Agenda item

This item is scheduled for consideration by the Council’s Executive on 24 February 2020. A copy of the Executive report is therefore attached.

It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that Council Procedure Rule 17.4 regarding the content and length of speeches be suspended to allow the Leader of the Council and a representative of the Opposition unlimited time to speak on this item.

Councillor Ric Metcalfe, Leader of the Council, proposed the recommendations contained within the report, subject to amendments to specific fees and charges as set out on the supplement which had been published and circulated.

Councillor Donald Nannestad, Deputy Leader of the Council, seconded the proposal.

Councillor Thomas Dyer, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, proposed a number of amendments by way of an alternative budget which comprised:

·         investment in further managed workspaces. These were particularly needed in the South of the City where there was already a lot of investment in North Hykeham by North Kesteven District Council;

·         an increase in sheltered bus stops throughout the city ensuring, where practicably possible, a sheltered bus stop was available comprising an initial investment of £50,000 - £75,000;

·         investment to create more electric vehicle charging stations across the City comprising an initial investment of £50,000;

·         all Council Housing Revenue Account vehicles which were procured after 2025 to be electric;

·         a free garden waste bin for residents under a new, reformed service - £300,000;

·         a 10% increase in public waste bins across the city - £20,000;

·         payment of initial rent guarantees in the form of a loan to allow people to rent private housing – cost neutral;

·         maintenance cost of increasing sheltered bus stops throughout the city - £20,000;

·         the creation of ‘pop-in’ parking, to encourage more people to shop locally and use the city centre – cost neutral;

·         a full review into the staff management structure to save £250,000 per annum;

·         further staffing investment in online services, to make the digital face of the authority the easiest and most efficient way to do business with the Council – cost neutral;

·         more shared services with neighbouring Councils;

·         a full review into the Sincil Bank neighbourhood working scheme;

·         developing unused Council owned buildings and/or land where possible;

·         reforming the amount Councillors received who had additional responsibility;

·         fundamentally review all outsourced contracts when they were due for renewal;

·         a full review of external grants the Council issued. The current spend was over £400,000 per annum;

·         a green audit to investigate the usage of utilities (gas, electricity and water). The current bill stood at over £850,000;

·         a full review of what the authority posted and, where statutorily possible, use of email rather than hard copies.

Councillor Hilton Spratt, Leader of the Opposition, seconded the amendment.

In voting on the amendment, the amendment was lost.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.7 a recorded vote was taken, the result of which was as follows:

In voting on the original motion it was RESOLVED that the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020-2025 and Capital Strategy 2020-2025, including the following specific elements, be approved:

·         a proposed Council Tax increase of 1.9% for 2020/21;

·         a housing rent increase of 2.7% for 2020/21, as agreed at Council on 21 January 2020;

·         the inclusion of the Council as a member of the Lincolnshire Business Rates Pool in 2020/21;

·         the General Fund revenue forecast 2020/21-2024/25 as shown in Appendix 1 of the report and the main basis on which the budget has been calculated, as set out in paragraph 4 of the report;

·         the General Investment Programme 2020/21-2024/25 as shown in Appendix 2 of the report and the main basis on which the programme has been calculated, as set out in paragraph 6 of the report;

·         the draft Housing Revenue Account forecast 2020/21-2024/25 as shown in Appendix 3 of the report and the main basis on which the programme has been calculated, as set out in paragraph 5 of the report;

·         the draft Housing Investment Programme 2020/21-2024/25 as shown in Appendix 4 of the report and the main basis on which the programme has been calculated, as set out in paragraph 7 of the report.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 19.7 a recorded vote was taken, the result of which was as follows: