Agenda and decisions

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

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillor Musarrat Khan and Councillor Graham Turner.

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 participating in a vote upon the item, or any other interests.

No interests were declared.

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.

It was noted that all agenda items would be considered in public session.

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.

No deputations or petitions were received.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11(5), the period allowed for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.

No questions were asked.

Cabinet will receive any questions from Elected Members.

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

Cabinet received oral questions under Executive Procedure Rule 2.3.

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

Wards affected: All

Contact: Eamonn Croston, Service Director - Finance

RESOLVED - That the Motion be submitted to the Meeting of Council on 8 March 2023 with a recommendation that;

(i)             General Fund Revenue

-       the draft Revenue Budget for 2023-2024, as attached at Appendix A, be approved

-       the forecast spending and funding plans for the 2024-2028 period, as set out at Appendix A, be noted

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

-       the strategy for the use of balances and reserves (paragraph 2.16 refers) be approved

-       the Council’s participation in the Leeds City Region Business Rates Pool for 2023-2024 be noted and that authority be delegated to the Chief Executive and Service Director (Finance), in consultation with the Leader and Cabinet Member (Corporate Services), to agree the governance arrangements for 2023-2024, to be approved by the Business Rates Joint Committee (paragraph 2.6.4 refers)

-       it be noted that discussions regarding the uplifts on the rates paid to external providers for demand-led activities are ongoing, and that authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Adults and Health) to agree the final uplifts to rates for 2023-2024 (paragraph 2.10.3 refers)

-       the Council’s anticipated Housing Support Fund Round 4 allocation, and Council Tax Support Fund for 2023-2024 be noted, and that authority be delegated to the Strategic Director (Corporate Strategy, Commissioning and Public Health), in consultation with the Cabinet Member (Corporate Services), the Cabinet Member (Learning, Aspiration and Communities) and Service Director (Finance) to agree the mechanism for how the funding will be used (paragraph 2.13.7 refers)

-       approval be given to the Council’s flexible capital receipts policy for 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 (paragraphs 2.14.8 to 2.14.11 and Appendix E refer)

-       approval be given to the Council Tax requirement for 2023-2024 (Appendix H refers)

-       the Council’s Statutory 151 Officer’s positive assurance statement as to the robustness of the forecasts and estimates and adequacy of financial reserves be noted (paragraphs 3.3.1 to 3.3.16 refer)

-       authority be delegated to the Council’s statutory s151 Officer 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 West Yorkshire Mayor Police and Crime Commissioner, the Fire and Rescue Authority and the Parish Councils, should these be received after 8 March 2023 (paragraph 3.1.3 refers)

(ii)            Treasury Management

-       the borrowing strategy be approved (paragraphs 2.17 to 2.26 of Appendix I refer)  

-       the investment strategy be approved (paragraphs 2.27 to 2.35 of Appendix I, Appendices A and B refer)

-       the policy for provision of repayment of debt (minimum revenue provision) be approved (paragraphs 2.36 to 2.39 of Appendix I and Appendix C refer)

-       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 2022-2028 be approved (Appendix A refers)

-       the Capital Strategy (including prudential indicators) be approved (Appendix F refers)

(iv)          Housing Revenue Account  ...  view the full decision text for item 7: