Agenda, decisions and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil. View directions

Contact: Angela Cox, Democratic Services Specialist - 01935 462148  Email: angela.cox@southsomerset.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

92.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Marcus Barrett, Mike Beech, Anna Groskop, Sarah Lindsay, Sam McAllister, Tiffany Osborne, Crispin Raikes, Garry Shortland, Alan Smith, Gerard Tucker, Linda Vijeh and Colin Winder.

93.

Minutes

To approve and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday, 17th January 2019.

Minutes:

The minutes of the Council meeting held on 17th January 2019, copies of which had been previously circulated, were approved as correct records of the meeting and signed by the Chairman.

 

94.

Declarations of Interest

In accordance with the Council's current Code of Conduct (as amended 26 February 2015), which includes all the provisions relating to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPI), personal and prejudicial interests, Members are asked to declare any DPI and also any personal interests (and whether or not such personal interests are also "prejudicial") in relation to any matter on the Agenda for this meeting.

Members are reminded that they need to declare the fact that they are also a member of a County, Town or Parish Council as a Personal Interest.  Where you are also a member of Somerset County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council within South Somerset you must declare a prejudicial interest in any business on the agenda where there is a financial benefit or gain or advantage to Somerset County Council and/or a Town or Parish Council which would be at the cost or to the financial disadvantage of South Somerset District Council. 

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest made by Members. 

95.

Public Question Time

Minutes:

There were no questions raised by members of the public present.

96.

Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

There were no announcements from the Chairman.

97.

Chairman's Engagements pdf icon PDF 41 KB

Minutes:

The list of Chairman’s engagements were noted.

98.

SSDC Council Plan Update 2019-20 pdf icon PDF 102 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

 

RESOLVED:

That Council:

a)        Agreed the updated Council Plan and key performance indicators for 2019-20;

b)        Noted the detailed milestones and desired outcomes for each Priority Project;

c)        Agreed the Area Chapters;

d)        Agreed the Key Performance Indicators and performance monitoring plan.

Reason:

To agree the adoption of the South Somerset District Council (SSDC) Council Plan 2019-20, together with a revised set of Key Performance Indicators.

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

Minutes:

The Leader of Council introduced the report and thanked officers for their work in producing a user friendly Council Plan which clearly set out the priorities for the following year. 

 

During discussion, the following points were made:-

 

·         The change in the amount of employment land in the Local Plan had been debated at workshops and was the result of extensive consultation and surveys.

·         The Area Chapters could be renamed Area Volumes.

·         Parish Councils were having some difficulty accessing planning applications on the new website and were also having difficulty contacting planning officers.

·         Although regeneration was mentioned in the corporate priorities, they were not mentioned in the Area Chapters.

·         There could be greater emphasis on agriculture and the food industry>.

 

At the conclusion of the debate, Members unanimously confirmed the updated Council Plan and key performance indicators for 2019-20.

 

RESOLVED:

That Council:

a)        agreed the updated Council Plan and key performance indicators for 2019-20;

b)        noted the detailed milestones and desired outcomes for each Priority Project;

c)        agreed the Area Chapters;

d)        agreed the Key Performance Indicators and performance monitoring plan.

Reason:

To agree the adoption of the South Somerset District Council (SSDC) Council Plan 2019-20, together with a revised set of Key Performance Indicators.

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

99.

SSDC Economic Development Strategy (2019 - 2028) pdf icon PDF 93 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

 

RESOLVED:

That Council:

i)       Approved the Economic Development Strategy 2019 – 2028.

 

ii)      Delegated authority to the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Economic Development and Transformation to make any necessary final amendments to the EDS in association with the appropriate Director/s and the Lead Specialist Economy.

 

Reason:

To approve the Economic Development Strategy (EDS) 2019-28 which sets out the vision, key outcomes, priority themes and action plan to deliver economic development over the next ten years.

(Voting: 33 in favour, 10 against, 3 abstentions)

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Environment and Economic Development introduced the report and advised that the strategy was the result of very detailed and informative work and it was a most comprehensive and well evidenced Economic Development Strategy. Funding had been set aside in the budget for the regeneration plans and partnership working was key to their success.

 

In response to a question, the Portfolio Holder for Environment and Economic Development advised that the agri-food sector was mentioned in the strategy and a section on climate change mitigation would also be added.

 

At the conclusion of the debate, the majority of Members were content to approve the Economic Development Strategy 2019 – 2028 and delegate any necessary final amendmentsto the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Economic Development and Transformation with the appropriate Director/s and the Lead Specialist Economy.

