Agenda, decisions and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on  24^th of January 2017 (circulated separately to Cabinet members).

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2017 were agreed by the members present and signed by the Chairman.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2017 were agreed by the members present and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any apologies for absence.

An apology was received on behalf of Councillor Harden.

An apology was received on behalf of Councillor Harden.

To receive any declarations of interest

A member with a disclosable pecuniary interest or a personal interest in a matter who attends a meeting of the authority at which the matter is considered -

(i)            must disclose the interest at the start of the meeting or when the interest becomes apparent

and, if the interest is a disclosable pecuniary interest, or a personal interest which is also prejudicial

(ii)            may not participate in any discussion or vote on the matter (and must withdraw to the public seating area) unless they have been granted a dispensation.

A member who discloses at a meeting a disclosable pecuniary interest which is not registered in the Members’ Register of Interests, or is not the subject of a pending notification, must notify the Monitoring Officer of the interest within 28 days of the disclosure.

Disclosable pecuniary interests, personal and prejudicial interests are defined in Part 2 of the Code of Conduct for Members

[If a member is in any doubt as to whether they have an interest which should be declared they should seek the advice of the Monitoring Officer before the start of the meeting]

None received

None received

An opportunity for members of the public to make statements and ask questions in accordance with the rules as to Public Participation.

None received

None received

There were no referrals to Cabinet

None received

None received

That the Cabinet Forward Plan be noted without change.

That the Cabinet Forward Plan be noted without change.

1.     The project to install a Splash Park in Gadebridge Park be approved. The location of the Splash Park and new Play Area are shown on the plan in Appendix 1 of the Cabinet report.

2.     The virement of capital underspend from the Play Area Improvements Project to the relocation of the Children's Play Area be approved.

3. The Splash Park opening in spring 2018 be approved
4. That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director (Neighbourhood Delivery) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environmental, Sustainability and Regulatory Services to award the contract for the supply and construction of the Splash Park and Play Area

1.     The project to install a Splash Park in Gadebridge Park be approved. The location of the Splash Park and new Play Area are shown on the plan in Appendix 1 of the Cabinet report.

2.     The virement of capital underspend from the Play Area Improvements Project to the relocation of the Children's Play Area be approved.

3. The Splash Park opening in spring 2018 be approved
4. That authority be delegated to the Assistant Director (Neighbourhood Delivery) in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Environmental, Sustainability and Regulatory Services to award the contract for the supply and construction of the Splash Park and Play Area

Reason for Decision

For Cabinet to review and approve the recommendations for a new Splash Park in Gadebridge Park.

Corporate Objectives

Clean Safe and Enjoyable Environment – Splash Parks are very popular facilities which give families a safe enjoyable place to visit.

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer Comments

Monitoring Officer:  

The project officers must ensure that an appropriate form of supply and construction contract is completed prior to commencement of the works and early consultation with the legal team is advised to ensure that this is completed in time for commencement.

S.151 Comments

The proposed scheme can be met from within existing approved budgets of £1m. The additional funds required to deliver the refurbishment of the play area can be funded subject to Members authorising the virement for the use of the £150k underspend from the Play Area Improvement project to this.

Further works to consider the scale and cost of resurfacing and enlarging the existing car park will need to be brought back for member consideration once the Environment Agency confirm the requirements and potential implications of the relocation of the river have been considered and confirmed

Advice

Councillor Marshall gave the following introduction to the report:

I seek Cabinet approval to proceed with the installation of a Splash Park in Gadebridge Park together with creating a new play area near the splash park, so enabling the car park to be extended.   £1.5m Capital has been set aside; £1m will cover the cost of the installation of the Splash Park and ancillary works, including toilets, a concession kiosk and signage.  The underspend from the Play Area Improvements programme of some £150K will cover the new play area.  The remaining £500K should be sufficient for the renovation of the White Bridge, for which DBC will be obtaining a consultant’s report on its current condition and options available.

