the Council’s continued participation on the Leeds City Region business rates pool for 2017-2018 (Appendix A, Section 3, para 3.13.6 refers).

(viii) That approval be given to the Council Tax requirement for 2017-2018 (Appendix A, Section 3, para 3.14, and Appendix C; budget motion refer)

(ix) That approval be given to the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2017-2018 as set out in Appendix D (i-v).

(x) That the Council’s Statutory s151 Officer’s positive assurance statement, as referred to in para. 4 of the considered report, be noted.

(xi) That the Council’s Statutory s151 Officer be given delegated authority to amend how the finally approved precepts are recorded in the Council’s revenue budget in line with the final notifications received following decisions by the Office of Police and  ...  view the full agenda text for item 5:

That the Motion of Cabinet be approved subject to the addition of the submitted amendment.

To consider the arrangements for the appointment of the Council’s External Auditor.

(Under the provision of Council Procedure Rule 3, the Mayor, in consultation with the Chief Executive, is asked to accept this item for considersation).

That Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd be asked to carry out Auditor Panel duties on behalf of the Council and nominate a proposed External Auditor, and that the Assistant Director (Financial management and Risk) be requested to inform Public Sector Audit Appointments Ltd accordingly.