Agenda and minutes

Councillors observed a minute’s silence as a mark of respect in memory of the late Councillor David Jackson, who sadly passed away on the 11 February 2010.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Mrs Frank, Knaggs and Legard.

There were no public questions.

To receive notice of any urgent business which the Chairman considers should be dealt with at the meeting as a matter of urgency by virtue of Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The Chairman reported that there were no items of urgent business to be considered by virtue of Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

Members to indicate whether they will be declaring any interests under the Code of Conduct.

Members making a declaration of interest at a meeting of a Committee or Council are required to disclose the existence and nature of that interest.  This requirement is not discharged by merely declaring a personal interest without further explanation.

In relation to prejudicial interests and setting the Council’s annual budget, Members are advised that they have the benefit of an exemption regarding prejudicial interest under paragraph 10(2)(c)(vi) of the Members’ Code of Conduct.  This provides that a Member does not have a prejudicial interest in any business of the authority where that business relates to the functions of and I quote “setting the Council Tax or a precept under the Local Government Finance Act 1992”.

Guidance from the Standards Board is that the exemption covers Members for most Council budget-setting meetings which do not actually involve a decision to consider whether to hand over money, usually in the form of grants, for organisations that form one or more of the Member’s personal interests and for which specific budgetary provision has been made, or is being made.

Therefore, in relation to Members who are on outside bodies, Members are advised that just setting aside money in an annual budget for an organisation is a function that relates to setting Council Tax and so qualifies for the exemption.

No Member has a prejudicial interest in motions, which call on Members to adopt the budget with details, which are set out in an officer report.  These general motions are clearly part of the Council Tax-setting process.

The Chairman sought declarations of interest from Members.  Attention was drawn to the additional advice, which had been provided in relation to prejudicial interests and setting the Council’s annual budget.

There were no declarations of interest received.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman and/or the Head of Paid Service

The Chairman announced that a concert was to given by the York Gospel Choir on Saturday 27 March 2010 at the Methodist Church, Saville Street, Malton.  Tickets cost £8.00 and proceeds were in aid of her Chairman’s Charities.

Annex A and Annex B are attached, Annex C is to follow

With reference to Minute No. 66 (Financial Strategy 2010/2011) of the Special Policy & Resources Committee (Budget) held on 4 February 2010 (copy attached), Councillor Wainwright, Chairman of the Policy & Resources Committee, will move:-

I            Budget 2010/2011

            That the revised revenue estimates for the year 2009/2010 and the revenue estimates for 2010/2011, as submitted in the Council’s Finance Strategy and Revenue Budget 2010/2011 Book be approved (copy enclosed).

II            Council Tax Base

            That it be noted that, in accordance with Minute No. 363(d)/2005 of the Policy & Resources Committee held on 8 December 2005, which was subsequently approved by Council at its meeting on 12 January 2006, Ryedale District Council has (pursuant to Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972) delegated responsibility to adopt the council tax base to the Chief Executive and Chief Finance Officer in consultation with the Chairman of the Policy & Resources Committee.   The Council calculated the amounts for the year 2009/10 in accordance with regulations made under Section 33 (5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 as set out in Annex A.

III            District/Parish Council Tax Rates

            That the following amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2010/11 in accordance with sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (The Act):

            (a)            District/Parish Gross Expenditure

                        £33,319,700 being the aggregate of the amounts, which the Council estimates for the items, set out in Sections 32(2) (a) to (e) of the Act.

            (b)            Income

                        £24,349,180 being the aggregate of the amount, which the Council estimates for the items set out in Sections 32(3)(a) to (c) of the Act.

            (c)            District/Parish Net Expenditure

                        £8,970,520 being the amount by which the aggregate of 2(a) above exceeds the aggregate of 2(b) above calculated by the Council in accordance with section 32(4) of the Act as its Budget requirement for the year.

            (d) Government Grants and Collection Fund Surpluses£4,570,347 being the aggregate of the sums which the Council estimates will be payable for the year into its General Fund in respect of redistributed non-domestic rates, revenue support grant, additional grant or relevant special grant, increased by the amount of the sums which the Council estimates will be transferred in the year from its Collection Fund to its General Fund in accordance with Regulation 4(7) of the Local Government Changes for England (Collection Fund Surpluses and Deficits) Regulations 1995, and reduced by the amount which the Council estimates will be transferred from its General Fund to its Collection Fund pursuant to the Collection Fund (Council Tax Benefit) (England) Direction under Section 98 (5) of the Local Government Act 1988.

            (e)            Basic amount of Tax (including Parish Precepts)

                        £209.61 being the amount of 2(c) above less the amount at 2(d) above, all divided by the amount at Part I above calculated by the Council, in accordance with Section 33 (1) of the Act, as the basic amount of its Council Tax for the year.  ...  view the full agenda text for item 90.

The Chairman of Council reported on the procedure to be adopted in considering the above item.

