Issue - meetings

In the exercise of its Public Sector Equality Duty, as set out below, the County Council must have full regard to and consider the impact of any proposals in relation to equalities prior to making any decisions and any identified significant risks and mitigating action required.  The overview of the impact assessments for all service areas entitled ‘2020/21 Budget Impact Assessment’ has been circulated separately and is available to all Members of the Council for consideration under this item (alongside any specific equality impact assessments undertaken as part of the budget’s preparation) at https://www.devon.gov.uk/impact/budget-2020-2021/.

To receive and approve the Report of the County Treasurer (CT/20/20) together with the Minutes of the Cabinet held on 14th February 2020 relating to the budget and the Scrutiny Budget Resolutions from 28th January 2020, attached.

Minutes from the recent Scrutiny Budget meetings (Children’s Scrutiny, Health and Adult Care and Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services) are also attached for the information of Members.

The Report of the County Treasurer will follow. The Cabinet Minutes will be available to view at https://democracy.devon.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=133&MId=3435&Ver=4 shortly.

(Councillor Connett declared a personal interest in this matter by virtue of being a Member of Teignbridge District Council referring to said Council in the debate).

(Councillor Parsons declared an interest by virtue of his partner being in receipt of funding for foster caring, although this issue was covered by the general dispensation).

All Members of the Council had been granted a dispensation to allow them to speak and vote in any debate on the setting of the Council Tax or Precept or any fees and charges arising therefrom as a consequence of simply being a resident of or a land, business or property owner in the administrative County of Devon or by being a County Council representative on a local authority company or  joint venture or by being a parent or guardian of a child in a school on any matter relating to school meals and school transport, or in relation to being an approved foster parent, providing placements for the Council’s Children in Care or in relation to the setting of members’ allowances or as a parent or a guardian of a child in care or in receipt of statutory sick pay or a pension. 

The Council considered the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting (Minute 462 (1-21) of 14^th February 2020), together with the Report of the County Treasurer on the Revenue Budget for 2020/21, Medium Term Financial Strategy to 2023/24 and Capital Strategy 2020/21 to 2024/25, including an assessment of the adequacy of reserves, a range of prudential indicators concerning the financial implications of the capital programme and an assessment that identified risks associated with the budget strategy, together with how the risks would be managed. The budget book contained details of the County Council’s revenue and capital budgets together with associated financial and operational information. There was a requirement to prepare a Capital Strategy in line with the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities 2017 and this was also included.

The book contained;

·         Revenue Budget Overview;

·         Statement on the Robustness of the Budget Estimates, the Adequacy of Reserves and Affordability of the Capital Strategy;

·         Capital Strategy and Programme Overview 2020/21 - 2024/25;

·         Service Budgets;

·         Fees & Charges;

·         Medium Term Financial Strategy 2020/21 - 2023/24;

·         County Fund Balance and Earmarked Reserves 2020/21;

·         Treasury Management Strategy 2020/21 - 2022/23 and Prudential Indicators 2020/21 - 2024/25;

·         Risk Analysis of Volatile Budgets; and

·         Abbreviations. 

The Chairs of the Children’s Scrutiny Committee, Health and Adult Care Scrutiny and Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny having MOVED and it having been duly SECONDED that the Minutes of the budget Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 20^th, 23^rd and 28^th January 2020 relating to the annual estimates be approved, the motion was subsequently put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

The Council noted that the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee had, at its meeting on held 28th January 2020, considered and endorsed the proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2020/21, prior to determination of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 266

In the exercise of its Public Sector Equality Duty, as set out below, the County Council must have full regard to and consider the impact of any proposals in relation to equalities prior to making any decisions and any identified significant risks and mitigating action required.  The overview of the impact assessments for all service areas entitled ‘2019/20 Budget Impact Assessment’  has been circulated separately and is available to all Members of the Council for consideration under this item (alongside any specific equality impact assessments undertaken as part of the budget’s preparation) at https://new.devon.gov.uk/impact/budget-2019-2020

(b) To receive and approve the Report of the County Treasurer (CT/19/6) together with the Minutes of the Cabinet held on 15^th February 2019 relating to the budget and the Minutes of the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Committee, containing all Scrutiny Budget Resolutions from 29^th January 2019, attached.