The Splash Park will fulfil the Council’s long standing commitment to install a water play feature to replace the paddling pool.  Because of its sensitive location, behind St Mary’s Church and the Walled Garden, it will not feature fluorescently coloured high poles & the like spraying water down; instead the water will come up from the ground through various nozzles which can shower, spray, rain, mist, shoot streams of water & so on and the colour of the ground area will be again sympathetic to the surroundings.  The new play area nearby would  ...  view the full minutes text for item CA/19/17

Resolved to Recommend:

1.     to approve the updated Housing Revenue Account Business Plan

2.     to approve the revised development programme budgets as set out in Section 6.3 of the Cabinet report and the budget for the Martindale Development in Appendix 2, in part II of the Cabinet report  

Resolved to Recommend:

1.     to approve the updated Housing Revenue Account Business Plan

2.     to approve the revised development programme budgets as set out in Section 6.3 of the Cabinet report and the budget for the Martindale Development in Appendix 2, in part II of the Cabinet report  

Reason for Decision

To update Cabinet on the Annual Review of the Council’s Housing Revenue Account Business Plan

Corporate Objectives

Delivering Affordable Housing

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer Comments

Monitoring Officer:  

No comments to add to the report.

Deputy S.151 Officer:

The Business plan sets of the key financial assumptions and the dependencies and will be reviewed on a dynamic basis to ensure that the assumptions remain valid and any exceptions are reported for consideration by Cabinet.

The impact of the government proposals for the sale of high value properties will need to be analysed once details have been released and considered. Any material changes to the plan will be brought back for Cabinet consideration and if necessary the plan will be updated.

The necessary Secretary of State approvals for the sale of market value properties will need to be built into the project plan for the delivery of the scheme at Martindale and if approval is rejected then the plan would need to be amended and brought back for consideration.

Advice

Councillor Griffiths explained that the business plan needed to be approved prior to budget setting for 2017/18.

E Brooks added that additional resources were now in the plan due to the right to buy levels decreasing. This would be monitored annually. The plan had estimated 20 per year, however the actual was 100.

Additional funds were set out in section 6 of the report and there could be the option to review the scope of the Martindale proposal too.

Councillor Williams asked if the council could use the right to buy receipts to raise the 30% costs for new builds and land.

E Brooks said they could work with housing associations to collect the remaining 70%. This would be monitored throughout the year as the policy included the sale of high value homes, but this hadn’t been included in the business plan yet.

He noted that the council could be asked to generate more funds; however that would not be for this financial year.

Voting

None.

Resolved to Recommend:

General Fund Revenue Estimate

a)       a Dacorum Borough Council General Fund Council Tax  requirement of £10.709m, and of £11.442m for the combined Borough Council and Parish Councils’ requirement for 2017/18;

b)      an increase of 2.71% in Council Tax for Dacorum Borough Council;

c)       the base estimates for 2017/18, as shown in Appendix A1, and the indicative budget forecasts for 2017/18 – 2020/21, as shown in Appendix A2;

d)     the forecast balances of Revenue Reserves as shown in Appendix J, and approve paragraphs 10-20 of this report as the updated Reserves Strategy;

e)       increases in Fees and Charges for 2017/18 as set out in Appendices C3, D3, and E3;

f)       the Treasury Management Strategy for 2017/18, attached at Appendix K;

g)      the Treasury Management Principles and Practices for 2017/18, attached at Appendix L;

h)      that this budget paper will form part of the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Capital Programme

i)        the revised Capital Programme for 2016/17, and for 2017/18 to 2021/22, as detailed in Appendix I;

j)        the financing proposals in Appendix I subject to an annual review of the financing options by the Corporate Director (Finance & Operations), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources, during the preparation of the Statement of Accounts.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA)

k)       reduce dwelling rents by 1% in accordance with government legislation, resulting in an average rent of £104.17 per week (based on 52 weeks); 

l)        the HRA estimate for 2017/18 as shown in Appendix F.

Terms & Conditions

m)     the continued application of a living wage supplement for all affected employees, in accordance with the rates of the Living Wage Foundation, for 2017/18 (to be reviewed annually thereafter).

Statement by Chief Finance Officer

n)        the statement by the Chief Finance Officer regarding the robustness of the budget estimates and level of reserves as set out in Appendix M.

