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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Council Chamber, Town Hall, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, Essex CM15 8AY

Contact: Claire Mayhew (01277 312 741) 

Items
No. Item

365.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

No apologies were received for this meeting.

 

366.

Minutes of the previous meeting pdf icon PDF 411 KB

Minutes:

The minutes of the Policy, Resources and Economic Development meeting were approved as a true record.

 

Members raised from the minutes the need to circulate the Communication Policy approved at the meeting on 8th January 2020.  This will be circulated to all members by the clerk. 

 

367.

Budget 2020/21 pdf icon PDF 261 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Draft Medium-Term Financial Strategy (MTFS) considered by Policy, Resources and Economic Development Committee on 8th January 2020 gave Members an update on the various significant changes that would impact on the Council’s financial position.

 

The fundamental principles of the Council’s MTFS are to:

 

(i)               Maintain a sustainable financial position against a background of unprecedented financial uncertainty and reduced government funding, including the delivery of efficiency targets.

 

(ii)             Support the vision of our Borough through appropriate identification of resources required to deliver the key priorities outlined in the Corporate Strategy.

 

(iii)            Maximise opportunities and mitigate risks associated with the fundamental change to the way in which local government is financed.

 

This report considers:

 

(i)                       The General Fund budget proposals for 2020/21 to 2022/23.

 

(ii)                     The Council Tax Requirement for 2020/21

 

(iii)            The Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget proposals for 2020/21 onwards.

 

(iv)            The Capital and Investment Strategy for 2020/21 including the Councils capital Programme 2020/21 to 2022/23

 

(v)                      Fees & Charges

 

(vi)            Pay Policy Statement

 

(vii)           Section 151 Officers Assurance Statement

 

The Policy, Resources and Economic Development Committee is required to consider the proposals and make recommendations to Ordinary Council for Approval on 4th March 2020.

 

The figures presented summarise the detailed service budgets, together with known adjustments including the impact of the provisional central government grant funding.

 

The key elements of the proposed budget are:

 

General Fund

 

1)    A balanced budget to be set for 2020/21

2)    An increase of Council Tax for 2020/21 in order to deliver a balanced budget and deliver on the required investment outlined within the budget.

3)    The continuation of reduction in funding made available by Central Government

 

Housing Revenue Account

 

1)    For 2020/21 a budget that delivers a small surplus of £87k.

2)    Increase in rents of CPI plus 1% per annum

3)    Continued investment in the delivery of Decent Homes and Development of Housing within the Borough.

 

Capital

 

1)    Total additional capital investment of £10,564 million in 2020/21

2)    With an additional investment of £14,724 from 2021 to 2023.

 

Cllr Tumbridge MOVED and Cllr Mrs Hones SECONDED the recommendations in the report.

 

Members are asked to

 

R1.          Approve the proposals for the General Fund Budget and Medium-Term Financial Strategy as set out in Appendix A and recommend to Ordinary Council for approval on 4th March 2020.

 

R2.          Recommend that Council Tax is increased for 2020/21 by £5 per Band D property, increasing the charge for a Band D property from £188.63 to £193.63 per annum. The complete Council Tax Bandings (Brentwood Council Only) are included in Appendix A, Page 23

 

R3.             Approve proposals for the HRA budget 2020/21 including the 30 year HRA Business Plan within Appendix B and recommend to Ordinary Council for approval on 4th March 2020.

R4.             Approve an increase to rents for 2020/21 by CPI plus 1%

 

R5.             Approve the Capital and Investment Strategy in Appendix C including the Capital Programme and recommend to Ordinary Council for approval on 4th March 2020.

 

R6.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 367.

368.

Fields in Trust pdf icon PDF 209 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

On 30th January 2020 Planning & Licensing Committee Members approved the planning application for the proposed development of new facilities in King George’s Playing Fields.

 

King George’s Playing Fields has a deed of dedication which was agreed on 2nd November 1951 with Fields in Trust. Within the new development proposals, the new pavilion footprint is larger than the existing pavilion. It is proposed to remove the footprint of the new pavilion building from the demise of the existing deed of dedication with Fields in Trust and to allocate this space within another open space in the Borough.

 

After a full discussion, Cllr Tumbridge MOVED and Cllr Mrs Hones SECONDED the recommendations in the report., subject to an amendment to recommendation 2.

 

Members are asked to:

 

R1.   Approve the removal of the footprint of the proposed pavilion (Indicated on Appendix A), within King Georges Playing Fields (KGPF), from the current deed of dedication (Appendix B);

 

R2.   To delegate authority to the Director of Law and Governance, in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair of Policy, Resources and Economic Development, and the Leader of the Council, to negotiate and finalise all agreements with Fields in Trust to remove the new pavilion building footprint from the dee of dedication at King George’s Playing Field and consider appropriate alternative deed of dedication, and a deed of trust for Warley Playing Fields.

 

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED.

 

Reasons for Recommendation

The negotiation for the removal of the Deed of Dedication for the new pavilion will assist in the development of the facilities and also the future management of the building in respect of any relevant lease arrangements, following on from planning approval on 30 January 2020.

