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The Executive will meet to consider draft budget proposals which will be the subject of public consultation, scrutiny and then a further budget report to the Executive on 9 February 2023
Decision Maker: The Executive
Decision published: 18/04/2023
Effective from: 08/12/2022
Decision:
The Head of Finance introduced the report which set out the
General Fund draft budget for 2023/24 for public consultation and which included a recommendation to
increase swimming pool prices on 1 January 2023 to mitigate increased utility
costs.
The Head of Finance outlined the new budget process which
had been developed following an independent review of existing processes.
Members were
asked to note the following corrections published in advance of the meeting:
i.
the
figure contained within budget proposal S5106 ‘Environmental Services – review
of service delivery p60 of the agenda’ from (£30,000) to (£52,000)
ii.
the figure contained within budget proposal S5143
‘Environmental Services – reduction in staffing p62 of the agenda’ from
(£70,000) to (£48,000)
iii.
the reallocation of budget proposal S5143 on
p48 of the agenda to the Environment, Climate Change and Biodiversity Executive
Councillor portfolio on p46 of the agenda.
The Executive Councillor for Finance Resources and
Transformation outlined the context in which the draft Budget had been drafted
and welcomed the new budget process which included a public consultation on the
Executive’s draft budget proposals.
Each Executive Councillor briefly introduced their budget
proposals and Opposition Councillors were invited to ask questions.
In response to Opposition Councillor’s questions, the Executive and
Senior Officers made the following comments:
i. With
reference to budget proposal ‘URP 5031 – Continuation of previous 2-year bid
for Community Safety staffing to manage increased anti-social behaviour (ASB)
and deliver contextual safeguarding (Youth Liaison post).’ ASB within the city
was increasing, new and
previous trends had been discussed at a recent Community Safety Partnership
meeting. It was noted that the Police and the City Council were receiving
different information in relation to ASB, and the Executive Councillor for
Recovery, Employment and Community Safety wanted to understand why. Undertook
to provide a link to Opposition Councillors for the ASB trend information
referred to.
ii.
Noted that budget proposal ‘B5032 -
Anti-Poverty Strategy responsive budget’ should sit under the portfolio for the
Executive Councillor for Equalities, Anti-poverty and Wellbeing and budget
proposal ‘URP5009 - Region of Learning’ should sit under the portfolio for the
Executive Councillor for Recovery, Employment and Community Safety.
iii.
With reference to budget proposal ‘S5110 - Remove
remaining subsidy for last 3 bus routes’ it was noted that the City Council was
not the transport authority and conversations were taking place with the
Greater Cambridge Partnership (GCP), the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Combined Authority (CPCA) and bus companies to put pressure on those
organisations to put services back on in Cambridge.
iv.
Welcomed comments on whether budget proposal
‘URP5012 - Increase in Members’ allowances’ should be included within the Draft
Budget. Confirmed that any item within the Draft Budget could be commented on
as part of the public consultation. Agreed that budget proposal ‘URP5012 –
Increase in Members’ allowances’ would be added into Appendix C: Summary of
proposals for consultation.
v.
Commented with reference to budget proposal
‘URP5035 - Increasing cost of running city council elections’ that there could
be reduced costs with ‘all out’ elections.
vi.
There were a significant number of ICT budget
proposals within the Finance, Resources and Transformation portfolio; the works
necessitating the capital bids needed to be undertaken. Questions had been
raised about the transparency of shared ICT services which the Executive
Councillor for Finance, Resources and Transformation would investigate.
vii.
Advised that the funding for budget proposal
‘X5129 - Permanent Resource for support of refugees and asylum seekers’ came
from several funding sources but mainly Central Government.
viii.
In relation to
budget Proposal ‘S5139 – Streets and Open Spaces Operations – recruitment
freeze’ that it was better to delete vacant posts and there would be limited
impact on service delivery as the posts were currently vacant.
ix.
Advised for budget proposal ‘S5118 – closing
some public conveniences’ that the proposals included full and partial closure
of specified toilets. Usage data was clearer for toilets where people had to
pay to use the facilities, estimates of usage were provided otherwise. The
Executive had to make some difficult decisions and unfortunately public
conveniences were subject to a high rate of vandalism which increased costs. It was important to maintain high
standards for the toilets which were proposed to be kept open.
x.
Budget
proposal ‘B5065 – Shared Waste Services Budgeted Contribution’ was a fair
financial split with South Cambridgeshire District Council for delivery of the
shared waste service but this was something which could be reviewed as the
service progressed.
xi.
Several options for budget proposal CAP5041 –
Decarbonisation works – Abbey Pool, Parkside Pool, Cherry Hinton Village Centre’
were being considered including ground source and air source heat pumps.
xii.
If the regeneration works for budget proposal
‘CAP5030 – Kings Hedges (Recreation Ground / play area) did not go ahead then
the nearest play area would be the Meadows once construction works were
completed and Nuns Area recreation ground.
xiii.
Noted that budget proposal ‘S5143 – Environmental
Services – reduction in staffing’ should have been included within the
portfolio for the Executive Councillor for Environment, Climate and
Biodiversity. The figure within the budget proposal should be £48,000 and not
£70,000. There had been difficulty recruiting a 7th person to this
team which led to a revised working arrangement consisting of 3 teams of 2
people working together which delivered additional benefits.
xiv.
With reference to budget proposal ‘S5102 –
Cancel Big Weekend City Event’ the Council was looking into how events could be delivered
differently, and the consultation responses would be taken into
consideration. The Council hired in
equipment for the Big Weekend event and had a dedicated officer who worked with
businesses regarding sponsorship. Unfortunately following covid fewer
businesses were able to offer sponsorship for city events.
xv.
