Chichester District Council
Agenda and minutes

Agenda and minutes

Venue: Committee Rooms - East Pallant House

Contact: Democratic Services  Email:  democraticservices@chichester.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

94.

Chair's Announcements

Apologies for absence will be notified at this point.

 

The Chair will make any specific announcements.

Minutes:

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Elliott, Cllr Fowler and Cllr Lishman.

 

The Council observed a minutes silence for those affected by the war in the Ukraine.

95.

Declarations of Interests

Members and officers are reminded to make any declarations of disclosable pecuniary, personal and/or prejudicial interests they may have in respect of matters on the agenda for this meeting.

Minutes:

The Monitoring Officer advised as to interests as members of other bodies not needing to be declared on a strategic budget report item including County Council.  Reference was made to ensuring the accuracy of the register of interests in this advice.  Following that advice no specific interests were declared.

 

96.

2022-23 Treasury Management & Investment Strategy and Capital Strategy update

The Council are requested to consider the report and its appendix as set out on pages 9-75 of the Cabinet agenda for 1 March 2022.

 

At the time of going to print the recommendations to Cabinet to recommend to Council were as follows:

 

1.    That the Treasury Management Policy Statement, the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, the Investment Strategy and relevant Indicators for 2022/23 be approved.

2.    That the Council’s Capital Strategy for 2022/23 to 2026/27 be approved.

Minutes:

Cllr Wilding moved the recommendations which were seconded by Cllr Lintill.

 

Cllr Wilding then introduced the item.

 

Cllr O’Kelly asked whether the council has any investments linked to Russia or effected by Russia. Mr Ward clarified that the council’s fuel is purchased through Kent County Council. Mr Catlow explained that the council’s investment are not linked to Russia.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.    That the Treasury Management Policy Statement, the Treasury Management Strategy Statement, the Investment Strategy and relevant Indicators for 2022/23 be approved.

2.    That the Council’s Capital Strategy for 2022/23 to 2026/27 be approved.

 

97.

Budget Spending Plans 2022-23 pdf icon PDF 174 KB

The Council are requested to consider the report and its appendix as set out on pages 77-151 of the Cabinet agenda for 1 March 2022.

 

At the time of going to print the recommendations to Cabinet to recommend to Council were as follows:

 

a)    That a net budget requirement of £15,015,600 for 2022-23 be approved.

b)    That Council Tax be increased by £5.00 from £170.81 to £175.81 for a Band D equivalent in 2022-23.

c)    That a contribution from the General Fund Reserve of £576,100 be approved to help fund the 2022-23 budget.

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

e)    That a local Council Tax Hardship Reliefs Scheme for 2022-23 giving an additional £150 deduction on council tax bills for relevant taxpayers in receipt of CTR as set out in paragraph 6.7 of this report, using the £159,916 grant received in 2021-22.

 

Amendment Budget Motions were received from Cllr Brown and Cllr Moss in line with the Motions Procedure as set out in the Constitution. If duly seconded they will be debated at the meeting. The amendments are attached to this agenda pack.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Wilding introduced the item.

 

Cllr Lintill was then invited to speak as Leader of the Council.

 

Cllr Moss was then invited to speak as Leader of the Opposition.

 

Mr Ward referred to the supplement pack, page 6 referring to the second line of Planning Services. He confirmed that there has been no cut in the budget for Planning Services. The figure related to the processing of CIL.

 

Cllr Brown then outlined his amendment seconded by Cllr Bangert which incorporated suggested changes by Cllr Dignum as follows:

 

To employ a full time Growth & Sustainability Officer to promote economic growth in the District by supporting local businesses and the creation of local apprenticeships and jobs - all in the context of supporting the Climate Emergency Action Plan.

 

  1. Full Time, Two Year role (reviewed in year 2 to determine whether or not to incorporate into the base budget)

 

  1. Working in the Economic Development Team (working closely with the Environment Team)

Funding for this temporary position to be drawn from reserves:

 

  • Up to a maximum of £60,000 per year for two years

That the job specification for the position is presented to the Economic Development Panel meeting scheduled for July 2022 (to be rescheduled to May 2022) for approval to support the targets within the agreed corporate plan and to provide support to businesses in the sectors of renewable, retrofitting and the circular economy.

