Agenda, decisions and minutes

None were received from Members of the Cabinet.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 1 April 2015 as a correct record.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 1 April 2015 be confirmed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To note any declarations of interest made by members in connection with an agenda item.  The nature of the interest must also be specified.

Members are asked to discuss any possible interests with Democratic Services prior to the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made by any Member in connection with an agenda item.

To note any issues raised during the public participation period.

None.

To consider the Council’s performance and achievements over the last 12 months and to be advised of the projected outturn positions for the General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Capital Programme.

RESOLVED:

(a)             That the performance and achievements set out in the Annual Report be noted;

(b)             That the provisional  outturn position of the General Fund be noted:

(c)             That the provisional outturn position of the Capital Programme be noted; and

(d)             That the provisional outturn position of the Housing Revenue Account be noted.

The Cabinet considered an overview of the Council’s performance and achievements, together with provisional financial outturn positions for the General Fund, Capital Programme and Housing Revenue Account over the last 12 months.  Final figures would be presented to the Audit Committee later in the month.

The Council’s direction and priorities had been determined by the Corporate Plan, adopted in June 2012, and performance had been evaluated against the key performance indicators that had been established.  The simplified report format, adopted in 2014, included illustrative summaries of performance, together with summaries of significant innovations in key activity areas.  Members welcomed the use of this illustrative format, which added interest to the presentation of this material, and had allowed clearer communication with customers and the Council’s staff, who had contributed to the success.

The provisional outturn figures for the General Fund showed a saving of £662,000 against the original budget, with a significant proportion of that sum coming from increased income.  Similarly, the Housing Revenue Account was showing a provisional improvement of £612,000 against the budget. 

The Capital Programme had seen significant changes, with £1million additional funding being allocated for housing acquisitions, while the rephasing of non-housing items had led to a saving for this year of £2.121 million.

Overall, the Council’s performance and services to its customers had been maintained, despite continuing reductions in central government funding, while maintaining the same level of Council tax for the 6^th year in succession.  Nonetheless, the key indicators did demonstrate some of the pressures facing the Council, in particular with respect to homelessness and the provision of affordable homes for local people, which would be a priority under the Corporate Plan that would be developed to direct the Council’s activities and priorities over the current 4 year term of office.  This Annual Performance report was a useful tool in establishing the current position, from which to develop priorities for the future.

RESOLVED:

(a)             That the performance and achievements set out in the Annual Report be noted;

(b)             That the provisional  outturn position of the General Fund be noted:

(c)             That the provisional outturn position of the Capital Programme be noted; and

(d)             That the provisional outturn position of the Housing Revenue Account be noted.

To appoint Council representatives to outside bodies.

RESOLVED:

That the appointments to outside bodies, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report considered by the Cabinet at Item 5, be agreed.

The Cabinet considered the appointments to be made to various outside bodies.  The appointments were made for the 4 year term of office of the Council.

RESOLVED:

That the appointments to outside bodies, as set out in Appendix 1 to these  minutes be agreed.

To update the scheme of delegation of powers to officers to reflect recent changes in the Planning and Transportation service.

RESOLVED:

That the scheme of delegation of powers to officers be updated as shown in the schedule attached as Appendix 1 to the report considered by the Cabinet at item 6.

The Cabinet considered revisions to the scheme of delegation of powers to officers to take account of recent changes within the Planning and Transportation service.

RESOLVED:

That the scheme of delegation of powers to officers be updated as shown in the schedule attached as Appendix 1 to the report considered by the Cabinet at item 6.