Members to give notice of any interest and the nature of that interest relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the adopted Code of Conduct.

No declarations were made by Executive Members.

NOTE: The substantive decision reports (a,d,e & f) are recommendations to Budget Council. These reports are also included with the Council Summons. The information items informing the Executive’s recommendations (b & c) are solely included with the Executive’s agenda papers. All reports will be published with the respective agenda on the Council’s website.

The Executive considered a range of reports, as set out in the following Minutes, for its information and / or the purpose of making recommendations to Budget Council on various aspects of the Council’s proposed Budget for 2017/18. The Executive also had before it copies of the “Green Sheets” summarising recommendations to be made to the Council, including in relation to the Council Tax Requirement for the year.

It is recommended that Council approve:

a)    The 2017/18 net Revenue Budget of £160.83 million.

b)    The 2018/19 to 2019/20 Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) including the income and savings proposals.

c)    The calculation of the Council Tax Requirement as summarised in Section 9.1 of the report and set out in the Formal Council Tax Resolution (Green Sheets circulated at the meeting and to be circulated at Council);

d)    To increase Council Tax by 4.99%:

o   1.99% general increase in the ‘relevant basic amount’ in each of the three years 2017/18 to 2019/20, and

o   3% for the ‘Adult Social Care’ precept in each of the two years 2017/18 and 2018/19.

e)    The Fees and Charges for 2017/18, as set out in the Fees & Charges booklet (available on the Council’s website).

f)     Approval is delegated jointly to each Corporate Director with the Chief Finance Officer to amend fees and charges during 2017/18 in the event of any change in VAT rate, as appropriate.

g)    That the minimum level of General Reserve for 2017/18 be retained at £6.0 million, as in 2016/17 (Section 7.2).

h)    The overall Capital Investment Programme level of £109.16 million be approved (as detailed in the Capital Programme & Prudential Indicators report elsewhere on the agenda) of which £65.73 million relates to 2017/18.

i)      The Prudential Borrowing Indicators as set out in Appendix 3, of both the Treasury Management Strategy and Capital Programme & Prudential Indicators reports (elsewhere on the agenda).

j)      The distribution of Dedicated Schools Grant as recommended by the School Funding Forum and Executive as summarised in Section 8 and detailed in Annex H to the report.

k)    The publication of the Council’s updated Efficiency Plan in Annex I to the report.

l)      Due to the late publication of the Final 2017/18 Local Government Finance Settlement, the Council to delegate to the Chief Finance Officer the power to vary the level of Budget Support Reserve needed to balance the 2017/18 revenue budget in the event of any change at final settlement (as long as this does not impact on the level of general risk reserve retained).

and in approving the above, has taken into consideration :

a)    The objective assessment by the Chief Finance Officer of the robustness of budget estimates and adequacy of the financial reserves (Section 7.3 and Annex G of the report).

b)    The Executive’s response to the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations to the budget proposals as included in a separate report on the agenda.

c)    The ‘Budget 2017/18 - consultation Process and Feedback’ report referred to Executive Meeting.

d)    The Equality Impact Assessments in relation to the budget proposals and the Public Sector Equality duty.

In addition, the Council notes the following :

a)    The approval on 18 January 2017 under delegated powers by the Chief Finance Officer of the Council Tax Base for 2017/18 at 74,883 Band D equivalents.

b)    Along with the calculation of the estimated Council Tax surplus, sufficient to release £(1.3 million) to support the Council’s 2017/18 revenue budget  ...  view the full decision text for item 72.

The Executive Member for Finance and Chief Finance Officer submitted a report whichset out the Executive’s updated 3 year budget strategy proposals, detailed revenue budget proposals for 2017/18 and Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) for the period 2018/19-2019/20.

            RESOLVED – That it be recommended that Council approve:

a)    The 2017/18 net Revenue Budget of £160.83 million.

b)    The 2018/19 to 2019/20 Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) including the income and savings proposals.

c)    The calculation of the Council Tax Requirement as summarised in Section 9.1 of the report and set out in the Formal Council Tax Resolution (Green Sheets circulated at the meeting and to be circulated at Council);

d)    To increase Council Tax by 4.99%:

o   1.99% general increase in the ‘relevant basic amount’ in each of the three years 2017/18 to 2019/20, and

o   3% for the ‘Adult Social Care’ precept in each of the two years 2017/18 and 2018/19.

e)    The Fees and Charges for 2017/18, as set out in the Fees & Charges booklet (available on the Council’s website).

f)     Approval is delegated jointly to each Corporate Director with the Chief Finance Officer to amend fees and charges during 2017/18 in the event of any change in VAT rate, as appropriate.

g)    That the minimum level of General Reserve for 2017/18 be retained at £6.0 million, as in 2016/17 (Section 7.2).

