To consider the record of decision setting out the Executive Lead for Business’ formal response to the Council’s objections to the current Corporate Plan in respect of connections.

Further to the adjourned meeting of the Council held on 11 February 2016, Members considered the Record of Decision setting out the Executive Lead for Business’ response to the objections raised by the Council on the current Corporate Plan in relation to face to face customer service presence.

It was proposed by Councillor Haddock and seconded by Councillor Morris:

that the Council be recommended to revise the current Corporate Plan under ‘Use reducing resources to best affect’ as set out below (changes shown in bold text):

‘Use reducing resources to best effect

Thinking for the future

We will continue to ensure we are working to maximise efficiencies, ensuring every pound and every hour of work is well spent but the scale of the budget gap means this alone will not be enough. Therefore we will need to think and act differently:

·         We may stop providing some services.

Including reducing the Connections Service in Torquay and Brixham, but maintaining an appointments system for face to face customer service presence for one day per week in Brixham and Torquay libraries,  with any further changes made to the locations of face to face customer service being determined by Full Council.’

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Lewis and seconded by Councillor Stocks:

that the Council be recommended to revise the current Corporate Plan under ‘Use reducing resources to best affect’ as set out below (changes shown bold):

‘Use reducing resources to best effect

Thinking for the future

We will continue to ensure we are working to maximise efficiencies, ensuring every pound and every hour of work is well spent but the scale of the budget gap means this alone will not be enough. Therefore we will need to think and act differently:

·         We may stop providing some services.

Including reducing the Connections Service in Torquay and Brixham, but maintaining an appointments system for face to face customer service presence for one day per week in Brixham and Torquay libraries, with any further changes made to the locations of face to face customer service key services protecting our vulnerable residents, for example Connections, being determined by Full Council.

·         The Council will maintain a face-to-face customer service presence in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham and before any change is made a report be presented to Council for approval.’

At the request of the Chairman, a recorded vote was taken on the amendment.  The voting was taken by roll call as follows:  For:  Councillors Barnby, Bent, Bye, Carter, Cunningham, Darling (M), Darling (S), Doggett, Ellery, Hill, Kingscote, Lewis, Morey, O’Dwyer, Robson, Sanders, Stockman, Stocks, Stringer, Sykes, Thomas (D), Thomas (J), Tolchard, Tyerman and Winfield (25);  Against:  Councillors Amil, Brooks, Excell, Haddock, King, Lang, Manning, Mills, Morris, Parrott and Stubley (11);  Absent:  Mayor Oliver (1).  Therefore, as more than two-thirds of Members present and voting had cast their vote in support of the amendment it was declared carried.

The substantive motion was then before Members for consideration. 

At the request of the Chairman, a recorded vote was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 141

To consider the final recommendations of the Mayor on the Capital Plan Budget proposals for 2016/2017 to 2019/2020.  Included in this report are the following documents:

·       Capital Plan Update – Quarter 3 2015/2016

·       Capital Strategy

·       Asset Management Plan

·       Record of Decision setting out the Mayor’s response to the Council’s objections to the Capital Plan Budget 2016/2017 (to follow)

See pages 89 to 174 - http://www.torbay.gov.uk/DemocraticServices/documents/b13117/Revenue%20and%20Capital%20Plan%20Budget%20201617%20Thursday%2011-Feb-2016%2017.30%20Council.pdf?T=9

The Council considered the final Capital Plan Budget proposals of the Mayor (as set out in the Mayor’s Record of Decision dated 19 February 2016), which he had put forward following his consideration of the objections that were made by the Council at its adjourned meeting on 11 February 2016.

In accordance with legislation, the Chairman advised recorded votes would be taken on the motion and amendments.

It was proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Councillor Mills:

(i)         that the latest position for the Council’s Capital expenditure and funding for 2015/16 be noted;

(ii)        that 2016/17 Capital Strategy (set out at Appendix 1 of the submitted report) be approved;

(iii)       that prudential borrowing of £10 million for an Investment Fund to enable acquisition of properties for investment purposes to be funded from future rental income be approved.  Criteria for the purchases within the Fund be presented to Council for approval in due course;

(iv)       that prudential borrowing of £3 million for essential capital repair works be approved with the cost of borrowing to be included in future year revenue budgets and that the allocation of the budget be agreed by the Executive Head – Business Services in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer and the Mayor and Group Leaders with the Overview and Scrutiny Co-ordinator being notified in advance of any decisions;