Resolved to Recommend:

General Fund Revenue Estimate

a)       a Dacorum Borough Council General Fund Council Tax  requirement of £10.709m, and of £11.442m for the combined Borough Council and Parish Councils’ requirement for 2017/18;

b)      an increase of 2.71% in Council Tax for Dacorum Borough Council;

c)       the base estimates for 2017/18, as shown in Appendix A1, and the indicative budget forecasts for 2017/18 – 2020/21, as shown in Appendix A2;

d)     the forecast balances of Revenue Reserves as shown in Appendix J, and approve paragraphs 10-20 of this report as the updated Reserves Strategy;

e)       increases in Fees and Charges for 2017/18 as set out in Appendices C3, D3, and E3;

f)       the Treasury Management Strategy for 2017/18, attached at Appendix K;

g)      the Treasury Management Principles and Practices for 2017/18, attached at Appendix L;

h)      that this budget paper will form part of the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Capital Programme

i)        the revised Capital Programme for 2016/17, and for 2017/18 to 2021/22, as detailed in Appendix I;

j)        the financing proposals in Appendix I subject to an annual review of the financing options by the Corporate Director (Finance & Operations), in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Resources, during the preparation of the Statement of Accounts.

Housing Revenue Account (HRA)

k)       reduce dwelling rents by 1% in accordance with government legislation, resulting in an average rent of £104.17 per week (based on 52 weeks); 

l)        the HRA estimate for 2017/18 as shown in Appendix F.

Terms & Conditions

m)     the continued application of a living wage supplement for all affected employees, in accordance with the rates of the Living Wage Foundation, for 2017/18 (to be reviewed annually thereafter).

Statement by Chief Finance Officer

n)         the statement by the Chief Finance Officer regarding the robustness of the budget estimates and level of reserves as set out in Appendix M.

Reason for Decision

To present to Cabinet budget proposals for recommendation to Council in relation to:

·        Revenue and Capital Expenditure together with the potential use of reserves

·        The setting of the Council Tax for 2017/18

·        The Treasury Management Strategy 2017/18

·        The level of fees and charges for 2017/18

·        Advice to Councillors on the robustness of the Budget proposals and adequacy of balances and reserves as required by the Local Government Act 2003

Corporate Objectives

All of the Council’s corporate objectives are reflected in the Budget proposals.

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer Comments

Monitoring Officer:  

Under the Council’s Constitution it is the responsibility of Cabinet to draw up firm proposals for the Budget, having regard to the responses to the consultation, and to present those proposals to full Council for approval.  Once full Council has approved the Budget it is the responsibility of Cabinet to implement it. 

S.151 Officer:

Comments contained in body of report.  Chief Finance Officer Statement contained in Appendix M of the report.

Advice

Councillor Elliot gave the following introduction to the report:

The Budget Context

After already absorbing annual funding reductions of over £6m since 2010, this budget sets  ...  view the full minutes text for item CA/21/17

Resolved to Recommend:

1.       to approve the Council opting into the Public Sector Audit Appointment’s Sector Led Body for the appointment of the Council’s external auditors for the audit of the 2018/19 accounts and beyond

Resolved to Recommend:

1.       to approve the Council opting into the Public Sector Audit Appointment’s Sector Led Body for the appointment of the Council’s external auditors for the audit of the 2018/19 accounts and beyond

Reason for Decision

To provide details of the options available to the Council on appointing its own external auditors for the audit of the 2018/19 accounts and beyond.

Corporate Objectives

Modern and efficient council

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer Comments

Monitoring Officer:  

No comments to add to the report.

S.151 Officer:

This is a S151 Officer report.

Advice

Councillor Elliot gave the following introduction to the report:

Following the winding down of the Audit Commission, transitional arrangements were put in place to appoint Local Authorities auditors until the completion of the 2017/18 audits.

The Council must appoint a new auditor by December 2017 and can choose one of three options to procure the appointment. In summary

• the Council procures its new auditors alone
• the Council joins with several other authorities to procure the new auditors, thereby slightly increasing its buying power which will probably result in improved terms from the new appointment.
• The Council joins a national body of councils to procure the new auditors, thereby significantly increasing its buying power which will almost certainly result in improved terms from the new appointment.

In order to realise the savings available through procuring auditors jointly with local authorities across the country, it is recommended that Cabinet go with option 3 and appoint the PSAA to procure the new auditors for post 2017.