The Report of the County Treasurer and Cabinet Minutes will follow and the minutes can be viewed here shortly.

[All Members of the Council had been granted a dispensation to allow them to speak and vote in any debate on the setting of the Council Tax or Precept or any fees and charges arising therefrom as a consequence of simply being a resident of or by virtue of being a resident of or a land, business or property owner in the administrative County of Devon or by being a County Council representative on a local authority company or  joint venture or by being a parent or guardian of a child in a school on any matter relating to school meals and school transport, or in relation to being an approved foster parent, providing placements for the Council’s Children in Care or in relation to the setting of members’ allowances or as a parent or a guardian of a child in care or in receipt of statutory sick pay or a state pension.]. 

The Council considered the Minutes of the Cabinet meeting (Minute 300 of 15^th February 2019), together with the Report of the County Treasurer (CT/19/6) on the Revenue Budget for 2019/20, Medium Term Financial Strategy to 2022/23 and Capital Strategy 2019/20 to 2023/24, including an assessment of the adequacy of reserves, a range of prudential indicators concerning the financial implications of the capital programme and an assessment that identified risks associated with the budget strategy, together with how the risks would be managed.  This year, for the first time, there was a requirement to prepare a Capital Strategy in line with the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities 2017 and this was also included.

The book contained;

·         Revenue Budget Overview;

·         Statement on the Robustness of the Budget Estimates, Adequacy of Reserves and Affordability of the Capital Strategy;

·         Capital Strategy and Programme Overview 2019/20 - 2023/24;

·         Service Budgets;

·         Medium Term Financial Strategy 2019/20 - 2022/23;

·         County Fund Balance and Earmarked Reserves 2019/20;

·         Treasury Management Strategy 2019/20 - 2021/22 and Prudential Indicators 2019/20 - 2023/24;

·         Risk Analysis of Volatile Budgets;

·         Fees & Charges; and

·         Abbreviations.

The Chairs of the Children’s Scrutiny Committee, Health and Adult Care Scrutiny and Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny having MOVED and it having been duly SECONDED that the Minutes of the those budget Scrutiny Committee meetings held on 21^st, 24^th and 29^th January 2019 relating to the annual estimates be approved, the motion was subsequently put to the vote and declared CARRIED.

The Council noted that the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee had at its meeting on held 29th January 2019 considered the proposed Treasury Management Strategy for 2019/20, and Capital Strategy, prior to determination of the budget for that year.

The County Treasurer’s Report (CT/19/6) contained details of the County Council’s revenue and capital budgets together with associated financial and operational information.  The Council’s financial plans were drawn up with reference to the Council’s major policies and objectives, performance frameworks, demographic changes, consultation with local residents, businesses and other stakeholders.

The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 173

Report of the County Treasurer (CT/19/5) on the Council’s Budget for 2019/2020, attached.

The Cabinet will accordingly consider:

·         Cabinet Service Budgets 2019/2020, attached separately.

·         Scrutiny Budget Recommendations, (CSO/19/8), attached.

·         Budget Consultation Meetings (CSO/19/7), attached.

(Councillors Connett, Dewhirst, Hannaford, Hodgson and Whitton attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

The Cabinet considered and had regard to:

(i) the Report of the Chief Executive (CSO/19/7) summarising the outcomes of and comments/observations made at consultation meetings with representatives of Devon’s Business Community, Trades Unions, representatives of Older People and the Voluntary Sector;

(ii) the discussions of the Council’s Scrutiny Committees held on 21^st, 24^th and 29^th January 2019, the recommendations being summarised and attached to this agenda (CSO/19/8);

(iii) a revised 2019/20 Budget Impact Assessment, circulated to all Members of the Council prior to the meeting and available at https://new.devon.gov.uk/impact/budget-2019-2020/ alongside specific quality impact assessments referred to therein and undertaken as part of the budget’s preparation;

(iv) the Report of the County Treasurer (CT/19/5) (also circulated prior to the meeting in line with Regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012)) on the Revenue Budget for 2019/20, Medium Term Financial Strategy to 2022/23 and Capital Strategy 2019/20 to 2023/24, including an assessment of the adequacy of reserves, a range of prudential indicators concerning the financial implications of the capital programme and an assessment that identified risks associated with the budget strategy, together with how the risks would be managed.  This year, for the first time, there was a requirement to prepare a Capital Strategy in line with the CIPFA Prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities 2017 and this was also included.

