Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting dated the 8 December 2020 be agreed as a correct record.

None.

Councillor Peter Zinkin declared a pecuniary interest in item 9 of the agenda – Business Planning – Corporate Plan, Budget 2021/22 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-25 by virtue of being a Director of London Energy. Councillor Zinkin had been granted a dispensation by the Monitoring Officer.

Councillor Ross Houston declared an interest in item 9 of the agenda – Business Planning – Corporate Plan, Budget 2021/22 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-25 by virtue of being a Council appointed Non-Executive Director of The Barnet Group.

Councillor David Longstaff declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 9 of the agenda – Business Planning – Corporate Plan, Budget 2021/22 and Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-25 by virtue of being a Board Member on the Barnet Education & Learning Services (BELS).

None.

None.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Geof Cooke introduced the Member’s Item.  

RESOLVED that the instructions as set out in the table above are noted.

The Chairman introduced the report which outlined the background and current arrangements in respect of Area Committees budgets, including the allocations of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding. Also set out in the report was more specific guidance to enable funding applications to be assessed in accordance with local priorities as determined by Members.

Upon being put to the vote the recommendations as set out in the report were carried.

RESOLVED – That the Committee

1.     That the Committee note the background and current arrangements in respect of Area Committees allocations of Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) funding.

2.     That the Committee agree that each Area Committees should develop and approve their own CIL funding priorities for each financial year starting in 2021/22.

3.     That the Committee agree that the funding limit for each individual CIL funded scheme be increased to £30,000.

The Chairman introduced the report which sought the Committee’s agreement to consult on a new Draft Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Charging Schedule. Set out in the Draft Charging Schedule was the proposal to revise the Barnet CIL rate to £300 per square metre for residential development and introduce a charge for employment and leisure uses of £20 per square metre.  Independent viability evidence had been commissioned and indicated the new proposed rates were both viable and would not unduly prejudice development coming forward in the borough.

Upon being put to the vote the recommendations as set out in the report were carried.

RESOLVED – That the Committee

1.     Considered the proposed CIL rates set out in the Draft Charging Schedule, at Appendix A

2.     Considered the proposed rates authorises consultation on the Draft Charging Schedule and associated documents in accordance with requirements set out in the CIL Regulations. 

3.     Noted that the results of consultation will be reported back to Policy and Resources Committee and that if appropriate, the committee will be asked to agree submission of the draft Charging Schedule and other evidence documents, including updates to the Council’s draft Infrastructure Delivery Plan, to the Planning Inspectorate for examination. 

4.     Noted that the Charging Schedule, post consultation and examination, will need to be approved by the full Council in line with s.213(2) Planning Act 2008 and Government Guidance on approving and implementing the Charging Schedule

The Chairman introduced the report which set out the proposed budget for 2021/22 and the council’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) which include the assumptions for 2021-25 with regards to council tax, other funding, expenditure forecasts and the savings and income generation plans necessary to set a balanced budget. This would help to ensure resources were aligned to the strategic outcomes set out in the council’s revised Corporate Plan set out at Appendix A.

With regards to the Food Waste Service referenced twice in Table 10, page 29 the Executive Director for Environment clarified this was a typographical error and it should only be a single entry. The revised figure would be circulated to Members.

With regards to Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) the Director of Resources (Section 151 Officer) clarified this was not a cash reduction but rather that it reduced the amount the MRP would have to be increased by over the MTFS.

With regards to the planting of [XX] number of tree reference on page 88 of the Draft Corporate Plan, Councillor Dean Cohen Chairman for Environment confirmed the Council was committed to planning 5000 trees over the next 5 years

Upon being put to the vote the recommendations as set out in the report were declared carried. The vote was recorded as follows;

RESOLVED – That the;

In respect of the Corporate Plan (included as Appendix A)

1.     That the Committee note the update and future proposals for development of the plan for referral to Full council.

2.     That the Committee agrees to delegate design decisions and non-material changes to the text to the Chief Executive in consultation with The Leader of the Council.

In respect of the Budget and Council Tax for 2021/22 and the Medium Term Financial Strategy 2021-25, that the Committee:

3.     Recommend to Council for approval, the Medium-Term Financial Strategy attached as Appendix B and the detailed revenue budgets in Appendix C1, including the proposed savings and funding for pressures in 2021/22;

4.     Recommend to Council for approval that the budget for 2021/22 is prepared on the basis of an increase of 1.99% for the general element Council Tax in 2021/22 as discussed in paragraph 1.5.15 to 1.5.18;

5.     Recommend to Council for approval that the budget for 2021/22 is prepared on the basis of an increase of 3.00% for the Social Care Precept, to help fund social care paragraph 1.5.18 to 1.5.19;

6.     Recommend to Council for approval the resolutions relating to Council Tax contained within Appendix C Council Tax Resolutions;

7.     Recommend to Council for approval, on the advice of the Chief Finance Officer, that it determines that the council’s basic amount of Council Tax for 2021/22 as set out in Council Tax resolution Appendix C 2(iv) is not excessive in accordance with the principles approved under section 52ZB and 52ZC of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, set out in the Referendums relating to Council Tax increases (Principles)(England) Report 2021/22.

8.     Recommend to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

None.