Minutes for Cabinet meeting, Mar 2 2011, 6.00PM official page

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2011.

The minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd February 2011 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To receive any questions from members of the public.

Mr.Vincent asked whether there were any proposals to reduce the allowances payable to councillors.

The Leader of the Council responded by commenting that decisions in relation to the level of allowances payable to councillors were made by full Council on the recommendations of an independent remuneration panel. The Council would be receiving a report from the Panel on the 24^th March 2011 recommending the scheme of allowances effective from the 1^st April 2011.

The Leader of the Council drew attention to a report considered by Council at its last meeting 24^th February 2011 and the decision to reduce member related costs and civic expenses by £40,000.

To receive any petitions or deputations.

There were no petitions or deputations.

Report by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture.

Cabinet considered a report by the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Culture the purpose of which was to explain and seek approval for a new approach to events and festivals to ensure affordability and maximum benefits for Gloucester.

RESOLVED

1.         That the contents of the report be noted.

2.         That the 2011/12 programme of council funded and supported events as set out in paragraph 4.3 of the report be approved and endorsed.

3.         That the criteria set out in paragraph 4.6 of the report be adopted as the basis for the strategic approach to future events and festivals planning.

Report by the Corporate Director of Resources

            Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Resources the purpose of which was –

(1)       to present theannual treasury report being a requirement of the Council’s reporting procedures, and covering the treasury activity during 2009/10, and the actual Prudential Indicators for 2009/10.

(2)       to meet the requirements of both the CIPFA Code of Practice on Treasury Management and the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities, the Council being required to comply with both Codes through Regulations issued under the Local Government Act 2003.

            The report would also be considered by the Audit Committee on the 17th March 2011.

RESOLVED

That the Council be recommended to (a) approve the actual 2009/10 prudential indicators within the report and (b) note the treasury management stewardship report for 2009/10.

Report by the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources

Cabinet considered a report by the Director of Resources the purpose of which was to fulfil one of the requirements of the Prudential Code to ensure adequate monitoring of the capital expenditure plans, the Council’s prudential indicators (PIs) and treasury management response to these plans. 

The report would also be considered by the Audit Committee on 17^th March 2011.

RESOLVED

That Council be recommended -

1.         to approve the reporting of the prudential indicators setting out the expected capital activities (as required by the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities).

2.         to  approve the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Policy which sets out how the Council will pay for capital assets through revenue each year.

3.         to approve the treasury management strategy statement which sets out how the council’s treasury service will support the capital decisions, the day to day treasury management and the limitations on activity through treasury prudential indicators. The key indicator is the Authorised Limit, the maximum amount of debt the council could afford in the short term but which would not be sustainable in the longer term. This is the Affordable Borrowing Limit required by s3 of the Local Government Act 2003. 

Joint Report by the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources

Cabinet considered a Joint report by the Leader of the Council and the Cabinet Member for Performance and Resources presenting the Council’s draft corporate plan for 2011-2014.

The content of the draft plan had been circulated prior to the meeting.

RESOLVED

(1)       That the content of the plan as currently drafted be noted and that   Cabinet members input their comment on their respective portfolio      areas aligning the content of the Plan with the Council’s agreed Three Year money plan and approved budget, the Government’s initiatives          and the priorities of Gloucester.

 (2)      That the finalised plan be recommended for approval and adoption by       Council on the 24^th March             2011.

Report by the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood and Communities

Cabinet considered a report by the Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood and Communities.

Cabinet was reminded that at its meeting on 8 December 2010, they had approved commencement of consultation with the Neighbourhood Partnerships regarding the pooling of funding available to the Partnerships; establishing a small grants process open to Neighbourhood Partnerships and other Community Groups to fund community activities in their area; and establishing a criteria for applying for funds linked to the Council’s Corporate Priorities.

The consultation had now concluded and the report set out the responses to the consultation and identified recommendations.

RESOLVED

1.         That Neighbourhood Partnerships with less than £2000 in their       reserves, be granted a sum of £1000 towards their running costs for     the period from 1 April 2011 to 31 March 2012;

2.         That any Neighbourhood Partnership granted £1000 towards their running costs be required to submit a statement to the City Council    setting out how the money was used for the benefit of local residents;

3.         That Neighbourhood Partnerships be invited to apply for a small grant       of up to £2000 based upon the same criteria being applied to the       Voluntary and Community Sector Small Grants process (as set out in             Appendix 2 to the report);

4.         That Neighbourhood Partnerships be entitled to no more than one             small grant of up to £2000 from the City Council during 2011/12; and

5.         That full review of the role and purpose of the Neighbourhood         Partnerships be carried out in line with the issues identified as part of the Gloucester Partnerships (Local Strategic Partnership) “City Vision”           (to be launched in May 2011), with particular reference to the role of           communities in shaping the service delivery of all organisations across          the City.