Agenda, decisions and minutes
Venue: C1, 1st Floor, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG
Contact: Matthew Mannion, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4651, E-mail: matthew.mannion@towerhamlets.gov.uk
Media
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APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE To receive any apologies for absence. Additional documents: Minutes: Apologies for absence were received on behalf of: · Councillor Amina Ali, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing · Councillor David Edgar, Cabinet Member for Environment · Debbie Jones, Corporate Director, Children and Culture for whom Christine McInnes, Divisional Director, Education and Partnerships was deputising.
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DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS PDF 117 KB To note any declarations of interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992. See attached note from the Monitoring Officer.
Additional documents: Minutes: There were no Declarations of Disclosable Pecuniary Interest.
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UNRESTRICTED MINUTES PDF 261 KB The unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 18 December 2019 are presented for approval.
Additional documents: Minutes: RESOLVED
1. That the unrestricted minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday 18 December 2019 be approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record of proceedings.
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ANNOUNCEMENTS (if any) FROM THE MAYOR Additional documents: Minutes: There were no announcements.
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OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE Additional documents: |
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Chair's Advice of Key Issues or Questions Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) to report on any issues raised by the OSC in relation to unrestricted business to be considered.
Additional documents: Minutes: Councillor James King, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee provided Cabinet with a brief update on Scrutiny’s work and its plans to review the Mayor’s draft budget proposals. The Committee had circulated a number of technical questions in relation to the budget which would help their deliberations at their upcoming meeting.
He also highlighted a number of questions in respect of the Fees and Charges report on the agenda in particular around whether the equalities impact assessments were properly looking at the overall impact of the changes rather than just each individual fees increase and also whether increases were being looked at generally to ensure they did not adversely impact the most vulnerable.
The Mayor thanked him for the update and agreed to continue these discussions with Overview and Scrutiny.
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Any Unrestricted Decisions "Called in" by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Under provisions of Article 6 Para 6.02 V of the Constitution). Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items.
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Mayor's Foreword to the Council's Budget Report PDF 302 KB Additional documents: Decision: DECISION
1. To note the Mayor’s Foreword to the Council’s Budget.
Minutes: The Mayor introduced his Foreword to the budget. He highlighted the national and local context for the budget with significant reductions in government financial support whilst the Council was also experiencing large increases in demand for services, especially in adult and children’s social care.
However, the budget also set out many areas where the Council was bringing big improvements in support to residents and was succeeding in delivering his manifesto commitments.
RESOLVED
1. To note the Mayor’s Foreword to the Council’s Budget.
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The Council’s 2020-21 Budget Report and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-23 PDF 455 KB Additional documents:
Decision: DECISION
1. To propose a draft General Fund Revenue Funding Requirement of £352.846m subject to any changes arising from the technical consultation and the final Local Government Finance Settlement.
2. To propose a Band D Council Tax of £1,060.35 for 2020-21 to be referred to Full Council for consideration.
3. To agree the proposal of an average housing rent increase of 2.7% based on the September 2019 Consumer Price Index plus 1% to take effect from the first rent week of April 2020. This equates to an average rent increase of £2.94 per week for 2020-21.
4. To agree the proposal that the average weekly housing tenanted service charge will increase by 2.7% from the first rent week in April 2020. This is consistent with the new Social Housing rent standard rent policy and will lead to an average weekly increase in tenanted service charges of approximately £0.23.
5. To agree the proposal that the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme be recommended to Council for consideration, recommending that Council agrees no changes to the current Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2020-21.
6. To note the following:
The General Fund revenue budget for 2020-21 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-21 to 2022-23 The initial budget proposals and Council Tax for 2020-21 together with the Medium Term Financial Strategy set out in Appendix 1
Budget Consultation The outcome of consultation with business ratepayers, residents and other stakeholders as set out in Section 3.13 and Appendix 6
Funding The funding available for 2020-21 and the indications and forecasts for future years as set out in Section 3.4.
Growth and Inflation The risks identified from the potential growth and inflation commitments arising in 2020-21 and future years as set out in Section 3.5 & Appendix 3.
Savings New proposed saving items to be delivered in 2020-23 as set out in Section 3.6 and Appendix 4 of the report.
Financial Risks: Reserves and Contingencies The strategic budget risks and opportunities as set out in Section 3.7.
