To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2025 (enclosed).

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2025, as circulated, were approved and signed as a 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).

To consider the report of the Health, Leisure and Tourism Service Manager (enclosed).

DECISIONS

1.    That the achievements of the previous Tourism Growth Plan be acknowledged.

2.    That the Tourism Growth Plan 2025-2030 and associated Action Plan be approved.

Reasons:

1.    To maximise the local growth opportunity for Tourism and to support economic growth in this area.

2.    To provide the appropriate level of resources to deliver the Tourism Growth Plan & Action Plan.

Considered – Report of the Health, Leisure & Tourism Service Manager.

Other Options Considered:

Not to develop a Blaby District Tourism Growth Plan – this option is rejected as it would not develop our local Tourism sector or maximise the growth opportunity.

DECISION

That Cabinet Executive considers the comments and recommendations of Scrutiny Commission in respect of the draft 2025/26 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. Nick Brown – Chairman of the Scrutiny Commission.

Other Options Considered:

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

Cllr. Nick Brown thanked Members and Officers for their hard work.

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

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

DECISIONS

1.    That the financial performance against the budget for the quarter ending 31st December 2024 be accepted.

2.    That the forecast contribution as set out in paragraph 4.7 of the report of £31,682 to General Fund balances be approved.

3.    That additional resource requirement for 2024/25 as set out in paragraph 4.5 of the report be approved.

Reasons:

1.    It is good practice that Members have oversight of the Council’s financial performance at regular points during the financial year.

2.    To recognise movements in the call on reserves and balances to date, along with potential variances in establishment costs and key income streams that may arise between now and the end of the financial year.

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

Other Options Considered: None.

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

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

1.    That the report be accepted.

2.    That the latest Capital Programme for 2024/25, totalling £9,898,960, be accepted.

Reasons:

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

2.    To reflect additions or other changes to the Capital Programme that have occurred in the 3rd quarter of the year.

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

Other Options Considered: None.

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

DECISION

That the latest position in respect of treasury activities, and the prudential indicators be accepted.

Reason:

The 2023/24 edition of the Prudential Code added a requirement for quarterly reporting of treasury management activities and prudential indicators. Whilst quarters 1 and 3 do not need to be formally reported to full Council, there is an implicit understanding that they should be adequately scrutinised by Cabinet Executive.

Considered - Report of the Finance Group Manager.

Other Options Considered:

None, this report is a requirement of the 2024/25 Prudential Code.

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

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

1.    That the 5 Year Capital Programme for 2025/26 to 2029/30, set out at Appendix A of the report, be approved.

2.    That the application of capital resources of £1,422,512 for 2025/26, including a borrowing requirement of £680,012, be approved.

3.    That the Capital Strategy 2025/26 to 2029/30 be approved.

Reasons:

1.    To obtain approval for the proposed level of capital expenditure in 2025/26 and the suggested method of financing that expenditure.

2.    To provide a longer-term forecast of capital expenditure and financing requirements for the period 2025/26 to 2029/30.

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 2025/26 to 2029/30 be approved.

2.    That the Treasury Management Strategy for 2025/26 and the treasury prudential indicators be approved.

3.    That the Investment Strategy for 2025/26 be approved.

4.    That the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement for 2025/26 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.

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

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COUNCIL

1.    The Council Tax Requirement for 2025/26 be set at £6,754,058.

2.    *The District Council Band D Council Tax be set at £194.79, reflecting an increase of 2.99% (£5.65), 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 report, with all other bands being determined in accordance with the relevant Sections of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended.

*Subject to consideration of feedback following the end of the public consultation period at 11.45pm on Sunday 23rd February 2025.

**Subject to the meeting of Leicestershire County Council to be held on 19th February 2025.

Reasons:

The Council is statutorily required to determine its own Council Tax Requirement and to determine the Council Tax for the 2025/26 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.

To consider the report of the Executive Director (S.151 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 2025/26 General Fund Revenue Account net expenditure budget of £15.407m be approved.

3.    That the increase of the General Fund Reserve level held to 45% of the net budgeted revenue expenditure be approved.

4.    That delegated authority be given to the S151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder to make minor amendments to the Budget 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.    It is appropriate to review the General Fund Balance upper limit parameters given the financial uncertainty and the Council’s reserve levels.

4.    Minor amendments to the budget may become necessary prior to the commencement of the year in April, it is therefore appropriate to give delegated authority to allow these to be reflected in the budget.

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

Other Options Considered:

No other options have been considered – 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.