The Cabinet noted the role of the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee on 29^th January 2019 (Minute *108) in reviewing and endorsing the Report of the County Treasurer (CT/19/7) on the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy for 2019/20, which had outlined the Council’s policies in relation to: the management of the Council’s cashflows, its banking, money market and capital market transactions; borrowing and investment strategies; monitoring of the level of debt and funding of the capital programme, noting that it had been prepared in line with the CIPFA Code of Practice and reviewed in light of the revised code and revised Treasury Management Practices (TMPs). 

The Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee further reviewed the Capital Strategy 2019/20 – 2023/24 (Minute *107) in view of the new requirement to prepare such a document in line with the CIPFA prudential Code for Capital Finance in Local Authorities 2017.  The Committee endorsed the Report of the County Treasurer (CT/19/8) subject to the concerns raised by the County Treasurer regarding the revenue budget and the lack of any long-term financing from Government, the identification of external funding sources being included within the Report; and options appraisals being carried out prior to capital investment.

The budget book contained details of the County Council’s revenue and capital budgets together with associated financial and operational information.  The Council’s financial plans were drawn up with reference to the Council’s major policies and objectives, performance frameworks, demographic changes, consultation  ...  view the full minutes text for item 300

Report of the County Treasurer (CT/18/09) on the Council’s Budget for 2018/2019 which will be circulated as soon as available, in expectation of the final local government settlement for 2018/19 being received in time allowing for proper analysis of that statement.

The Cabinet will accordingly consider:

(Councillors Atkinson, Brazil, Connett, Dewhirst, Edgell and Hannaford attended in accordance with Standing Order 25(2) and spoke to this item).

1. Treasury Management and Investment Strategy

The Cabinet noted that, at its meeting on 31 January 2018, the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee (Minute *49) had reviewed and endorsed the Report of the County Treasurer (CT/18/08) on the Treasury Management and Investment Strategy for 2018/19 which outlined the Council’s policies in relation to: the management of the Council’s cashflows, its banking, money market and capital market transactions; borrowing and investment strategies; monitoring of the level of debt and funding of the capital programme.

It had been prepared in line with the CIPFA Code of Practice and the policies had been reviewed for 2018/19 in the light of the revised code and revised Treasury Management Practices (TMPs). The Strategy would inform the preparation and presentation of the Budget for 2018/19 and consequently:   

It was MOVED by Councillor Clatworthy, SECONDED by Councillor Hart and

RESOLVED that the Treasury Management Strategy for 2018/19 previously considered and endorsed by the Corporate Infrastructure and Regulatory Services Scrutiny Committee be approved and incorporated in the 2018/19 budget. 

2. Revenue Budget, Capital Programme & Medium Term Financial Strategy

The Cabinet also considered and had regard to:

(i) the Report of the Chief Executive (CS/18/8) summarising the outcomes of and comments/observations made at consultation meetings with representatives of Devon’s Business Community, Trades Unions, representatives of Older People and the Voluntary Sector and also through the Leaders consultation meetings with Town and Parish Councils which took place between October 2017 and December 2017;

(ii) the Minutes of the Council’s Scrutiny Committees held on 23^rd, 25^th and 31^st January 2018, the recommendations being summarised at item 7c on the agenda;

(iii) Minute 62 of the Devon Education (Schools) Forum, held on 15 January 2018, relating to the budget;

(iv) a 2018/19 Budget Impact Assessment, circulated to all Members of the Council prior to the meeting and available at https://new.devon.gov.uk/impact/published/budget-impact-assessment-201819/ alongside specific quality impact assessments referred to therein and undertaken as part of the budget’s preparation;

