Agenda item

The material relevant to this item is the report on pages 23 to 30 of the agenda and its four appendices considered by the Cabinet at its meeting on 5 February 2019.

 

The following recommendations were made by the Cabinet to the Council:

 

RECOMMENDATION TO THE COUNCIL

 

That:

 

a)    That a net budget requirement of £13,829,600 for 2019-20 be approved.

 

b)    That Council tax be increased by £5 from £155.81 to £160.81 for a band D equivalent in 2019-2020.

 

c)     That the Investment Opportunities Reserve be increased by £532,500.

 

d)    The capital programme, including the asset renewal programme (appendix 1c and 1d to the agenda report) be approved.

The Council considered the recommendation made to it by the Cabinet at its meeting on Tuesday 5 February 2019, as set out on pages 23 to 30 of the agenda report and its four appendices on pages 1 to 57 of the main agenda supplement for that meeting. 

 

That recommendation had been revised and the text thereof and the Council Tax Resolution report were set out in the agenda supplement published for this Council meeting.

 

A sheet had been circulated within the Council Chamber shortly before the start of this meeting with an amendment to recommendation 6 (1) iv. in the agenda supplement which would be proposed by Mr A Moss (Fishbourne and Leader of the Opposition) namely:

 

‘That recommendation 6 (1) iv. be replaced with:

 

6 (1) iv. The £532,500 previously proposed for the Investment Opportunity Reserve be instead held in an earmarked reserve and the Cabinet is tasked with consideration of the following initiatives to be funded from that reserve:

 

Amendment A

 

(A) The appointment of a Climate Emergency Officer on a three-year fixed term contract to support Chichester District Council in the development of policies on climate change, the protection of biodiversity and to identify specific actions for Chichester District Council to undertake, with the maximum employment costs to be £150,000.

 

Amendment B

 

(B) Evening parking to be free of charge in Northgate and New Park Centre car parks for an initial fixed term of three years, with an estimated loss in revenue to Chichester District Council of £115,000 per year.

 

Amendment C

 

(C) Any remaining balance to be placed in the Investment Opportunity Reserve account.’

 

The Chairman pointed out that, as stated in the agenda and the agenda supplement, the revised recommendation and any proposed amendments thereto were required to be decided by a recorded vote.

 

Mr A Moss (Fishbourne) intimated that he would propose the aforesaid amendments when invited to do so by the Chairman.

 

Mr P Wilding (Cabinet Member for Corporate Services) formally moved the Cabinet’s revised recommendation and this was seconded by Mr A Dignum (Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Growth and Place).

 

Mr P Wilding presented and commended the Cabinet’s revised recommendation, which followed from the Council’s approval at its last meeting of the Financial Strategy and Plan 2019-2020. He summarised (a) the contents of the Cabinet report, which detailed the budget spending plans of each of Cabinet portfolio - those plans and the various funding streams underpinned the balanced budget which was before the Council for approval and (b) the Council Tax Resolution report, which detailed the basis for setting the council tax having regard to the three precepts required. The overall proposed council tax by band for each parish, broken down by precepting authority, was in appendix B to the latter report. He pointed out that for a band D property the annual CDC council tax was £160.81, which was less than the Police and Crime Commissioner and West Sussex County Council precepts.

 

He commented on the following matters:

 

·       The government’s offer for 2019-2020 was the final year of the four-year settlement.

 

·       The key variables and issues which would have an impact on the 2019-2020 financial year. One of those was the level of council tax. It was the Cabinet’s view that the government’s offer of allowing a modest council tax rise of £5 for band D properties (less than 10p per week) and equivalent increases for other property bands should be accepted: it would help to offset the continued reduction of government funding, generate an extra £266,700 per year and assist in closing the budget deficit which would otherwise emerge in the medium term. That increase had been assumed in the five-year financial strategy.

 

·       The continuing work on CDC’s 2016 deficit reduction plan, which aimed to generate further income and savings amounting to £1.3m over the next five years.

