Decisions

To approve revised fees and charges for 2021/22

Authority to increase the fees and charges in respect of the attached Schedule for each of the following services :

·         Corporate Services – Allotment, Children’s Community Centres, Corporate Services, Corporate Assets

·         Growth & Regeneration – Building Control & Land Charges, Car Parks and Bus Station

·         Housing & Communities – Cemetery, HRA, Lifeline, Melton Leisure Vision, Open Spaces Special, Strategic Sports, Waste & Environment, Waterfield Leisure Centre

·         Legal Services

1.    Authority to use a Contract Exemption as detailed in the decision notice;

2.    Authority to award the contract to CFH docmail Ltd for annual billing for the period 2021/22;

3.    Authority to enter into any necessary agreements with the Contractor.

1.    In accordance with the direction and resolution set by Cabinet in October 2020, and following a subsequent period of staff consultation, to authorise changes to the approved establishment and structure and any associated implications arising from the changes set out in the table in the Decision Notice.

2.    That the structural changes approved in (1) above for the development management team and as detailed in Appendices A and B are implemented subject to HR policies and procedures. 

3.    That the structural changes approved in (1) above for the Growth and Regeneration department and as detailed in Appendix C are implemented subject to HR policies and procedures.

Cabinet

1)    APPROVED the award of Community Grants, subject to the approval of the 2021/22 budget;

2)    APPROVED the use of the remaining £3,186 from 2020/21 budget;

3)    DELEGATED authority to the Director for Housing and Communities to approve in-year small grants awards, in consultation with the Portfolio Holder, for the remaining budget during 2021/22.

Sets out the strategic direction and focus of the Safer Melton Partnership, setting out improved multi agency working and engagement with communities.

Cabinet

1)    NOTED the report and the ongoing contribution of the Community Safety Partnership to ASB issues across the borough and the direction of travel for the Community Safety Partnership;

2)    RECOMMENDED to Council that the proposed Community Safety Strategy 2021-24 be approved.

Cabinet

1)    NOTED the new service charge elements for Health & Safety works and Grounds Maintenance works in line with the Rent and Service Charge Policy;

2)    RECOMMENDED to Council that:

                     i.        The budget estimates for 2021-22 be approved;

                    ii.        An average rent increase of 1.49% for all Council dwellings for 2021-22 be approved with effect from 1 April 2021;

                   iii.        The working balance is maintained at the approved minimum balance of £750,000 and any residual amounts be transferred to the Regeneration & Development Reserve as approved in February 2020 for the current year.

Cabinet

1)    RECOMMENDED to Council approval of:

                     i.        The General Fund Capital Programme for 2020-25;

                    ii.        The sources of funding for the General Fund Capital Programme for 2021/22;

                   iii.        The HRA Capital Programme for 2020-25;

                   iv.        The sources of funding for the HRA Capital Programme;

                    v.        Delegated authority to the Director for Corporate Services to amend the amount in the Capital Programme for Disabled Facilities Grants once funding confirmation had been received;

                   vi.        Spend on the Council Chamber Audit Visual Equipment Capital Scheme be incurred in 2020/21, if officers are able to commence the project earlier;

                 vii.        The Capital Strategy 2021-22;

The Portfolio Holder for Corporate Finance and Resources to provide a report on the Revenue Budget for 2021/22 including the proposed level of council tax for borough council purposes and the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2024/25.

Cabinet

1)    NOTED the year end forecast and financial position for the General Fund and Special Expenses for 2020/21;

2)    DELEGATED authority to the Director for Corporate Services to make any amendments necessary to the estimates prior to their submission to Council for approval, as a result of changes to the final finance settlement over the provisional and as a result of the final NNDR 1 form used to calculate retained business rates;

3)    RECOMMENDED to Council, subject to any amendment arising from the final finance settlement that:

                     i.        The proposals for General Expenses and Special Expenses Melton Mowbray be approved for inclusion in the 2021/22 budget resulting in the estimates;

                    ii.        Delegated authority be given to the Director for Corporate Services to release the funding for the growth items for town centre improvements, place survey and discretionary council tax support subject to conditions;

                   iii.        The revenue budget for 2021/22 for General and Special Expenses be approved, resulting in an overall council tax increase of £5;

                   iv.        Any increase or shortfall against the target working balance on General Expenses at 31 March 2021 be transferred to/from the Corporate Priorities Reserve and for Special Expenses Melton Mowbray any surplus/deficit be transferred to/from the Special Expenses Reserve, thereby bringing the actual balance back to the target;

                    v.        Members note the changes made to the risk categorisation of budgets.

Cabinet

1)    RECOMMENDED to Council the prudential indicators and limits be adopted and approved;

2)    RECOMMENDED to Council the Treasury Management Strategy;

3)    RECOMMENDED to Council the Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) Statement which set out the Council’s policy on MRP be approved;

4)    NOTED the linkages to the Capital Strategy due to the integral nature of how the Council manages its treasury finances to support capital  development.

To increase the establishment to create additional administrative support in the team for HR and Wellbeing

To increase the establishment within the Land Charges Team by 1 FTE, by creating an additional Land Charges Assistant post. This will initially be for a fixed term period of one year with the option for it to transfer to a permanent post if it can be funded through existing budgets for subsequent years, or approved by way a of a growth item as part of the budget setting process for 2022/23.