Issue - meetings

Members considered recommendations from meetings of the Executive Committee on 6th February 2024 and held immediately prior to the Council meeting.  The Mayor explained that the proposed changes to the budget for the Parking SLA and the Termination of the North Worcestershire Economic Development Service had been incorporated into the Tranche 2 Medium Term Financial Plan and the recommendations on these items would be debated as part of the debate on the budget.

Carbon Reduction Strategy – Annual Review

The Council considered a report on progress with the Carbon Reduction Strategy which had been adopted following the Council declaring a climate emergency in 2022.

During consideration of the report Councillors welcomed the progress made with the actions and the development of an accessible dashboard to measure performance.  They also thanked the officers involved for their work in supporting the Council’s actions.

On being put to the vote, the recommendations were declared carried.

Non-Domestic Rates – Discretionary Rate Relief Policy

Council considered an updated policy for Discretionary Rate Relief.  The policy had been amended following the Non-Domestic Rating Act 2023, which had removed the previous restriction on backdating relief for any period beginning on or after 1st April 2023 and revocation of associated Regulations.  Local authorities would have full flexibility on the award, backdating and revocation of discretionary rate relief from 1^st April 2024. 

The revised policy defined the circumstances in which backdating of relief would be considered and when awards of discretionary relief would be revoked. 

On being put to the vote, the recommendation was declared carried.

Pay Policy 2024/25

As required by the Localism Act the Council considered its Pay Policy for 2025/25. 

The Statement set out policies relating to the remuneration of its chief officers, the remuneration of its lowest-paid employees, and the relationship between the remuneration of its chief officers, and the remuneration of its employees who were not chief officers.

On being put to the vote the recommendation was declared carried.

Medium Term Financial Plan (Including Treasury Management Strategy, Capital Strategy, Minimum Revenue Provision and Investment Strategy (Tranche Two) Including the Parking Enforcement Service Level Agreement and Termination of Shared Service Arrangement; North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration

The Portfolio Holder for Finance and Enabling presented and proposed recommendations in the Council’s Medium Term Financial Plan 2024/25 to 2026/27 together with the Treasury Management Strategy, Capital Strategy and Minimum Revenue Provision.  Council also considered recommendations relating to the Parking Enforcement Service Level Agreement and Termination of Shared Service Arrangement: North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration.  Updated fees and charges for Licensing functions had been circulated separately to the report for Councillors’ consideration. 

The Council set its budget in two tranches.  The initial tranche was published in the autumn and options were approved at Council in January. The second tranche was now being considered following receipt of the final Local Government settlement figures.

Following tranche 1 of the budget there was an overall budget pressure of £353k in the 2024/25 financial year reducing to a deficit  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74