Agenda and decisions

To receive any announcements from the Mayor and Chief Executive.

Council held a minute of silence in respect to former Councillors Denis Ripley and Bob Mortimer, who had both recently passed away, and also in recognition of the 200^th Anniversary of the Colne Bridge Mill Fire, in which seventeen people had died.

Tributes were paid by Councillors E Firth, Sheard, Light, Kane, Marchington, Cooper, Bolt, Sokhal, D Firth and the Mayor.

The Mayor conveyed the congratulations of the Council to Councillor Erin Hill upon the recent birth of her son.

The Head of Legal Services reminded Council, in respect of Agenda Item 5, of the restrictions applying to voting under Section 106 of the Local Government Act 1992.

The Chief Executive provided an update on financial developments subsequent to the publication of the Cabinet Motion, including additional social care funding, Government advice regarding changes to treasury management and potential funding available under the business rates pool budget arrangement.

Group Business Managers to submit any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Hill (who is currently on maternity leave).

To agree and authorise the Mayor to sign the Minutes of Council held on 17 January 2018.

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.

Council received a schedule of dispensations that had been granted in respect of Councillors Ahmed, Allison, Calvert, Cooper, Dodds, Greaves, Khan, Lawson, Lyons, Marchington, Mather, McBride, Palfreeman, Pattison, A Pinnock, A U Pinnock, K Pinnock, Richards, Sims, Smaje, Smith, Sokhal, Stewart-Turner, Walker, Watson and Wilson. In addition, it was declared that further dispensations had been granted to Councillors Smaje, Palfreeman, R Smith, Loonat and A U Pinnock.

Councillors Scott, Pandor, E Firth, Calvert, Bellamy and Iredale declared an ‘other’ interest on the grounds that either they, or a family member, resided within a KNH property.

Councillor Smaje declared an ‘other’ interest as a Director of a group currently leasing Birstall Community Centre. 

Councillors Scott and Zaman declared an ‘other’ interest on the grounds that they had family members in receipt of a blue badge.

Councillor Akhtar declared an ‘other’ interest on the grounds that he was in receipt of a blue badge.

Councillors Bellamy and D Firth declared an ‘other’ interest as Members of Holme valley Parish Council.

Councillor Patrick declared an ‘other’ interest on the grounds that his wife is the Chair of Holmfirth Civic Hall Charitable Trust (part funded by Holme Valley Parish Council).

Councillor E Firth declared an ‘other’ interest as a Director of Kirklees Community Association.

Councillor O’Neill declared an ‘other’ interest on the grounds that she is in receipt of single person council tax reduction.

To consider the recommendations of Cabinet (Budget), held on 30 January 2018, that; 

(1) Capital

- the draft Capital Plan 2018-2023 be approved (appendix E refers)

- the Prudential Indicators  as detailed at appendix F be approved

(2) Treasury Management (Appendix C)

- the borrowing strategy be approved (paragraphs 2.12-2.18 refer)

- the investment strategy be approved (paragraphs 2.19-2.33 refer)

- the policy for provision of repayment of debt (minimum revenue provision/MPR) be approved (Appendix C refers, reflecting the changes in policy outlined in paragraphs 2.34-2.66) effective from 2017-2018, be approved

- the treasury management indicators be approved (appendix D refers)

- proposals to re-fresh the treasury management strategy for financial year 2019-2020 to reflect revised 2017 CIPFA Treasury Management and Prudential Codes, and updated Government Investment Strategy and MRP guidance to Local Authorities (Government guidance pending), be noted.

(3) General Fund Revenue

- the Draft Revenue Budget 2018/2020 be approved, as attached at appendix A

- the forecast levels of statutory and other Council reserves, as set out at appendix B, be noted

- the strategy for the use of balances and reserves be approved

(paragraph 3.73 refers)

- a further reassessment of reserves requirements be undertaken at year end and reported to Members as part of the 2017-2018 financial outturn and rollover report (paragraph 3.74 refers)

- the Council’s continued participation on the Leeds City Region business rates pool for 2018-2019 be noted (paragraph 3.26 refers)

- the Flexible Capital Receipts Strategy for 2018-2019 be approved (appendix D refers)

- the Council Tax requirement for 2018-2019 be approved (appendix H refers)

- the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2018-2019 be approved

(appendix I i-iv refers)

- the Council’s Statutory S151 Officer’s positive assurance statement be noted (paragraphs 4.4.2 – 4.4.9 refer)

- 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 Crime Commissioner, the Fire and Rescue Authority and Parish Councils, should these be received after 14 February 2018 (paragraph 4.1.3 refers)

(4) Housing Revenue Account

- the draft Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2018-2020 be approved (appendix A refers)

- the strategy for the use of the Housing Revenue Account reserves, as set out at paragraphs 3.93 -3.94, be approved 

Budget Motion Approved.