Cabinet Meeting – 13 March 2008 at 2.00 Pm
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AGENDA Cabinet Meeting – 13th March 2008 at 2.00 p.m. Page No. 1. Apologies for Absence. 2. To receive disclosures of personal interests from Members in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea. 3. Minutes of the Cabinet meetings held on 21st February 1-15 2008. 4. Leader’s Report(s). 5. Public Question Time. 6. Cabinet Members’ Reports: (A) Economic & Strategic Development Portfolio (1) Canolfan Gorseinon Centre Gorseinon Development Trust 16-18 Loan. (2) Felindre Joint Venture Agreement and Investment 19-26 Programme. (B) Environment Portfolio (1) Post Inquiry Modifications to the City and County of Swansea 27-45 Unitary Development Plan. (2) Proposed Transfer of Windrow Composting from Tir John to 46-52 Abergelli Farm, Felindre, Swansea. (3) A Review of the Houses in Multiple-Occupation (HMO) 53-60 Licensing Policy including Proposals for an Additional HMO Licensing Scheme and a Revised Fee Structure. (4) Framework Agreement for Highways Planned Maintenance, 61-69 Improvement and Construction. (5) Landfill Tax and the Expansion of Recycling Schemes. 70-76 (6) South West Wales Regional Waste Management Committee 77-108 – Formalisation of Arrangements. 7. Exclusion of the Public The Proper Officer has determined in preparing these reports that by virtue of paragraph 14 of Part 4 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Variation Order 2007 should apply; his view on the public interest test is that whilst he was mindful of the need to ensure the transparency and accountability of a public authority in respect of decisions taken by them in relation to the spending of public money, regard also has to be made to any relevant prejudice which might be caused to the Council in the full context of any disclosure. It is considered in this instance that maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information in that the Council could be financially prejudiced if this report was not so exempt. Members are asked to consider this factor when determining the public interest test, which they must decide when considering excluding the public from this part of the meeting. 8. Cabinet Members’ Reports: (A) Top Performance and eGovernment Portfolio (1) Equal Pay 109-114 (B) Economic & Strategic Development Portfolio (1) Proposed Disposal of Land for Development at Riverside 115-119 Business Park Swansea Vale. (C) Culture, Recreation and Tourism Portfolio (1) Operational Arrangements for the New Indoor Bowls Centre. 120-124 Georgie Thomas Head of Community Leadership and Democracy 07.03.08 Contact: Georgie Thomas 01792 637290 Z: Agendas/Cabinet/08Mar13 CITY AND COUNTY OF SWANSEA MINUTES OF THE CABINET HELD AT COUNTY HALL, SWANSEA ON THURSDAY 21ST FEBRUARY, 2008 AT 2.00 P.M. PRESENT:- Councillor C A Holley (Leader) presided Councillor(s): Councillor(s): Councillor(s): A M Day M H Jones D G Sullivan (for part) E W Fitzgerald J Newbury L G Thomas J B Hague J T G Peters 194. APOLOGY FOR ABSENCE An apology for absence was received from Councillor G G Clement. 195. DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST In accordance with the provisions of the Code of Conduct adopted by the City and County of Swansea, no interests were declared. 196. MINUTES OF THE CABINET OF 21ST FEBRUARY 2008 The Minutes of Cabinet held on 21st February 2008 were accepted as a correct record. 197. LEADER’S REPORT No reports were made. 198. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME Liz Davies asked the relevant Cabinet Members the following questions:- (1) the possibility of Dunvant School being considered for Community School status. The Cabinet Member of Education responded; (2) would the net overspend referred to in paragraph 2.3.9 of the Revenue Budget report be offset by a reduction in adult services. The Cabinet Member for Social Services responded; (3) the net cost of the Leisure Centre Scheme as referred to in paragraph 3.10 of the Capital and Budget Programme report for 2007/08. The Leader responded. 1 Minutes of Cabinet (21.02.08) Cont’d 199. BUDGET 2008/09 - OVERVIEW REPORT The Section 151 Officer submitted an overview report to highlight the key issues running through this technical analysis and in particular to make clear the connections to:- • The Budget Reports to Council in February 2007. • Relevant Audit Report and comments particularly in the Relationship Manager’s Annual Letter. CABINET DECISION The overview report be noted and referred to Council. Policy Framework None. Reason for Decision To agree a Revenue Budget, Capital Budget and Council Tax 2008/09. Consultation Cabinet Members and Corporate Management Team. 200. CAPITAL BUDGET AND PROGRAMME 2007/08-2011/12 The Section 115 Officer submitted a report which detailed:- • Revised capital expenditure and financing proposals for 2007/08; and • Capital expenditure and financing proposals for 2008/09-2011/12. CABINET DECISION (1) The current practice of pooling capital receipts be amended in relation to the QED 2020 Programme (and other projects which rely on capital receipts funding) subject to the achievement of the overall capital receipts target. (2) The revised budget for 2007/08 and budget 2008/09-2011/12 be endorsed and referred to Council for approval. 