Decisions

RECOMMENDED that Council approve the second homes premium and revisions to empty homes premium subject to their confirmation via the Levelling Up and Regeneration Bill.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)     endorsed the updated MTFP position as set out in paragraph 15;

(b)    approved the financial strategy as referenced in paragraph 21;

(c)     acknowledged the cost of living and other operating pressures likely to impact in 2022/23 and future years;

(d)    acknowledged the potential mitigation strategy in respect of cost of living and 2022/23 financial pressures; and

(e)     approved the timeline for key financial reports during 2022/23 as set out in appendix A.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

Reason

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

To provide Cabinet with the latest high-level overview of the medium-term financial plan.

To present a proposed financial strategy to support the delivery of a balanced budget for 2022/23.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(a)           agrees to determine the Home to School Transport policy; and

(b)           delegates authority to the Director of Education, Children’s Services to implement the policy for eligibility requests from 2022/23 academic year.

Voting: Nem. Con. (1 Abstention)

Portfolio Holder: Council Priorities and Delivery

Reason

The Council is legally required to have a home to school transport policy. A single policy will provide one point of reference for families and officers when requesting and agreeing transport assistance.

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)    approve that the final revenue surplus for the year of £6.8 million is added to financial resilience reserve with the extra £3.5m not assumed in the 2022/23 budget being used to mitigate the emerging inflationary cost of living pressures; and

(b)    approve the capital virement as set out in paragraph 97.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(c)    approves the capital virements to accept new government grants as set out in paragraph 96.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Leader of the Council

Reason

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

·     To comply with the council’s financial regulations regarding budget virements and the acceptance of new grants

RECOMMENDED that Council: -

(a)        approve an increase in the working capital loan facility to £8m (from £400k) to support BCP FuturePlaces Ltd from July 2022; and

(b)        approve the revised BCP FuturePlaces Ltd Business Plan attached to the report and the confidential Appendix 1.

RESOLVED that Cabinet: -

(c)        delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer (s151) to agree and finalise the terms of the working capital loan; and

(d)        delegate authority to the Chief Executive to amend and finalise the Commissioning Contract to reflect the new gateway process and business plan.

Voting: Unanimous

Portfolio Holder: Development, Growth and Regeneration

Reason

To contribute to the Council’s Corporate vision, specifically helping to create dynamic places, investing in the homes our communities need, revitalising and re-inventing our high streets and local centres in line with the vision set out in the Big Plan.

FuturePlaces was formed to ensure BCP Council has the capacity, expertise, and resources to drive investment in regeneration and unlock value from major Council owned sites; it will also enable BCP Council to ensure that we deliver new homes and create well designed, local neighbourhoods.

The new funding model accords with the proposal contained in the 2022/23 Budget approved by Council.