Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Fairclough.

Margaret Carney (Chief Executive) declared a personal interest in Minute No. 59 (Pay Review) and remained in the room during the consideration of that item.

Minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2015

Decision Made:

That the minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 15 January 2015 be confirmed as a correct record.

Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT

Further to Minute No. 48 of the meeting held on 15 January 2015, the Cabinet considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which provided details of options for bridging the outstanding budget gap of £15.478m to achieve the £55m savings for the period 2015/16 to 2016/17.

Decision Made:

That:

(1)      the updated Budget position for 2015/2016 and 2016/17 be noted;

(2)      the means of bridging the identified outstanding Budget gap, set out in paragraph 3.2 of the report be noted;

(3)      that officers be authorised in particular to undertake the necessary actions relating to the saving associated with no incremental progression in 2016/17 and more generally any other relevant preparatory steps associated with the recommendations referred to in (4) below, subject to Council approval; and

(4)      the Council be recommended to give approval to:

(i)       the use of Section 106 money as outlined in paragraph 3.2 (a) of the report;

(ii)      an increase in cremation and burial fees by 5% over inflation;

(iii)      a further reduction in the CHAMPS budget as outlined in paragraph 3.2.(d) of the report;

(iv)     the capitalisation of Highways, ICT and systems development currently funded by the revenue budget;

(v)      an adjustment to the Medium Term Financial Plan which only allows for incremental progression in 2015/16;

(vi)     the cessation of discretionary support to Parishes for the Council Tax  Reduction Scheme; and

(vii)     the budget assumptions contained in paragraphs 2.2.(a) and 2.2.(b) and 3.2.(h) of the report.

(5)      the option to cease discretionary rate relief for sports clubs be deferred for further consideration.

Reasons for Decision:

To provide the basis on which the Council’s two year budget plan would be balanced for the period 2015-2017.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

The Council has a legal obligation to set a balanced and robust budget and to set the Council Tax for 2015/16 before 10 March 2015.

Report of the Director of Corporate Services

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Corporate Services which provided details of the proposed pay policy produced in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

Decision Made:

That the Council be recommended to approve the Pay Policy as set out in Annex A to the report.

Reasons for Decision:

To comply with the Localism Act 2011

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

None

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Built Environment which provided details of proposals to designate the Maghull and Melling Neighbourhood Development Plan areas, in accordance with Section 61G(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and Part 2 of the Neighbourhood Planning (General) Regulations 2012.

Decision Made:

That approval be given to the designation of the revised Maghull and Melling Neighbourhood Development Plan areas, as set out in the report.

Reasons for Decision:

The Council, as Local Planning Authority (LPA), is required to determine applications submitted for the designation of a Neighbourhood Development Plan area.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

The LPA must decide whether to approve any application or refuse it. If it does decide to refuse the application because it considers the area is not an appropriate area to be designated, it must give reasons to the applicant why it has refused the application.

Report of the Director of Corporate Services

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Corporate Services which provided details of the proposed Programme of Meetings for the Council, Cabinet and the various Committees/Bodies for the Municipal Year 2015/16.

Decision Made:

That:

(1)      the Programme of Meetings for the Cabinet, Public Engagement and Consultation Panel, Sefton Safer Communities Partnership and the Health and Wellbeing Board for 2015/16 as set out in Annexes A and E of the report be approved; and

(2)      the Council be recommended to:

(i)       adopt Option 1 in relation to meetings of the Annual and Adjourned Annual Council in May 2015, as detailed in Paragraph 3 of the report; and

(ii)      approve the Programme of Meetings for the Council, Member Briefing Sessions;  Regulatory Committees; Overview and Scrutiny Committees and Area Committees for 2015/16 as set out in Annexes B, C and D of the report.

Reasons for Decision:

To enable the business of the Council, Cabinet and the various Committees / bodies to be conducted during the 2015/16 Municipal Year.

Alternative Options Considered and Rejected:

No.  The Council has to produce a timetable of meetings.