Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To invite Councillors to declare any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests or Other Disclosable Interests they may have in items on the agenda, and to confirm the nature of those interests.

Councillor Brunner declared an Other Disclosable Interest in relation to the Medium Term Financial Plan, as a Governor of RSA Academy Arrow Vale.  It was noted that the Medium Term Financial Plan was not an item for consideration by the Executive Committee, as this was to be considered at the Council meeting to take place immediately after the conclusion of the Executive meeting.

To receive Leaders announcements (if any)

Additional Papers

It was noted that one set of Additional Papers had been circulated ahead of the meeting, which comprised:

·       the Pay Policy Statement 2017/18 at Agenda Item 5; and

·       the Council Tax Resolutions 2017/18 at Agenda Item 6.

Pre-scrutiny of the Medium Term Financial Plan

Members were advised that the Overview and Scrutiny (O&S) Committee had made no recommendations on the Medium Term Financial Plan following their pre-scrutiny of this on 14th February 2017.  Accordingly, no Minute extract had been produced from O&S at that stage as there was nothing for Executive Members to consider on this.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 7^th February.

(Minutes attached)

RESOLVED that

the minutes of the meeting of the Executive Committee held on 7th February 2017 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

To consider the Pay Policy Statement for Recommendation to the Council (copy to follow)

Members considered the Council’s Pay Policy Statement for 2017/18 which had been circulated as Additional Papers.  Officers apologised for the delay in publication of the report owing to a number of Job Evaluation appeals which impacted on this.    

Under the Localism Act 2011 all authorities were required to adopt a pay policy statement by 31st March each year.  Members were advised that as the Council paid the National Living Wage no jobs within the authority were paid at Grades 1 or 2, with all posts commencing at Grade 3 or higher.  It was further noted that the Head of Housing Services post related solely to Redditch as Bromsgrove District Council had not retained its housing stock.    

RECOMMENDED that

the Pay Policy Statement 2017/18, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved.

To receive and consider recommendations (if any) from the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in relation to the proposals for the Medium Term Financial Plan.  The report considered by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee is that presented to the Executive Committee on 7^th February and is enclosed with the agenda for the Council meeting on 20^th February.

To consider and recommend to Council the Council Tax resolutions (copy of the resolutions to follow).

Overview and Scrutiny Committee Comments on the Medium Term Financial Plan

As advised under Leader’s Announcements, it was noted that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee had made no recommendations on the Medium Term Financial Plan following their pre-scrutiny of this on 14th February 2017. 

The Medium Term Financial Plan and the 7th February 2017 Executive Committee’s recommendations for this were to be considered at the meeting of the Council taking place immediately following the Executive Committee.

Council Tax Resolutions

Members considered the recommendations for the setting of the Council Tax for 2017/18, the report for which had been circulated as Additional Papers.  Officers apologised for the lateness of the report which was unavoidable as this could only be produced once all of the required information had been received from the relevant precepting authorities. 

Uniquely, subsequent to publication of the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement 2017/18 in mid-December, the final Settlement figures had not yet been confirmed by Government.  Officers had taken appropriate advice on this and it had been confirmed that Members could still make a decision on the setting of the Council Tax.

The proposed Council Tax for a band D unparished property for 2017/18 was £227.21.  This represented a 2.25% increase on the previous year’s figure of £222.21.  The 2.95% increase from Worcestershire County Council was noted.  

RECOMMENDED that

the recommendations, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report and as appended to these minutes, setting a Council Tax for 2017/18 of £227.21 for a band D unparished property, be approved.