Council

A meeting of Council was held on Wednesday, 28th February 2007.

Present: The Worshipful the Mayor (Cllr Mrs S Fletcher); Cllr P Baker, Cllr Mrs J Beaumont, Cllr D T Brown, Cllr D Cains, Cllr Mrs P A Cains, Cllr M Cherrett, Cllr D Coleman, Cllr B Cook, Cllr C Coombs, Cllr A Cunningham, Cllr I J Dalgarno, Cllr K Faulks, Cllr J A Fletcher, Cllr M Frankland, Cllr R Gibson, Cllr D Harrington, Cllr Miss B Inman, Cllr E Johnson, Cllr P Kirton, Cllr T Laing, Cllr A Larkin, Cllr C Leckonby, Cllr K Leonard, Cllr K Lupton, Cllr J M Lynch, Cllr Mrs K F Nelson, Cllr S Nelson, Cllr W Noble, Cllr Mrs A Norton, Cllr Mrs J O'Donnell, Cllr M Perry, Cllr Mrs M Rigg, Cllr R Rix, Cllr J M Roberts, Cllr Mrs B Robinson, Cllr F G Salt, Cllr A B L Sherris, Cllr M Smith, Cllr M Stoker, Cllr Mrs J Wade, Cllr Mrs M B Womphrey, Cllr B Woodhead, Cllr B Woodhouse.

Officers: G Garlick, J Haworth (CE); A Baxter (CESE); N Schneider (DNS); D E Bond, P K Bell (LD); J Danks, P Saunders, D Hurwood (R).

Also in attendance: No other persons were present.

Apologies: Cllr Apedaile, Cllr Dewison, Cllr Dixon, Cllr Jones, Cllr Narroway, Cllr Nesbitt, Cllr Parry, Cllr Patterson, Cllr Teasdale, Cllr Mrs Trainer, Cllr Walmsley, Cllr Womphrey.

1 / Declarations of Interest
Concessionary Travel Scheme
All Members of the Council that were present declared personal, non prejudicial interests in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as they were entitled to, had family relatives that were entitled to, or had close friends that were entitled to the Concessionary Travel Scheme.
Tristar Homes Board
Councillor Leonard declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was a Member of Tristar Homes Board.
Councillor Nelson declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was a Member of Tristar Homes Board.
Councillor Roberts declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as she was a Member of Tristar Homes Board.
Councillor Woodhead declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was a Member of Tristar Homes Board.
Councillor Brown declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was a Member of Tristar Homes Board and his son was employed by Tristar Homes.
Councillor Frankland declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as a family Member was employed by Tristar Homes.
Police/Police Authority
Councillor Cook declared a person, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as a family member was a serving Officer in the Police.
Councillor Coombs declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was a Member of Cleveland Police Authority.
Councillor Smith declared a person, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as a family member was a serving Officer in the Police.
Cleveland Fire Authority
Councillor Woodhead declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was a Member of Cleveland Fire Authority.
Councillor Salt declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was a Member of Cleveland Fire Authority.
Councillor Mrs O'Donnell declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as she was a Member of Cleveland Fire Authority.
Councillor Brown declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was a Member of Cleveland Fire Authority.
Councillor Kirton declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was a Member of Cleveland Fire Authority.
Councillor Roberts declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as she was a Member of Cleveland Fire Authority.
Governors of Schools
Councillor Coleman declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was a Governor of Mill Lane Primary School.
Councillor Cook declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was a Governor of one of the schools involved in "Building Schools for the Future".
Councillor Mrs Cains declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as she was a Governor of Redbrook School which was involved in "Building Schools for the Future".
Councillor Leonard declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was a Governor of Redbrook School and Roseworth School.
Councillor Dalgarno declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was a Governor of Bader School.
Councillor Mrs Robinson declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as she was a Governor of Bader School.
Councillor Mrs Beaumont declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as she was a Governor of King Edwin School and Kirklevington School.
Councillor Mrs Nelson declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as she was a Governor of Frederick Nattrass School.
Councillor Noble declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as she was a Governor of Hardwick School and St Gregory’s School.
Councillor Miss Inman declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as she was a Governor of Oxbridge School.
Parish/Town Councils
Councillor Fletcher declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was a Member of Egglescliffe Parish Council.
Councillor Mrs Rigg declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as she was a Member of Egglescliffe Parish Council.
Councillor Lynch declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was a Member of Thornaby Town Council.
Councillor Mrs Robinson declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as she was a Member of Thornaby Town Council.
Sure Start
Councillor Mrs Fletcher declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as she was a Member of Elmtree Community Centre Board which was working with Sure Start to develop a children’s centre.
Councillor Roberts declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as she was a Member of Elmtree Community Centre Board which was working with Sure Start to develop a children’s centre.
Councillor Leckonby declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was a Member of Sure Start Board.
Others
Councillor Leckonby declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as he was the Secretary of Low Grange Community Centre, a Member High Grange Community Centre Management Committee and a Member of SVDA Board.
Councillor Leonard declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08, as properties to the rear of his house were identified on the Stock Rationalisation Programme 2007/08.
Councillor Mrs Cains declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as she was a Trustee of George Hardwick Foundation that managed the Carers' Resource Centre in Stockton.
Councillor Woodhouse declared a personal, non prejudicial interest in respect of agenda item no.3 - Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08 as his grandchild attended a day centre which was referred to in the report.
Review of Medium Term Financial Plan and Budget 2007/08

