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.

It is recommended that Council approve:

·         The net Revenue Budget for 2015/16 at £148.914m, a decrease of £(5.638)m, or (3.6)%, when compared to the 2014/15 base budget of £154.552m;

·         The calculation of the Council Tax Requirement as summarised in Section 10 and set out in the Formal Council Tax Resolution (Green Sheets to be circulated at Council);

·         That there is no increase in the proposed Council Tax level for Trafford related services in 2015/16 (valuation bands are detailed at Annex E;

·         The Fees and Charges for 2015/16, as set out in the booklet available on the Council’s website (subject to the amendment set out in the supplementary paper presented to the meeting) :-

Ø  Approval is given to Corporate Directors and the Director of Finance with the joint delegation to amend fees and charges during 2015/16 in the event of any change in the rate of VAT, as appropriate

Ø  Approval is given to the Corporate Director, Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure, and the Director of Finance with joint delegation to amend fees and charges in line with commercial negotiations with the Joint Venture Partner(s) (if approved).

·         That the minimum level of General Reserve for 2015/16 be set at £6.0m, the same as in 2014/15 (Section 5 of the report);

·         The overall Capital Investment Programme level of £79.7m be approved (as detailed in the Capital Investment Programme 2015/18 report – Item 3d attached to the agenda) of which £41.8m relates to 2015/16.

·         The Prudential Borrowing Indicators as set out in Appendix 3, page 14, of the Treasury Management Strategy – Item 3e attached to the agenda.

·         The distribution of Dedicated Schools Grant as recommended by the School Funding Forum and Executive as summarised in Section 7 and detailed in Annex F to the report.

and in approving the above, has taken into consideration :

·         The objective assessment by the Director of Finance of the robustness of budget estimates and adequacy of the General Reserve (Section 5 and Annex M).

·         The Executive’s response to the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations to the budget proposals, which can be found elsewhere on the agenda – Item 3c.

·         The detailed report on the outcomes of the Staff and Trade Union Consultation which can be found on the agenda for the Executive on 26 January 2015.

·         The Equality Impact Assessments in relation to the budget proposals and the Public Sector Equality duty

And that in addition, the Council notes the following :

·         The approval on 30 January 2015 under delegated powers by the Director of Finance of the Council Tax Base for 2015/16 at 72,669 Band D equivalents. Along with the calculation of the estimated Council Tax surplus, sufficient to release £(300)k to support the Council’s 2015/2016 revenue budget and a distribution of £(41.3)k and £(15.6)k representing the respective shares of the GM Police & Crime Commissioner and GM Fire and Rescue Authority. 

·         That the Capital Investment Programme for 2016/17 and 2017/18 is to be set at an indicative £23.5m and £14.4m respectively.

·         That the Council Tax  ...  view the full decision text for item 77.

The Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance submitted a report setting out recommendations to Council in respect of the proposed Revenue Budget for 2015/16 and a range of associated financial proposals (including Capital Investment Programme and Treasury Management Strategy, on which separate minutes appear below). In relation to the Fees and Charges section of the report, the Executive also took into account a tabled paper setting out revised proposals in respect of Taxi Licence Renewal fees.

            RESOLVED – That it be recommended that Council approve:

·         The net Revenue Budget for 2015/16 at £148.914m, a decrease of £(5.638)m, or (3.6)%, when compared to the 2014/15 base budget of £154.552m;

·         The calculation of the Council Tax Requirement as summarised in Section 10 and set out in the Formal Council Tax Resolution (Green Sheets to be circulated at Council);

·         That there is no increase in the proposed Council Tax level for Trafford related services in 2015/16 (valuation bands are detailed at Annex E;

·         The Fees and Charges for 2015/16, as set out in the booklet available on the Council’s website (subject to the amendment set out in the supplementary paper presented to the meeting) :-

Ø  Approval is given to Corporate Directors and the Director of Finance with the joint delegation to amend fees and charges during 2015/16 in the event of any change in the rate of VAT, as appropriate

Ø  Approval is given to the Corporate Director, Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure, and the Director of Finance with joint delegation to amend fees and charges in line with commercial negotiations with the Joint Venture Partner(s) (if approved).

