Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence and notices of appointment of substitute Members (if any).

Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs E M Andrews.

Councillors are reminded of the requirement to declare any interest, including the type of interest, and reason for that interest, either at this stage of the meeting or as soon as they become aware of that interest.

Members were reminded of the need to make declarations where appropriate.

To receive any questions relating to items on the Agenda from members of the public and replies thereto.

Note:   A maximum of 30 minutes is allowed for this item.

There were no members of the public present.

Members to consider whether to approve the Minutes of the last meeting as a correct record.

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 16^th November 2021 were approved as a correct record and SIGNED by the Chairman.

To receive any announcements that the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman had no announcements to make.

To receive the final report from the Grants Working Group and make recommendations to the Cabinet on the level of Grant Funding for 2022-2023

The Group had before it a *report from the Director of Place presenting the recommendations from the Community PDG Grants Working Group.

The Economic Development Team Leader outlined the contents of the report and explained that the Working Group had carried out a thorough review and that they had received presentations from all of the Strategic Partners.

Consideration was given to:

·         Members views that although they were satisfied with the recommendation that there was not a mechanism for new organisations to apply for a Grant.

It was therefore RECOMMENDED to the Cabinet that:

1.    The total Strategic Grants budget to remain at £138,500 for a period of 2 years, and that individual awards to Strategic Partners to remain at the 2020-2021 levels for this period.

2.    The level of grant awards to individual partners for 2022-23 and 2023-24 were therefore recommended as:

(Proposed by the Chairman)

Reason for the decision: The allocation of grants provides support to external agencies delivering services that advance the Council’s Homes, Community and Economy priorities.

Notes:

     I.        Cllr L J Cruwys declared a personal interest as he was a Member of the Canal Advisory Committee

    II.        *Report previously circulated and attached to the minutes

At the meeting of 16^th November 2021, Members requested to revisit the Medium Term Financial Plan - General Fund (GF), Housing Revenue Account (HRA) and Capital Programme

The Group had before it, and NOTED, the *Medium Term Financial Plan from the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) which covered the period 2022/2023-2026/2027 and provided options available in order for the Council to set a balanced budget.

The Leader explained that the budget was not just identifying cuts but the Council needed to look at improving revenue income.

The Deputy Chief Executive (S151) explained that updated detailed reports would be brought to the next meeting and would include details of the Governments funding settlement which had just been announced. He stated that Leadership Team and Corporate Management had been tasked to look at £500k of savings and the effect that this would have on core services.

Consideration was given to:

·         Car parking and leisure revenue had been impacted by the pandemic and it was still not clear if or when the levels would return to pre pandemic levels

·         The Council needed to look at structural budget issues and those which were temporary and any shortfall may need a mixture of solutions including the use of reserves

·         Commercial ventures which provided economic growth for the District should be investigated and long terms plans to realise these should be considered

·         Any economic growth needed to be the right growth, in the right area and in the right way

·         There had been issues with the external collection agency who collected the revenue from the car parking machines but this was being addressed.

Note: *Report previously circulated and attached to the minutes.