h)    The overall Capital Investment Programme level of £109.16 million be approved (as detailed in the Capital Programme & Prudential Indicators report elsewhere on the agenda) of which £65.73 million relates to 2017/18.

i)      The Prudential Borrowing Indicators as set out in Appendix 3, of both the Treasury Management Strategy and Capital Programme & Prudential Indicators reports (elsewhere on the agenda).

j)      The distribution of Dedicated Schools Grant as recommended by the School Funding Forum and Executive as summarised in Section 8 and detailed in Annex H to the report.

k)    The publication of the Council’s updated Efficiency Plan in Annex I to the report.

l)      Due to the late publication of the Final 2017/18 Local Government Finance Settlement, the Council to delegate to the Chief Finance Officer the power to vary the level of Budget Support Reserve needed to balance the 2017/18 revenue budget in the event of any change at final settlement (as long as this does not impact on the level of general risk reserve retained).

and in approving the above, has taken into consideration :

a)    The objective assessment by the Chief Finance Officer of the robustness of budget estimates and adequacy of the financial reserves (Section 7.3 and Annex G of the report).

b)    The Executive’s response to the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations to the budget proposals as included in a separate report on the agenda.

c)    The ‘Budget 2017/18 - consultation Process and Feedback’ report referred to Executive Meeting.

d)    The Equality Impact Assessments in relation to the budget proposals and the Public Sector Equality duty.

In addition, the Council notes the following :

a)    The approval on 18 January 2017 under  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

The Executive Member for Transformation and Resources submitted a report which set out the approach taken to the budget consultation for 2017/18 and provided a summary of the feedback received through the various methods. In discussion it was noted that a review of the consultation process was to be undertaken in order to improve any future consultation exercise.

            RESOLVED – That the following be noted:

• The consultation opportunities made available to the public for the budget proposals.
• The methodology and approach used for the consultation process.
• The feedback received from the consultation process.
• The next steps to be undertaken.
• The Equality Impact Assessments in relation to the budget proposals and the Public Sector Equality duty.

The Executive Member for Finance and Chief Finance Officer submitted a report setting out the Executive’s formal response to the report of the Scrutiny Committee, which had set out the Committee’s comments and findings from its review of the Executive’s draft budget proposals for 2017/18. The Chairman of Scrutiny Committee was invited to highlight any particular issues, and drew attention to the Committee’s observations in respect of Car Parking Fees.

RESOLVED – That the proposed response to the Scrutiny Committee be approved.

1. That the Capital Programme as detailed in the report be approved.

2. That Council be recommended to approve the Capital Programme in the sum of £109.16m for the period 2017/20.

3. That Council be recommended to approve £25.04m of additional prudential borrowing to support revenue generating investment opportunities as detailed in Paragraph 15 of the report.

4. That Council be recommended to approve the flexible use of capital receipts strategy as set out in Paragraph 13 of the report.

5. That Council be recommended to approve the Prudential Indicators as set out at Appendix 3 of the report.

The Executive Member for Finance and Chief Finance Officer submitted a report seeking the Executive’s consideration of and recommendation to Council a number of issues relating to the proposed Capital Programme and Prudential Indicators for 2017/20.

            RESOLVED -

(1)        That the Capital Programme as detailed in the report be approved.

(2)        That Council be recommended to approve the Capital Programme in the sum of £109.16m for the period 2017/20.

(3)        That Council be recommended to approve £25.04m of additional prudential borrowing to support revenue generating investment opportunities as detailed in Paragraph 15 of the report.

(4)        That Council be recommended to approve the flexible use of capital receipts strategy as set out in Paragraph 13 of the report.

(5)        That Council be recommended to approve the Prudential Indicators as set out at Appendix 3 of the report.

That the following be recommended to Council for approval:

·           policy on debt strategy as set out in section 3 of the report;

·           investment strategy as set out in section 5 of the report;

·           Prudential Indicators and limits including the Authorised Limit (as required by section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 2003), Operational Boundary, Minimum Revenue Provision Statement and Investment criteria as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report.

The Executive Member for Finance and Chief Finance Officer submitted a report which outlined the strategy to be followed during the forthcoming period for investments and borrowing, the outlook for interest rates, management of associated risks and policy to be adopted on Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) and Prudential Indicators.

             RESOLVED - That the following be recommended to Council for approval:

·           policy on debt strategy as set out in section 3 of the report;

·           investment strategy as set out in section 5 of the report;

·           Prudential Indicators and limits including the Authorised Limit (as required by section 3(1) of the Local Government Act 2003), Operational Boundary, Minimum Revenue Provision Statement and Investment criteria as detailed in Appendix 3 of the report.

1. That Council be recommended to approve the Fees and Charges for 2017/18, as set out in the booklet available on the Council’s web site.

