Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Ridgeway, The Beacon, Portway, Wantage, OX12 9BY

Contact: Steven Corrigan, Democratic Services Manager  Email:  steven.corrigan@southandvale.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

54.

Apologies for absence

To record apologies for absence.

55.

Minutes pdf icon PDF 434 KB

To adopt and sign as a correct record the Council minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2022 - attached. 

Minutes:

RESOLVED: to approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on 7 December 2022 as a correct record and agree that the Chair sign them as such.

56.

Declarations of interest

To receive declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, other registrable interests and non-registrable interests or any conflicts of interest in respect of items on the agenda for this meeting. 

  

Minutes:

None.

57.

Urgent business and chair's announcements

To receive notification of any matters which the chair determines should be considered as urgent business and the special circumstances which have made the matters urgent, and to receive any announcements from the chair. 

Minutes:

The Chair provided general housekeeping advice.

58.

Public participation

To receive any questions or statements from members of the public that have registered to speak. 

Minutes:

A.    Chris Henderson addressed Council on behalf of the residents of Woodlands and Pebble Hill mobile home parks to request no rent increase for the forthcoming year.

 

He stated that many residents have been struggling with the increase in the costs of essential such as energy and food. He alleged that the council makes a significant surplus from the parks. Rents have increased by RPI, the maximum permitted under the legislation, with the exception of last year when the CPI rate was used. During this time, the parks had experienced a reduction in service provision including the loss of the wardens.

 

Whilst appreciating local authority budgetary pressures, he considered it unreasonable that Mobile Home Park residents, many amongst the poorer residents in the Vale, should disproportionately subsidise services for richer residents.

 

Councillor Judy Roberts, Cabinet member for development and infrastructure, acknowledged the points raised. She stated that the council proposal in its budget for consideration at the meeting was to limit the increase to 5%, well below the current inflation figure of approximately 10%, recognising the cost-of-living pressures on residents.

 

B.    Philip Campbell made a statement on behalf of MEPC in support of the proposal to revise the Milton Park Local Development Order – agenda item 12. 

 

C.   Councillor Bentley of Faringdon Town Council addressed Council. She asked how the Section 106 funds for the cancelled Wessex Leisure Centre would be allocated and what percentage of the funds would be allocated to Faringdon.

 

The Chair of council responded that officers would be in contact with the town clerk in due course. 

                                                                                     

59.

Petitions

To receive any petitions from the public. 

Minutes:

None.

60.

Treasury Management Mid-Year Monitoring Report 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 652 KB

The Joint Audit and Governance Committee, at its meeting on 31 January 2023, considered the report of the head of finance on the treasury management mid-year monitoring report. The committee noted the treasury management mid-year monitoring report and was satisfied that the treasury activities were carried out in accordance with the treasury management strategy and policy.

 

Cabinet considered the comments of the committee at its meeting on 3 February 2023 and made a recommendation to Council as set out below.

 

The report of the head of finance is attached.

 

RECOMMENDATION: to

 

1.    approve the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2023;

 

2.    note that Cabinet is satisfied that the treasury activities are carried out in accordance with the treasury management strategy and policy. 

 

 

Minutes:

Council considered Cabinet’s recommendations, made at its meeting on 3 February 2023, on the treasury management performance in the first six months of 2022/23.

 

Councillor Crawford, Cabinet member for finance, reported that income from cash investments was likely to be above budget by the financial year end due to increases in interest rates that were unexpected when the 2022/23 budget was set.  The report set out performance against benchmarks for the first six months of the financial year.  There had been no borrowing during the first half of the year and borrowing was unlikely for the remainder of the year also. 

 

Both the Joint Audit and Governance Committee, at its meeting on 31 January and Cabinet, at its meeting on 3 February 2023, were content that the treasury management activities had been carried out in accordance with the treasury management strategy and policy. 

 

RESOLVED: to 

 

1.    approve the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2023;

 

2.    note that Cabinet is satisfied that the treasury activities are carried out in accordance with the treasury management strategy and policy. 

 

61.

Treasury Management and Investment Strategy 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 888 KB

The Joint Audit and Governance Committee, at its meeting on 31 January 2023, considered the report of the head of finance on the council’s treasury management and investment strategy for 2023/24. The committee made recommendations to Cabinet to approve the treasury management strategy, prudential indicators, and annual investment strategy.

