Agenda and minutes

42.1     The minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 12 December 2017 were agreed as a correct reord.

43.1     Copies of the reports referred to below are included in the minute book.

Report by Chief Operating Officer

44.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer

44.2     It was RESOLVED to recommend the County Council to:

            1) approve the Treasury Management Policy and Strategy Statement for 2018/19;

            2) approve the Prudential and Treasury Indicators 2018/19 to 2020/2121; and

            3) approve the Minimum Reserve Provision Policy Statement 2018/19

Reason

44.3     This policy sets out the acceptable limits on ratings, investment periods, amounts to be invested and the borrowing strategy. The financial position is kept

under constant review and if at any time it is felt that any of these limits represent an

unacceptable risk appropriate and immediate action will be taken accordingly.

Report by the Chief Executive

45.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Executive, together with further information received following the publication of the Cabinet agenda including a summary of the consultation meeting held with Trade Unions, comments from Sussex Police and additional comments from the Transport and Environment Scrutiny Committee Waste Review Board, representations form the Stoke Association and Care for the Carers.

45.2     The following amendment moved by Councillor Elkin and seconded was CARRIED

To amend Appendix 2 to reduce the Net Budget for Highways Contract Costs (page 78 of the agenda) by £400,000, (in respect of grass cutting), and to increase the Adult Social Care Assessment and Care Management (page 70 of the agenda)  budget by £400k.

45.3     It was RESOLVED to:

1.    Recommend County Council to:

i.        Approve in principle the draft Council Plan at Appendix 3 and authorise the Chief Executive to finalise the Plan in consultation with the relevant Lead Members;

ii.       Increase the Council Tax by 2.99%;

iii.      Increase the Adult Social Care precept by 3%;

iv.      Issue precepts accordingly to be paid by Borough and District Councils in accordance with the agreed schedule of instalments at Appendix 6;

v.         Approve the net Revenue Budget estimate totalling of £371.3m for 2018/19 as set out in Appendices 1 (Medium Term Financial Plan [MTFP]) and 2 (Budget Summary) subject to Appendix 2 being amended to reduce the Net Budget for Highways Contract Costs by £400,000, (in respect of grass cutting), and to increase the Adult Social Care Assessment and Care Management budget by £400k, and authorise the Chief Operating Officer, in consultation with the Chief Finance Officer, Leader and Deputy Leader, to make adjustments to the presentation of the Budget Summary to reflect the final settlement and final budget decisions; subject to the amendments set out below:

Appendix 2 being amended to reduce the Net Budget for Highways Contract Costs by £400,000, (in respect of grass cutting), and to increase the Adult Social Care Assessment and Care Management budget by £400k,

vi.      Approve the fees and charges set out in Appendix 5;

vii.     Approve the Capital Programme for 2017–2023 Appendix 7;

viii.    Note the MTFP forecast for the period 2018/19 to 2020/21, as set out in Appendix 1;

ix.      Note the comments of the Chief Finance Officer on budget risks and robustness, as set out in Appendix 8;

x.       Note the comments from engagement exercises set out in Appendix 9; and

xi.      Delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer to set fees and charges for 2019/20 onwards and to report to Cabinet and County Council on those set at a level above inflation as part of quarterly monitoring.

2.    Agree that Chief Officers consult, where appropriate, on the savings proposals set out in the report.

3.    Approve the fees and charges set out in Appendix 5  relating to executive functions and to delegate authority to the Chief Finance Officer to set all fees and charges for 2019/20 onwards and to report on those set at a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

Report by Chief Operating Officer

46.1     The Cabinet considered a report by the Chief Operating Officer.

46.2     It was RESOLVED to:

            1) approve the Conservators’ budget  for 2018/19;

            2) recommend to the County Council the annual contribution of £61,398 for 2018/19 from the Communities, Economy and Transport budget; and

            3) approve the annual grant for 2018/19 from the Trust Fund of £65,100

Reason

46.3     The County Council has a statutory obligation to meet the shortfall between approved expenditure and income of the Conservators and it has responsibility for approving the level of expenditure.

47.1     The Cabinet agreed that items 5, 6 and 7 be reported to the County Council.

(Note: The items being reported refer to minute numbers 44, 45 and 46)