 

RESOLVED:

That Council:

i)       Approved the Economic Development Strategy 2019 – 2028.

 

ii)      Delegated authority to the Portfolio Holder for Environment, Economic Development and Transformation to make any necessary final amendments to the EDS in association with the appropriate Director/s and the Lead Specialist Economy.

 

Reason:

To approve the Economic Development Strategy (EDS) 2019-28 which sets out the vision, key outcomes, priority themes and action plan to deliver economic development over the next ten years.

(Voting: 33 in favour, 10 against, 3 abstentions)

100.

2019/20 Revenue and Capital Budgets and Medium Term Financial Plan pdf icon PDF 227 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

 

RESOLVED:

That Council:

(a)    approved the Net Revenue Budget for 2019/20 of £16,197,800, as set out in the Revenue Account Summary (paragraph 46) and in detail in Appendix A for the District Executive and four Area Committees, subject to any final amendments;

 

(b)    approved the 2019/20 Council tax annual increase of 2.85%, increasing the annual Band D rate by £4.63 to £167.11. Full Council to note this new annual rate comprises £165.26 for SSDC services, raising £9,959,571, and £1.85 on behalf of the Somerset Rivers Authority, raising £111,492.

 

(c)    approved the reprioritisation of £2.5m from the MTFP support fund to Regeneration as detailed in paragraph 54.

 

(d)    approved the additions to the Capital Programme for new capital bids of £1.7395m as shown in Appendix D.

 

Reason:

To approve the Council’s proposed budget and council tax for 2019/20.

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Legal Services introduced the report and provided a comprehensive overview of the financial position of the Council.  He drew Members attention to the Section 151 officer’s comments at page 56 and the movement of money into reserves to cover risk and the future payback of Rate Support Grant in the future.

 

During discussion, it was noted that recommendation C should refer to paragraph 54 and a small correction in the table at page 49 which should be a minus figure.

 

In response to questions from Members, the Section 151 Officers confirmed that funding previously set aside for flooding issues was within the Revenue Grants reserve of £691,000 on page 51 and this could be listed by individual reserve.

 

At the conclusion of the debate, a named vote was taken and Members unanimously confirmed the Council’s revenue budget and council tax increase for 2019/20.

 

RESOLVED:

That Council:

(a)    approved the Net Revenue Budget for 2019/20 of £16,197,800, as set out in the Revenue Account Summary (paragraph 46) and in detail in Appendix A for the District Executive and four Area Committees, subject to any final amendments;

 

(b)    approved the 2019/20 Council tax annual increase of 2.85%, increasing the annual Band D rate by £4.63 to £167.11. Full Council to note this new annual rate comprises £165.26 for SSDC services, raising £9,959,571, and £1.85 on behalf of the Somerset Rivers Authority, raising £111,492.

 

(c)    approved the reprioritisation of £2.5m from the MTFP support fund to Regeneration as detailed in paragraph 54.

 

(d)    approved the additions to the Capital Programme for new capital bids of £1.7395m as shown in Appendix D.

 

Reason:

To approve the Council’s proposed budget and council tax for 2019/20.

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

101.

Council Tax Setting 2019-20 pdf icon PDF 99 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

 

RESOLVED:

That Council:

a.     Approved the formal council tax resolutions referred to in paragraphs 5 to 14

 

b.     Approved the individual tax settings as follows:

 

             i.    that the Somerset County Council; Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority has stated that amounts shown in paragraphs 8 to 11 respectively of this report in precept issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Act 1992 (as amended), for each of the categories of dwelling:

 

            ii.   that the total amount of council tax for each band of property in the South Somerset area for 2019/20 be as given in the table below:

 

A-

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

950.66

1,140.78

1,330.90

1,521.04

1,711.17

2,091.44

2,471.68

2,851.96

3,422.34

 

NB The above figures exclude all town/parish precepts.  The Police & Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset approved their figures on the 5th February 2019, Somerset Fire and Rescue on the 19th February 2019 and Somerset County Council on the 20th February 2019.

 

iii. that, having calculated the totals of each precepting authority’s amounts (including town and parish precepts), The Council (in accordance with Section 30(2) of the Local Government Act 1992) (as amended) hereby sets the amounts shown at TOTAL in the table shown at Appendix A as the council taxes for the financial year 2019/20 for each category of dwelling.

