Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Tony Goulden, Val Goulden and Reckless. 

The Mayor declared a personal (and potentially financial) interest on behalf of those officers present  who could be affected by staffing reductions proposed in agenda item 6 (Capital and Revenue Budgets 2011/2012), following advice from the Monitoring Officer.

Councillor Godwin declared a personal interest on agenda item 6 (Capital and Revenue Budgets 2011/2012) because his wife worked for an organisation which received Supporting People grants.

Councillor Griffiths declared a personal interest in any discussion that may take place during the course of the meeting with reference to NHS Medway because he was a Non-Executive Director of the Trust.

Councillor Stamp declared a personal and prejudicial interest in any discussion that may take place during the course of the meeting because his partner was Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Medway.

The Mayor reminded members of a number of forthcoming charity events in aid of the Mayor’s Charities. Tickets had sold out for the Chinese Night on 1 March but tickets for the School Choir Celebration on 11 March were still available.  In addition, the Mayor’s Ball would be held on 19 March and a Theatre Night would be held on 6 April. Full details of all these events were available from the Mayor’s office.

Members agreed to suspend the Council Rule in respect of time limits on speeches in relation to agenda item 6 only (Capital and Revenue Budgets 2011/2012), to allow one Member from each group to speak on the budget item for an unlimited time.  The normal time limits would then apply.

The Mayor welcomed Mr Dance, representing the Independent members of our Standards Committee, to the meeting.

The Mayor also reminded Members that a written copy of amendments to any proposals this evening be provided to the Head of Democratic Services.

There were none. 

The following petition was received and referred to the Director of Regeneration, Community and Culture:

Councillor Carr presented a petition requesting the extensionto the restricted parking of 8am - 10am Monday to Friday from Station Road into the western end of Tilbury Road, Rainham as vehicles parked by commuters caused obstruction.

Discussion:

Members received a report which asked the Council to approve the capital and revenue budgets, rent increases and Council tax for 2011/2012. 

The Mayor advised Members, prior to consideration of this report, that an independent opinion had been obtained confirming that the advice given by the Monitoring Officer at the last Council meeting on the lawfulness of an amendment relating to the 2011/12 budget was correct.

During debate, Councillor Jarrett noted that the reference in table 4 to Private Sector Housing should have referred to paragraph 4.5 rather than paragraph 3.11.

Councillor Jarrett, Portfolio Holder for Finance, supported by the Leader, Councillor Rodney Chambers, proposed that the Council:

1. Approve the capital budget proposals as set out in Appendix 1, including the schemes and funding arrangements referred to in paragraphs 3.5 and 7.20 of the report and the following schemes:

(i)     That a scheme be added to the Capital Programme to create a Specialist Autism Unit on the Ridge Meadow site and that a sum of £1,500,000 be allocated from the proceeds of the Temple site for that purpose. To facilitate this and the proposed move of the Post-16 Bradfields Unit to the Ridge Meadow site, Cabinet is asked to reconsider its decision to declare the Ridge Meadow site surplus.

(ii)   That the following new schemes be added to the Capital Programme, funded from the General Reserve:

·        £250,000 for pothole repairs

·        £500,000 for highway improvements

·        £75,000 for adult play schemes and;

·        £50,000 for allotment improvements.

2. Approve the general fund gross, income and net revenue estimates as summarised in Table 8 and detailed in Appendix 2 to incorporate the savings measures set out in Appendix 3, and the additional revenue items as set out below, resulting in a budget requirement of £411.842 million.

(i)     That the Independent Remuneration Panel be recommended to reduce Members’ Allowances by 5%, saving £39,000.

(ii)   That the budget for non-schools union facilities be reduced by £46,000.

(iii)That the budget for library books be increased by £92,000 and that a budget be created for the North Kent Partnership at £50,000 and that this be funded by the unallocated balance of £57,000 and the savings from the Members’ Allowances and union facilities.

(iv)  That the following budgets be created from the General Reserve:

·  Armed Forces Day on 25 June - £12,000

·  Facilitate Royal Wedding street parties - £25,000

·  Reintroduce free swimming - £200,000

·  Freedom Pass - £250,000

·  Apprenticeship schemes - £100,000

3. Note the Kent Police Authority precept requirement.

4. Note the Kent Fire and Rescue Service precept requirement.

5. Note the parish council precept requirements of £340,933 as detailed at Appendix 4 of this report.

6. Agree the schedule of precept instalment dates as set out in section 12 of the report.

7. Approve the basic rate of council tax at band D for 2011/2012, before adding the police, fire and parish precepts, at £1,119.15.

8. Agree that £3 million of the General Reserve be earmarked as a contingency for severance and associated costs as part of the 2010/2011 accounts closure.

9. Agree  ...  view the full minutes text for item 815.

Discussion: 

This report presented the Council Plan 2011/2012, which had been developed alongside the 2011/2012 capital and revenue budget proposals in order to align the Council’s business planning processes with the budget setting process.  

Councillor Janice Bamber, supported by Councillor Rodney Chambers, proposed the recommendations as set out in the report.

Decision:

(a)   The Council approved the Council Plan 2011/2012.

(b)   The Council agreed that the Assistant Director of Communications, Performance and Partnerships be delegated authority, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Customer First and Corporate Services, to make minor changes to the Plan prior to publication (if necessary) to reflect the final Budget as agreed by Council on 24 February 2011.

Discussion:

This report sought approval of the Treasury Management Strategy, which incorporated within it the Treasury Management Policy Statement, Annual Investment Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy.

Councillor Jarrett, supported by Councillor Rodney Chambers, proposed the recommendations as set out in the report:

Decision:

The Council approved the Treasury Management Strategy and associated policies and strategy statements as attached to the report.