Considerable thought had been given as to
whether to increase swimming fees and it was noted that prices had not been
increased for 30 months. Swimming prices were not site specific; a generic fee
was charged. The increased fees would apply to Parkside, Abbey and Jesus Green
pools. The increase in fees would not apply to the Kings Hedges leaner pool as
this facility was run differently. Concession prices would continue to be
protected.
xvi.
Suggested that
the savings target identified within the budget setting report would be
achieved and noted that financial reserves could only be used once. The
timescales for the transformation project did not fall within this budget
setting report. A senior management restructure was underway and savings from
this was anticipated to be seen within the next 6 months.
The Executive approved:
i. the draft
budget for public consultation (Appendix A)
ii. the form and content of the consultation
(Appendix B), subject to the inclusion of ‘URP5012 – Increase in Members’
allowances’ into Appendix C: Summary of proposals for consultation
iii. the increase of swimming prices as set out
in Appendix D and the resulting in-year increase in income budget
Lead officer: Caroline Ryba
Approval of funding to Cambridge Investment Partnership for a land purchase.
Decision Maker: Executive Councillor for Transformation
Decision published: 14/12/2022
Effective from: 09/12/2022
Decision:
Approval of budget for purchase of former Murketts Garage Site, Histon
Road Cambridge
Decision of: Councillor Davey, Executive Councillor for
Finance Resources and Transformation
Reference: 22/URGENCY/S&R/17
Date of decision: 9/12/22 Date
Published on website: 14/12/22
Decision Type: Key
Matter for Decision: Urgent approval for budget approval for
the purchase of the Former Murketts Garage Site, Histon Road, Cambridge.
NOT FOR PUBLICATION:
The report relates to an item which contains information exempt by
virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act
1972.
Why the Decision had to be made (and any alternative
options): The land is only available at a proposed price with purchase to be
completed by December 2022, and therefore cannot wait for next Strategy and
Resources Scrutiny Committee and Council Meeting scheduled for 30 January 2023.
(This approval relates to the land purchase only. There will be a separate
future report to the Housing Scrutiny Committee in respect of the affordable
housing on this site).
The Executive Councillor’s decision: Approve a loan of
£5,290,000 to The Cambridge Investment partnership (CIP) to provide funds for
the completion of the purchase of the Former Murketts Garage Site, Histon Road
Cambridge.
Reason for the decision: As detailed in the Officers report
attached.
Scrutiny Consideration: The Chair and Spokesperson of
Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee were consulted prior to the action
being authorised.
Report: The report relates to an item which contains
information exempt by virtue of paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the
Local Government Act 1972.
Conflict of interest: Potential of conflict of interest for
Executive Councillor as they have overarching responsibility for investment
decisions and is also a CIP Board Member. Response provided setting out the
mitigation in the CIP set up and the role of the S151 officer in providing
specific advice on terms and security of the loan from the City Council.
Comments: Part 4C section 6.1 of the Councils Constitution,
permits decisions to be taken which are outside of the budget framework if the
decision is:
a matter of urgency (this is correct)
it is not practical to convene a quorate meeting of the
Council, (this is correct); and
the Chair of the Strategy and Resources Scrutiny Committee
agrees the matter is of urgency (the Chair agreed).
The next available ordinary Full Council meeting is 23 February
2023 which is too late.
The decision will be reported back to Full Council in
February 2023
Spokes Councillor commented on the risk of transaction.
Concern around volatility in market conditions and the level of margin.
Response provided setting out approach and risk mitigation for this site and
across the programme and how this is monitored.
Lead officer: Claire Flowers
To implement the nationally agreed pay award for chief executives following receipt of notification by circular from the Joint Negotiating Committee for Chief Executives of Local Authorities dated 28 November 2022. The award is for a flat rate of £1925 on each pay point and is backdated to 1 April 2022.
Decision Maker: Civic Affairs
Decision published: 29/11/2022
Effective from: 29/11/2022
Decision:
Record of Officer
Delegated Decision
To implement the
Joint Negotiating Committee for Chief Executives of Local Authorities Pay Award
for 2022-23.
Decision
taken: 29 November 2022
Decision
of: Head of Human Resources
Reference:
22/Officerdecision/Civ3
Date
of decision: 29 November 2022
Matter
for Decision: Decision delegated from Civic Affairs Committee
Any
alternative options considered and rejected: The pay award for the chief
executive level posts is determined by national level collective bargaining
between the national employers and trade unions. Once agreed at a national
level the City Council implements the pay award in accordance with the terms of
staff contracts of employment.
Reason
for the decision including any background papers considered: To implement the
nationally agreed pay award for chief executives following receipt of
notification by circular from the Joint Negotiating Committee for Chief Executives
of Local Authorities dated 28 November 2022. The award is for a flat rate of
£1925 on each pay point and is backdated to 1 April 2022.
Conflict
of interest and dispensation granted by Chief Executive: The Head of Human
Resources is exercising this delegation, the Chief
Executive has a personal interest. The
matter is delegated to the Head of Human Resources.
This
decision is taken in accordance with the delegated authority from Civic Affairs
Committee to the Head of Human Resources, as follows:
To
implement any award of a joint negotiating body so far as it concerns rates of
salary, wages, car allowances or other allowances payable to officers and other
employees of the Council except where the terms thereof involve the exercise of
a discretion by the Council provided that when any action is taken in pursuance
of this paragraph members are advised by the Head of Human Resources and a
record of that advice be made available to the public.
Contact
for further information: Deborah Simpson, Head of Human Resources
Lead officer: Deborah Simpson