Minutes of the special meeting of Cabinet held on 22nd February 2007

Members considered a report, relating to the Council’s Budget and Council Tax setting for 2007/08, that had been considered by Cabinet, at its special meeting held on 22nd February 2007. Members also considered the minutes of that meeting that contained Cabinet’s recommendations to Council.

It was explained that the Police Authority had set its precept on 23rd February 2007 and Council were provided with details of consequential amendments to the Budget report and the recommendations of Cabinet.

Moved by Councillor Gibson, seconded by Councillor Coleman that:-

  1. in accordance with the Local Government Act 2003, Members note that the Section 151 Officer confirms that the following recommendations:-

a)representa robust budget which has been prepared in line with best practice,

b)provide adequate working balances at 3% of general fund and net operating expenditure of HRA, and

c)that the controlled reserves and provisions are adequate for their purpose.

General Fund Budget

  1. approve a 2007/08 budget for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council of £131,375,973.
  1. approve a 2007/08 budget for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council inclusive of Parish Precepts (£463,652) of £131,839,625
  1. approve the following high priority additions to the Medium Term Financial Plan:-

2007/08
£ / 2008/09
£ / 2009/10
£
(1) / Building Schools for the Future / 250,000 / 750,000 / 1,000,000
(2) / Employment issues / 2,800,000 / 0 / 0 / 2007/08
only
(3) / Access to Services Phases 1 & 2 / 190,000 / 254,000 / 289,000 / ongoing
(4) / Legal Conveyancing Staff / 30,000 / 30,000 / 30,000 / ongoing
(5) / Stockton/Darlington Initiative / 150,000 / 0 / 0 / 2007/08
only
(6) / Children’s-Posts / 140,000 / 140,000 / 140,000 / ongoing
(7) / Children’s-Placements / 240,000 / 240,000 / 240,000 / ongoing
(8) / Children’s-services/contracts / 420,000 / 420,000 / 420,000 / ongoing
(9) / Adult’s-Posts / 130,000 / 130,000 / 130,000 / ongoing
(10) / Adult’s-Placements / 200,000 / 200,000 / 200,000 / ongoing
(11) / Adult’s-contracts / 70,000 / 70,000 / 70,000 / ongoing
(12) / Stockton International Riverside Festival / 60,000 / 60,000 / 60,000 / ongoing
(13) / Public Transport support / 300,000 / 300,000 / 300,000 / ongoing
(14) / Energy charges-Street Lighting & administrative buildings / 175,000 / 175,000 / 175,000 / ongoing
(15) / Memorial Inspections / 200,000 / 100,000 / 100,000 / £100,000
ongoing
(16) / Planning Service Improvements / 230,000 / 230,000 / 230,000 / ongoing
(17) / Housing Benefits / 60,000 / 60,000 / 60,000 / ongoing
(18) / Parks & Countryside refurbishments/facilities / 200,000 / 200,000 / 200,000 / ongoing
(19) / Town Centre Manager / 60,000 / 60,000 / 60,000 / ongoing