Councillor Marshall agreed that option 3 was the most sensible however she felt that the report seemed to be open ended. She asked what would the duration of the audit contract be, let by the PSAA on behalf of the opted-in councils.

J Deane explained that for 2017/18 the audit would be carried out by the current provider and that the new appointment would be for 5 years from 2018.

He advised that this recommendation had received the full endorsement of the council’s Audit committee.

Councillor Marshall asked how easy it would be to pull out of the PSAA.

J Deane said having granted authority to the PSAA to appoint an auditor, if the Council wished to change its auditor within the 5-year period it must consult with the PSAA and make the case as to why. If for any reason the council wished to change its auditor during this period it would need to consult with the PSAA who would consider changing the auditors, based on the merits of the council’s arguments. Generally, the reasons for change would be for independence reasons, e.g. if a conflict of interest came to light.

He also confirmed that the contractual relationship would be between the PSAA and the appointed auditor. This would be underpinned by a separate agreement between DBC and the PSAA, granting them the authority to procure and appoint. The Council will be consulted by the PSAA on the proposed appointment as part of the procurement  ...  view the full minutes text for item CA/22/17

1.               The report of the Independent Remuneration Panel be formally received following its review of the Council’s existing Members’ Allowances Scheme.

2.               That thanks be expressed to the panel for all of their work and time dedicated to the review.

3.               Resolved to recommend the approval of the changes to the Members’ Allowances Scheme as recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel in its report.

1.               The report of the Independent Remuneration Panel be formally received following its review of the Council’s existing Members’ Allowances Scheme.

2.               That thanks be expressed to the panel for all of their work and time dedicated to the review.

3.               Resolved to recommend the approval of the changes to the Members’ Allowances Scheme as recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel in its report.

Reason for Decision

To formally receive the proposals of the Independent Remuneration Panel 2016 for a revised Scheme of Members’ Allowances.

Corporate Objectives

The role of Local Councillor is a major part of Dacorum Borough Council’s delivery of an efficient, effective and modern Council.  As such the remuneration that councillors receive should reflect this central role and assist in attracting the calibre of Council Member the residents of Dacorum deserve.

Monitoring Officer/S.151 Officer Comments

Monitoring Officer: 

This report was written in consultation with the Solicitor to the Council as Monitoring  Officer and his comments have been incorporated with the report.

Deputy S151 Officer:

The recommendations contained within the report can be met from the proposed budget for 2017/18.

Advice

Councillor Williams welcomed L Evans, Chair of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP). He explained that the council was required to have an independent panel. Member’s allowances had been frozen since 2009 even though the panel had recommended increases. The report suggested a modest increase in order to catch up with the Hertfordshire average.

L Evans felt that councillors should not suffer financial hardship and therefore recommended a 2.1% increase.

Councillor Griffiths thanked the panel for their work and supported the recommendations. She noted that she did vote against the previous recommendations to increase the allowances, however now was the time to acknowledge the IRP work and accept their recommendations.

Councillor Marshall agreed with the recommendations. She too had declined the increase over the past few years and said it was embarrassing to vote for an increase for oneself. However it needed to be increased to make it fairer for current and future councillors.

Councillor Williams explained that the Hertfordshire average was significantly different and it would seem that not everyone had frozen the allowances over the years.

He suggested that an additional recommendation be included to thank the panel for all their work and time dedicated to the review.

Voting

None.

That, under s.100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 Schedule 12A Part 1 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 the public be excluded during the item in Part 2 of the Agenda for this meeting, because it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that, if members of the public were present during this item, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information relating to the financial and business affairs of the Council and third party

companies/organisations.  The report also contains legal advice which may be subject to a claim for legal privilege (Minute CA/025/17)

Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, Part 1, paragraph 3 & 5.

That, under s.100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 Schedule 12A Part 1 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 the public be excluded during the item in Part 2 of the Agenda for this meeting, because it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that, if members of the public were present during this item, there would be disclosure to them of exempt information relating to the financial and business affairs of the Council and third party

companies/organisations.  The report also contains legal advice which may be subject to a claim for legal privilege (Minute CA/025/17)

Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, Part 1, paragraph 3 & 5.

Full details are in the part 2 decision sheet.

Full details are in the part 2 decision sheet.