Decisions

There was no public participation at this meeting.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 19 October 2021 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Simon Bloxham, James Denselow, Mandi Tandi and Sean Prendergast.

Apologies for absence were also received from Parish Councillor Rebecca Elliot.

Having given due notice, Councillor George Davies substituted for Councillor Simon Bloxham.

Councillor Clare Billing was absent.

(1)  The Chair welcomed new Members of the Standards Committee.

(2)  The Chair made a statement regarding the passing of the former Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health Councillor Gary Grindal, following his funeral which had taken place earlier in the day.

There was no other business notified.

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the Committee noted the content of the report.

(2)  That the Committee considered the points made at 8.3-8.6 and will review the Complaints Handling Procedure at its meeting on 23 March 2023.

(3)  That the Committee considered/noted the Government’s response to the Committee on Standards in Public Life on Local Government Ethical Standards (Appendix A).

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure good governance within the Council.

Details of decisions taken on this item are restricted due to the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of Section 200A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

RESOLVED:  That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the said Act (as amended).

RESOLVED:

(1) That Cabinet note this report;

(2) That Cabinet approves a decrease of £592k in the 2021/22 net General Fund expenditure, as identified in table 4and paragraph 8.1, to a total of £16.892 million;

(3) That Cabinet approves the changes to the 2022/23 General Fund budget, as identified in table 4 and paragraph 8.3 a total of £179k increase in net expenditure.

THAT CABINET RECOMMENDS TO COUNCIL:

(4) That Council approves the net transfer from earmarked reserves, as identified in table 9 of £8.123 million.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1) Members are able to monitor, make adjustments within the overall budgetary framework and request appropriate action of Services, who do not meet the budget targets set as part of the Corporate Business Planning process;

(2) Changes to the Council’s balances are monitored and approved.

RESOLVED:

(1) That the report on strategic planning matters be noted;

(2) That the correspondence and information in Appendices A to E are noted and endorsed by the Cabinet.

REASON FOR DECISION: To keep Cabinet informed of recent developments on strategic planning matters and progress on the North Hertfordshire Local Plan.

RESOLVED:

(1) That the draft CAAMPs for Ashwell and Pirton are noted;

(2) That approval is given for public consultation to take place on the draft Conservation Area Appraisals and Management Plans and the proposed amendments to the conservation area boundaries at Ashwell and Pirton.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the conservation areas and historic assets within North Hertfordshire are appropriately assessed and designated to inform decision making for planning applications and in the preparation of local and neighbourhood plans.

The Chair advised that the referrals made from the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee would be taken with their respective items on the Cabinet agenda.

Ms. Cottier, Ms. Peers and Mr. Cook gave verbal presentations to the Cabinet.

RESOLVED: That the Information Note entitled Update on the Demand for Accommodation and Support Services for Single Homeless People be noted.

(1) The Chair made a statement regarding the passing of the former Executive Member for Housing and Environmental Health Councillor Gary Grindal and invited Members to speak. The Chair then held a minute’s silence;

(2) The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, the meeting would be audio recorded;

(3) The Chair drew attention to the item on the agenda front pages regarding Declarations of Interest and reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question.

There was no other business notified.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on the 22 March 2022 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Judi Billing and Tom Plater.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet approves a full inhouse service provision being established for non-complex installations and maintenance to commence from 01 October 2022

RESOLVED:

(1) That Cabinet introduces a new Corporate Risk relating to Council Resourcing;

(2) That Cabinet notes the report

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

(3) That Council notes the report

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1) The responsibility for ensuring the management of risks is that of Cabinet.

RESOLVED:

(1) That Cabinet notes expenditure of £1.434million in 2021/22 on the capital programme, paragraph 8.3 refers;

(2) That Cabinet approves the adjustments to the capital programme for 2022/23 as a result of the revised timetable of schemes detailed in table 2, increasing the estimated spend in by £0.979million;

(3) That Cabinet notes the position of the availability of capital resources, as detailed in table 3 paragraph 8.7 and the requirement to keep the capital programme under review for affordability;

(4) That Cabinet approves the application of £1.225million of capital receipts/set aside towards the 2021/22 capital programme, paragraph 8.7 refers;

(5) Cabinet is asked to note the position of Treasury Management activity as at the end of March 2022.

RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL:

(6) That Council approves the actual 2021/22 prudential and treasury indicators;

(7) That Council notes the annual Treasury Report for 2021/22

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1) Cabinet is required to approve adjustments to the capital programme and ensure the capital programme is fully funded;

(2) To ensure the Council’s continued compliance with CIPFA’s code of practice on Treasury Management and the Local Government Act 2003 and that the Council manages its exposure to interest and capital risk.

The Chair led a discussion for possible agenda items for future meetings.

The Committee was unable to elect a Chair for the remainder of the 2022/23 Civic year and instead appointed a Chair on a temporary basis for the purposes of the meeting.

Councillor Michael Weeks proposed and Councillor Juan Cowell seconded and, following a vote it was:

RESOLVED: That Councillor Michael Muir be appointed Chair for this meeting of the Baldock Area Committee.

Cllr Michael Weeks gave an update concerning Tesco’s planning application to erect a marquee in 2021.

Members had no other reports or ward matters to discuss with the Committee.

There was no public participation at this meeting.

(1) The Chair welcomed Members and members of the public viewing proceedings.

(2) The Chair reminded Members to make Declarations of Interest before an item, the full reminder about this was set out under Chair’s Announcements on the agenda.

(3) The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council Policy, this meeting would be audio recorded and available to listen on Mod.Gov

There was no other business notified.

RESOLVED: That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 14 March and 26 May 2021 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

There were no apologies for absence.

RESOLVED: That the Committee endorsed the actions taken by the Community Engagement Officer to promote greater community capacity and well-being for Baldock.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1) To ensure the Committee is kept informed of the work of the Community Engagement Officer.