 

Cabinet considered the recommendations at its meeting on 3 February 2023 and made recommendations to Council as set out below.

 

The report of the head of finance is attached.

 

RECOMMENDATION: to

 

1.    approve the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2023;

 

2.    approve the treasury management strategy 2023/24, as set out in appendix A to the report;

 

3.    approve the prudential indicators and limits for 2023/24 to 2025/26, as set out in appendix A to the report; and

 

4.    approve the annual investment strategy 2023/24, as set out in appendix A to the report,and the lending criteria detailed in table 6 in appendix A to the report.

 

Minutes:

Council considered Cabinet’s recommendations made at its meeting on 3 February 2023 on the council’s treasury management and investment strategy for 2023/24.  This set out how the council’s treasury service would support the financing of capital investment decisions, and how treasury management operated day to day.  The strategy also set out the prudential indicators, providing limits within which the treasury function must operate.  

 

Councillor Crawford, Cabinet member for finance highlighted the changes proposed to the strategy for 2023/24 as set out in paragraphs 10 and 11 of the report:

·       amend individual maximum counterparty limits for the higher credit rated counterparties, increasing the limits for LVNAV & VNAV Money Market Funds to £30 million

·       increase specified instruments counterparty limit for banks and building societies with a minimum F1, A- credit rating from £10 million to £15 million

·       increase non-specified instruments counterparty limit for institutions with a minimum credit rating of F1+, AA- from £10 million to £15 million

·       amend the minimum lending criteria, increasing the minimum asset value criteria for non-rated building societies from assets over £1 billion to assets over £2 billion  

 

Both Cabinet and the Joint Audit and Governance Committee had supported the strategy together with approving the prudential indicators and limits, and approving the annual investment strategy and lending criteria. 

 

 

RESOLVED: to

 

1.    approve the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2023;

 

2.    approve the treasury management strategy 2023/24, as set out in appendix A to the report;

 

3.    approve the prudential indicators and limits for 2023/24 to 2025/26, as set out in appendix A to the report; and

 

4.    approve the annual investment strategy 2023/24, as set out in appendix A to the report,and the lending criteria detailed in table 6 in appendix A to the report. 

 

62.

Capital Strategy 2023/24 to 2032/33 pdf icon PDF 201 KB

Cabinet, at its meeting on 3 February 2023, considered the attached report of the head of finance on the capital strategy for 2023/24 to 2032/33.   

 

Cabinet made recommendations to council as set out below.

 

RECOMMENDATION: to 

 

1.    approve the capital strategy 2023/24 to 2032/33, contained in appendix one of the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2023; and

2.    agree the strategy for flexible use of capital receipts which is contained as annex 1 of the capital strategy. 

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council considered Cabinet’s recommendations made at its meeting on 3 February 2023 on the capital strategy for 2023/24 to 2032/33. 

 

Councillor Crawford, Cabinet member for finance, reported that the strategy would provide the parameters within which capital expenditure and investment decisions would be made once the supporting requirements were in place.  There were no substantive changes to the strategy.

 

RESOLVED: to

 

1.    approve the capital strategy 2023/24 to 2032/33, as set out in appendix 1 of the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2023; and

 

2.    agree the strategy for flexible use of capital receipts, which is contained as annex 1 of the capital strategy. 

 

63.

Revenue Budget 2023/24 and Capital Programme to 2027/28 pdf icon PDF 409 KB

Cabinet, at its meeting on 3 February 2023, considered the attached report of the head of finance on the the draft revenue budget 2023/24, and the capital programme to 2027/28.

 

The Scrutiny Committee considered the report at its meeting on 30 January 2023 and noted the report.

 

The report of the chief financial officer on the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the reserves is attached.

 

RECOMMENDATION: to

 

1.    set the revenue budget for 2023/24, as set out in appendix A.1 to the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2023;

2.    approve the capital programme for 2023/24 to 2027/28, as set out in appendix D.1 to the report, together with the capital programme changes as set out in appendix D.2 and appendix D.3 to the report;

3.    set the council’s prudential limits, as listed in appendix E to the report;

4.    approve the medium term financial plan to 2027/28, as set out in appendix F to the report.

