To approve as a correct record, the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 9 January 2018.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2018 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest.

Item 13 ‘Traded Services to Schools and Academies 2018/19’ – it was noted that a number of Members were governors of schools that used the Council’s traded services.

The Leader had appointed Councillor Ghent as the Executive Member for Assets and Housing Delivery.

To consider petitions received in accordance with the Scheme of Public Participation set out in Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

None were received.

No members of the public had registered to speak.

To receive the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 March 2018 to 28 February 2019.

That the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 March 2018 to 28 February 2019 be noted.

RESOLVED

that the Forward Plan of Key Decisions for the period 1 March 2018 to 28 February 2019 be noted.

The report proposes the Final Budget for 2018/19 and updates the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) approved by Council in February 2017.

RESOLVED

1.         To note the consultation responses from Overview & Scrutiny as set out in Appendix J to the report and the public and stakeholders as set out in Appendix A(i) to the Executive report.

2.         To authorise the Leader, Deputy Leader, Chief Executive and S151 Officer to make any necessary amendments to the budget in the event of changes resulting from the final Local Government Financial Settlement.

3.         To note the Council Tax Base as set out in Appendix H to the Executive report.

4.         To note that certain efficiency proposals identified in Appendix D(ii) to the Executive report will be subject to formal consultation and Equality Impact Assessments in the coming months and instruct the Corporate Management Team to propose alternative compensatory savings if it appears, following a review of the outcome of the consultation and Equality Impact Assessment, that any specific proposal cannot be delivered.

RECOMMENDED to Council

1.            That the Revenue Budget for 2018/19 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2018/19 to 2021/22 be approved.

2.            That in line with the Government guidance, the following increases in Council tax (CBC element) for residents of Central Bedfordshire:

(a)       a Band D increase of £21.24, representing a 1.494% increase on the charge for 2017/18; and

(b)       a Band D increase of £42.66, representing a 3.0% increase on the charge for 2017/18, reflecting a precept of this amount to help fund adult social care costs.

            In total the Band D increase will be £63.90, representing a 4.494% increase in the charge for 2017/18.  The CBC element of Band D Council Tax for 2018/19 will therefore be £1,485.78.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the proposed Budget for 2018/19 and updated the Medium Term Financial Plan.  The Executive Member drew attention to the comments and recommendations from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the proposals and the outcome of the public consultation.  Members acknowledged the statutory requirements relating to specific budget proposals, as set out in Appendix F to the report.

The final Local Government Finance Settlement had not been issued and approval was being sought to authorise the relevant Members and officers to make any necessary amendments to the Budget in the event of any changes resulting from the final Settlement.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to approve the Budget for 2018/19 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2018/19 to 2021/22.

RESOLVED

1.         to note the consultation responses from Overview & Scrutiny as set out in Appendix J to the report and the public and stakeholders as set out in Appendix A(i) to the Executive report;

2.         to authorise the Leader, Deputy Leader, Chief Executive and S151 Officer to make any necessary amendments to the budget in the event of changes resulting from the final Local Government Financial Settlement;

3.         to note the Council Tax Base as set out in Appendix H to the Executive report; and

4.         to note that certain efficiency proposals identified in Appendix D(ii) to the Executive report will be subject to formal consultation and Equality Impact Assessment in the coming months and instruct the Corporate Management Team to propose alternative compensatory savings if it appears, following a review of the outcome of the consultation and Equality Impact Assessment, that any specific proposal cannot be delivered.

RECOMMENDED to Council

1.            that the Revenue Budget for 2018/19 and the Medium Term Financial Plan for 2018/19 to 2021/22 be approved; and

2.            that in line with the Government guidance, the following increases in Council tax (CBC element) for residents of Central Bedfordshire:

(a)          a Band D increase of £21.24, representing a 1.494% increase on the charge for 2017/18; and

(b)       a Band D increase of £42.66, representing a 3.0% increase on the charge for 2017/18, reflecting a precept of this amount to help fund adult social care costs.

            In total the Band D increase will be £63.90, representing a 4.494% increase in the charge for 2017/18.  The CBC element of Band D Council Tax for 2018/19 will therefore be £1,485.78.

The decision was unanimous.

To recommend to Council the Capital Programme for the Medium Term Financial Plan for the period 2018/19 to 2021/22 to facilitate effective financial management and planning.

