Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence from Councillors.

There were no apologies for absence on this occasion.

Councillors are required to comply with the requirements of the Localism Act 2011 regarding disclosable pecuniary interests. Declarations received will be reported at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest made on this occasion.

To receive any public questions, statements or petitions submitted in accordance with the Constitution. Further information on the requirements for submitting these is available to view at the following link:-

https://democracy.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/documents/s2305/Public%20Items%20-%20Meeting%20Procedure%20Rules.pdf 

The deadline for the submission of public questions is Wednesday 5 June 2019.

The deadline for the submission of a statement is 12.00 noon, Tuesday 11 June 2019.

The deadline for the submission of a petition is 12.00 noon, Tuesday 11 June 2019.

The Leader advised that public questions had been submitted by Mr John Sprackling and Mr Conor O’Luby and that a statement had been submitted by Mrs Susan Chapman.

Public Question from John Sprackling

103 of the report presented to the Shadow Executive meeting on 12 February 2019 in relation to Agenda item 9 - 2019/20 Budget and Consolidated Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) Update said "The budget (for the Scheme of Member Allowances) makes provision for a total cost of £1.034m which is a £500k saving on the consolidated budgets for the four predecessor councils."

According to my calculations, the total cost to date is £1.185m, with the Chairmen of six Committees still to be appointed at, potentially, an additional cost of £46,000.

What saving is to be made to cover this over-spend please?

Response by Councillor Vikki Slade (Leader of the Council)

When setting the budget for the 2019/20 financial year consideration was given to a number of factors which would impact on the amount that needed to be budgeted for Member Allowances in the first year of the BCP Council. These included:

·         For the period to the 6 May 2019 of the new Council all members of the predecessor authorities were paid a basic allowance and no Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) were paid during this period.

·         Certain SRAs will not become payable until the first meeting of the relevant Committee/Board. For example the SRA payable to the Chairman of Audit and Governance Committee will only be payable from the 25 July 2019 onwards.

·         Councillors are restricted to claiming just one SRA.

Once estimates of these issues are taken into account then the current projection is that the Members Allowance element of this 2019/20 budget will not be overspent.

Public Question from Mr Conor O’Luby

The former Bournemouth Borough Council's grant of planning permission for the so-called 'A338-Wessex Fields Link' represents one of the most egregious displays of contempt for local public opinion in recent times. Can the Cabinet confirm that they will undertake a serious review of both this and other such damaging schemes e.g. the Winter Gardens scheme?

Response by Councillor Mark Howell (Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Culture and Deputy Leader)

We commit to review each of the major regeneration and development schemes at an appropriate point, and in any case before the next significant decision is made on each scheme. The reviews will be brought before the Cabinet to ensure that there is maximum transparency around any decisions. For many of the schemes there are significant funding deadlines attached which will need to be seriously considered as part of the decision making process.

Statement from Mrs Chapman

Distinguished economist Professor Joseph Stiglitz, recipient of prestigious prizes including the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences,  argues the climate crisis is our third world war and needs a bold response.  Civilisation is at stake if we do not implement a Green New Deal. The 40s mobilisation crisis parallels the current global climate crisis. 

Porto  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

To receive the summary report covering the outturns of Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)             the allocation of £493K in capital funding towards an early priority of the BCP Council as set out in section 10 of the report be approved;

(b)             an update from the Corporate Director for Children’s Services on the progress in delivering a sustainable solution to the High Needs element of the Dedicated Schools Grant be requested. This update to be included as a separate appendix to the 2019/20 First Quarter’s Budget Monitoring Report.

(c)             the opening reserve position of BCP Council as set out in Appendix D be noted; and

(d)             the year-end outturn positions achieved including revenue, capital, reserves and Housing Revenue Accounts be noted.

Voting: Unanimous

REASONS

1.               To comply with accounting codes of practice and best practice which requires Councils to report their end of financial year position compared to budget of the authority.

2.               To facilitate the implementation of a strong and active culture of financial management within the BCP Council by identifying when prompt management action is needed to avoid an adverse impact on future service delivery of the achievement of future corporate objectives.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance submitted a report requesting that Councillors consider the Financial Outturns for 2018/19. A copy of the report appears as Appendix ‘A’ to these minutes in the Minute Book.

Members thanked officers for their hard work in closing down the end of year accounts and the ongoing work being carried out by the Finance Teams.

In relation to this item the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Board addressed Cabinet advising of the recommendation in respect of this item from their recent meeting. The minute from the Overview and Scrutiny Board was summarised as follows:

“Agenda Item 4 – Financial Outturns 2018/19

The Overview and Scrutiny Board considered the recommendations within the report and asked questions of the Cabinet Portfolio Holder and Chief Financial Officer. A Member of the Board made a request for an analysis of Council priorities in order to ensure that the allocation of £493,000 was the most pressing priority for the Council. It was confirmed by the Cabinet Portfolio Holder that the full list of Council priorities was still under consideration but that the Unity Alliance was in agreement that this was a clear priority and could be delivered imminently.