Reserves The reserves policy and proposed approach to the strategic use of reserves as set out in Section 3.8.
Schools Funding The position for schools’ funding including the Dedicated Schools Budget as set out in Section 3.9.
Housing Revenue Account The proposals for Housing Rent and Tenanted Service Charge Setting 2020-21 are set out in Section 3.10.
7. To note the Equalities Impact Assessment and specific equalities considerations as set out in Section 4 of the report.
Action by: CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (N. MURTON) (Divisional Director, Finance, Procurement and Audit (K. Bartle)
Minutes: Councillor Candida Ronald, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Voluntary Sector, introduced the Council’s draft budget proposals. In particular she highlighted the responses to the Council’s budget consultation exercise and how those had been taken account of when drafting the budget proposals.
Members discussed the report and noted a number of issues including: · The importance of working with Scrutiny especially on the best timing for engagement. · The importance of clarity on who was responsible for cross-directorate savings proposals. · The continued need for affordable housing. · How the budget built on the Good OFSTED rating of Children’s Social Care looking to improve the life chances of young people. · The continued support for skills training for all age groups. · The need to provide safe, secure communities and to invest in the future. · That the Council Tax Reduction Scheme was unchanged. · The level of Reserves was noted.
The Mayor welcomed the report. He thanked officers and Members for their hard work in putting the budget together and the improvements to services that had been secured. He then agreed the report explaining that it would now be presented to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their views. Submissions would be considered at the Cabinet meeting on 29 January before the final budget proposals were agreed and submitted to Council.
RESOLVED
1. To propose a draft General Fund Revenue Funding Requirement of £352.846m subject to any changes arising from the technical consultation and the final Local Government Finance Settlement.
2. To propose a Band D Council Tax of £1,060.35 for 2020-21 to be referred to Full Council for consideration.
3. To agree the proposal of an average housing rent increase of 2.7% based on the September 2019 Consumer Price Index plus 1% to take effect from the first rent week of April 2020. This equates to an average rent increase of £2.94 per week for 2020-21.
4. To agree the proposal that the average weekly housing tenanted service charge will increase by 2.7% from the first rent week in April 2020. This is consistent with the new Social Housing rent standard rent policy and will lead to an average weekly increase in tenanted service charges of approximately £0.23.
5. To agree the proposal that the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme be recommended to Council for consideration, recommending that Council agrees no changes to the current Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2020-21.
6. To note the following:
The General Fund revenue budget for 2020-21 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-21 to 2022-23 The initial budget proposals and Council Tax for 2020-21 together with the Medium Term Financial Strategy set out in Appendix 1
Budget Consultation The outcome of consultation with business ratepayers, residents and other stakeholders as set out in Section 3.13 and Appendix 6
Funding The funding available for 2020-21 and the indications and forecasts for future years as set out in Section 3.4.
Growth and Inflation The risks identified from the potential growth and inflation commitments arising in 2020-21 and future years as set ... view the full minutes text for item 6.2 |
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Fees & Charges 2020-21 PDF 427 KB Additional documents:
Decision: DECISION
1. To approve the proposed increase to discretionary fees and charges by a minimum of CPI (1.7%) or RPI (2.6%) rounded up to the nearest 5p, 10p etc., with effect from 1st April 2020
2. To approve proposed increases above CPI 1.7% for the following areas; § Arts and Music § Parental Engagement and Support § Sports & Physical Activity § Parking § Street Trading § Environmental Commercial Services § Strategic Planning - CADAP § Development Management - Pre-application advice § Registration of Births, Deaths & Marriages - Marriage & Civil Partnership § Idea Stores Learning - Skills Funding Agency contract: non-accredited ESOL courses funded through Adult Community Learning grant
3. To approve New Charges proposed in the following areas; § Sports & Physical Activity § Environmental Commercial Services - HMO Licensing and Animal Welfare § Strategic Planning - New Tower Hamlets Local Plan § Development Management - Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) § Academies - charges for conversions
4. To note the detailed list of proposed changes within
Health, Adults & Community as set out in Section 3.2 and Appendix 1 to the report.
Children & Culture as set out in Section 3.3 and Appendix 2 to the report.
Place as set out in Section 3.4 and Appendix 3 to the report.