·         That the minimum level of General Reserve for 2015/16 be set at £6.0m, the same as in 2014/15 (Section 5 of the report);

·         The overall Capital Investment Programme level of £79.7m be approved (as detailed in the Capital Investment Programme 2015/18 report – Item 3d attached to the agenda) of which £41.8m relates to 2015/16.

·         The Prudential Borrowing Indicators as set out in Appendix 3, page 14, of the Treasury Management Strategy – Item 3e attached to the agenda.

·         The distribution of Dedicated Schools Grant as recommended by the School Funding Forum and Executive as summarised in Section 7 and detailed in Annex F to the report.

and in approving the above, has taken into consideration :

·         The objective assessment by the Director of Finance of the robustness of budget estimates and adequacy of the General Reserve (Section 5 and Annex M).

·         The Executive’s response to the Scrutiny Committee’s recommendations to the budget proposals, which can be found elsewhere on the agenda – Item 3c.

·         The detailed report on the outcomes of the Staff and Trade Union Consultation which can be found on the agenda for the Executive on 26 January 2015.

·         The Equality Impact Assessments in relation to the budget proposals and the Public Sector Equality duty

And that in addition, the Council notes the following :

·         The approval on 30 January 2015 under delegated powers by the Director of Finance  ...  view the full minutes text for item 77.

Capital Programme and Prudential Indicators 2015-18

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

2. That it be noted that additional schemes may be added to the Capital Programme following the Joint Venture procurement exercise.

3. That Council be recommended to approve the Capital Programme in the sum of £79.7m for the period 2015-18.

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

The Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance submitted a report setting out details of recommendations to Council in respect of the Capital Programme and associated Prudential Indicators for 2015/18.

RESOLVED -

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

(2)        That it be noted that additional schemes may be added to the Capital Programme following the Joint Venture procurement exercise.

(3)        That Council be recommended to approve the Capital Programme in the sum of £79.7m for the period 2015-18.

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

That Council be recommended to approve the:

·           policy on debt strategy for 2015/16 to 2017/18 as set out in section 3 of the report;

·           investment strategy for 2015/16 to 2017/18  and amendments to the credit criteria 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 to the report.

The Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance submitted a report seeking approval to make recommendations to Council in respect of the Treasury Management Strategy for 2015/16 – 2017/18.

            RESOLVED - That Council be recommended to approve the:

·          policy on debt strategy for 2015/16 to 2017/18 as set out in section 3 of the report;

·           investment strategy for 2015/16 to 2017/18  and amendments to the credit criteria 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 to the report.

To consider a report of the Executive Members for Adult Social Care and Community Wellbeing, Children’s Services, Economic Growth and Planning, and Environment and Operations.

1. That the Executive note:

·         The extensive Consultation in relation to the CFW and EGEI budget proposals 2015/16, including the methodology and approach used.

·         The final proposals and consultation outcomes.

·         The Equality Impact Assessments in relation to the budget proposals and the Public Sector Equality duty

2. That the recommendations in relation to individual budget proposals, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be agreed.

The Executive Members for Adult Social Services and Community Wellbeing, Children’s Services, Economic Growth and Planning and Environment and Operations submitted a report setting out the approach adopted to consultation on a range of service areas within CFW and EGEI Directorates, the subsequent outcomes and revised recommendations now being put forward.

            RESOLVED -

(1)        That the Executive note:

·         The extensive Consultation in relation to the CFW and EGEI budget proposals 2015/16, including the methodology and approach used.

·         The final proposals and consultation outcomes.