 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The chair referred to regulations that require councils to record the names of those members voting in favour, against or abstaining from any vote on the budget, including amendments, and the council tax. In accordance with the regulations, she would call for a named vote on each of these matters at this meeting.

 

Council noted the report of the chief finance officer on the robustness of the budget estimates and the adequacy of the reserves.

 

Council considered Cabinet’s recommendations, made at its meeting held on 3 February 2023 on the revenue budget for 2023/24 and the capital programme to 2027/28.  

 

Councillor Crawford, Cabinet member for finance, presented Cabinet’s proposals for the revenue budget and capital programme. He moved and Councillor Fawcett, seconded a motion to approve Cabinet’s recommendations as follows:

 

to 

 

1.    set the revenue budget for 2023/24, as set out in appendix A.1 to the head of finance’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2023;

2.    approve the capital programme for 2023/24 to 2027/28, as set out in appendix D.1 to the report, together with the capital programme changes as set out in appendix D.2 and appendix D.3 to the report;

3.    set the council’s prudential limits, as listed in appendix E to the report;

4.    approve the medium-term financial plan to 2027/28, as set out in appendix F to the report. 

 

In moving the Cabinet recommendations, Councillor Crawford, the Cabinet member for finance introduced the draft budget, noting that the council’s financial position had improved with this year’s budget contributing £2.5 million to reserves.  There were no service cuts in the budget. The budget allocated funds to continue supporting the community hub at a time when the government funding for this service was coming to an end.  The medium term financial plan showed that the council was in a stable financial position for the next two years, but thereafter government funding was uncertain.  Council tax would increase by £5 per Band D property, the maximum allowed before a referendum was required.  The capital programme included a new learner pool at Wantage Leisure Centre, with funds provided from section 106 contributions.  Capital was also allocated towards the Local Authority Housing Fund project, supported by government funding.  Funds were also set aside for decarbonisation projects at Wantage Leisure Centre and the White Horse Leisure and Tennis Centre, which had been supported by government grants. 

 

Conservative Group amendment

 

Councillor Howell moved and Councillor Boyd seconded the following amendment:

 

1)      That the Band D Council Tax for 2023/24 be increased by £3.20 instead of £5.00,

2)      That two hours free car parking be reinstated.  An indicative estimate of the cost of this measure is £75,000 per annum, but the service would be expected to be managed within the new budget envelope created,

3)      That the climate emergency grant funding be increased from £50,000 to £100,000 per annum,

4)      That the funding for the community hub for 2023/24 be increased by £100,000.

 

In moving the amendment Councillor Howell stated that the overall cost  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

64.

Council Tax 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 363 KB

To consider the report of the head of finance on the setting of the council tax for the 2023/24 financial year. Following receipt of all the required information the report is being checked by officers prior to despatch.

 

Minutes:

 

 

Council considered the report of the head of finance on the setting of the Council Tax for the 2023/24 financial year.

 

In accordance with regulations requiring councils to record the names of those members voting in favour, against or abstaining from any vote on the council tax the chair called for a recorded vote which was carried with the voting being as follows:

 

For

Against

Abstentions

Jerry Avery

Paul Barrow

 

 

Ron Batstone

 

 

Eric Batts

 

 

Nathan Boyd

 

 

Cheryl Briggs

 

 

Andy Cooke

 

 

Andrew Crawford

 

 

Margaret Crick

 

 

Eric de la Harpe

 

 

Amos Duveen

 

 

Neil Fawcett

 

Andy Foulsham

 

 

Hayleigh Gascoigne

 

 

David Grant

 

 

Debby Hallett

 

 

Jenny Hannaby

 

 

Simon Howell

 

 

Alison Jenner

 

 

Bob Johnston

 

 

Diana Lugova

 

 

Ben Mabbett

 

 

Sarah Medley

 

 

Patrick O’Leary

 

 

Helen Pighills

 

Mike Pighills

 

 

Sally Povolotsky

 

 

Judy Roberts

 

Janet Shelley

 

 

Emily Smith

 

 

Bethia Thomas

 

 

Max Thompson

 

 

Elaine Ware

 

 

Catherine Webber

 

 

Richard Webber

 

 

Total: 35

Total: 0

Total: 0

 

RESOLVED

1.             To note that at its meeting on 7 December 2022 the council calculated the council tax base 2023/24:

(a)   for the whole council area as 56,664.9 [Item T in the formula in Section 31B of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, as amended (the “Act”)]; and

 (b)  for dwellings in those parts of its area to which a parish precept relates as in column 1 of appendix 1.

