Executive
Set out below is a summary of the decisions taken at the Executive meeting held on Thursday, 11 February 2021. The wording used does not necessarily reflect the actual wording that will appear in the minutes.
Members are reminded that, should they wish to call in a decision, notice must be given to Democracy Support Group no later than 4pm on the second working day after this meeting. Please note that the recommendations to Council (items 12-16 on the list) cannot be called in.
If you have any queries about any matters referred to in this decision sheet please contact FionaYoung.
5. City of York Council Recovery and Renewal Strategy - February Update
Resolved: That the contents of the report be noted.
6. City of York Trading Limited - Proposed Amendments to Shareholders Agreement
Resolved: (i) That approval be given to make the amendments to the Shareholders Agreement and affix the Council’s seal to the document.
Reason: To ensure that the provisions of the Shareholders Agreement accurately represent the most current and up to date practices of City of York Trading Limited.
(ii) That it be noted that the s151 Officer and the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Shareholder Committee, have commenced a review of the Shareholder Committee and its associated governance arrangements and that updated arrangements will be reported to Full Council for approval to update the council’s Constitution.
Reason: To confirm that Executive is aware of action being taken to ensure that governance arrangements for the Shareholder Committee remain effective and fit for purpose.
7. Renewal of the Council’s Contract with Make it York
Resolved: (i) That the priorities on which the new service specifications are to be based be agreed as set out in paragraph 10 of the report and following.
(ii) That approval be given to undertake further work with Make It York to develop the outcomes and service levels schedule of the contract (the SLA), following consultation with businesses and other stakeholder groups, and to bring these back to Executive in April.
(iii) That approval be given to extend the current contract on the current terms until the new contract is in place, following approval of that new contract by Executive in April.
Reason: In order to create a closer relationship between the council and MIY, enabling them to work collaboratively with other organisations in the city and make the best use of resources for the benefit of York in the face of the challenges ahead.
8. Request to Extend Home to School Transport Contracts
Resolved: That the existing home to school transport contracts be extended for a period of one year, from September 2021 to August 2022.
Reason: To ensure that there is provision in place to meet both the Local Authority’s statutory duties in relation to home to school transport, and provision for vulnerable young people.
9. 2020/21 Finance and Performance Monitor 3
Resolved: That the finance and performance information, and the actions needed to manage the council’s financial position, be noted.
Reason: To ensure that expenditure is kept within the approved budget.
10. Capital Programme - Monitor 3 2020/21
Resolved: (i) That the 2020/21 revised budget of £119.859m, as set out in paragraph 6 of the report and in Table 1, be noted.
(ii) That the re-stated capital programme for 2020/21-2024/25, as set out in Table 2 at paragraph 75, be noted.
(iii) That approval be given to fund the schemes listed in the table at paragraph 15 from the existing Maintenance programme for 2021/22.
Reason: To enable the effective management and monitoring of the council’s capital programme.
11. Financial Strategy 2021/22 to 2025/26
Resolved: (i) That the revocation of the 2020/21 North and West Yorkshire 50% retention business rates pool on 31 March 2021 be noted, and that City of York Council’s membership of the 2021/22 Leeds City Region 50% business rates pool from 1 April, as outlined in paragraph 106 of the report, be agreed.
Reason: To confirm membership of the Leeds City Region 50% business rates pool for 2021/22.
(ii) That the average rent increase of 1.5%, based on national formulas linked to RPI and CPI, be approved to apply to all rents for 2021/22, with the exception of Gypsy, Roma and Traveller Community site rents, to which a 1.2% increase shall apply as described in paragraphs 152 and 154.
Reason: To ensure that a legally balanced budget is set.
12. Capital Programme - Monitor 3 2020/21
Recommended: That Council approve the adjustments detailed in the report and contained in Annex A, resulting in a decrease of £24.824m in the approved budget.
Reason: To enable the effective management and monitoring of the council’s capital programme.
13. Financial Strategy 2021/22 to 2025/26
Recommended: That Council approve the budget proposals outlined in the report and annexes; in particular:
a) The net revenue expenditure requirement of £131.392m;
b) A council tax requirement of £98.051m;
c) The revenue growth proposals as outlined in the body of the report;
d) The 2021/22 revenue saving proposals outlined in Annex 2;
e) The fees and charges proposals outlined in Annex 3;
f) The consultation feedback set out in Annex 4;
g) The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) growth set out in Annex 5, the HRA savings proposals set out in Annex 6, the HRA 2021/22 budget set out in Annex 7, and the HRA 30-year plan set out in Annex 8.
h) The dedicated schools grant proposals outlined in paragraph 156; and
i) The use of £52k New Homes Bonus to fund one-off investment, as outlined in paragraph 87.
Reason: To ensure that a legally balanced budget is set.
14. Capital Budget 2021/22 to 2025/26
Recommended: (i) That Council agree the revised capital programme of £546.880m, reflecting a net overall increase of £41.037m (as set out in Table 2 at paragraph 13 of the report and in Annex A), key elements of which include:
a) New schemes funded by prudential borrowing totalling £7.513m, as set out in Table 3;
b) New schemes funded by a combination of prudential borrowing and external funds totalling £3.300m, as set out in Table 4 and summarised in Table 5;
c) New schemes funded by a combination of prudential borrowing and other internal funds totalling £200k, as set out in Table 6;
d) Extension of prudential borrowing funded Rolling Programme schemes totalling £10.870m, as set out in Table 5 and summarised in Table 7;
e) Extension of externally funded Rolling Programme schemes totalling £7.00m, as set out in Table 9; and
f) An increase in HRA-funded schemes totalling £11.954m, funded from a combination of HRA balances and Right to Buy balances, as set out in Table 10.
(ii) That Council note that the total increase in council borrowing as a result of new schemes being recommended for approval is £20.483m, the details of which (schemes) are considered within this report and the financial strategy report.
(iii) That Council approve the full re-stated programme totalling £546.880m, covering financial years 2021/22 to 2025/26, as set out in Table 14 at paragraph 75 of the report, and in Annex B.
Reason: In accordance with the statutory requirement to set a capital budget for the forthcoming financial year.
15. Capital Financing & Investment Strategy
Recommended: That Council approve the capital and investment strategy at Annex A to the report.
Reason: To meet the statutory obligation to comply with the Prudential Code 2017.
16. Treasury Management Strategy Statement and Prudential Indicators for 2021/22 to 2025/26
Recommended: That Council approve:
a) The proposed treasury management strategy for 2021/22, including the annual investment strategy and the minimum revenue provision policy statement;
b) The prudential indicators for 2021/22 to 2025/26 in the main body of the report;
c) The specified and non-specified investments schedule at Annex B; and
d) The scheme of delegation and the role of the section 151 officer, in Annex D.
Reason: To enable the continued effective operation of the treasury management function and to ensure that all council borrowing is prudent, affordable and sustainable.