RECOMMENDED to Council

That the Capital Programme for 2018/19 to 2021/22 be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources setting out the proposed Capital Programme for the period 2018/19 to 2021/22.  The Executive Member drew attention to the comments and recommendations from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

The Capital Programme continued to feature some significant investments, including:

·         New School Places

·         M1/A421 Junction 13 – Milton Keynes Magna Park

·         M1/A6 Link Road

·         Highways Structural Maintenance

·         Dunstable Leisure Centre and Library

·         IT Digitisation

·         Purchase of Waste Fleet

·         Integrated Health and Care Hubs in Biggleswade and Dunstable.

Reason for decision:  To enable Council to consider the proposed Capital Programme for 2018/19 to 2021/22.

RECOMMENDED to Council

that the Capital Programme for 2018/19 to 2021/22 be approved.

The decision was unanimous.

The report sets out the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Landlord Business Plan Budget for 2018/19.  It sets out proposals that respond to legislative changes; make best use of the investment potential; mitigate pressures in the General Fund (GF) and align to the debt strategy in the context of long term Business Planning.

RESOLVED

1.         To note the HRA’s debt portfolio and interest payments due in 2017/18.

2.         That a principal debt repayment of £0.1M in 2017/18, with the intention to continue annual repayments of the Self Financing Debt, be approved.

RECOMMENDED to Council

1.            That the recent legislative changes relating to Housing Finance and their impact on the Landlord Business Plan, be noted.

2.            That the transfer of the former Care Home at the Birches in Shefford (once fully vacated) from the Council’s General Fund to the HRA, at a transfer value of £1.15M, be approved.

3.            That the Landlord Business Investment Plan, which proposes HRA investment throughout the Council area, be approved.

4.            That the HRA Revenue Budget for 2018/19 and the Landlord Business Plan summary at Appendices A and B to the Executive report, be approved.

5.            That the 2018/19 to 2021/22 HRA Capital Programme at Appendix C to the Executive report, be approved.

6.            That the average rent decrease of 1% for Council tenancies for 2018/19 in line with the national rental decrease, be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources and the Executive Member for Adults, Social Care and Housing Operations setting out the financial position of the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Landlord Business Plan and the proposed Budget for 2018/19.  The proposals:

·         responded to legislative changes;

·         made best use of the investment potential;

·         mitigated pressures in the General Fund; and

·         aligned to the debt strategy in the context of long term business planning.

The Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources drew attention to the comments and recommendations from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

In response to questions, the Executive Member for Adults, Social Care and Housing Operations explained that the Council had an ambition to build new homes through a combination of funding sources and the deployment of assets, as appropriate.  She highlighted the schemes that were already being developed in Central Bedfordshire.  In addition, the Council sought to secure up to 30% affordable housing from new development, although there were challenges in achieving this.

Reason for decision:  To enable Council to approve the budget for the HRA.

RESOLVED

1.         to note the HRA’s debt portfolio and interest payments due in 2017/18; and

2.         that a principal debt repayment of £0.1M in 2017/18, with the intention to continue annual repayments of the Self Financing Debt, be approved.

RECOMMENDED to Council

1.            that the recent legislative changes relating to Housing Finance and their impact on the Landlord Business Plan, be noted;

2.            that the transfer of the former Care Home at the Birches in Shefford (once fully vacated) from the Council’s General Fund to the HRA, at a transfer value of £1.15M, be approved;

3.            that the Landlord Business Investment Plan, which proposes HRA investment throughout the Council area, be approved;

4.            that the HRA Revenue Budget for 2018/19 and the Landlord Business Plan summary at Appendices A and B to the Executive report, be approved;

5.            that the 2018/19 to 2021/22 HRA Capital Programme at Appendix C to the Executive report, be approved; and

6.            that the average rent decrease of 1% for Council tenancies for 2018/19 in line with the national rental decrease, be approved.

The decision was unanimous.

To seek Member approval for a Treasury Management Policy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2018/19 to facilitate effective financial management and planning.

RECOMMENDED to Council

That the Treasury Management Policy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2018/19 be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the Treasury Management Policy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and the Prudential Indicators for 2018/19.  The Executive Member drew attention to the comments and recommendations from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Reason for decision:  To retain an effective treasury management framework for the Council.

RECOMMENDED to Council

that the Treasury Management Policy, Treasury Management Strategy Statement, Prudential Indicators and Minimum Revenue Provision Policy for 2018/19 be approved.

The decision was unanimous.

The report proposes the revised Fees and Charges prices for April 2018; identifies new services for which it is proposed that Fees or Charges will be levied; and identifies those charges where proposed increases are significantly different from the advisory increase as per the 2018/19 Budget Strategy.