2.             That the council tax requirement for the council’s own purposes for 2023/24 (excluding parish precepts) is £8,595,499

3.             That the following amounts be calculated for the year 2023/24 in accordance with Sections 31 to 36 of the Act:

(a)   £84,770,721 being the aggregate of the amounts which the council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(2) of the Act taking into account all precepts issued to it by parish councils.

(b)   £71,154,591 being the aggregate of the amounts which the council estimates for the items set out in Section 31A(3) of the Act.

(c)   £13,616,130 being the amount by which the aggregate at (3)(a) above exceeds the aggregate at (3)(b) above, calculated by the council, in accordance with Section 31A(4) of the Act as its council tax requirement for the year.  (Item R in the formula in Section 31B) of the Act).

(d)   £240.29 being the amount at (3)(c) above (Item R), all divided by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the council, in accordance with Section 31(B) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year (including parish precepts).

(e)   £5,020,631 being the aggregate amount of all special items referred to in Section 34(1) of the Act, as set out in column 2 of appendix 1.

(f)    £151.69 being the amount at (3)(d) above less the result given by dividing the amount at (3)(e) above by Item T (1(a) above), calculated by the council, in accordance with Section 34(2) of the Act, as the basic amount of its council tax for the year for dwellings in those parts of its area to which no parish precept relates.

4.             To note that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

65.

Milton Park - Proposed Revised Local Development Order pdf icon PDF 270 KB

Cabinet, at its meeting on 3 February 2023, considered the attached report of the head of planning on the adoption of a revised Local Development Order for Milton Park.    

 

Cabinet made recommendations to council as set out below.

 

RECOMMENDATION: to adopt the Milton Park Local Development Order, as set out in Appendix 1 to the head of planning’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2023, subject to completion of a legal agreement securing the elements referred to in paragraph 24 of the report. 

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Council considered Cabinet’s recommendations made at its meeting on 3 February 2023 on the proposed revised local development order for Milton Park. 

 

Cabinet had welcomed the revised Local Development Order and the aims of the owners to further improve Milton Park. 

 

RESOLVED:to adopt the Milton Park Local Development Order, as set out in Appendix 1 to the head of planning’s report to Cabinet on 3 February 2023, subject to completion of a legal agreement securing the elements referred to in paragraph 24 of the report. 

 

66.

Progress on approved Council motions pdf icon PDF 579 KB

To note progress on the approved Council motions – paper attached.

Minutes:

Council noted the schedule showing the progress on approved motions.

67.

Report of the Leader of the council

To receive the report of the Leader of the council.

 

Minutes:

Councillor Thomas, Leader of the council, provided an update on a number of matters. The text of her address is available on the council’s website.

 

68.

Questions on notice pdf icon PDF 307 KB

To receive questions from councillors in accordance with Council procedure rule 33. 

 

A.   Question from Councillor Bob Johnston to Councillor Debby Hallett – Cabinet member forCorporate Services and Transformation

Now that work on OxPlan50 has ceased, what are the council’s priorities for the new Joint Local Plan 2041?

 

B.   Question from Councillor Emily Smith to Councillor Bethia Thomas - Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Engagement

Our district is home to so many inspirational individuals, charities and community groups. Over the past three years as we have lived through COVID-19 and now a national cost of living crisis, it's been incredible how Vale residents have stepped up to help each other.

 

During COVID-19 the Chair's Community Awards were not able to go ahead, but it would be wonderful to recognise the contribution of some of the volunteers we work with in our communities in some way. Are there any plans to hold the community awards again, or something similar?

 

C.   Question from Councillor Andy Cooke to Councillor Helen Pighills - Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities  

I am aware that the Council has done much work to support refugees; I’m personally aware of support given to refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan.

 

Residents of my ward have been very welcoming to refugees; it’s something that gives me pride, so it does make the issue close to my heart.  I’d like to take the opportunity to have the work done by officers behind the scenes highlighted, as it is something in which the entire Council can take pride. 

 

Could you give Council an outline of the work done by the officers and the council to support refugees over the past year and more, and an overview of the schemes involved?