·         The Equality Impact Assessments in relation to the budget proposals and the Public Sector Equality duty

(2)        That the recommendations in relation to individual budget proposals, as set out in Appendix A to the report, be agreed.

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

That the latest forecast be noted and agreed.

The Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance submitted a report setting out the findings from the monitoring of the revenue budget for 2014/15, as at the end of December 2014.

            RESOLVED - That the latest forecast be noted and agreed.

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

1. That the amendments to the 2014/15 Capital Investment Programme be approved.

2. That the monitoring report be noted.

The Executive Member for Finance and Director of Finance submitted a report setting out the findings from the monitoring of the Capital Programme for 2014/15, as at the end of Quarter 3, December 2014.

            RESOLVED -

(1)        That the amendments to the 2014/15 Capital Investment Programme be approved.

(2)        That the monitoring report be noted.

Any other item or items which by reason of:-

(a)        Regulation 11 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the Chairman of the meeting, with the agreement of the relevant Overview and Scrutiny Committee Chairman, is of the opinion should be considered at this meeting as a matter of urgency as it relates to a key decision; or

(b)        special circumstances (to be specified) the Chairman of the meeting is of the opinion should be considered at this meeting as a matter of urgency.

It is anticipated that the Chairman of the meeting, with the agreement of the Scrutiny Committee Chairman, will allow, by reason of special circumstances (to be specified), consideration of the following matter as an urgent item of business in parts 1 and 2 of the agenda:

Stretford Town Centre Update (Part 1 report)

To consider a joint report of the Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning.

Stretford Town Centre Update

1. That the on-going work to transform Stretford Town Centre and implement the Stretford Masterplan be noted.

2. That approval be given to the disposal of Stretford Public Hall in accordance with the terms detailed in the Part II report and that the Corporate Director of Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, be authorised to complete the necessary documentation.

3. That the Lacy Street preferred option be approved for the purposes of public consultation.

a) Stretford Town Centre Update

[Note: The Chairman agreed to allow consideration of this item as Urgent Business, with the assent of the Chairman of Scrutiny Committee, in order to allow timely implementation of the associated recommendations.]

The Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning submitted a report seeking approval for a number of measures aimed at promoting the continued implementation of the Stretford Town Centre Masterplan.

            RESOLVED -

(1)        That the on-going work to transform Stretford Town Centre and implement the Stretford Masterplan be noted.

(2)        That approval be given to the disposal of Stretford Public Hall in accordance with the terms detailed in the Part II report and that the Corporate Director of Economic Growth, Environment and Infrastructure, in consultation with the Director of Legal and Democratic Services, be authorised to complete the necessary documentation.

(3)        That the Lacy Street preferred option be approved for the purposes of public consultation.

Motion   (Which may be amended as Members think fit):

          That the public be excluded from this meeting during consideration of the remaining items on the agenda, because of the likelihood of disclosure of “exempt information” which falls within one or more descriptive category or categories of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, as amended by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, and specified on the agenda item or report relating to each such item respectively.

            RESOLVED - That the public be excluded from this meeting during consideration of the remaining items on the agenda, because of the likelihood of disclosure of “exempt information” which falls within one or more descriptive category or categories of the Local Government Act 1972, Schedule 12A, as amended by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006, and specified on the agenda item or report relating to each such item respectively.

Stretford Town Centre Update (Part 2 report)

To consider a joint report of the Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning.

(Not for publication by virtue of Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A - i.e. This report is not for publication as it contains information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information), and the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.)

a) Urgent Business: Stretford Town Centre Update

[Note: The Chairman agreed to allow consideration of this item as Urgent Business, with the assent of the Chairman of Scrutiny Committee, in order to allow timely implementation of the associated recommendations.]

The Executive Member for Economic Growth and Planning submitted a report, containing Exempt Information, which sought approval for a number of measures aimed at promoting the continued implementation of the Stretford Town Centre Masterplan. Decisions in relation to the report were taken in Part I of the agenda. (Minute 83 refers.)