Agenda and minutes

No apologies for absence were received.

Members are requested to give notice of any disclosable pecuniary interest, which is not already included in their Register of Members' Interests and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the Members Code of Conduct, before leaving the meeting room during the discussion on that particular item.

No declarations of interest were received.

The Mayor indicated that there were no Mayoral Communications to report upon at this meeting.

To consider a petition containing 4,034 signatures, submitted by Councillor

Ashton on behalf the residents of Churchtown, requesting the Council to keep the Churchtown Library open.

(Details of any other matters raised by members of the public resident within the Borough, of which notice has been given in accordance with the procedures relating to public questions, motions or petitions set out in Paragraphs 36 to 46 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules in Chapter 4 of the Council Constitution, will be circulated at the meeting).

The Mayor reported that in accordance with the Council’s Petition Scheme, a Petition containing 4,034 signatures had been submitted for consideration, requesting the Council to keep Churchtown Library open.

The Lead Petitioner, Mr. C. Turner made a statement in support of the petition.

It was moved by Councillor P. Dowd, seconded by Councillor Maher:

That the petition be noted and the representations be taken into account during the consideration of the report on the Two Year Financial Plan and Revenue Budget 2013/14 (Minute No. 103) later in the meeting.

At this point, the Mayor adjourned the meeting in the Council Chamber at 6.40pm, due to the unruly behaviour of some Members of the Public present in the Public Gallery.

The Mayor re-convened the meeting at 7.40pm in the Assembly Hall at Bootle Town Hall and on a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the Motion was carried by 36 votes to 25, with 1 abstention and it was

RESOLVED

That the petition be noted and the representations be taken into account during the consideration of the report on the Two Year Financial Plan and Revenue Budget 2013/14 (Minute No. 103) later in the meeting.

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 by Members of the Council in accordance with Paragraphs 48 to 53 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules, set out in Chapter 4 of the Council Constitution.

The Council considered a schedule setting out written questions submitted by:

·         Councillor Dawson to the Leader of the Council (Councillor P. Dowd)

·         Councillor Dawson to the Cabinet Member - Regeneration and Tourism (Councillor Maher)

·         Councillor Dawson to the Cabinet Member - Children, Schools, Families and Leisure (Councillor Moncur)

·         Councillor Dawson to the Cabinet Member - Transportation (Councillor Fairclough)

·         Councillor Dawson to the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Performance and Corporate Services) (Councillor McGinnity)

·         Councillor Tonkiss to the Cabinet Member - Children, Schools, Families and Leisure (Councillor Moncur)

·         Councillor Tonkiss to the Cabinet Member - Tranpsortation (Councillor Fairclough)

·         Councillor Robertson to the Leader of the Council (Councillor P. Dowd)

·         Councillor Keith to the Cabinet Member - Childen, Schools, Families and Leisure (Councillor Moncur)

·         Councillor Welsh to the Cabinet Member - Transportation (Councillor Fairclough)

·         Councillor Preece to the Cabinet Member - Children, Schools, Families and Leisure (Councillor Moncur)

together with the responses given.  Supplementary questions were asked and responded to by the Leader of the Council, the Cabinet Member - Children, Schools, Families and Leisure and the Cabinet Member – Transportation.

Report of the Director of Built Environment

Further to Minute No. 124 of the Cabinet meeting held on 28 February 2013, the Council considered the report of the Director of Built Environment on the proposals by the Department for Transport (DfT) to devolve funding for local major transport schemes to local areas in the next spending review period which would necessitate the establishment of a new body called a Local Transport Body (LTB) to oversee the process, guided by an Assurance Framework, which must be agreed with the DfT in respect of its governance and management arrangements.

The report provided details about the way this would be implemented in the Liverpool City Region, the proposed representation on the Local Transport Body, and the proposed Assurance Framework and Scheme Prioritisation Methodology.

It was moved by Councillor P. Dowd, seconded by Councillor Maher and

RESOLVED:   That

(1)       the report be noted; and

(2)       the Leader of the Council be appointed as the Council’s representative on the Liverpool City Region Transport Body (LTB), and the Cabinet Member – Transportation be appointed as the alternative member to represent the Council on the LTB as required.

Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT

Further to Minute No. 109 of the Cabinet meeting held on 14 February 2013, the Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which provided details of the proposed procedures and strategy to be adopted in respect of the Council’s Treasury Management Function in 2013/14.

It was moved by Councillor P. Dowd, seconded by Councillor Maher and

RESOLVED:

That approval be given to:

(1)       the Treasury Management Policy Document for 2013/14 set out in Annex A of the report; and

(2)       the Treasury Management Strategy Document for 2013/14, set out in Annex B of the report.

Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT

Further to Minute No. 110 of the Cabinet meeting held on 14 February 2013, the Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT 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.

It was moved by Councillor P. Dowd, seconded by Councillor Maher and

RESOLVED: That:

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

(2)       approval be given the given to the amendment of relevant Prudential Indicators in the event that any unsupported borrowing is approved, as part of the 2013/14 Revenue Budget;

(3)       it be noted that estimates of capital expenditure referred to in Paragraph 2.2 of the report, may change as grant allocations are received; and

(4)       the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT be granted delegated authority to manage the authorised Limit and Operational Boundary for external debt as detailed in Section 5 of the report.

Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT

Further to Minute No. 122 of the Cabinet meeting held on 28 February 2013, the Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which provided details of the 2013/14 Capital Allocations received to date and their use in the development of a new starts programme for 2013/14.

It was moved by Councillor P. Dowd, seconded by Councillor Maher and

RESOLVED:  That

(1)       the revised Capital Programme for 2012/13 be noted;

(2)       approval be given to the inclusion within the Capital Programme of the allocation of £203,150  Short Break for Disabled Children resources in 2012/13, as outlined in paragraph 2.6 of the report;

(3)       approval be given to the inclusion within the Capital Programme of the allocation of the additional £377,730 Disabled Facilities Grant in 2012/13, as outlined in paragraph 2.7 of the report;

(4)       approval be given to the inclusion within the Capital Programme of the allocation of £427,970 Funding Early Education for Two Year Olds from Lower Income Households in 2012/13, as outlined in  paragraph 2.8 of the report;

(5)       approval be given to the inclusion in the Capital Programme of a grant of £727k in respect of the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk Management, as outlined in paragraph 2.9 of the report;

(6)       approval be given to the inclusion in the Capital Programme of refurbishing existing pitches, and providing new pitches, at the Gypsy and Traveller site at Red Rose Park, as outlined in paragraph 2.10 of the report;

(7)       approval be given to the inclusion in the Capital Programme of works to alleviate fuel poverty in relation to the Sefton Affordable Warmth workers, as outlined in paragraph 2.11 of the report;

(8)       the 2013/14 capital allocations received to date be noted;

(9)       approval be given to the inclusion within the Capital Programme of the Capital Priorities Fund from reserves, as outlined in  paragraph 4 of the report, of which part will be allocated as additional funding to the High Street Innovation Fund revenue funding already received; and

(10)     the changes to the Capital Finance System as outlined in paragraph 5 of the report be noted.

Report of the Strategic Director - Place

Further to Minute No. 123 of the Cabinet meeting held on 28 February 2013, the Council considered the report of the Strategic Director – Place which provided details of a Capital Allocation Framework and Capital Strategy, including a prioritisation model for the single capital pot, to enable the determination of the Council’s Capital Investment Plan for 2013-14 onwards.

It was moved by Councillor P. Dowd, seconded by Councillor Maher and

RESOLVED:  That

(1)       approval be given to the Capital Allocations Framework for the management of the Council’s Capital Investment for 2013–14 onwards, as detailed in Appendix A of the report;

(2)       approval be given to the Capital Strategy and the Single Capital Pot prioritisation scoring model for the determination of the Council’s Capital Investment Plan for 2013–14 onwards, as detailed in Appendix C of the report;

(3)       approval be given to the Capital Strategy Governance Structure for the management of the Council’s Capital Investment for 2013-14 onwards, as detailed in Appendix B of the report; and

(4)       it be noted  that following a review to be undertaken, a further report will be presented in relation to the Strategic Asset Management Plan.

Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT

Further to Minute No. 120 of the Cabinet meeting held on 28 February 2013, the Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which provided an assessment of the robustness of the estimates and the tax setting calculations, the adequacy of the proposed financial reserves and the longer term revenue capital plans, based on the proposals set out in the reports on the Two Year Financial Plan and Revenue Budget 2013/14 (Minute No. 103) and the Budget and Council Tax Recommendation 2013/14 (Minute No. 104).

It was moved by Councillor P. Dowd, seconded by Councillor Maher and

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

To receive statements by the Leaders of the three Political Groups on the Revenue Budget for 2013/14

The Leaders of the three Political Groups, Councillors P. Dowd, Brodie-Browne and Papworth made statements and outlined the policies of their respective Groups in respect of the issues to be considered under Minute No. 103 below, in respect of the Revenue Budget for 2013/14.

Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT

Further to Minute No. 119 of the Cabinet meeting held on 28 February 2013, the Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT which:

·         provided an update on the final Local Government Settlement and confirmed the budget gap of £50.8m over the next two years;

·         provided further details on the outstanding budget savings options relating to the Review of the Library Services, Street Lighting and Public Conveniences and the proposed changes to the fees and charges for youth sports pitches; learning and development; car parking and public conveniences;

·         provided updates on the other budget savings options detailed in the report and requested consideration of what should now be included in the final two year Budget Plan;

·         set out the full list of budget savings options to meet the £50.8m budget gap over the two financial years in Annex A to the report.

Following the Cabinet meeting held on 14 February 2013, the proposals for the Transformation Programme and Revenue Budget 2013/15 had been considered in detail at the meeting of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Performance and Corporate Services) held on 19 February 2013.

The report indicated that the two year budget plan, as summarised in Annex A would enable a budget for 2013/14 to be approved and identified the policy changes required to deliver a sustainable and robust two year budget plan.  Due to the mixture of efficiencies and significant policy changes, some of the options could and would not be realised within a 12 month period and would contribute to the 2014/15 budget as illustrated in the report. This would require the implementation of major change programmes and appropriate capacity would need to be dedicated to ensure deliverability.  Given the scale of the budget reductions any slippage or underachievement would have implications for the financial management of the Council and as such robust management and monitoring arrangements would continue to be operated.

The Mayor referred to the amendment sheet setting out the typographical errors in Annex A to the report, the copy of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Performance and Corporate Services) resolution and the copy of the Cabinet resolution on this issue (Cabinet Minute No. 119 refers) which had been circulated around the Council Chamber. The Mayor confirmed that all documentation relating to the savings options had been published online over the last several months and that there were folders in the room which set out all of that documentation to assist Members in the debate.

Further, Members were reminded of the need to bear in mind the issues raised in the Members briefing on 18 February 2013.

A debate took place on the petition submitted under Minute No. 94 above relating to Churchtown Library and the Leader of the Council, Councillor P. Dowd indicated that the Council was always willing to consider any sustainable and feasible options for the future operation of the libraries and other services impacted by the savings options in the report.

A further brief debate took place on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 103.

Report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT

(A copy of the draft Budget Resolution will be circulated at the Council Meeting)

The Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT on the level of levies and precepts set for 2013/14 and the proposed level of Council Tax for 2013/14.

A copy of the formal budget resolution to be agreed by the Council, based on the resolutions referred to in Minute No. 103 above, was circulated to Members of the Council for consideration.

Members of the Council queried whether the budget resolution could be considered as the parish precept for Maghull had not been formally agreed by Maghull Town Council. The Chief Executive advised the Council that the Head of Corporate Finance and ICT had received notification of the parish precept for 2013/14 from Maghull Town Council and that Members could make a lawful decision accordingly.

It was moved by Councillor P. Dowd, seconded by Councillor Maher:

That:

(1)       the Council Tax Grant for 2013/14 be accepted;

(2)       the Council set a 0% increase in Council Tax for Sefton Council in 2013/14; and

(3)       the content of the formal budget resolution for 2013/14 be approved.