 

c.      Noted that the formal Council Tax Resolution was approved, and the total Band D Council Tax as follows:

 

 

2018/19

£

2019/20

£

Increase

%

South Somerset District Council

162.48

167.11

2.85

Somerset County Council

1,115.99

1,151.64

3.99

Somerset County Council (Adult Social Care)

76.17

88.09

Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset

193.81

217.81

12.38

Devon And Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority

84.01

86.52

2.99

 

 

1,632.46

1,711.17

4.82%

Town and Parish Council (average)

87.15

91.05

4.48%

 

1,719.61

1,802.22

4.80%

 

Reason:

To approve the calculation and setting of the Council Tax for 2019/20

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

 

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Legal Services introduced the report noting that this was the formal resolution to agree the Council tax for 2019/20.

 

Councillor Martin Wale, as the Council’s representative on the Police Crime Panel, advised that thy had reluctantly agreed the Police Crime Commissioners proposed budget increase of £12.00.

 

It was also noted that the Yeovil Town Council precept on page 156 was £1,033,517.

 

At the conclusion of the debate, a named vote was taken and Members unanimously confirmed the Council tax increase for 2019/20.

 

RESOLVED:

That Council:

a.     Approved the formal council tax resolutions referred to in paragraphs 5 to 14

 

b.     Approved the individual tax settings as follows:

 

             i.    that the Somerset County Council; Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority has stated that amounts shown in paragraphs 8 to 11 respectively of this report in precept issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Act 1992 (as amended), for each of the categories of dwelling:

 

            ii.   that the total amount of council tax for each band of property in the South Somerset area for 2019/20 be as given in the table below:

 

A-

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

950.66

1,140.78

1,330.90

1,521.04

1,711.17

2,091.44

2,471.68

2,851.96

3,422.34

 

NB The above figures exclude all town/parish precepts.  The Police & Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset approved their figures on the 5th February 2019, Somerset Fire and Rescue on the 19th February 2019 and Somerset County Council on the 20th February 2019.

 

iii. that, having calculated the totals of each precepting authority’s amounts (including town and parish precepts), The Council (in accordance with Section 30(2) of the Local Government Act 1992) (as amended) hereby sets the amounts shown at TOTAL in the table shown at Appendix A as the council taxes for the financial year 2019/20 for each category of dwelling.

 

c.      Noted that the formal Council Tax Resolution was approved, and the total Band D Council Tax as follows:

 

 

2018/19

£

2019/20

£

Increase

%

South Somerset District Council

162.48

167.11

2.85

Somerset County Council

1,115.99

1,151.64

3.99

Somerset County Council (Adult Social Care)

76.17

88.09

Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset

193.81

217.81

12.38

Devon And Somerset Fire and Rescue Authority

84.01

86.52

2.99

 

 

1,632.46

1,711.17

4.82%

Town and Parish Council (average)

87.15

91.05

4.48%

 

1,719.61

1,802.22

4.80%

 

Reason:

To approve the calculation and setting of the Council Tax for 2019/20

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

 

102.

SSDC Capital Strategy 2019-20 pdf icon PDF 143 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

 

RESOLVED:

That Full Council approved the 2019/20 capital strategy and the borrowing and investment limits contained within.

Reason:

To approve the annual capital strategy before the start of the financial year in line with the revised CIPFA Prudential Code. 

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

 

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Legal Services introduced the report and advised that Council were required to approve the annual capital strategy before the start of the financial year in line with the revised CIPFA Prudential Code.

 

There was no debate and Members unanimously approved 2019/20 capital strategy and the borrowing and investment limits.

 

RESOLVED:

That Full Council approved the 2019/20 capital strategy and the borrowing and investment limits contained within.

Reason:

To approve the annual capital strategy before the start of the financial year in line with the revised CIPFA Prudential Code. 

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

 

103.

SSDC Investment Strategy 2019-20 pdf icon PDF 155 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

 

RESOLVED:

That Full Council approved the Investment Strategy for 2019/20.

Reason:

To approve the Investment Strategy for 2019/20 by 31 March as a mandatory requirement of the revised Statutory Guidance on Local Government Investments (3rd edition) issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government 2 February 2018.

(Voting: 29 in favour, 16 against, 1 abstention)

Minutes:

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Legal Services introduced the report and advised that the income from the Council’s investments was contributing more than £1m income to the budget.  He noted that paragraphs 59 to 62 of the report covered the financial guarantees. 

 

In response to questions from Members, the Portfolio Holder for Finance and Legal Services and the Section 151 Officer confirmed:-

 

·         The cost of the Council’s property team and the cost of repaying capital and interest were netted off the return on the Council’s investments.