 

·       The comprehensive income and expenditure statement.

 

·       The major variances between the 2018-2019 and the 2019-2020 budgets were detailed in appendix 1, including growth items amounting to £151,700, which were significantly offset by efficiency savings of £334,700.

 

·       The Cabinet portfolio budget summaries.

 

·       The Capital and Projects Programme, the Asset Replacement Programme and the Capital Programme Resource Statement.

 

·       The Statement of Reserves: this was consistent with CDC’s financial strategy and remained robust and healthy, highlighted the purpose of specific reserves and the respective authorisations for their use, and demonstrated that the Capital Programme and Asset Replacement Programme were fully funded.

 

·       The Prudential Indicators and MRP (Minimum Revenue Provision) Statement 2019-2020.

 

·       The Section 151 Officer’s report in para 8.2 of the Cabinet report pursuant to section 25 of the Local Government Act 2000 as to the robustness of the estimates and the adequacy of the reserves when considering this agenda item.  

 

The budget process involved co-operation between individual budget managers and the CDC’s Financial Services department, overseen by the Strategic Leadership Team, and ensured that service delivery priorities were met within the constraints on public sector financial resources.

 

He expressed his gratitude to Mr J Ward (Director of Corporate Services), Mrs H Belenger (Divisional Manager Financial Services) and all of her colleagues for their hard work and diligence in preparing the budget spending plans for 2019-2020.

 

Mr Moss (Fishbourne) read out and formally proposed the aforementioned amendments to para (1) iv. in the revised Cabinet recommendation for this agenda item.

 

His proposal was seconded by Mr J Brown (Southbourne).

 

Mr Brown spoke in support of the proposal and commented on the initiative in amendment A. He made the following points:

 

·       The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report emphasised the imperative to act urgently to save the world’s ecosystem. However there was a widespread sense that governments generally did not take this threat seriously and that individuals acting alone could achieve little of significance.

 

·       CDC members were well aware of the frustration felt by their constituents at the impotence to take local action, for example requiring new development to be zero carbon, due to a lack of the requisite national legislation and incentives.

 

·       CDC could set a much-needed example by acknowledging and accepting the reality of a genuine climate emergency and trying to inspire others to follow and shame those who did nothing. This would require policies which were practical, affordable and defensible against resistant developers.

 

·       CDC had a very talented and motivated group of officers in this area but their resources were stretched. A dedicated climate emergency officer should be appointed to research what other councils were doing eg to build houses with much higher environmental standards; what communities were achieving in other countries; what grants were available for improving the local environment; and what self-financing policies would encourage and incentivise local businesses to go green.

 

·       Among CDC’s priorities for the new officer to explore would be to: (a) to have a 100% zero carbon building code or as near as possible to that; (b) ensure that businesses, charities, schools, hospitals and residents embraced enthusiastically the reduction of single-use plastics agenda; (c) work with local farmers to attain as near as possible a ‘nutrient zero’ run-off situation; (d) introduce wetlands and reed beds to reduce flooding and filtering water coming off the land before it could enter Chichester Harbour; (e) plan proactively safe and well-positioned walking and cycling routes to link up new and existing settlements; and (f) protect the beauty and biodiversity of the district and its environs.

 

·       For these measures to have a realistic prospect of success it was imperative to attempt them and without delay by acquiring an evidence base and devoting resources. This was how CDC could play its part in investing in the preservation of life on earth and protecting the area’s local biodiversity and regional ecosystem before it was too late.

 

The Chairman stated that, as indicated on the amendment sheet, parts A, B and C of Mr Moss’ proposal would each be subject to a separate recorded vote. 

Mr Dignum said that he was pleased that the proposed amendment did not seek to impose the initiatives with immediate effect but would instead refer the same to the Cabinet for its consideration. He did not object to that approach. The Cabinet would be advised by officers in accordance with established financial principles and in the context of the prevailing financial uncertainty in national and local government. Accordingly he was content to support the tripartite amendment and encouraged the Conservative group members to do likewise.

