Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Bradshaw, Brady, Colbert, Connell, Howe. D. Jones, S. Mainey, Platt, Preston and Weavers.

Minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2010

That the Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 14 January 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

The following declarations of interest were made.

Former Councillor Joseph Patrick Hearty

The Mayor reported on the sad death of former Councillor Joseph Patrick Hearty.  Mr. Hearty passed away on 16 February 2010 and his funeral service took place on 24 February 2010.

That Mayor indicated that Mr. Hearty completed his tenth year as a Member of Bootle County Borough Council in 1973/74 and was elected to Sefton Council in May 1975 and served for 3 years until 1978 as member for Bootle No. 2 Ward.

The Council then stood in silence for one minute as a mark of respect for Mr. Hearty.

Mayoral Charity Event - 12 February 2010

The Mayor reported that the Mayor of Sefton's Charity Event held in the Floral Hall, Southport on the 12 February 2010 had been a resounding success and in excess of £8,000 was made towards the Mayor's Charity.  The Mayor extended thanks to all those who attended and to those who contributed in any way.

Acting Finance and Information Services Director - Lynton Green

The Mayor reported that this would be the last meeting that the Acting Finance and Information Services Director, Lynton Green would be attending before he left the Council to commence a new post of Finance Director at Warrington Borough Council.  On behalf of the Council, the Mayor thanked Mr. Green for his service to the Council and extended best wishes for the future and a successful career.

Mayor’s Attendant - Debbie Mills

The Mayor welcomed Debbie Mills to her first Council meeting as the new Mayor’s Attendant.

To deal with matters raised by members of the public within the Borough, in accordance with the procedures relating to Petitions, Public Questions.and Motions set out in Rule 11 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules.

(Details of any further Petitions notified or Questions submitted to the Legal Director by members of the public in accordance with Rule 11 will be circulated at the meeting).

The Mayor reported that members of the public had not submitted any petitions or questions.

To receive and consider questions to Cabinet Members, Chairs of Committees or Spokespersons for any of the Joint Authorities upon any matter within their portfolio/area of responsibility, of which notice has been given in accordance with Rule 12 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules.

The Council considered a written question from Councillor Colbert to the Cabinet Member - Children's Services and a written question from Councillor Shaw to the Cabinet Member - Communities together with a written response from the Cabinet Members.

Report of the Chief Executive

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive on the proposed structure and membership of the Sefton Borough Partnership and a number of principles relating to the partnership and area management following the governance review of this workstream.

At its meeting held earlier that day, the Cabinet had considered the report and endorsed the recommendations set out in the report.

It was moved by Councillor Robertson, seconded by Councillor Brodie-Browne and

RESOLVED:   That

(1)      the broad principles of area management as set out in paragraph 3.5 of the report be approved;

(2)      the timescale for the development of area management and the related area based thematic groups in the next municipal year (May 2010 to April 2011) be approved;

(3)      the broad areas for development of area management as set out in paragraphs 3.6 and 3.7 of the report be approved;

(4)      the proposed roles and membership of the Sefton Borough Partnerships Board and Operations Board, as set out in paragraphs 4.2 to 4.5 of the report be approved;

(5)      the approach to membership and structure outlined in paragraphs 4.6 to 4.11 of the report be approved;

(6)      it be noted that quarterly reports from the Assistant Chief Executive and Assistant Director Neighbourhoods will be submitted throughout the 2010/11 Municipal Year which will incorporate changes to the membership and development of area management and area based thematic groups; and

(7)      the Cabinet Member for Performance and Governance be given delegated authority to approve any in year changes to the principles agreed in the report, but where the development relates to Area Management, that any proposals be approved by Cabinet.

Report of the Chief Executive

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive on the proposed appointment of officers to undertake the Proper Officer Functions in respect of elections, electoral registration, the monitoring officer role and the registration of births, marriages and deaths.

At its meeting held earlier that day, the Cabinet had considered the report and endorsed the recommendations set out in the report.

It was moved by Councillor Robertson, seconded by Councillor Brodie-Browne and

RESOLVED: That

(1)      the Electoral Registration Officer Functions for the registration of Parliamentary and Local Government Electors and Acting Returning Officer / Returning Officer Functions for Parliamentary, Local, Parish and European Elections under the relevant provisions of the Representation of the People Act 1983 and European Parliamentary Elections Act 2002 be attached to the post of Assistant Chief Executive and the current postholder be appointed to act as the Proper Officer for all related functions and relevant legislation with effect from 1 April 2010;

(2)      the Assistant Legal Director be appointed as the Monitoring Officer for the Council with effect from 1 April 2010, until he leaves the Council or a decision is made regarding which post shall perform this function: this will allow a review to be undertaken as to which post shall in future perform the role of Monitoring Officer;

(3)      the Assistant Director (Democratic Services) be appointed as the Deputy Monitoring Officer for the Council with effect from 1 April 2010, in order to provide greater resilience to this function:  it being noted that the title of this post is likely to change as a result of restructuring, and that this title reflects the current post title; and

(4)      the Assistant Director (Democratic Services) be appointed as the Proper Officer for the registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths under the provision of the Local Government Act 1972 and Registration Services Act 1953 and the regulations made thereunder.

Report of the Acting Finance and Information Services Director

The Council considered a report by the Acting Finance and Information Services Director on the proposed procedures and strategy to be adopted in respect of the Council's Treasury Management Function in 2010/11.

At its meeting held earlier that day, the Cabinet had considered the report and endorsed the recommendations set out in the report.

It was moved by Councillor Robertson, seconded by Councillor Brodie-Browne and

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to:

(1)       the Treasury Management Policy Document for 2010/11;

(2)       the Treasury Management Strategy Document for 2010/11;

(3)       the amendment to Banking arrangements contained within the Financial Procedures Rules of the Constitution;

(4)       the Money Laundering Policy Document; and

(5)       the basis to be used in the calculation of the Minimum Revenue Provision for Debt Repayment in 2010/11.

Report of the Acting Finance and Information Services Director

The Council considered the report of the Acting Finance and Information Services Director on proposals to establish the Prudential Indicators required under the Prudential Code of Capital Finance in Local Authorities.  This would enable the Council to effectively manage its Capital Finance Activities, and comply with the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy Prudential Code of Capital Finance in Local Authorities.

At its meeting held earlier that day, the Cabinet had considered the report and endorsed the recommendations set out in the report.

It was moved by Councillor Robertson, seconded by Councillor Brodie-Browne and

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to:

(1)       the Prudential Indicators detailed in the report, and summarised in Annex A, as the basis for compliance with The Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities;

(2)       the amendment of relevant Prudential Indicators in the event that any unsupported borrowing is approved as part of the 2010/11 Revenue Budget; and

(3)            delegated authority being granted to the Acting Finance and Information Services Director to manage the authorised Limit and Operational Boundary for external debt as detailed in Section 5 of the report.

Joint report of the Acting Finance and Information Services Director and the Strategic Directors – Children, Schools and Families; Communities; and Social Care and Well-Being

The Council considered a joint report of the Acting Finance and Information Services Director and the Strategic Directors for Communities, Social Care and Wellbeing and Childrens, Schools and Families in respect of 2009/10 and the development of the 2010/11 - 2012/13 Capital Programme in the light of recent resource notifications received from Central Government and the formulation of the Revenue Budget.  Appended to the report at Annex A was the Council's Capital Programme for the period 2010/11 to 2012/13.

At its meeting held earlier that day the Cabinet had considered the report and endorsed the recommendations set out in the report.

This was a Key Decision and had been included in the Council's Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

It was moved by Councillor Robertson, seconded by Councillor Brodie-Browne and

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the 2010/11 - 2012/13 Capital Programme set out in Annex A of the report be approved;

(2)       it be confirmed that Cabinet Members may continue to approve schemes from within their specific capital allocations included in  Annex A of the report;

(3)            approval be given to the use of lease facilities in 2010/11 provided that any revenue consequences can be accommodated within appropriate budgets; and

(4)       it be noted that there is no provision for a New Starts Programme during 2010/11.

Report of the Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive and Section 151 Officer which provided an assessment on the robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of the financial reserves based on the budget scenario presented to the Cabinet on 4 February 2010.

The Cabinet had considered the report at its meeting held earlier that day and noted the content of the report.

It was moved by Councillor Robertson, seconded by Councillor Brodie-Browne and

RESOLVED:  

That the report be noted.

To receive statements by the three Party Group Leaders on the Revenue Budget for 20010/11

It was moved by Councillor Blackburn, seconded by Councillor McGuire and

RESOLVED:

That in accordance with Rule 24.1, the provisions of Rule 15.4 (Content and length of speeches) and 17 (previous decisions and motions) of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules be suspended only to enable statements to be made on behalf of the three Political Groups on the Revenue Budget for 2010/11 and to allow Political Group Leaders to move amendments to the Revenue Budget 2010/11 where items have been previously debated and voted upon at a Council meeting in the past six months.

The Leaders of the three Political Groups then made statements and outlined the policies of their respective Groups in respect of the budget for 2010/11.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive on the Revenue Budget 2010/11 together with any recommendations from the meeting of the Cabinet on 4 March 2010 (to be circulated at the Council meeting)

Further to Minute No. 273 of the Cabinet meeting held on 4 February 2010, the Council considered a report by the Chief Executive which provided an update on current issues relating to the completion of the 2010/11 budgetary process.  The report also provided an update on the Medium Term Financial Plan 2010/11 - 2012.

The Cabinet had considered the report at its meeting held earlier that day and a copy of the Cabinet resolution was circulated.

It was then moved by Councillor Robertson, seconded by Councillor Brodie-Browne.

That the budget scenario as set out in Paragraph 5.12 and Annex B of the report, amended by adjustments for the addition of the one-off costs for the provision of a temporary library service in the Southport Town centre be approved; and the updated Medium Term Financial Plan for 2010/11 - 2012/13 be noted.

It was moved by Councillor P. Dowd, seconded by Councillor Maher that the Motion be amended by the addition of the following text:

“Subject to the reinstatement of the previously approved savings:

On a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the amendment was lost by 36 votes to 18 with 1 abstention.

Following further debate, on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the Substantive Motion was carried by 36 votes to 18 with 1 abstention and it was

RESOLVED:

That the budget scenario as set out in Paragraph 5.12 and Annex B of the report, amended by adjustments for the addition of the one-off costs for the provision of a temporary library service in the Southport Town Centre be approved; and the updated Medium Term Financial Plan for 2010/11 - 2012/13 be noted.

To determine the level of Council Tax to apply for Sefton Council for the financial year 2010/11 and the level of consolidated tax (including precepts) to apply in Sefton for 2010/11

A copy of the draft Budget Resolution will be circulated at the Council meeting

It was moved by Councillor Robertson, seconded by Councillor Brodie-Browne and

RESOLVED:   That

(1)      It be noted that at its meeting on the 14 January 2010, the Council calculated the following amounts for the year 2010/2011 in accordance with regulations made under Section 33(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

(2)      the following amounts be calculated by the Council for the year 2010/2011 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

To consider any changes to the Membership of any committees etc.

There were no changes to the membership of Committees.