Use the below search options at the bottom of the page to find information regarding recent decisions that have been taken by the council’s decision making bodies.
Alternatively you can visit the officer decisions page for information on officer delegated decisions that have been taken by council officers.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/10/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 22/10/2019
Effective from: 26/10/2019
Decision:
On 22 August 2019, as part of their consideration of the Car Parking Working Group report, the Cabinet had made a recommendation that: “The Economy PDG be requested to consider the issue of overpayments for car parking and what should happen to the additional income.”
The Economy PDG at its meeting on 26 September discussed the matter and made the following recommendation “that any small monies overpaid from car parking are retained and utilised within the overarching car park budget”
The Chairman of the Economy Policy Development Group was present and stated that because of the revised car parking tariffs the amount of overpayment had reduced and that amending the process would not be cost effective due to officer time.
It was therefore:
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/10/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 22/10/2019
Effective from: 17/10/2019
Decision:
Arising from discussions at its recent meeting the Environment Policy Development Group made the following recommendation: that the Cabinet Member for Environment’s title be changed to Cabinet Member for Environment and Climate Change.
The Leader informed the meeting that he already had the authority to appoint and determine the role and responsibilities of each Cabinet Member. This was acknowledged by the Cabinet.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/10/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 22/10/2019
Effective from: 17/10/2019
Decision:
The following motion had been referred by Council to the Cabinet for consideration:
‘That this council should lobby government to bring forward a revised council tax scheme that seeks to encourage a system linked to emissions. The scheme should be able to vary council tax to overtly incentivise the construction of properties that can demonstrate high levels of sustainability and energy efficiency, while acting as a penalty for those that don't. Methods to encourage investment in retrofitting to existing properties should also be explored, given the largest proportion of housing emissions will come from existing housing stock rather than new build’.
The Chairman invited Cllr Downes to speak to the motion.
Cllr Downes addressed the meeting stating that the Council had made the climate change declaration and that there was a need to act on the issues that we as an authority had control over which included the Council Tax scheme. High levels of sustainability and energy efficiency through development should be rewarded with a variation in Council Tax.
The Chief Executive informed the meeting that the Council had submitted an expression of interest with regard to financial modelling work which would consider the principle of a reduced Council Tax to reflect carbon reduction however the legislation with regard to Council Tax and Business Rates still had to be adhered to.
Consideration was given to:
· The financial modelling exercise
· The intention for new development was encouraging
· Retrospective schemes would be expensive
· The need to encourage low carbon building projects
Following discussions Cllr Downes informed the meeting that he would amend his motion to read:
That this council should lobby government to change the council tax scheme to one that seeks to encourage a system linked to emissions. The scheme should be able to vary council tax to overtly incentivise the construction of properties that can demonstrate high levels of sustainability and energy efficiency, while acting as a penalty for those that don't. Methods to encourage investment in retrofitting to existing properties should also be explored, given the largest proportion of housing emissions will come from existing housing stock rather than new build.
It was therefore:
RECOMMENDED to Council that Motion 558 as amended be supported
(Proposed by the Chairman)
To consider the outcome of the tender for the
project
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/10/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 22/10/2019
Effective from: 26/10/2019
Decision:
The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Group Manager for Corporate Property and Commercial Assets providing a review of the tender exercise for essential maintenance work at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre and to award the JCT Intermediate Building Contract with Contractors Design 2016 to two contractors.
The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services outlined the contents of the report explaining the work that needed to take place with regard to the replacement of the pool filters and the essential maintenance that was required. Both projects would take place simultaneously over the Christmas period.
Consideration was given to planned works and the timing of the closure of the pool area.
RESOLVED the JCT Intermediate Building Contract with Contractors Design 2016 building contracts for essential planned maintenance works to two pool filters and the repair and upgrade to the fabric of both swimming pools at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre be awarded to supplier C for Lot 1 and supplier B for Lot 2.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Lead officer: Andrew Busby
To consider an updated Medium Term Financial
Plan
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/10/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 22/10/2019
Effective from: 17/10/2019
Decision:
The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Deputy Chief Executive (S151) producing an updated Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) which takes account of the Council’s key strategies (i.e. The Corporate Plan, Business Plans, Treasury Management Plan, Asset Management Plan, Work Force Plan and Capital Strategy) and demonstrates that it has the financial resources to deliver the Corporate Plan.
