Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence.

There were no apologies of absence received

To sign and confirm the minutes of the last meeting held 13 December 2023.

The minutes from the previous meeting held, 13 December 2023, were agreed.

To receive declarations of interests in respect of any item on the agenda.

There were none

To answer any written questions received from members of the public no later than 5 p.m. two clear working days prior to the meeting – for this meeting the deadline is 5 p.m. on Thursday 11 January 2024

There were none

None

None

(A report of Christine Marshall, Deputy Chief Executive – Corporate Development and Section 151 Officer)

The Portfolio Holder – Finance presented the draft Budget Overview – 2024/25 which included the five year Medium Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) from 2024/25 to 2028/29, along with the recommended level of Council Tax 2024/25.

During the presentation the Portfolio Holder – Finance explained that the creation of the budget had been extremely challenging. The budget had been set within a background of unprecedented inflationary pressures and significant changes in resident, customer and business needs.

The draft budget for 2024/25 had been prepared in detail with the information available at the time and would continue to be refined over the coming weeks.

Draft settlement detailing the allocations of Revenue Support grant, Rural Services Delivery grant, New Homes Bonus and the Funding Guarantee was received from Government on 18^th December 2023 and had been built into the budgets, the final settlement figures would be received in February 2024 and budgets would be updated to reflect any changes.

As part of the budget setting process a number of pressured had been identified and included in the budget; including the pay award at 3.5% for 2024/25, increases in the Internal Drainage Board Levy, increases in contract costs, rent rebate and allowances, and homelessness service pressures.

Government restrict the increase in Council Tax to a maximum of 3% or £5. A 3% increase would mean an additional £7.20 for a Band D property. This would generate an additional £146,000 for the authority.

Officers were waiting for the National Non-Domestic Rates to be completed at the end of January 2024 before the budget could be updated to include the 2024/25 Business Rate figures.

Internal Drainage Boards (IDB) continued to be an ever-increasing pressure with an estimated increase for 2024/25 of £35,000. The Council was in ongoing discussions with the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and a specialist lobby group had been set up to lobby the Government on the IDB increases.

The Capital programme was in draft and was still subject to final amendments, including the Towns Fund allocation of £20million. There was ongoing investment through the use of grant funding from Towns Fund, UKSPF and Levelling Up funding and continuing investment for the Disabled Facilities Grant, investment in IT and vehicle replacements.

Work was being undertaken to identify solutions to the gap in balancing the budget, both short and medium term. Detailed transformation, savings and efficiencies programmes were being developed and would be brought forward for Members consideration.

Following Members questions the Deputy Chief Executive - Corporate Development & Section 151 Officer confirmed that;

• External Audit could raise an additional charge request although it was hoped this would not be necessary.
• Any affect to service delivery would be treated as a last case scenario to close the budget gap.

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet approve the Draft Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2024/25 – 2028/29 for consultation.
2. That Cabinet note the intention to seek alignments of constitutional financial limits across the partnership as part of the budget setting process.

Notes the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 124.

(A report of Christine Marshall, Deputy Chief Executive – Corporate Development and Section 151 Officer)

The Portfolio Holder – Finance presented the Local Council Tax Support Scheme 2024/25 report which sought Cabinet approval to be presented at Full Council on 4^th March 2024. Each year the Council is required to consider whether to revise its Council Tax Scheme.

Local Authorities have been required to level up local Council Tax Support Schemes to support low income households since 2011. Prior to this support was based on a National Council Tax Benefit Scheme delivered by Local Authorities but based on rules determined by Central Government. Regulations provide Councils with the flexibility to provide their own Local arrangements however, Government continues to provide the scheme for pensioners entitled to 100% of the support.

The Council currently provides up to 75% support for working age households, leaving at least 25% of the Annual Council Tax bill to be paid. The Scheme continued to protect War disabled pensioners and War widows providing up to 100% support.

Working age scheme expenditure in 2024 was predicted to be £1.925million.

Section 4 of the report recognised Care Leavers as one of the most vulnerable groups in society. The Council had provided a 100% reduction in Council Tax liability for this group between 18-21 years old. It was timely to recognise the duty it played to provide support for Care Leavers up to age 25. It was therefore proposed to simplify the scheme for care leavers to demonstrate the Council’s commitments to support the vulnerable group of Care Leaver’s ages 18-25, and that it should be included in the Council Tax Support Scheme 2024/25.

Following questions from Members the Deputy Head of Revenues and Benefits (PSPS) confirmed that;

• When applications for other benefits are received individuals were automatically considered for Council Tax Support.
• The procurement for external support for the fundamental review was set to complete in March 2024, with suggestions following the review received by Summer time. This would allow a decision to be in place ahead of the 2025/26 Budget setting process.

