The minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2017 were submitted and approved and the chairman was authorised to sign them as a correct record.

None were declared.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Gill Mattock

(BPF) Full council recommended to approve:

(1) A general fund budget for 2017/18 (revised) and 2018/19 (original), as set out at appendix 1 to the report, including growth and savings proposals for 2018/19 as set out at appendix 2 to the report. (2) An increase in the council tax for Eastbourne Borough Council of 2.9% resulting on a ‘Band D’ charge of £239.67 for 2018/19. (3) A revised general fund capital programme 2017/21 as set out at appendix 3 to the report. (4) Note the section s151 officers sign off as outlined in 1.6 of the report.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Chief Finance Officer) regarding the general fund budget proposals for 2018/19 and a rolling three year capital programme for 2017/2021.

The Cabinet highlighted the major challenges affecting councils as a result of continued reduction in government funding. Thanks were conveyed to Councillor Mattock and the finance team for their work towards planning and producing the budget, and ensuring that front line services were maintained.

The Chief Finance Officer gave an overview of the specific legal responsibility and legality of the budget, outlined at 1.6 of the report, in response to a question from Councillor Ungar.

Resolved (budget and policy framework):

That full council, at their meeting on 21 February 2018, be recommended to approve the following:

(1) A general fund budget for 2017/18 (revised) and 2018/19 (original), as set out at appendix 1 to the report, including growth and savings proposals for 2018/19 as set out at appendix 2 to the report.

(2) An increase in the council tax for Eastbourne Borough Council of 2.9% resulting on a ‘Band D’ charge of £239.67 for 2018/19.

(3) A revised general fund capital programme 2017/21 as set out at appendix 3 to the report.

(4) Note the section s151 officers sign off as outlined in 1.6 of the report.

Reason for decision:

The Cabinet has to recommend to Full Council the setting of a revenue budget and associated council tax for the forthcoming financial year by law.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Gill Mattock

(BPF) (1) To note the extended role of the Chief Finance Officer, as set out in appendix 4 to the report.

Full council recommended to approve:

(2) The treasury management strategy and annual investment strategy as set out in the report. (3) The methodology for calculating the minimum revenue provision set out at paragraph 2.3 of the report. (4) The prudential and treasury indicators as set out in the report. (5) The specified and non-specified investment categories listed at appendix 2 to the report.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Chief Finance Officer) regarding the annual treasury management strategy, and treasury and prudential indicators for the next financial year.

Resolved (budget and policy framework):

(1) To note the extended role of the Chief Finance Officer, as set out at appendix 4 to the report.

That full council, at their meeting on 21 February 2018, be recommended to approve the following:

(2) The treasury management strategy and annual investment strategy as set out in the report.

(3) The methodology for calculating the minimum revenue provision set out at paragraph 2.3 of the report.

(4) The prudential and treasury indicators as set out in the report.

(5) The specified and non-specified investment categories listed at appendix 2 to the report.

Reason for decision:

It is a requirement of the budget setting process for the Council to review and approve the Prudential and Treasury indicators and Treasury Strategy.

Report of Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Service Delivery

Lead Cabinet members: Councillors Gill Mattock and Alan Shuttleworth

(BPF) Full council recommended to approve:

 (1) The HRA budget for 2018/19 and revised 2017/19 as set out at appendix 1 to the report. (2) That social and affordable rents (including shared ownership) are decreased by 1% in line with government policy. (3) That service charges for general needs properties are increased by 5.14%. (4) That service charges for the older persons sheltered accommodation are increased by 1.78%. (5) That the support charge for sheltered housing residents remains at £7.50 per unit, per week pending a review in the summer. (6) To give delegated authority to the Director of Service Delivery, in consultation with the Cabinet portfolio holders for Financial Services and Direct Assistance Services to set the support charge for sheltered housing residents following a review of costs in the summer. (7) That heating costs are set at a level designed to recover the estimated actual cost. (8) That water charges are set at a level designed to recover the estimated cost of metered consumption. (9) Garage rents are increased by 4% this year following the disposal and repurposing of designated garage sites. (10) To give delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio holders for Financial Services and Direct Assistance Services and the Head of Finance to finalise Eastbourne Homes’ Management Fee and Delivery Plan. (11) The HRA capital programme as set out at appendix 2 to the report.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Deputy Chief Executive (Chief Finance Officer) and Director of Service Delivery regarding the housing revenue account (HRA) budget proposals, rent levels, service charges and heating costs for 2018/19, and the HRA capital programme for 2017/2021.

The HRA had a requirement to be self-financing, meaning that expenditure had to be supported from rental and other income.

Councillor Shuttleworth added that there was still uncertainty over the government’s levy on the sale potential of HRA ‘high value properties’. The necessary regulations had yet to be issued and it was expected that councils would now not have to pay the levy until April 2019. The government had not however given any indication that the levy would be abandoned.

Resolved (budget and policy framework):

That full council, at their meeting on 21 February 2018, be recommended to approve the following:

(1) The HRA budget for 2018/19 and revised 2017/19 as set out at appendix 1 to the report.

(2) That social and affordable rents (including shared ownership) are decreased by 1% in line with government policy.

(3) That service charges for general needs properties are increased by 5.14%.

(4) That service charges for the older persons sheltered accommodation are increased by 1.78%.

(5) That the support charge for sheltered housing residents remains at £7.50 per unit, per week pending a review in the summer.

(6) To give delegated authority to the Director of Service Delivery, in consultation with the Cabinet portfolio holders for Financial Services and Direct Assistance Services to set the support charge for sheltered housing residents following a review of costs in the summer.

(7) That heating costs are set at a level designed to recover the estimated actual cost.

