Meeting documents

Venue: Room 6, Capswood, Oxford Road, Denham

Contact: Kulvinder Tumber 

Items
No. Item

31.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 89 KB

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2016 and 25 October 2016.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the meeting of the Cabinet held on 11 October 2016 and 25 October 2016 were confirmed and signed by the Leader.

32.

Forward Plan of Executive Decisions pdf icon PDF 35 KB

To receive the 28 Day Notice.

Minutes:

The Cabinet received a copy of the 28 Day Notice prepared in accordance with Regulation 9 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012 setting out the key (and non-key) decisions the Cabinet was intending to make at public and private meetings.

 

The Cabinet also received a copy of the 28 Day Notice setting out the key (and non-key) decisions the Chiltern and South Bucks Joint Committee were intending to make at public and private meetings. Members requested that all future agenda items for decisions to be included on the Joint Committee’s 28 Day Notice in line with the Cabinet’s 28 Day Notice.

 

RESOLVED that the 28 Day Notices be noted and all future key and non key decisions be included in the Joint 28 Day Notice.                                                                                                 

33.

Calendar of Meetings 2017/2018 pdf icon PDF 40 KB

To receive the calendar of meetings for 2017/2018.

Minutes:

The Cabinet received the draft Calendar of Meetings for 2017/18 – spanning 15 May 2017 to 23 May 2018 - for Member’s comments prior to submission to Council.

 

Members noted that the calendar was required to be set out in advance in order to assist with the forward planning of the Council’s business, with regard to the dates of meetings of other authorities and bodies, and the booking of accommodation.

 

 

After considering the draft calendar of meetings, the Cabinet RECOMMENDED to Council that the proposed calendar of meetings 2017/18 be adopted

 

 

34.

Draft Revenue Budget 2017/18 pdf icon PDF 57 KB

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council.

Minutes:

The Cabinet received a report which set out the main factors behind the draft revenue budget that would be reviewed in detail by the PAGs and outlined the main issues affecting the Council’s future financial position.

 

Members considered the draft revenue budget which would form the basis of setting the council tax. The report detailed the progress to date based on

·        the financial outturn for 2015/16 and information from the current year’s budget monitoring

·        The draft 2017/18 base budget built up using the following assumptions:

Salaries inflation from April 2017 of 1%

Contracts inflation 2% (unless different rate specified within contract)

Business rates 2.5%

Gas 4.0%, Electricity 4.0% and Water 4.0%

Insurance 0.5%

Other 0%

 

Members noted that the draft budget had been set within the context of the Medium Term Financial Strategy, approved by Council in November, and indicated that council tax would be increased by £5 in 2017/18. It was further shown that the Council would incur borrowing costs and see a reduction in investment income from the undertaking of prudential borrowing in order to support major investment projects.

 

The information provided in paragraph 6 summarised the main points of the Autumn Statement and Financial Settlement 2017/18 (further detail on the Autumn Statement/Spending Review attached as Appendix C), with the following planned areas for investment:

 

·        Acceleration of new housing supply;

·        Tackling congestion on roads;

·        Supporting the market to roll out full-fibre connections and future 5G communications;

·        Enhancing the UK’s positions as a world leader in science and innovation.

 

Cabinet Members were also updated on government’s recent announcement creating more flexibility by allowing the social care precept to rise by an additional 1 per cent in 2017/18 and 2018/19 (from 2 per cent to 3 per cent), on condition that the total increase to 2019/20 does not exceed 6 per cent.

Members were also advised that the New Homes Bonus allocation for 2017/18 was broadly in line with the estimate in the Medium Term Financial Forecast, including the estimated effect of the Government’s changes to the distribution of this funding.

 

The Cabinet were asked to consider the potential levels of use of reserves - general and earmarked - which are assumed in the draft budget as £183k, which is significantly less than anticipated when updating the Medium Term Financial Strategy earlier in the year.

 

 

After discussions, it was RESOLVED that:

 

·        the report forms the basis of the draft revenue budget for 2017/18, and be updated to reflect the outcomes of the Local Government Finance Settlement and related announcements.

 

·        officers are instructed to examine options to reduce the planned use of the General reserves in the draft 2017/18 budget.

35.

Chiltern and Wycombe Joint Waste Collection Committee - Revised Constitution to include South Bucks pdf icon PDF 44 KB

To consider the report of the Environment Portfolio Holder.

Minutes:

The Cabinet considered a report setting out a revised constitution (attached as Appendix 1 to the report) for the Chiltern and Wycombe Joint Waste Collection Committee to now include South Bucks as waste concerns are dealt with by one joint team for all three Districts.

 

Members noted that the extension to the membership of the JWCC would allow for the most efficient management of the current waste contracts and will enable consideration to be given to a possible future joint procurement involving all three authorities, with the JWCC having monitored and managed the strategic aspects of the joint contract. This was supported by the current membership of the JWCC.

