Decisions

The Cabinet Members:

(1)  Agree the levels of charges proposed (noting that these may change following engagement and/or consultation).

(2)  Agree to the progression of proposals outlined in this report for wider community engagement and/or statutory consultation as appropriate.

(3)  Agree that any surplus raised from the proposals as implemented be allocated to a revenue reserve account to be applied (where permissible under section 55 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (RTRA 1984)), to:

a)  Cover the cost of implementing the proposals.

b)  Cover future maintenance of assets to ensure the effective parking enforcement of restrictions.

To support the development of sustainable transport schemes in accordance with statutory obligations

This report seeks a single member decision as to how to vote in the forthcoming Bath Business Improvement District (BID) ballot.

The Cabinet Member agrees that that the Chief Executive is authorised to vote ‘yes’ on behalf of the Council in the BID renewal ballot

A tender report detailing the process that has followed, the evaluation criteria, the finals scores for each bidder and the recommendation to appoint the highest scoring bid.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed with the following decision:

1)  That whilst this bid in the report is proceedable, the Cabinet are not satisfied that there are sufficient benefits to commit to a long-term solution and will not be appointing Company A.

2)  That the High Common is retained as public open space which should increase the range of informal uses on the site.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet support the appointment of Company E as the Council’s preferred bidder. The preferred bidder will engage with the local community on their proposals and once terms are agreed final contracts will be completed, after a standstill period of 10 days.

The report will contain details on the progress so far with the Preparing for the Future Programme. This programme will deliver changes to how we work which will streamline our use of office buildings and provide a more flexible workforce that reflects the changes in how we now work and how we will deliver services in the future. The aim is to equip all staff to have a good day’s work by providing them with the right technology, being flexible in our approach to promote wellbeing and ensuring an effective work/life balance.
The overarching principle of the programme is ‘work is what you do not a place you go’.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed with the aims of the Preparing for the Future programme and to note the progress that has been made with the programme to date.

This report presents the revenue and capital budgets together with proposals for Council Tax and Adult Social Care Precept for 2021/22.

The Corporate PDS Panel considered this item and their comments have been passed to Cabinet for consideration with their budget report.

Council agreed the resolutions as set out in the report at their meeting on 23^rd February 2021.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed to:

1.1 Recommend that the Council approves-

a)  The General Fund net revenue budget for 2021/22 of £130.07m and the individual service cash limits for 2021/22 as outlined in Annex 1.

b)  The savings plans outlined in Annex 2(i), growth and pressures 2(ii), in conjunction with the Equalities Impact Assessment Report in Annex 3.

c)  An increase in Council Tax of 1.99% in 2021/22 (an increase of £28.99 per Band D property or 56p per week).

d)  An increase of 3% to Council Tax for the Adult Social Care Precept is approved in recognition of the current demands and financial pressures on this service. This is equivalent to an increase of £43.70 on a Band D property (84p per week).

e)  The movement in reserves outlined in section 5.6 and the adequacy of Un-earmarked Reserves at £12.59m within a risk assessed range requirement of £11.6m - £12.8m.

f)  The Efficiency Strategy attached at Annex 4.

g)  The Capital Programme for 2021/22 of £69.506m including new and emerging capital bids outlined in Annex 5(i), planned sources of funding in 5.8.2, and notes the programme for 2021/22 to 2024/25 and that any wholly funded projects coming forward during the year will be added to the Capital Programme in line with the Budget Management Scheme.

h)  The delegation of implementation, subject to consultation where appropriate, of the capital programmes set out in Annex 5(ii) to Annex 5(iii) to the relevant Director in Consultation with the appropriate Portfolio Holder.

i)  The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) allocations and amendments outlined in Annex 5(iv).

j)  The Capital & Investment Strategy attached at Annex 6.

k)   The MRP Policy attached at Annex 7.

l)  The Capital Prudential Indicators outlined in 5.8.8.

m)  The Annual Pay Policy Statement at Annex 8.

n)  The Community Contribution Fund proposal outlined in Annex 10.

o)  The Council Tax Support Scheme for 2021/22 shown in the following link: https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2021-01/Council%20Tax%20reduction%20scheme%20April%201%202021%20-%20March%2031%202022.pdf  and referred to in 5.3.4.

1.2  That the Council include in its Council Tax setting, the precepts set and approved by other bodies including the local precepts of Town Councils, Parish Councils, and Charter Trustees of the City of Bath, and those of the Fire and Police Authorities.

1.3    That Cabinet note the S151 Officer’s report on the robustness of the proposed budget and the adequacy of the Council’s reserves outlined in 5.7.

1.4  Authorise the Council’s S151 Officer, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Resources, to make any necessary changes to the draft budget proposal for submission to Council.

This report presents the financial monitoring information for the Authority as a whole for the financial year 2020/21, using information available as at the end of December 2020.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed to:

1)  Note the 2020/21 revenue budget position (as at the end of December 2020).

2)  Note the revenue virements listed for information only in Appendix 3(i).

3)  Note the capital year-end forecast detailed in paragraph 3.36 of this report;

4)  Note the changes in the capital programme including capital schemes that have been agreed for full approval under delegation listed in Appendix 4(i).

The Local Government Act requires the Council to set out its Treasury Strategy for borrowing, and to prepare an Annual Investment Strategy, setting out the Council’s policies for managing its investments.

Recommendations approved at Council on 23^rd February 2021.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed to:

1)  Recommend the actions proposed within the Treasury Management Strategy Statement (Appendix 1) to February Council.

2)  Note the Treasury Management Indicators detailed in Appendix 1 and delegate authority for updating the indicators prior to approval at Full Council on 23^rd February 2021 to the Chief Finance Officer and Cabinet Member for Resources, in light of any changes to the recommended budget as set out in the Budget Report elsewhere on the agenda for this meeting.

3)  Note that any comments made by the Corporate Audit Committee at their meeting on the 4^th February 2021 will be reported to Full Council on the 23^rd February 2021.

This report gives details of performance against the Council’s Treasury Management Strategy & Annual Investment Plan 2020/21 for the first nine months of 2020/21.

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the Cabinet agreed that:

1)  The Treasury Management Report to 31^st December 2020, prepared in accordance with the CIPFA Treasury Code of Practice, is noted.

2)  The Treasury Management Indicators to 31^st December 2020 are noted.