(2) This report is intended to inform Members of the financial resources available to the Committee. It draws attention to the current budgetary situation by assisting in the effective financial management of the Area Committee’s budget. This ensures that all actions are performed in line with the Authority’s Financial Regulations, the Council’s Constitution, and the guidance of the existing Grants policy as agreed by Cabinet in January 2020.

(3) The awarding of financial assistance to voluntary organisations and the use of discretionary spending allows the Committee to further the aims of the Council Plan.

RESOLVED: That the Committee:

(1)       Notes the Annual Assurance Statement and Internal Audit Annual Report

(2)       Notes the results of the self-assessment required by the Public Sector Internal Audit Standards (PSIAS) and the Quality Assurance and Improvement Programme (QAIP)

(3)       Approves the SIAS Audit Charter for 2022/23

(4)       Seeks management assurance that the scope and resources for internal audit were not subject to inappropriate limitations in 2021/22

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To update the Committee on the Annual Assurance Statement and Internal Audit Annual Report 2021/22.

The Chair of the Committee sought management assurance that the scope and resources for internal audit were not subject to inappropriate limitations in 2021/22.

The Service Director – Resources gave confirmation that no were no inappropriate limitations on the scope and resources for internal audit in 2021/22 and no matters which threatened the independence of SIAS.

RESOLVED: That the Committee:

(1)       Notes the SIAS Progress Report for the period to 30 May 2022

(2)       Notes the plan amendments to the 2022/23 Annual Audit Plan

(3)       Approves “Project Management” and “Temporary Accommodation” as ‘medium’ priority audit projects for Q3 2022/23

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To update the Committee on the SIAS Progress Report and set medium priority audit projects for Q3 2022/23

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That Cabinet:

(1)       Notes this report.

(2)       Approves a decrease of £592k in the 2021/22 net General Fund expenditure, as identified in table 4 and paragraph 8.1, to a total of £16.892million.

(3)       Approves the changes to the 2022/23 General Fund budget, as identified in table 4 and paragraph 8.3, a total £179k increase in net expenditure.

That Cabinet recommends to Council:

(1)       That Council approves the net transfer from earmarked reserves, as identified in table 9, of £8.123million.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)       Members are able to monitor, make adjustments within the overall budgetary framework and request appropriate action of Services who do not meet the budget targets set as part of the Corporate Business Planning process.

(2)       Changes to the Council’s balances are monitored and approved.

RESOLVED: That the 2020/21 Annual Statement of Accounts, as set out in Appendix A, be approved and signed by the Chair of the Committee.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the Council abides by the Audit and Account Regulations 2015, which require the approval and publication of audited Statement of Accounts.

RESOLVED: That the Audit Results Report 2020/21 presented by Ernst & Young be noted.

N.B Councillor Phil Weeder joined the meeting during this item.

RESOLVED: That the Annual Report of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee as attached at Appendix A, prior to consideration by Full Council, be noted.

REASON FOR DECISION: To enable the Committee to consider the report before it is presented to Full Council. To provide Full Council with assurance as to the effectiveness of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee.

RESOLVED: That the Committee notes the Annual Report on Risk Management.

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET:

(1)       That Cabinet agrees the introduction of a new Corporate Risk relating to Council Resourcing.

(2)       That Cabinet notes the Annual Report on Risk Management before referral to Full Council.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)       The responsibility for ensuring the management of risks is that of Cabinet.

(2)       This Committee has responsibility to monitor the effective development and operation of Risk Management.

There was no public participation at this meeting.

There was no other business notified.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 17 January 2022 and 16 March 2022 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

RESOLVED: To note the report entitled Investment Strategy (Capital and Treasury) End of Year Review 2021/22

RECOMMENDED TO CABINET: That Cabinet:

(1)       Notes expenditure of £1.434million in 2021/22 on the capital programme, paragraph 8.3 refers.

(2)       Approves the adjustments to the capital programme for 2022/23 as a result of the revised timetable of schemes detailed in table 2, increasing the estimated spend in  by £0.979million.

(3)       Notes the position of the availability of capital resources, as detailed in table 3 paragraph 8.7 and the requirement to keep the capital programme under review for affordability.

(4)       Approves the application of £1.225million of capital receipts/set aside towards the 2021/22 capital programme, paragraph 8.7 refers.

(5)       Notes the position of Treasury Management activity as at the end of March 2022.

That Cabinet recommends to Council to:

(1)       Approve the actual 2021/22 prudential and treasury indicators.

(2)       Note the annual Treasury Report for 2021/22.

REASONS FOR DECISIONS:

(1)       Cabinet is required to approve adjustments to the capital programme and ensure the capital programme is fully funded.

(2)       To ensure the Council’s continued compliance with CIPFA’s code of practice on Treasury Management and the Local Government Act 2003 and that the Council manages its exposure to interest and capital risk.

At the start of the meeting Councillors Morgan Derbyshire and Phil Weeder were absent.

There were no apologies for absence.

RESVOLED: That Councillor Gerald Morris be elected as the Vice-Chair for the Royston and District Area Committee for the Civic Year 2022/23.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Tony Hunter be elected as Chair of the Royston and District Area Committee for the Civic Year 2022/23.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Mandi Tandi be elected as Vice-Chair of the Southern Rural Area Committee for the Civic Year 2022/23.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor George Davies be elected as Chair of the Southern Rural Area Committee for the Civic Year 2022/23.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor David Barnard.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Clare Billing be elected as Vice-Chair of the Hitchin Area Committee for the Civic Year 2022/23.

RESOLVED:  That Councillor Ian Albert be elected as Chair of the Hitchin Area Committee for the Civic Year 2022/23.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Clare Billing.