The Cabinet Member for Finance outlined the contents of the report stating that the MTFP had been considered alongside the draft budget and that the plan had to consider assumptions for future funding, unavoidable costs, such as pay increases, inflation and service pressures associated with new legislation, investment receipts and fee/charges levels and also considered and made assumptions regarding future levels of council tax. He highlighted the proposed budget gap for 2023/24 and the need to retain and protect fundamental services.
RESOLVED that the updated Medium Term Financial Plan be noted and that the proposals as outlined in paragraph 8.2 of the report be endorsed.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
Lead officer: Andrew Jarrett
To consider the housing service rental charge
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/10/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 22/10/2019
Effective from: 26/10/2019
Decision:
Arising from a report of the Group Manager for Housing reviewing the weeks over which rent was charged on a yearly basis, the Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that Council tenants be charged rent over 52 weeks each year and not 48 as currently charged.
The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services outlined the contents of the report stating that this change would bring rent payments into line with Universal Credit.
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
To receive a report presenting Members with steps to introduce cost recovery into the Growth, Economy and Delivery Service and to look at issues relating to further commercialisation within the service.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/10/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 22/10/2019
Effective from: 26/10/2019
Decision:
Arising from a report of the Head of Planning Economy and Regeneration presenting the steps necessary to introduce cost recovery into the Growth, Economy and Delivery Service, and providing an update with regard to potential next steps for further commercialisation within the service, the Economy PDG had made the following recommendation:
a) The bill of charges for economic development related advice with regard to the planning process laid out in Section 2.0 be approved.
b) Officers be tasked with seeking LGA funding to help investigate opportunities within the service for further commercialisation including the potential to develop a commercial arm for the delivery of some discretionary services.
The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report stating that the idea of recouping costs related to the discretionary services provided by the Planning Service and focussed on planning performance agreements and pre-application advice. The second part of the report focussed on commercialisation and how the Council could get involved strategically through property acquisition, commercial employment sites and business opportunities which would bring in an income for the authority. There was a need to tailor the department’s strengths using the commercial corridors available in the area and therefore the recommendation to seek funding via the Local Government Association was encouraged.
Consideration was given to:
· Planning Performance Agreements and the delivery of permissions within agreed timescales
· The commercialisation project would be an exciting opportunity with a view to providing incubator space and start up areas owned by the council for local businesses.
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
To consider a revised policy.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/10/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 22/10/2019
Effective from: 26/10/2019
Decision:
Arising from a report of the Group Manager for Housing reviewing the Housing Service’s policy in relation to pets and animals, the Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that the revised changes to the Pets and Animals Policy be approved.
The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services outlined the contents of the report.
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.
(Proposed by Cllr S J Clist and seconded by Cllr G Barnell)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
To consider a revised policy.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/10/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 22/10/2019
Effective from: 26/10/2019
Decision:
Arising from a report of the Group Manager for Housing reviewing the Housing Service’s Hoarding Policy, the Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that the tracked changes in the revised Hoarding Policy be approved.
The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services outlined the contents of the report.
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.
To consider a revised policy.
Decision Maker: Cabinet
Made at meeting: 17/10/2019 - Cabinet
Decision published: 22/10/2019
Effective from: 26/10/2019
Decision:
Arising from a report of the Group Manager for Housing reviewing the Housing Service’s Harassment Policy, the Homes Policy Development Group had recommended that the changes identified in the tracked changed Harassment Policy be approved.
The Cabinet Member for Housing and Property Services outlined the contents of the report.
Consideration was given to the consultation that had taken place and the feedback received.
RESOLVED that the recommendation of the Policy Development Group be approved.
(Proposed by the Chairman)
Note: *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.