 

Comments from Sport England as part of the Local Development Plan consultation, stated that a Leisure Strategy is required that assesses Council owned sports and leisure facilities in order that the Council can continue to work with partners to ensure that appropriate provision is made for the residents of Brentwood. The strategy should not only consider how the Council can provide services, but also how other partners can. The strategy should also use current sports facility evidence to identify strategic priorities to then inform what will be included in the Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan.

 

The KGPF improvements support all six workstreams of the Leisure Strategy Built Facilities, Play Areas, Sport. Open Spaces, Health and Wellbeing and Governance Arrangements.

 

Any delay in the decision-making process may impact on build timelines for the project and therefore impact on the build costs and as a result the financial allocation for the project.     

 

369.

King George's Playing Fields - Development Management Agreement pdf icon PDF 223 KB

Minutes:

On the 30th January 2020 Planning & Licensing Committee Members approved the planning application for the proposed development of the new facilities in King George’s Playing Fields.

 

In tandem with the planning submission is the work to ensure Cost Certainty Design and Costings through RIBA Stage 4 process. Following planning permission being granted, the Council needs to procure a building contractor to deliver the project. It is proposed that the Council utilises the UK Leisure Framework Agreement to do this.  The Council has already used the framework to undertake the feasibility works and to gain the Council Cost Certainty for the project.

 

Cllr Tumbridge MOVED and Cllr Mrs Hones SECONDED the recommendation in the report.

 

Members are asked to agree:

 

1.            Approves that the Council enters into a Development Management Agreement with Alliance Leisure Services, though the UK Leisure Framework, and delegates to the Chief Executive, in consultation with the Chair of Community & Health Committee and the Leader of the Council, to conclude all arrangements, for the construction of the King George’s Playing Fields development.

 

A vote was taken by a show of hands and it was RESOLVED.

 

Reasons for Recommendation

As part of the Council’s due diligence in delivery a successful Leisure Strategy, Members and officers need to have a complete picture of the current associated costs, risk profiles of the Borough’s Leisure facilities and identify opportunities for income generation.

 

Comments from Sport England as part of the Local development Plan consultation, stated that a Leisure Strategy is required that assesses Council owned sports and leisure facilities in order that the Council can continue to work with partners to ensure that appropriate provision is made for the residents of Brentwood. The strategy should not only consider how the Council can provide services, but also how other partners can. The strategy should also use current sports facility evidence to identify strategic priorities to then inform what will be included in the Council’s Infrastructure Delivery Plan. Following this feasibility work, the Council will then be able to determine which projects will be funded by the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and those funded by planning obligations.

 

The Council’s Asset Management Strategy 2014/15 also sets out the need to obtain and maximise income where possible from its asset portfolio. 

 

The KGPF improvements support all six workstreams of the Leisure Strategy Built Facilities, Play Areas, Sport. Open Spaces, Health and Wellbeing and Governance Arrangements.

 

Both sites will provide a much improved fully inclusive offer of activities and facilities for residents and families.

 

The new pavilion will provide a more energy efficient and effective building.

 

Any delay in the decision-making process may impact on build timelines for the project and therefore impact on the build costs as a result and the financial allocation for the project.     

 

 

370.

Economic Development Update pdf icon PDF 150 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This Economic Development update was provided to Policy, Resources and Economic Development Committee to inform Members about progress regarding the following:

 

  • 2020 Brentwood Business Showcase;
  • Economic Development Study;
  • Place Audit of Brentwood, Shenfield and Ingatestone;
  • Brentwood Fibre First programme; and
  • Engagement with local employers.

 

Jonathan Stephenson gave an update to members on the recent communications with a number of businesses within the Borough.

 

Action Plan to be an item at Policy, Resources and Economic Development Committee in March 2020.

 

The Chair informed the committee this was an informational item and requested members to note the report.

 

 

 

 

371.

Member's Training Programme Update pdf icon PDF 213 KB

Additional documents:

Minutes:

This report was before member’s to update them on the Member’s Training Programme and the progress made with Member Development.  The timetable is attached at Appendix A for Member’s information.

 

Members asked about a summary for the training being delivered be supplied together with training start times been later, so more member’s can attended.  This was noted by the Officer.

 

The Chair informed the committee this was an informational item and requested members to note the report.

 

 

372.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

Minutes:

A motion was MOVED by Cllr Tumbridge and SECONDED by Cllr Mrs Hones that the public be excluded from the meeting on the items of business (10 and 11) on the grounds that the disclosure of exempt information as defined in schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

 

A vote was taken by a show of hands and was RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY.

 

373.

Minutes from the Previous Meeting - EXEMPT pdf icon PDF 276 KB

Minutes:

The exempt minutes of the Policy, Resource and Economic Development meeting were on 8th January 2020 were approved as a true record.

 

374.

Urgent Business

Minutes:

Investment Property Funding - EXEMPT

 

Cllr Tumbridge  MOVED and Cllr Mrs Hones SECONDED  the recommendations set out in the report.

 

A vote was taken by a show of hands and was RESOLVED.

 

 

The meeting concluded at 20:45