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 Councillors Khan and Turner.

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.

Councillors Pandor and Scott declared an ‘other’ interest in Agenda Item 8 on the grounds that they have family members who are KNH tenants.

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 Agenda Item 12 would be considered in private 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.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 (2), Members of the Public should provide at least 24 hours’ notice of presenting a deputation.

Cabinet received a deputation and petition from Mr Akooji  Badat with regards to a request for the implementation of a minimum wage for taxi drivers.

The Committee will hear any questions from the general public.

No questions were asked.

To consider questions from Councillors.

No questions were asked.

The purpose of this report is for Cabinet to receive information to enable them to recommend a budget to Council for Capital, General Fund revenue and Housing Revenue Account (HRA), and approve the Council Treasury Management strategy.

Ward:  All

Officer: Eamonn Croston, Service Director Finance, Tel: 01484 221000

That the Motion be submitted to the Meeting of Council on 13 February 2019 with a recommendation that;

(i)            General Fund Revenue

-          the draft Revenue Budget 2019-2022 be approved, as attached at

Appendix A

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

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

(paragraph 2.15 refers)

-          a further reassessment of reserves requirements be undertaken at year end and reported to Members as part of the 2018-2019 financial outturn and rollover report (paragraph 2.15.20 refers)

-          the Council’s continued participation in the North and West Yorkshire business rates pool for 2019-2020 be noted and that approval be given in principal to the new arrangements for the 2019-2020 pool, as set out at Appendix K, with authority being delegated to the Monitoring Officer, in conjunction with the Service Director (Finance), to finalise the new arrangements with the City Solicitor of Leeds City Council (paragraph 2.4.8 refers)

-          the Flexible Capital Receipts Strategy for 2019-2020 be re-affirmed (Appendix I refers)

-          the Council Tax requirement for 2019-2020 be approved (Appendix I refers)

-          the Council’s Statutory S151 Officer’s positive assurance statement be noted (paragraphs 3.3.1 – 3.3.20 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 13 February 2019 (paragraph 3.1.3 refers)

(ii)          Treasury Management

-          the borrowing strategy be approved (paragraphs 2.15-2.21 refer)

-          the investment strategy be approved (paragraphs 2.22-2.32 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 2.33-2.37)

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

-          the Investment Strategy (non-treasury investments) (Appendix E refers) be approved

(iii)         Capital

-          the updated Capital Plan 2018-2024 be approved (Appendix A)

-          the Capital Strategy (including Prudential Indicators), as detailed at Appendix G, be approved

(iv)         Housing Revenue Account

-          the draft Housing Revenue Account Budget for 2019-2022 be approved (appendix A refers)

-          the strategy for the use of the Housing Revenue Account reserves, as set out at paragraph 2.18.4, be approved 

A report seeking Cabinet approval of the proposed dwelling rent, garage rent and other charges to be effective from 1st April 2019 onwards.

Ward:  All

Officer: Helen Geldart, Head of Housing Services and Jacqui Fieldhouse, Head of Finance KNH Tel: 01484 221000

1) That, in order to comply with the requirements of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 to have a balanced Housing Revenue Account and the Welfare Reform and Work Act 2016 to reduce rents payable for social housing by at least 1% from April 2016, approval be given to the proposed rent and service charge changes, as detailed within the considered report, from April 2019 for 2019/2020.

2) That approval be given to uplift charges (i) for Extra Care Services – Intensive Housing Management at 6% (between £1.29 and £3.29 per week) and (ii) Extra Care Services – Night Care Service by 20.5% ((£2.94 a week), and the proposal to establish a ‘discretionary hardship fund’ be noted.

3) That approval be given to the charging of a target rent on all properties let to new tenants from 1 April 2019, and that it be noted that enhancements to the Council’s lettable standard are to be made, with budget provisions having been considered at Agenda Item 7.

4) That it be noted that the approval of the above recommendations will ensure that a balanced Housing Revenue Account will be achieved, and that there is compliance with the requirements of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

5) That the national and local financial challenges as detailed within the report be noted.

To request that Cabinet approve the outline details of the Kirklees school funding formula for 2019-20.

Ward:  All

Officer: Eamonn Croston, Service Director Finance and Martin Wilby, Senior Strategic Manager, Education Places and Access Tel: 01484 221000

1) That the consultative process undertaken in collaboration with Head Teachers, via the Schools Forum, in order to determine the ongoing local approach to the distribution of DSG Schools Block funding for 2019-2020.

2) That the Exceptions Applications submitted to the Education and Skills Funding Agency, which were subsequently approved, be noted.

3) That approval be given to the submission of the schools funding formula for 2019-2020 (based upon a guaranteed funding rise of at least 1% per pupil in comparison to each school’s 2017-2018 per pupil baseline) to the Education and Skills Funding Agency.

To request a decision from cabinet to end the current commissioned contracts delivering early support services and bring the services in house.

Ward:  All

Officer: Michelle Wheatcroft - Head of Early Support and Martin Green - Head of Localities Offer - Children and Families, Tel: 01484 221000

That the proposal to consolidate services and align the Early Support Strategy, in order to achieve consistency and value for money, be approved.

To resolve that under Section 100(A)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business, on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information, as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

DETERMINED.

Private appendix in relation to agenda item 10.

The information was considered prior to the determination of Agenda Item 10.