 

The Council debated the amendment proposal. Members spoke in favour or against and asked questions or made comments on points of detail, to which officers and Mr Dignum responded where appropriate. The details of the discussion are available via the audio recording on CDC’s web-site.

 

The following members spoke during the discussion on amendment A: 

 

Mr P Budge (Chichester North); Mr J Ransley (Wisborough Green); Mr A Shaxson (Harting); Mr S Morley (Midhurst); Dr K O’Kelly (Rogate); Mr L Hixson (Chichester East); Mr S Oakley (Tangmere); Caroline Neville (Stedham); and Mr H Potter (Boxgrove). 

 

Mr Moss responded to a query about the adequacy of the proposed employment costs figure of £150,000. He explained that the nature of the role and the level of remuneration had been very carefully considered and he was satisfied that this was a realistic and reasonable figure. It was important that the Cabinet and officers clearly understood the specification when they considered this proposal.   

 

The following members spoke during the discussion on amendment B: 

 

Mrs P Tull (Sidlesham); Mr R Plowman (Chichester West); Mrs P Plant (Bosham); Mr Hixson; Mrs P Dignum (Chichester South); Mrs P Hardwick (Fernhurst); Mr R Hayes (Southbourne); Mr F Hobbs (Easebourne); Mr Morley; and Dr O’Kelly.

 

Mr Moss thanked members for their comments. He said that the proposal in amendment B was intended to return something back to residents and visitors and to boost not only the local night-time economy at a time when the retail and restaurant businesses were under pressure but the city as a whole and the surrounding communities. He emphasised that this was a matter for the Cabinet to consider in detail after the district elections.

 

Mrs L C Purnell (Selsey North) asked if the three amendments could be voted on en bloc.

 

Mrs D Shepherd (Chief Executive) said that unless Mr Moss altered his stance, they would be voted on separately each in turn.

 

On being asked by the Chairman, Mr Moss affirmed his wish for separate and sequential voting.  

 

As stated in the agenda supplement, the revised version of the Cabinet’s recommendation and before it the amendments proposed by Mr Moss were all required by standing order 9.5 in CDC’s Constitution to be the subject of a recorded vote.

 

 

 

 

RECORDED VOTES

 

(1) AMENDMENT A

 

First of all, the Council voted on amendment A with its preamble. Mrs D Shepherd conducted the recorded vote. As shown in the table below, the 39 members present voted as follows:

 

·       For: 38

·       Against: 1

·       Abstain: 0

 

Eight members were absent and there was one vacancy (Selsey North).

 

MEMBER	FOR	AGAINST	ABSTAIN	ABSENT
Mrs Apel	X
Mr Barrett				X
Mr Barrow				X
Mr Brown	X
Mr Budge	X
Mr Collins	X
Mr Connor	X
Mr Dempster				X
Mr Dignum	X
Mrs Dignum	X
Mrs Duncton				X
Mr Dunn				X
Mr J F Elliott	X
Mr J W Elliott				X
Mr Galloway				X
Mrs Graves	X
Mr Hall	X
Mrs Hamilton	X
Mrs Hardwick	X
Mr Hayes	X
Mr Hicks	X
Mr Hixson	X
Mr Hobbs	X
Mrs Kilby	X
Mrs Lintill	X
Mr Lloyd- Williams	X
Mr Macey		X
Mr Martin	X
Mr McAra	X
Mr Morley	X
Mr Moss	X
Caroline Neville	X
Mr Oakley	X
Mr Page	X
Dr O’Kelly	X
Mrs Plant	X
Mr Plowman	X
Mr Potter	X
Mrs Purnell	X
Mr Ransley	X
Mr Ridd	X
Mr Shaxson	X
Mrs Tassell				X
MEMBER	FOR	AGAINST	ABSTAIN	ABSENT
Mrs Taylor	X
Mr Thomas	X
Mrs Tull	X
Mr Wilding	X
[VACANCY: SELSEY NORTH]
TOTAL: 47	38	1		8

 

Decision

 

In accordance with the aforesaid recorded vote, amendment A to the Cabinet’s revised recommendation was carried as shown in the foregoing table. 