TOTAL

/ 5,905,000 / 3,419,000 / 3,704,000
  1. approve the following Other Priority Pressures totalling £1,043,000 Revenue and £163,000 Capital.

2007/08
£ / Revenue / Capital
(1) / PCSO’s / 250 / 250 / -
(2) / Support for Independent living / 150 / 150 / -
(3) / Youth Bus / 200 / 120 / 80
(4) / Specialist Care Pack / 150 / 150 / -
(5) / Homeless/Domestic / 220 / 220 / -
(6) / Arlington Park/Castlegate Quay / 153 / 153 / -
(7) / GIS/IT / 83 / - / 83
TOTAL / 1206 / 1043 / 163
  1. the Medium Term Financial Plan be revised to reflect the budget decisions set out above, and the Council approves resource allocations for 2007/08 and indicative resource allocations for 2008/09 and 2009/10 as set out below:-

2007/08
£ / 2008/09
£ / 2009/10
£
CESC / 75,104,619 / 77,599,971 / 80,425461
DNS / 43,494,664 / 43,410,335 / 43,984,920
Resources / 16,814,796 / 14,755,951 / 15,921,404
TOTAL / 135,414,079 / 135,766,256 / 140,331,785
Less use of balances / 4,038,106 / 0 / 0
Budget Requirement / 131,375,973 / 135,766,256 / 140,331,785
  1. Cabinet continue to receive reports on the management of the Medium Term Financial Plan.

Taxation

SBC

  1. the Council Tax for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, prior to Parish, Fire and Police Precepts, be increased by 3.9% to a level of £1,098.77at Band D (£732.51 Band A).
  1. Members approve applications for local discretionary Council Tax reductions be assessed on a case-by-case basis, and approved in exceptional circumstances only, using the framework described in Appendix F of the report, and that no specific classes of discount be set.
Fire, Police & Parish
  1. the Council note the Fire Precept of £3,189,805 which equates to a Council Tax of £55.95 at Band D (£37.30 at Band A).

11. The Council note the Police Precept of £9,013,798 equating to a Council

Tax of £158.10 at Band D (£105.40at Band A).

  1. the Council set the precept for the Town Council of Billingham in its inaugural year at £80,000.
  1. the Council note the Parish precepts as set out in paragraph 20, page 17 of the budget report.

14. The Council Tax for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, including Parish, Fire and Police Precepts be increased by 4.16% to a level of £1,320.95 at Band D (£880.63 Band A).

Capital
  1. Members approve the Medium Term Capital Plan (including 2008/09 & 2009/10) attached at Appendix I which includes the following:-

a) utilisation of capital allocations received direct from the Government to services:-

2007/08
£’000
Transport / 2,979
Housing / 13,909
Education / 7,466
Social Services / 694

TOTAL

/ 25,048

b)use of Council resources to fund the following high Priority schemes subject to the receipt of anticipated capital resources becoming available in 2008/09 & 2009/10:-

