No disclosures were received.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2023 (enclosed)

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2023, as circulated, were approved and signed as correct record.

Requests received by the Protocol deadline to be reported by the Senior Democratic Services Officer with details of the Agenda Item to which they relate. (Such persons entitled to use the Protocol attend for the purpose of making representations, answering questions or giving evidence relating to the business of the meeting and the time allocated to each person is a maximum of three minutes unless extended at the discretion of the Chairman).

No requests were received.

To consider the report of the Business, Partnerships and Health Improvement Group Manager (enclosed).

DECISIONS

1.    That the proposal for Blaby District Council to undertake work on behalf of Oadby & Wigston Borough Council for Physical Activity and Community Health & Wellbeing be approved.

2.    That delegated authority be given to the Business, Partnerships & Health Improvement Group Manager, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhood Services and Assets to progress the implementation of the proposal and make any minor amendments.

Reason:

To support collaboration and develop resilience with respect to the Physical Activity and Community Health and Wellbeing Service and to align with our Commercial Strategy.

Considered – Report of the Business, Partnerships and Health Improvement Group Manager.

Other options considered: The only other option that can be considered would be for OWBC to recruit staff to undertake this wok directly. This would not generate any financial income for BDC.

To consider the report of the Scrutiny Commission (enclosed).

DECISION

That Cabinet Executive considers the comments and recommendations of Scrutiny Commission in respect of the draft 2023/24 budget proposals before making final recommendations to Council.

Reason:

Scrutiny Commission has a mandate to examine the Administration’s draft budget proposals and submit comments to Cabinet Executive which it is then obliged to consider before making its own final recommendations to Council on Budget proposals. All non-executive members may be involved in this process.

Considered – Report of the Scrutiny Commission, presented by Cllr. Geoff Welsh – Chairman of the Scrutiny Commission.

Cllr. Geoff Welsh thanked Cabinet Executive Members for attending the scrutiny budget sessions and for responding to all the questions put to them.

Cllr. Maggie Wright thanked all Members who attended the scrutiny budget sessions and commended Officers who prepared the reports for the meetings.

Other options considered: No other options were considered. Budget scrutiny is a constitutional requirement.

To consider the report of the Finance Group Manager (enclosed)

DECISIONS

1.    That the financial performance against the budget for the quarter ending 31st December 2022 be accepted.

2.    That the forecast contribution of £715,058 from General Fund balances be accepted.

Reason:

The Council’s performance up to 31st December 2022 together with the impact on the Council’s services due to the current cost-of-living crisis has given rise to significant pressure on reserves and balances.

Considered – Report of the Finance Group Manager.

Other options considered: None.

To consider the report of the Accountancy Services Manager (enclosed).

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

1.    That the report is noted.

2.    That the latest Capital Programme for 2022/23 totalling £7,668,928 be approved.

Reason:

To ensure the Council has adequate resources in place to meet its capital expenditure commitments

Considered – Report of the Interim Accountancy Services Manager, presented by the Finance Group Manager.

Other options considered: None.

Cllr. Maggie Wright thanked Officers for comprehensively reviewing the budget.

To consider the report of the Finance Group Manager (enclosed)

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

1.    That the 5 Year Capital Programme for 2023/24 to 2027/28 be approved.

2.    That the application of capital resources of £3,618,500 for 2023/24,

including a borrowing requirement of £2,295,500, be approved.

3.    That the Capital Strategy 2023/24 to 2027/28 be approved

Reasons:

1.    To obtain approval for the proposed level of capital expenditure in 2023/24 and the suggested method of financing that expenditure.

2.    To provide a longer term forecast of capital expenditure and financing requirements for the period 2023/24 to 2027/28.

3.    To ensure compliance with the Prudential Code.

Considered – Report of the Finance Group Manager.

Other options considered: None. It is important to produce a 5-year Capital Programme as a minimum requirement of the Capital Strategy, and that the programme aligns with the Council’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.

To consider the report of the Finance Group Manager (enclosed)

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

1.    That the capital prudential indicators and limits for 2023/24 to 2027/28 be approved.

2.    That the Treasury Management Strategy for 2023/24 to 2027/28 and the treasury prudential indicators be approved.

3.    That the Investment Strategy for 2023/24 be approved.

4.    That the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement for 2023/24 be approved.

Reasons:

1.    The Local Government Act 2003 and supporting regulations requires the Council to “have regard to” the CIPFA Prudential Code and the CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice to set Prudential and Treasury Indicators for the next three years to ensure that the Council’s capital investment plans are affordable, prudent, and sustainable.

2.    The Act requires the Council to set out its treasury strategy for borrowing and to prepare an Annual Investment Strategy. This covers the Council’s criteria for choosing investment counterparties and limiting exposure to the risk of loss.

3.    The Act also requires the Council to undertake an annual review of its policy for calculating the minimum revenue provision (MRP) for repayment of external debt.

Considered – Report of the Finance Group Manager.

Other options considered: None. The approval of the Treasury Management Strategy and prudential indicators is a statutory requirement.

Cllr. Maggie Wright thanked the Finance Group Manager for the detailed report.

To consider the report of the Accountancy Services Manager (enclosed).

DECISION

That the Schedule of Charges for 2023/24 be approved.

Reason:

To ensure that the fees and charges for 2023/24 are formally set and approved.

Considered – Report of the Interim Accountancy Services Manager, presented by the Finance Group Manager.

Other options considered: Not to review the fees and charges. However, it is considered appropriate that, where possible, charges should be set at a level necessary to achieve full cost recovery.

To consider the report of the Executive Director (S151 Officer) (enclosed)

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

1.    To have regard to the comments of the Executive Director (Section 151 Officer) in paragraph 4.7 of the report in respect of the requirements of the Local Government Finance Act 2003.

2.    That the 2023/24 General Fund Revenue Account net expenditure budget of £14.665m be approved.

3.    That delegated authority is given to the S151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to make amendments to the Budget prior to the commencement of the financial year should it be necessary.

Reasons:

1.    It is a requirement for the Cabinet Executive and Council to take into account the requirements of the Local Government Finance Act 2003 in relation to the robustness of the budget and the adequacy of reserves.

2.    Cabinet and Council are required to consider and approve the General Fund Revenue Account budget proposals in order to set the budget and Council Tax for the forthcoming financial year

3.    Delegated authority is sought in order to make any amendments to the Budget should any new information become available following approval by full Council.

Considered – Report of the Executive Director (Section 151 Officer).

Other options considered: None – The Council is required to set its budgetary requirement and for the Council to consider the opinion of the Executive Director (S151 Officer) as to the robustness of the proposed budget and the levels of reserves and balances being adequate.

To consider the report of the Finance Group Manager (enclosed)

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

1.    The Council Tax Requirement for 2023/24 be set at £6,311,930.

2.    The District Council Band D Council Tax be set at £183.65, reflecting an increase of 2.99% (£5.33), all other bands being determined in accordance with the relevant Sections of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended.

3.    The precepts and Band D Council Tax for Leicestershire County Council*, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), the Combined Fire Authority, and the various Parish Councils within the District, be determined as set out in the following report, with all other bands being determined in accordance with the relevant Sections of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended.

* Subject to the meeting of Leicestershire County Council to be held on 22nd February 2023.

Reason:

The Council is statutorily required to determine its own Council Tax Requirement and to determine the Council Tax for the 2023/24 financial year, after considering precepts set by the other preceptors.

Considered – Report of the Finance Group Manager.

Other options considered: None – the setting of the Council Tax Requirement is a statutory requirement, and changes to Council Tax Support and discretionary liability must be approved by Full Council.