It was proposed that the item be dealt with in two  separate parts:

(a)    Firstly, consideration of the recommendations in Minute 66 of the Policy & Resources Budget Meeting held on 4 February 2010, together with item 6 paragraph roman numeral I relating to the Council’s revenue budget

(b)   Secondly, item 6 paragraphs roman numerals II to V relating to the requisite calculations and the setting of Council Tax.

1.   It was moved by Councillor Wainwright, Chairman of the Policy & Resources Committee, and seconded by Councillor Mrs Cowling that the recommendations (i) to (iv) in minute no. 66 (Financial Strategy 2010/2011) of the Budget Policy & Resources Committee meeting held on 4 February 2010 be approved and adopted, and the adoption of the budget recommendation under paragraph roman numeral 1 of item 6 on the agenda.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Keal and seconded by Councillor Mrs De Wend Fenton that:

“Savings and efficiencies totalling £298,000 are to be achieved as indicated subject to the withdrawal of the proposed cut in funding of the Festival of Fun.

The move to be funded by:

·        £5000 additional grant income identified in the budget

·        £5000 saved by using reserves from the ICE fund to provide the contribution to North Yorkshire Credit Union

·        A further £3000 saved by Members abandoning the provision of meals or sandwiches before Council meetings in line with the recommendation of the Policy & Resources Committee.

Members requested that a recorded vote be taken on the amendment.

Recorded Vote

In favour of the amendment

Councillors Andrews, Mrs Burr, Clark, Mrs Cowan, Mrs De Wend Fenton, Mrs Hodgson, Mrs Keal, Keal, Maud, Mrs Shields, Ms Warriner, Mrs Wilford, Woodward (13)

Against the amendment

Councillors Acomb, Arnold, Mrs Arnold, Bailey, Cottam, Mrs Cowling, Cussons, Hawkins, Hemesley, Hope, Raper, Wainwright, Windress (13)

Upon the Chairman’s casting vote the amendment was carried.

NB In accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct, Councillors Wainwright and Mrs De Wend Fenton declared personal interests in the above item as trustees of Ryedale Voluntary Action.  Councillor Mrs Wilford declared a personal interest as her husband is in charge of the Brooklyn Centre, and Councillors Clark and Mrs Arnold declared personal interests as members of the North Yorkshire County Council. 

An amendment was moved by Councillor Clark and seconded by Councillor Woodward that the Leader of the Council’s allowance of £3000 be deleted.

Upon being put to the vote the amendment was lost.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Clark and seconded by Councillor Woodward to:

·        reduce the Chairman’s allowance by £5820

·        reduce Chairman’s travel by £5000

·        delete the Vice Chairman’s allowance of £1180

·        delete Civic hospitality of £3850,

resulting in savings of £15,800.

Members requested that a recorded vote be taken on the proposed amendment.

Recorded vote

In favour of the amendment

Councillors Clark, Mrs Cowan and Woodward (3)

Against the amendment

Councillors Acomb, Andrews, Arnold, Mrs Arnold, Bailey, Mrs Burr, Cottam, Mrs  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.

The Corporate Director (s151) submitted a report, the purpose of which was to consider the Treasury Management and Annual Investment Strategies, the Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and set the Prudential Indicators for 2010/11.

The CIPFA Code stated that Members would receive reports on its Treasury Management Policies, practices and activities at intervals, to include quarterly statements and an annual strategy together with an annual post year review.  The Code had recently been reviewed and the changes for Members to consider for adoption were shown in the report.

The Local Government Act 2003 introduced legislation governing capital investment decisions, emphasis was now placed on Local Authority self regulation, which was governed by the 2003 Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities.

The Prudential Code regulated the manner in which capital spending plans were to be considered and approved, and in conjunction with this, the development of an integrated Treasury Management Strategy.  The Council was required to set a number of Prudential Indicators, and these were to be considered when determining the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy.

The Treasury Management Strategy Statement detailed the expected activities of the Treasury function in the forthcoming financial year.  Its production and submission to the Council was a requirement of the Code.

The Local Government Act 2003 also required authorities to produce an Annual Investment Strategy, to be approved by Council. The Strategy to set out the Council’s policies for the prudent management of its investments including the security and liquidity of those investments.  It detailed the specified and non-specified investment instruments to be used by the Council and any fund manager in 2010/11.  Approval was also sought for the specified use of credit ratings and the maximum periods for which funds may be prudently committed in each asset.

The suggested strategies for 2010/11 were based on advice from the Council’s treasury advisors, Sector Treasury Services Limited.

         Resolved

         (a) That the report be received

         (b) That the revised CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice as outlined in Annex B to the report be noted and approved

         (c) That the Treasury Management and Investment Strategies be noted

         (d) That the Prudential Indicators, as set out in Annex F to the report, be approved.

The meeting closed at 9.10pm.