In light of this the Overview and Scrutiny Board recommended that: The Financial Outturns Cabinet report, recommendation 1 be amended to read:

That Cabinet approve the allocation of £493,000 in Capital Funding be implemented as set out in section 10 when further analysis is available which demonstrates this is indeed the most pressing priority of the Council.

This motion was agreed by 8 votes to 7.

Cllr Farquhar requested that his vote against the motion be recorded.

The Leader of the Council thanked Councillor Broadhead and the Overview and Scrutiny Board for their comments and recommendation.

In respect of this the Portfolio Holder for Finance advised that the capital had been generated by the Borough of Poole and it was therefore felt that it would be appropriate to use as a capital investment within Poole, no other suggestions or proposals had been put forward for the use of this money.

In respect of this a number of Cabinet Members highlighted the longstanding issues with regards to toilet provision in Poole, and further to this emphasised that any money needed to be used carefully.

A number of Members addressed the Cabinet raising concerns with regards to potential ongoing costs and the lack of documented evidence supporting the allocation of the capital for the toilets.

In relation to this Cabinet highlighted that the evidence had been well documented within the media, and that the facilities would be able to be used by all members of society visiting Poole.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)          the allocation of £493,000 in capital funding towards an early priority of the BCP Council, as set out in section 10 of the report, be approved;

(b)          an update from the Corporate Director for Children’s Services on the progress in delivering a sustainable solution to the High Needs element of the Dedicated Schools  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

To receive an update on the Medium Term Financial Plan.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)             the budget planning process as referenced in paragraph 15 be approved;

(b)             the timeline for key financial reports during 2019/20 as set out in Appendix A of the report be approved;

(c)             the financial strategy as referenced in paragraphs 28 to 31 and as set out in Appendix C of the report be approved;

(d)             the updated MTFP position and the key financial planning assumptions as set out in Appendix B of the report be noted; and

(e)             the CIPFA Financial Management Code of Practice be noted.

Voting: Unanimous

REASONS

1.               To comply with accounting codes of practice and best practice which requires Councils to have a rolling multi-year medium term financial plan.

2.               To ensure Members prepare to set a balanced budget for 2020/21.

3.               To provide Cabinet with the latest high level overview of the medium term financial plan position for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.

4.               To present a proposed financial strategy to support the delivery of a balanced budget for 2020/21.

The Portfolio Holder for Finance submitted a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘B’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

In presenting the report the Portfolio Holder for Finance advised that he would be working with finance officers to ensure that the Council is being prudent with their decisions. In relation to this Cabinet were advised that the spending review by the Government was now not likely to start before the summer recess, and that the results of which were unlikely to be announced before Christmas, in which case officers will have 6-8 weeks in order to present a balanced budget.

A number of Members addressed Cabinet raising their concerns with regards to shortening the timescale for Council Tax harmonisation, highlighting the increases which would need to be made particularly in respect of Poole residents to bring Council tax inline within two years.

In relation to this Cabinet stressed the importance of Council Tax harmonisation emphasising that the original seven year plan was too long.

RESOLVED that:-

(a)          the budget planning process, as referenced in paragraph 15 to the report, be approved;

(b)          the timeline for key financial reports during 2019/20, as set out in Appendix A of the report, be approved;

(c)          the financial strategy, as referenced in paragraphs 28 to 31 and as set out in Appendix C of the report, be approved;

(d)          the updated MTFP position and the key financial planning assumptions, as set out in Appendix B of the report, be noted; and

(e)          the CIPFA Financial Management Code of Practice be noted.

Voting: Unanimous

To consider appointments to outside bodies.

RESOLVED that the appointment of individual Councillors to the external bodies be approved as set out below:-

Voting: Unanimous

REASON

To ensure appointments to external bodies are undertaken transparently and in accordance with the Constitution and legal requirements.

The Leader of the Council submitted a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix ‘C’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

Members were requested to approve the appointments of Councillors to external bodies which are appointments to be made by the Leader/Cabinet as the Executive.

RESOLVED that the appointment of individual Councillors to the external bodies be approved as set out below:-

Voting: Unanimous

To note the latest version of the Cabinet Forward Plan.

RESOLVED that the latest version of the Forward plan be noted and that the next meeting of the Cabinet be held on Friday 12 July at 10am.

Unanimous

REASON

To comply with the Councils Constitution and legal requirements.

The Leader provided Members with an update with respect to the Forward Plan, detailing the key decisions which the Cabinet expects to take during the period to 31 May 2020.

Cabinet were advised that the Forward Plan was currently being developed more fully to reflect the emerging corporate plan and priorities.

Further to this the Leader informed Cabinet of the proposal to move the date of the next Cabinet meeting to Friday 12 July 10.00 am from the original date of Wednesday 10 July.

RESOLVED that the next meeting of the Cabinet be held on Friday 12 July at 10.00 am.

Voting: Unanimous