RECOMMEND to Council

1.         That the revised fees and charges for 2018/19, as set out at Appendices  A and B to the Executive report, be approved.

2.         That the new fees and charges to be introduced for 2018/19, as set out at Appendix C to the Executive report, be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the revised Social Care, Health and Housing fees and charges for 2018/19.  The Executive Member drew attention to the comments and recommendations from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to agree the fees and charges for 2018/19 as part of delivering a balanced budget for 2018/19.

RECOMMEND to Council

1.         that the revised fees and charges for 2018/19, as set out at Appendices  A and B to the Executive report, be approved; and

2.         that the new fees and charges to be introduced for 2018/19, as set out at Appendix C to the Executive report, be approved.

The decision was unanimous.

The report proposes the revised 2018/19 charges for Traded Services to Schools & Academies for non statutory services.

RECOMMEND to Council

1.         That the revised charges for Traded Services to Schools and Academies for 2018/19, as set out at Appendix A to the Executive report, be approved.

2.         That the charges for the new services to be introduced for 2018/19, as set out at Appendix B to the Executive report, be approved.

3.         That the year on year changes to charges, set out at Appendix C, and the volumetrics analysis for 2016/17 and 2017/18, set out at Appendix D to the Executive report, be approved.

The Executive considered a report from the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources that set out the revised charges for Traded Services to Schools and Academies for 2018/19.  The Executive Member drew attention to the comments and recommendations from the Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Reason for decision:  To enable the Council to agree the revised charges for Traded Services to Schools and Academies for 2018/19.

RECOMMEND to Council

1.         that the revised charges for Traded Services to Schools and Academies for 2018/19, as set out at Appendix A to the Executive report, be approved;

2.         that the charges for the new services to be introduced for 2018/19, as set out at Appendix B to the Executive report, be approved; and

3.         that the year on year changes to charges, set out at Appendix C, and the volumetrics analysis for 2016/17 and 2017/18, set out at Appendix D to the Executive report, be approved.

The decision was unanimous.

To allow members to review the proposed designs following feasibility and consultation.

1.         That phase one of the project be endorsed, acknowledging that this is being delivered using the A5 Legacy detrunking funding provided to the Council by Highways England for the High Street improvements.

2.         That the objectives and the proposed designs for phase 2 be noted and to bid for further external funding in order to fully deliver the scheme, be supported.

The Executive considered a report from the  Executive Member for Regeneration that sought agreement to the initial phase of the redevelopment of Dunstable High Street, following the de-trunking of the A5 through the town.  The report also set out the proposals for phase two of the improvement works.

The Executive Member for Regeneration undertook to review the timing of reports on this issue to the Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Reason for decision:  To enable the re-development of the High Street, Dunstable as this was a critical element to the overall regeneration of the town centre and would help to unlock both improvements to the local economy and contribute to a more accessible and appealing place to visit.

RESOLVED

1.         that phase one of the project be endorsed, acknowledging that this is being delivered using the A5 Legacy detrunking funding provided to the Council by Highways England for the High Street improvements; and

2.         that the objectives and the proposed designs for phase 2 be noted and to bid for further external funding in order to fully deliver the scheme, be approved.

The decision was unanimous.

To seek approval to commence a statutory consultation required for the proposal to change the age range of Southcott Lower School, Linslade from 4-9 years to 2-9 years to enable the school to retain its pre-school provision.

That the statutory process for the proposal to permanently change the age range of Southcott Lower School from 4-9 years to 2-9 years be approved, namely:

(i)        the publication of the statutory notice;

(ii)       to commence formal consultation of at least four weeks; and

(iii)      that determination for the proposed changes to be made by the Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, if responses to the formal consultation are favourable.  If responses to the formal consultation are not favourable, determination to rest with the Executive.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Families, Education and Children that sought approval to commence a statutory consultation required for the proposal to change the age range of Southcott Lower School, Linslade from 4-9 years to 2-9 years to enable the school to retain its pre-school provision from September 2018.

Reason for decision:  To enable Southcott Lower School to make the temporary change of age range permanent and continue to make available a maximum of 20 pre-school places per session, whilst continuing to fulfil the statutory education obligations of both nursery and lower phases.

RESOLVED

that the statutory process for the proposal to permanently change the age range of Southcott Lower School from 4-9 years to 2-9 years be approved, namely:

(i)        the publication of the statutory notice;

(ii)       to commence formal consultation of at least four weeks; and

(iii)      that determination for the proposed changes to be made by the Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, if responses to the formal consultation are favourable.  If responses to the formal consultation are not favourable, determination to rest with the Executive.

