Agenda item

O&S 70          

The Committee considered a report that sought consideration of the draft Revenue Budget proposals for 2020/21.

During the ensuing debate, the following points were raised:-

(a)   It was confirmed that the proposal to recruit a temporary Climate Change Policy Officer would be on a shared (50/50 basis) with South Hams District Council;

(b)  In respect of the modelling work that was to be undertaken on car parking fees, it was confirmed that the Council would consult with its key stakeholders as part of this process.  Also, the Leader advised that it was intended that this modelling would look at sites on a place by place basis;

(c)   With regard to the proposed Economy post, officers advised that it was intended that one of the key roles of the postholder would be to write and submit bids in order to obtain external grant funding;

(d)  When questioned, officers gave an assurance that they would continue to lobby Central Government in order to ensure that legislation was changed whereby business rates were no longer payable on public conveniences;

(e)   Members were informed that the result of the 2019 Pension Actuarial Valuation would also be considered by the Audit Committee at its meeting on 21 January 2020;

(f)     The Committee discussed the proposal to introduce a premium planning service and, whilst the intention of the initiative was recognised, the majority of Members did not feel it appropriate to introduce it at this present time;

(g)   Before the Council made a final decision to implement a pricing scheme for the use of the Electric Charging Points that were situated at Kilworthy Park, Tavistock, the Committee requested that the current usage of these Points be established.  Also, Members asked that an answer be provided as to whether or not the current Points would need to be replaced in order to be able to charge users.

It was then:

RESOLVED

That, as part of the 2020/21 Budget Setting process, the Hub Committee take into account that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee support:

1.     the proposed increase in Council Tax for 2020/21 of £5 (Band D of £236.63 for 2020/21 – an increase of 10 pence per week or £5 per year – equates to a 2.16% increase);

2.     the proposed financial pressures of £638,500 (as shown in Appendix A of the presented agenda report);

3.     the proposed contributions to Earmarked Reserves of £87,500;

4.     the proposed savings of £535,000 (as shown in Appendix A of the presented agenda report);

5.     the proposed use of £200,000 of New Homes Bonus funding to fund the 2020/21 Revenue Budget (as set out in Section 2.20 of the presented agenda report);

6.     the proposal to maintain the deficit recovery period of the Pension Deficit at 17 years (as per Section 2.26 of the presented agenda report);

7.     the inclusion of an Economy post (to be shared with South Hams District Council) within the staffing establishment, as set out in Section 1.7 of the presented agenda report;

8.     approval of the proposed Environmental Health Charges (as set out in Appendix D of the presented agenda report);

9.     approval of the proposed unchanged fees and charges for Development Management (as set out in Appendix C of the presented agenda report);

10.  charges being introduced for the use of the existing Electric Charging points at Kilworthy Park, Tavistock;

11.  charges being introduced (with immediate effect following the Council meeting to be held on 18 February 2020)  for ‘Proof of Life’ charges to be introduced in accordance with section 5.13 of the presented agenda report;

12.  approval of changes to S257 Footpath Diversion Orders charges (with immediate effect following the Council meeting to be held on 18 February 2020) in accordance with section 5.14 of the presented agenda report;

13.  approval be given to the proposals to increase charges to Town and Parish Councils for the emptying of dog waste and litter bins (as set out in paragraph 5.15 of the presented agenda report); and

14.  delegating authority to the Section 151 Officer, in consultation with the lead Hub Committee Member, to set the Local Land Charges as appropriate to ensure cost recovery.