Members expressed their support for the Care Leavers group recommendation.

It was confirmed that alternative ways of community engagement, specifically survey completion were being considered.

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet recommends Full Council approve the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2024/25 as follows:-
   1. Continuation of the current Council Tax Support Scheme, including uprating in line with Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) annual update of allowances and premiums for 2024/25, and
   2. The introduction of a class for Care Leavers, up to the age of 25, within the scheme.
2. That Cabinet delegates approval for development of the 2024/25 final scheme policy to the Section 151 Officer in consultation with the Portfolio Holder for Finance, including administrative and minor changes.

That Cabinet notes a fundamental review of the scheme will be undertaken during 2024/25.

(A report of Councillor Chris Brewis (SHDC) on behlaf of the Partnership Task Group)

Councillor Brewis (SHDC) presented the report on behalf of the Partnership Scrutiny Task Group.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Boston Borough Council, South Holland District Council and East Lindsey District Council commissioned a joint Scrutiny Task & Finish Panel to undertake a review of the progress on the opportunities identified in the approved business case of the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership.

The report explained that the three Council’s had retained their independence but had been working towards a single officer team to deliver the Partnership Business Case for the sub-region and each Council’s respective priorities. The Partnership was projected to deliver £42million in efficiency savings over ten years; whilst providing all three Councils with greater capacity to deliver their priorities.

The Partnership’s Memorandum of Agreement required that scrutiny work was undertaken annually.

Members were assured that the progress would be addressed annually to ensure that the recommendations are regularly reviewed.

RESOLVED:

1. That Cabinet note the attached Appendix A and agree the associated recommendations

(A report of Emily Spicer, Assistant Director – Wellbeing and Community Leadership)

The Deputy Leader presented the first South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership (SELCP) Customer Experience Strategy. The report sought Cabinets approval to adopt the strategy to commit to supporting the delivery of the vision, principles and approach to customer experience across Council services. The strategy would mean that all three partnering Councils offer a clear and cohesive experience.

The SELCP were committed to providing a customer experience that was simple, affective and would ensure the public could access the services that were offered. A key principle to achieving this was to understand the local community.

The Strategy set out three key aspects the Council was seeking over the next 4 years, in order to achieve the strategy:-

1. An organisational culture that was people focused
2. A simple, effective and positive customer experience
3. Support that meets customer’s needs

The success would be monitored through the SELCP Customer Experience board who would have oversight of the strategy and associated action plan.

Members expressed their gratitude that the Strategy reflects Ward Members hard work in engaging with community and raising their concerns.

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet adopt the South & East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership Customer Experience Strategy and commit to supporting the delivery of the vision, principles and approach to Customer Experience across Council services.

(A report of Emily Spicer, Assistant Director – Wellbeing & Community Leadership)

The Leader presented the External Serious Violence Funding report which recommended that Cabinet accept grant funding from the Police and Crime Commissioner in accordance with five successful funding bid applications that Officers, alongside colleagues in Lincolnshire Police, submitted on the Council’s behalf.

It was confirmed that; by accepting the funding it would bring £305,881 of extra grant funding into the borough between now and the 31^st March 2025. This would deliver five fully funded projects detailed in section 3 of the report.

Through Capital funding it was proposed that five new CCTV cameras would be installed to allow further CCTV coverage within; Central Park, Market Place and Wormgate. The additional cameras would support ongoing work to assist in preventing and detecting time while reassuring communities. There would also be two interactive engagement boards which would be installed in the Market Place and Central Park, providing safety messages and key information to Communities. A Capital fund of just under £18,000 would also be made available to improve the landscape and environment of the town centre. New planters, artwork and structures would be delivered as part of this.

It was proposed that, using the Revenue element of the funding, two Wardens would be hired to work alongside the Community Safety team. The Wardens would provide cover on the identified ‘hotspot’ areas during evenings and weekends. A Community Ambassador would also be recruited to join the Community Leadership Team to work in communities, building on existing relationships and support community cohesion. 

Members expressed their delight for the funding, commenting on the positive impact it would have on both residents and visitors coming into the town. Also that, with Wardens covering evenings and weekends this would hopefully have a positive impact on the night time economy.

It was confirmed that Cabinet would also be seeking funding and partners to support the surrounding villages. 

RESOLVED:

That Cabinet accept the funding outlined and authorise; the Community Safety Manager, the Transformation Officer and the CCTV Manager to manage and deliver the projects highlighted in the report.