2007/08
£’000 / 2008/09
£’000 / 2009/10
£’000 / Total
£’000
Priority Schemes
Stockton Middlesbrough Initiative / 150 / 1,725 / 0 / 1,875
Access to Services-Thornaby
(includes £240k refurbishment of Library) / 549 / 0 / 0 / 549
Access to Services-Other / 425 / 424 / 299 / 1,148
Preston Hall / 150 / 0 / 1,000 / 1,150
ICT Room / 250 / 0 / 0 / 250
ICT Infrastructure/Storage / 250 / 0 / 0 / 250
Thornaby Town Hall / 330 / 0 / 0 / 330
Stockton Parks / 500 / 0 / 0 / 500
Additional Highway Works / 500 / 500 / 0 / 1,000
Splash / 600 / - / - / 600
Total Priority Schemes / 3,704 / 2,649 / 1,299 / 7,652
Community Schemes
Cemeteries / 150 / 150 / - / 300
Environmental Improvements / 400 / 400 / - / 800
CSDPA Adaptations & Equipment / 250 / 250 / - / 500
Alleygating (SBC Funding) / 121 / 121 / - / 242
Total Community Schemes / 921 / 921 / - / 1,842
Repairs & Maintenance Schemes / 400 / 400 / - / 800
Total Council Resources / 5,025 / 3,970 / 1,299 / 10,294

c) Slippage

Approval of cost variations of £(2,151,000) in 2006/07 and the carry forward of slippage £(2,021,000), and re-profiled ringfenced resources of £100,000 into 2007/08.

  1. the environmental improvements allocation be allocated to Wards based on Ward Population, resulting in the allocation outlined at Appendix G an amended version of which was circulated at the meeting.
  1. Members approve that where funding allocations were required for specific schemes within a defined programme, this would be delegated to the Corporate Director in conjunction with the relevant Cabinet member.
  1. Members approve the proposed Stock Rationalisation Programme at Appendix J of 180 properties in 2007/08.

HRA

  1. the Housing Revenue Account position as set out in Appendix K to the budget report be noted.

Treasury Management/Prudential Code

  1. Council approve the Treasury Management, Investment Strategy and Prudential Indicators for 2007/08 – 2009/10 as set out in Appendix L to the budget report.

Council Tax – Statutory Requirements

  1. Members note the statutory requirements for Council Tax as shown in Appendix E and circulated at the meeting, detailing amendments resulting from the setting of the Police Authority precept.

Moved by Councillor Lupton, seconded by Councillor Beaumont that the motion be amended as follows:-

1) Delete the following High Priority addition to the Medium Term Financial Plan

2007/08
£ / 2008/09
£ / 2009/10
£
(3) / Access to Services Phases 1 & 2 / 190,000 / 254,000 / 289,000 / ongoing

2) Add the following Other Priority Pressures

2007/08
£ / 2008/09
£ / 2009/10
£
Out of Hours Noise Services / 45,000 / 45,000 / 45,000
Stray Dogs 24/7 / 25,000 / 50,000 / 50,000
Wild Horses / 15,000 / 15,000 / 15,000

The effect of this would be to reduce the Council’s budget requirement by £105,000 in 2007/08, £144,000 in 2008/09 & £179,000 in 2009/10. However, failure to implement the Access to Services pressure would mean that the roll-out of the CRM project would have to be reviewed and that the funding for a development/support post in ICT would cease. It was therefore proposed that the following pressure be added:-

2007/08
£ / 2008/09
£ / 2009/10
£
Development/Support post in ICT / 31,000 / 31,000 / 31,000

The overall effect of these amendments would be to reduce the Council’s budget requirement by £74,000 in 2007/08, which would have a consequent reduction in Council Tax from 3.9%, as in the Cabinet recommendations, to 3.78%. In 2008/09 the Council’s budget requirement would fall by £113,000, and in 2009/10 by £148,000.

3) Capital

Delete the two capital schemes in respect to Access to Services as shown below:-

2007/08
£’000 / 2008/09
£’000 / 2009/10
£’000 / Total
£’000
Access to Services-Thornaby (includes £240k refurbishment of Library) / 549 / 0 / 0 / 549
Access to Services-Other / 425 / 424 / 299 / 1,148

with the capital resources retained at this stage to be used for future capital schemes to be determined.

The effect of the proposed amendment, on the recommendations contained in the original motion, were as follows:-

Recommendations

1.That in accordance with the Local Government Act 2003, Members note that the Section 151 Officer confirms that the following recommendations:-

a)representa robust budget which has been prepared in line with best practice,

b)provide adequate working balances at 3% of general fund and net operating expenditure of HRA, and

c)that the controlled reserves and provisions are adequate for their purpose.