(v) the Report of the County Treasurer (CT/18/9) (also circulated prior to the meeting in line with Regulation 7(4) of the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012)) on the Revenue Budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2018/19–2021/22 and the Capital Programme for 2018/19-2022/23, including an assessment of the adequacy of reserves, a range of prudential indicators concerning the financial implications of the capital programme and an assessment of the risks associated with the budget strategy and how those would be managed, comprising in detail:

Introduction

Appendix A       -           Specimen Statement on Robustness of Budget Estimates &

adequacy of the County Council Reserves

Appendix B       -           Revenue Budget 2018/19

Appendix C       -           Summary Revenue Budget 2018/19

Appendix D       -           Medium Term Financial Strategy 2018/19 -2021/22

Appendix E       -           Risk Analysis of Volatile Budgets

Appendix F       -           County Fund Balance and Earmarked  ...  view the full minutes text for item 125

(a)  In the exercise of its Public Sector Equality Duty, as set out below, the County Council must have full regard to and consider the impact of any proposals in relation to equalities prior to making any decisions and any identified significant risks and mitigating action required.  The updated overview of the impact assessments for all service areas entitled ‘2017/18 Budget Impact Assessment  has been circulated separately and is available to all Members of the Council for consideration under this item (alongside any specific equality impact assessments undertaken as part of the budget’s preparation) at https://new.devon.gov.uk/impact/published/budget-setting-201718/

(b) To receive and approve the Report of the County Treasurer (CT/17/10) together with the Minutes of the Cabinet held on 10th February 2017 relating to the budget and the Minutes of the Joint Scrutiny Budget meeting held on 30th January 2017, attached. The report and Cabinet Minutes will follow.

[All Members of the Council had been granted a dispensation to allow them to speak and vote in any debate on the setting of the Council Tax or Precept or any fees and charges arising therefrom as a consequence of simply being a resident of or by virtue of being a resident of or a land or property owner in the administrative County of Devon or by being a County Council representative on local authority company or  joint venture or by being a parent or guardian of a child in a school on any matter relating to school meals and school transport or in relation to the setting of members’ allowances or as a parent or a guardian of a child in care or in receipt of statutory sick pay or a state pension. Councillor Bowden had also been granted a personal dispensation to allow him to speak and vote on any matter before the Council relating to flooding arising from his being a County Council representative on the South West Regional Flood Defence & Coastal Committee and residing in an area at risk of flooding unless it unless it related directly to any land or property owned by him]. 

The Council considered the recommendations of the Cabinet held on 10 February 2017 relating to the Revenue Budget for 2017/18, the Medium Term Financial Strategy to 2020/21 and the Capital Programme 2017/18-2020/22 as set out at Minute 148 of that meeting, together with the summary report of the County Treasurer (CT/17/10) comprising, in detail:

§  Introduction;

§  Revenue Budget Overview;

§  Capital Programme Overview;

§  People’s, Place, Corporate & Non-Service Revenue Budgets & Capital Programmes; 

§  Medium Term Financial Strategy 2017/18-2020/21;

§  County Fund Balance and Earmarked Reserves for 2017/18;

§  Prudential Indicators and Treasury Management 2017/18-2020/21; and

§  Risk Analysis of Volatile Budgets.

The County Treasurer’s Report (CT/17/10) and accompanying detailed service budgets and spending plans incorporatedadditional spending in the sum of £2,000,000 on rural roads and £500,000 on Highways Drainage as suggested by the Council’s Scrutiny Committees, to be met from central budgets, as proposed at the Cabinet on 10 February 2017; acknowledging that this had no effect upon the Council Tax requirement or levels of precept set out in Reports CT/17/9 and CT/17/10.

The Council also had before it the updated overview of impact assessments relating to the 2017/18 budget;  previous iterations of which had been circulated and drawn to the attention of all Members of the Council for the purposes of the consideration of the budget by Scrutiny Committees, by the Cabinet and by this County Council. This was in order that Members might have access to all necessary equality impact assessments, including specific impact assessments undertaken as part of the budget’s preparation so that they might, in turn, have full regard to the responsibilities placed upon the Council to exercise its Public Sector Equality Duty in considering the proposals and their impact, before making a decision on the budget. The Impact Assessment had been re-circulated to Members  ...  view the full minutes text for item 83