The decision was unanimous.

To seek approval to commence a statutory consultation required for the proposal to change the age range of Southill Lower School to enable the school to open a new a pre-school provision.

That the statutory process for the proposal to change the age range of Southill Lower School from 4-9 years to 2-9 years be approved, namely:

(i)        the publication of the statutory notice;

(ii)       to commence formal consultation of at least four weeks; and

(iii)      that determination for the proposed changes to made by the Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, if responses to the formal consultation are favourable.  If responses to the formal consultation are not favourable, determination to rest with the Executive.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Families, Education and Children that sought approval to commence a statutory consultation required for the proposal to change the age range of Southill Lower School, to enable the school to open new pre-school provision.

Reason for decision:  To enable Southill Lower School to take on the pre-school provision, otherwise the village would continue to be without an early year’s facility.

RESOLVED

that the statutory process for the proposal to change the age range of Southill Lower School from 4-9 years to 2-9 years be approved, namely:

(i)        the publication of the statutory notice;

(ii)      to commence formal consultation of at least four weeks; and

(iii)     that determination for the proposed changes to made by the Executive Member for Families, Education and Children, if responses to the formal consultation are favourable.  If responses to the formal consultation are not favourable, determination to rest with the Executive.

The decision was unanimous.

The current Waste Collection and Street Cleansing contracts end on 31st March 2019. This report details the options and seeks approval for the recommended design and delivery method of future household waste collection and street cleansing services.

1.         That a consultation on the following possibilities related to the Council’s kerbside waste collection scheme be approved:

·         the containment of materials – additional boxes and caddies;

·         the collection of additional recyclable materials – glass and food waste;

·         the collection of residual (black bin) waste – 3 weekly collections; and

·         the collection of green (garden) waste – charging for the service.

2.         That the procurement procedure rules be suspended to allow a maximum of up to 9 months extension to the current Waste Collection & Street Cleansing contracts.

3.         To authorise the procurement of recycling treatment and disposal services for kerbside collected dry recycling and to authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Services and the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources, to award the contract.

The Executive considered a report from the Executive Member for Community Services that outlined the methods available for the kerbside collection of household waste in Central Bedfordshire.  The report sought approval to:

·      consult on any potential changes that would impact on residents;

·      consider the impact of the work on the end dates for the current waste collection contracts; and

·      procurement of recycling treatment and disposal services to align with the end of the collection contract.

The Executive Member moved an amendment to recommendation 2 and this was duly seconded:-

“That the procurement procedure rules be suspended to allow a maximum of up to 9 months extension to the current Waste Collection & Street Cleansing contracts.”

In response to questions, the Executive Member confirmed that the report sought approval to go out to public consultation on the six options set out in the report.  He confirmed that the Council was exploring all options to engage with the public to seek their views.  He explained that there were no plans to change the existing collection of clinical waste.  The collection of green waste was not a statutory responsibility so this allowed for the Council to consider the option of charging for this service. 

In response to questions, the Deputy Executive Member confirmed that officers engaged with residents, schools and others to help the public recycle their waste.  The recycling rate in Central Bedfordshire was currently 46% and it was hoped that adopting a new collection method, this could rise to over 50%. 

The Leader confirmed that no consideration was being given to fining residents if waste was not placed in the correct bin.  The two waste collection contracts were due to expire on 31 March 2019 which presented an opportunity to fully review the design of the services and determine the waste collection arrangements for the future.

Whilst consulting on the options for collecting household waste, there would be consultation too on the opening times of the Household Waste Recycling Centres.

Reason for decision:  To allow a consultation on future waste collection arrangements and enable the continuation of waste collection and recycling treatment and disposal services in the meantime.

RESOLVED

1.         that a consultation on the following possibilities related to the Council’s kerbside waste collection scheme be approved:

·         the containment of materials – additional boxes and caddies;

·         the collection of additional recyclable materials – glass and food waste;

·         the collection of residual (black bin) waste – 3 weekly collections; and

·         the collection of green (garden) waste – charging for the service.

2.         that the procurement procedure rules be suspended to allow a maximum of up to 9 months extension to the current Waste Collection & Street Cleansing contracts; and

3.         to authorise the procurement of a recycling treatment and disposal services for kerbside collected dry recycling and to authorise the Director of Community Services, in consultation with the Executive Member for Community Services and the Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Corporate Resources, to award the contract.

The decision was unanimous.