General Fund Budget

  1. Approve a 2007/08 budget for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council of £131,301,973.
  1. Approve a 2007/08 budget for Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council inclusive of Parish Precepts (£463,652) of £131,765,625
  1. Approve the following high priority additions to the Medium Term Financial Plan:-

2007/08
£ / 2008/09
£ / 2009/10
£
(1) / Building Schools for the Future / 250,000 / 750,000 / 1,000,000
(2) / Employment issues / 2,800,000 / 0 / 0 / 2007/08
only
(3) / Legal Conveyancing Staff / 30,000 / 30,000 / 30,000 / ongoing
(4) / Stockton/Darlington Initiative / 150,000 / 0 / 0 / 2007/08
only
(5) / Children’s-Posts / 140,000 / 140,000 / 140,000 / ongoing
(6) / Children’s-Placements / 240,000 / 240,000 / 240,000 / ongoing
(7) / Children’s-services/contracts / 420,000 / 420,000 / 420,000 / ongoing
(8) / Adult’s-Posts / 130,000 / 130,000 / 130,000 / ongoing
(9) / Adult’s-Placements / 200,000 / 200,000 / 200,000 / ongoing
(10) / Adult’s-contracts / 70,000 / 70,000 / 70,000 / ongoing
(11) / Stockton International Riverside Festival / 60,000 / 60,000 / 60,000 / ongoing
(12) / Public Transport support / 300,000 / 300,000 / 300,000 / ongoing
(13) / Energy charges-Street Lighting & administrative buildings / 175,000 / 175,000 / 175,000 / ongoing
(14) / Memorial Inspections / 200,000 / 100,000 / 100,000 / £100,000
ongoing
(15) / Planning Service Improvements / 230,000 / 230,000 / 230,000 / ongoing
(16) / Housing Benefits / 60,000 / 60,000 / 60,000 / ongoing
(17) / Parks & Countryside refurbishments/facilities / 200,000 / 200,000 / 200,000 / ongoing
(18) / Town Centre Manager / 60,000 / 60,000 / 60,000 / ongoing

TOTAL

/ 5,715,000 / 3,165,000 / 3,415,000
  1. Approve the following Other Priority Pressures totalling £1,043,000 Revenue and £163,000 Capital.

2007/08
£ / Revenue / Capital
(1) / PCSO’s / 250 / 250 / -
(2) / Support for Independent living / 150 / 150 / -
(3) / Youth Bus / 200 / 120 / 80
(4) / Specialist Care Pack / 150 / 150 / -
(5) / Homeless/Domestic / 220 / 220 / -
(6) / Arlington/Castlegate / 153 / 153 / -
(7) / GIS/IT / 83 / - / 83
TOTAL / 1206 / 1043 / 163

Approve 3 additional Other Priority Pressures as follows:-

2007/08
£ / 2008/09
£ / 2009/10
£
Out of Hours Noise Services / 45,000 / 45,000 / 45,000
Stray Dogs 24/7 / 25,000 / 50,000 / 50,000
Wild Horses / 15,000 / 15,000 / 15,000

Approve the following pressure as a result of Access to Services not proceeding.

2007/08
£ / 2008/09
£ / 2009/10
£
Development/Support post in ICT / 31,000 / 31,000 / 31,000
  1. That the Medium Term Financial Plan be revised to reflect the budget decisions set out above, and the Council approves resource allocations for 2007/08 and indicative resource allocations for 2008/09 and 2009/10 as set out below:-

2007/08
£ / 2008/09
£ / 2009/10
£
CESC / 75,104,619 / 77,599,971 / 80,425,461
DNS / 43,579,664 / 43,520,335 / 44,094,920
Resources / 16,655,796 / 14,532,951 / 15,663,404
TOTAL / 135,340,079 / 135,653,257 / 140,183,785
Less use of balances / 4,038,106 / 0 / 0
Budget Requirement / 131,301,973 / 135,653,257 / 140,183,785
  1. Cabinet continue to receive reports on the management of the Medium Term Financial Plan.

Taxation