·         The South West Audit Partnership would review the Council’s investments and although their final report was not yet complete, they had given a good level of assurance.

 

The Portfolio Holder for Property and Climate Change and Income Generation advised that Treasury Management investments and Commercial investments were not the same.  He also advised that he had rejected some proposed commercial investments as they were not promising the rate of return expected.

 

At the conclusion of the debate, the majority of Members were content to confirmthe Investment Strategy for 2019/20  

 

RESOLVED:

That Full Council approved the Investment Strategy for 2019/20.

Reason:

To approve the Investment Strategy for 2019/20 by 31 March as a mandatory requirement of the revised Statutory Guidance on Local Government Investments (3rd edition) issued by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government 2 February 2018.

(Voting: 29 in favour, 16 against, 1 abstention)

104.

Treasury Management Strategy Statement 2019-20, Prudential Indicators and Annual MRP Statement pdf icon PDF 177 KB

Additional documents:

Decision:

 

RESOLVED:

That Full Council:

(a)   approved the details of the proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2019/20 as set out in Appendix 1.

 

(b)   noted and approved the Capital prudential indicators and the annual MRP statement as set out in Appendix 2.

 

Reason:

To approve the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2019/20.

(Voting: 45 in favour, 1 against, 0 abstentions)

 

Minutes:

The Chairman of the Audit Committee confirmed that the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2019/20 had been discussed and agreed by them.

 

The Section 151 Officer paid tribute to the Lead Specialist – Finance and her team of Specialist Finance officers for their work in compiling the numerous financial reports on the Agenda. 

 

There was no debate and the majority of Members were content to confirm the proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2019/20 and approve the Capital prudential indicators and the annual MRP statement.

 

RESOLVED:

That Full Council:

(a)   approved the details of the proposed Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2019/20 as set out in Appendix 1.

 

(b)   noted and approved the Capital prudential indicators and the annual MRP statement as set out in Appendix 2.

 

Reason:

To approve the Treasury Management Strategy Statement for 2019/20.

(Voting: 45 in favour, 1 against, 0 abstentions)

 

105.

Statutory Pay Policy Statement for Chief Officers 2019 20 pdf icon PDF 102 KB

Decision:

 

RESOLVED:

That Full Councilapproved the proposed Statutory Pay Policy Statement for publication.

Reason:

Section 38(1) of the Localism Act 2011 requires English local authorities to produce an annual statutory pay policy statement.

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

 

Minutes:

The Leader of Council thanked the Section 151 Officer for his work in co-ordinating the many finance reports on the Agenda.  She advised that Section 38(1) of the Localism Act 2011 required English local authorities to produce an annual statutory pay policy statement.  The policy helped towards securing and retaining high quality staff.

 

The Leader of the Conservative group seconded the recommendations and also thanked the Section 151 Officer and his team for their work on the budget reports. 

 

There was no debate and Members unanimously approved the proposed Statutory Pay Policy Statement for publication.

 

RESOLVED:

That Full Councilapproved the proposed Statutory Pay Policy Statement for publication.

Reason:

Section 38(1) of the Localism Act 2011 requires English local authorities to produce an annual statutory pay policy statement.

(Voting: unanimous in favour)

 

106.

Report of Executive Decisions pdf icon PDF 77 KB

Minutes:

The report of executive decisions was noted.

107.

Audit Committee pdf icon PDF 63 KB

Minutes:

Councillor Derek Yeomans, Chairman of the Audit Committee, presented the report of the Committee. 

 

The report of the Audit Committee was noted.

 

108.

Scrutiny Committee pdf icon PDF 68 KB

Minutes:

Councillor Sue Steele, Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee, presented the report of the Committee.  She noted that the Private Members Bill sponsored by David Warburton MP regarding the Somerset Rivers Authority had passed its second reading in the House of Commons.

 

The report of the Scrutiny Committee was noted.

 

109.

Motions

There were no Motions submitted by Members.

Minutes:

There were no Motions submitted by Members.

110.

Questions Under Procedure Rule 10

There were no questions sumbitted by Members under Procedure Rule 10.

Minutes:

There were no questions submitted under Procedure Rule 10.

111.

Date of Next Meeting pdf icon PDF 41 KB

Minutes:

Members noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Full Council would take place on Thursday, 21st March 2019 in the Council Chamber, Council Offices, Brympton Way, Yeovil commencing at 7.30 p.m.