(8) That water charges are set at a level designed to recover the estimated cost of metered consumption.

(9) Garage rents are increased by 4% this year following the disposal and repurposing of designated garage sites.

(10) To give delegated authority to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio holders for Financial Services and Direct Assistance Services and the Head of Finance to finalise Eastbourne Homes’ Management Fee and Delivery Plan.

(11) The HRA capital programme as set out at appendix 2 to the report.

Reason for decision:

The Cabinet has to recommend to Full Council the setting of the HRA revenue and capital budget and the level of social and affordable housing rents for the forthcoming year.

Report of Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Dean Sabri

(KEY) (1) That the equality and fairness policy set out at appendix A be adopted. (2) That the equality objectives proposed for 2018 to 2021 and set out in paragraph 4.1 of the report be adopted. (3) That the annual report of activities carried out in 2017, set out at appendix B to the report be noted. (4) That the action plan, set out at appendix C to the report be approved.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Regeneration and Planning regarding progress against the Council’s current equality objectives and proposed new equality and fairness policy, set of objectives and 2018 action plan.

The Cabinet commented on the various successful events that had occurred during 2017 and conveyed their thanks to Pat Taylor, Strategy and Commissioning Lead for Community and Partnerships and Devan Briggs, Policy & Engagement Co-ordinator for all their work in bringing the various community groups together.

2016 also saw the first Syrian refugees in the area as part of the national programme and ongoing support, in partnership with the statutory services and voluntary organisations had been well received and helped them integrate into their communities.

Councillor Ungar commented on the issue of caste and Councillor Sabri agreed to look at this as part of his role of portfolio holder.

Resolved (key decision):

(1) That the equality and fairness policy set out at appendix A be adopted

(2) That the equality objectives proposed for 2018 to 2021 and set out in paragraph 4.1 of the report be adopted.

(3) That the annual report of activities carried out in 2017, set out at appendix B to the report be noted.

(4) That the action plan, set out at appendix C to the report be approved.

Reason for decision:

To promote equality and fairness and eliminate discrimination, ensuring fair access to services and opportunities; and to comply with the Council’s general and specific duties under the Equality Act 2010.

The Chief Executive considers that discussion of the following items is likely to disclose exempt information as defined in Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and may therefore need to take place in private session.  The exempt information reasons are shown beneath the items listed below.  Furthermore, in relation to paragraph 10 of Schedule 12A, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. (The requisite notices having been given under regulation 5 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.)

(Note: Exempt papers are printed on pink paper).

Resolved: That the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting as otherwise there was a likelihood of disclosure to them of exempt information as defined in schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. The relevant paragraph of schedule 12A and a description of the exempt information is shown beneath each item below. (The requisite notice having been given under regulation 5 of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012.)

Report of Director of Regeneration and Planning

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Alan Shuttleworth

Exempt information reasons 3: Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information). 

(KEY) (1) To agree to award the grants to specified voluntary and community organisations as set out in paragraph 3.9 of the report. (2) To agree that £2,500 of the small grants budget be set aside for annual events for the organisations listed at paragraph 5.1 of the report and delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning in consultation with the Chair of the Grants Task Group. (3) To agree to set aside £2,000 of the small grants budget as a contingency fund and delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning to award grants from this fund in consultation with the Chair of the grants task group. (4) To agree the priorities for the 2019/20 small grants programme as recommended at paragraph 7.2 of the report.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Regeneration and Planning regarding the level of grant to voluntary organisations in Eastbourne for the year 2018/19 and agree priorities for small grants for 2019/20.

Thanks were conveyed to Councillor Shuttleworth and the Grants Task Group for their work in producing the recommendations.

Resolved (key decision):

(1) To agree to award the grants to specified voluntary and community organisations as set out in paragraph 3.9 of the report.

(2) To agree that £2,500 of the small grants budget be set aside for annual events for the organisations listed at paragraph 5.1 of the report and delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning in consultation with the Chair of the Grants Task Group.

(3) To agree to set aside £2,000 of the small grants budget as a contingency fund and delegate authority to the Director of Regeneration and Planning to award grants from this fund in consultation with the Chair of the grants task group

(4) To agree the priorities for the 2019/20 small grants programme as recommended at paragraph 7.2 of the report.

Reason for decision:

To approve the allocation of the Council’s annual small grants budget of £60,000 in 2018/19 and priorities for small grants in 2019/20.

Notes: (1) The report remains confidential. (2) Exempt information reasons 3 – Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority holding that information).

Report of Assistant Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development

Lead Cabinet member: Councillor Dean Sabri

Exempt information reasons 1 and 2: Information relating to an individual or likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

(1) That the actions taken to manage implications of change for displaced individuals through support, redeployment and assistance with self marketing under the redundancy and redeployment procedure be noted. (2) That the financial implications of severance for those identified in the event that redeployment is not secured by the relevant date be agreed.

The Cabinet considered the report of the Assistant Director for Human Resources and Organisational Development. The report set out the current activity within the redundancy and redeployment procedure and actions taken to support affected individuals.

Resolved:

(1) That the actions taken to manage implications of change for displaced individuals through support, redeployment and assistance with self marketing under the redundancy and redeployment Procedure be noted.

(2) That the financial implications of severance for those identified in the event that redeployment is not secured by the relevant date be agreed.

Reason for decision:

The organisation is currently in phase two of the joint transformation programme and actions have been taken to manage the implications of this change for displaced individuals through support, redeployment and assistance with self-marketing under the redundancy and redeployment procedure.

Notes: (1) The report remains confidential. (2) Exempt information reasons 1 and 2 – Information relating to an individual or likely to reveal the identity of an individual.