To receive apologies for absence.

There were no apologies at this meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2012 (attached).

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2012 were confirmed as an accurate record of that meeting.

The chairman to identify any items of urgent business.

No items of urgent business were considered at this meeting.

To receive any declarations of interest in any matter to be discussed at the meeting.  Members and officers are requested to identify the nature of the interest and indicate whether the matter is personal or prejudicial.

No declarations of business were made at this meeting.

To consider the attached copy of the cabinet forward plan and to agree any changes.

The cabinet forward plan that had been circulated with the agenda was noted and agreed.

Leader of the Council reminded members that at the cabinet meeting on 19 January 2012, Councillor Terry Hale, Cabinet Member for Community, had deferred consideration of proposals to enter a Low Carbon Homes Scheme with the Severn and Wye Energy Agency to allow councillors to attend an all member presentation on 30 January 2012. He said that the presentation from the Severn and Wye Energy Agency had been very useful and that he hoped members had a better understanding of how the proposal might sit with the Coalition Government’s Green Deal initiative to support the implementation of energy efficiency measures in residential homes.

Councillor Molyneux said that, following on from the presentation, and having discussed the practicalities of the scheme with other members, including Councillor Di Martin, it had become increasingly apparent that it might be beneficial to consider the proposals in more detail before making a formal decision. On this basis, the Leader postponed consideration of the item to the cabinet meeting in March, to allow members to study the proposals in more depth and for cabinet to make a better-informed decision. 

To consider questions from members of the public in accordance with the ‘Protocol for Public Questions at Cabinet Meetings’. For guidance on how to submit questions, please refer to the council’s website www.fdean.gov.uk. Alternatively, please contact Democratic Services on 01594 812624 or email democratic.services@fdean.gov.uk. All questions must be submitted in writing at least two working days prior to the meeting.

No public questions were considered at this meeting.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Patrick Molyneux, to invite non-executive members of the council to submit questions to cabinet. (A maximum of 15 minutes will be allocated to each meeting for consideration of member questions). Each question must relate to an item on the agenda and avoid confidential, personal or any other information where the law requires the council to consider the matter in private.

To assist in providing a complete answer, members are requested to submit questions to Democratic Services at least two working days before the meeting, either by email or in writing. Questions will be considered in the order of the agenda and at the discretion of the Leader of the Council.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Patrick Molyneux, said that, although he was not aware of any questions for this meeting, he intended to consider member questions as and when any items of interest appeared on the agenda.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Planning Policy, to present report F.149. Cabinet to consider the final budget proposals for 2012/13 before referring to full council for approval at the council meeting on 23 February 2012.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Planning Policy, presented report F.149, detailing the council’s final budget proposals for 2012/13 and medium term financial plan for the period to 2015, before referral to full council at the council meeting on 23 February 2012 for final approval. Councillor Robinson said that, since becoming a councillor in 2007, he had been involved in the preparation of five budgets, during which time he believed there had been a level of consistency in delivering some of the council’s commitments, including the decision not to increase the level of council tax for the district. Councillor Robinson said that he was particularly pleased with the recognition that had been received from the Audit Commission on the progress the council had made during this time.

Councillor Robinson reported several changes to the budget calculations that had been presented at the cabinet meeting in December, (as recorded on page 15 of the agenda). He also informed members of a levy that had been received earlier that day from the Lower Severn Drainage Board, reducing the surplus budget to £45,060.

Referring to section 4.6.1 of the report, Councillor Robinson said that it would be beneficial for the council to show a surplus, particularly in view of the 10 per cent reduction in government subsidy towards meeting the cost of council tax benefit that was anticipated in April 2013. Councillor Robinson said that the council hoped to consider ways of recovering this loss without making reductions in areas where the impact would be greatest. Later in the meeting, Group Manager for Finance, Derek Broom, confirmed that the loss had not been included in the council’s medium term plan and that the worst-case scenario would be that, out of the £590,000 reduction in subsidy for the whole of Gloucestershire, only £82,600 related to the Forest of Dean. 

Responding to questions about the budget consultation that was due to end the following week, Councillor Robinson said he believed it would be more appropriate to consider the responses at the council meeting on 23 February 2012, (after the consultation period had ended), in order to avoid the exclusion of some of the later responses.

Councillor Robinson noted a correction to the recommendations on the agenda that had been issued to cabinet members only. He also reported a modification to part of the decision that had been agreed at the cabinet meeting in December 2011, where cabinet members had resolved to freeze fees and charges for 2012/2013. Councillor Robinson said that, whilst it was acceptable for the council to contain some fees and charges, it was unavoidable for it to not incur an increase in statutory fees and charges as set by other sources.