 

D.   Question from Councillor Hayleigh Gascoigne to Councillor Judy Roberts – Cabinet Member for Development, Infrastructure and Development Management

People living in the Didcot area have seen a great deal of growth in housing numbers and population in their town and the surrounding area over recent years. Local residents expect the infrastructure to be provided to support this and any future growth.  I understand that the S106 agreement for Great Western Park included money allocated for a much needed GP surgery.

 

Can we have an update on progress of the healthcare facility? Additionally, can the role of the council in provision of healthcare services be explained?

 

E.    Question from Councillor Nathan Boyd to Councillor Helen Pighills – Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities  

We know that Vale of White Horse District Council has played an important role in the relocation and housing of refugees from Afghanistan and the upsurge in those arriving in the UK via small boats, and thanks should go to our officers who have played a significant role on this. Is the Cabinet Member for Healthy Communities able to say how many refugees and asylum seekers this council has assisted since 2019 and what ongoing support is available to those seeking safety and asylum in our district? 

 

F.    Question  ...  view the full agenda text for item 68.

Minutes:

A.   Question from Councillor Bob Johnston to Councillor Debby Hallett – Cabinet member forCorporate Services and Transformation

Now that work on OxPlan50 has ceased, what are the council’s priorities for the new Joint Local Plan 2041?

 

Written answer

 

Now that work has ceased on the Oxfordshire Plan 2050, the Council is taking the ‘Guiding Principles’ for Good Growth from the Oxfordshire Strategic Vision to inspire and help shape the Joint Local Plan. Vale Council’s priorities for the Joint Local Plan have been recently set out on the Council’s website in a joint message from Cllrs Debby Hallett and Anne-Marie Simpson, Cabinet Members for Planning at the Vale and South Oxfordshire. This is available on the Vale of White Horse website ( https://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/vale-of-white-horse-district-council/planning-and-development/local-plan-and-planning-policies/local-plan-2041/). The message sets out that the focus of the Joint Local Plan will be different from the last local plan and states that:

·       Working to these Good Growth principles means thinking radically about how much development we plan, where it is located and how it is done.

·       Rather than more of the same kind of development we’ve seen in recent years, we will focus on delivering homes to meet the actual local need.

·       We will look at the number of and types of homes, their affordability and the energy efficiency standards they need to meet.

·       We will use the opportunities we have through the planning system to protect nature and increase nature recovery.

·       We will help tackle climate change by reducing carbon emissions, recognising this as an emergency and in line with our ambition to become zero carbon districts.

·       We will focus on community health and wellbeing and locate new homes near to work places and community facilities.

·       We will work hard to secure new and improved social and physical infrastructure to support development, ensuring that developers contribute a fair share of the cost.

 

B.   Question from Councillor Emily Smith to Councillor Bethia Thomas - Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Engagement

Our district is home to so many inspirational individuals, charities and community groups. Over the past three years as we have lived through COVID-19 and now a national cost of living crisis, it's been incredible how Vale residents have stepped up to help each other.

 

During COVID-19 the Chair's Community Awards were not able to go ahead, but it would be wonderful to recognise the contribution of some of the volunteers we work with in our communities in some way. Are there any plans to hold the community awards again, or something similar?

 

Written answer

 

I agree wholeheartedly with Councillor Smith that we are truly blessed in our district with so many individuals and organisations who show real community spirit.

 

Throughout the pandemic and subsequently, we have seen so many people stepping up to help people in their community and to offer support to people who are asylum seekers and refugees from countries around the world. This has built on the strong tradition we have in Vale of community resilience.

 

During the pandemic  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

69.

Motions on notice

No motions on notice have been submitted by councillors. 

 

Minutes:

No motions on notice were submitted for consideration by members.

70.

Pay Policy Statement 2023/24 pdf icon PDF 237 KB

To consider the report of the head of corporate services attached.

Minutes:

Council considered the report of the head of corporate services on the adoption of a pay policy statement to meet the requirements of the Localism Act.

 

RESOLVED: to approve the statement of pay policy for 2023/24 attached to the report of the head of corporate services to the Council meeting on 15 February 2023.

 

 

 

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Vale of White Horse District Council
Abbey House, Abbey Close,
Abingdon
OX14 3JE