Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Andrews, Bailey, Mrs Hodgson and Mrs Keal.

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 by Standards for England in relation to prejudicial interests and setting the Council’s annual budget.

Councillor Arnold declared a personal interest in item 8(1) Motions on Notice Submitted Pursuant to Council Procedure Rule 11 (Part 4) of the Council Constitution as he works in the forestry industry.

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

The following announcements were made:

(a)     The Chairman reported that he had given a talk at Malton School in connection with his chosen charities, particularly relating to the donation of stem cells and bone marrow.

(b)     The Chairman reported that it was normal practice for the Chairman of Council to host a dinner for the purpose of raising funds for the Chairman’s charities.  Members of Council were invited to attend the dinner, tickets were approximately £25 per head.  The Chairman requested Members to indicate their interest in attending such an event.  As the majority of Members present at the meeting indicated their support for the dinner, the Chairman reported that arrangements would be put in place.

(c)     The Chairman reported receipt of a paper, provided by Sheila Miller, titled “The Importance of Being Sceptical: Local concerns for health services should not be ignored”.  The Chairman reported that the paper would be published on the Council’s website.

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

With reference to Minute No. 49 (Financial Strategy 2011/2012) of the Special Policy & Resources Committee (Budget) held on 3 February 2011 (copy attached), Councillor Wainwright, Chairman of the Policy & Resources Committee, will move:-

I           Budget 2011/2012

            That the revised revenue estimates for the year 2010/2011 and the revenue estimates for 2011/2012, as submitted in the Council’s Financial Strategy and Revenue Budget 2011/2012 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 2011/12 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 2011/12 in accordance with sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (The Act):

            (a)       District/Parish Gross Expenditure

                        £35,473.996 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

                        £27,420,300 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

                        £8,053,696 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 £3,650,790 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)

                        £209.44 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  ...  view the full agenda text for item 85.

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 49 of the Policy & Resources Budget Meeting held on 3 February 2011, 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 Knaggs, Leader of the Council, that the recommendations (i) to (v) in minute no. 49 (Financial Strategy 2010/2011) of the Budget Policy & Resources Committee meeting held on 3 February 2011 be approved and adopted, together with the adoption of the budget recommendation under paragraph roman numeral 1 of item 6 on the agenda.

         An amendment was moved by Councillor Mrs Arnold and seconded by Councillor Mrs Cowling “That in the light of the budget predictions for 2012/2013 and beyond a review of the costs associated with the Chairman and Vice Chairman be undertaken and considered by the Policy & Resources Committee at its meeting on the 23 June 2011 and if necessary Full Council”.

         Upon being put to the vote the amendment was carried.

         An amendment was moved by Councillor Clark and seconded by Councillor Woodward that the recommendation in the minutes of the Policy & Resources Committee of the 3 February 2011 be amended by the addition to part (iv) of the resolution of the words ‘back office’ between the words ‘shared’ and ‘service’.  Upon being put to the vote the amendment was lost.

         An amendment was moved by Councillor Clark and seconded by Councillor Woodward that the recommendation in the minutes of the Policy & Resources Committee held on 3 February 2011 be amended so that the existing part (iv) becomes part (a) and part (b) be added as follows:

          (b)     Requests officers to provide options to reduce the 2012/13 Revenue Budget including:

·          Tourism budget by £100,000

·          Grants breakdown

·          Others

                   This to be provided as early in the year as possible so as to enable consultation and gradual introduction of any savings.

          Upon being put to the vote the amendment was lost.

          Upon being put to the vote, the substantive motion as amended was carried.

          Resolved

          That Council approves:

(a)     (i)      The Council’s Financial Strategy, detailed at Annex A of the report to the Special Policy & Resources Committee (Budget) meeting held on 3 February 2011, which includes:-

                           (a)    The prudential indicators

                           (b)    The revised Capital Programme

                           (c)     Savings/additional income totalling £1,127k

                           (d)    Investment in priorities of £80,000

                   (ii)    A Revenue Budget for 2011/2012 of £7,365,930, which represents no increase in the Ryedale District Council Tax of £176.72 for a Band D property (note that total Council Tax, including the County Council, Fire and Police is covered within the separate Council Tax setting report)

                   (iii)   The Special Expenses amounting to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 85.

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 2011/12.

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 Annual Investment Strategy was 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 in 2011/12.  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 category..

The suggested strategies for 2011/12 were based on advice from the Council’s treasury advisors, Sector Treasury Services Limited.

         Resolved

         (a)    That the report be received

         (b)    That the Treasury Management and Investment Strategies be noted and approved

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

1.    It will be moved by Councillor Clark and seconded by Councillor Woodward that this Council resolves:

       “That Ryedale District Council opposes the ConDem Government’s proposals to sell off the English forests.  The forests are a valuable asset that is for the use by and the benefit of the public.  Any such sale would put at risk woodland in Ryedale.  Ryedale District Council calls upon the Government to:

       (i)      Halt the waste of money on the consultation

       (ii)     Abandon the sale of any forestry land.

2.    It will be moved by Councillor Clark and seconded by Councillor Woodward:

       “That in view of the following:

       (i)      The statement by the Governor of the Bank of England that ‘the standard of living is falling faster than at any time for 80 years’.

       (ii)     The ConDem Government’s commitment that although there would be a zero increase in Local Government pay, that those under £21,000 should receive an increase of £250/year.

       This Council resolves that:

       Ryedale District Council will pay each employee paid less than £21,000 FTE a one-off payment of £250.

       This money will not be a pay increase for pension and other calculations.  It will not be part of the base salary for future increases.  The new Council will then be in a position to review the situation in future years as circumstances change.

       The payment to be made in March 2012 and in proportion to any leavers.

       If the national pay negotiations produce the £250 then the above will not apply.

1.    It was moved by Councillor Clark and seconded by Councillor Woodward that this Council resolves:

       “That Ryedale District Council opposes the ConDem Government’s proposals to sell off the English forests.  The forests are a valuable asset that is for the use by and the benefit of the public.  Any such sale would put at risk woodland in Ryedale.  Ryedale District Council calls upon the Government to:

       (i)    Halt the waste of money on the consultation

       (ii)   Abandon the sale of any forestry land.

       Following debate the motion was withdrawn.

2.    It was moved by Councillor Clark and seconded by Councillor Woodward:

       “That in view of the following:

       (i)    The statement by the Governor of the Bank of England that ‘the standard of living is falling faster than at any time for 80 years’

       (ii)   The ConDem Government’s commitment that although there would be a zero increase in Local Government pay, that those under £21,000 should receive an increase of £250/year.

       This Council resolves that:

Ryedale District Council will pay each employee paid less than £21,000 FTE a one-off payment of £250.

This money will not be a pay increase for pension and other calculations.  It will not be part of the base salary for future increases.  The new Council will than be in a position to review the situation in future years as circumstances change.

The payment to be made in March 2012 and in proportion to any leavers.

If the national pay negotiations produce the £250 then the above will not apply.

Members requested that a recorded vote be taken.

Recorded Vote

For the Motion:

Councillors Clark, Mrs Cowan and Woodward (3)

Against the Motion:

Councillors Acomb, Arnold, Mrs Arnold, Mrs Burr, Cottam, Mrs Cowling, Cussons, Mrs De Wend Fenton, Mrs Frank, Hawkins, Hope, Keal, Knaggs, Legard, Maud, Raper, Mrs Shields, Spencer, Wainwright, Ms Warriner, Mrs Wilford and Windress (22)

Abstention

Councillor Hemesley (1)

The motion was, therefore, lost.

The meeting closed at 8.15 pm.