Members were informed that an all member event entitled, ‘understanding the budget’, would be held in the council chamber at 6.00 pm on Thursday 16 February 2012. Cabinet members thanked Councillor Robinson and Group Manager for Finance, Derek Broom, for all the hard work that had gone  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Planning Policy, to present the council’s Treasury Management Strategy 2012/13, as detailed in report F.150.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Planning Policy, presented the council’s Treasury Management Strategy 2012/13, as detailed in report F.150.

Councillor Robinson referred to the presentation that had taken place on the council’s treasury management and investment control at the Audit Committee meeting on 26 January 2012. He said that the presentation from Finance Manager, Su Walker, had provided important clarification on this rather technical aspect of the council’s finance arrangements.

Referring to Annex A of the report, (Capital Prudential Indicators), Group Manager for Finance, Derek Broom, said that the finance team was currently undertaking a review of possible investment opportunities to offer the council a better return and tighter security than those currently offered by the money markets.  He said possible options included, further investment in social housing, the Local Authority Mortgage Scheme and investments in refuse vehicles. (A separate report will be referred to cabinet in the spring to consider the options in more detail).  The group manager said that the current low cost of borrowing provided a useful source of finance for such projects and that it would be necessary to produce a business case to reflect the demand of such investments on the council’s limited capital resources.

Referring to page 53 of the agenda, the group manager said that some of the criteria that had been identified as high quality investment opportunities would not necessarily be the council’s first choice of investment but could be considered as a fallback selection, should the current banking position take another sudden down turn. He said that the process of making reliable investment decisions continued to be high risk and that it had become increasingly difficult to consider all possible outcomes. In spite of this, he said that the finance team continued to work hard at identifying good investment opportunities, for which the Leader expressed his appreciation. The Leader also reflected on the merits in identifying local investment opportunities and the benefits of such to local communities and the district as a whole. Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to recommend to Full Council that it adopt the key elements of report F.150, including: -

a)     The Treasury Management Strategy for 2012/2013 to 2014/2015 contained in Annex B,

b)     The prudential and treasury indicators and limits for 2012/2013 to 2014/2015 contained in Annexes A, B and B2,

c)      The Minimum Revenue Provision (MRP) statement at paragraph 14 of Annex A, which sets out the Council’s policy on MRP,

d)     The Authorised Limit prudential indicator contained at paragraph 14 of Annex B,

e)     The Investment Management Strategy for 2012/2013 contained in paragraphs 28 to 33 of Annex B, and

f)    The detailed criteria included in paragraph 44 of Annex B

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Planning Policy, to present the council’s third quarter performance report for the financial year 2011/2012. Please refer to report SD.85.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Planning Policy, presented the council’s third quarter performance report for the financial year 2011/2012, as detailed in report SD.85. (This report had been considered at the Scrutiny Performance and Value For Money Panel meeting on Monday 6 February 2012).

Councillor Robinson gave an overview of some of the issues and highlights that had influenced the council’s performance during the period October to December 2011, (as reported on page 66 of the agenda). One notable observation was that overall sickness levels remained low at 5.84 days per full time equivalent employee, (a slight increase on the first and second quarters, but less than the 7.17 equivalent for the same period in 2010).

Councillor Robinson also referred to the Agresso Financial and Human Resources System that had been implemented as part of GO Shared Services Project in December 2011. Councillor Robinson said that the recent transfer of the payroll system had not been without some teething problems but that, generally speaking, the system was working quite well. Councillor Robinson also referred to the reduction in the number of planning appeals at the council, which he suggested, could have been affected by the reduced number of planning applications that had been received, in conjunction with the sound judgment of the planning authority in making good planning decisions. He also referred to the estimated time that it took to process new housing and council tax benefit claims. He said that current estimates were actually lower than those recorded on page 90 of the agenda, but that the number of claims had been affected from the backlog of work that had been created from the introduction of the new benefits computer system. 

Leader of the Council, Patrick Molyneux, referred to the welcome appointment of two apprentices at the council and said that he hoped more use of apprentices would be made in the future. Councillor Diana Edwards, Cabinet Member for Strategic Partnerships and Special Projects referred to the amount of grant funding that had been secured for local community projects, (as detailed on page 69 of the agenda), and commended the success of the Local Action Group in working so tirelessly on this worthwhile project. Cabinet noted the information and,

RESOLVED to note the report

Cabinet to consider the Cinderford (Northern Quarter) Area Action Plan before referring to Full Council for approval at the council meeting on 23 February 2012. Leader of the Council, Councillor Patrick Molyneux, to present report EDP 46.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Patrick Molyneux, presented the final version of the Cinderford (Northern Quarter) Area Action Plan, as detailed in report EDP.46. He said that, since its completion in July 2011, the plan had undergone wide-ranging consultation and had been examined by the Planning Inspector.