 

(2) AMENDMENT B

 

Secondly, the Council voted on amendment B with its preamble. Mrs Shepherd conducted the recorded vote. As shown in the table below, the 39 members present voted as follows:

 

·       For: 24

·       Against: 12

·       Abstain: 3

 

Eight members were absent and there was one vacancy (Selsey North).

 

MEMBER	FOR	AGAINST	ABSTAIN	ABSENT
Mrs Apel	X
Mr Barrett				X
Mr Barrow				X
Mr Brown	X
Mr Budge	X
Mr Collins		X
Mr Connor	X
Mr Dempster				X
Mr Dignum	X
Mrs Dignum	X
Mrs Duncton				X
Mr Dunn				X
Mr J F Elliott	X
Mr J W Elliott				X
Mr Galloway				X
Mrs Graves	X
Mr Hall	X
Mrs Hamilton	X
Mrs Hardwick		X
Mr Hayes		X
Mr Hicks		X
Mr Hixson		X
Mr Hobbs	X
Mrs Kilby	X
Mrs Lintill	X
Mr Lloyd- Williams	X
Mr Macey	X
Mr Martin		X
Mr McAra		X
Mr Morley	X
Mr Moss	X
MEMBER	FOR	AGAINST	ABSTAIN	ABSENT
Caroline Neville	X
Mr Oakley			X
Dr K’OKelly	X
Mr Page		X
Mrs Plant	X
Mr Plowman	X
Mr Potter		X
Mrs Purnell			X
Mr Ransley		X
Mr Ridd		X
Mr Shaxson	X
Mrs Tassell				X
Mrs Taylor	X
Mr Thomas	X
Mrs Tull			X
Mr Wilding		X
[VACANCY: SELSEY NORTH]
TOTAL: 47	24	12	3	8

 

Decision

 

In accordance with the aforesaid recorded vote, amendment B to the Cabinet’s revised recommendation was carried as shown in the foregoing table. 

 

(3) AMENDMENT C

 

The Council did not in the event vote on amendment C with its preamble.

 

It was queried by Mrs Purnell whether this was necessary since it was in effect obvious that there would be a remaining balance of £37,500 after the deduction of the sums agreed in the approval of amendments A and B.

 

Mrs Shepherd acknowledged the point and said that amendment C could be deleted.

 

However, the point and also what would be the position in due course if the Cabinet decided against the initiatives in amendments A and B, were then debated. Various views were expressed and questions were asked by the following members: Mrs Hardwick; Mrs Tull; Mr Ransley; Mr Dignum; Mr Potter; and Mr Hobbs, with Mrs Shepherd giving further advice.

 

It was decided by consensus not to vote on amendment C but instead to proceed to a recorded vote on the Cabinet’s revised recommendation as amended by the two preceding recorded votes and with a reference to the remaining balance of £37,500 being placed in the Investment Opportunity Reserve account.

 

(4) REVISED RECOMMENDATION BY THE CABINET AS AMENDED

 

The outcome of the foregoing deliberations was that the Council was finally asked to vote on the revised recommendation by the Cabinet with para (1) iv. amended by (a) amendments A and B as aforesaid and (b) the insertion of a reference to a balance of £37,500, namely:

 

‘(1) iv. The £532,500 previously proposed for the Investment Opportunity Reserve be instead held in an earmarked reserve and the Cabinet be tasked with consideration of the following initiatives to be funded from that reserve:

 

(A) The appointment of a Climate Emergency Officer on a three-year fixed term contract to support Chichester District Council in the development of policies on climate change, the protection of biodiversity and to identify specific actions for Chichester District Council to undertake, with the maximum employment costs to be £150,000.