Governance as set out in Section 3.5 and Appendix 4 to the report.
Resources as set out in Section 3.6 and Appendix 5 to the report.
5. To note the revised Statutory fees and charges as set out in Appendix 6 to the report with effect from 1st April 2020.
Action by: CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (N. MURTON) (Divisional Director, Finance, Procurement and Audit (K. Bartle)
Minutes: Councillor Candida Ronald, Cabinet Member for Resources and the Voluntary Sector, introduced the report. She highlighted that the report set out clearly all the fees and charges and their proposed rates, including where those rates were being increased. Individual Cabinet Members had reviewed the proposals with the relevant Corporate Directors.
During discussion the Mayor noted the questions about the timing of the inflation calculation and on the overall equalities impact of the changes proposed. He noted that the report contained equalities information but he proposed that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee should review this area as part of its work programme in the coming year and he would welcome any proposals they had arising from that. On that basis he agreed the recommendations.
RESOLVED
1. To approve the proposed increase to discretionary fees and charges by a minimum of CPI (1.7%) or RPI (2.6%) rounded up to the nearest 5p, 10p etc., with effect from 1st April 2020
2. To approve proposed increases above CPI 1.7% for the following areas; § Arts and Music § Parental Engagement and Support § Sports & Physical Activity § Parking § Street Trading § Environmental Commercial Services § Strategic Planning - CADAP § Development Management - Pre-application advice § Registration of Births, Deaths & Marriages - Marriage & Civil Partnership § Idea Stores Learning - Skills Funding Agency contract: non-accredited ESOL courses funded through Adult Community Learning grant
3. To approve New Charges proposed in the following areas; § Sports & Physical Activity § Environmental Commercial Services - HMO Licensing and Animal Welfare § Strategic Planning - New Tower Hamlets Local Plan § Development Management - Planning Performance Agreement (PPA) § Academies - charges for conversions
4. To note the detailed list of proposed changes within
Health, Adults & Community as set out in Section 3.2 and Appendix 1 to the report.
Children & Culture as set out in Section 3.3 and Appendix 2 to the report.
Place as set out in Section 3.4 and Appendix 3 to the report.
Governance as set out in Section 3.5 and Appendix 4 to the report.
Resources as set out in Section 3.6 and Appendix 5 to the report.
5. To note the revised Statutory fees and charges as set out in Appendix 6 to the report with effect from 1st April 2020.
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Calculation of Council Tax Base 2020-21 PDF 259 KB Additional documents: Decision: DECISION
1. To approve, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 2012, that the amount calculated by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets as its Council Tax Base for the year 2020-21 shall be 102,266.
Action by: CORPORATE DIRECTOR, RESOURCES (N. MURTON) (Divisional Director, Finance, Procurement and Audit (K. Bartle)
Minutes: The Mayor introduced the report. He noted the phenomenal growth rate in the Borough over recent years and how it was likely to continue in the near future as well. He agreed the recommendation as set out.
RESOLVED
1. To approve, in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) Regulations 2012, that the amount calculated by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets as its Council Tax Base for the year 2020-21 shall be 102,266.
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ANY OTHER UNRESTRICTED BUSINESS CONSIDERED TO BE URGENT Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items.
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EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC Should the Mayor in Cabinet consider it necessary, it is recommended that the following motion be adopted to allow consideration of any exempt/restricted documents.
“That, under the provisions of Section 100A of the Local Government Act, 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act, 1985, the Press and Public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting for the consideration of the Section Two business on the grounds that it contains information defined as Exempt in Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government, Act 1972”.
EXEMPT/CONFIDENTIAL SECTION (PINK)
Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items.
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EXEMPT / CONFIDENTIAL MINUTES The exempt / confidential minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on xxxxxx are presented for approval. Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items.
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OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE Additional documents: |
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Chair's Advice of Key Issues or Questions in Relation to Exempt / Confidential Business Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) to report on any issues raised by the OSC in relation to exempt/confidential business to be considered.
Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items.
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Any Exempt / Confidential Decisions "Called in" by the Overview & Scrutiny Committee (Under provisions of Article 6 Para 6.02 V of the Constitution). Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items.
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ANY OTHER EXEMPT/ CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS CONSIDERED TO BE URGENT Additional documents: Minutes: Nil items.
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