 

It was explained to Members that since October 2016, and following the adoption of joint working arrangements between South Bucks and Chiltern, a new structure with a joint team has been in place. As the two authorities currently have separate waste contracts, voting rights within the draft constitution restrict the ability of members of one Council to vote on issues relating to the existing contractual arrangements of the other Council(s). Members also noted that the Chiltern and Wycombe’s joint contract with Serco comes to the end of its first seven year period in March 2020 and South Bucks’ contract with Biffa comes to an end in 2021, it was suggested that the contract ends be aligned if possible.

 

Members also agreed that the three authorities working together would make more efficiency savings.   

 

After questions and answers, it was RESOLVED that

 

 

1)         South Bucks District Council be included in the membership of the Chiltern and Wycombe Joint Waste Collection Committee (JWCC)

 

2)         the draft amended Constitution and Terms of Reference appended to the report and authority be delegated the Head of Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with the relevant Portfolio Holders and the Head of Environment; to agree the finalised wording.

 

3)         Provided each proposed constituent member authority of the extended JWCC agrees the principle under recommendation (1) above, the Constitution and Terms of Reference as amended shall come into effect on a date to be advised by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services.

 

 

It was also  RECOMMENDED to Council that:

 

4)       the Council’s Constitution be updated to reflect the agreed changes.

 

 

36.

Sustainable Development - Heathrow Expansion pdf icon PDF 61 KB

To consider the report of the Head of Sustainable Development.

Minutes:

Members received a report on the Government’s decision of Heathrow Expansion, Heathrow Strategic Planning Group, and discussions with Heathrow Airport Ltd with regard to a Memorandum of Understanding between the parties.

 

Members were informed that the Government had accepted the Airport Commission’s findings – summarised in Appendix 1 – and had made the recommendation that Heathrow Airport be expanded to create a third runway. Since this decision on 25 October 2016, a statement of principles has been agreed by Heathrow Airport Ltd and the Secretary of State for Transport. Members were advised that early in 2017 a draft National Policy Statement will be published, and subject to a 16-week consultation period – detailing the framework under which expansion can take place.

 

Meetings had been held with Heathrow Airport Ltd in order to gain a Memorandum of Understanding, which would require multi-agency co-operation in order to address all pertinent issues surrounding the Heathrow Expansion.

 

Cabinet noted the following

 

1)       the Government recommendation that additional runway capacity in the South East of England is provided at Heathrow with a 3rd Runway.

 

2)      Whilst South Bucks District Council recognises the economic benefits and growth that expansion will bring to the area there are concerns about negative impacts on our residents including from aircraft (particularly new routings or flight paths) and ground noise, reduction in air quality, pollution and construction impacts and additional traffic from displaced businesses and that SBDC will be seeking assurances and financial mitigation  from Heathrow Airport Ltd regarding these impacts;

 

3)      that the Development Consent Order process will impose significant resource issues on the Council which will require appropriate compensation.

 

And further RESOLVED that:

 

4)      the ongoing negotiations with Heathrow Airport Ltd be noted and a Memorandum of Understanding be agreed to cover future staff resources and authority be delegated to  the Chief Executive in consultation with the Leader and Head of Legal and Democratic Services to approve any future settlement.

37.

Healthy Communities - Extension to the GLL Contract to manage the Evreham Centre

To consider the report of the Healthy Communities Portfolio Holder.

 

Background report available here.

 

Appendix 1 available here.

Minutes:

Members considered the report Extension to the GLL Contract to Manage the Evreham Centre.

 

The report detailed that the current User Agreement was between SBDC and Bucks County Council (BCC), who jointly fund the Evreham centre. Members clarified the legal status of the agreement and noted that on a day-to-day basis the centre is run by Greenwich Leisure Ltd (GLL).

 

It was noted that there is low footfall and GLL is currently subsidising the centre at a rate of £30k pa. It is intended that the centre is kept open until 2021, whilst replacement options and the redevelopment of the site is researched by a joint Project Group. Members acknowledged that some short-term repair work is necessary, which will be paid for using the joint maintenance budget.

 

After questions and answers, it was  RESOLVED to:

 

1)       Continue to operate the Evreham Centre until 2021, in accordance with the terms of the joint User Agreement;

2)       Extend the current contract with GLL to operate the centre until 2021;

3)       Undertake the mechanical, electrical and structural survey funded from the joint maintenance budget;

4)       Establish a joint project group to deliver replacement leisure and community facilities and meet the affordable and supported housing needs as identified in the local plan.

 

 

38.

Any other business which the Leader decides is urgent

Minutes:

None

39.

Exclusion of Public

The Leader to move the following resolution:-

 

"that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1974 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act "

 

Paragraph 3

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular persons (including the authority holding that information).

 

Minutes:

"That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1974 the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act "

 

Paragraph 3

Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular persons (including the authority holding that information).

 

40.

Part II Cabinet Minutes

To confirm the Part II minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 25 October 2016

Minutes:

The Part II minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 25 October 2016 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.