(v)        that prudential borrowing of £0.350 million to upgrade and update the Council’s CCTV equipment be approved with the cost of borrowing to be included in future year revenue budgets offset by any future external contributions and any resulting revenue savings;

(vi)       that prudential borrowing of £1.0 million for an IT Investment Fund for 2016/17 to 2019/20 be approved with the cost of borrowing to be included in future year revenue budgets and that the allocation of the Fund be agreed by Executive Director of Operations and Finance consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, the Executive Head – Customer Services and the Executive Lead for Customer Services;

(vii)      that the reallocation of £0.5m within the existing schools capital allocation to provide two mobile accommodation buildings at Paignton Community Sports Academy be approved to meet an immediate need for pupil places;

(viii)     that the Council will not take up the option in 2016/17 of using capital receipts to fund one off revenue costs of transformation to meet future budget reductions;

(ix)       that, subject to approval of (iii) to (viii) above, the budget forecast for 2016/17 to 2019/20 at Appendix 2 of the submitted report be approved as the Capital Plan;  and

(x)        that the Corporate Asset Management Plan for 2015 – 2019 (as set out in Appendix 4 of the submitted report) be approved.

In accordance with Standing Order A14.4, an amendment was proposed by Councillor Thomas (D) and seconded by Councillor Darling (S):

that the Mayor’s Capital Budget proposals be amended to include:

(i)         that the matrix scoring criteria for capital projects is prepared and presented to the Council for approval at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 143

To consider the final recommendations of the Mayor on the Budget proposals for 2016/2017.  Included in this report are the following documents:

·       Revenue Budget 2016/2017

·       Budget Digest 2016/2017

·       Proposals for service change, income generation and savings 2016/2017

·       Equality Impact Assessments 2016/2017

·       Fees and Charges 2016/2017

·       Review of Reserves 2016/2017

·       Treasury Management Strategy 2016/2017 (incorporating the Annual Investment Strategy 2016/2017 and the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy 2016/2017

·       Revenue Budget Monitoring 2015/2016 – Quarter Three

·       Children’s Financial Plan – Progress Report

·       Record of Decision setting out the Mayor’s response to the Council’s objections to the Revenue Budget 2016/2017 (to follow)

·       Record of Decision setting out the Executive Lead for Business’ response to the Council’s objections to the Revenue Budget 2016/2017 (to follow)

See pages 2 to 88 - http://www.torbay.gov.uk/DemocraticServices/documents/b13117/Revenue%20and%20Capital%20Plan%20Budget%20201617%20Thursday%2011-Feb-2016%2017.30%20Council.pdf?T=9

The Council considered the final Revenue Budget proposals of the Mayor, which he had put forward following his consideration of the objections that were made by the Council at its adjourned meeting on 11 February 2016.

In accordance with legislation, the Chairman advised recorded votes would be taken on the motion and amendments.

It was proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Councillor Mills:

that it be recommended to Council:

(i)         that the net revenue expenditure and council tax requirement for 2016/17 as shown in paragraph 3.3 of the submitted report, that includes the funding raised by the 2% council tax increase specifically for adult social care, be approved;

(ii)        that in relation to (ii) above, Council confirms its commitment (by a statement signed by the Section 151 Officer) to allocate the additional funding raised by the 2% council tax increase to adult social care in 2016/17 and in future years;

(iii)       that the 2016/17 allocation of the revenue budget to services as per the budget digest and the associated fees and charges (both circulated separately) be approved, subject to a revised amount of £744,000 (an increase of £10,000) for Customer Services to be allocated from the Grant Income and Contingencies budget, to enable an appointments system for face to face enquiries one day per week in Council libraries in Torquay and Brixham;

(iv)       that the Dedicated Schools Grant be used in accordance with the nationally laid down Schools Financial Regulations (paragraph 11 of the submitted report) and that the Chief Finance Officer be authorised to make amendments as required when the final figures are confirmed and this authorisation be  included in the officer scheme of delegation;

(v)        that in accordance with the requirement of the Local Government Act 2003, to consider and note the advice given by the Chief Finance Officer with respect to the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the Council’s reserves (paragraph 12 of the submitted report);

(vi)       that Council approve the temporary use of £2.5m from the Insurance Reserve in 2015/16 to fund the projected 2015/16 overspend, which is  to be repaid from the 2016/17 budget;

(vii)      that Council note that Brixham Town Council have yet to set their budget for 2016/17 and this precept, when known, will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes;

(viii)     that, subject to clarification of the acceptance process from DCLG, that Council delegate acceptance of a four year funding settlement for Revenue Support Grant to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Mayor  and Executive Director of Operations and Finance;

(ix)       that, the Review of Reserves 2016/2017 as set out in the submitted report at appendix 3, be approved; and

(x)        that, the Treasury Management Strategy 2016/2017 (incorporating the Annual Investment Strategy 2016/2017 and the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy 2016/2017) as set out in the submitted report at appendix 4 be approved.