2 Minutes of Cabinet (21.02.08) Cont’d Policy Framework None. Reason for Decisions To agree a revised budget for 2007/08, a budget for 2008/09-2011/12. Consultation Cabinet Members and Corporate Management Teams. 201. CAPITAL PROGRAMME - PRUDENTIAL CODE AND PRUDENTIAL INDICATORS FOR 2008/09 The Section 151 Officer submitted a report which outlined the CIPFA Prudential Code and set prudential indicators for 2008/09. CABINET DECISION The prudential indicators and proposals set out in the appendix to this report be endorsed and referred to Council for approval. Policy Framework Prudential indicators must be an integral part of the budget setting process by Council. Reason for Decision Under the Local Government Act 2003 and subsequent regulations, a local authority is required to comply with the CIPFA Code when setting its budget and must determine and keep under view how much it can afford to borrow. Consultation Legal and Finance. 202. REVENUE BUDGET 2008/09 The Section 151 Officer submitted a report which detailed:- • The revised budget 2007/08. • The Local Government Finance Settlement 2008/09. 3 Minutes of Cabinet (21.02.08) Cont’d • Budget proposals 2008/09. • Risks and uncertainties. • The Medium Term Financial Plan 2009/10-2011/12. • Reserves and Contingency provision. • The Overall Budget Requirements and Council Tax 2008/09. CABINET DECISION The following budget proposals be endorsed and referred to Council for approval. (1) A revised budget for 2007/08. (2) A budget for 2008/09. (3) A Budget Requirement and Council Tax levy for 2008/09. Policy Framework None. Reason for Decision To agree a revised budget for 2007/08, a budget for 2008/09 and a Council Tax levy for 2008/09. Consultation Cabinet Members and Corporate Management Team. 203. TREASURY STRATEGY STATEMENT AND INVESTMENT STRATEGY FOR 2008/09 The Section 151 Officer submitted a report which recommended the Treasury Strategy Statement and Investment Strategy for 2008/09. CABINET DECISION The Treasury Management Strategy and Investment Strategy as set out in the report be endorsed and referred to Council for approval. Policy Framework None. 4 Minutes of Cabinet (21.02.08) Cont’d Reason for Decision To allow the proper management of the Council’s borrowing and investments, to comply with statute and the adopted CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities and the CIPFA Treasury Management Code of Practice. Consultation Legal and Finance. 204. HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT - REVENUE BUDGET 2008/09 AND CAPITAL BUDGET 2008/09 TO 2010/11 The Section 151 Officer and the Director of Regeneration and Housing submitted a report which detailed a Revenue Budget 2008/09, a Capital Budget 2008/09 to 2010/11 and a rent increase for properties within the Housing Revenue Account. CABINET DECISION The following budget proposals be endorsed and referred to Council for approval. (1) In line with the Wales Assembly Government guideline, to increase rents by £3.17p per week (average of 5.7%) over a 50 week rent year as detailed in section 1 of the report. (2) Continued the policy of rent harmonisation as detailed in section 3 of the report and table D in the appendix provided a more detailed analysis. (3) Approve the increase for fees, charges and allowances as outlined in section 4. (4) Approve the Revenue Budget and Capital Programme as detailed in sections 2, 5 and appendix. Policy Framework None. Reason for Decision To agree a revenue and capital budget as indicated and a rent increase for 2008/09. 5 Minutes of Cabinet (21.02.08) Cont’d Consultation The Cabinet Members for Housing and Finance, Director of Regeneration and Housing, Finance and Legal. 205. SWANSEA BAY STRATEGY - REPORT ON PUBLIC CONSULTATION The Leader submitted a report which outlined the public consultation exercise undertaken on the draft Swansea Bay Strategy Vision and Action Plan. CABINET DECISION Subject to the proposed amendments set out in Appendix 2 of the report, the Swansea Bay Strategy Vision and Action Plan be endorsed and referred to Council with a recommendation that it be adopted as the Council’s Policy for the regeneration of the Swansea Bay area. Policy Framework Swansea Community Plan - Environment and Prosperity themes, draft Unitary Development Plan, Tourism Strategy. Reason for Decision To consider the comments of members of the public, statutory and non statutory organisations and to consider any necessary refinements of the Draft Vision and Action Plan to allow its adoption as Council Policy for the regeneration of the Swansea Bay area.