Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber - Civic Centre

Contact: Judy Cordell and Claire Heather  023 8083 2766/2412

Items
No. Item

60.

Apologies

To receive any apologies.

Minutes:

It was noted that apologies had been received from Councillors Houghton, Pope and D Thomas. 

61.

Deputations, Petitions and Public Questions

To receive any requests for Deputations, Presentation of Petitions or Public Questions.

Minutes:

(i)  The Council received and noted a deputation from Mrs Amanda Guest and Mrs Lisa Stead concerning the Adult Social Care financial budget (Kentish Road Respite Centre); and

(ii)  The Council received and noted a deputation from Mrs Sue Atkins, Chair of Southampton TUSC concerning proposals for a Southampton People’s Budget to end cuts to city services, as part of a campaign to restore Central Government Council funding and vital services lost since 2010.    

 

 

62.

Interim Appointment of Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service

Following interviews taking place on 19th February, 2018, to approve the Interim Appointment of Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service. 

Minutes:

The Leader of the Council reported to Council that the Chief Officer Employment Panel met on the 19th February, 2018.  Shortlisting for the permanent role of Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service was completed and an interview for the interim role.  Following interview the Panel selected Richard Crouch, Chief Operating Officer, as a suitable candidate for the interim position. 

 

In accordance with the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) Regulations 2001 the appointment was confirmed by Council that Richard Crouch as interim Chief Executive and Head of Paid Service effective from 23rd March, 2018 until a new permanent appointment was made. 

63.

Council Tax Setting and Related Matters pdf icon PDF 162 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

(a) The Revised Medium Term Financial Strategy 2018/19 to 2021/22

 

(b) The General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Capital Strategy and Programme 2017/18 to 2021/22

 

The reports of the Cabinet Member for Finance were submitted seeking approval to the Revised Medium Term Financial Strategy 2018/19 to 2021/22, and the General Fund and Housing Revenue Account Capital Strategy and  Programme for 2017/18 - 2021/22 and outlining the main issues that needed to be addressed in considering the Cabinet’s budget and Council Tax proposals. The recommendations therein as amended by Executive Budget Resolution 2018/19 to comprise the Executive’s budget proposals were moved by Councillor Chaloner and seconded by Councillor Letts (a copy of the amended Executive Budget resolution as circulated at the meeting attached as Appendix 1 to these minutes).

 

The Council agreed to suspend Council Procedure Rules 14.2, 14.4, 14.5, 14.6, 14.7, 14.8, 14.9 and 16.2:-

 

(i)  to enable the above items to be considered together;

(ii)  to enable any amendments to be proposed, seconded and considered at the same time;

(iii)  to enable any amendment to be re-introduced later into the meeting; and

(iv)to revise the time allowed for speakers as follows:-

Movers of motions - 20 minutes

Seconders - 10 minutes

Other Speakers - 4 minutes

Right of Reply (Executive only) – 10 minutes

 

With the consent of the Mayor, Honorary Alderman Vinson addressed the meeting.

 

Amendment moved by Councillor Hannides and seconded by Councillor Moulton:

 

Add £250,000 from general resources to the Adult Services GF capital programme for 2018/2019 for the refurbishment and upgrade of the former respite centre at 32 Kentish Road, to enable the centre to be reopened to deliver 7 day a week respite and other services to those with learning difficulties, in co-operation with local charities.”

 

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT WAS DECLARED LOST

NOTE – FOR THE AMENDMENT: Councillors J Baillie, P Baillie, Claisse, Fitzhenry, Fuller, Hannides, B. Harris, L. Harris, Hecks, Laurent, Morrell, Moulton, O’Neill, Painton, Parnell, T. Thomas, Vassiliou, White and Wilkinson.

 

NOTE – AGAINST THE AMENDMENT: Councillors Barnes-Andrews, Mrs Blatchford, Bogle, Burke, Chaloner, Coombs, Denness, Furnell, Hammond, Jordan, Kaur, Keogh, Letts, Lewzey, McEwing, Mintoff, Murphy, Noon, Paffey, Payne, Rayment, Savage, Shields, Taggart and Whitbread.

 

Amendment moved by Councillor Morrell and seconded by Councillor T Thomas:

 

This Council agrees to amend the Executive’s 2018/19 General Fund Budget proposals as follows:

 

1.  Make a revenue provision of £110,000 (in addition to the existing Budget provision of £190,000) to enable the re-opening of the Kentish Road Respite Centre on a full-time basis, to be funded from the recently-received Adult Social Care Grant of £693,000;

2.  Make a capital funding provision of £175,000 to carry out a refurbishment and enhancement of the Centre and its facilities, to be funded from reserves.”

 

UPON BEING PUT TO THE VOTE THE AMENDMENT WAS DECLARED LOST

NOTE – FOR THE AMENDMENT: Councillors J Baillie, P Baillie, Claisse, Fitzhenry, Fuller, Hannides, B. Harris, L. Harris, Laurent, Hecks, Morrell, Moulton, O’Neill, Painton, Parnell, T.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

64.

TREASURY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY AND PRUDENTIAL LIMITS 2018/19 TO 2021/22 pdf icon PDF 313 KB

Report of the Council’s Service Director, Finance and Commercialisation detailing  the context within which the Council’s treasury management activity operates and sets out a proposed strategy for the coming year in relation to the Council’s cash flow, investment and borrowing, and the management of the numerous risks related to this activity.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The report of the Service Director Finance and Commercialisation was submitted detailing the context within which the Council’s treasury management activity operates and setting out a proposed strategy for 2018/19 to 2021/22. 

 

RESOLVED:

 

(i)  To approve the Council’s Treasury Management (TM) Strategy and Prudential Indicators for 2018/19, 2019/20, 2020/21 and 2021/22, as detailed within the report.

(ii)  To approve the 2018 Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement as detailed in paragraphs 85 to 94 and to delegate authority to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to approve any changes necessary that aid good financial management whilst maintaining a prudent approach.

(iii)  To approve the Annual Investment Strategy as detailed in paragraphs 43 to 66.

(iv)  To note that at the time of writing this report the recommendations in the Capital update report, submitted to Council on the 21 February 2018, have not yet been approved.  The indicators in the report are based on the assumption that they will be approved, but should the recommendations change, the Prudential Indicators may have to be recalculated.

(v)  To continue to delegate authority to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to approve any changes to the Prudential Indicators, Minimum Revenue Provision or borrowing limits that will aid good treasury management. For example, agreeing an increase in the percentage for variable rate borrowing to take advantage of the depressed market for short term rates.  Any amendments will be reported to cabinet as part of quarterly financial and performance monitoring and in revisions to the TM Strategy.