 

Cllr Dignum confirmed he would support the amendment motion subject to the inclusions of his suggestions above.

 

Cllr Purnell explained that she felt that this amendment motion and the next amendment motion should have come from officers not members. Cllr Page wished to note his support of Cllr Purnell’s comments.

 

Cllr Sharp spoke of transformation and changing practices. She supported the role.

 

Cllr Oakley explained that the Budget proposal showed the council was able to still support a number of discretionary services.

 

Cllr Donna Johnson spoke in support of the role for both addressing the Climate Emergency and economy. Cllr Plowman spoke in agreement.

 

Cllr Briscoe spoke in favour of the role.

 

Cllr Sutton asked for clarification of inflation on the Budget. Mr Ward explained that the Budget allowed for 5% increase in gas, 8% increase in electric and 10% in diesel. He explained that diesel prices were currently exceeding the rate. This would be monitored.

 

A recorded vote was held:

 

Cllr Apel – For

Cllr Bangert – For

Cllr Barrett – For

Cllr Barrie – For

Cllr Bell – For

Cllr Bowden – For

Cllr Brisbane – For

Cllr Briscoe – For

Cllr Brown – For

Cllr Dignum – For

Cllr Duncton - For

Cllr Elliott – Absent

Cllr Evans - For

Cllr Fowler – Absent

Cllr Graves – For

Cllr Hamilton – For

Cllr Hobbs - For

Cllr Donna Johnson – For

Cllr Tim Johnson – For

Cllr Lintill – For

Cllr Lishman – Absent

Cllr McAra – Against

Cllr Moss – For

Cllr Oakley – Abstain

Cllr O’Kelly – For

Cllr Page – Abstain

Cllr Palmer  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97.

98.

Council Tax Resolution pdf icon PDF 238 KB

Please note that officers require the update from the postponed West Sussex County Council Full Council meeting due to take place on 18 February 2022 for this item. Therefore the report will follow.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Wilding moved the recommendation which was seconded by Cllr Lintill.

 

Mr Ward explained that as a result of the previous item the following amendments would be required:

 

In the supplement to the agenda item page 5, section 3a and section 3b needed to be amended by £116,000 each.

 

Cllr Wilding introduced the item.

 

Cllr Apel asked whether the rise in Council Tax impact would be monitored. Mr Ward outlined the Council Tax support the council would be offering.

 

A recorded vote was held:

 

Cllr Apel – For

Cllr Bangert – For

Cllr Barrett – For

Cllr Barrie – Absent

Cllr Bell – For

Cllr Bowden – For

Cllr Brisbane – For

Cllr Briscoe – For

Cllr Brown – For

Cllr Dignum – For

Cllr Duncton - For

Cllr Elliott – Absent

Cllr Evans - For

Cllr Fowler – Absent

Cllr Graves – For

Cllr Hamilton – For

Cllr Hobbs - For

Cllr Donna Johnson – For

Cllr Tim Johnson – For

Cllr Lintill – For

Cllr Lishman – Absent

Cllr McAra – For

Cllr Moss – For

Cllr Oakley – For

Cllr O’Kelly – For

Cllr Page – Absent

Cllr Palmer – For

Cllr Plant – For

Cllr Plowman - For

Cllr Potter – For

Cllr Purnell – For

Cllr Rodgers – For

Cllr Sharp – Absent

Cllr Sutton – For

Cllr Taylor – For

Cllr Wilding – For

 

For = 30

Against = 0

Abstain = 0

Absent = 6

 

RESOLVED

 

That having considered the Cabinet’s budget proposals from their meeting of 1 March 2022 Council approve the Council Tax Resolutions as set out in Appendix A.

 

99.

Exclusion of the press and public

There are no restricted items for consideration at this meeting.

Minutes:

There was no requirement to exclude the public or press.

 

 

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