Agenda and decisions

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

Cabinet Members will be asked to advise if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, which would prevent them from participating in any discussion or vote upon the item, or any other interests.

Most agenda items will be considered in public session, however, it shall be advised whether Cabinet will consider any matters in private, by virtue of the reports containing information which falls within a category of exempt information as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Cabinet 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.

Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, Members of the Public may submit written questions to the Leader and/or Cabinet Members. Any questions should be emailed to executive.governance@kirklees.gov.uk no later than 10am on Monday 25^th January 2021.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11(5), the period allowed for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes. A maximum of 4 questions per person may be submitted.

Cabinet will receive any questions from Elected Members (via remote access).

In accordance with Executive Procedure Rule 2.3 (2.3.1.6) a period of up to 30 minutes will be allocated.

To consider Kirklees Schools Funding Arrangements for 2021 – 2022.

Wards affected: All

Contact: David Gearing, Finance (Schools)

1)    That the consultative process undertaken in collaboration with head teachers, through the Schools Forum, to determine the ongoing local approach to the distribution of the Dedicated Schools Grant Schools Block funding for 2021-2022, the fourth year of a ‘soft’ National Funding Formula approach and the adjustment that needs to be made to correct the identified double-funding issue be noted.

2)    That the exceptions application that was made to the Education and Skills Funding Agency, and subsequently approved, be noted.

3)    That the submission of the Schools Funding Formula to the Education and Skills Funding Agency for 2021-2022 be approved.

To consider the 2021/22 Council Tax base for the whole of the Kirklees area.

Wards affected: All

Contact: Steve Bird, Welfare and Exchequer Services

That the proposed Council Tax base 2021/2022 for the whole of the Kirklees area and the five Parish and Town Council areas, as detailed in the report, be endorsed and submitted to the meeting of Council on 10 February 2021 with a recommendation of approval.

To recommend a budget to Council for Capital, General Fund Revenue and Housing Revenue Account (HRA), and approve the Council Treasury Management Strategy.

Wards affected: All

Contact: Eamonn Croston, Service Director – Finance

That the Motion be submitted to the Meeting of Council on 10 February 2021 with a recommendation that;

(i)             General Revenue Fund

-          the draft Revenue Budget 2021/2022 be approved, as attached at Appendix A

-          the forecast spending and funding plans for the 2022-2026 period, as set out at Appendix A, be noted

-          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 2.13 refers)

-          the Council’s participation in the Leeds City Region Business Rates Pool for 2021/22 be noted and that a further report be submitted to Cabinet in March 2021 to   formally agree the new arrangements

-          the 2020/21 Council tax base for the whole of the Kirklees area, and the Council tax bases for the five Parish and Town Councils for 2021/22, (Appendix Gi refers) be approved (as determined at Agenda Item 8)

-          the Council Tax requirement for 2021/2022 (Appendix G refers) be approved

-          the Council’s Statutory s151 Officer’s positive assurance statement (paragraphs 3.3.1 - 3.3.19) be noted

-          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 10 February 2021 (paragraph 3.1.3 refers)

(ii)            Treasury Management

-          the borrowing strategy be approved (paragraphs 2.15 – 2.23 refer)

-          the investment strategy be approved (paragraphs 2.24 – 2.33 refer)

-          the policy for provision of debt (minimum revenue provision) be approved (paragraphs 2.34 – 2.38 and Appendix C refers)

-          that paragraph 2.38 of the treasury management report, to which recommendation 6.12 refers, be amended as follows ‘the Officer recommendation is to maximise the remaining balance of MRP unwind of £49.5m, over the 2020-2024 period to support the Council’s medium term budget strategy’.

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

-          the Investment Strategy (Non Treasury Investments) be approved (Appendix E refers)

(iii)           Capital

-          the updated Capital Plan for 2020-2026 be approved (Appendix A refers)

-          the capital strategy (including Prudential Indicators) be approved (Appendix E refers)

(iv)          Housing Revenue Account

-          the draft HRA budget for 2021/2022 be approved (Appendix A refers)

-          the strategy for the use of HRA reserves be approved (Paragraph 2.15.5 refers)