On a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the Motion was carried by 45 votes to 20, with 1 abstention and it was

RESOLVED:  That:

(1)       the Council Tax Grant for 2013/14 be accepted;

(2)       the Council set a 0% increase in Council Tax for Sefton Council in 2013/14;

(3)       it be noted that at its meeting on 31 January 2013, the Council calculated the following amounts for the year 2013/14 in accordance with the Local Authorities (Calculation of Council Tax Base) (England) Regulations 1992 (as amended):

(4)       the Council Tax requirement for the Council's own purposes for 2013/14 (excluding Parish Precepts) be calculated as £96,921,540;

(5)       the following amounts be calculated by the Council for the year 2013/14 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

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

Report of the Leader of the Council.

To consider the following Motion submitted by Councillor Dawson:

“This Council:

1.   notes the recent successful launch of the South Lakeland District Council joint utility-purchasing ('switching') scheme for its residents, which through bulk tarif negotiation, affords residents involved a discount over the average price which they would be able to negotiate themselves individually with utility suppliers.

2.   notes and commends the efforts which Sefton MBC officers have made to date, jointly with the officers of certain other Local Authorities in the region, seeking to be able to give Sefton MBC residents similar and wider benefits, including benefits for those who are in most financial hardship.

3.   commits Sefton MBC, either individually or working with other Local Authorities, to redouble its efforts to bring cheaper gas and electricity supplies to the widest range of local households in the area.

In respect of its own activities, recognising the critical effect on Sefton

MBC's own budget of rising real energy costs, commits Sefton MBC to

embark upon and maintain an active programme of energy conservation  

within its own premises.”

It was moved by Councillor Dawson, seconded by Councillor Brodie - Browne:

“This Council:

1.         notes the recent successful launch of the South Lakeland District Council joint utility-purchasing ('switching') scheme for its residents, which through bulk tariff negotiation, affords residents involved a discount over the average price which they would be able to negotiate themselves individually with utility suppliers.

2.         notes and commends the efforts which Sefton MBC officers have made to date, jointly with the officers of certain other Local Authorities in the region, seeking to be able to give Sefton MBC residents similar and wider benefits, including benefits for those who are in most financial hardship.

3.         commits Sefton MBC, either individually or working with other Local Authorities, to redouble its efforts to bring cheaper gas and electricity supplies to the widest range of local households in the area.

In respect of its own activities, recognising the critical effect on Sefton MBC's

own budget of rising real energy costs, commits Sefton MBC to embark upon

and maintain an active programme of energy conservation within its own

premises.”

The Mayor indicated that the Motion in its current format, was one to which Rule 84 of the Council and Committee Procedure Rules (Motions on Expenditure) applied and if carried, it would need to be referred to the Cabinet for final consideration of the financial implications in advance of any budgetary commmitment and prior to any action being taken to implement the decision.  If the Motion was amended and there were no financial implications arising from the Substantive Motion, it would not need to be referred to the Cabinet.

An amendment was moved by Councillor Hardy seconded by Councillor Maher that the motion be amended as follows:

Delete the text in paragraph 3 and replace with:

3.         Welcomes the HECA strategy approved by Cabinet on 31 January 2013 which continues Sefton’s journey for energy efficiency. In particular the Council commends the approach within the HECA plan to tackle:

·         Fuel Poverty with the ambitious plan to remove an additional 5% of households from fuel poverty

·         The excessive costs of energy consumption for individual households by implementing a collective switching programme working in partnership with the wider City Region to ensure maximum opportunities for  reduced energy costs for Sefton residents

·         Energy efficiency by actively seeking, working in partnership and pursuing investment opportunities for Sefton including Green Deal and Eco programmes. “

Delete the final paragraph and replace with:

“In addition the Council continues to implement and pursue energy conservation within its own activities to ensure effective financial management of energy costs and a reduction in the Council’s own carbon footprint.”

Councillor Dawson indicated that he accepted the amendment.

On a show of hands, the Mayor declared that the Amended Motion was carried unanimously it was

RESOLVED:

This Council:

1.         notes the recent successful launch of the South Lakeland District Council joint utility-purchasing ('switching') scheme for its residents, which through bulk tariff negotiation, affords residents involved a discount over the average price which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.