In accordance with Standing Order A14.4, an amendment was proposed by Councillor Thomas (D) and seconded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 142

To consider the record of decision setting out the Mayor’s formal response to the Council’s objections to the current Corporate Plan in respect of Libraries.

Further to the adjourned meeting of the Council held on 11 February 2016, Members considered the Record of Decision setting out the Mayor’s response to the objections raised by the Council in respect of the current Corporate Plan in relation to libraries.

It was proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Councillor Morris:

that the Council be recommended to revise the current Corporate Plan under ‘Use reducing resources to best affect’ as set out below (changes shown in bold text):

‘Use reducing resources to best effect

Thinking for the future

We will continue to ensure we are working to maximise efficiencies, ensuring every pound and every hour of work is well spent but the scale of the budget gap means this alone will not be enough. Therefore we will need to think and act differently:

·                We may stop providing some services.

·                Some services will need to be provided differently with greater community support and/or with integrated working with our partners, including reviewing the delivery of libraries whilst maintaining libraries in Torquay, Paignton, Churston and Brixham.’

On being put to the vote, the motion was declared carried.

To consider the recommendations of the Mayor on the Budget proposals for 2016/2017.  Included in this report are the following documents:

·         Revenue Budget 2016/2017

·         Budget Digest 2016/2017

·         Proposals for service change, income generation and savings 2016/2017

·         Equality Impact Assessments 2016/2017

·         Fees and Charges 2016/2017

·         Review of Reserves 2016/2017

·         Treasury Management Strategy 2016/2017 (incorporating the Annual Investment Strategy 2016/2017 and the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy 2016/2017

·         Revenue Budget Monitoring 2015/2016 – Quarter Three

·         Children’s Financial Plan – Progress Report

Further to the meeting of the Council held on 3 February 2016, Members considered the recommendations of the Mayor in relation to the Revenue Budget 2016/17, the Review of Reserves 2016/2017 and the Treasury Management Strategy 2016/2017 as set out in the submitted report.  In addition, the Quarter 3 Revenue Budget Monitoring was noted.

In accordance with legislation, the Chairman advised that recorded votes would be taken on the motion and amendments.

It was proposed by the Mayor and seconded by Councillor Mills:

that it be recommended to Council:

(i)         that the net revenue expenditure and council tax requirement for 2016/17, as shown in paragraph 3.3 of the submitted report, that includes the funding raised by the 2% council tax increase specifically for adult social care, be approved;

(ii)        that in relation to (i) above, Council confirms its commitment (by a statement signed by the Section 151 Officer) to allocate the additional funding raised by the 2% council tax increase to adult social care in 2016/17 and in future years;

(iii)       that the 2016/17 allocation of the revenue budget to services as per the budget digest and the associated fees and charges (both circulated separately) be approved;

(iv)       that the Dedicated Schools Grant be used in accordance with the nationally laid down Schools Financial Regulations (paragraph 11 of the submitted report) and that the Chief Finance Officer be authorised to make amendments as required when the final figures are confirmed and this authorisation be  included in the officer scheme of delegation;

(v)        that in accordance with the requirement of the Local Government Act 2003, to consider and note the advice given by the Chief Finance Officer with respect to the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the Council’s reserves (paragraph 12 of the submitted report);

(vi)       that Council approve the temporary use of £2.5m from the Insurance Reserve in 2015/16 to fund the projected 2015/16 overspend, which is  to be repaid from the 2016/17 budget;

(vii)      that Council note that Brixham Town Council have yet to set their budget for 2016/17 and this precept, when known, will be included as part of the Torbay Council budget for Council Tax setting purposes;

(viii)     that, subject to clarification of the acceptance process from DCLG, that Council delegate acceptance of a four year funding settlement for Revenue Support Grant to the Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Mayor  and Executive Director of Operations and Finance;

(ix)       that, the Review of Reserves 2016/2017, as set out in the submitted report at appendix 3, be approved; and

(x)        that, the Treasury Management Strategy 2016/2017 (incorporating the Annual Investment Strategy 2016/2017 and the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy 2016/2017), as set out in the submitted report at appendix 4, be approved.

