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.

To receive and, if so determined, to approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 26.11.12.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the meetings held on 26^th November and 17^th December 2012 be approved as correct records.

To consider any matters referred by the Council or by the Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

Councillor Lloyd advised the Executive on the current position regarding the examination by the Joint Trafford / Manchester Health Scrutiny Committee of “New Health Deal for Trafford” proposals. Significant concerns had been expressed to the Strategic Health Board, and the Joint Committee was minded to refer the proposals to the Secretary of State in the event that a satisfactory response was not received. 

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance.

Please note: Appendix 6 to this report will be to follow; as it is very extensive, it will not be circulated in hard copy, but will be made available, along with the rest of this agenda, on the Council’s website.

The Executive Member for Finance introduced a report setting out details of the outcome of a consultation on alternative proposals relating to a local Council Tax support scheme, with a view to the Executive making a recommendation on a preferred option to Council. It was noted that there would be further debate on various specific issues at the meeting of Council on 23/1/13.

RESOLVED: That, following the public consultation and feedback from individuals, groups and stakeholders, it be recommended that the Council approve: -

(1)       The introduction of a local council tax support scheme as outlined in proposal 1 and set out in appendix 6 to the report.

(2)       The removal of the 100% empty property council tax exemption and its replacement with a 100% discount for one month, followed by the full charge.

(3)       The removal of the second home council tax discount.

(4)       That the above changes be effective from 1 April 2013.

To receive the Budget Scrutiny Report on the Executive’s Draft Budget Proposals for 2013-14, and agree the Executive’s Response.

(a)  Budget Scrutiny Report   (attached)

(b)  Proposed Executive Response   (to follow)

Councillor Shaw, as Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee, was in attendance and thanked the Executive and its officers for their commitment to the Budget Scrutiny process, the report arising from which was now before the Executive. The Leader of the Council in turn thanked Scrutiny Members for their report, and invited the Executive to endorse the proposed response, noting that a number of the recommended actions were completed or in progress. Councillor Shaw thanked the Executive for its response, which would be formally presented to Scrutiny Committee on 6^th February, and requested that any further queries from Members arising from the response be forwarded to the Scrutiny Office as soon as possible.

RESOLVED: That the Budget Scrutiny report be received and noted, and the proposed response endorsed for referral to Scrutiny Committee on 6^th February, 2013.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance.

The Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance introduced a report which set out key features of the provisional Settlement which had been announced on 19^th December 2012. Given that in some respects the position in respect of Business Rates was not yet clear, delegated arrangements were requested in respect of a number of specific decisions in this area.

RESOLVED -

(1)       That the Executive provisional settlement be noted and taken into account when formulating final budget proposals.

 (2)      That it be noted that the Leader of the Council had delegated authority for the approval of the NNDR1 form (business rates estimate) to the Director of Finance in consultation with the Executive Member for Finance.

(3)       That it be noted that the Leader of the Council had delegated to the Director of Finance authority for the approval of payment dates for business rates to the GM Fire and Rescue Service and the GM Pool (if agreed).

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Economic Growth & Prosperity and of the Director of Finance.

The Executive Member for Economic Growth and Prosperity and Director of Finance submitted a report requesting that the Executive make recommendations to Council in respect of the proposed introduction of a Council Tax Empty Property Premium, following Government’s granting of discretion to do so and consistent with the Council’s Empty Property Strategy.

RESOLVED: That it be recommended that the Council approve:

(1)       That from 1^st April 2013 a council tax premium of 50% be applied for properties that have remained empty for more than two years.

(2)       That the Executive has the discretion to vary this premium if it deems it appropriate to do so following the expected release of guidance from the Department of Communities and Local Government.

To consider a report of the Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance.

The Executive Member for Finance and Acting Corporate Director, Transformation & Resources submitted a report which informed Members of the current position regarding the monitoring of the revenue budget.

RESOLVED: That the latest forecast and planned actions be noted and agreed.

To note schedules of decisions from the relevant meetings:

(a)  Combined Authority

(b)  AGMA Executive Board

The Executive received for information details of decisions made by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority and AGMA Executive Board at their meetings held on 30/11/12.  

            RESOLVED:             That the content of the decision summaries be noted.