 

(B) Evening parking to be free of charge in Northgate and New Park Centre car parks for an initial fixed term of three years, with an estimated loss in revenue to Chichester District Council of £115,000 per year.

 

(C) The remaining balance of £37,500 be placed in the Investment Opportunity Reserve account.’ 

   

The Council voted thirdly and finally on the substantive revised recommendation as amended by amendments A and B and with the consequential amendment in (1) iv. C. Mrs Shepherd conducted the recorded vote. As shown in the table below, the 39 members present voted as follows:

 

·       For: 37

·       Against: 1

·       Abstain: 1

 

Eight members were absent and there was one vacancy (Selsey North).

 

MEMBER	FOR	AGAINST	ABSTAIN	ABSENT
Mrs Apel	X
Mr Barrett				X
Mr Barrow				X
Mr Brown	X
Mr Budge	X
Mr Collins	X
Mr Connor	X
Mr Dempster				X
Mr Dignum	X
Mrs Dignum	X
Mrs Duncton				X
Mr Dunn				X
Mr J F Elliott	X
Mr J W Elliott				X
Mr Galloway				X
Mrs Graves	X
Mr Hall	X
Mrs Hamilton	X
Mrs Hardwick	X
Mr Hayes	X
Mr Hicks	X
Mr Hixson	X
Mr Hobbs	X
Mrs Kilby	X
Mrs Lintill	X
Mr Lloyd- Williams	X
Mr Macey			X
Mr Martin	X
MEMBER	FOR	AGAINST	ABSTAIN	ABSENT
Mr McAra	X
Mr Morley	X
Mr Moss	X
Caroline Neville	X
Mr Oakley	X
Mr Page	X
Dr O’Kelly	X
Mrs Plant	X
Mr Plowman	X
Mr Potter	X
Mrs Purnell	X
Mr Ransley		X
Mr Ridd	X
Mr Shaxson	X
Mrs Tassell				X
Mrs Taylor	X
Mr Thomas	X
Mrs Tull	X
Mr Wilding	X
[VACANCY: SELSEY NORTH]
TOTAL: 47	37	1	1	8

 

Decision

 

In accordance with the aforesaid recorded vote, the Cabinet’s revised recommendation as amended aforesaid was carried as shown in the foregoing table. 

 

RESOLVED

 

(1)  That following consideration of the draft budget by the Cabinet the Budget for 2019-2020 be approved as follows:

 

                            i.          The 2019-2020 net budget requirement in respect of Chichester District Council’s own services be approved at £13,829,600.

 

                           ii.          The 2019-2020 council tax requirement in respect of Chichester District Council’s own services be approved at £8,577,493.

 

                          iii.          A Council Tax of £160.81 (Band D equivalent) be approved, which represents a £5.00 (3.21%) increase on the Band D charge.

 

                         iv.          The £532,500 previously proposed for the Investment Opportunity Reserve be instead held in an earmarked reserve and the Cabinet be tasked with consideration of the following initiatives to be funded from that reserve:

 

A.    The appointment of a Climate Emergency Officer on a three-year fixed term contract to support Chichester District Council in the development of policies on climate change, the protection of biodiversity and to identify specific actions for Chichester District Council to undertake, with the maximum employment costs to be £150,000.

 

B.    Evening parking to be free of charge in Northgate and New Park Centre car parks for an initial fixed term of three years, with an estimated loss in revenue to Chichester District Council of £115,000 per year.

 

C.    The remaining balance of £37,500be placed in the Investment Opportunity Reserve account.

 

                          v.          The capital programme, including the asset renewal programme (appendix 1c and 1d to the agenda report), be approved.

 

(2)            That the resolutions in Appendix A to the Council Tax Resolution report be approved.