(Note:  Prior to consideration of the following two objections, the Mayor declared his pecuniary interest in relation to Connections and withdrew from the meeting.)

In accordance with Standing Order A14.4 an objection was proposed by Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 132

To consider the recommendations of the Mayor on the Budget proposals for 2016/2017.  Included in this report are the following documents:

·         Revenue Budget 2016/2017

·         Budget Digest 2016/2017

·         Proposals for service change, income generation and savings 2016/2017

·         Equality Impact Assessments 2016/2017

·         Fees and Charges 2016/2017

·         Review of Reserves 2016/2017

·         Treasury Management Strategy 2016/2017 (incorporating the Annual Investment Strategy 2016/2017 and the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy 2016/2017

·         Revenue Budget Monitoring 2015/2016 – Quarter Three

·         Children’s Financial Plan – Progress Report

(Note: This item will be deferred for consideration at an adjourned meeting of the Council to be held on Thursday, 11 February 2016.)

At the invitation of the Chairman, the Mayor outlined his budget proposals for 2016/2017.

A copy of the record of decision setting out the recommendations of the Mayor in respect of the revenue budget proposals is attached to these Minutes.

The Chairman advised that in accordance with Standing Orders F2.13 and F3.12 in relation to the Budget and Policy Framework this item was referred to an adjourned meeting of Council to be held on 11 February 2016 to enable full consideration to be given to the implications of the proposals set out in the report circulated on 3 February 2016.

To make recommendations in relation to the Mayor’s proposals for the Revenue and Capital Budget for 2016/2017; taking account of the following documents:

·         Findings to date of the Priorities and Resources Review Panel

·         Further details of the proposed budget for Children’s Services

·         Capital Strategy

·         Asset Management Plan

The Board concluded its Review of Priorities and Resources during which it had received information from the Mayor and his Executive Leads on the rationale for the Mayor’s proposed budget including his proposals for service change, income generation and savings.

At the meeting, the Board received a paper from the Director of Children’s Services which explained how the budget for Children’s Services would be managed in 2016/2017 to ensure that the service delivery costs remained within the proposed financial envelope of £29.0 million.  The Executive Lead for Children’s Services also attended the meeting to give his assurance about the level of budget which was proposed to be set.

The Board was also provided with updates on the proposals in relation to tourism marketing, harbours, car parking and street wardens.

Resolved:  (i)  that the following recommendations be made to the Mayor in relation to his proposed Revenue Budget for 2016/2017:

1.    That the Council become more commercially driven and that it should market itself and its facilities more effectively.

2.    That the Board is confident that the proposed budget for Children’s Services for 2016/2017 is adequate and appreciates that the Director of Children’s Services and the Assistant Director – Children’s Safeguarding concur that it is adequate.  However, the Board still need to see the detail of how it will be achieved and that there is pace of change to ensure that a balanced budget is delivered.  The Board will require an update on the financial position when it considers the progress report on the Improvement Plan and will continue to hold the Executive Lead for Children’s Services and the Director of Children’s Services to account in this regard.

3.    That robust monitoring of the Integrated Care Organisation be established (by 1 April 2016 at the latest) to ensure councillors can satisfy themselves that performance and budget targets are being met.

4.    That, within the next six months, the Torbay Community Development Trust be invited to a future Councillor Conversation to share its outcomes to date and how it aims to become self-sustaining.

5.    That the Council’s enforcement regime, as a whole, be reviewed (over the coming year) to ensure that scarce resources are used to best effect and that possible reputational damage is minimised.

6.    That four street wardens be retained with funding being returned to the base budget.

7.    That the proposal in relation to highways be not implemented and that consideration be given to alternative options for ensuring the long term maintenance of the highway.

8.    That, over the course of the coming year, a review of all of the Council’s assets (including highways) be brought forward to consider how we best use, utilise and maintain them.

9.    That the proposal in relation to the Torbay Coast and Countryside Trust be not implemented.

10. That a review of all of the museums in Torbay be undertaken within the next six months.

11. That a review of how to make a significant reduction in the budget for recreation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46