Councillor Molyneux said that the plan not only formed the basis of a major piece of work for the Cinderford area, but for the district as a whole. Commending the officers involved in producing such an important piece of work, including Regeneration Manager, Wendy Jackson and Forward Plan Manager, Nigel Gibbons, the Leader said that he was particularly pleased the plan had been supported by the Planning Inspector with only a few minor adjustments. He said that the plan would now be referred to the full council meeting on 23 February 2012 for final approval.

Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to approve the Cinderford Northern Quarter Area Action Plan, as modified following the Inspector’s recommendations, and to refer to Full Council for formal adoption.

Leader of the Council, Councillor Patrick Molyneux, to present report EDP 47, detailing the council’s Core Strategy document before referring to Full Council for adoption at the council meeting on 23 February 2012.

Following on from the previous report, Leader of the Council, Councillor Patrick Molyneux commended all those involved in the preparation of the council’s Core Strategy document, including those members of the public who had supported the extensive consultation process.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Planning Policy, agreed with this sentiment and said that the council had achieved an important milestone in becoming the first council in Gloucestershire to reach this critical stage of establishing its Core Strategy document as the basis for the future development of the district.

Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to refer the Core Strategy, as modified as a consequence of the Inspector’s recommendations, to Council, recommending that Council resolve to adopt it.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Planning Policy, to present report LD.390, detailing the council’s Draft Pay Policy Statement 2012/13, following publication of the Localism Act 2011.

Councillor Brian Robinson, Cabinet Member for an Efficient Council and Planning Policy, presented report LD.390, detailing the council’s guidelines and pay arrangements to be introduced to meet the statutory obligations of Section 38 (1) of the Localism Act 2011. Councillor Robinson said that the Localism Act included a requirement to approve a Pay Policy Statement prior to the start of each financial year. It also included a requirement to seek council approval for pay awards in excess of £100,000. (The latter requirement would be a formality, however, as no one at the council receives this level of pay).

Councillor Robinson said that the statement had been considered at the Staff Joint Consultative Panel meeting on 2 February 2012 and would be referred to Full Council on 23 February 2012 for formal approval. Praising Human Resources Manager, Karen Gane, for her work in producing the statement, Cabinet noted the report and,

RESOLVED to endorse the Pay Policy Statement and recommend its adoption by Full Council

Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for Environment, to update members on the progress of the new waste collection service for the Forest of Dean District. Councillor Quaile to present report E.43.

Councillor Martin Quaile, Cabinet Member for Environment, gave an update on the progress of the council’s new waste collection service. Councillor Quaile presented report E.43 and reminded members that in September 2010, Cabinet had approved a new waste collection service for the Forest of Dean.  Since that time, an implementation project had commenced and the Project Board and Project Team had met regularly to discuss progress and to review possible risks. Furthermore, the Waste Management Cabinet Support Group had been made aware of progress, with the last update reported on 9 January 2012.

Councillor Quaile said that, following completion of negotiations with Biffa in March 2011, Cabinet had approved the revised waste strategy on 10 March 2011. He said that the key service changes would occur in two stages: the first from 2 April 2012, involving a charge for the council’s garden waste collection service, and the second, from 2 July 2012, to introduce weekly food waste collections. Councillor Quaile believed overall progress had been good and said that the plans for the introduction of the new waste collection service were on track. 

In September 2010, Councillor Quaile, (Cabinet Member for the Environment), the Environmental Services Group Manager and the Interim Environmental Contracts Manager had attended a Corporate Scrutiny and Review Committee meeting to present a report that was due to go to cabinet later that month. At the meeting, the scrutiny committee had recommended that cabinet consider charging per bin rather than per household.  This comment had been taken on board and on 16 September 2010 cabinet agreed to impose a charge per bin rather than per household.

It was also suggested that those people who had already purchased bins should be offered a free service for the first year of charging. The response to the proposal was that, “officers would need to address the details of the administration of this after a decision had been made.” On 10 March 2011, cabinet subsequently resolved “to introduce an annual charge of £26 per bin, plus VAT, for the fortnightly collection of garden waste, with effect from April 2012, and from April 2013, for those who have purchased bins.”

Councillor Quaile said that this decision had not been time-limited. He said that the original purpose of the resolution had been to ensure the smooth implementation of the new service and to encourage take-up. He said that as most residents were longstanding users of the current scheme he proposed that a free one-year licence for the garden waste collection service be issued to those households who had purchased a green bin between 1st April 2011 and 1st April 2012. Councillor Quaile said that, during the 10 months from 1 April 2011 to 30 January 2012, the council had sold 222 green bins to householders. Should this demand continue, it was likely that the total for the year would rise to 267, representing a total value of £6942.

As a final update, Councillor Quaile said that in May 2011, it had become apparent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

Should the items of business not be completed at this meeting, cabinet will reconvene at 5.30pm on Wednesday 15 February 2012.

The next scheduled cabinet meeting will be held on 8 March 2012

8 March 2012