Decisions

It was RESOLVED that:

a)     the Leader of the Council and Chief Executive be authorised to undertake engagement regarding Local Government Reorganisation options including proper public consultation with all affected parties, and following a clear timescale to be agreed, which allows due consideration for affected parties and respects local democracy;

b)     the Local Government Reorganisation Member Group be re-formed, chaired by the Leader of the Council, to engage with the process and support Rushcliffe Borough Council’s involvement in shaping the future of local government;

c)     a budget of up to £60,000 be allocated for working collectively with other local authority partners to identify and consult on the best options for the future;

d)     the Cabinet be updated regularly on the progress of any work; and

e)     preferred options for any future Local Government Reorganisation that affects Rushcliffe Borough Council be referred to Full Council for consideration and debate.

It was RESOLVED that the following be approved for submission to Full Council:

a)    the revised projections to the 2020/21 revenue budget and remainder of the current Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) as referred to in Appendix A of the report,as a result of the impact of Covid-19;

b)    the revised projections to the Capital Programme for 2020/21 and the impact on the Capital Programme over the MTFS as referred to in Appendix B of the report;

c)    the changes to the Transformation Strategy as referred to in Appendix C of the report;

d)    the Council Tax Hardship Fund Policy Paper as referred to in Appendix D of the reportand its current application;

e)    the strategy of utilising in-year budget efficiencies, the Organisation Stabilisation reserve, reviewing the use of existing reserves, reduced use of Voluntary Revenue Provision and therefore use of New Homes Bonus; as fiscal levers so the Council balances the budget and delivers its corporate objectives, as referred to in paragraph 4.8.6 of the report; and

f)     the transfer of three reserves totalling to £0.524m, as referred to in paragraph 4.8.7 of the report,to the Organisation Stabilisation Reserve from 2020/21 and the revised anticipated position over the next five years as referred to in Appendix E of the report.

It was RESOLVED that the Statement of Community Involvement for Planning Policy and Planning Applications Addendum – Implications of the Coronavirus Pandemic be adopted.

It was RESOLVED that

a)    the projected net effect of in-year efficiencies (£0.624m) and Covid-19 pressures (£2.564m) and Covid Government funding (£1.518m) resulting in an expected net revenue position for the year of £0.422m be noted;

b)    a projected £2.864m net surplus on Business Rates as a result of additional S31 reliefs be noted and this surplus be transferred to the Organisation Stabilisation Reserve to offset the expected Collection Fund deficit in later years;

c)    the capital underspend of £24.8m as a result of planned programme slippage be noted; and

d)    the projected Special Expenses position with a projected deficit of £0.119m for the year be financed by a loan from the Council, with terms to be consulted on with the West Bridgford Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and Special Expenses Group.