Agenda and decisions

To receive apologies for absence of Members who are unable to attend this meeting.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Ahmed.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 4 April and 2 May 2017.

Approved as a correct record.

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

No interests were declared.

Most debates take place in public. This only changes when there is a need to consider certain issues, for instance, commercially sensitive information or details concerning an individual. You will be told at this point whether there are any items on the Agenda which are to be discussed in private.

It was noted that all Agenda Items would be considered in public session.

The Committee will receive any petitions and hear any deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also hand in a petition at the meeting but that petition should relate to something on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

No deputations were received.

To consider questions from Councillors.

No questions were asked.

A report seeking approval for an 8-week Council Tax Reduction Scheme consultation process.

Officer: Debbie Hogg 01484 221000

1)    That the options for redesign of the Council’s Council Tax Reduction Scheme, as detailed within the report, be noted.

2)    That approval be given for an 8 week Council Tax Reduction Scheme consultation process to be undertaken.

3)    That the Service Director – Finance, IT and Transactional Services be given delegated responsibility to progress the consultation exercise and prepare the Council for any changes that may occur from the proposed options.

4)    That a report detailing the outcome of the consultation exercise be submitted to a future meeting of Cabinet.

A report setting out the Council’s 2016-17 financial outturn position for General Fund revenue, Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Capital Plan, including proposals for revenue and capital rollover from 2016-17 to 2017-18. The report also includes an annual review of Council Treasury Management activity.

Officer: Eamonn Croston 01484 221000

1)    That, in terms of the General Revenue Fund, (i) the revenue outturn position for 2016-2017 be noted, (ii) the year-end position on corporate reserves, including available ‘financial resilience’ reserves, be noted and (iii) it be noted that regular monitoring and review of corporate reserves in 2017-2018 will be reported to Cabinet as part of the quarterly financial monitoring cycle including consideration of the potential re-direct of earmarked reserves to support deferred District Committee spend commitments.

2)    That, in terms of the Housing Revenue Account, (i) the revenue outturn position 2016-2017 be noted, and (ii) the year end position on HRA reserves be noted.

3)    That, in terms of Capital, (i) the Council capital outturn position 2016-2017 be noted, (ii) approval be given to £39.2m capital rollover from 2016-2017 to 2017-2018, (iii) approval be given to the revised Capital Plan for the 5 year period 2017-2022, after taking into account rollover, the re-phasing of schemes and changes to grant assumptions,  and (iv) it be noted that a further review of the updated capital plan to inform the annual refresh of Council multi-year budget strategies is scheduled for submission to Council during Autumn 2017.

4)    That the review of treasury management activity 2016-2017, as set out in Appendix A of the considered report, be noted.

5)    That Officers be asked to note Cabinet’s concerns regarding the potential for expenditure late on in the financial year.

A report providing an update on the Local Plan and the Community Infrastructure Levy.

Officer: Richard Hollinson 01484 221000

1)    That the update and progress on the Local Plan and Community Infrastructure Levy (Draft Charging Schedule) be noted.

2)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Economy and Infrastructure) to update the Local Plan timetable on a regular basis throughout its Examination in Public, via the Council’s website.

3)    That authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Economy and Infrastructure), in consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member/s, to prepare and agree a schedule of proposed main modifications (related to matters discussed at examination hearings) for a six week public consultation, if required by the Planning Inspector, in accordance with the Council’s statement of community involvement, and other minor modifications as may be necessary to make the plan sound or comply with other legal requirements.

A report providing Members with an overview of the Council’s corporate performance at the end of quarter 4 2016/17.

Officer: Sue Grigg / Nick McMillan 01484 221000

That the Quarter 2 Corporate Performance Report 2016-2017 be received and noted.

A report seeking approval for Kirklees Council to provide a letter of support for the Leeds bid to be European Capital of Culture in 2023 which will form part of the submission in October 2017

Officer: Adele Poppleton 01484 221000

1)    That support be given to Leeds’ bid to be European Capital of Culture 2023 by the provision of a letter of support to be included within the bid.

2)    That the involvement of cultural organisations from Kirklees in the bid be encouraged and that the potential benefits from employment and skills development opportunities, and access to initiatives, be noted.

3)    That, should Leeds be successful, the potential call on regional funds to invest in the delivery of the bid be noted.

A report seeking approval of proposed new criteria in respect of the ward budgets and New Homes Bonus.

Officer: Vina Randhawa 01484 221000

1)    That approval be given to the proposed new criteria in respect of ward budgets, and New Homes Bonus, as set out in Appendices 1 and 2 of the considered report, and that a proportionate governance process be developed in consultation with the Head of Audit and Risk.

2)    That the following sentence to deleted from Appendix 1, Paragraph 1.1 ‘Any money not committed by that time, or fully expended by 31 March 2018 will return to corporate funds.’