2. That Council be requested to agree that approval be delegated jointly to each Corporate Director with the Chief Finance Officer to amend fees and charges during 2017/18 in the event of any change in the rate of VAT, as appropriate.

The Executive Member for Finance and Chief Finance Officer submitted a report which summarised the salient features of the annual review and pricing of the Council’s main fees and charges. It was noted that the booklet that detailed individual fees and charges could be found on the Council’s website in the area that supports the agenda. The booklet represented the main fees and charges to the public upon which the Executive’s proposed budget for 2017/18 had been based. Most fees and charges had been reviewed and amended as appropriate either by regulation or as aligned to the budget process. In connection with proposed charge levels, delegated authority to Corporate Directors and the Chief Finance Officer was sought to amend the level of the relevant fee or charge as appropriate in the light of any changes to the rate of VAT during 2017/18, in accordance with the Council’s traditional practice.

            RESOLVED -

(1)        That Council be recommended to approve the Fees and Charges for 2017/18, as set out in the booklet available on the Council’s web site.

(2)        That Council be requested to agree that approval be delegated jointly to each Corporate Director with the Chief Finance Officer to amend fees and charges during 2017/18 in the event of any change in the rate of VAT, as appropriate.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Community Wellbeing.

That approval be given to an inflationary uplift to the care fee rates paid by the Council of:

• 3.54% for the homecare market for 2017/8
• 3.2% for the residential and nursing care market for 2017/8

for the reasons set out in the report.

The Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Community Wellbeing submitted a report which outlines the approach adopted to determine a Fair Price for Care in Trafford, taking account of the low response traditionally received from the sector in determining the price for care. Consideration was given to national factors impacting on the current market, in particular the increase of the national living wage and the impact of the retail price index.

RESOLVED - That approval be given to an inflationary uplift to the care fee rates paid by the Council of:

• 3.54% for the homecare market for 2017/8
• 3.2% for the residential and nursing care market for 2017/8

for the reasons set out in the report.

To consider a report of the Deputy Chief Executive.

The Deputy Chief Executive submitted a report which set out the proposed approach to securing and developing investment opportunities to generate sustainable income streams to support the Council’s revenue budget. In discussion, a query was raised regarding the remuneration of the proposed specialist adviser; and support was expressed for using the Council’s resources in support of projects which would contribute to regeneration within the borough.

RESOLVED –

(1)        That the approach set out in the report be noted and approved.

(2)        That the intention to begin a tender exercise to secure an expert investment adviser be noted and approved. 

(3)        That the intention to explore the establishment of a Trafford Property Company and to secure the relevant expert advice be noted.

(4)        That it be noted that a further report would be brought back to the Executive, with an update on progress, and seeking approval for an investment strategy and appropriate vehicle.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure.

1. That the content of the report in relation to the continuation of the existing contract until the award of a new contract be noted.

2. That Trafford Council procure a provider or providers, to supply water, wastewater and ancillary services as set out in the report.

3. That on the conclusion of the procurement process the Corporate Director for Economic Growth Environment and Infrastructure be authorised to approve an award of the contract(s) by Trafford Council for the provision of water, wastewater, and ancillary services.

The Executive Member for Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure submitted a report which provided information on the proposal for Trafford Council to procure and subsequently award a contract for the supply of water, wastewater, and ancillary services, together with associated timelines.

            RESOLVED -

(1)        That the content of the report in relation to the continuation of the existing contract until the award of a new contract be noted.

(2)        That Trafford Council procure a provider or providers, to supply water, wastewater and ancillary services as set out in the report.

(3)        That on the conclusion of the procurement process the Corporate Director for Economic Growth Environment and Infrastructure be authorised to approve an award of the contract(s) by Trafford Council for the provision of water, wastewater, and ancillary services.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Transformation and Resources and Corporate Director, Transformation and Resources.

The Executive Member for Transformation and Resources submitted a report which provided a summary of performance against the Council’s Annual Delivery Plan, 2016/17, and covered the period 1 October 2016 to 31 December 2016. An opportunity was provided for Members to raise queries on the report’s content, and these centred on Household Waste Collection, Business Rates collection levels and percentage of land assessed as Grade B or above.

RESOLVED - That the content of the draft Annual Delivery Plan Third Quarter Performance Report be noted.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Communities and Partnerships.

The Executive Member for Communities and Partnerships submitted a report advising Members of the making of a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) covering parts of Trafford Park, in relation to the activities of “car cruisers”. In discussion, a query was raised regarding the enforcement of the Order; and Members were advised that its effectiveness would be monitored and reviewed, with a further report being brought back to the Executive accordingly.

RESOLVED -  That the making be noted of a Public Spaces Protection Order for a period of three years for that area of Trafford Park set out in the draft order appended to the report.